Chapter Three: The Mambo


"It's going to be visitation day soon," Raphael says from the other side of the shelf, turning another page. Alec glances at him whioe searching, still wondering what book he wants to read himself. "Tomorrow."

"I know it is."

"Your family coming to visit?"

"They're not my family," Alec huffs, picking out a interesting blue-looking book. Raphael smirks at him, but says no more as he kept on reading. Sighing, Alec tried to focus on the book. He was really looking forward to the visit. Only two people could come in at a time, for one entire hour. No physical contact, only sitting at a table and talking one-on-one. Or two-on-one. Occasionally, there was paper laying around, which the patients and their visitors sometimes drew on, having a good time with some laughter. On those days, the guards turned the other cheek, letting everyone have some fun. Alec hoped tomorrow was one of those days.

"What do you and Magnus talk about?" Raphael asks him curiously. Alec shrugs.

"Feelings," he vaguely answers. In truth, they did talk about feelings, but it was a touchy subject for Alec. Magnus didn't want to press him and push him over the edge again. Mostly, the two men talked about TV shows that Alec was missing. Such as 'Orange is the New Black', or 'Hannibal'. Magnus tried to bring up sports, suspecting Alec was into that stuff. But half an a hour later, Alec had to reveal that no, he wasn't; he only pretended to be because he thought Magnus was. So, they dropped the subjects of sports for good.

"Are you going to do the mattress mambo?"

"What?"Alec looks at Raphael with confusion.

"Mattress mambo? Two way tango? Donut and hot dog combo?"Raphael grins and makes a grinding motion, and Alec snorts, trying to make a serious face and failing.

"No way! Stop it!"

"Is he gonna plant a rod in your backyard?"

"Oh, gross, stop!"

"Sprinkle your sweet cake?"

"Raphael, stop."

Both men begin laughing uncontrollably, Alec leaning against the bookshelf for support as he clutches his ribs, watching Raphael say obscene things and making disturbing moaning sounds. Some patients turn to watch, giggling softly. Raphael continues to make jokes, grouping different words, 'Oil' and 'stem' and 'fudge' to name a few. Alec laughs so hard, he can feel tears forming. The feeling is exhilarating, he hasn't laughed this hard in so long.

"Alexander?"

The two turn to look at a nurse standing there, hands locked together. Catarina. "Alexander, your appointment is now."

"Got it." Trying to stifle his laughter, Alec follows Catarina out while placing his book down on a shelf, glancing back once to see Raphael smirking, making another grinding motion. Alec rolls his eyes, trying hard not to laugh again. He has to pull himself together.


"So, the tall dude, Mendez, starts screaming out, professing his love in front of everyone right then and there. Of course, Daya gives Bennett a 'look'." Magnus sits in his chair, water cup in hand, with his feet propped up on the desk. Alec sits in his usual spot on the couch, his feet up as well. He is eating some chips Magnus snuck in for him, a treat he has to finish in their meetings; he cannot bring it back out with him to his room. "Obviously, you know Daya is upset with what's happening."

"Things are escalating. Sounds good though. I never liked Mendez though," Alec comments, eating another chip.

I don't like him either, Isabelle chips in, her voice light but very distant.

"Why not? I do."

"Ew. You do?" Alec makes a face.

"Yeah. I feel bad for the guy."

"Magnus, he isn't real," Alec says, sighing.

"I know, but I feel for his character. Listen," Magnus says, pulling his feet down and leaning forward in the chair, his face serious. "He is lonely. He wants love. Like me!"

"You're not lonely. You have a wife, I'm sure she loves you tons," Alec shakes his head, eating another chip. Magnus frowns, eyes going wide, and Alec fee like he said something bad.

"I'm a widower, Alec."

God damn, Alec, Isabelle huffs.

"Oh…. Shit! Sorry," Alec says hurriedly, sitting up as well. "I didn't know. You have a ring, and pictures on your desk-"

"It's okay," Magnus reassures him slowly. He looks at his desk, covered in photos and small cat bobble heads, as well as other nicknacks. All bought by Magnus, made to seem more homey, so he said. They practically scream magnificent Magnus all over them. Alec swallows uncertainly, feeling slightly ashamed.

"What happened?

"Drug overdose." Magnus looks st a silver frame, picking it up and handing it to Alec. There is a pretty woman, with beautiful golden ringlets against a midnight blue background. Pale, blood red lipstick, she was a beauty. An angel. Someone that all people would swoon over. Alec holds the picture delicately, staring at the female wonder. Surreal, for many reasons; Alec thought Magnus came off as really gay. Seeing proof of a wife was astounding. Plus, this woman does not look like the type to do drugs. He hands the photo back to Magnus.

"I'm really sorry."

"Not your fault," Magnus says, setting the picture slowly down. He stares at it with love, in a way Alec wishes someone would stare at him. The doctor clears his throat. "I tried to save her. I was too fast… that sounds weird. But she died, without me there. I never saw it coming. I knew she had a problem, I didn't know how bad it was. It was accidental, not a suicide. She only wanted a good time… she loved having a good time."

Alec nods, not saying anything, and the two sit quietly in silence. Slowly, Alec speaks up hesitantly, setting the bag of chips down.

"My brother did that one time. My parents rushed him to the hospital, where he recovered. His name was Jace." Alec looks down silently at his hands, and Magnus looks up slowly, blinking. Normally, Alec never talked about stuff like this.

"Jace. You hear him, right?"

"Sometimes."

"… Alright. Thank you for sharing that, Alec." Magnus turns to look at the clock. "You should go now, appointment is ending."

"Of course." Alec stands and walks to the door, and Magnus moves to open it for him. Catarina is waiting outside to escort him back. They begin walking down the hallway, but Alec stops and turns around to see Magnus standing there, watching him.

"For what it's worth, I'm certain your wife loved you." Alec turns away again, resuming the walk back to the common room. Magnus doesn't answer. Catarina chooses to stay silent. And Isabelle hasn't spoken again yet.


Magnus closes and locks the door behind him, then begins his new normal routine walk with Catarina to the exit. Neither of them speak at first, instead enjoying the silence they don't get to hear during their workday. Grabbing a free pen near the front desk, Magnus writes a reminder on the back of his hand: chips regular. If anyone asks, he can say its for himself. Putting the pen away, he digs for a pair of blue gloves in his pocket, as Catarina watches him out of the corner of her eye.

"You told him about Camille?"

"Sort of, yes. Not a lot."

"And the crash?"

"If course not, I'm not a sadist. Alexander has heard of enough car crashes to last him a life time, I'm not telling him my own." Magnus looks at her, shrugging. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason, just wondering. Looking out for the best interests of my patient, as well as my friend." Catarina opens the front door, and they exit into the cool weather together. She turns to him. "Be careful, Magnus."

"When am I never not careful?"

"Is that a rhetorical question," Catarina asks, raising an eyebrow. Magnus chuckles.

"Good point. Goodbye, Catarina." They go their separate ways.


Dear Lawyers: We need to be realistic here. If I did own The Mortal Instruments, it'd be one thousand pages of pure OTP gloriousness.

Dear Readers: Sorry for mistakes, decided to write at three AM. I did proofread, but my skills lack in the early morning.

lilypotter72- I liked Raphael so much too! It makes me sad he died. I can't tell you about Magnus, that would ruin future plots...

Remberthecode- Thanks for your review! I'm glad to see you're looking forward to this story!

Guest (The one who said Mags that I imagine you typed into your keyboard with a flourish)- Thanks for the review! Fabulous is definitely a most appreciated word to be hearing.

Manibarilo- You flatter me, I only heard of Barry Manilow from Hellboy, with his song "I can't smile without you". I drove my friend crazy with that song. Anyways, I cannot reveal much information on certain car crashes that may or may not be connected! I will do my best to update frequently.

Guest (The one who looks forward)- Thanks for your kind review! I'm glad to see you're looking forward!