This chapter is a lot about Malec, so I hope you'll enjoy it :")

I'm in a romantic mood right now and there will be a lot of cheesiness in this chapter haha

Thank y'all for reading/commenting :"D

xoxo

Chapter twenty-one: Under the fireflies

His ears popped as he stepped out of the portal and Alec quickly agreed that this time, portaling had felt better. He opened his eyes slowly, the scene unfolding before him rendering him speechless. Magnus had brought him in a magical creek, the waning moon casting its soft glow over it. But what took Alec's breath away were the tiny and floating fireflies, which gentle buzz sang throughout the night like a melody of the nature. In here, the grass seemed greener and softer, the trees welcoming and protective and time was of no importance to anyone.

"Come." Magnus' voice drew his attention and a gentle tug on his hand had Alec move after Magnus who waved his hand and sheen of blue magic fell over the ground forming itself into a fluffy blanket.

Following his lover, Alec lied down and found himself staring at an inky black and starry night, half of the moon visible and ruling among the sparkling stars. His hand gripped Magnus' in a moment of excitement at such beauty as he lifted the other one and pretended to caress the glowing moon.

"It's beautiful." He said and he felt Magnus shift towards him, though they were still not close enough.

"Yes, you are." Magnus said adoringly and Alec's lips curled slightly as he turned to look at the other man who was watching him with love in his eyes.

"I meant the sky."

"And I meant you."

This simple confession made Alec's heart beat faster and he couldn't help but to move closer to Magnus, their hands never letting go of one another.

"You're cheesy." Alec said, his blue eyes intense with emotions.

Magnus laughed lowly. "If that's what it takes to see your smile, then I'll be the cheesiest man in the Seven Realms." The warlock replied with an enamored expression, lifting his hand to brush aside a stray lock of Alec's soft hair. "And I've never taken you to a date, Alexander."

"Oh?" Alec looked surprised at the other one before he looked briefly around, thinking that this place couldn't be more magical and romantic for their first date. "I thought our night on the beach was our first date."

"That was a pre-date." Magnus' fingers trailed over Alec's cheek, making the young prince close his eyes in yearning.

"A pre-date? I've never heard of that."

"You've never met me."

Alec's blue eyes met Magnus' cat eyes. A smile ghosted on both men's faces. "True that." Alec whispered as he caught his lover's trailing hand and pressed a kiss in its palm. "I'm glad I met you." He said with honesty, thinking that just moments ago he had been feeling homesick and now, all he could feel and think about was Magnus.

"That makes two of us." The warlock winked at him before he moved again and waved his hand in an elegant manner and the air shimmered with magic before two crystal glasses formed from thin air and were filled with a golden, sparkling liquid. "And I think this calls for a celebration." Magnus handed one glass to Alec and kept one to himself. "To us, Alexander." He touched his glass against Alec's and smiled happily.

"I'm not even sure what this is." Alec said with a soft chuckle before he lifted the glass to his lips and took a sip. "Wow, it's sweet!" He added immediately, looking like a child in delight.

Magnus nodded in amusement. "It's fairy champagne."

"Fairy champagne?" Alec tilted his head in curiosity, looking at the golden liquid, bubbles and something more glittering through it. "How's it different from normal champagne?"

"It's sweeter." Magnus shrugged unconcerned. "And maybe, it makes one more…relaxed."

Alec frowned. "More relaxed? Do you mean drunker?"

Magnus threw him a sheepish smile, making Alec shake his head in amused disapproval. "So you brought me here to get me drunk." He then stated, narrowing his eyes at the other man.

"No, no. I brought you here for our first date and the party." Magnus quickly denied, but his last word made Alec blink in surprise.

"Party? What do you mean? You never told me it's going to be a party!" Alec looked suddenly alarmed and too conscious of himself. "Who's coming? I didn't know you throw parties!" He continued frantically, now half standing as if he was getting ready to go back to the villa and get changed. That until Magnus gripped his shoulders and forced him back down on the blanket.

"Alexander." His voice cut through Alec's frenzy and the prince looked at Magnus with puppy eyes. "It's not a party as you know of. It's a firefly party."

"A what?" Alec was downright confused.

Magnus smiled understandingly. "I know you've been studying on Magnifia's past, society and rules, which are not portrayed in a pretty way and Ragnor has never been one to tell also about the beauty things Magnifia has to offer. I want to rectify this." The warlock explained and Alec relaxed visibly, although he still felt surprised at the other one man's intentions. "Tonight, I want to show you why this island is worth protected."

Alec watched Magnus with a slightly open mouth, taking in sight the earnest and determined expression of his lover who wanted him to see Magnifia through his eyes; who wanted him to love it just as Magnus loved it. He realized that his rapid-beating heart was slowing down as he came to realize what needed to be done in this situation. Surely, Magnus was going to show him magical places, firefly parties, but there was only one way to ensure that Alec felt for Magnifia everything Magnus did.

"Share with me your emotions." Alec spoke loud and clear, determination rising in his eyes as well. He saw the understanding of his words dawn on Magnus who seemed to panic for a moment as he said –

"I didn't mean that, Alec. I just wanted you to see the surroundings, to meet the people inhabiting this island."

"I know, Magnus." Alec smiled at him as he reached to touch his arm in reassurance. "You want me to see Magnifia in its beauty. What better way than to share the connection we're meant for, anyway?"

Magnus fell silent for a few moments as he watched Alec with vivid cat eyes. In the end, he smiled and looked a bit exhausted at his lover. "You never cease to amaze me, Alexander."

"I'm happy to be of service, my King." Alec grinned, inclining his head just slightly making Magnus laugh at his antics.

"Come here, you lil' brat." He extended his arms and Alec didn't hesitate to fill the empty space, the peace and comfort he felt in Magnus' arms making him want to snuggle even more.

"Will we always need to hug for this?" Alec's voice came out muffled as his face was buried in the crook of Magnus' neck. A shiver passed down Magnus' spine.

"No, but I like feeling you near."

"You mean glued."

Magnus laughed. "Very much glued, Alexander."

It took Alec a few moments to understand the innuendo and when he did, he simply clung to Magnus even more. His mouth was dry now, but he still found the words to say – "I'd like that very much too." He heard the shuddered breath of Magnus and he realized that they've been holding out on the big moment as Isabelle might've called it. Alec knew that there was no reason as to why postpone their first night, but maybe unconsciously they have both given themselves time to realize if this was indeed what they wanted, if it was something more than just desire.

"If you tempt me with such invitations, Alexander," Magnus' voice cut through his thoughts and Alec looked up just to see that Magnus was watching him with an intensity of emotions which probably matched his own, "I might not be able to show you what I've intended tonight."

Alec let a teasing smile appear. "It will still count as the beauty of Magnifia."

A groan left Magnus' lips before he tilted his head to one side and leaned in for a kiss which Alec anticipated and yearned for. It started slow, teasing and curious, but it changed rapidly to needy, breathtaking and passionate. Alec held onto Magnus tightly, his hands crumpling his lover's shirt, his body responding to every erratic touch of the other one. They have been sharing the same bed for two weeks now, they have been kissing and teasing one another, but right now… it seemed like they have been thirsty for each other and neither have realized it until they were here. In this moment.

Alec let himself be laid on the blanket, their kiss never stopping and their hands never pulling away from touching each other's bodies. Just for one moment did Magnus' hand move away from him and then the gentle warmth of magic covered them, making Alec's skin tingle.

"What did you do?" Alec whispered between their kisses, his eyes now a stormy blue.

"I've given us privacy." Magnus replied hoarsely, watching him patiently despite the lust Alec knew was coursing through him. "I might be extravagant, but I never intend for anyone to see you in such moments, but I."

At these words, Alec felt the last bit of reason escape him as he simply pulled Magnus over him, shutting him up with a kiss that he hoped conveyed every bit of his feelings. Needless to say that Magnus seemed to get his message and simply met his passion, his strong emotion with his own. It was more than Alec could have imagined and nothing his siblings and occasional friends have told compared to this moment when Magnus treated him with care and passion equally.

There were soft murmurs into the night filled with fireflies and sparkling stars, there were promised meant to last for an eternity and there was love and magic in every touch. Alec had never felt Magnus this close as he was feeling him now – his lips on his skin, his tongue playing naughtily with his body, making him writhe in need and those fingers artfully making him arch and ask for more, whatever that was.

"Alexander…"

A sharp jolt of pain made Alec open his eyes and stare at the beautiful sky, a throaty moan leaving his lips. The pain ebbed away, Magnus skillfully replacing it with pleasure, magic tingling all over the prince's body as it surrendered completely to the warlock. Blue met vivid green-yellow and Alec smiled while holding tightly onto Magnus, legs tightly wrapped around his waist.

"I love you, my beautiful warlock."

And it was true was Alec's last coherent thought before Magnus showed him that love and magic can bring you farther than the sky, push you past the limits of your body and simply wrap you in its blissful energy which warmed one from head to toe.

Several moments later, Alec lied splayed over Magnus' body, his head resting where the warlock's heart was beating normally. He could feel Magnus' fingers in his hair, playing lazily and making him think that this was the place where he had been meant to be. And he never wanted to leave the warmth of Magnus' arms.

"We're glowing." Alec suddenly remarked, having noticed it before, but had innocently believed that it was his own head playing with his post-sex reactions.

Magnus chuckled. "That's natural." He said, his eyes closed and obviously pleased with himself.

"No, I mean we're glowing pink." Alec stood up, wincing a bit, but brushing it aside. Magnus opened his eyes as well and looked at their naked bodies with curiosity before he smiled and blushed in the same time. "Why are we glowing pink, Magnus?" Alec asked as he examined his body and then shamelessly, eyed Magnus'.

The warlock cleared his throat. "Remember when I said that magic has colors?" Alec frowned momentarily as he recalled, then nodded. "Pink stands for –"

"Love." Alec completed and looked at Magnus with wide eyes.

"Innocent love."

"Are there more types of love?"

"I daresay yes."

"And is our love good or too innocent considering what we've done?" Alec asked, making Magnus laugh amused.

"Oh, my love, you are truly extraordinary." Magnus stood up as well, putting his arm around Alec's waist and pulling him close for one more ravishing kiss. "We did nothing short of innocent, Alexander. Our love is untainted, is purest even when we offered our bodies. What we did meant only to strengthen our love."

Alec felt his cheeks warm up instantly. "You always talk so…"

"Enchanting? Alluring? Daring?" Magnus offered to help seeing Alec struggle with ending his sentence, earning himself a half glare from his lover.

"…romantic." He finally spoke and the warlock smiled warmly.

"That's because you bring it out of me, Alexander." He whispered as he caressed the prince's cheek, fingers trailing over his mouth. "I will shower you with words, but I hope my actions speak grander than my words."

"Well…you gave Isabelle a means to contact me while in Magnifia." Alec spoke softly and Magnus realized just how much it had meant for Alec to see his sister. "I hadn't even thought of this when I left with you. But you did, for my sake."

"I simply thought you'd need a familiar face in an unknown place. Even if it was just a projection."

Alec nodded in understanding, his expression happy. "Thank you."

"No need, my love. Anything and much more for you."

"Cheesy." Alec teased and Magnus sighed as if exasperated. A few moments of silence passed between them as they simply kissed and held hands, sharing their pink magic and making it glow even more. In the end, it was Alec who pulled back and looked at Magnus with yearning – "Can we share the connection?"

"Aren't you tired?" Magnus asked, worry sparking in his eyes. Alec shook his head vehemently. "It might wear you more than I do –" He didn't get to finish it as Alec muffled his words by placing his hand over his mouth. He was red as a beetle.

"I know, but I want to do this. It's important, Magnus."

The warlock's teasing expression softened as he nodded and Alec deemed it safe to remove his hand from his lover's mouth. "But it's better if we put on some clothes. You're already distracting while wearing clothes, naked… I might end up doing something else."

Alec rolled his eyes, but looked pleased nonetheless. "Fine, if you can't stand me naked…" He pretended to sigh and Magnus pinched his side. "Ouch, why'd you do that?" Alec glared at him while Magnus smiled innocently.

"You tease too much."

"Pot, meet kettle." Alec mocked him as he got dressed, grimacing slightly while moving.

"It still hurts." Magnus touched his arm, his tone laced with worry.

"It's going to be fine. I've…never…you know…" Alec tried not to look at Magnus, feeling slightly embarrassed of his poor sexual life.

"I know, but maybe I can help with the pain." Magnus said carefully and when the other one looked at him hopefully and fearfully in the same time, the warlock smiled encouragingly. "It's just some magic to heal."

"Cat said you're not that good with healing magic."

Magnus sighed. "Not as good as her, but I can relieve the pain of others. Healing magic requires a more amount of concentration and energy from the healer's side. Since I'm already handling a lot of magic to sustain everything here, I cannot go around healing everyone like Cat can do. But you're special, you're my Consort and I will protect you whatever the cost."

"Okay." Alec accepted and Magnus found slightly dumbfounded, he obviously hadn't expected for Alec to agree to this so quickly.

"My brave prince." Magnus cooed and closed his eyes as blue magic pulsed out from his fingers and through Alec's skin, working fast through his body and easing the strained muscles. In less than a minute, Alec felt the discomfort disappear and almost gave a wriggle making Magnus chuckle in response. "Better get dressed, honey. You're not helping."

Alec blew him a kiss before he pulled on his clothes, faintly reminding how they were removed and how good it had felt when Magnus' skin finally touched his, their bodies so close to one another, sharing warmth. He fought back the desire that came back needy and gnawing at him, deciding that there was time for him and Magnus to explore their bed talents.

"Do you still want me in your arms?" Alec asked as soon as he was ready, watching Magnus buttoning his silk chemise.

"Always, Alexander. But this time, face me with your back." He replied, giving a teasing smile to his lover who nodded with a blush sporting on his pale skin.

As soon as they were seated, Magnus put his hands palm up on his knees and urged Alec to put his own the same on his palms. "The Consort needs just a small amount of touch in order to relieve the King of half of his emotions. Also, there will be times when your energy will be taken instead of simply remaining yours. I will try to control those times, but I need you also to be careful." He explained and Alec nodded, recalling the incident on the Mistico.

"So you're saying that if I see you straining for power, I shouldn't touch you?"

"Exactly. Ragnor, Simon and even Cat can supply for energy."

"What if none of them is there?"

"Let's hope that never happens."

"But I still want to help you."

"If you're injured because of me, I will not be helped." Magnus spoke and Alec almost heard a twinge of anger from the other one. "I know it's difficult, Alec, but as a non-magical being, the risks for you are greater than for any of us. I don't want you to be hurt."

Alec pondered on his words for a few moments and in the end decided not to say anything. He wasn't the type of man to stand back and watch his loved ones fight for him or even worse, defend him when he couldn't do anything. But there had to be a way and if magic was energy, then maybe he could learn to gain access to it somehow – surely Cat or Ragnor knew something about this.

"Okay, let's do this. Show me your world, Magnus."

And he did. And it was nothing like what Tessa had shown him – at first, it was a gentle flow of emotions, swirling around his soul and mind before it started descending on him, emotion by emotion occupying his mind and filling his soul. He saw and heard laughter, babies and children of different magical beings playing together or with merbats, it seemed that every family had one. He felt happiness and joy exuding from them and he couldn't help but smile. His chest felt warm and full with their emotions, the thrill of magic that filled every action of theirs.

Then, like a storm brewing at the horizon, Alec felt the dark emotions rise and come tumbling towards him, threatening to swallow his entire being. But a wall of magic put a stop to it and instead of an avalanche of dark emotions, a tiny river of anger, sorrow and pain trickled in and mixed with emotions of happiness, joy and gratitude. It felt weird now and his mind tried to catch up with the visions that anger and pain conjured, most of them being a jumble of creatures fighting one against another or doing harm to another. It felt shuddering to see and feel this, but he strained against accepting more because this was what Magnus did daily – he accepted the emotions on behalf of Tessa and transferred them into magic which fed the land and everyone.

They stood like this for quite a while, emotions unloading from Magnus to Alec who felt his whole being getting drenched, making him sag in the circle of his lover's arms. When Magnus interrupted the connection, Alec felt sleepy and slightly dizzy.

"Alexander, are you alright?" Magnus asked, moving Alec slightly, so he could check up on him. He noticed his face was paler than normal and his eyes had lost their usual brilliance, now a pale blue staring at him.

"How do you endure?" Alec asked, lifting his hand and Magnus clutching it immediately, surprised at the icy feel of it.

"I've been around magic for more time than you. It was the same for me in the beginning too, Ragnor had helped me on several occasions." Magnus explained as he rubbed his thumb over Alec's hand. "You'll get used to it as well."

"I have a second trial coming up. I need to be strong." Alec suddenly blurted, making Magnus frown in worry.

"You'll be, my sweet Alexander. Rest now, it's been an eventful evening."

Alec smiled as he let his head rest against Magnus' chest. "I'd do it again." And he fell asleep, leaving Magnus alone with his thoughts and a lighter heart.

He will protect Alec no matter what.

"Hello, Alec." Tessa greeted as soon as Alec materialized in front of her. It was a surprise that she didn't make him wait like the other times.

"Tessa." Alec inclined his head in greeting. "Is it time?" He then asked, feeling his heart beating fast in his chest. Ever since he had shared with Magnus the connection, he had kind of been hoping for Tessa to show up and drag him into the second trial. But another week had gone by and nothing had happened, except that his life with Magnus was getting better and better… He mentally slapped himself before his mind went down a road he didn't want Tessa to notice and then tease him about.

"Yes." Her voice interrupted his thoughts, a smile curling her red painted lips and Alec had the weird impression that she knew what had happened between him and Magnus. She even paused while watching Alec take a deep breath, amusement clear on her face. "But, first, walk with me." She invited him, raising an eyebrow when Alec didn't offer his elbow to her.

"Right." He hurried to her side and gallantly extended his arm which she took gratefully. As they moved, her dress seemed to giggle with every step and he dared cast a curious glance towards it. It was a luminous blue, enough to take one's eyes away, but other than that he didn't see why it should giggle.

"Undines." She spoke and drew his attention. "The dress is made of undines."

"Aren't those the water fae folk?"

Tessa bit back a smile. "Look at you, already learning our society. And to answer your question, yes, they are."

"And you made them in a dress?" Alec couldn't help the horror in his tone, but this seemed to amuse Tessa.

"They're not actually sewed into a dress, Alexander." She scolded him gently, as she steered him down a colorful pebbled path. "It's only their magic I've borrowed. The giggling you hear it's their voice magic."

"The one they use for luring mariners while out in the sea."

"That would be sirens and they're different from the mermaids which are part of the undines." Tessa paused and gave Alec a long look. "Surely, you've come upon this distinction."

Alec felt like he was back in his father's palace when he was being scolded for not remembering the laws of Idris. "Anyway, where are we going?" He decided to change the subject, obviously not comfortable with being treated like an ignorant kid.

"I'm escorting you to the Glass City path." Tessa revealed with a sheepish smile, making Alec only then look around and seeing that it was the beach path, the one that led to Magnus' villa. "What have you learned so far, Alec?"

"About?"

"Getting to Glass City of course." There was a slight irritation in Tessa's voice.

"That I definitely need a guide, but won't get one. That along the way, I will come upon nymphs, trolls and griffins." He said, feeling his mouth go dry. This was it, he was going to the Glass City, he was going to complete his second trial and he was going to see Clary.

"And what will the nymphs, trolls and griffins do if they saw you?" Tessa asked, the amusement clear in her voice.

"Nymphs will try to lure me in their dancing games. I will dance until I die. Trolls will throw a rock avalanche over me and kill me. Griffins will rip me apart with their beaks and claws."

"Fantastic!" Tessa sounded thrilled with his knowledge and Alec wondered what the hell was fantastic about the fact that he was going in a territory which was going to more or less try to kill him. A soft pat on his arm drew his attention to Tessa who watched him with intense grey eyes – "Just remember, prince, don't stray off the path and you shall be fine."

And with a whoosh of the wind, she was gone from his arm and Alec felt magic unravel around him and making him wake from his sleep to find out that he was actually outside and standing right at the entrance of the path leading to the Glass City. It was the middle of the night and there was an eerie quietness outside and even the stars seemed to have lost their shine. It seemed like everything waited for him to take the first step down the path and start his journey through the heart of Magnifia.

A sudden meow drew his attention and Alec looked down to see Chairman Meow watching him with curious and luminous eyes. He crouched and scratched the cat behind its ears, feeling relieved to see it, at least one friendly soul before he was going to his doom.

"How come you're here?" He asked and Chairman Meow gave him a reproachful look. "I know, I know, but I couldn't control it." He apologized, recalling that this has happened before – Camille had enchanted him through his dream and he had nearly gotten himself killed. Chairman Meow had been one to try and save him, obviously the cat considered that he had a death wish by magic or something similar.

In the spur of the moment, he asked – "Will you come with me, Chairman?" – and he realized just how stupid he sounded, asking a cat to join him on a suicide walk. But to his surprise, the cat pushed its head against his palm and blinked his eyes once. A meow soon followed and Alec considered it as an agreement to his question. Somehow, his quest didn't seem that much scary now.

"Then, let's go."