Max visits Bad Blood.
Actual dialogue from the episode by Allison Rymer.
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Max sits in Magnus' office as he waits for his laptop to boot up. Magnus is working on a potion for a client and humming to himself.
Max smiles when he realizes what song it is. Kelly Clarkson's Love so Soft. He never saw his Poppa as a fan of hers. He giggles, "Kelly Clarkson, Poppa?"
Magnus continues to stir the potion, "I like the song."
Max smiles, "On a personal level?"
Magnus winks at him, "You could say."
Max giggles, "You and Daddy, do have a soft love."
Magnus laughs, "Don't tell your Daddy that. He'll carry on about being a 'ShadowHunter', 'defender of mundanes', 'badass warrior', 'demon killer'. Et cetera et cetera."
Max giggles, "As he looks at you and blushes."
Magnus smiles, "Exactly."
"Was there ever a time when you thought Daddy wasn't in love with you?"
Magnus looks down at the potion simmering. He says quietly, "When he told me that he was getting married. For a second, I thought he was proposing to me."
"Would you have said 'yes'?"
Magnus smiles as he holds up his left hand, "I would have said 'hell yes'. He told me, he was marrying Lydia and I wanted to cry. Centuries old and I was going to cry over a ShadowHunter wanting to marry some woman instead of me. He called it a "solid partnership". I wanted to call it what it actually was, bullshit."
"But you still crashed his wedding."
Magnus nods, "I loved him from the first moment I looked into his eyes, and from his reaction, I knew he felt something for me."
Max smiles, "Forgetting his name, kind of something."
Magnus nods, "Yes."
His laptop is finally ready. Max types 'proposes'. He taps on the keyboard and waits. Magnus returns his attention to the potion.
The program is ready. Max syncs up his phone, powers down the laptop and takes it to his room. He returns to Magnus' office and kisses his father's cheek, "Later, Poppa."
"Have fun, blueberry."
"I hope so." Max creates a portal, sets his invisibility glamour and leaves.
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Max walks out of the portal. He is in a lab. There's a dead creature on the table. Daddy and Lydia are looking at it.
Lydia says, "I'm calling the nearest High Warlock to come in to consult."
Daddy stammers, "Magnus Bane? To come here to the Institute?"
Max laughs, no Daddy, Poppa is going to Coney Island.
"Yes, is there a problem?"
"No. Not at all. Magnus is, um quite magical. He's, uh, very very good at magic."
Max giggles, Daddy, warlocks usually are good with magic.
"Do you know him well?"
"Uh, just a little."
Max giggles, Daddy's brain stopped working when she said Poppa was coming here.
"I actually can't wait to meet him. Did you know that my great ancestor, Henry Branwell, who was the last of the Branwells to run an Institute, and Magnus Bane invented the portal?"
Max's eyes widen, Poppa invented portals? Cool.
"No. Just add that to the list of things I didn't know." He walks away from the table.
Max rolls his eyes, always drama. He snaps his fingers.
Same room. Same creature on the table. But this time Poppa is examining it.
Aunt Izzy walks into the room, "You almost done?"
Poppa tells her, "Patience is a virtue, my dear."
"Come on. I want to get my hands on that thing."
"Speaking of which, how is Alexander? I was hoping I might hear from him."
Max giggles, Poppa!
"Putrefaction. It's decomposing."
Max smiles, Aunt Izzy isn't listening.
"It's just so hard to tell if Alexander is even interested. I mean, I can't fathom why he wouldn't be."
Max nods, poor Daddy IS interested.
"I'm not sure if you noticed, but my brother is not exactly warm and fuzzy."
Max giggles, Daddy IS warm and fuzzy.
"Hmm, I suppose. With Clary's arrival."
"And Valentine's return."
"Running the Institute."
"The envoy from the Clave."
"Oh, who I hear is very impressive. What else? Oh. Babysitting Jace."
Max sighs, now what?
"And dealing with our parents who are trying to find him a wife." Poppa looks at her, shocked. She gives him a weak smile, "Sorry."
"It's quite all right. I suppose Alec is just following his duty."
Max sniffs, ShadowHunter duty sucks.
"Not everyone gets the luxury of following their heart."
Max nods, Daddy eventually did.
Poppa sighs, I'm gonna go deliver the preliminary findings. It seems like you have everything under control here." He leaves the room.
Max sighs and snaps his fingers.
He is in the training room. Max sighs. He sees Daddy run in and take off his shirt. Max is confused. Daddy starts hitting the punching bag.
Max giggles, Daddy what did the punching bag do to you?
Max smiles as he sees Poppa walk into the training room, ah now I see what is going on.
Daddy sees Poppa and stops beating the poor bag, "Magnus."
Max laughs, smooth Daddy, real smooth.
Poppa stares at Daddy as he walks over, "Okay, I'm back." Daddy walks past Poppa to the bench. Poppa stares at Daddy, "Oh, you don't have to get dressed up for me." Daddy puts his shirt back on. "Fine. But I liked what I saw."
Max laughs, Poppa, Daddy is so interested in you.
Poppa keeps looking at Daddy's chest as he hands a folder to Daddy, "I have the preliminary autopsy findings."
Daddy tosses the folder on the bench, "Why are you giving this to me? This should go to the Head of the Institute."
Max smiles, that would be YOU, Daddy.
Poppa is distracted by Daddy's chest, "And it is."
Max nods, see Poppa knows.
"I'm not. And I never will be."
Max laughs as Poppa keeps looking at Daddy's chest, Poppa, Daddy's eyes are up here.
Daddy sighs, "Magnus, it's like my whole life has been a lie. Now, everything I've ever known is..."
Poppa nods, "It's not what you thought."
Daddy sighs, "I've done everything for my parents, for the Clave and I've done everything that they've asked."
"Maybe you should start living for yourself. Do what's in your heart."
"I can't believe I'm saying this. I think you're right."
Poppa smiles as Daddy picks up the folder and walks out of the training room.
Max sighs and snaps his fingers.
He's in an office with Lydia. Daddy walks in. Max thinks about it, then shakes his head, I changed my mind. He snaps his fingers and he's in a training room.
A blond guy is training with a staff. Max realizes this is the guy that was with everybody the morning of Daddy's not wedding to Lydia. Max sighs, maybe I should have stayed where I was.
A monster comes into the room and attacks the blond guy. But it doesn't look like the blond guy is trying to kill the monster. Max is confused, why am I here?
Max is about to snap his fingers and move on, when it looks like the blond guy is in trouble. An arrow hits the monster in the back. Max watches as Daddy sends another arrow at the monster. The monster goes after Daddy.
Max narrows his eyes, is this Hodge? He rubs his thumb across his fingers as he tries to remember what little he has heard about Hodge.
Daddy is on the floor and the monster advances on him. Max gets ready to defend his father, when the blond man finally gets his act together and goes after the monster for real. He snaps the monster's neck.
Max glares at the blond man, you almost got my Daddy killed. He watches as Aunt Izzy runs into the room and goes over to Daddy. Max relaxes, Aunt Izzy won't let anybody hurt Daddy.
Aunt Izzy looks at the blond guy, "Hodge what happened?"
Max's eyes narrow, this IS Hodge. He doesn't hear what the man says because Robert walks into the training room. Max shakes his head, too many bad guys next to my Daddy, I need to get out of here before I hurt somebody. He creates a portal and leaves.
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He walks into the loft and drops his invisibility glamour. He takes a deep breath, as he opens and closes his fists.
"Max, everything okay?"
Max turns and looks at Magnus, "Hodge and Robert."
Magnus nods as he walks over to his son, "Okay." He holds Max and kisses his forehead, "The forsaken attack?"
"Uh huh."
Magnus nods, "I was back here, when Robert told me to return to the Institute to reinforce the wards. We didn't know Hodge was behind it, until after the wedding."
Max rests his head against Magnus' shoulder, "NOT wedding."
Magnus smiles, "Right, the not wedding."
Max glances at his phone and sighs, "There's more to the visit."
"You don't have to finish it."
"I know." He hugs Magnus tight, "I'm not a quitter."
Magnus smiles, "Nobody said that you were."
Max kisses his cheek, "Let me do this."
"It has to get better."
Max sighs, "I hope so." He creates a portal, resets his invisibility glamour, and leaves.
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He walks into the loft. Daddy and Poppa are eating at the kitchen table.
Poppa asks, "Who do you love more, the Keurig machine or me?"
Max giggles.
Daddy puts his mug down on the table and kisses him, "You are warm and snuggly, the Keurig machine isn't."
Max giggles.
Poppa looks offended, "I am the High Warlock of Brooklyn, I am NOT snuggly."
Max snorts, yes, you are Poppa.
Daddy smiles, "With me you are."
Max nods.
Poppa nods, "Good point."
Max giggles, this is more like it. He snaps his fingers.
Daddy and Poppa are sitting on the sofa watching tv. Daddy has his head on Poppa's shoulder. Max walks over to see what they are watching.
Monica and Chandler are getting married on Friends. Max giggles, my fathers watch Friends?
Poppa calmly says, "When we get married, you are not wearing that hideous jacket you wore at your not wedding to Lydia. And that thing had better not be in this loft. I will burn it and portal its ashes to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean."
Max's eye widen, oh shit, this is it.
Daddy lifts his head and looks at Poppa, "When we get married?"
Max giggles, yes Daddy, Poppa wants to marry you.
"Oh shit, I didn't mean to blurt that out like that. I had this whole speech worked out and was going to build to it but I guess I should get to it now."
Max giggles, yes get to it now, please.
Poppa reaches into his pocket and brings out a ringbox. He opens it and takes out a ring. He tosses the ringbox on the sofa and places the ring on Daddy's left ring finger. Max holds his breath. "Alexander Lightwood, I've loved you from the first moment I saw you. You bring me peace and happiness. You are special and you make me feel special. You amaze me every day with something new and I look forward to more amazing things. Will you marry me?"
Max smiles as tears run down his face, that was perfect, Poppa.
Daddy is speechless, as he looks at Poppa with wide eyes.
Max giggles, Daddy's brain has shut down again.
"Alec, you are supposed to say 'yes'."
Max nods as he wipes his eyes, yes Daddy, tell Poppa 'yes'.
Daddy continues to stare at Poppa without saying a word.
Max giggles, Poppa, I think you broke Daddy's brain.
"Alec, say something."
Daddy finally whispers, "You want to marry me?"
Max giggles, no Poppa wants to marry Aunt Izzy.
Poppa kisses Daddy, "Yes, Alexander, I want to marry you."
Max smiles, fathers kissing.
Daddy smiles, "Yes."
Max claps his hands.
Poppa smiles, "Finally." They kiss.
Max nods, yes finally.
Daddy looks at the ring, "It's pretty."
Max nods.
Poppa smiles, "I didn't want a traditional engagement ring. I have an idea for our wedding bands that I want to go over with you, but that can wait. I want the Clave to allow us to get married in the Institute and to acknowledge me as your husband."
Max looks from one to the other, wait, why wouldn't the Clave allow you to get married in the Institute?
Daddy sighs. He puts his head back on Poppa's shoulder, still looking at the ring, "That might be a problem."
Max narrows his eyes, why would that have been a problem?
Poppa rests his head against Daddy's, "I'm a patient man, I can wait. Meanwhile, that ring is another symbol of how much I love you that they can't ignore."
Max nods, damn right, Poppa loves Daddy, fuck the Clave.
Poppa grabs Daddy's head and kisses him. They stand and kiss their way to the bedroom. Max nods, yes, time for me to leave. He glances at his phone, there is no more to the visit. With a big smile on his face, he creates a portal.
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He walks into the loft, Magnus is sitting on the sofa, drinking a martini. He glances over at Max and smiles, "You seem to be in a better mood."
Max giggles as he sits next to his father, "You and Daddy are too soft."
"Too soft, how?"
Max giggles, "You proposed to Daddy while watching Monica and Chandler's wedding."
"I thought you were dealing with Hodge?"
Max shakes his head, "I typed in 'proposes'."
Magnus looks at him confused, "What does that have to do with Hodge?'
"First I saw Daddy and Lydia looking at a monster. Daddy said that you were, and I quote, quite magical, and very very good at magic, unquote." Max giggles.
Magnus laughs, "Your Daddy has a way with words."
"More like, his brains shuts down, when he thinks about you."
Magnus smiles, "That was a problem for your Daddy from our first meeting."
Max smiles, "You were set up, Poppa."
"What? When?"
"How many times has Daddy trained without a shirt?"
Magnus looks at him, confused, "Hmm, that day. There was also... Hmm. I think the next time was when he lost his memories and I got caught looking at him."
Max nods, "That's what I thought. After Lydia told Daddy you were coming to the Institute, he ran down to the training room and took off his shirt."
Magnus smiles, "I figured, he always trained without a shirt."
Max giggles, "Nope, I guess Daddy wanted to see what kind of reaction he was going to get from you."
Magnus smiles, "I assume I gave him the right one."
Max nods, "You were distracted."
"Hmm, very distracted."
Max shakes his head, "Moving on from fathers' sex. Daddy didn't think he was going to be Head?"
Magnus sighs, "The Clave has serious issues, but lucky for us, your Daddy is a strong man." He sips his martini, "Wait a second, so you saw him propose to Lydia?"
Max sniffs, "I was in an office with Lydia when Daddy walked in, I assume that is when he proposed, but I left before he said anything. I wasn't really interested."
Magnus kisses his cheek, "Then where did you wind up?"
Max's eyes go cold, "Hodge." He rests his head against Magnus' arm.
Magnus nods, "Yes, Hodge is lucky I wasn't still in the Institute when it happened."
"Then Robert walked in and I came this close, Poppa, from blasting both of them away from Daddy."
Magnus smiles, "When you went back, it was to MY proposal?"
Max nods, "Poppa, you broke Daddy's brain."
Magnus laughs, "Your Daddy is brave and fearless when it comes to battling demons, but he was a mess when it came to our relationship. And with my insecurities, I was a bigger mess."
Max smiles, "Which is why you are perfect together."
Magnus smiles, "Yes."
"So why was there a problem with getting married in the Institute?"
Magnus kisses his forehead, "Water under the bridge, Max. Maryse got us the Clave's approval and that is all that matters."
Max sighs, "Okay."
They sit there, thinking about their favorite ShadowHunter, until Magnus' phone gets a text message. Magnus looks at the screen, Isabelle.
Magnus takes a deep breath and looks at the text, My brother is a klutz.
Magnus types out a reply, What happened?
He was sparring with Jace. Not sure how it happened but he lost his balance and cracked his head on the floor. He has a concussion, but otherwise is ok.
Magnus closes his eyes and relaxes, We'll be right there.
Ok
Magnus stands and puts his phone back in his pocket. He creates a portal. He and Max leave the loft.
They walk into the Infirmary. Jace and Izzy are sitting in chairs against the wall. They see Magnus and Max, and stand up.
Jace walks over to Magnus, "I have no idea what happened, Magnus. I think he tripped over my foot. But one minute he is standing and the next he's falling. I heard his head connect with the floor. Don't kill me."
Magnus sighs, "I won't kill you, but you may need to keep away from my husband." He walks into the room.
Max shakes his head at his uncle, "You are in big trouble." He follows Magnus into the room.
Izzy and Jace stand by the doorway.
Alec is laying down. His eyes are closed. Magnus walks to the bed and touches the Love Rune. He nods as it glows blue.
Alec's eyes open, but it takes a few seconds for them to focus on his husband, "Magnus? I told them not to bother you."
Magnus pulls a chair closer, "Not to bother me?" He kisses Alec and sits down, "I would have been more pissed about that, than knowing you got hurt while sparring."
Max kisses Alec's cheek and sits in a nearby chair. Alec smiles at him, "Hey, blueberry."
Max smiles, "Hey, Daddy. It's a good thing, you have a hard head."
Alec smiles, "Yes it is." He closes his eyes.
Magnus holds his hand. His thumb rubs across Alec's knuckles, "Alexander."
Alec opens his eyes, "It's only a concussion, Magnus."
"Right, only a concussion."
Alec sighs, "I've had lots of concussions."
"That's nice for you."
"You worry too much, Magnus."
"Yes, I do, because I'm tired of you getting hurt." Magnus stands and walks out the room.
Izzy watches as he creates a portal and leaves. Jace looks at Izzy, "I'm in deep shit, ain't I?"
Izzy shakes her head, "I'm not sure what just happened." She looks at Max, who is just as stunned as his aunt and uncle, "Max, everything okay with Magnus?"
Max nods, "I think so." He looks at Alec, but Alec's eyes are closed. Max whispers, "Daddy?"
Alec slowly opens his eyes, "Hey, Max." He looks around, "Where's Magnus?"
Izzy walks over to the bed, "Magnus left."
Alec looks at her, confused, "Why did he leave?" He tries to sit up but groans in pain.
Izzy gently squeezes his arm, "Stay here, let me find Magnus." She looks at her nephew, "Max, sit over here."
Max nods, gets up and sits in the chair vacated by Magnus. He holds Alec's hand, "I'll keep Daddy company, Aunt Izzy."
She nods, "Okay, now let me find out what is eating at Magnus. Be back soon." She walks out of the room.
Jace looks at her, "Maybe I should go with you?"
She shakes her head, "I got this. You stay with Alec and Max." Jace nods as she walks to the elevators.
Jace walks in the room and sits in the chair that Max vacated. Alec seems to have gone back to sleep. Max has his head on Alec's chest, his eyes are closed, as his thumb rubs his father's knuckles.
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Magnus looks at his phone, another text from Izzy, Magnus where are you?
He sighs. He knows that she won't give up until he answers her. He types, In Alexander's office.
Don't move.
Magnus raises an eyebrow. Years ago, he would gotten pissed at a text like that from a ShadowHunter, but now, he sits and waits for her to show up.
She walks in and sees him sitting on the sofa against the wall. He looks like he had been crying. She runs over and sits next to him. She holds his hand, "Magnus, are you and Alec having problems?"
He shakes his head, "No, Isabelle, this has nothing to do with NOW, it has to do with THEN."
"Okay. What about 'then' has upset you?"
"Max visited the time when Alec proposed to Lydia."
"Okay. But you made sure they didn't get married."
"Yes, but thinking how close I came to losing him before I even had him, then he's so nonchalant about a concussion, I don't know Izzy, I just needed to get away."
She hugs him, "He woke up and was ready to get out of the bed, when he saw you gone."
Magnus looks at her, "He didn't, did he?"
"No, Max is sitting with him." She smiles, "Jace is terrified of you."
"Izzy, I'm terrified of losing Alec."
She kisses his cheek, "He isn't going anywhere."
He nods, "I know that, but after all this time, I still see him laying dead."
"I can't help you with that, Magnus, but my brother loves you and he won't let anything take him from you, not even death."
Magnus nods, "You're right."
She smiles, "Damn right, I am."
"I should get back."
"Yes, you should." Magnus opens a portal and they are back in the Infirmary. They walk into Alec's room.
Max stands and runs to his father, "Poppa, are you okay?"
Magnus hugs him, "I just needed some space." He waves a hand at the chair and it moves to the wall. He flicks his hand at the bed and it widens two feet on both sides. Max giggles as he runs to the other side of the bed and lays next to Alec. He rests his head against his father's shoulder.
Magnus lays next to Alec and rests his head on Alec's chest.
Jace stands and walks over to Izzy, "Is Magnus going to kill me in my sleep?"
Izzy laughs, "Right now, Magnus doesn't give a fuck about anything but our brother."
Jace nods, "Works for me."
Izzy smiles, "Let's leave them alone." Jace nods and they leave the room.
Alec opens his eyes and smiles when he sees his husband, "Magnus, why did you leave?"
Magnus keeps his head on Alec's chest and holds his husband tight. After all these years, he's still scared of seeing disappointment in the hazel eyes he adores.
Alec puts a hand under Magnus' chin and lifts his head, "Magnus, talk to me."
Magnus slowly looks into Alec's eyes and sees only love. He swallows and says the first thing that comes into his mind, "Alexander, I love you so much."
Alec smiles, "I love you." He sees something in Magnus' eyes that makes him nod, "Fine, we'll talk tomorrow."
Magnus leans up and kisses Alec. Max smiles at his fathers kissing, then giggles, "Poppa, Daddy needs to rest, You can kiss him tomorrow."
Magnus smiles, "Fine. Kissing then talking tomorrow."
Alec shakes his head, "No first we talk, then we kiss."
Magnus sighs, "Okay. I can do that too."
Alec gently kisses Magnus, then holds him tight. He looks over at Max, "You okay over there, Max?"
Max kisses his cheek, "I'm fine, Daddy."
"Good, now let's get some sleep."
Magnus nods, "Let's."
Holding each other, the Lightwood-Bane family falls asleep.
-tbc-
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I originally had this as one chapter, but it became a beast, so I'm cutting it into two.
Yes, Max also visited Soulmates, but I didn't want to spoil everything. :D