Chapter 1, the morning after goodbye
Flashback from the past (The Mortal Instruments series): The 800 year old warlock Magnus Bane and a magnificent young Shadowhunter: Alexander (Alec) Gideon Lightwood had not known each other. Then they were introduced at a party held by Magnus. They fell in love quite slowly, but then, all at once. And it must have been a little too much for Alec to handle, for he was more curious about Magnus' past then what was healthy for him. Magnus found out about this, and was severely disappointed. He was sad to, but he broke up with Alec. He had really been in love with this wonderful little Lightwood boy. He was quite tired of living all this time, and he had considered taking his immortality away. To grow old with the stunning, humorous and straightforward young man that was Alec Lightwood, but the hope of that situation had passed for now.
Magnus started the day with a cup of tea. His cat was rubbing against his leg. He walked slowly over to the cd-player, and put on a cd with Bach. It was never as cosy to listen to as when Alexander had played for him, but that time was long gone. He picked up the cat and went to find something to wear. He put away the rainbow-coloured pants Alec had liked so much. He tried his best not to think more about him after the breakup. Hopefully, he had a better time to cope with it than Magnus. The cat twisted itself in his arms when he stopped petting him. He put it down and found some all gray clothes to step into. His first appointment started in an hour. The apartment needed to be cleaned from all the alcohol and used paper tissues.
It was the first time in forty years that Magnus had allowed himself to get drunk. And he closed everyone out before taking that evening alone. He had started off with a fridge full of beer, about twenty bottles of fine wines, and a few bottles of vodka. When he woke this morning the fridge was half-empty and there were only six bottles of wine left. All the vodka was gone. Since he was a downworlder, he could take more alcohol than most. Still, he had awakened with a hangover. The headache and sickness was almost unbearable, but he wanted to let it stay there. He deserved it for hurting and leaving Alexander.
Magnus lifted his hand, but stopped it mid-air. Why did he try to do a spell to clean up his mess? No, he was going to pick every bottle and every tissue up from the floor and into a plastic bag like Ale... –normal people would have to do it. And then he would tie two ends of the bag together and walk outside to leave it in the trash. Like normal people would have to do it. And so he did.