So this one took me FOREVER, but I hope you all like it. I tried to satisfy everyone's wants with this chapter, and the reviews really kept me inspired. I should have another chapter up soon!
Alec surveyed the area. His teammates were scattered around, being congratulated by family and loved ones. Isabelle was with the cheer team on the sidelines. Jace had jumped over the barricade and had his arm around Clary, who was beaming up at him. His parents were walking down the stands with Max in his direction.
He looked back at Magnus, who was smiling at him.
"I guess I just want the man of love to know how much he means to me."
Before Magnus had the chance to respond, Alec grabbed his face and crashed their lips together.
Magnus instinctively brought his hands to Alec's waist, pulling him as close as the barricade would allow.
Alec pulled his face back, running his thumb over the sides of Magnus's cheeks. "And I'm tired of caring who knows it."
The first thing Alec heard was a wolf-whistle, immediately followed by a loud "Woooooo!" Jace and Isabelle respectively, without a doubt.
Jace reached the pair first, patting Alec on the shoulder.
"Look at you, man. I'm impressed," Jace said. "It's about damn time."
"I'm so fucking proud of you!" Isabelle exclaimed as she bear-hugged Alec from behind. "What you just did-" She hesitated, looking for the right words. "Alec, that was so incredibly brave. I don't know if I could have done it, even if I'd been with someone for-what is it? Nine months?"
"Nine-and-a-half," Magnus corrected, beaming.
"Yeah, that's a bit long to be kept waiting," Alec agreed, smiling up at his boyfriend. "I'm sorry I took all that time to build up the courage."
"Don't apologize for anything!" Magnus quickly demanded. "I couldn't be happier, love."
Alec gave Magnus's hand a gentle squeeze. "Neither could I."
"Um, Alec," Isabelle spoke, nodding in the direction of the bleachers.
Alec immediately saw what she was indicating towards. His father was rapidly making his way toward them, looking anything but happy. Alec noticed his mother had taken a seat in the stands and had her hand over her mouth. Max was seated next to her, looking confused.
Robert planted himself directly in front of Alec, Jace, and Isabelle, not bothering to acknowledge Magnus.
"We're leaving," he said forcefully. "Get in the car."
"Dad, there's a celebration we're supposed to go to," Isabelle objected. "It's the end of the season!"
"I don't care," he replied, grabbing his daughter's arm roughly. "The car. Now."
"Robert, you can't just-"
"Jonathan, I am your caretaker. I can do whatever I want."
"Dad-" Alec began, but was immediately stopped when his father met his eyes. His face was steel.
"The car, Alexander. Go." The man put a hand on Alec and Jace's backs, pushing them towards the parking lot.
A few cries followed-Isabelle's indignant "Dad!" as she was herded away from her friends, Maryse's shout of "Robert!" from the bleachers, and Magnus's tentative but insistent "Mr. Lightwood!"-Robert was unmoved by all and continued to herd his oldest children to the car, Maryse and Max hurrying to catch up.
Magnus made a move to go after them but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
"Call him in an hour or so." Ragnor's stern, but oddly sympathetic, voice reached Magnus's ears. "If you go after them right now, you'll only make the situation worse for him."
"Max, Isabelle, and Jace, go to your rooms. Get in bed," Robert commanded as soon as they all stepped in the house. "Your mother and I need to talk to Alexander."
"Alec didn't do anything wrong!" Isabelle protested.
"Go to your room, Isabelle." Robert's voice was stern.
She turned to Maryse. "Mom, please, don't let him do anything to Alec. Magnus is-"
"Isabelle, it's fine," Alec interrupted. "Just go."
Dejectedly, she stormed off, quickly followed by Jace and Max. Alec sat on the couch, tapping his fingers against his knee anxiously. His parents placed themselves in two chairs across from him.
"By the Angel, Alec, what were you thinking?" Robert demanded.
Alec flinched at his father's tone. "I was thinking about how tired I've been of hiding who I am." He bit the inside of his cheek. "I'm not sorry for what I did."
"Do you not understand what this could do to my campaign?" Robert ran his hand through his thinning hair. He gave Alec a look of utter frustration.
Alec felt suddenly angry. "Do you not understand what this has done to my whole life?"
Robert clenched his fists. "Alexander-"
"Who was that boy you kissed?" Maryse interrupted.
Alec gave her a bewildered look. "Why are you asking?"
"I want to know who it is that you entirely changed your life for."
Alec blinked. "My boyfriend. His name is Magnus."
"How did you even meet him?" Robert questioned. "It was obvious from the way he looked he doesn't go to Angel Raziel Academy."
"He goes to public school," Alec replied. "We met at a party Jace and Is dragged me to last summer."
At that, both Maryse and Robert looked startled.
"Last summer?!" Robert asked. "How long have you been-" He paused, looking for the right words. "-seeing this boy?"
"A little over nine months."
Robert slumped down in his seat, putting his head in his hands and swearing under his breath.
"Have you been intimate?" Maryse questioned.
"Mom!"
"That's a perfectly reasonable question, Alexander, you could have an STD," Maryse explained.
"Christ, Mom, Magnus doesn't have any STDs."
She was not convinced. "You don't know that. You know how dangerous-"
"Yes, Mom, I know that my boyfriend isn't diseased!" Alec snapped, suddenly irritated. "You don't seem worried that Jace is getting any diseases from Clary, or Izzy from Simon."
"We've known Clarissa and Simon for years," Maryse defended. "We know they're good people!"
"Magnus is a good person!" Alec almost stood up but didn't want to upset his parents further.
"Evidently, he's not!" Robert shouted angrily, slamming his fists on the coffee table. "Look what he's done to you, Alexander! What he has turned you into is disgustingly wrong."
"He hasn't done anything to me!" Alec felt rage rising up inside him. "I'm gay, Dad. I've known this for years and there's nothing you can do to change it. The only thing Magnus did to me was show me that I could live a life that wasn't utterly miserable."
Robert took a deep breath, seemingly dejected. "Give me your phone."
"What? Why?" Alec demanded.
"Tensions are high right now," he said. "The media has undoubtedly already started covering the events of tonight. Plus, we're all exhausted." He walked over to the Lightwood family safe in a compartment in the wall. "We'll all put our phones in here until the morning. We'll get some sleep, and decide how to move forward tomorrow. Let's give ourselves time to think everything over without any distractions or outside influences."
Alec begrudgingly handed his father his cell phone.
"Fuck!" Magnus threw his phone across the room when he was once again sent to voicemail.
Catarina gingerly picked it up. "You're lucky it's not broken," she said, gently tossing it back to him.
"I'm not sure why you're surprised." Ragnor gave Magnus a hard look. "He didn't answer ten minutes ago either."
It was the morning after the game, and the three friends were all gathered in Ragnor's living room. Magnus was stretched out on the sofa, Ragnor was sitting politely in an armchair, and Catarina was perched on the back of the couch. Ragnor and Cat had thought it best that they stay with Magnus to nurse his panic attack, which ended up being a good idea. Magnus had called Alec seventeen times in twelve hours with no answer each time.
Magnus buried himself in a couch cushion. "This is all my fault."
Catarina looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean?"
"I shouldn't have pushed him to come out," Magnus elaborated. "None of this would have happened if I had just been patient."
"You were patient, Magnus. You were with him for over nine months! That's a long time to keep a secret."
"I knew he wasn't in a supportive environment. God, I was so selfish!"
"No, you're n-"
"You're on the news," Ragnor interjected into the conversation, indicating toward the television. Magnus hadn't noticed he'd turned it on.
The newscaster's voice washed over the three of them, hushing their voices.
"Last night, Alexander Lightwood, son of Republican front runner for New York senate, Robert Lightwood, was seen kissing an unidentified young man at Angel Raziel Academy's championship soccer game." Footage from after the game began playing in the corner of the screen, beginning with the kiss and ending with Robert hauling Alec out of the stadium. "Robert Lightwood has not yet commented on the situation, though he has previously spoken out against homosexuality."
The reporter delved into more details as Magnus punched the cushion to his right, making Catarina jump.
"I did this to him!" Magnus exclaimed in hysterics. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, this is what he was so afraid of and I just-"
Catarina leapt off the couch and placed both her hands on Magnus's shoulders, forcing him to meet her eyes.
"Magnus, listen to me," she demanded. "Whatever happens because of this, it is not your responsibility. You had no idea Alec was going to come out last night. You never told him he had to, in fact, you were more understanding than anyone else would have been. He's a grown man who makes his own decisions. He knows his family and the media better than you. He knew this would be a possibility. He didn't care. You did nothing wrong."
Magnus felt a tear drip onto his cheek and cursed himself silently. "They can make his life a living hell, Cat. They can hurt him so bad."
"I know, hon." She pulled him into a hug, gently rubbing his back. "And I'm so sorry."
"Tessa wants to know if you're okay," Ragnor said, looking at his phone. "She was watching the news with Will, who is shocked as well. Aren't he and Alec related?"
"Distantly," Magnus replied emotionlessly. "Tell Tessa I'm a fucking mess, but I'll be okay."
He nodded, typing away at his phone.
"We'll do whatever we can for Alec," Catarina assured Magnus. "I promise."
"Thank you, Cat. It means a lot."
"The media is in a frenzy trying to figure out who you are," Ragnor informed them. "I'm sure someone from our school already gave a name and address."
"I'm calling Alec." Magnus reached for his phone, clicking Alec's contact from his favorites.
"You shouldn't-" Ragnor began, but the phone was already ringing.
Ring, ring, ring, ring, click.
Magnus's breath caught in his throat. "Alexander, darling, oh my God-"
"Magnus, it's Izzy."
"Isabelle," Magnus said, puzzled. Ragnor and Catarina gave him identical looks of confusion. "Why do you have Alec's phone? Is he alright? What-"
"Slow down," she said from the other end of the line. "Alec's fine-well, I think he is. He's talking with our parents again."
"Why do you have his phone?"
"Our parents locked it in a safe. I got it out because I figured someone should tell you what's going on."
"What is going on?" he questioned.
"Look, can you just meet me at the soccer field in fifteen minutes? I need to swing by there anyway, and I don't want my parents listening in."
"I'll be there."
Alec was seated on one of stools for his kitchen island. His mother sat politely in a stool on the other side of the island and his father stood a few feet behind her, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest. The kitchen doors were shut and locked. No one seemed eager to start the inevitably painful conversation.
Alec picked up the mug in front of him and took a slow sip of black coffee. He noticed that on one side of the mug was picture of his father with the words: "Robert Lightwood for New York State Senate". How ironic, Alec thought to himself, given that I may have just ruined his chances at office.
Robert was the one to break the silence. "I talked to my campaign manager this morning. This whole situation could be very bad for our family."
Alec discreetly rolled his eyes. "My intention wasn't to hurt your campaign, Dad. Shockingly enough, how my actions might affect your chances at the Senate isn't the only thing I think about."
If looks could kill, Alec would be six feet underground. "Don't give me your snark, Alexander," Robert ordered. "You don't want to press your luck with me today."
Alec sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm just nervous and frustrated."
"What are you so worried about?" Maryse questioned.
"What you two are about to do to me, what you'll do to Magnus, going back to school on Monday, the fact that I haven't talked to Magnus, Jace, or Izzy since last night. I could go on if you would like."
Maryse gave him an exasperated look. "You should have been prepared for all of this before you decided to make a scene, Alexander!"
"I did," Alec told her. "And I'm scared of what's going to happen, but that doesn't mean I would change what I did."
"I take it you're not willing to tell the press that the thrill of the game made you impulsive," Robert mused. "That was what my campaign manager thought best."
"No, Dad, of course I won't do that."
Robert rubbed his temples. "Alec, I know you don't think this, but what you're doing is morally wrong. It's not what God intended."
Alec felt his breath catch in his throat. Alec had expected his father to stand true to his bigoted beliefs, but Robert's words crushed any hope he had.
"I think you should find somewhere to stay for a little while," Robert concluded.
"What?" Alec and Maryse exclaimed in unison that would have been comedic in a different situation.
"Alec, you're my son, and I love you," Robert said. "But as a religious person, I won't-I can't accept this. I think we all need some time to-"
"You're kicking me out?" Alec asked. He could feel tears creeping up his throat. "I'm your son and you're just sending me out into the streets!?"
"Robert, you can't just-"
"It's only temporary," Robert explained as if that somehow made everything okay. "You'll probably come back home as soon as the election is over."
"Our son is not just an obstacle in your campaign, Robert!" Maryse cried indignantly, rising from her stool. "You can't just make him disappear!"
"I know that, Maryse," Robert said. "As I said, I still love Alexander. I just cannot understand this new-lifestyle-of his, and we all need some distance in order to acclimate."
"Robert, you're being un-"
Alec looked down at the marble countertop, shaking his head angrily. His knuckles turned white as he clutched his mug.
"You asshole." He looked directly at his father, fury and disbelief in his blue eyes.
"Alexander, watch your language," Robert advised.
"Fuck no," Alec growled, hurling the mug to the floor, shattering it against the tile. "Fuck this, fuck you, and fuck your precious campaign. I've spent my entire life trying to please you! I'm at the top of my class, I'm athletic, I never get into any trouble, I've taken care of Max when you've been away for work, I go to parties that I hate to make sure that Jace and Izzy don't get wasted and make horrible decisions, and I've never complained about any of it!
"The only thing I've ever done to upset you is choosing to let the world know who I love, which shouldn't have any impact on you at all! I've hated myself for so many years. Do you not get that? The only thing that's changed about me is that someone finally taught me that I deserved better than a life of self-loathing and misery, and it sure as hell wasn't you."
Alec paused, regaining his composure. His parents were both staring at him, shell-shocked.
"I'll go pack a bag," he told both of them. Then, he turned to his father. "I have no desire to be somewhere I'm not wanted."
Magnus had only spent time with Isabelle Lightwood twice in his life, and both of those times he'd been accompanied by her brother. From the few interactions he'd had with her, she'd made it evident she was a powerful force to be reckoned with. This would have intimidated Magnus if not for the fact that she was also fiercely protective of her brother, and Magnus was certain he'd shown her that he would never hurt Alec. That in itself had put Magnus on her good side, which he felt very thankful for as he hurried to meet up with the young woman.
He saw her on the sidelines of the field, reaching under the bench, seemingly looking for something. Magnus assumed she found what she was looking for because she stood up with a small rectangular structure in her palms and wiped the dirt off the object with the back of her hand. She looked up and caught sight of Magnus, waving him over. He hurried to her.
"By the Angel, you look like a mess," said Isabelle, taking in his appearance. She had a point-he was wearing the same yellow leather pants and boots he had worn yesterday, but he borrowed a simple grey T-shirt from Ragnor that just made him look bleak. His hair was free of product (and in complete disarray) and he had a bit of makeup smudged around his eyes because he was too distraught to wash his face before he fell asleep last night.
Magnus frowned. "Isabelle, you're always the charmer."
She looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, that was insensitive-"
"It's fine." Magnus waved her off. "Is Alec okay?"
She looked even more apologetic. "I'm not actually certain. Last night, I was eavesdropping on Alec's conversation with my parents, and there was a lot of yelling, mostly from my dad. He ordered Alec and my mom to put their phones in our safe until they get everything sorted out, so they wouldn't be influenced by media coverage, but I took it out so I could call you. I left this morning before I could find out anything about what they decide today."
"Do you still have Alec's phone?" Magnus questioned.
"No, I left it at the house."
Magnus pulled his phone out of his back pocket. "I'm calling him."
"Don't," Isabelle said. "I'm sure he's still with my parents."
"I'm so fucking worried-"
"Isabelle!" A male voice shouted suddenly. Magnus whirled around to find the source of the sound and saw a blonde boy jogging over to them. He looked vaguely familiar.
"Jonathan, what are you doing here?" Isabelle asked.
Magnus realized that this was Jonathan Morgenstern, the boy Alec had been fighting with for the past few weeks. His presence filled Magnus with nerves.
"I was actually on my way to your house," he explained. "Neither Jace or Alec have answered any of my calls and a few of the guys are really worried."
"Alec didn't have his phone on him and Jace left his here in the chaos of last night." She held up the device Magnus had seen her find under the bench. "The lucky bastard-I can't believe no one stole it."
"So what even happened after-?" he asked.
"My dad is really upset," Isabelle told him. "I don't know what's going to happen."
"Is Alec in any danger?" Magnus asked. "Is anyone on your team really upset with him?"
Jonathan acknowledged Magnus for the first time.
"By the Angel, I didn't even recognize you! I guess you must be Alec's boyfriend." He offered Magnus his hand. "I'm Jonathan Morgenstern, one of Alec's teammates."
"Magnus Bane," he introduced. "Now back to my question..."
Jonathan frowned. "Honestly, I'm not sure if Alec is at risk. Most of us don't care, but a few of the guys seem really upset. They're seriously outnumbered, but they exist."
Magnus rubbed the back of his head anxiously. "That's what he was afraid of."
"We've all known Alec for years. I swear he has eighty-five percent of us to defend him."
"You might need to," Magnus muttered.
"It's the 21st century, I really don't think most of the school will care."
Magnus gave the boy a hard look. "You never know what prejudices people hold and what they're capable of until something happens to bring those emotions to the forefront."
"That's a fairly negative outlook on humanity," Isabelle mused.
Magnus shrugged. "I've learned from experience." He felt his phone buzz and he quickly looked down at it, frowning. "I have to go. My mother wants me home. Apparently, it's urgent." He looked at the two people standing in front of him. "Thank you both so much for your help. I mean it."
"I'll tell Alec to call both of you when I get home," Isabelle told them. "We'll help him get through whatever shit this causes."
Alec wasn't quite sure how he had wound up on the doorstep to Magnus's apartment with nothing but his phone and a duffle bag full of money and clothes. When Alec had arrived, there had been reporters on the streets who had tried to speak to him, but he had waved them away. He assumed someone had leaked Magnus's identity to the press, which caused a pang of regret to flare in his chest. He knew how unbearable reporters could be, especially in the midst of a scandal.
Logically, he knew he should be finding somewhere to stay for a few weeks, but he didn't know where to start. He had no idea which of his supposed friends were still actually his friends, and which of them would still be comfortable having a gay guy sleeping in their house. Plus, Alec was desperate to talk to Magnus about this whole debacle, so he forced himself to knock on the door.
A short, pale woman opened the door for him. The wrinkles around her eyes and her greying blonde hair indicated that she was probably in her late forties. She was dressed simply in a long, floral skirt and a plain white top.
Alec offered her his hand, putting on his practiced friendly smile. "Hello, you must be Mrs. Bane. I'm Alec Lightwood. Is Magnus here by any chance?"
She raised her eyebrows at him. "I recognized you from the news." He attempted to hide a cringe. "Magnus unfortunately isn't here right now."
"Oh, alright, I should have called to check. I'll just head out then-"
"No, please stay," she said, ushering him through the door. "Magnus will be home within half an hour. You can just wait here with me."
Alec nodded politely, awkwardly standing next to the door.
He had been in Magnus's apartment quite a few times, and yet he felt very uncomfortable. He looked around the kitchen the door led to, noting counter space along both walls and a four-person table in front of the window at the end of the room. There was an archway on the wall beside the table that Alec knew led to the living room, which Magnus's bedroom and bathroom were connected to. The master bedroom was down a short hallway. The loft wasn't particularly large, but it always felt homey.
Magnus's mother gave him a very maternal look and gestured to the kitchen table.
"Feel free to have a seat," she said kindly. Alec awkwardly sat down as she walked over to the stove. "Would you like anything to drink? Tea, or coffee, or-?"
"Just water would be great. Thank you, Mrs. Bane."
"Please, call me Judy," she said as she filled a cup with water from the tap. "Anyone over sixteen is too old to call me missus." She set the glass down in front of him, and then took a seat across from him.
Alec took a slow sip of the water, not looking at Magnus's mother. He didn't know how to start the conversation. Lucky for him, she stepped in and did it instead.
"I knew Magnus had a boyfriend, but I had no idea that he was so famous," she said.
Alec frowned. "My father is famous. I'm completely ordinary."
She smiled at him. "No one is ordinary." Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "If my son is to believed, you're certainly not the exception. I've heard many great things about you."
Alec sent her a small grin. "I'm glad he speaks so highly of me."
"He's quite fond of you," she informed him. "And I know my son is an excellent judge of character."
"That's very kind of you Mrs. Ba-Judy."
She sat up straighter in her chair. "I hope I'm not overstepping here, but I have a question for you." Alec looked at her expectantly. "You've never been here while I was home before, so I assume this isn't just a social call. The fact that my friends are blowing up my Facebook page with messages about Magnus being on the news also backs up that theory. So what are you doing here? Why aren't you with your family?"
Alec bit the inside of his cheek, trying to decide how much to tell her. He had decided to be very vague, but then he made eye contact with the woman. Her eyes reminded him of his mother's when he was young-open and trustworthy. He let the entire story spill out of his mouth, starting with his meeting Magnus and ending with being kicked out.
Alec noticed her clench her fists, her lips pulled into a tight line. "You can stay here," she said, more as a command than a suggestion. "You can stay for as long as you'd like."
"Oh, no, I'm sorry," Alec began, "I didn't mean to imply that I needed you to take me in. I'll find a friend-or a hotel-and just stay there for a little while. I mean-you hardly know me-"
"Did Magnus ever tell you why we adopted him?" she interrupted.
Alec gave her a confused look. "Yeah, he said he was a child of rape. His birth mother killed herself and his stepfather tried to drown him when he was five. He went into the system, and you and your husband happened to be looking to adopt."
"Magnus was abandoned by his parents, the only people expected to love and protect their child unconditionally. They didn't fulfill their responsibility, so we did it for them," she explained. "Of course, this isn't at all the same situation, but your parents seem to have temporarily forgotten their responsibilities to you, so I'm more than happy to at least house you until they remember."
Alec found himself at a loss for words. "That's-that's very kind of you."
She smiled at him. "I'm only doing what I think is right."
Alec was astonished. "I don't know what to say-"
Suddenly, the door burst open. "Mom, what's the emergency? I was with-Oh my God, Alec!"
Alec stood up and he was immediately wrapped in Magnus's loving arms. Magnus buried one of his hands in Alec's hair and the other drew circles on his back.
"Darling, are you alright? I spoke with your sister and she didn't know-"
"I'm fine, Magnus," Alec assured him. "Don't worry so much."
"Alec will be staying with us for a few weeks," Judy spoke.
Magnus looked puzzled. "What? Why?"
Magnus noticed the tightening of Alec's jaw. "My father thinks it's best that I stay away from him for a little while."
"That's terrible, Alexander! Do your siblings know yet?"
Alec's phone began to ring. He looked at down at the small screen. "I think they just found out. Please excuse me, I have to take this." He walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. "Isabelle, I don't-"
Magnus locked eyes with his mother. "How long has he been here?"
She shrugged. "About twenty minutes. Did you get stopped by the press on the way in?"
"They tried to ask me a few questions, but I ignored them."
"Don't tell them anything the next time you see them. If it becomes evident that you won't give them what they want, they'll leave you alone."
Magnus nodded, not replying. He averted his eyes to the floor and rubbed the back of his head anxiously.
"What are you thinking about?" his mother asked.
"Everything. What's going to happen with Alec's classmates? How could his parents do this? How does he feel about this whole mess? Where will he even sleep-?"
Magnus didn't stop for a breath until his mother cut him off.
"Magnus, slow down. Most of those questions you'll have to ask him, because I'm not inside his head. I can tell you that he'll just sleep in your room. You're both adults and you know your father and I aren't particularly strict."
Magnus took a deep breath. "Thank you, Mom. For everything you're doing."
"Why didn't you tell me you were dating Robert Lightwood's son? You know I would have kept the secret. You left me wondering what was so wrong with this kid that I couldn't meet him, and it worried me."
Magnus shrugged. "He wanted to keep it as private as possible. I didn't mean to concern you."
"You're my child. It's impossible for me not to be concerned about you."
The front door opened and Magnus's father bounded in. Alfred Bane was a short, broad man in his early fifties who had long since lost every hair on his head. He worked as a baker in a quaint pastry shop owned by a sweet, elderly couple who lived down the street.
When he saw Magnus and Judy near the front door, he immediately began talking, "Thank God, you're both here. Can someone please explain to me why my phone has been blowing up with messages about my son being involved in some political affair?"
Magnus rolled his eyes. "Well that seems a tad dramatic."
It was at that moment Alec came back into the room. Upon catching sight of Magnus's father, he smiled in a very rehearsed way.
"I don't believe we've met. I'm Alec Lightwood." Alec offered the older man his hand.
Alfred took it skeptically. "Alfred Bane."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Bane."
"Alfred is fine. Mister has always seemed terribly formal to me."
Alec smiled politely. "I see you and your wife have the same outlook."
Alfred nodded, and an awkward silence fell on the room.
"Magnus, perhaps you and Alec should go unpack his things. Your father and I should chat."
"Right," Magnus replied and gestured for Alec to follow him into his room. When they arrived, Magnus sat on the bed and put his head in his hands. "God, Alec, I'm so sorry about everything."
"What are you apologizing for?" Alec asked quizzically.
"Your dad kicked you out, your family is divided, and there are reporters tracking your every move. Everything you were afraid of is happening." Magnus was mildly hysterical. "I've made your life such a mess and I-"
"Wait, are you serious?" Magnus gave his boyfriend a pitiful look. "Magnus, you haven't done anything besides make me fall in love with you, and that's the best thing that's ever happened to me. Everything that's going on now is because of my actions, not yours."
"You did it for me though!" Magnus was not soothed. "I shouldn't have pressured you-"
"You didn't pressure me, and I don't regret doing it anyway. You don't think I wish I could take it back, do you?"
Magnus frowned. "I wasn't sure."
"Regardless of all the drama and uncertainty I threw myself into, I have never felt more free. And that's because of you. So no matter what happens, I'll be fine and so will we."
"I just want you to be happy," Magnus said quietly.
"Being with you makes me happier than you'll ever know."
Alec was nervous. More nervous than he'd ever been. Monday had arrived, and he had to go back to school.
"Darling, you'll be fine," Magnus assured him. "I told you Jonathan said your team was on your side."
"What if it's not fine though? You don't know what my school is like."
"You only have two more weeks before you graduate. After that, if you don't want to, you never have to see anyone at your school ever again."
Alec let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "You're right. I'm making a big deal out of nothing."
"I'm always right," Magnus joked. "You should get to class. It takes me ten minutes to get to my school, so I have to get going or I'll be late."
"Right, sorry. Thanks so much for driving me."
"It's no problem. I'll pick you up here when I get out."
"I love you."
"I love you too. I'll see you at the end of the day."
With that, Magnus drove away and Alec started walking toward the building. He was glad that it wasn't too crowded because Magnus had to drop him off early.
"Alec!" Jace shouted out from across the parking lot, as he jogged over. "How are you holding up?"
Alec shrugged. "As well as I could be, I guess. How are things back home?"
"Not great, to be honest." Jace told him. "Maryse, Izzy, and I have all turned against Robert, and Max is upset because no one will give him a straight answer about where you are."
"What have you been telling him when he asks?"
"I've just said that you're staying with someone else for a little while. When he asked Izzy, she said 'Ask Dad. He's the reason Alec's gone'. She's the most blatantly disdainful to your father."
By this time, they had reached the front doors of Angel Raziel Academy and were on their way inside.
"Poor Max," Alec began. "He must be-"
"Mr. Lightwood," the principal, Imogen Herondale, interrupted them. She was standing just to the side of the entryway, as if she was waiting for them. "Could I have a word with you in my office?"
Alec hesitated, surprised by her question."Um, yes, Principal Herondale," he finally responded.
"What do you want to talk to him about?" Jace demanded.
"Nothing that concerns you, Jonathan," she replied in a harsh tone.
"If it concerns Alec-"
"Jace, leave it," Alec interrupted him. "I'll see you at lunch, okay?"
Jace nodded slowly, not taking his glare off of the principal. "If you need me, I'll be in gym."
"I'm fine. Go."
Jace clenched his jaw in frustration, but did as he was told.
"Sorry about him," Alec said as he followed Imogen into her office. "We can both get fairly protective of each other. He has good intentions."
"Have a seat," she instructed, ignoring Alec's apology. "We need to discuss your behavior after Friday's game."
"My behavior?" Alec questioned. "I don't know what you're implying."
"Don't play dumb with me, boy. You were representing our school when you pulled that stunt of yours. We had to drive reporters away from the school this morning."
"Sorry? I don't know what you want me to say." Alec crossed his arms. "Denounce my actions if you want, but the damage is already done."
"You're making my life more difficult than you know, Alexander."
Alec laughed. "I'm not sorry that I inconvenienced you by kissing my boyfriend."
"I don't want anything like this to happen again. You know this school has traditional values."
"I graduate in two weeks. That won't be a problem."
"It already is a problem!"
"With all due respect, ma'am, it's a problem you created for yourself. This wouldn't be an issue if ARA didn't teach that bigotry is the right thing." The principal was silent. "If I don't leave now, I'll be late for my first class. Is this conversation over?"
She nodded, and Alec swiftly exited the office.
Everything was going surprisingly well for Alec until the end of seventh period. He had stayed late to help clean up the lab they had been working on, and he was walking alone down the side stairs of Angel Raziel Academy.
His outlook on his day was more positive than he'd predicted it would be. Sure, he had been called a homophobic slur or two in passing, but it was nothing compared to what he had feared. He had spoken to most of his teammates at lunch and none of them seemed upset. A few had even expressed a desire to meet Magnus. It seemed like most people really didn't care.
Alec was startled out of his thoughts by someone shoving him into a wall.
"What the-"
Three of Alec's classmates stood in front of him, two of whom were on his soccer team.
"What was that shit you pulled on Friday, Lightwood?" It was one of the forwards on the team, Sam Greendell.
Alec ignored the question and moved to walk away, but was swiftly pushed back into the wall.
"Answer me when I talk to you, faggot," Sam said.
"What did you just call me?" Alec questioned.
Sam swung at his face, hitting the target with a resounding pound.
Robert Lightwood had insisted that all his children learn to fight starting at a young age, so Alec knew how to defend himself from at least one, even two opponents at once. Three was a bit much, but Alec concluded he didn't really have another choice.
Alec threw the second punch.
Magnus was waiting impatiently in his car. Alec had said he'd be out five minutes ago, and yet Magnus was sitting alone, without a word from Alec.
R u coming? he texted, frowning at his phone. Magnus had never been known for his patience and this was no exception. He was ready to go home and start on his piles of homework, and then take a nap.
Magnus put his keys back in the ignition and turned on the radio, bobbing his head slightly to the music. To his left, he saw a familiar figure dart past.
He quickly pulled out his keys and opened to door.
"Isabelle, do you know what's taking Alec so long?" Magnus shouted after her.
Isabelle whirled around, surprised to see him.
"He got in a fight," she spoke frantically. "Jace didn't text me all the details but he's in the nurse's office. I was just on my way."
"Oh my God." Magnus ran after her, both of them hurrying into the building and to the office.
When they arrived, they saw Jace standing by the doorway with his arms crossed and the school nurse gently applying ice to Alec's temple.
"What happened?! Darling, are you alright?" Magnus knelt down next to Alec, reaching out to touch the boy's cheek. "Oh my God, your face, what did they do to your beautiful face?"
"I'm fine, Magnus. Everyone's making a big deal out of nothing."
"It's not nothing," the nurse corrected. "From what I understand about the situation, you could press assault charges."
"What is that situation?" Isabelle demanded.
"A few guys cornered Alec in the staircase and picked a fight," Jace explained. "They ran off when I got there, but I could easily identify them."
"Don't bother, I hardly got a scratch," Alec said. "I just want to go back to Magnus's and forget about this."
"Alec, I can already see a black eye forming and you're bleeding from above your eyebrow," Magnus disagreed. "I don't know what injuries are under your clothes"
"I have to call your mother," the nurse said.
"You can if you want to, but I'm going to leave."
"You should really wait here for her," the nurse instructed.
"She won't come, she has a job. Besides, I'm fine. I'll just be on my way." Alec rose from his seat as he spoke, heading toward the door.
"Are you going to press charges?" the nurse asked him.
"No."
"Alec, you need to!" Isabelle protested.
"I just don't want this to be a big thing," Alec said. "I'll see you guys tomorrow."
He walked out without another word.
"Um, I guess I should leave," Magnus said somewhat awkwardly. "After all, I am his ride."
Magnus hurried out after Alec, chasing the boy down the hallway. Alec was nearing the car by the time Magnus caught him.
"Damn, you can walk fast when you put your mind to it," Magnus laughed, panting slightly.
"I wanted to get out of there," the pale boy explained, sliding into the passenger seat.
"We're talking about this before I drive anywhere."
"Magnus, it's really not important-"
"You were the victim of a hate crime, Alexander. We need to talk about how you feel."
"What do you want me to say?" Alec snapped. "That I'm scared. I was attacked, of course, I'm scared! I'm absolutely terrified, not just of what's going to happen tomorrow but of the distant future as well! The third day I'm out of the closet, I get assaulted. What does this mean for the rest of my life?"
"Alec, I can't imagine how this must be for you, and I won't pretend-"
"You're my boyfriend not my therapist!" Alec barked. "Would you just drive?!"
Magnus was taken aback. Alec had never spoken to him like that before. And Magnus didn't like it.
Without a word, he started the car and began pulling out of his parking space.
After a few minutes of an awkward silence, Alec spoke up. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lost my temper. You were only trying to help."
"If you don't want me to be your therapist, I won't try to be your therapist. But if you won't talk to me, maybe you should find someone who you will talk to."
"No, I'll talk to you, just-not now. Give me some time, okay?"
"As much time as you need," Magnus assured. "But trust me, I know from experience that you need to talk about it."
Alec gave him a cheesy grin. "Anything for you."
It had been almost two weeks since Robert had forced Alec out of the house, and Alec was adjusting to life with the Banes fairly well. The family had welcomed him with open arms, and they had developed a bit of a routine: grab a granola bar for breakfast, drive to school, suffer through the school day (though that was practically over), drive home, do homework, eat dinner, and go to bed (with sporadic make-out sessions here and there when Judy and Alfred weren't around). It wasn't the ideal situation, but it was comfortable.
"Thank you so much for dinner, Alfred," Alec said politely. "I'll wash up for everyone."
Judy gave Magnus a pointed look. "You've never offered to do the dishes for us."
"I think it's been established that Alec is an overall better person than I am," Magnus retorted with a shrug. "But I suppose I'll help out if you're going to be on my ass about it."
Another thing that has shocked Alec about the Banes was how nonchalant they were when Magnus swore.
"You can help Alec carry in the plates," Alfred suggested.
"I hardly think he needs the help," Magnus observed, picking up a few plates anyway.
A buzzing rang throughout the apartment.
"I'll get that," Judy said, heading toward the front door. Alfred excused himself to the kitchen as well.
"You've got to stop making me look bad in front of my parents," Magnus joked. "Since you've moved in, their view of me has plummeted."
"They adore you," Alec responded. "Besides, I'm just being polite!"
"If you say so-"
"Alec! It's for you!" Judy shouted from the other room.
He hurried into the kitchen and did a double take when he saw who was at the front door.
"Dad?"
"Alexander," he replied. "We should talk in the hall."
Alec followed him outside. They stood in silence for a few moments.
"I heard that you were assaulted last week."
"I figured Mom would tell you." Alec shrugged. "She's been trying to convince me to press charges."
"You should press charges. They can be tried as adults."
"You're not afraid a big trial would hurt your campaign?" Alec spoke bitterly.
"Alec, that's actually what I came to speak to you about."
"What else could I possibly have done wrong-?"
"I came here to apologize. I want you to come home."
His words took Alec by surprise. "But what about your campaign?"
"I was stupid of me to choose that over my own son."
"Look, Dad, I really appreciate the apology, but I don't want to go back to somewhere where I have to hide and I'm not accepted. I've done that for eighteen years and-"
"Alexander, I'm not going to pretend that being-gay-makes sense to me, and I'm not saying I won't make mistakes, but I'm going to try-I am trying-to understand."
"That means a lot, Dad."
"So, are you willing to come home?"
"On one condition."
"Anything."
"I want you to meet my boyfriend."
"You do? Why?"
Alec gave his father a puzzled look. "Because you're my dad and I love him, and I'm pretty sure it's customary for you, and Mom for that matter, to meet him at some point."
Robert stood there unsurely for a moment, before murmuring a simple, "Alright. I'll meet him." Without another word, Robert pushed open the door and Magnus leapt back. It was apparent that he'd been eavesdropping, and Magnus had the decency to look sheepish.
"It's been brought to my attention that I should know you better than I do," Robert began. "I don't understand your lifestyle or my relationship with my son, but you're clearly important to him, so I've decided to make an effort." Robert stuck out his hand to shake. "My name is Robert Lightwood, and I look forward to learning more about you."
Magnus seemed taken aback by Robert's speech, but he quickly recovered, taking Robert's hand in his own.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Lightwood. I'm Magnus Bane."