-Jace-

Jace's boots squeaked with every step he took. He pulled his black hoodie tighter against himself hoping to warm himself against the icy chill of the rain. It was a light drizzle but bastardly cold. He bounded up the stone steps and rang the doorbell once. It was around eight at night and if Jace had to guess Magnus was either busy throwing a party, or up to his eyeballs in magic. There was a crackling noise from the speaker and Magnus's familiar rumble could be heard over loud techno music.

"You better not be a shadow hunter that's all I'm saying."

And with that the door opened and Jace made his way up to Magnus's flat. He opened the door to Magnus's apartment and was engulfed by a mess of hot glittery bodies. The fairies tried to catch his eye and the vampires made threatening glares. He saw some of the younger werewolves of Luke's pack who in return gave him embarrassed grins. Finally he found Magnus dancing rather absurdly on what might have been a coffee table. When Magnus caught sight of him, his drunken grin fell off his face. Magnus hopped off the table and took Jace by the arm and dragged him roughly into the bedroom. As the door closed behind them there was a symphony of shouts and whistles behind them. Magnus rolled his eyes in disgust.

-Magnus-

"You could have picked a better time to come to me boy. What is it? Is your parabatai hurt, dying, love sick? I won't go to him this time."

"I'm not asking you to go to him. He doesn't even know I'm here."

"I would assume that he doesn't. Why in his right mind would Alec ask for your help?"

"What do you mean by that?" snapped Jace irritably.

"Oh I'm just saying why would he call upon the boy that his head stuck so far up Clarissa Fray's curly cues that all he cared about was whether his potential girlfriend was ok but not his brother!"

"That was a long time ago."

"Jace, have you ever heard of the saying 'love makes us blind?" Jace nodded, "Good so you'll understand what I'm saying. How many times have you put Clary before Alec, Isabelle, even Max?"

Jace's hands twitched he wanted to throw Magnus across the room.

"No need to get cross dear boy. You're hurt because it's true. Well guess how many times Alexander put my feelings aside because he thought he was in love with me."

"Love makes people do stupid things." Replied Jace.

"Yes, indeed it does. It makes people forget about their family, their responsibilities, and the duties they have to society. You mundanes and shadow hunters are all alike. You're all willing to risk everything for the sake of one person only to have that person turn around and betray you. But I'm not like that Jace. I'm a warlock, I'm not human. I'm a demon, it's in my blood. Regardless of what you want from me, Alec will not be forgiven nor will he be taken back."

"You're scared." Said Jace

Magnus laughed, a sharp emotionless laugh

"Why's that dear boy?"

"Regardless of what you say you love Alec. You're scared he'll find out your secrets."

"I don't have secrets. If I did I would live a guilty life but as you noticed I'm carefree."

"You're scared" Jace repeated

"And you're wasting my time. Get out!"

"Take him back," said Jace.

"There is more to life than loving someone, which is something you cannot understand Jace Herondale. You're so much like William it's disgusting. I thought he was a hero because he face quite literally all his demons just to be with a girl. I thought he was brave, but it turns out he was an idiot. For years later that same woman would sleep with his Parabatai. Love, Jace does not change the world. It does not save lives. We just like to think that. Love my dear boy is a psychological disorder of the mind."

"Love can change your world. Love changed mine. I don't deserve Alec as a brother, nor as a Parabatai. But if I don't deserve him neither do you."

"Excuse me? He's the one that tried to kill me."

"Alec would never try to kill you. He was trying to make you last, make you permanent. He's lost much more than I ever have. He lost his reputation, his brother, his parent's approval. Now he's lost you too. He was just trying to make sure he wouldn't have to go through that again. And if you can't see that, than you don't deserve him. At least I understand that I'm equivalent to the dirt that Alec walks on when it comes down to who is the better brother. But unlike you I have the chance to spend my lifetime making it up to him."

Magnus was quiet and didn't answer.

"Live for something Magnus. Even if it's only temporary. Wake up each day for something, for someone. What else are you going to do besides throw parties and get drunk? If you give up one Alec then you're giving up on yourself. He gave your worth. Don't push someone like that away."

Magnus looked at Jace

"You know nothing, you silly Nephilim"

-Jace-

Jace found himself back on the street. He felt like a puppy that had been abandoned by his owner. Yet still he felt somewhat triumphant. If he hadn't changed Magnus's mind at least he had provoked him. Although he felt a little saddened, he felt has though now he had learned the truth as to why Magnus hated him.

It was quiet in the institute as Jace crept up the stairs and into Alec's room. Alec was laying on his back on the bed repeatedly throwing one of Max's old bouncy balls into the air. Jace lay next to him. They didn't speak or anything but in the silence it held the bond between two brothers. Jace may not be worth it, but Alec was and had always been worth the deal.

-Alec-

Alec got up late. Which late for him was eight o'clock. He got up and dressed better than usual. He dressed in a navy blue sweater and dark jeans. He walked out of the institute doors and into the sunlight. His steps were light and loose as he rounded the corner. The bell rang as he walked into the store and a pretty woman with brown hair and brown eyes helped him pick out his gift. She wrapped it carefully and he tucked it into his jacket. He turned around and made his way to leave. In his haste he didn't see the man opening the door and he collided with a firm chest. His gift feel from his pocket but someone else's hands had already caught it. He looked up and felt a jolt awaken his numb insides

"Taemin?"

The boy smiled.