Alec Lightwood was alive. Well actually he was dead. He was a vampire, and he did not like it.
For the most part of his life he was closeted. Now that he was free to live his life however he wanted, with Magnus, he couldn't. He died three years ago surrounded by his husband, sister, parabatai and parabatai's annoying and sometimes endearing girlfriend. HIs death came as a shock to many.
He was in the middle of battle when a warlock drove a dagger forged from the fires of hell through his heart. The dagger missed by an inch. Jace came to help him out and got stabbed as well. The remembered the words spoken to him by the warlock as he drove the dagger into his chest, 'This is for Asmodeous.'
Magnus' father did not like his son in law and had him killed. Alec thought to himself that had to be one of the more extreme reactions to not liking a new family member. Asmodeous wanted Magnus to spend all eternity alone and miserable, clearly Alec proved to be a flaw in that plan so he had him daggered.
He lay on the bed at the infirmary for three days before he woke up. He was in so much pain entire time. He said his goodbyes and made his peace with the world, and as he slowly drifted off into eternal sleep he expected peace and quiet. Not a sudden shock. He had never been bitten by a vampire but he had a feeling this was it. He had a feeling they would do this, his well meaning family and husband. They were the most stubborn people he had ever met and they wanted him to live, even as he was dying. He had thought they would honor his wishes but they had other plans. He wanted to be mad at them but couldn't bring himself to do it.
If it had been Izzy dying or Jace he would do the same. However, he had lived his entire life as a shadowhunter. He knew nothing else. He would have to relearn basic skills to fit in with the vampires and he had no idea how he would cope with that. He was worrying while dying.
'So much for peace' he thought to himself.
Magnus Bane is not a magician and yet the day Alec died he had pulled off one the best sleight of hand ever seen. Unfortunately only four people witness this amazing feat. He had glamoured a dead body to look just like Alec. And as he portaled his husband out of the institute, Clary brought in the dead body from the morgue. He had minutes to transport the right body into the infirmary. Jace and Izzy were the distraction although he suspected they really were mourning his death.
He was too. He knew when Alexander woke up he'd be a new man, and he was nervous about what that meant for them. He then left his husband in his home with Raphael, his reluctant sire and portaled back to the institute where he met Clary at a prearranged location. He portaled that dead body in. By the time Clary wheeled in the empty stretcher there was a dead body at the bed waiting to be collected.
That night Alec rose from the dead. Raphael and Simon were there along with Clary, Jace and Izzy. Magnus was pacing in the cemetery as he waited. Simon was talking about what he felt when he first rose. He tried to reassure Magnus, but promptly stopped talking after receiving a glare from Raphael.
Simon knew the two had been friends for centuries. So he turned his attention to the others, reassuring them instead. Jace was no better than Magnus. He was in pain. His bond with Alec had broken when he died. He should have been in the infirmary resting and healing but he wanted to be here when Alec rose. Simon thought to himself that Alec would like that, if he realized what was going on.
He had sneaking suspicion the Shadowhunter would be more annoyed than confused upon his rebirth.
At midnight he rose, gasping for breath and ravenous. He looked at everyone who was around. Saw the uncertainty and fear in their eyes. He wanted to address it, but he was too hungry to speak. He could see that they were all waiting for him to say something. When he finally had enough he asked them why they had done this.
It was a mistake on his part because suddenly all of them were talking at once and they were very loud. He winced and saw Raphael smirk out of the corner of his eye. "Enhanced hearing" said the vampire. "Eventually you'll get used to it."
They stopped talking. Alec took a moment to breathe.
"Okay, I am a vampire now", he said more to himself than anyone in particular. "I know nothing about being one. The only thing I really know is how to kill one, and that's not going to do me any good. I need to learn and I need to be able to stand with you all and not want to drink you dry, anyone have any suggestions where I can start?" he asked.
"Alexander, I know this is all very new to you and I know you feel like have wronged you, but we are all here to help you my love. We're here to tell you that you will not embark on this new and rather scary journey alone", said Magnus. He could see that Alec was holding on to his last vestige of sanity and calm. He did not want him to be panicked.
"Magnus", Alec said and suddenly he looked vulnerable and scared. He was no longer wearing a mask of confidence. He sank to his knees and looked up at the handsome warlock. He had tears running down his eyes.
"I want to hold you so badly", he sobbed. At that Magnus walked up to him, with sure and confident steps.
"I don't think that's the best idea", said Raphael. "He could be hungry still, and not realize what his doing until it too late".
"He's a warlock, he can protect himself", said Izzy. "Besides my brother could never harm him", she added so completely sure of the love her brother felt for his husband.
Magnus stood in front of Alec and sank to his knees. "Alexander", he said softly. "I am so sorry but I could not bear the thought of living without you, especially because my father killed you. You deserve more, love so much more", he said his voice thick with emotion.
"I am scared Mags", Alec whispered.
"It's alright. I'll be here to help you, every step of the way. I will always be here for you Alexander, always", said Magnus.
Alec let out a slight chuckle. "I am going to need it, but right now maybe you should go over there with my sister. You smell delicious and I don't want to hurt you", he said with startling sincerity.
Magnus smiled at him then pecked him on the lips and moved away. He looked at Raphael and before he could even get one word out Raphael said, "No. Don't be crazy Magnus, you will not do so unless you have a death wish, and even if you do I suggest you find another way to die because he will never be able to live with himself after that'".
"Wait! What just happened?" asked a very confused Jace.
"Nothing you need to know shadowhunter", said Raphael. "If this welcome back party is done, we need to get back to Hotel Dumort", Raphael said.
Everyone had agreed that Alec would live and learn to face people and regular vampire struggles with his sire. Simon seemed to be the happiest, no longer was he the newest vampire.
Alec slowly stood up on wobbly legs. Magnus opened a portal directly into Hotel Dumort. They all stepped in.
Raphael gave Alec a pint of blood. "You need to drink till you're full, for now that is the best way to keep from accidently killing your friends", he said. Alec nodded and accepted the glass.
"Alec, I know this is a stupid question but how are you?" asked Izzy.
He saw the concern in his sister's eyes, he wanted so much to ease her worries and tell her everything was going to be okay but he really didn't know if he could. Instead he settle for, "I'll be okay in a while Iz. This is going to take some getting used to". It had worked because. He saw her sink into the armchair, more relaxed than she was minutes ago.
"I am always going to be here for you, no matter what", she said with so much conviction in her voice, he could not bring himself to doubt her. They had always been there for each other and he was glad that even death had not changed that.
"Me too, bro", said Jace. Alec noticed that he was in pain.
"Thanks. It's the broken bond right? It's hurting you cause I am dead", asked Alec. He knew it was the truth but he needed to know that Jace was going to be okay.
"You're not going to believe this, but it actually hurts less since you've risen. It could placebo, or maybe the bond knows that you're not really dead", said Jace.
"Well that is interesting", chimed in Magnus from the bar. He wasn't the fixing a drink, he was reading a recipe book the vampires had made on how to make bloody cocktails.
When everyone else realized what he was reading a look of confusion swept across the room. Even Raphael, who had remained completely unfazed during the whole night, wore a look of confusion. Finally he asked, "What are you doing? Your husband needs to learn how to survive now, he doesn't need cocktails".
"Well, if there's anything I know About Alexander, it's that he's disciplined and hard working. He'll be an ideal vampire in no time. After that he's going to need cocktails. He so loves them you see, and I have had years to practice making the normal ones, these however will need practicing and since I cannot taste them you will soon be subject to my many attempts", said Magnus.
Raphael looked at Alec and said, "You have a weird family". At that all of them burst out in laughter.
As it turns out Magnus was right. He was able to learn everything at a break neck speed. He also had very strong will power. He hardly ever slipped up. He drank regularly and even though himself to eat regular food. He no longer enjoyed the taste but he figured at some point if he ever has to eat, he would be able to do so with no problem.
He knew he never wanted to harm people, but Raphael told him that sometimes the need could arise to feed from a living person. He tried to explain that his husband was Magnus Bane and could always summon a bag of blood from the blood bank but Raphael insisted that he learn how to feed from a person.
That's how he found himself wandering down an empty street, late in the night looking for someone to feed on. He knew the drill. Hypnotize then feed. That way they will not remember. He practiced his hypnosis with many people, both his friends and random strangers. He knew it worked. Feeding was the difficult bit. He knew he did not want to kill anyone, but he had to learn. Many vampires end up killing their first few victims because they are unable to control themselves. Alec did not want to do that.
Giving up, he headed back to Hotel Dumort, maybe he could find a book that explains feeding better. Maybe even one that tells you how and when to stop. As he thought looking for a better guide than Raphael's, 'Just drink till you feel them go limp then stop, normally they would survive it' he found himself at his loft. His and Magnus'. Magnus had been a great help. Always supporting him and encouraging him. He made Alec smile through the worst of it and he was so grateful that the wonderful man would forever be a part of his life.
He had met Magnus every day. No matter how busy Magnus was being the High Warlock of Brooklyn he always popped in for a while, checking in on Alec, making sure he was okay. Initially he brought him his stuff to make his room feel homier. However, as they both soon realized, it wasn't things that made a room feel like home. It's the person you share the room with. Raphael has been very clear that he does not think Magnus should spend the night until Alec has complete control over his hunger.
Raphael had expected it to take a lot longer but the former shadowhunter was full of surprises, not only was he a good student he also surpassed all of Raphael's expectations. Simon was still learning how to control his impulses, but Alec seemed to have gotten the hang of that. Because of how well things were going Raphael told both Magnus and Alec, once Alec learns how to feed, without killing a person he is free to return home to Magnus. They were delighted with the news.
As Alec stood in front of their building he thought about how much he had missed his husband. He missed waking up next to him, seeing him all bleary eyes, cuddling with him and making love to him. Since he had met Magnus he had not had such an extended dry spell. Raphael made it clear that intimacy makes the hunger stronger and Alec knew that it was true. Since rising, he had made out with his husband a lot. But they always had to stop once his fangs came out. He craved Magnus' life force when he was with him, like that.
Deciding that today was already such a failure he walked up to the loft. He rang the bell and before Magnus could ask who's that he said, "It's me." The door opened immediately. He walked in to their home. He had only been here a few times since he started staying in Hotel Dumort. He missed their home and their life. Learning to control his urges and impulses had kept him so bust but now, he just wanted to be in Magnus' arms. Magnus came flying into his arms as he walked in. "Alexander, what a pleasant surprise", he said before kissing his husband deeply. Alec allowed himself to melt into his kiss.
Finally when they broke apart he told Magnus about his night. "It's crazy, I know it's for my best but what are the odds I even need to feed from a person? If there's a war and I can't access a blood bank I'll simply find a dead person, recently deceased of course. Like within 10 minutes of death. Or an animal. Or anything", said Alec. Magnus watched his husband speak about feeding like it was the most difficult thing. Deciding that he would help him, he explained something to him.
"Alexander, I am sure Raphael did not tell you this, because this is something he does not really feel, but I have it on good authority that feeding can be a very sensual experience", Magnus said. The look of confusion on his husband's face prompted him to go on, "You know how you feel hungry when we kiss and touch each other", he asks. Alec nodded and if he were still capable of it, he was sure he would be blushing a bright pink. "Well it's the same. When you feed you are consuming someone's life force and the connection you feel to that person is unlike anything you have ever felt."
Alec looked at Magnus, silently urging him to go on. "It can be very pleasurable Alec. You just need to allow yourself to feel all that", he added.
"I thought I could not do it when I walked in, now I am sure I can't."
"Why not, my love? It's a part of your nature now. You should embrace and be confident in it", Magnus said as he held his hand.
"It's so intimate. I couldn't do that with a stranger and then just walk away having not felt like I've cheated on you, and Mags I will never do that", said Alec.
"It can also be very basic and functional. My sweet Alexander, it can be anything you make it to be", clarified Magnus. He then brought Alec over to their couch. It was soft and comfortable. It was Alec's choice when he had first moved in with Magnus. Looking slightly confused Alec followed his husband's lead. He sat down and Magnus sat next to him. He began to unbutton his shirt.
"Magnus, what are you doing?", asked Alec torn between wanting his husband shirtless and afraid that he might accidently do something to hurt him, if this continued.
"Ssshh! Alexander. You need to learn to not fear your own nature and who better to practice with than a person completely capable of stopping you at any point. I am strong Alec and you do need to worry about hurting me, besides I heal very well", Magnus said as he straddled his husband, unbuttoning the top few buttons of his shirt. He then unbuckled both their pants and unzipped it. "There, now we are both comfortable', he said with a mischievous grin.
Alec knew Magnus was right but he still feared hurting him. "You will stop meif I hurt Mags, I need you to promise me."
"I promise, now let's have some fun", and with that Magnus began to pepper small kisses along Alec's jaw and neck.
They made out on the couch before finally moving to their bedroom. Alec had no recollection of the exact moment they moved. He only realized they had moved when his back his hit cool silk sheets. They made love, that night after months of abstinence. Slowly and passionately at first, before giving in to their more animalistic desires.
Alec had in fact drank from Magnus. The feeling was indeed orgasmic, just as Magnus had told him. He was genuinely surprised that it was just as good for Magnus. He had thought he would be in pain or discomfort, instead as he latched on to his neck he felt his husband shudder in pleasure. Of course, he had been terrified of taking too much but Magnus had been very reassuring through it all.
What he hadn't expected was feeling drunk right after. Unlike the usual post coital haze, Alec felt light headed after drinking from Magnus. "Mags, is the world moving really fast suddenly?' he asked.
He heard a chuckle before an answer. "No sweet Alexander, nothing has changed with the world. You just had your first taste of warlock blood. It has certain, interesting qualities", said Magnus.
"Like making the world spin faster? More color in everything?" asked Alec, truly curious about just how potent warlock blood is.
"Yes and yes. It does much more than just that but I am going to let you figure it out" said Manus with a wink. Confused, Alec decided he had worn himself out enough for the night. "Wake me up in 10 minutes, please. I need to be at the Hotel or Raphael will going to give me a lecture on the importnace of safety" said Alec sleepily.
"I think you will be just fine here tonight. I'll inform Raphael. Now get some sleep, I know the mattress at the Hotel is as hard as rock" Magnus said.
Laughing at his comment Alec looked at Magnus, "I was surprised when they did not put me in a coffin. I was worried that they would."
"I have made this place 100 percent sun proof. You will be safe here. I even added a few more wards. Just as a precaution" Magnus added. He looked worried.
"I will be fine Mags. I may not be half angel anymore but I have spent all my life training. I do have skills you know. Ones that can keep me safe. Regular weapons work just fine for me. I know because I have been practicing."
"I know you'll be fine. I just worry, some times' Magnus said. He placed a small kiss on Alec's forehead. "Now get some sleep" he said, as he snuggled into Alec's chest.
"I've missed this."
"Me too."
Raphael had been angry when he found out that Alec had fed from Magnus. He warned him not to do that again. He warned Alec of how unpredictable it could be when a vampire fed from a warlock. Alec listened to everything he said. He agreed and told him that he would not do it again, but he knew that was a lie. It would happen again, next time he'll just be more careful.
Simon was there when Magnus came to portal Alec home. He was envious. Alec seemed to be a better vampire than him. He learned quicker and did not seem to face the struggles he had. Of course, he was also happy that he was leaving to live the rest of eternity with the love of his life. His departure from the Hotel was celebrated. Izzy. Clary and Jace who had been mourning him in the real world came as well.
They spoke about the institute and what was happening. Jace moaned about the fact that they had sent some weird shadowhunter from Hong Kong to replace Alec. Alec was obviously hurt by this, but tried to be the voice of reason. "Work with him. I'll be happy if you do. You need another person and he can help you all stay safe" said Alec.
"No. That's not going to happen. I will not let the Clave tell me who to work with. Besides we are just fine on our own" argued Jace. "Maybe you can join us again, in secret of course" he added.
"No!" said both Raphael and Magnus at the same time.
"Alexander needs to remain dead to the Clave. It is the only way to protect him" said Magnus.
"I agree. The Clave will have too many questions if they know he's alive. Not to mention it is a punishable offence to turn a shadowhunter. Both Alec and I will faced consequences" said Raphael.
"Yeah of course" said Jace.
"It won't be all bad" Alec reassured him. "I am going to help train the vampires, solidify ties with the shadowhunters and werewolves. I am going to do what was always hoped of me. Just on my own terms and in my own time, don't worry about me" said Alec.
Alec was right, for the most part. He did everything he said he would. He read countless books, studied more than he ever did as a shadowhunter. He learnt languages. Went on long holidays with Magnus, saw the whole world.
Every weekend he met his siblings. They came over to the loft. They watched television and play games. Sometimes they just sat and talked. And sometimes they just sat together in a companiable silence. Those nights were always fun, but nobody aside from Magnus knew how broken he had become.
Magnus saw how tortured Alec was and did not know how to help him. Magnus knew that Alec might know how to survive as a Vampire but he still did not consider himself one. He felt like a shadowhunter and he did not know what to do. It was breaking Magnus up inside and he was worried if nothing was done, this might end up breaking them apart. Of course Alec would never say that but Magnus had lived for a very long time and knew what these kinds of emotions were capable of.
"I think you should join Jace. From the shadows, of course" said Magnus one night. Alec was shocked.
"Join him to do what exactly" he asked. There was no way Magnus would allow him to go on hunts. He had made that very clear from the beginning.
"Patrolling, hunting, whatever you call it" he said.
"But isn't that dangerous?" asked Alec.
"Well yes it is. It has always been and yet you have always done it. Besides I have utmost confidence in your ability to come home to me in the end of the day" said Magnus.
"What's happened Magnus? Something has changed. You were perfectly reasonable for not allowing me to go out there in the beginning."
"I know I was. I was trying to protect you, but now I feel as though I might be caging you in here. And please don't deny it; I know you've wanted to be out there. I hear it in your voice every time you ask Jace and Izzy about it" Magnus said.
"I do miss it, but I am not sure they even need me anymore. It's been a while and seem to be doing just fine on their own" said Alec.
"They will always need you Alec. Why do you think they have refused to replace you? Deep down they're waiting for you come back as well" Magnus said. "But of course, now that you have no runes you will have to allow me to place a couple of protective charms on you. Just as an extra precaution" Magnus added quickly. He might be okay with Alec going out, into the field again but he will not leave him unprotected.
Alec smiled. He looked happier than he had in a long time. "Thanks Mags, you have no idea how much this means to me, I love you" he said and then kissed his husband.
"Okay, now promise me that you will be safe, and then you can tell Jace the good news" said Magnus, smiling too. Alec really did have an infectious smile. It was a real shame it didn't come out more.
Alec promised. Later that night, he showed Magnus how thankful he was in their bed.
Just like that Alec Lightwood became a shadowhunting vampire.
