I'm like really obsessed with the Mortal Instruments at the moment (again as I might add) and so I had to write this. It's the saddest thing I've ever written and I kind of hate myself for it but oh well, what can I do?
I have an idea for another chapter, so let me know if you want this thing to be a two-shot or just a one-shot.
"The demon came out of nowhere", Jace said, his voice was raw. "I couldn't-"
He broke into a sob and Magnus watched without any emotion as Clary put her arm around him and he buried her face into her shoulder. He had to bend down to do so and it should have looked awkward but as it always was with Clary and Jace it looked adorable. Magnus cased his eyes aside as if the image hurt him. He wondered why he wasn't crying.
The door of the Infirmary opened and Brother Enoch stepped outside his face gave nothing away but it wasn't necessary, Magnus already knew. He'd known since Jace had stumbled into the Institute, one arm around Alec. He'd known then that it was over.
There's nothing I can do anymore, Brother Enoch said matter-of-factly. He's awake now and asking for you.
Isabelle started to cry loudly, Simon embraced her before she broke down to the floor, only his strong arms held her up. His eyes were full of tears.
"I'm telling Rafael and Max", Magnus whispered already pulling out his phone.
Rafael picked up immediately even if it had to be in the middle of the night in Madrid where he lived now.
"Papa, is something wrong?", Rafael asked his voice tense.
"It's your farther", Magnus said, his voice sounded strange in his own ears as if it came from far away. "There's been an accident. He- he won't make it."
Rafael was silent for a long time but Magnus could hear him breathing.
"I'm coming as fast as I can", he said then and hung up.
Max took longer to pick up. The phone had rang five times already until Magnus heard his cheerful voice. Max was always cheerful.
"Papa", he said into the phone. "What's up?"
He had to be somewhere outside, Magnus mused, in the background he could hear people chatting and laughing.
"Something has happened, Maxi", Magnus said softly. "Your farther has been poisoned by a Greater Demon. He won't make it."
Max hesitated. Magnus could hear someone shouting at his son. He didn't bother to answer.
"There's nothing you can do?", Max asked after a while.
"No. I tried, the Silent Brothers tried. The poison is too strong", Magnus answered.
"I'm coming", Max sobbed.
Magnus hung up, he still wasn't crying.
When he looked up he saw that nobody was there anymore. They must've gone into Infirmary. Magnus turned around and gazed at the door. He didn't want to go inside. As long as he stood outside Alec would live, he told himself. It was a stupid thought but as long as he stood outside he didn't have to face the truth.
Max was the first to arrive. His blue cheeks streaked with tears. He looked as he always did, timeless as all warlocks did, frozen around the age of twenty-five. But his eyes were sad, broken and there was nothing Magnus could do.
"Where is he?", Max asked.
Magnus pointed to the Infirmary and Max wasted no time to see his farther. He didn't hesitate at the door but burst through it. Magnus stayed outside but he could hear soft voices coming from the Infirmary, there was laughter mixed with sobs as there always was when someone was dying. Magnus had seen, had heard it so often. He had felt so many mortal hearts slowing, had seen their gazes going unfocused and had heard their breaths weakening. It shouldn't have been so hard this time. There was nothing different. But still everything was different.
Rafael came next, his hair was still messy from sleeping but his eyes were wide awake. He glanced at Magnus, put a hand on his shoulder but went on to the Infirmary. Magnus sighed and leaned against the wall. The stone felt cold against his back. He could see Alec when he closed his eyes. His wonderful Alexander. His black hair which he didn't even bother to brush sometimes and his blue eyes glittering when he laughed. He could see the way his gaze got serious when he told Magnus that he loved him. The way Alec had picked up the boys when they had been younger his strong arms always holding them secure. Magnus saw him on their wedding day, he had looked so beautiful in his golden suit and had been so goddamn happy.
Magnus touched his face and realized he was crying.
Alexander, he thought, perfect Alexander.
He didn't know how much time passed until someone laid a hand on his shoulder. Magnus looked up to see Isabelle there, her eyes red from crying.
"He wants to speak to you alone", she whispered.
Magnus nodded and exhaled. He had to face: this was real, his wonderful Alexander was dying and there was nothing he could do to save him.
"All right", Magnus said.
He hesitated only for one second before he pushed the doors to the Infirmary open.
Alec was lying in one of the beds his face pale but he smiled at Magnus when he entered.
"I thought you'd never come", he said, his voice was half-gentle, half-mocking. "I thought you'd hide in the hallway forever."
"How did you know I was in the hallway?", Magnus asked.
"Because I know you, Magnus", Alec said and grinned. "You were out in the hallway, sulking and thinking about how much your life sucks, am I right?"
Magnus said nothing but made a face at his husband. Alec had always known him better than anyone else.
"Come here", Alec said and held out a hand.
Magnus hesitated but went slowly to the side of Alec's bed and took his hand. It was cold.
"You've been crying", he observed.
"Of course, I've been crying", Magnus said. "I do have the right to cry, don't I?"
Alec smiled weakly. "I guess, you do."
They were silent for a moment, nothing but the sound of their breaths filling the room.
"I don't want you to leave me", Magnus whispered suddenly. "I can't- I can't lose you. What am I going to do without you?"
Alec brushed away a tear that streamed down Magnus' cheek.
"Live", he whispered. "Promise me to live. And not just to survive but live."
Magnus shook his head unwillingly.
"Be happy, Magnus", Alec went on as if Magnus hadn't moved. "I want you to go on with your life."
"I CAN'T", Magnus cried out loud sending the birds outside the windows flying. Alec didn't even blink.
"I can't live without you, Alexander", Magnus continued more quietly this time.
"Of course you can", Alec said and squeezed his hand. "Maybe not right now, but the wound will heal in time and then I want you to live."
"But-"
"If you can't do it for yourself. Then do it for me. This is my last wish", Alec said and his eyes had this stubborn light in them that made Magnus realize it was no use to argue with him.
"Okay, I'll try."
Alec smiled at him. "Thank you."
Suddenly he broke into a fist of coughing, blood sputtering from his mouth. With a wink of his hand Magnus summoned a glass of water and made him drink.
"This demon poisoning really is a bit unpleasant", Alec muttered afterwards.
Magnus chuckled through his tears. "Only you can describe your own death as unpleasant."
Alec grinned at him but Magnus saw in his eyes that he was still in pain.
"Does it hurt? Can I do something for you?", Magnus asked.
"No, Brother Enoch already gave me something against the pain", Alec answered, his eyes half-closed. "But you could kiss me."
"I'd love that", Magnus whispered and bent down.
His lips were dry and his face was hot with fever but he still smelled like Alexander. He smelled like sandalwood and soap.
"I love you", Alec whispered.
"I love you too, Alexander. Always and forever", Magnus told him.
Alec cubbed his cheek with his hands. "Maybe one day we'll see each other again."
"Maybe", Magnus answered with tears in his eyes.
"But I want it to be a long time until then, okay?"
Magnus nodded. "Until then, my love."
He died an hour later after that. Magnus sat on his bed, held his hand and felt, as he had done so many times before, the heartbeat of a loved one slowing. He watched as his gaze went unfocused, already half in another world and listened as his breath weakened. Nothing was different and still everything was different. Because Alexander had been different. Because he was his Alexander, his wonderful Alexander.
When Alec closed his eyes for the last time, Magnus bent down to kiss him one last time and whispered: "I love you, my dear Alexander Gideon Lightwood-Bane. Always and forever until I see you again."