Forever doesn't make memories forgettable, only bearable.
Over the years Simon had watched them all change. Isabelle's beauty; withering she aged. Clary's red curls turning gray. Even the sight of an elderly Jace was painful, although that hadn't stopped Simon from making comments about his old age. All his memories of his friends were shoved in the back of his mind, trying to be forgotten. Jace and Clary's wedding, the time Isabelle and he had gone down to Peru with Magnus and Alec, only to be chased out because Magnus had been banned from there for reasons unknown. They varied from their earliest adventures, to the last of them to die.
"How do you do it?" Simon asked during his last visit with Magnus.
"I do many amazing things Sherman, which are you referring to? The warlock examined a glittery finger nail. It had been ninety years and yet he still didn't bother getting Simon's name right.
"I mean how can you escape the pain?" Simon ignored the urge to correct him, knowing it wouldn't change anything. "Living forever, and not being haunted by the memories of your past. I can't do it." Magnus's head snapped up, his cat eyes filled with anger and pain.
"Stupid vampire, I don't forget! There is no escaping the pain no matter what time, day, month or year it is past the memories, they'll always torture you!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't-"
"Just get out!" Magnus hissed, the tips of his fingers glowing with blue magic. Simon knew better than to mess with the warlock when he was in a fit of rage. There was nothing else he could do but leave.
After the door slammed shut, Magnus screamed and blasted his curtains with magic. The memories came flooding back to him. Clary the only person who he had ever watched grow up, Jace who had reminded him so much of Will Herondale, not by his look but by his personality. Then there was Alec. How could someone have such an effect on him? He had never loved someone so much before. Tears began rolling down his face. There is no escaping the pain, his own words echoed in his head. Clutching his spiked, black hair, Magnus gave out a cry of defeat. He couldn't get rid of them. He was ruined. The vampire, Clary's friend, Simon, he would soon be to. Suddenly there was a spark in his brain. There may be some things for Simon that would help.
"Simon!" The vampire turned to see Magnus running towards him, clutching a cardboard box, makeup smeared down his face.
"What is it?" Simon ignored the crowd and ran over to Magnus with his vampire speed. Magnus shoved the box into his arms.
"Take it home and look at it. There's nothing in there that has any worth to me." They exchanged a meaningful look and parted.
Twenty years had passed since then, and now Simon opened the box for the first time. Inside to most people was useless junk, but to Simon they were priceless gifts. Clary's old sketch book, Izzy's gold whip, photos of all of them at Luke and Jocelyn's wedding, the Morgenstern ring, pictures of Jace and Clary's children, Clary's manga comics and so on. Tear streamed down his face. Magnus was right, there is no escaping the pain, yet somewhere between the pains was an odd comfort that kept him strong letting him know he would be ok for now.