Based off the Mortal Instruments Books, not Shadow Hunters TV show. The private and secret relationship of Alec and Magnus when it first began. Starting from book 2. I haven't read them in a little bit so please excuse any inconsistencies.
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:) I hope you all enjoy.
Magnus wasn't opposed to having Jace Wayland-Lightwood under his care during his house arrest. He rather enjoyed Jace's company, actually. And it was rare that he found pleasure in spending time with Shadowhunters. He found them to be dry, angel obsessed, oppressors. Jace wasn't like that. Sure, he had a bit of a self-pity thing going for him, but Magnus assumed that was part of his charm.
There was also something... sentimental having him stay. Jace often reminded Magnus of his old friend Will Herondale. Sometimes it was the way he talked, and sometimes it was his negative view on himself-always readily believing the worst about himself. Though, Magnus had to agree it couldn't be easy to be both in love with and sexually attracted to one's own sister. Magnus often found himself pondering their relationship. How far had the relationship gone before Valentine told them they were related? Sometimes Magnus was reminded of Will when he saw Jace after he'd woken up from a night of drinking. Both Jace and Will shared the same hang-over face and routine of keeping their eyes closed as they fell into a seat at the breakfast table before holding their head and hair to prevent themselves from falling over or getting vomit in their hair.
Sometimes, Magnus would see Jace reading and his mind would race to memories of seeing Will read. Sometimes to himself; sometimes to his children or to Tessa, on one of the days he'd gone to visit them at the London Institute. Magnus decided he was trying to find connections between Jace and Will. It was rare to find a free-spirited Shadowhunter, and calling them a "Herondale" was the simplest way to make sense of one when you did find one. But the Herondales were nearly gone. Only Imagine, the Inquisitor, remained and she was only a Herondale through marriage. Magnus knew his heartbreak caused by the end of the Herondale bloodline had been bothering him since Valentines hate-circle had been stopped. This was just him trying to pretend there was a possibility the Herondale bloodline could continue somehow.
Like Will, Jace had a Parabatai; Alexander Lightwood. Alec was the real reason Magnus had been so willing, and so adamant, about having Will-he meant Jace, stay at his loft. Magnus had never been a fan of the Lightwood family. They had only ever existed with the intention of bettering their family name and position. They were willing to corrupt their souls to do it. Not to mention the strong prejudices held by essentially every Lightwood.
But something about Alexander Lightwood was different. He was beautiful like the Lightwoods were, yes, and obviously strong but he was also content not demanding attention. Although he could be blunt and sarcastic, he never meant to cause people harm. Magnus couldn't be sure what it was exactly about Alec that had called to him so immediately; perhaps his dark hair and blue eyes. They had always been his favorite combination. The combination, and his presence in New York, made it clear he was a Lightwood. Still, something about him was intriguing to Magnus.
Maybe it was how readily he protected people regardless of their race or background. Magnus couldn't think of many shadowhunters who would value life over status; especially not a Lightwood. But this one did.
Perhaps, Magnus thought again, it was his surprise and unique delight when Magnus had noticed him passed his much more demanding siblings. It was clear to Magnus that Alec was accustomed and comfortable remaining invisible in the background. Magnus didn't believe someone as beautiful as Alec should have felt this way.
There was a knock on the door and Magnus was quick to answer it. He knew who it was before opening the door, and was more than willing to invite him back inside. For the past couple days, like clock-work, Alec arrived at Magnus's front door to visit his Parabatai. Magnus was always sure to look his very best for when his oppressed little shadowhunter came to visit.
Magnus had worried, at first, that Alec might be too far out of his reach. He was a shadowhunter, for instance, and a Lightwood. It was unlikely he would ever have interest in someone of the same gender, not to mention someone who wasn't a shadowhunter. But Magnus had noticed the caution Alec practiced around him. The hesitation. Magnus knew to be careful with his expectations and hopes, but Alec never said anything degrading or insulting about downworlders.
In fact, he often appeared excited when Magnus was willing to talk about being a downworlder. Magic was a different issue. It was extremely obvious that Alec was not fully comfortable with magic. Still, Alec showed no ill-will towards him for being a warlock. He didn't avoid furniture that Magnus had touched, he didn't refuse food although he wasn't much of a drinker. Once, he had even knowingly drunk water out of the same glass Magnus had used, and said it was fine because it was just water.
Only a week or so before, Alec had arrived at Magnus's apartment to thank him for saving his life. They'd kissed, and gone on a date and Magnus had seen potential in the relationship. But the moment Magnus agreed to watch Jace for the Clave, Alec had been acting as if nothing had happened.
"Alexander." Magnus greeted as he opened the front door of the loft. "What a lovely surprise to see you again."
"Magnu- Mr. Bane... Mr. Magnus Bane." Alec wore a simple pair of dark, dirtied jeans and a black shirt with a small rip in the shoulder. "I didn't-don't... I'm here to see Jace... my Parabatai. He's here. If you don't mind, of course. I don't want to intrude. You don't have to deal with me if you don't..."
Magnus found it difficult to maintain a straight face with the young boy babbling as he always did. He shifted awkwardly from foot to foot and struggled to maintain eye contact. This had been a problem that only became worse over the past couple days. Alec had accidentally seen Magnus step out of the shower without a glamour to cover his cat eyes. He'd been wearing a towel, lucky enough, and had been worried to have Alexander Lightwood view him in such an exposed situation, but Alec had only stared. He'd examined Magnus with a surprised, dropped jaw for nearly a minute before re-adjusting himself and turning into another direction.
"Yes, Alexander, I am very aware who you are as I was yesterday." Magnus smiled. "And like I said yesterday, you are always welcome here."
"Thanks." Alec smiled a little awkwardly and tried to slide passed Magnus to get into the room.
"Can I get you a drink?" Magnus wondered. He'd done this everyday and the answer was always the same. "Or anything else you might need... or want?"
Alec's cheek flushed with pink and he smiled a little but bashfully avoided Magnus's eyes. "Thank you but I am okay."
"Are you sure?" Magnus wondered offering Alec a martini.
Alec smirked a little but looked away a bit embarrassed as if looking at Magnus was something he should be ashamed of. Magnus was not unaware of this but he was also not insulted by it. He found that he was mostly expecting it.
"I am not much of a drinker." Alec explained. "Where's Jace?"
Magnus made a show of sighing which once again grabbed Alec's curious attention. "He's in his room."
"Thank you." Alec said before racing towards the guest room Jace had been staying in.
Magnus had just taken a seat in his living room with a spell book in his hand when he heard the door slam.
"You can't do this!" He heard Alec call.
"Who's going to stop me?" Jace demanded.
"Uh-Magnus Bane?" Magnus found that there was an unexpected level of confidence to Alec's voice. He always spoke to his parabatai with confidence, though. Magnus liked the sound of his voice when he wasn't awkwardly skidding through a conversation. He also liked Alec's voice when he was skidding through a conversation.
"Magnus." Jace greeted as he entered the living room with Alec on his heels. "I'm tired of being a prisoner. I'm going out."
"You can't go out, Jace, the clave-" Alec argued.
"The clave doesn't need to know anything." Jace argued. "I'm not working with Valentine nor have I ever been and the only reason I'm stuck here is that Imagine Herondale hates me. It's not my fault."
"You're parabatai is correct, Jack." Magnus noted as he slowly and deliberately closed his book.
"Jace." Both boys corrected at once.
"We don't need the clave thinking I've lost my touch." Magnus winked at Alec who looked away immediately, though he failed to hide the small smile creeping onto his lips. Sparkles and colour surrounded Magnus's fingers as he spoke. "But perhaps..."
Jace's eyes lit up and Alec returned his careful, suddenly concerned stare to Magnus.
"Shadowhunter tracking has never been as... precise as warlock tracking. I suppose it could be possible that their tracking runes could confuse a pair of parabatai." Magnus mused.
"What are you saying?" Jace inquired with bubbling excitement.
"I'm saying that the clave can be convinced that you are in a particular place because they have confused you with your parabatai." Magnus suggested a little harder now. This was not completely true only because the clave was not tracking Jace. They were tracking Magnus's ability to contain him. So Magnus needed to be within a respectable distance of Jace at all times-or any shadowhunter. But if Jace was so willing to be liberated, why shouldn't his parabatai?
"Are you suggesting that I can leave if Alec stays?" Jace asked with excitement. The boy beside him froze. His hands trembled a little by his side and his eyes were wide. Magnus shrugged his shoulders in response. He supposed maybe he shouldn't offer the boy an escape, since Magnus was being paid to watch him. But he'd spent days with Jace and was positive that Jace was a threat to no one other than himself. He was always thankful that he was living with Magnus and not in a silent brothers jail cell. He never acted as if he were too good to be sharing a house with a downworlder, which many shadowhunters wouldn't even consider. No, Magnus couldn't visualize Jace having very much in common with his extremist father. Magnus would have considered Jace's kindness had come from his Lightwood upbringing. The same upbringing given to Alec and his sister, but Magnus had known both Robert and Maryse Lightwood. Alexander was a Lightwood anomaly. And Jace was part Fairchild. Magnus assumed the Fairchild bloodline must have been what dominated Jace's personality and therefore recognized no threat in letting him escape for a little while. Especially if Magnus got Alec in the meantime.
"Only if he is willing." Magnus shrugged. "Plus, my holding him here would verify your return."
Jace turned to Alec with a wide smile on his face.
"It's against the law." Alec almost stuttered.
"Only because they think I am a criminal." Jace argued. "You don't think that too, do you?"
"Of course not!" Alec snapped. "But..."
"Please!? Alec," Jace grabbed Alec by the hand and the wrist. "Just for an hour... or two... Please!"
Magnus easily recognized the way Alec looked at Jace when his eyes softened on his parabatai. He instantly knew he was correct in his initial assumption of Alec. He believed he was in love with Jace. He was also very aware that romantic relationships between parabatai were forbidden.
"I suppose..." Alec sighed.
"Thank you, brother." Jace hugged Alec tightly making Alec smile a little.
Ouch, Magnus thought after he heard Jace call Alec brother. But Alec clearly held onto some piece of hope.
"Be quick." Magnus pushed. "And don't get caught or I will deny ever allowing it."
"I understand." Jace nodded. "I will be back soon."
"Feel free to take your time." Magnus mumbled as Jace bolted out the front door.
Alec stood frozen watching the direction in which Jace had left with a surprised expression on his face.
"How about that drink now?" Magnus offered pulling a glass filled with brown liquid out of nothing.
"I'm not much of a drinker." Alec repeated.
"Of course not, but how about this one?" Magnus tempted. Alec looked down at where Magnus was stretched out on his sofa. He held the drink towards Alec who hesitated but accepted, taking a seat in the chair across from Magnus. "Tell me something about yourself, Alexander."
"What is there to know?" Alec wondered.
"Tell me about your runes." Magnus decided. It was a simple conversation for any shadowhunter. It was bound to make Alec feel more comfortable.
"Oh." From the brightened expression on Alec's face, Magnus assumed his choice of topic had been a good one. "Well... we use our stele, this..." Alec pulled his stele to show Magnus, though they were both well aware that Magnus knew exactly what a stele was. "And we use them to create runes which... enhance our abilities or create new ones."
"Fascinating." Magnus smiled while holding his chin up with his hand.
"See... I have my agility rune here. Endurance. These are for healing; they disappear after every use but the scar is still visible." Alec explained as he pointed to each rune. He lifted his shirt a bit so he could start listing the covered runes. "This one is my parabatai rune; these ones have all faded and I'll have to reapply them if I want to use them again. Parabatai doesn't fade unless something happens to my parabatai. Which I hope it never does. My dad's is still visible, but silver now."
"That is very unfortunate." Magnus said truly feeling bad for Robert, but only a little. He'd seen faded parabatai runes and he knew the affect a lost parabatai had on the one remaining. Still, he struggled to sympathize completely with a Lightwood over losing a parabatai. It was just as likely that he'd thrown his to the wolves, like Valentine had. "I know how painful it can be to lose a parabatai."
"Do you actually?" Alec didn't want to believe him; Parabatai's were special, and unique only for the Shadowhunters. How could a downworlder possibly understand anything about it? But he also knew that Magnus Bane was very old. It was not impossible that he'd known parabatai, or at least known of them.
Magnus smiled a little at the child-like excitement on Alec's face. "I have known many sets of parabatai in my life. I've had you Nephilim in my life for years."
Magnus couldn't understand why Alec's smile fell so suddenly.
"Oh." Alec trained to maintain a nonchalant exterior. "You've spent a lot of time with shadowhunters?"
"Of course." Magnus answered.
"Did you know the Lightwoods?" Alec wondered.
Unfortunately, Magnus thought but said, "I did."
Alec smiled a little and asked, "What were we like?"
Magnus hesitated but answered, "They made their ancestors proud." This answer seemed to please Alec. Magnus didn't feel the desire to tell Alec that it wasn't necessarily a good thing to make his ancestors proud. Their values were corrupt, or at least Magnus believed they were.
Alec was smiling a little, his mind lost in thought. He wanted to make his ancestors proud. He wanted future generations to admire him as a great shadowhunter. He didn't necessarily want fame; he most wanted to do good that made a meaningful difference. He doubted he'd ever get the chance, though.
"Did I say something wrong?" Magnus wondered, suddenly a little worried when he saw the fall of Alec's face.
"No... No." Alec shook his head. "It's nothing."
"You can talk to me if you need." Magnus offered, reaching forward to touch Alec's shoulder.
"I'm fine." Alec said but he didn't push Magnus's hand away which Magnus had actually been expecting.
Magnus was hesitant to remove his hand. When he did, it was so he could stand and walk to his cupboards to grab a scrapbook for Alec to look through. It hadn't been his initial intention to grab the book. But he wanted to take a small walk and that was the purpose he decided upon.
"What's this?" Alec wondered opening the book.
"Family photos from a hundred years ago." Magnus answered lightly placing his hands on the back of Alec's shoulders.
Alec flipped through a couple, occasionally asking questions about who was in what photo, what they were like, or when the photo was taken. Not all the photos contained Lightwoods, but a few did. The main photos of the Lightwoods were of Gabriel and Gideon, and occasionally their children. Benedict Lightwood, and a few other family members, could be sometimes seen in the background of the photos. Still, so long as Alec was amused, Magnus was happy.
Magnus wasn't paying attention to anything other than the book, so he didn't stop himself from lightly massaging the backs of Alec's shoulders. His fingers continued to lower and lower until they were rested on his chest. Alec didn't notice until the book was nearly through and he heard Magnus answer a question a little too closely.
"Stop!" He jumped suddenly, surprising Magnus who suddenly understood the situation.
"Sorry." Magnus replied immediately and truly. He didn't often lose control of his behavior, not that this was much of an control loss. He did feel bad for making Alec uncomfortable.
"Enough." Alec continued, dropping the book and storming out of the room.
Magnus heard a door slam shut. He was fairly sure Alec would have gone to Jace's room.
It was no less than an hour later that Alec reentered the room and took a seat on the far end of the couch with Magnus. He didn't speak, and tried to avoid making eye contact. Magnus could see that his hands were trembling slightly, and his breathing was not constant.
"Are you alright?" Magnus wondered.
"I-uh..." Alec took a deep breath and stared at his hands. "I am-uh-sorry I left like that."
"I am sorry I made you feel uncomfortable." Magnus replied.
"You didn't." Alec answered immediately, looking at Magnus for a moment to ensure he'd know he was serious before looking back at his hands. Alec didn't want to think about what he might be thinking or feeling, and he certainly did not want to accept why he'd come back out of the room. "I just... I'm not used to... I've never... I..." Alec's heart was racing faster than it had on any mission he'd ever been on.
"It's alright, Alexander." Magnus smiled comfortingly at Alec who looked at him with a small bit of relief. "I understand. I won't touch you again."
Alec bit his lip then locked his jaw for a moment as he watched Magnus look back at his book. "It's not... I didn't... dislike... you touching me. I just..."
Magnus offered him another warm smile. "I do not want to push you before you are ready."
"I don't mind." Alec's face turned bright red and he added, "Pushing, I mean... I don't mind if you push me a little-not like... I mean..." Alec took a deep breath. "I haven't told my parents-or anybody about the last time we... and we haven't talked about it but now that Jace is here I don't think... he wouldn't understand."
"I find that very difficult to believe." Magnus noted.
"He expects me to be a certain way... not... I would disappoint him if he walked in and saw you... touching me like that or... me allowing it..." Alec didn't meet Magnus's eyes as he spoke. "I don't really know what you want but..."
"I could never believe Jace would be disappointed in you if he knew. But I will not push you past your comfort zone." Magnus mused focusing on his book again, but partially enjoying listening to Alec flounder. He almost wanted to help him, but he didn't want to be the reason Alec might be scared of accepting himself. Plus, it was blatantly obvious that moving much further past their first and last kiss would be a very new experience for the poor boy. "If you want something, you will need to ask me."
This was the last thing Alec had wanted to hear when he left Jace's bedroom. He'd convinced himself he was fine. That it wasn't his fault if Magnus decided to touch him. Or if Magnus decided to get closer to him than what people normally did. It would say nothing about him, or his family, if he didn't ask for it. If he didn't choose to want it. Alec had heard many rumors about Magnus Bane, both from the downworld and from his parents. He was not blind to Magnus's possible intentions. And he hadn't fully expected Magnus to point his interest towards him. Although Alec struggled to admit it, he liked that someone wanted him, even if it was a who-really-knows-for-sure-how-old warlock who had a long history of disliking his family. Alec couldn't deny that he liked the feeling of Magnus's hands on his neck, shoulders, and chest. Alec wanted to feel his hands on his body-his bare skin-once again. He'd panicked because it was new but it wasn't his fault, he decided. It was Magnus's fault. And he couldn't help it if Magnus manipulated him into being closer than they probably should be. That was, of course, until Magnus decided he wanted Alec to ask him for it.
"I d-don't know what I'd want." Alec's voice was not as sturdy as he'd hoped it would be. "I've never..."
"That is exactly why I want you to ask." Magnus mused.
"Can't you just..." Alec tried. "I mean... what do you want?"
Magnus smiled a little. "I want you to be comfortable."
Again, Alec disliked this answer. He didn't want Magnus to make him feel comfortable. He wanted Magnus to be... Magnus Bane. He wanted him to be what Robert and Maryse had always warned them Magnus was. A scoundrel. Someone who would take away some of Alec's innocence simply by being in the same room as him. Alec didn't want to think. He wanted Magnus to make him feel... how he had when he had Magnus's hands on him. How he had the first time he'd come to the apartment alone. He wanted to feel like Magnus really saw him. And wanted what he saw.
"I am comfortable." Alec wasn't sure whether that was a lie, or not.
"Good." Magnus smiled back at his book.
"So you..." Alec took a hard breath and swallowed something deep in his throat. "I mean... If there is something y-you want-ted to do... I me-... you can." Alec wished he could read the closed expression on Magnus's face. "I d-don't mind. And if you go too far, I am not defenseless."
"I would never want to put you in that position, Alexander." Magnus mused.
"Y-you can call me Alec, if you want." Alec noted.
Magnus smiled and returned to his reading.
"W-what are you r-reading?" Alec wondered. "Magic spells... or something?"
Alec leaned a bit closer to Magnus so he could look at the pages which Magnus held up to show Alec, anyways. The sudden motion caused Alec to take an almost defensive (thanks to his instincts) jump back.
"Home decor magazine." Magnus answered. "I wanted to change up my loft and am looking for inspiration."
"T-that doesn't s-sound very evil." Alec noted, not thinking of the comment as anything other than an observation which challenged the teachings of his parents.
"I wouldn't be so sure." Magnus mused. "This room has a stripped couch in front of pock-a-dot curtains. I understand that it is a room for children but seriously... The editor must be a demon."
Alec laughed once and sat deeper into the couch. Magnus offered him a small smile which momentarily took Alec's breath away.
Be brave. He tried to tell himself. Nothing bad had to happen. It would be a touch, as innocent as when his mother touched him. Alec took a deep breath and reached forwards to touch the side of Magnus's face. This took Magnus by a bit of a surprise but he didn't make a move to stop him.
Alec felt his heart jump harder and higher than he believed it could. He was doing it, he realized, and it was innocent enough. He could control himself, too, he knew. Plus, Alec decided, this would help him practice being close to Jace. So that he didn't have to worry that he would insult or scare Jace away if he ever realized...
Alec was hardly concentrating when he quickly closed the distance between himself and Magnus. Magnus felt his eyes widen in surprise when he felt Alec's lips touch his. His mouth was unsure and uncoordinated but determined enough that their lips remained locked together. Magnus saw Alec's eyes closed tightly as he surrendered himself to his own desires.
Then, both of Alec's hands were on Magnus's face, holding him closer and tighter. Magnus closed his eyes and allowed himself to enjoy the moment with the beautiful, incredibly confused boy. He thought that maybe he should convince Alec to move a little slower, or maybe try a date or two first, but he didn't want to undo the process Alec had been making. If he were being truly honest, he simply didn't want to stop.
Magnus pushed Alec back onto the couch and straddled him with one leg on both sides of his hips. He felt Alec's surprise when he grabbed Alec's shoulders. Magnus deepened the kiss as one of his hands ran down Alec's chest to the hem of his pants. He felt Alec freeze, his body in a state of panic but he never pushed Magnus away or stopped kissing him. Instead, Alec ran one hand down to grab Magnus's shoulder while his other hand slid into his black hair, pulling Magnus closer to him.
Magnus released a small moan as Alec did this, which Alec mimicked when he left Magnus start sliding his hand under the shirt and up Alec's toned stomach. Magnus very much wanted to remove Alec's shirt but he was partially worried that the moment his lips left Alec's, he wouldn't be able to kiss him again.
Alec raised one leg, without needing to be coxed, and wrapped it around Magnus's hip to pull him closer. Alec also lifted his shoulders, hardening his abs in the process, so that Magnus would be able to remove his shirt once his hands got high enough. This was what Alec had been wanting. This is what had made him so willing to get closer to Magnus. The feeling of his soft but somehow still strong and sturdy fingers on Alec's body made him want to purr.
"Magnus." Alec breathed though he had no conscious memory of the name leaving his lips. He was too busy drowning himself in the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Magnus smiled, though. He liked hearing his name on Alec's lips. Magnus removed Alec's shirt and tossed it on the floor, secretly wishing he'd tossed it in some fire so Alec would be forced to find a shirt that wasn't a size to big and ripped.
Magnus opened his eyes and looked down at Alec's exposed chest. He'd seen it before, of course, but not under him. Not lifting quickly as Alec tried to catch his breath.
Magnus lowered his lips to the rune painted on one of Alec's pecks. He made the kiss slow and soft; then his lips stretched into a cheeky smile when he heard Alec's loud moaning response. Alec kept his eyes closed as his head fell back. He kept one hand in Magnus's hair while Magnus's lips explored his chest. He lightly bit in a couple places causing Alec to jump and groan but he never made a move to stop him.
Magnus moved his lips down the side of Alec's body and softly over his pelvis. His hands moved lower with him, softly moving over Alec's hips, over his pelvis, then slowly moved to his inner thighs, careful to avoid his groin, and finally up to his knees which he slowly spread apart. Alec groaned as Magnus did this so expertly and gently. Alec found himself in a pool of anticipation as he anxiously awaited each kiss and nibble on his skin. Now Magnus was getting lower, and Alec found it almost impossible to think of much else other than the person lowering himself between his legs.
Magnus didn't go much lower, though. He lifted himself back up and rested his hips between Alec's spread legs. He lowered his face back to Alec's and met his anxious lips once again. Alec groaned and lifted his hips a bit to meet Magnus's. Then he put his hands on Magnus's covered shoulders and felt the sudden desire to remove his shirt from his body.
The image of Magnus laying over him only half dressed and filled with desire pulled Alec back to earth and back to reality. This wasn't him. He wasn't the type of person who fooled around on a couch with someone he barely knew... especially not a downworlder, and especially not another guy. He was raised better than that. What if Jace walked in? Or Maryse thinking she was visiting Jace? Or anyone from the clave checking in? Alec opened his eyes and felt a sudden pang of shame and regret. He couldn't begin to imagine what anyone would think if they'd seen him. His parents, the counsel, or Jace... He'd never lost control of himself. Not even alone with Magnus the few times before. He'd never allowed himself to lose his composure. For some reason he had.
Magnus moved to close the space between them again but was no longer able. Alec pushed Magnus by the shoulders and nearly threw him back to the other side of the couch. He then picked up his shirt, pulled it on, and stormed out of the apartment without another word.
Hope you've enjoyed. The next chapter will be the intimate stuff. Thanks for reading :)