Alec pulled Magnus even closer to him, pressing their mouths together furiously, hard. He wanted to drown in Magnus, like he had wanted to do for what seemed like an eternity.
Alec needed no fearless rune anymore. He wasn't afraid.

He remembered Clary's rune in the Accords Hall, the one that had finally made him see clearly for the first time. Magnus had told Alec that he loved him and all Alec could feel was a twisting sensation in his core. He didn't know if he loved Magnus back. He had loved Jace. And Magnus pointed that out to him, telling him it was no use pining over someone who didn't love you back.

Alec had been so surprised as the heat had spread through him, reaching every single inch of his body, filling him with hope and clarity. It was like being dropped in freezing water and walking up suddenly, only everything was pleasantly warm and comforting. He had finally woken up in that moment when he saw Magnus in his mind.

Alec had known what the rune meant as Clary drew it; even though he had never seen it before, the lines spoke to him clearly. That you would see the person you loved most in the world.
Alec had half expected to see Jace. He had become nervous as Clary had drawn the shape, sadness enveloped him in that moment that told him that Jace would be all he would ever see and Alec knew that would mean his life would waste.
But suddenly, as the room became affected by the powerful image, it was a certain Warlock that jumped into his mind, with all the sparkling fury he was known for. And, although surprised and weary and still in pain over his little brother's death, Alec had finally felt a happiness that he had never felt before.

The battle was over now. He had been bound to Magnus, and that was a feeling that Alec never wanted to lose. He felt Magnus was a part of him, all of the Warlock's strength, his dark energy that coursed through his body in the heat of battle. It was addictive and Alec wanted more.
As soon as the clouds lifted and the demons disappeared, Magnus had lifted him to his feet and held him in a passionate embrace. As their runes faded along with the demon invasion, Alec felt the same bond, the same electricity coursing through him as they kissed – as if their kiss mimicked the power of the rune. The dirt, debris, blood and ichor had not seemed to matter in that moment. Joy had swept through the ranks as the army of Nephilim and Downworlders embraced in celebration and relief. It was a glorious sight to behold, but Alec was more concerned with his Warlock. His Warlock.

They had rushed back to the city, holding each other's hand tightly, and Magnus led Alec to a small abandoned cottage near the gates. Many Nephilim had fled and their former homes had been taken over, with Clave permission of course, by other Shadowhunters and the additional Downworlders who had streamed into the city in readiness for the Battle with Valentine's demons.

They kissed and kissed, passionately, feverishly for what seemed to both of them like hours, just in the entrance hall of the cottage. Magnus had eventually led Alec into the living room and Alec managed to pull off his own shirt clumsily, whilst never removing his lips from Magnus'. Magnus gave a low moan at the back of his throat and did the same with his shirt, though the Warlock managed to take his off with much more grace than Alec. Alec suspected magic was involved.

They continued to kiss into the living room, feeling the closeness and heat from the other's torso as they did. Alec had his hand roughly splayed on the back of Magnus' neck and the other pressed firmly into the Warlock's lower back. Magnus had both of his hands entwined in Alec's hair.
Suddenly, Alec hit his calf on the back of the sofa. Seizing the opportunity, Alec whirled Magnus around deftly and pinned him to the soft sofa as they tumbled down, allowing Alec to continue his assault of the other man's mouth. Magnus was a little surprised by this move and rewarded Alec with a loud moan and an arch of his back once he had landed, whilst wrapping his arm around Alec's bare waist.

Alec could feel the heat between them intensify. He could feel the tightness and the friction between their tangled bodies. This was it. This is what Alec had dreamt about since he met Magnus. But now he didn't feel guilty or wrong for wanting to do this. It felt right. He loved Magnus and Magnus loved him and Alec couldn't think of a better way to seal that confession.

Magnus pulled his head away from Alec's and flung it backwards onto the sofa, letting out a gasp and exposing his throat for Alec to kiss.
Alec didn't really know what he was doing, but he let his body and his instincts guide him. Magnus wasn't complaining. In fact, the Warlock was whimpering slightly and gasping every time Alec's lips moved to a fresh area of skin. Alec's left hand began trailing down Magnus' smooth, toned abdomen and then Magnus caught his wrist and looked up. Alec stopped his kissing attack to gaze at Magnus.
"Oh my God Alec, I love you!" the Warlock exclaimed. Alec smiled broadly at him, both of them a little breathless.
"But are you sure? Do you want this? Are you sure you're ok?" Magnus asked him breathlessly.

It hit Alec like a sledgehammer. "Are you ok?"

His mind suddenly felt like someone had slammed a heavy iron door into it and Alec's heart dropped a good 60 feet.
No, he wasn't sure he was ok. The grief that he had bottled up over Max's death hit him hard. All at once, Alec felt very cold and alone and he felt tears rising to his eyes. He couldn't hold it back any more. He dropped to the floor, tumbling off the top of Magnus and then pulled his legs up beneath his chin as he started to sob.

Magnus jumped up so quickly it was like a rocket had gone off beneath him.
"Oh my God, what's wrong Alec?" Magnus asked him as the Warlock knelt down beside him and placed a tentative hand on his shoulder, hurt and worry edging his smooth voice.
"I'm not ok," Alec managed quietly between sobs.
"Oh, darling, no" Magnus said as he drew Alec to him and held him in his long arms. Magnus began making shushing and cooing sounds, stroking Alec's hair comfortingly.
"Max" Alec managed to sob out a few times.

The next thing Alec knew, Magnus had him on his feet and was leading him upstairs. He sat Alec don on the bed beside him, still holding onto him tightly, smoothing his hair. Magnus then pulled Alec down to a lying position beside him, lying down too, and held him in his arms, purring soothing sounds into Alec's ears, hypnotising him.

Alec must have fallen asleep because he was aware that he was dreaming. Magnus was there in his dream and Alec was holding his hand. They were standing on a hill overlooking Idris. It was spring and they were surrounded by fragrant flowers and a light breeze tickled Alec's face. The sun was bright and warming. Magnus turned to him and whispered, "I love you Alexander. I will be with you forever. I will make sure we are always together."
And then Magnus brushed his cheek softly and the image began to dissolve around them both. Alec could feel himself on top of a soft mattress. His eyes were still closed but he could feel Magnus still stroking the side of his face, as he had done in his dream.