Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, etc.
Author's Note: I post a fair few one-shots so I'm going to start posting them as one big bunch so they are a bit tidier :D
Desire is such a filthy word. It slips of the tongue with ease. Reminiscent of the hiss of a snake it implies temptation and sin. It casts a shadow on the hearts of the pure and strengthens the hearts of the experienced. It ravages the soul with a white hot flame that is inextinguishable. Like a disease it brings people down from the inside.
For centuries there have been those who have embraced it and those who have suppressed it. But it is all in the eyes, that is where the truth lies.
"Why do you look at him like that?"
Alexander Lightwood spun round on his heel and faced the Warlock.
He was just standing there; Magnus did not look like himself at all. His eyes were dull and his clothes dark. He looked elegant and graceful but tense. Despite his lack of movement and the emptiness of his tone, Alec could sense a simmering energy welling up behind those dull eyes.
Cat eyes, the mark of his power and inheritance. Half demon, entirely Warlock, Magnus was conceptually a strange beast. It seemed strange to Alec that all of this should occur to him now. This was his boyfriend, his lover. So why was he thinking about him as a creature of legend? Magnus was real, he had felt his touch and been warmed by his breath, but... here he was standing in the middle of the room looking so strange and exotic.
"I don't know what you mean," said Alec.
"Yes, you do," replied Magnus. His tone was just as empty, and yet powerful, as before.
Alec hands balled in to a fist. Yes, he did know and he wished it wasn't so.
"Why can't you let him go?" asked Magnus. He shook his head sadly as he spoke as if he saw no hope for Alec.
"I-I don't know," the young Shadowhunter stuttered.
Magnus could not look at him anymore. Instead he stared down at the wooden table beside him and brushed his long fingered hand across its surface. He felt its every blemish and its every perfection. When there was smoothness there came a patch of roughness and then balance was restored. The equilibrium of its state maintained.
"I do not ask perfection from you, Alexander Lightwood. But I do ask for loyalty. I do not think that too difficult a request."
Alec nodded slowly even though he knew the Warlock could not see because his eyes were still trained on the table; anywhere but in Alec's direction.
It was so strange how different Magnus was today. Where was the gaiety, the colour and the vibrancy Alec had come to love so much? It was these things that Alec lacked within himself. He needed Magnus to provide these things to make him complete. But not this Magnus. This Magnus seemed full of darkness and shadows.
"Why are you so different?" he asked, slowly.
That was what made Magnus look up. Their eyes met and a link was forged that neither could break.
"Because of you, Alexander. You do this to me, you change me. I want you, I need you, and I love you. The time has come for you to accept that. I have been alive so long." His eyes closed as he spoke and his lips parted slightly as he sighed, "I am so... tired."
He walked over to Alec slowly, his hand outstretched. Alec reached out and grabbed it. They held each other tightly whilst gazing intently at every shift in expression of the other. In tune.
"I just want you to be mine and mine alone," he took Alec's chin up in the palm of his free hand. "Alexander Lightwood," he whispered, "Please will you just be mine? You loved him when you were young, when you had nothing else to idolise and put on a pedestal. He was convenient. But you don't need him anymore. Do you know how domineering and selfish you have made me? All I want is you, there have been others, many, many others, but none quite like you. I am too tired to fight for your affection, so tell me now, once and for all, are you mine Alexander Lightwood?" His eyes seemed to light up from within. There was magic, a power in them that Alec could not at first define. But then he knew what it was. He had always known in his heart...
Alec's breathing became ragged as these words struck him as if he had been beaten with every move of Magnus's mouth. Magnus could feel him tremble beneath his touch. And then he saw it; a fire was lit behind the young man's eyes. The fires of desire.
He opened his mouth and said the one word which solidified their relationship forever. "Yes."
And Magnus knew it to be true. Finally, it was true.