Upon arriving at the institute Magnus was quickly met by two very stoic Shadowhunters. Although under the guise of an escort, Magnus couldn't help but feel they were more there to keep an eye on the 'dangerous' warlock than as a welcoming party. The distrust of Downworlders ran deep among Shadowhunters, and even when being called upon for assistance they were always treated as second class citizens, people to be wary of. His earlier exhaustion and frustration returned, but he had committed to do this, so he plastered on a smile and graciously followed his "escort" to the office of Robert Lightwood.
"Good, you made it." Robert didn't bother looking up as he addressed Magnus, who had just entered the room.
Ignoring the slight, Magnus glided across the room, and gracefully deposited himself on the nearest chair. "Robert, a pleasure as always. Tell me more about the attack."
Detecting the thinly veiled venom in Magnus' voice, Robert had the good sense to look up from his work. "Bane, as I explained on the phone, our wards were broken through last night by a forsaken created by Valentine. The details of the how and why are not your concern."
"Oh really? The "why", as you say, is irrelevant to me, however, if you are looking for me to reinforce the wards in a way as to deter further such attacks, the "how" is very much my concern. I could of course put up a generic ward and you can call me back when you once more find yourself under attack. The choice is yours. It's no skin off my nose. In fact perhaps that would better, then I can collect double from you." Every word from Magnus' mouth dripped with derision. Robert's complete ignorance to what went into Magnus' work hit a nerve. Robert made it seem as though Magnus were nothing more than teenager come to paint a fence. He was an artist, his work, a finely honed craft
"You've made your point, Warlock." Magnus stiffened at that name. Though he had come to embrace and celebrate who he was, in the mouths of Shadowhunters, the word held nothing but contempt and fear.
Having accepted the validity of Magnus' argument, a chagrined Robert shared the details of the forsaken created by Valentine. When he had finished he rose up and sharply gestured for Magnus to follow him throughout the institute, reinforcing the wards as they went along. It was tedious work, and Magnus found Robert's presence significantly annoying, despite the fact they spent the entirety of the time in silence. After an hour or so, to Magnus it felt like weeks, they reached the last corridor requiring reinforcement.
"The wards solid now, nothing will get through?" From Robert's tone, Magnus gathered their time spent together had not been agreeable to the Shadowhunter either.
"Even my magic has limits." Magnus was unwilling to back himself into a corner by making un-keepable promises. Despite being the High Warlock of Brooklyn, he was not all-knowing and could not foresee all possible attacks, but he was confident in his skill and the service he provided. "Don't fret though, my protections will slow them down considerably."
"Extra time is priceless." Robert acknowledged.
"Say that after you get my bill." Magus found himself unable to not try and get under the other man's skin whenever the opportunity presented itself.
As Magnus finished working his magic (literally) he caught a glimpse of a very tall shadowhunter out of the corner of his eye walking down the corridor towards Robert and himself. Though he would deny it, Magnus' reinforcement of the wards become more exaggerated and dramatic. An added curl of the hand here, a flick of the wrist there. He certainly wasn't trying to impress anyone. With one last flourish he turned to face Alec, who had now reached Magnus and his father.
"Alexander, how lovely to . . ." he stopped short of finishing his sentence when he saw the state of the young Shadowhunter. Though still as devastatingly handsome as ever, he was pale, much paler than usual, apart from the flushed cheeks. His face was pinched and drawn, and a thin layer of sweat glistened on his forehead. It was then that Magnus noted the bandage on his left arm, which looked to have been haphazardly applied. Stubborn shadowhunter probably wrapped it himself. Robert's words from their phone call came back to him, two of our men were attacked, he had said. A pit formed in Magnus' stomach, forsaken wounds if not properly attended to, could be very dangerous to nephilim.
Robert felt no such discomfort when faced with his son and immediately began giving orders. "Alec, I have a meeting with members of the Clave in half an hour. Warlock, Bane has just finished reinforcing the wards, please see to it that his bill is paid." With that Robert strode off to deal with the Clave, seemingly oblivious to his son's sickly state.
"Yes, sir." Alec responded quickly and forcefully to his father. Always the obedient son, the good soldier. Truth be told he felt like shit, and wanted nothing more than lie down and sleep. Robert had him running around all day, completing various tasks and errands. He suspected his father was disappointed in him, though he had not said as much. In fact he had said nothing to Alec since the attack, apart from conveying orders. It seemed to Alec as though he were being punished in some way for last night's attack, and perhaps he should be. He was careless in the fight and if not for Hodge the forsaken may have made off with the cup (not to mention, kill him in the process).
He broke out of his reverie when he remembered Magnus. He hazarded a shy glance at him, and his breath caught in his throat. Magnus was magnificent. Alec had never met anyone quite like him before.
"Magnus, thank you for coming on such short notice. Please come with me and we can settle your bill." Magnus couldn't help but notice the change in the boy's tone. With his father, Alec had been strong direct, shoulders back, eyes forward. But when he turned to address Magnus, his tone softened and his eyes dropped to the floor, suddenly unsure of himself. Magnus couldn't help but be endeared by it.
As Alec turned to go, Magnus gently grabbed his uninjured arm. Alec turned and quietly made eye contact with him and for a moment the institute faded away, and there was only Alec and Magnus. The moment as broken when Alec cleared his throat and slowly pulled his arm back from Magnus. He glanced around nervously and then once again dropped his gaze to the floor "We should go, I . . ."
"A forsaken wound often needs a little Warlock TLC. May I? Free of charge!" Magnus tried to keep his tone light and casual to try and alleviate a bit of the tension, but he was unable to keep the concern out of his voice.
"I'm fine." Alec answered quickly. Magnus wondered if Alec had ever admitted to being anything other than fine. Had he ever been allowed to express pain, physical or otherwise? No, of course not. With Shadowhunters emotions were thought to be a distraction. Magnus' heart hurt for this strong, broken man in front of him. When had he come to care so much for Alexander? As he looked at him now, he realized he was in deep. Somehow he had fallen for this man. And the thought of him being injured or worse was suddenly too much to bear.
"Alexander," he began gently, his voice rough with emotions he was trying desperately to hide, "if anything were to happen to you I . . ."
"Magnus. You don't have . . . I just . . ." Alec sighed and lowered his head. Truth be told he would love for Magnus to heal him, but he knew he didn't deserve that relief. The pain was good. The pain would make him a better protector. The pain reminded him of how he failed and spurred him to do better. To be better. "Thank you, but, its fine. I'm good. We should get going" With that the gentle timidity of earlier disappeared and the soldier returned.
As Alec turned his back and began to walk away, Magnus followed reluctantly, unable to quiet the worry in his head for the young Shadowhunter.