Chapter 1

The front door opened with a soft creek, allowing Alec and Magnus to enter into the warlock's cozy apartment.

Getting back from their first date, Alec would have hoped he'd be filled with excitement at the prospect of starting his new relationship. The butterflies that had sprang up in his stomach when Magnus had first suggested they finally go on their long awaited first date were now gone, leaving him with a slight nauseous feeling spinning around in his gut. It could have been the alcohol; he didn't usually drink much, but the after effects of last couple hours left him feeling drained.

"For a guy so used to Portals, I have to say, nothing beats a late-night stroll through the city," Magnus admitted as he walked into his living room ahead of Alec. If the slight monotone in his voice was any sign, Alec wasn't the only one that the night had taken its toll on.

"Yeah," Alec sighed in agreement, matching the warlock's tone. "Gives you time to think."

The night hadn't been all bad. A friendly game of pool had relaxed them into the night, but Alec's admission to never having been in a serious romantic relationship had put an ominous cloud over their night.

"You're weirded out."

Magnus took a huge drink from his cocktail, before setting the now almost empty glass back on the counter. "Mmm, who says I'm weirded out?"

Alec eyed the glass in front of the warlock with a slightly raised eyebrow but decided to let it go. "You want to know why I haven't been in a serious relationship before? It's because of this." He motioned between the two of them. "I have known I was interested in boys for a while and . . . growing up in the Institute, it has never really been accepted. I didn't want to feel like there was something wrong with me because I always knew I couldn't have what I wanted. Well, . . . until you came along."

There was a slight pause before Magnus spoke up again. "I'm immortal, Alec. I'm a bisexual warlock who has been around for . . . four hundred years. You think that the Institute has been the only place where we haven't been accepted?" Magnus turned his head just enough to make out the young man sitting next to him. "Trust me, there is nothing wrong with you. Far from it." He turned his eyes back to his drink. "But you're so . . . innocent."

"In some ways, yeah," Alec shrugged, memories of training as a child with knifes and swords flashing behind his eyes. "But I really don't want you to treat me any different."

"But you are different. And it's a good thing."

"What about you?" Alec asked, picking up his drink. "I mean, you must have had your fair share of exes from over the years."

"What do you mean?" the warlock asked, avoiding his eyes.

"You know what I mean."

"Alexander, look, I've lived for centuries. I've been with men, women, Seelies, warlocks, vampires . . . a jinn or two."

"How many?" Alec questioned, interrupting the man's rambling. "It's not a trick question. You can round down if you want."

"Okay, I'll tell you." Magnus paused for another moment, before reluctantly spitting out his number. "Seventeen."

A wave of relief swept through Alec. "Seventeen. That's not too bad. That's . . ." Then he caught the look in Magnus' eyes. "Seventeen . . . hundred?" Magnus turned his head, suddenly looking very uncomfortable. "Seventeen thousand?"

"It was all in the past," Magnus jumped in, letting out a small uncomfortable chuckle. "Ancient history. But right now, I'm here. With you."

"Yeah, me and . . . seventeen thousand other memories."

"You must have thought a lot," Magnus spoke up with his back to Alec, pulling the Shadowhunter out of his thoughts. "You barely said a word the whole way home." Slipping off his jacket, he headed over to the serving cart that was currently stationed by the side of the couch to pour himself yet another drink.

Alec's mind was spinning from everything he had learned about the warlock. He had known from the beginning that the man was immortal, but he hadn't fully grasped what that meant until now.

"Magnus." Alec hesitated before continuing. "Do you think . . . maybe we're too . . ."

"Different?" he finished for him.

"Yeah," Alec let out in a soft sigh.

Finally turning around to face him, Magnus gave Alec a sad look and shrugged. "I've been with different supernatural beings before, but . . ."

"Most were immortal. We're from different centuries," Alec agreed. They stared back at each other, allowing that thought to sink in.

It had seemed like months had passed since they had shared their first kiss in front of the crowd of Shadowhunters at the church. Getting to their first date had seemed like such a huge milestone, and now, the idea that this relationship could be over just like that was heartbreaking to Alec. He considered just turning around and walking out of the apartment, but he didn't want to let Magnus go without a fight.

"Look, I don't care how many people you've been with," Alec stated determinedly, taking a step closer.

Magnus' face lit up at the words. "I don't care how many people you haven't been with."

Before he could lose his nerve, Alec closed the distance between them and leaned down to press his lips against the warlock's.

A knock at the door forced them apart. Magnus ran a hand down Alec's arm in a silent apology before turning to answer the door.

What greeted him on the other side was a teenage kid with dark, gelled down hair. The boy's bright red pants and black polo shirt were quite a contrast with his white belt. He was even sporting a red, black, and white striped bowtie around his neck.

Magnus determined immediately that the boy was a Shadowhunter, if the roughly shaped dragon-rune-tattoo that was imprinted on the young boy's upper collarbone; peeking out of his shirt, was anything to go by. He also had the traditional angelic image printed on his forearm, along with a few others visible on the exposed skin.

"Can I help you?" Magnus asked, eyeing the boy curiously.

"Hey," the boy sent him a bright smile. "I'm looking for Alec. I was told he might be here?"

"Blaine?" Alec's voice spoke up from the living room as he stepped into view from around the corner.

"Alec!" the boy cried out, and Magnus quickly stepped out of the way as the teen charged past him, falling into Alec's arms.

"Hey, kid," Alec chuckled at the boy's excitement while wrapping one arm around his shoulders. "It's good to see you too. What are you doing in New York?"

The teen pulled back a little to look up at Alec. "My family flew in to visit for a few days."

"Cooper's here too?" The taller one asked, his eyes widening happily.

The teen nodded his head. "He's back at the Institute, getting in some combat practice with Jace."

"Who is this?" Magnus asked, closing the door again and turning to study the new arrival with an amused look in his eyes.

The gel haired boy spun around to face the warlock while Alec moved to rest his hand on the kid's shoulder. "Sorry. This is my cousin, Blaine Anderson," Alec introduced before looking down at the teen and gesturing in his direction. "Blaine, this is Magnus."

"You're Magnus, huh?" Blaine asked, stressing out the first word. Folding his arms across his chest, he raised an eyebrow at the warlock, sending him a small smirk.

"You've heard of me?" Magnus asked, taken aback. As High Warlock of Brooklyn, he was used to complete strangers in his world knowing his name, but this kid was apparently from out of town.

"Aunt Maryse visited my family in Ohio a couple weeks ago. I overheard her talking to my mom about what happened at your wedding," Blaine added as he turned to address Alec, sending him a knowing look. "She didn't sound too pleased with your decision to back out of the arrangement."

Alec shared a look with Magnus.

"Uh huh," Alec hummed before turning back to his cousin, "and how do you feel about it?"

"About you being gay or dating a warlock?"

"Both."

Blaine bit his lower lip gently as it thought it over. "My only concern about the warlock is the fact that he is immortal." He shrugged. "I'm a little worried that my cause some problems for you down the line. As for the boyfriend part?" The teen cast his eyes to the floor as he shuffled his feet uncomfortably. "Well, . . . considering the fact that I'm gay too, I really don't think I should be one to judge on that."

"Really?" Alec asked, sounding surprised.

Magnus gave the boy's outfit another look over. Raising an eyebrow in mock surprise, he smirked to himself but kept his mouth shut.

"Don't say anything to my parents, please," Blaine stammered. "Cooper is the only one that knows right now and–"

"It's not a big deal though," Alec quickly jumped in. "I was terrified about coming out . . . and you know how my mom has been taking the news, but Magnus and I just got back from a first date tonight and . . . I think things are going to be okay."

"There is nothing to be ashamed of," Magnus added, stepping closer to the pair and sent Alec a warning look as he continued. "But in the meantime, sure, your secret is safe with us. And if you ever feel like you need someone to talk to or whatever . . ."

"Thanks," Blaine said, grinning up at the warlock. "I'll keep that in mind."