~Chapter One~
Alec pushed his way into Pandemonium, a crumpled note held tight in his hand. He'd run out of the Institute in such a hurry, he didn't even have time to tell anyone where he was going. Not that anyone was at the Institute to tell. Jace took off earlier in the day with Clary by his side; they'd been inseparable lately. Izzy... Izzy was sympathetic to Alec's loneliness but he'd urged her to spend some time out with Simon, insisting that he would be just fine on his own. That was not a complete lie. He was. For the most part. When he wasn't thinking, or breathing, or existing.
It felt like an eternity to get to Pandemonium. The object of his heart wanted to see him, to speak to him. He could hope. The note sliced through the his heart, the sensation of the loss bleeding his soul all over the floor. Again. By the Angel, Alec thought he had screwed that up beyond repair. He scanned all the dancing, writhing bodies clad in stretchy, shimmering materials and colors that made his eyes hurt. Except for when Magnus wore them. His heart hammered in his chest. How was he going to find him?
Speak of the devil and he appears. Or, in this case, think of the devil's son... Magnus Bane, High Warlock of Brooklyn clad in skin tight leather pants that sparkled purple in the strobe lights. His shirt shimmered yellow and gold as he moved to the music, silky, sexy and mesmerizing Magnus Bane. His dark hair was spiked and glistened, like he'd coated it with glitter, and he probably had. Even his lips sparkled. Those gorgeous green and gold cat eyes summoned him from across the club. The warlock gave him a little finger wave before disappearing out a side door.
Alec deftly wove his way through the throng of dancers. He had one focus and that focus left a trail of glitter and sandalwood. The evening air hit Alec in a cool rush.
The slight glow from a street light left the alley a tunnel of darkness. He lost where Magnus had gone. Music thumped through the closed door. Where was he? Taking another step further into the dark, Alec felt familiar flutter of apprehension in his stomach. He'd had dreams like this, where he came so close to seeing Magnus...
"You're looking ravishing tonight, darling…" an amused voice seemed to float on the air.
In his black hunting leathers and blue scarf, ravishing was not what Alec would ever think of himself as. The world slowed as Alec turned towards the voice and Magnus. Leaning languidly against a graffiti littered wall, he looked like a centerfold in a porn magazine. Not that Alec knew what those looked like. He blushed. Not at all."Wh-what?"
"The scarf…brings out the color of your eyes." The warlock purred.
Alec touched the garment currently wrapped around his neck. "Oh." Heat rose to his cheeks. The scarf. From Magnus. He wore it everyday. Even if it wasn't necessary. He couldn't part with it. Alec curled his fingers around the fabric defensively, hoping the man would not ask for it back. He straightened his posture self-consciously. He'd gone over this moment so many times in his head, but now that it was here, he had no clue what to say. All the practiced speeches seemed... inadequate.
Magnus pushed off the wall and slinked towards him. Alec took an instinctive step back. The warlock followed him. He took another step back and hit the brick wall. "Ow." Letting out a breath, Alec shook his head. This was silly. He spent all this time wanting to be near Magnus, he would not run away now.
Alec reached out, brushing his fingers over the man's silky shirt. It felt smooth and cool under his touch. Licking his lips he tried again. "Magnus." He gave a weak smile. "I didn't think you wanted to see me ever again."
"You made quite the persuasive argument…what with all the calling and then hanging up." The warlock murmured, humor dancing in his eyes. He loomed over the shadowhunter, and leaned down, one hand by Alec's head. "I have to admit…I found it rather charming." His warm breath tickled Alec's cheek.
Alec flushed darker. "I-I-I..." He had hoped Magnus wouldn't know the phone calls were him. He'd frozen every time he heard the man's voice over the speaker. Even after getting a new number when he'd gotten his new phone, he couldn't stop. Jace later destroyed it but that was a moot point. He needed something to connect to him with. He was still pissed at his parabatai for making him lose all the texts between them. Now he didn't have any of Magnus's ridiculously glittery text declarations of love. He didn't know how Magnus had made those glitter characters.
"Camille is dead, you know." Magnus drawled.
"I know." Alec shifted, muttering angrily. "I didn't get to kill her."
The warlock's glittery lips formed a line. "She was a conniving bitch… and played both of us." Magnus reached forward, running the tip of his fingers up Alec's arm. "I did warn you about that."
"I know." Alec whispered as he squeezed his eyes closed. Losing Magnus was his own damn fault. His own fault for being so gullible and unsure of the warlock's feelings. He'd had proof. In all it's glittery form. And pictures. Or, had. Damn Jace.
Magnus smoothed the front of the leather strap for his bow and stele. Flicking his fingers up, he tucked a piece of hair behind Alec's ear, cupping his cheek. "But I forgive you."
"Wh-what?"
Magnus brushed his lips across Alec's and smiled sadly. "I knew of your uncertainties… while I don't agree with your actions, I understand them. Perhaps if I'd been more attentive, you wouldn't have felt the need to do something so ...drastic." He laid another kiss on Alec's forehead.
"No." Alec breathed. He stopped fingering the shirt and grabbed the material. "No, Magnus. I should've just told you. It's stupid to be jealous or angry over it. I am a Shadowhunter. We don't get to grow old. We die in the line of duty." He licked his lips, shutting his eyes. Angel, he didn't want to see the truth. "We don't get to have forever."
Magnus gently titled the boy's head up. "Alexander-" He sounded distraught.
"I just want to have as-as much of a life as I can. With you. And hope that-" Alec paused, emotion rising in his throat. It took him a moment to continue. The fear sliced through him again, cold, daunting, and helpless. "That... it will be enough. To have a place. In your heart, and... and memories once I'm gone." He swallowed thickly. "That's it. That's all." He whispered. His eyes welled with unshed tears, he refused to let fall.
"Sweet-little-Nephilim," The words came out strangled and exasperated. "You're beautiful even when you cry." He kissed him, long, slow, savoring.
Alec hiccupped, breath catching. "I'm not crying," he lied.
Magnus smiling to himself, wiping away the tears, not arguing. "Of course not, dear." He murmured, pulling Alec against him. He tucked the Nephilim's head under his chin. Staying in the quiet cocoon of those long arms, that slow, steady heartbeat calmed the tears. After a few moments Alec's breathing matched that beat.
"…I was being serious." Alec cleared his throat.
"So was I. I can't stay angry with you," he chuckled. "And I don't want to."
Alec willed himself to relax. Closing his eyes he wrapped his arms loosely around the warlock's slim waist and pressed his cheek against his shoulder. He allowed himself to be as affectionate with Magnus as he wanted to be. He missed freedom. He could stay just like this forever.
Alec's heart clenched and he forced himself back to look up at those cat eyes. "I, uh..." He ran trembling fingers over Magnus's shoulder. "Does this mean you are taking me back?"
The warlock cradled Alec's face in his warm hands. He brushed a soft kiss over his lips and paused. "I certainly hope so." Magnus said in that low, pleased purr.
That voice. The one that lit him on fire. Alec grabbed the back of Magnus' neck and crashed their lips together. Mine. He demanded access, opening his mouth and sucking harshly on those sticky, bubble-gum flavored lips.
Magnus laughed against him. "A little eager, are we?" He asked between kisses.
"Shut up." Alec growled, fingers still tangled in Magnus's hair. He knew it was dangerous to be out in the open like this. Anyone could come by. Right now it didn't matter. "And kiss me."
"Let's take this somewhere… a bit more private." Magnus' voice was rough and enticing. Keeping his body pressed against Alec, he murmured a spell and a blue light pulsed behind him. When the flickers became a steady glow, Magnus wrapped his arms under Alec, picking him up. The shadowhunter got the message, taking a stronger hold, wrapping his legs around his waist. He nipped at the glittery skin before him. He let out a little moan when Magnus' teeth grazed the sensitive skin of his throat.
The portal spat them out on the floor. The pair rolled with the force of it and stopped on the plush, red carpeting. Alec ended up on top. He feared vaguely for his weapons, but that is what sheaths were for. Pushing himself up Alec blinked, looking around the room. It was a hotel room, dimly lit. A large, four poster bed sat in the center. Red rose petals scattered in the shape of a heart on the white comforter. A chilling bottle of something sat on a nightstand with two champagne glasses. A cart sat near the bed, a silver tray of chocolate covered strawberries on it. A bubbling sound came from the corner behind him, where a huge Jacuzzi sat, an assortment of oils on the edge. Alec flushed.
"Darling?" Magnus sat up, taking Alec's face in one hand. "Are you alright?"
"What-? Where-?" He stuttered wide eyed.
"I was going for the lover's suite in Venice." Hands on his waist, Magnus gently moved him over so he could get to his feet, then pull Alec up as well.
"Jacuzzi?" Alec squeaked. "I don't remember there being one of those."
"There should have been." Magnus murmured tersely, tugging Alec to him by the belt of his weapon's harness. He led Alec toward the bed backwards. "We are missing something though..." He snapped his fingers and a fireplace appeared with a roaring fire and a bear rug in front of it. "There. Also?" He snapped once more and soft violin music began to play.
Alec wrapped his arms around Magnus' neck, fingers combing with the strands at the nape of his neck. He tucked his head against Magnus's body so he couldn't see him laughing. It was terribly romantic, but also so over the top it made him blush. Magnus always... layered everything on so thick. Make-up and all. Endearing. Sappily endearing. He loved it.
Magnus kissed his cheek, nuzzling it. "Do you like it?" He asked plopping down onto the bed, pulling Alec onto his lap. "What? What's so funny?" A smile twitched at the edge of his lips.
Alec couldn't stop laughing. He was pretty sure his dimples were wholly evident. "It's a bit more than... nevermind. Just kiss me." Alec leaned in to reclaim his boyfriend's mouth. "And take off my clothes." He commanded, shoving Magnus against the mattress. He shifted to straddle him completely eliciting a groan from him. Alec unbuckled his weapons harness and it clattered to the floor behind him.
Taking his face and turning it towards him, Magnus smiled. "Now…" he purred. "Where were we?" He ran his fingers up Alec's chest. He unzipped the vest to marvel at him. "You, sweetness," he leaned up to pepper the marked chest with kisses, "are beautiful."
Alec looked down, unbelieving and slightly embarrassed. He did not shrug the vest to the floor. He leaned down to kiss the warlock, relishing the slight burn from the coarse hair of his goatee. Magus cupped the back of Alec's head, their kisses were hard, needy, and searing. Magnus rolled them over pinning Alec under him. He pulled back and let out a throaty laugh.
Alec's eyes fluttered and his chest moved out with his breath. "What?"
"You have.." Magnus reached down and plucked a rose petal up. "Flowers in your hair."
Snorting, Alec yanked him back down by the shirt to kiss him. Then, deciding better of it, he wanted the clothing off and tore the shirt apart.
Magnus laughed into his mouth, fingers tangling with Alec's as he helped rid himself of the offending, ruined garment.
Satisfied now, Alec ran his hands over the expanse of smooth, dark skin available now. Tilting his head up, Alec licked a line from the edge of the warlock's pants up to his sternum. He took a moment to tease one nipple with a swirl of his tongue then the other. Magnus's skin tasted sickly sweet, like all the sugar he ate oozed from his pores. It was by far Alec's favorite indulgence. Magnus wanted his mouth for another purpose and guided him back up for a kiss.
Pulling the scarf loose, Magnus letting it slide through his fingers hooking on the headboard. Then his nimble fingers found the buttons of Alec's pants. They slid underneath Alec's backside, digging into his skin and he gasped.
"Sorry to break up the filming of Magnus the Magnificent Bangs Helpless Shawdowhunter, but —oh, god you're still not doing snuff films are you?" An amused voice asked, and then added. "He's too cute for that."
Alec jerked. Magnus went rigid. The warlock pulled back abruptly, but keeping Alec half-hidden underneath him. Over the warlock's shoulder Alec saw a tall man. He had short, cropped brown hair, a strong jaw line, green eyes that glittered in the dim light and a smirk to match. He wore simple clothing, blue jeans, a faded, dark t-shirt and a trashed leather jacket. Even Alec had more fashion sense.
Magnus fluidly rolled off Alec, the shreds of his silk shirt pooled by Alec's sides. He ran a hand through his hair, fixing it. "Wasn't there a Do Not Disturb sign?" His voice sounded steady, but Alec noticed the tightness in his jaw.
Alec hastily redressed himself and zipped up his vest. His hands scrubbed over his face and through his hair, sitting up. His face was burning and he certainly didn't like the way the intruder was gazing at him. Snakes looked at canaries like that.
"Wouldn't have mattered anyway." He said, sauntering to kneel on the foot of the bed, between Alec and his weapons. "But don't stop on my account. Should I get the camera?"
Tomatoes were jealous of the red Alec's face turned. Sputtering, he scrambled backward and fell off the bed with an ungraceful thump and a shower of petals. Trapped between the bed, the wall, and a nightstand, he did not like his current tactical position.
"Alec!" Magnus exclaimed, his face appearing over the edge, concerned. "Are you alright, darling?" He shuffled forward, raining more petals down. A small smile appeared on his face at the image. Alec was pretty sure he was being laughed at.
He glowered at him. "Friend of yours?" He huffed, gaining his feet.
Grinning, the other man grabbed a strawberry off the cart and bit into it. Savoring the taste, he commented idly, "It is curious though." The man lazily ran his eyes up and down Alec with a crooked smirk. "You bear a striking resemblance to someone." He murmured, shot a glance at Magnus.
Stiffening, Alec unleashed his most accusatory glare and discretely reached for the bottle behind him. "Who the hell are you?" He demanded, not appreciating being the object of jokes, finding himself more irritated than embarrassed at the interruption.
"He's feisty." The man wagged his eyebrows at Magnus, laughing.
Magnus groaned and put himself between the two. "Alexander, this is Kale." He rolled his eyes as he twirled a hand to the kneeling man, in an exasperated introduction. "The High Warlock of Canada. Which doesn't sound as terrifying as he really is. He needs the extra wilderness for protection." He rose, turned and pressed his lips to Alec's temple. He tried to warn the boy with a look as he spoke, "Things tend to burn more easily when he's around. Electricity has more charge... gravity is denser? That kind of thing?" He shot a glare at his fellow warlock. "I thought we agreed to meet tomorrow?"
"So sorry the war is interrupting your sex life." Kale deadpanned. He cast a side glance at Alec. "Though I can appreciate your new digs. Here I thought you still lived in that POS loft in Brooklyn. This isn't the type of bed that needs quarters, is it? You always liked those."
Magnus turned and gave Alec a meaningful look. He tugged at the bottle in the hunter's hand. After a brief tug of war, Alec reluctantly relinquished his weapon. The warlock gave him a brilliant smile as he popped the top. The cork flew at Kale, alas, the man caught it. Magnus calmly poured two flutes and gave one to Alec. Sipping his own glass, Magnus set the bottle back in the wine cooler.
Who in the angel's name was this downworlder? An ex-lover of Magnus? He wondered bitterly. Alec stared at the man as he made himself comfortable on their bed, he swallowed the entire flute of sugary bubbles with a grimace.
"Alexander, was it? Another Herondale?" His voice was less curious and more condescending.
"Lightwood." Alec growled, disliking the warlock more and more as time went on.
Kale's green eyes widened at that. "A Lightwood?" he scoffed, eyeing Magnus with disbelief and then smirked. "You're banging a Lightwood? Nicely done." He seemed to mean it.
Anger boiled inside Alec, as it always did when anyone insulted his family. He reached for the bottle again, but Magnus gripped his waist and pulled him in a dance move he'd seen at one of the warlock's parties. He was suddenly out of the corner and away from the nightstand.
"Ignore him, darling," Magnus started humming along with the violin music, with the flutes in hand it should have been romantic. Deftly maneuvering him out of the narrow space, cheek to cheek, the warlock twirled the fuming hunter to a stop at his weapons. Magnus still kept himself between the two, with clear intent.
Appreciative of the weaponry, he left a kiss on Magnus's cheek before stooping to retrieve his harness.
"Oh, sonuva bitch. Now you've armed him." Kale muttered sourly.
"As if my weapons are what you need to worry about." Alec snorted. No one ever seemed to take Alec seriously.
Kale paused for a moment and gave Alec an unimpressed once-over. "Clearly." He picked another strawberry and licked the chocolate clean off, eyes watching the young hunter with a self-satisfied shine.
"Stop baiting him." Magnus snapped in a flash of glitter and fury. Finally sounding angry, he took Alec's empty glass and shoved both of them into Kale's hands. Putting his face in Kale's, he spat, "I hate you."
Unfazed, Kale took them, leaned over just enough to see Alec and said, "No, he doesn't." His green eyes went back to Magnus. "You love me. You know you have more fun when I'm around." He waved the glasses as he spoke, looking slightly cross. "Although if you keep handing me glasses without booze, I might re-evaluate our relationship."
The fireplace flared for a second, singeing the bear rug. Alec ducked and rolled away from the burst, ending in a crouch on the other side of the room, stele drawn. The stench of burnt hair filled the room.
"You are a menace, Kale." Magnus shot the warlock a glare. "I'll never get my deposit back if you keep doing that." He snapped his fingers and in a blue flash the fireplace and rug were gone. With another snap he silenced the violin music.
Holding up his hands apologetically, Kale waved the glasses and shrugged. "That... one... wasn't intentional." He even sounded sincere. "Alright, alright." He sighed, rose and put the flutes back by the bottle, which he took a long pull of and nearly spat it back out. "I forgot you love that sweet shit." Grimacing he shoved the strawberry champagne bottle back in the chiller.
Alec studied the intruder. Shadowhunters could see through glamor, the permanent True Sight rune on his hand should take care of that. Yet he could not see the Devil's Mark on Kale. The short brown hair was real. His skin was a human caucasian pink, maybe a little pale. His eyes were a steady, human green. There were no bumps, ridges, or swells to indicate horns, wings, or any other additional limbs on him. For all intense purposes, he looked like a mundane. Possibly a homeless mundane. Why hadn't Magnus just thrown him out? Why did he try to convince him Kale had so much power? He couldn't feel anything when he looked at the man, except annoyance. Magnus's power ran hot, like a small aura of sunlight. Kale felt... like nothing. Void. Nothing. It was weird.
"Alexander," Magnus offered a hand to pull him to his feet. Once standing he took the younger man's face in his hands.
Alec's anger dissipated when he saw the distressed look in Magnus' eyes. "Magnus?"
He pressed their lips together, gripping Alec's arms tightly enough to bruise. When he pulled back he whispered against Alec's still tingling lips. "Listen to me very carefully…I'm going to open a portal and you are going to go through it."
Alec tensed. "What? No." Leave him here with this menace?
"I am opening a portal and you are going to go." He growled. Blue light already started to shimmer around them. Alec could feel the warlock's heart beating much faster in his chest. Something spooked him.
"Not a friend?" He could not chance losing Magnus now. Not when he'd finally gotten him back. He couldn't shake the worry that this all was just a dream, and he'd wake in his bed like nothing changed.
"It's complicated. Don't make me force you, Alexander, please."
It was the please that did it. He stopped arguing and nodded. "I am not happy leaving you here with him. What is going on?"
"I will call you in the morning." He smiled. After a moment he added jokingly, "And not hang up on you." Magnus gave him a hard shove and he fell back into the portal that closed behind him with a pop.