Chapter One: The Introduction
"I said shh," Alec mumbled under his breath, tugging at the corner of the frayed paper slip in his hand. Flimsy and soft, paper made specifically in case some patients 'got certain ideas' and, well... Alec could only wonder at how a patient could harm themselves with a piece of paper. Jace, of course, began offering up tactics, detailed plans, on how to use the piece of paper in such a way. Which resulted in Alec once again shushing him, closing his eyes as he tried, for once, to win an argument with Jace. Slowly, he opened his eyes, only to find himself staring at a nurse. Blue eyes, pale hair, a regular in this ward. Of course, she seemed hesitant to approach him, after the 'conversation' Alec just had with himself. Only, it wasn't with himself, it was with Jace; but of course the nurse didn't understand that.
"Alec, your new doctor is here," she said carefully, her voice tender in an attempt to be sympathetic. She held out her hand for the paper with the appointment scribbled out in front, the doctor's name written eloquently in the signature space. Alec handed it to her, and together they left the room, walking down one of the pale tiled hallways before making a right turn, the nurse signaling to the guard to unlock the barred door. Methodical. Routine. Just as it had been since Alec had first arrived.
That was, to say, it had been this way for three years. At least, in this institution it had. Sixteen, scruffy and unkempt, after being moved from hospital to hospital, he was finally left here. The New York Idris Institute. The upside was that, due to it being in the middle of a major city, there was a main floor where people were admitted day in, day out. They never stayed long. On the second floor, or Alec's floor, as Alec liked to call it, that was where permanent patients were held. And even then, those patient's were never around much. Most got out soon, replaced with other candidates. It was all routine, something Alec had settled into.
"Good luck," the nurse said as she opened a door, as if he was some boy about to compete in a race. He didn't say anything, and instead walked past her into the room, leaving behind white tiles and fluorescent lights. The lighting in here was dimmer, just like the rest of the doctor's offices in Hell hall. Perhaps it was an attempt at coziness. The floor was a soft carpet of grey, the furniture a dark red and cushioned. Maybe it was another attempt at coziness? Or just a precaution, because if there were chairs, surely the patients could use them as weapons, right? Swallowing, feeling slightly nervous but determined to remain calm, Alec continued in, walking towards the red couch directly in front of the desk. He sat, staring calmly at the doctor.
"Hello, it's Alexander, yes? I hear you like Alec though." The doctor was leaning back in his chair, hands clasped together, smiling brightly. Too happy to want to be here. Giving him a one over, Alec immediately labeled him.
"Downworlder."
"I'm sorry?" The doctor blinked, surprised.
I told you, he's just another random doctor, out to call us crazy. Alec closed his eyes, not up to dealing with Jace's shit at the current moment. He silently prayed that Jace could stay quiet for this entire visit, or at least remain in the background; he wasn't exactly going to help. Thankfully though, before anymore could be said, the doctor interruptted.
"Ah, yes. Catarina told me you categorize people. She didn't go into specifics."
"Catarina?" Alec frowned, vaguely recognizing the name.
"The nurse that brought you to me. She said that you had different categories-"
Now he's going to try and 'understand', Jace said loudly, annoyed. Alec flinched slightly, the doctor's voice distant now as Jace talked.
Jace, calm down. The doctor looks alright… doesn't he Alec? Isabelle said suggestively, and Alec sighed with relief that she was here. She could sort Jace out while Alec tried to get through this.
"Alec….?" Alec looked up at the mention of his name, snapping to attention. The doctor was leaning forward more, looking curious. Needing a distraction, Alec looked around frantically, settling for the nameplate on the desk.
"Magnus Bane. That's your name. Doctor Bane?"
"I'd prefer Magnus, honestly," Magnus laughed, leaning back again. Alec avoided looking at him, setting his sights on his hands. A few tense seconds passed before Magnus spoke up again. "Alec, you mentioned a word. Called me a word. Do you mind going into… specifics? Tell me about it."
"Downworlder?"
"Yes, that one!"
"I'm… not sure. It.. does not mean anything. But-" Alec cut himself off, afraid to give too much away. Something might happen if he did that. Alec, don't trust him-
Jace, please, by the love of all that's holy, shut up, Isabelle hissed angrily.
But, Izzy, you know we shouldn't trust a downworlder…
"Alec? What is it?" Magnus paused, watching his patient closely. "We can stop now if you want-"
"I'm fine," Alec stated.
"Are you sure? We have a lot of tim-"
"I'm FINE." The words came out too forcefully. Alec flinched at his own voice, looking at a clock on the wall. He just needed to get through this, that was it. Come across a little bit as sane. Magnus pauses and sets his hands down carefully, biting the inside of the cheek. After a few silent moments, he talks.
"We don't have to tackle everything today. I'm here for a while. A long while. We can take a break now though," Magnus gets up and turns to a water dispenser in the corner, getting himself a cup. He looks at Alec, making an offering motion, but the younger man shakes his head. Nodding, Magnus sits back down with his cup. Alec watches, seeing a gold ring on one hand. He stores the information for later.
"Is there anything you wanted to talk about though? Any topic?"
"…Why are you staying for 'a long while'," Alec questions, crossing his arms across his chest while looking back up. Magnus hesistates, frowning slightly.
"I moved back a while ago. Catarina told me about this hospital, I decided to stay… for a long while," Magnus smiles softly, though his eyes say otherwise.
"Why did you move back?"
"…Personal matters."
"What personal matters?"
"… My friend died," Magnus says quietly, looking at the surface of the desk. Silent at first, a look of contemplation rests on his face. That and maybe a bit of pain. His voice goes even softer. "About four months ago. I stayed, mostly for moral support for my friend."
"Moral support… for the nurse, you mean," Alec says, narrowing his eyes. He suspects there is more, but doesn't question further about that. Magnus nods.
"Catarina, my friend, yes." Sighing, Magnus sits up, turning to look at the clock. He glances back at Alec. "It is the end of our appointment, Alec. Sorry it was short, this was just supposed to be a basic introductory meeting."
And so it was. Magnus stood to let Alec out, and Alec had another nurse come bring him back, to his room instead of the common room. Like always, he moved briskly, but didn't dare to look straight up into the eyes of any nurses, doctor, guards or patients. Not into the eyes of it. He couldn't describe what he saw, other than that it was just there, those things were everywhere. It was best if he didn't look at all. Avoid, avoid, not see the things other people couldn't see.
Entering his room, he went and sat on the bed. White walls, floor and ceiling, silver framed bed with coarse white sheets and the dingy grey blanket. A small table next to the bed. And one small window, with four bars on it looking over a nice view of a red brick wall. Nothing else. It had been the same since he arrived, like everything else. A nurse would come in every five days to change the sheets. A doctor checked on him twice a day, a guard every hour on the dot. Alec pulled his legs up, leaning against the wall. Closing his eyes, he listens to Jace and Isabelle babble on.
Downworlder. We can't trust them.
He seemed trustworthy. You are always jumping to conclusions, Jace.
Someone needs to be the smart one, Jace says cockily. The comment makes Alec smile.
Whatever. Hey, where's Raphael? Sighing at Isabelle's question, Alec opens his eyes and looks across the room to the adjacent bed that is neatly made. But no Raphael in it. Normally, he was back in here earlier.
Lucky bastard. Must have gotten out, Jace mutters. Isabelle doesn't respond, instead going quiet. Closing his eyes again, Alec sinks to his side, waiting to be called down for his medication. He doesn't want to take it, but he has too. If he wishes to get out like Raphael, he must.
"Leaving so early?"
"I have a train to catch," Magnus answers without looking as he locks the office door. Bag in one hand, another water cup in another, he turns around. Catarina stood smiling. Light hair practically white, too-white skin, and startling blue eyes; she was most unusual. Which was alright with Magnus, since he was most unusual himself. He noticed a brown folder in her hands. "It's a bit early for a Christmas present."
"Only four months early," Catarina laughed. She handed it to him, and he managed to hold it under one of his arms while not managing to spill a drop of water. He really, really needed a coffee, not water. But sadly, he had no such machine, and what was even more sadder is that he didn't know how to properly use one. Sighing, Magnus turns to the stairs with her, and they walk side by side toward the exit. He glances at her, only to find her staring back at him.
"See something you like, Miss Loss?"
"Not even close," Catarina snorts. "I'm just wondering how you're doing….?"
"I'm fine, really. Stop pestering me. I am perfectly fine." Magnus bites the inside of his cheek, not looking at her anymore. But she keeps watching him, a curious face against a guilty one.
"Fine. Alright. Just take care of yourself," she says as they arrive at the exit, going their separate ways. Heading to the subway, Magnus tossed the cup of water into a trash bin, hooked his bag around his shoulder, then took a quick look at the folder with his now free hands. Thick paper, stark white, there was both a colored photo and grey photo on the first page, protected by plastic. Alexander Lightwood stood out on the front. Happy the board had finally gotten him the patient's complete case, he got ready to board the train. If Magnus was honest, trains both scared him and excited him, so maybe reading the file would prove a distraction.
Later, seated in a blue leather seat in a corner, with only two other passengers on the other side of the train, he took a look at his watch. 12:04 AM. He had plenty of time until he got home to his shitty apartment, made up of lots of glittery and bright things. A lonely, quiet and dull apartment though. All the pretty things only acted like make up on an old woman, something that cheaply covers up the old and used. His place was practically a shrine, but he didn't want to think about that now. One flip after the first page of the folder, he was reading.
Name: Alexander Lightwood.
Age: 19
Sex: Male
Born in New York.
Boring. Magnus flipped to the next page. A series of different doctor notes all compiled together neatly greeted him. Glancing at the dates he saw that they were from a couple years ago, and so many notes were by many different doctors.
Grew up with close family in NY. One sister, brother, mother and father. Dead four months ago. Car crash. Moved soon after to a completely different state, in the hopes of giving him a new start.
Most prominent and startling condition Alexander showed was 'hearing voices'. He also has shown to 'classify' people. No one is an exception. Will look into this later. Has shown negative effects to Haldol. Will be using standard Seroquel. Suggest counselling. More cognitive exercises. Will attempt to set back into everyday life.
Swallowing, Magnus skipped a few months.
Seroquel works. Patient enjoys cognitive exercises. Hates counselling. Future therapists and the like should be warned. Can be a dangerous patient if he chooses.
Another page flip, he went ahead a year.
Alexander seems to classify on appearance. Claims that, based on appearances, they are in different categories. 'Demons' are the ones least trusted. 'Downworlders' have multiple subcategories, almost all unknown, besides vampire. Claims Beverly, the janitor on the first floor, is a Vampire, as well as his roommate. Has not elaborated any more past this.
Intrigued, Magnus looked at his watch. 12:11 AM. He kept reading.
Attacked Beverly last Tuesday, was placed in solitary. More counseling has proven that the 'voices' were once people he knew. Traumatic memories is evident. Possibility of changing roommates, if there is more evidence of him seeing so called 'vampires' as a threat. Says there are 'Fae' folk as well, a sub-cat of Downworlders. Will look into this. Beverly is not coming back.
Categories are based on hallucinations the patient sees. Claims demons look the most twisted. They are least-trustworthy. Claims he is 'nephilim', a type of savior. Which can be considered normal for someone with his mental condition; thoughts of grandeur. Nephilim are supposedly different from both demons and downworlders. Claims normal people are mundanes.
Has attacked his fifteenth therapist. Has been detained, sent to solitary. Will be moved from LA to NY institute. This is his tenth move.
Magnus closes the folder, looking up at the ceiling. The fluorescent lights are weak, flickering slightly. Sighing, Magnus looks at the front of the blank brown folder, slightly worn at the sides, some papers sticking out. Old lines across. He opens the folder again to look at the patient. Blue eyes, black hair. Handsome. Someone Magnus would date, if he wasn't his patient. He knew he should not have taken a case on so early, especially this kind of case. Absent-minded, he fingers the gold ring on his finger, lost in thought. No, he should not have taken this case on.
Downworlder. The name echoes in his head. According to this file, downworlders had a cetain 'look'. What kind of look though? Good, bad? Probably bad. Obviously, Alexander did not trust downworlders. Scratching the back of his neck, Magnus put the folder away for the rest of the ride home, enjoying the rocking lull of the subway.
Dear Lawyers: I do not own The Mortal Instruments. If I did, I wouldn't be writing fanfiction now, would I darlings?
Dear Readers: I got this idea because it was three AM and I had a chest infection, and bam, it hit me while I was dozing off. That's pretty much it. Also, this story is absolutely AU. Sorry for mistakes, I have no beta-reader.
P.S I am not a certified Doctor, therefore some medical depictions type stuff in this story may be inaccurate, and do not reflect on real life health professionals/ places. I'm hoping y'all will give this a chance.
P.P.S This is my first fic for TMI. I also haven't reread the series in a while, so sorry for any mishaps that might cause.
Warnings Are: M/M relationship. Maybe smut, not sure yet. If anything medical-related (for lack of a better word) triggers you, then I'd suggest not reading this.