"Magnus! C'mon! They're all waiting on us!" Alec tapped his foot impatiently. Simon was set to leave for Idris that evening and everyone was gathering at the institute for a going away party for the human boy. Magnus was still in his bathroom, stressing over his outfit. Alec wasn't sure why he was acting so nervous. It was just dinner at the institute with their family. Alec himself had just put on his nicest t-shirt and a pair of jeans, Magnus on the other hand had changed at least three times.
"I'm sorry Alexander, you know I can't stand to be less than fabulous." Magnus sighed when he finally breezed into the room. Alec eyed his boyfriend appreciatively. Magnus had decided on an orangey-red button down and dark dress slacks. He had on some long necklaces and his nails were painted his usual black. Magnus's hair was spiked up in its usual manner too but in all it was a very understated look for Alec's boyfriend. Alec narrowed his eyes a little at Magnus.
"You always look fabulous Magnus," Alec smiled as he pecked Magnus on his strangely nervous lips "but I have to say after all that time I expected something fabulous-er." Magnus rolled his eyes at the insanely bad grammar that Alec used just to irritate his lover. Alec laughed at the warlock's reaction.
"Leave me alone Alexander, you don't know the first thing about "Fabulous-er" things." Alec laughed and kissed Magnus on the cheek to wipe the pout of his face.
"C'mon dear. They are waiting on us." Alec said. Magnus nodded once and then conjured a portal that took them straight to the institute. Once inside they were bombarded with people.
"Magnus! Alec! Guys, Magnus and Alec are here!" Izzy was the first to spot them and pull them both in for a hug. Alec and Magnus hugged her back generously before she bounded off again towards the kitchen. Alec and Magnus met each other's eyes and cringed simultaneously.
"Stay out of the kitchen Izzy." Jace scolded over his shoulder as he ambled into the room. Then he turned to see his brother. Jace was dressed casually in a white t-shirt and jeans. His feet were tucked into his combat boots that he used for fighting. His smile was bright as he hugged the two men.
"I'm glad you two are here. Izzy keeps trying to help cook and Maryse is having a hard time fighting her off."
"I'm on it." Magnus grumbled and left Alec's side with a quick kiss to his cheek.
"Good luck man." Jace teased the retreating Magnus. Alec laughed and shook his head.
"Where's Simon and Clary?" Alec asked when neither one came to greet him. Jace sighed and ran a hand through his blonde hair.
"They're up in the greenhouse, talking. Clary isn't handling his leaving very well."
"I thought she was fine with it?" Alec asked confused. They had known Simon was going to the academy for some time now, he had thought Clary had made peace with it.
"She was, but after the whole, she almost died, thing they have grown really close again over these couple months, and Clary is worried about not having any family left here. With her mom and Luke living in Idris and now Simon going, I think she feels a little abandoned." A crease formed between Jace's eyebrows as he looked at his brother.
"She still has us." Alec said plainly, as if it were the most simple answer in the world.
The late afternoon sun was hanging low in the New York sky, casting an orange light around the greenhouse. Clary and Simon were standing near the windows looking out over the city. Clary had brought Simon up here to tell him about Idris. He remembered very little from his time there. They had been up there for a couple hours talking about his fears, and hers, and their hopes, and how excited Simon was. It was when the sun began to set that Clary started to grow uneasy and sad. Clary was trying hard to stay strong, but was finding it hard to hold the tears back. Simon and her were as close as ever, for the first time since he lost his memories. They had spent all summer talking about this moment, but the closer it got, the harder it had gotten for Clary to deal with.
"Say the word Fray, and I'll stay. I'll be your human best friend, and I'll stay and nothing will have to change." Simon turned to her and was pleading with her now. He had been trying so hard to get her to feel better. Izzy wasn't even as sullen as Clary was.
"Simon, you know this is what you want. I could never stop you from doing something you want to do. I want you to become who you are supposed to be."
"But Clary, I'm already who I'm supposed to be. I'm your best friend, and Izzy's boyfriend"
"Yeah and you will always feel like you held yourself behind to be the tag along who could never actually be one of us. You are meant to be one of us, but you need to find a way to do that for yourself. Plus I know you really want to kick Jace's ass one day, you're going to need training for that." Simon laughed and turned his bashful expression toward the window. Clary was right, he couldn't deny it. Clary laughed sadly and pulled Simon in for a hug.
"You have to go Simon, I want you to go. Just don't go and find yourself a super cool new life that is fulfilling and awesome and too hard to leave. Okay?" It was Simon's turn to laugh then as he pulled away from Clary.
"You just don't get it do you Fray? You are the super cool and fulfilling thing in my life. You and all of the people waiting for us downstairs right now. Nothing will be harder to leave than this." Clary felt tears welling up in her eyes again and she was about to let them spill out when Magnus came up the stairs.
"Hello Biscuit, Simon." Magnus greeted. Clary wiped at the tears quickly and then turned a warm smile on Magnus.
"Mags." Clary ran into his open arms and he held her close. Sometimes Clary thought Magnus was a little clairvoyant because he held her like he knew she was falling to pieces. The thought was sort of disturbing but for now Clary just enjoyed the way it felt and tried not to read too far into things.
"Dinner is just about done. I believe Jace and Alexander are waiting on you two." Magnus said over Clary's head. Simon nodded and moved passed the warlock and his best friend to descend the stairs.
"You too Biscuit." Magnus urged and pushed her towards the stairs. Clary gave him one last grateful smile before following Simon towards the crowed waiting for them.
Jace and Alec were immersed in a conversation about a demon hoard that they were expected to check out in the morning when Clary and Simon walked into the living room, interrupting the conversation.
"Hey stranger!" Clary exclaimed as she wrapped Alec into a hug which he returned awkwardly. Physical contact, especially with Clary, was still a new concept for him. "I feel like we never see you or Magnus anymore."
"Clary, I work here." Alec said peering into her eyes with an annoyed look.
"I know, I just panicked and that's all I could think to say." Clary stammered. Simon laughed from across the room.
"Hey Mundy, speaking of working here. You ready for this?" Alec asked Simon jokingly. Simon smiled and nodded.
"I think I am. It feels right, and the sooner I go, the sooner I can come back."
"You know it's not guaranteed you'll get assigned here, Simon." Jace chastised. Clary and Simon gave each other a look and a smile that had both men in the room staring at them accusingly, but neither Simon nor Clary said anything more. Jace wouldn't push Clary and Alec was much too distracted with the weird way Magnus had been acting. Alec couldn't stop thinking about how nervous and jittery Magnus had been getting ready to come to the dinner. Magnus was usually so cool about everything, he never had to try to feel good or look good, he just did. Magnus' confidence was one of the most attractive things about him, yet tonight he had been completely insecure. Alec was afraid there was something very wrong.
"Has Magnus seemed off to any of you lately?" Alec asked the group. Simon and Clary furrowed their brows.
"No, why?" Clary asked for them both. Jace pursed his lips and looked down at the floor. Alec took note of his not so subtle reaction but addressed Clary anyway.
"I don't know. He was super nervous about tonight and it just struck me as strange."
"Magnus? Nervous? Magnus is never nervous, about anything." Simon stated. Alec nodded his agreeance but still Jace stayed quiet. Alec cocked his head to the side.
"Jace."
"Food's done. Hi son." Maryse popped her head into the living room and smiled at the kids. Jace hopped up and retreated from the room quickly. Clary and Simon watched him skeptically and then seemed to laugh it off.
"Jace must be really hungry." Simon joked. Clary laughed and agreed with her friend. Alec sighed in defeat and trailed behind Clary and Simon. Maryse hugged him quickly when he passed her near the doorway and then they walked together to the dining area outside the kitchen.
Dinner was full of laughs as the gang reminisced on some of their best memories with Simon. Some Simon remembered and some were new and exciting for Simon to hear. Clary talked a lot about Simon as a kid, and how he never really seemed to fit in with anyone but her. Simon was quick to change the subject when Clary's laughs began to dissolve into tears. Jace and him laughed about the time Simon had fed off of him and how awkward that had been for both of them. That one Simon remembered with unfortunate detail. Izzy spent a lot of time holding onto Simon's hand and trying to stay strong and happy, but Simon knew she was having a hard time with it. Simon, in an attempt to cheer Izzy up, mentioned how thankful he was that Izzy had not managed to weasel her way into the kitchen while the dinner was being prepared. She had laughed good naturedly and smacked his arm. Maryse expressed her gratitude and love for Simon and told him that he was welcome back at the institute any time once his training was over. Simon was grateful and touched by the woman's sentiment. When everyone had finished eating, all six of them insisted on cleaning up since Maryse had prepared the food. So they worked systematically, as smooth as they do in the battle field. Magnus cleared the dishes from the table, who passed them off to Alec, who brought them into the kitchen where Izzy took them and scraped them clean. From there Izzy stacked them on the counter where Jace handed them one by one to Clary who washed them, and then she handed them to Simon who dried them. Then Alec and Magnus put them away again. This activity was full of laughs as well as they all picked on each other like siblings do. They're family was really well integrated after everything they had been through. When the dishes were done and they had all gathered into the living room where Simon's bags were now waiting, Clary excused herself. She bounded up the stairs towards the bedrooms quickly and silently. Jace watched her with concern and then looked to Simon.
"You should go talk to her." Simon told the blonde shadowhunter. Jace raised his eyebrows in panic for a second, then he sighed and turned towards the stairs.
"Try to make it quick Jace. I have to leave soon and we aren't quite done yet." Simon reminded Jace. Jace nodded his understanding, but caught the suspicious look Alec gave them. Jace knew Alec was on to them. He hadn't been prepared to lie to Alec earlier, the only thing that saved him was Maryse announcing dinner. Alec wasn't stupid he knew something was up, but Jace knew he would be completely surprised when he found out, so he didn't acknowledge the look and took the stairs two at a time to find his girlfriend.
"Clary?" Jace peaked his head into her bedroom, where she had been keeping herself for the last couple nights, much to Jace's dismay. She was standing by her window, looking out into the fading light of the evening. She didn't turn to acknowledge him.
"Hey, Clary. Simon has to go soon and-"
"I know." She said sternly to him. Jace stopped abruptly and just looked at Clary's back. He sighed and waited.
"Everyone keeps saying that. Simon's leaving soon, Simon's leaving soon. I get it okay?" She finally turned to look at Jace. Her green eyes were swimming with unshed tears and her arms were crossed over her chest. Jace looked at his love sympathetically and wrapped her in a hug.
"What if he finds a life out there that he likes better than this one?" Clary asked into Jace's shoulder. Jace held the back of her head and chuckled, trying to lighten her up.
"Clary, what could be better than us? He's Simon, we are the best he can do, even as a shadowhunter." Clary laughed sadly and pushed away from Jace.
"It's not a joke, Jace" she scolded, but a smile still played on her lips. Jace grew serious and took Clary's hands.
"Look at me Clary." He urged. Clary met his golden eyes expectantly. "Simon loves you. You are his family, and you have both proven time and time again that no matter what happens, that isn't going to change. He will come back for you." The tears that were dancing in her eyes finally spilled over. Jace brushed them away with light kisses before finally kissing her mouth. Her eyes were clear when he pulled away.
"In the meantime, you will just have to settle for us, cause we aren't going anywhere." Jace whispered in the air between them. At this Clary smiled and nodded. Jace hugged her close on last time.
"Now cheer up. There is still one more thing that needs to happen before Simon goes, and you don't want to miss it." Jace grabbed her hand and began leading her out of the room.
"What? Jace what are you talking about?" Clary asked in confusion as the descended the stairs. The plan was simple. Only Magnus, Simon, and Jace knew, and it was to be kept that way so no one accidentally slipped up and told Alec. So Clary was completely in the dark about what was about to happen.
"You'll find out in a minute." Jace told her.
Magnus' palms were sweating as he waited for Jace and Clary to return. He was perched on one of the couch cushions and his leg was bouncing impatiently. He was avoiding making eye contact with Alec who was sitting across from him and scrutinizing his every move. Magnus was terrified that Alec knew, or that he would figure out just what was going on. Simon kept throwing the warlock warning glances as if Magnus was being super obvious, which he was. Maryse and Izzy were busy talking amongst themselves about the academy in Idris and how they would love to see it some day. When Magnus heard the sound of Clary and Jace approaching his heart began to hammer in his chest. Never in all the years he had been alive had he been this nervous. He knew it was a ridiculous way to feel. Alexander loved him and that was what mattered, but for the first time Magnus was in a situation with Alec that he had never been in. The whole thing was beginning to be too much for the warlock. Jace pulled a confused and expectant looking Clary into the room then and Jace looked at the clock on the wall.
"We don't have long, Magnus." Jace told him. Alec looked between the two of them and then around the room as his confusion grew to frustration. Alec stood up and looked at Magnus.
"What the hell is going on here?" Alexander exploded. Jace looked at Alec with surprise in his eyes and the others in the room grew silent. Simon looked at Magnus with pursed lips. The room was filled with a pregnant silence. Magnus felt sweat dew up on his forehead. You can do this Magnus. Don't be such a coward you old fool, just do it. Alexander is growing angry, he is looking at you. Do something Magnus, anything. The inner monologue continued endlessly.
"Magnus? What is wrong with you?" Alec asked, a little more gently. At the sound of his name Magnus looked up into the young shadowhunters eyes. They were fraught with worry and suspicion. Magnus stared into his blue eyes for a minute more, and then he saw it. He saw Alexander in gold, even though they could never have a traditional shadow hunter wedding. He saw them making love on the white beaches in French saw Alec with a little boy sleeping in his arms. Magnus saw their entire life played out in the blue orbs that were waiting for him to respond. His heart slowed to its normal rate and the butterflies vacated his stomach, he was no longer nervous because what he had to do next just made sense. There was no other life Magnus Bane could imagine for himself and he just knew Alexander felt the same way.
Magnus stood then too, and reached into the pocket of his pants and clasped a tiny velvet box between his fingers. He held it for a second and then met Alec's blank face.
"Alexander, I'm afraid there is something wrong with me."
"I know. I can tell." Alec interrupted. Magnus continued over him. He took the couple steps it took to reach Alec and took his hand in his own.
"You see ever since I laid my eyes on you I have been a hopeless man. I knew from that moment that no other moment would ever hold meaning for me again if you were not sharing it with me. I was amazed to have caught your attention, and even more amazed that you gave me a shot. But nothing compares to the way it feels to be loved by you Alexander. I see it in your eyes, I feel it in your touch. I have never felt more beautiful or wanted than I do when I am with you. I know in my heart that nothing and no one will ever give me the peace and the love that you give me, and so I choose to not spend a single moment more without you." Magnus pulled the box from his pocket then. He heard somewhere in the distance a gasp, or perhaps several but Magnus was now too wrapped up in the moment to determine where it came from. He weighed the box in his hand for a second, picturing the gold band inside. Then he looked back to Alec, who was now looking in disbelief at the box in Magnus' hand.
"I will not get on one knee because that is a traditional thing and we are not a traditional thing kind of couple, nor do I ever want to be one. But by the Angel, Alexander, I want to marry you." Magnus opened the box to reveal the gold band nestled in it. Alec's mouth was practically on the floor as he stared the ring down as if it had caught him in its grasp and wouldn't release him. Magnus' next words were whispered as he began to lose momentum at the sight of Alec's disbelief.
"I cannot bare the rune that will bind myself with you." Magnus whispered, his voice thick with emotion. Alec's eyes snapped up then, as if the ring finally released him. He was searching Magnus' face, but Magnus pushed on.
"I cannot give you that. I wish I could, but I can't. However, on the inside of this ring you will find the marriage rune engraved around the whole band. I may not be a shadowhunter with the ability to bind myself to you through magical bonds, but I am a warlock in love and I can promise you that is just as powerful. I will spend the rest of my existence proving that to you if you allow me, and do me the great honor of marrying me." Magnus could no longer see the people in the room with them, nor hear them. His heart was commanding all of his senses as he stared into the endless blue eyes of his lover. Alec was staring at Magnus, his mouth still slightly agape. The emotions were impossible to read in his eyes and suddenly all that sureness Magnus had felt went out the window. For a painfully long amount of time there was only Alec and Magnus and a whole bunch of silence. When Magnus couldn't take it anymore he furrowed his eyebrows.
"Alexander?" he asked quietly. Alec seemed to wake up then. He shook his head a few times and then something amazing happened. Alexander's face split into a wide smile. He cupped Magnus' face in each of his hands and leaned his forehead against Magnus'. Magnus looked up at him questioningly.
"You silly man. This is why you have been so nervous?" Alec whispered to Magnus.
"In my defense, you still haven't answered. Kind of losing my mind over here." Magnus said nervously. Alec laughed, a loud, sincere laugh and then he kissed Magnus passionately.
"Yes Magnus. Of course, yes." He muttered between kisses. Tears of joy and relief were rolling down Magnus' cheeks as he kissed his boyfriend, uh fiance ;), back. Then the rest of the room came back into focus for Magnus. There was suddenly loud cheers filling the room and Izzy and Clary were scrambling to see the ring. The couple broke apart with laughter and allowed the rest of the room to join in on their moment. Alec let Izzy and Clary see the ring, and they ooed and awed over it. Jace hugged Alec, who immediately began scolding Jace for lying to him and letting him worry about Magnus all day. Simon and Maryse took turns hugging and congratulating Magnus. Simon cheerfully, and Maryse with some tears. Magnus regarded her questioningly. She wiped her tears away and shook her head.
"I am so glad you and my son found each other. My heart hurts to think of the life Alec would have lead had you never inspired him to follow his heart. I am proud to welcome you into our family, and so grateful for what you have done." Maryse explained to Magnus. Magnus hugged her again, unable to respond through his emotion.
The room was alive with emotion and commotion as everyone congratulated Alec and Magnus, and then again as Simon informed everyone that he had to leave then. They all hugged Simon, and more than a few of them cried for a second time that night. Magnus conjured him a portal into Idris then.
"There you go Simon. Your new life awaits you." Magnus told him. Simon picked up his bags and looked back at their small family one last time. Then he looked at Magnus and smiled.
"No Magnus." He said. "This is just my new journey. Like you and Alec now have a new journey to take. We are all going to face new challenges, we are going to change, and we will grow, but my life, our lives, they will always be right here, together." Simon looked at Clary then, who was watching with tears in her eyes, and then he looked to Izzy who was smiling at him sadly. "And I don't know about you guys, but I really like that life, so if it's okay with you all, I'd like to keep it."
"It's alright with us buddy." Jace said as he pulled Clary close against his side. The group smiled as if to agree with Jace and then Simon looked at Magnus. Magnus smiled at him too
"Works for me kid." he whispered to Simon. Then Magnus made a gesture with his head for Simon to step through. With one last look around Simon walked into the portal and it closed behind him. In the following silence the gang looked around at each other. Izzy, standing alone but firm and with a smile. Clary, teary eyed but strong. Jace smiling and hopeful as he linked his hand with Clary's. Maryse looking on with pride at her children, and Alec. Alec who had slipped the gold band onto his left ring finger where it fit perfectly. He reached the same hand out to Magnus, which the warlock took confidently.
None of them said anything but they all shared an understanding that night. Something none of them thought they would ever come to know as truth: Simon was right. They were going to face many new paths, and they were going to change and grow along the way, but they all belonged to each other in that moment, and for the rest of their lives, however long that may be. Whether it be for a few more decades, or a few more centuries, whether they were together or not, this feeling, this bond would remain forever, and that was pretty great.
So there it is. The real end of the story, the last chapter I will ever write for my beautiful baby :( Its bittersweet lol I am sad to see it end. As I have said before I am so grateful to everyone who has followed this story and made it as successful as it is. I love these characters and I'm probably not done with them just yet, but this story has finally run its course and I think it ended pretty good. Thank you to everyone again!