Magnus's loft.
It's in the morning, everything seemed so fine.
"Rise and shine!" Magnus said happily, with a glass of fresh orange juice in his hand.
Magnus was really in a good mood obviously. It's been over two weeks that he did not have such a wonderful morning. Not until he and Alec get back together and get a fresh start in their love relationship.
Alec woke up in the bed, complaint sleepily in a soft voice. "Oh, Angel… Magnus, please… Two more minutes…" Then, Alec changed to another posture and continue to get more sleep.
"Alexander… Wake up now, you little sleepy head." Magnus put the orange juice on the bedside table. After that, Magnus got into bed and cuddled with Alec.
"Come on, wake up…" A gentle kiss placed on Alec's forehead by Magnus after this.
"No…" Alec groaning painfully. "Please… Just let me get more sleep… I just need 3 more minutes. No, maybe 4 or 5 minutes… Okay, 5 minutes. Wake me up later." Alec said tiredly.
Magnus released a soft sigh. "Oh, my poor little angel. I'm sorry, I know you must be very tired after the last night…Well, it's a bit tough for you. I get it, okay?"
"Magnus…" Alec creased his brow and make a low tone complain. "Just… stop to remind me." Alec can't help himself but think of what happened in last night. He forced to discuss with Magnus through a tough night, they almost reading all the magic spell book in Magnus's loft and had done a lot of research, just to find out a way that how they can meet with Asmodeus and not going to affect the whole shadow world at the same time.
First of their concerns, Asmodeus must not trespass into their world.
Second of their concerns, they might need to visit Asmodeus in Edom, but they also have to figure a way out, to make sure both of them can come back to their dimension in safe and sound.
And, many other of their concerns, they have to ensure that Asmodeus won't be sneaked out from Edom and affecting their future lives continuously. Actually, Alec and Magnus also trying to find a solution to break the bonding mark on Magnus's left wrist, which given by Asmodeus.
Magnus really hated that mark, and Alec can tell it. Alec felt guilty on that too, because he knew that Magnus has sacrificed himself again for him, to save him. That's why Asmodeus have chance to blackmail Magnus with such stupid father-son bonding mark.
"Alec, you should wake up now. Don't you forget that you still have a meeting with Isabelle later?" Magnus reminded with a gentle voice.
Alec's eyes flipped open. "What's the time now?"
Magnus didn't reply the question directly, but he continued with a smiling face. "You have to get up now, so you won't be late. Come on, I always get your back." Magnus sat up from the bed and pulled Alec sat up together with him.
Alec sighed and gazing at Magnus with a sad annoyed face.
Magnus chuckled and passed that orange juice to Alec. "Here, take it and drink up! The fresh orange juice, my favorite way to start a day!"
Alec smiled, finally. "Thank you." He said when he took the glass from Magnus.
Magnus shrugged his shoulder and replied. "You are most welcome."
"What's your planning today? I have to back to the Institute for a meeting, then what about you?" Alec asked after he took a sip of the orange juice.
"Well, I'm going to do more research. As we know that meeting with my father… It's certainly a tough mission for us. I need to make sure nothing goes wrong. And, we also need to think a few of the backup plans, in case we…" Magnus stopped and sighed, his face full of worries.
Alec put down the glass and gripped Magnus's hand with one of his hands. "Everything going to be fine and smooth, I promise."
Magnus smiled. "I hope so." He looked down on his marked left wrist, felt his uneasy heart beating fast.
"Alec…I am worried." Magnus said honestly.
Alec nodded. "I'm here with you, no matter what."
Magnus's eyes met Alec's, both of them smiled at each other, feeling the love and comfort.
"Maybe you should warn your siblings first," Magnus said.
"Or maybe not." Alec sighed heavily. "Jace and Izzy can't help anything on it. And, the worse thing is they will get crazy if they know that we're going to meet your father, Asmodeus."
Magnus sighed too. "Alexander, but what if we need their assistance...?"
Alec shook his head slightly. "There's nothing they can help on it. Magnus, don't worry, okay? We will be going to find a way. We going to meet Asmodeus, then we come back soon after that, in safe, together."
"Why you looked so confident?" Magnus looked confused.
Alec sighed again. "Actually not. Because I'm freaking out now. It's your father, the ruler of the hell kingdom, we are talking about. And, tonight will be the official meeting with my boyfriend's parent… I'm going to visit my boyfriend's hometown in another hell dimension! Do you really think that I can remain calm? Of course NO, Magnus. I am suffocating and almost losing my mind now. It's totally insane!"
Magnus stunned at first and let out a soft laugh at last.
"What so funny?" Alec frowned.
"You are damn right. You are going to meet my parent. I hope you can stay cool and not fainting in Edom." Magnus teased.
Alec gazing at Magnus's soft smiling face, suddenly felt relaxed. "It's good to see your smiling face again. Magnus, I love it."
Magnus nodded and apologized. "I'm sorry… You know, I truly feel sorry for my…complicated background…And… What you might see on tonight… All the ugly side of me…I…I am scared that you will hate me…"
"Magnus, there's nothing ugly side about you," Alec replied.
"No… You don't understand." Magnus said sadly.
Alec sighed and then he answered firmly. "Magnus, I want you to know. Even you have any imperfection and flaws…Even you have the ugly sides which I may not see it before…No matter what, I will always love you. Trust me, I can do it. I will accept the whole of you…Like what you did to me, you accepted me, the whole of me… Doesn't it?"
Magnus gasped for breath and touched by Alec's deep words. "Alexander…"
"We are going to make it through, together. There's nothing can break us apart, not anymore." Alec leaned closer and kissed Magnus deeply with love. The scent of the fresh orange filled with their mouth.
When they stopped kissing, both of them panted heavily.
"Alexander…" Magnus whispered the name that branded on his heart.
"Magnus Bane, I'll love you, no matter what. Nothing's gonna change my love for you." Alec said and hugged Magnus tightly.
Even though the storm was coming, even though the darkness filled the sky.
There's nothing they will be afraid, as long as they got each other…
Their love will shine forever like the brightest stars in heaven and drove out the darkness.
—
Shadowhunter New York Institute.
"Alec!" It's Isabelle's voice.
It seemed the breaking up memory with Magnus was nothing but just like a dream to Alec. Everything happened in weeks, they broke up, then he was totally in a mess and Magnus sacrificed his own life to save his ass. Besides that, he met with Magnus's biological father too, who is the greatest demon and the ruler of Edom. After that, he and Magnus… They kissed and made out, back together in the real world again.
"ALEC!" The voice was getting closer and louder to him, however, Alec just sitting at there and gazing blankly.
Everything seemed to get better, or not. Because the troubles always around them and never leave them alone. Now, they need to face a big problem tonight. What they can do and how should they do? Tonight, Alec need to accompany Magnus back to Edom, for visiting Magnus's demon parent.
"ALEC LIGHTWOOD, wake up!" Isabelle already lost all her patients. She tapped Alec's back ruthlessly, sighed and said. "What are you doing? Wake up, Alec!"
"…Uhh…?" Finally, Alec blinking his eyes and slowly remembered that he was in a meeting with his sister, Isabelle.
"I'm sorry… I got distracted." Alec apologized sheepishly, then he looked down on the papers in his hands.
Isabelle sighed and crossed her arms, then measured Alec with her doubtful eyes. "What are you thinking just now? Alec, we are in a meeting. You're rarely like this."
"I just… Erm… It's nothing." Alec ducking his sight from Isabelle.
"Alec, tell me the truth. Is that because of Magnus…? Did anything bad happen?" Isabelle asked, can't help herself but linked everything to Magnus. As she knows, Magnus is the only reason why Alec acted like the abnormal self.
"I thought you guys should be already got back together nicely. So… What's the problem now? Why you looked like this?" Isabelle added.
"There's nothing, okay? You really no need to worry about us. Magnus and I, we are in a very good relationship." Alec smiled and reassured. "Izzy, I'm fine."
"Such a bad liar. There's must be something troubled you, right?" Isabelle sighed again. "It's okay, if you don't want to talk with me, then I think I should probably look for Magnus directly to find out the truth."
Noticed that Isabelle ready to leave the room, Alec suddenly became panic. "Izzy, don't! No, you are not going to find Magnus."
Isabelle stopped and shrugged. "Then, you should tell me. What's exactly in your mind? What bothered you? Any troubles? It's time for you to spit out, so we can solve it together."
Alec bit his lips and looked away. "There's nothing you can help on it… Izzy, I'll be fine, I promise."
"Alec… You know that Jace and I, both of us will always stand by you, right?" Isabelle said.
"I know." Alec smiled gratefully.
"If you're not really going to tell me what happened, it's okay. What about Jace? Do you want to talk with him…? Maybe he is the one who can help a bit…?" Isabelle suggested softly.
Alec sighed. "Don't worry about me, okay? Izzy, I can handle this by myself."
"Don't be stubborn, Alec." Isabelle looked defeated.
Before Alec ready to say something, the door was opened in a rush by Jace.
"Hey, Alec! You better have some proper explanation on this!" Jace looked at Alec's confused face, asked eagerly. "Why you didn't tell us that you are going to meet Asmodeus tonight?"
"What?!" Isabelle totally in shock when she heard what Jace said.
"Alec, what's going on? Why do you guys want to meet with Asmodeus? Is this real?" Isabelle staring her eyes widely at Alec.
"Wait… You all have to listen to me. Please be calm." Alec said.
"Be calm? Hey buddy, if Magnus not telling me about these, then you must plan to keep quiet and not inform us at all, right? How dare you!" Jace looked angry.
"What…? Mag…Magnus tells you personally that we are going to meet Asmodeus…?" Alec looked unbelievable. He thought Magnus already agreed to keep this secret between them in this morning.
Isabelle shook her head speechless at Alec's reaction, then she fixed her eyes on Jace. "Jace, what's exactly happening now? Tell me the whole story!"
Jace answered quickly to Isabelle's question. "Your stupid big brother planned to meet Asmodeus with Magnus tonight. According to Magnus, they got no choice because Asmodeus marked Magnus with his power and forced them to visit him."
Isabelle gasped for breath, feeling too shocked on what Jace said.
"For the Angel sake, stupid Alec!" Jace hissed. "You guys can't go to meet Asmodeus just like that! It could be a trap or something else!"
Alec looked sad and frustrated. "Jace, like what you say. Magnus and I, we've got no choice! If we do not follow Asmodeus's instruction, he might do something bad to harm Magnus! You all should know better than me, Magnus had sacrificed too much in our relationship. He even died for me! Then, he was marked by Asmodeus as the prices to save me too!"
Jace sighed but cannot retort Alec's words.
Isabelle sent a sympathy glare on Alec. "Alec, we know how much Magnus sacrificing himself for you, for us. We also know how deep your love for him… But you should know, Asmodeus is the greatest demon, he is the evil ruler in hell kingdom! He is unworthy of your trust!"
"Izzy is right. Alec, you and Magnus shouldn't be trusting Asmodeus. I'm worried about you guys… Asmodeus can lure you guys visit him tonight, then he might force you all to do something more in future, which probably against your wills!"
Alec shook his head. "Don't worry, Magnus and I… We will never trusting Asmodeus. Magnus had warned me about this too, he said Asmodeus is a liar all the time, used to trick people to get what he wanted."
"Alec…" Isabelle seemed to want to say something more, however, Alec stopped her.
"I know how worse Asmodeus can be, I heard Magnus said a lot of his stories…But I can't pretend that the mark on Magnus's wrist is just a normal tattoo! It's a curse and we all know it!" Alec looked worried and gazing at his younger siblings, then he continued with a firm tone. "Magnus is getting hurt because of me. I cannot leave him alone to suffer the consequence… Magnus always the one who helps me all the time. But now, this is my turn to stand by him!"
There was a short moment of silence.
Isabelle and Jace exchanged a complicated look.
"….Alec, are you sure you really want to do that? To go visit Asmodeus?" Jace asked.
"Yes, I have to go," Alec added. "If this is the only way to pay the old debt of the prices that he saved my life."
Alec sighed again, but he was feeling more confident this time.
"No matter what, I'll follow wherever Magnus will go. I've seen something different in Asmodeus's eyes, I don't know how to describe but I can sense it… Although Asmodeus is a bad guy and evil demon, but I believe that he cares about Magnus."
"Are you sure…? If he really cares about Magnus, then he shouldn't ask Magnus pay for the prices and use your life as the leverage!" Jace said and Isabelle nodded in agreement.
"He is a demon after all. But my point is he still loving Magnus. Magnus is his son, even though the way he uses was totally wrong. However, I really can sense it. He cares about Magnus." Alec repeated his opinion again.
"You are always stubborn!" Jace commented.
Isabelle sighed but a soft smile of understanding showed on her face. "…If this what you really want, then let me help you. Alec, I will never leave you alone with Magnus to face the troubles like this."
"Izzy." Alec smiled at his younger sister, feeling happy to have someone who finally supports his decision.
"…Izzy, are you crazy? We are supposed to stop Alec, instead of encouraging Alec to do something stupid!" Jace wondered why Isabelle suddenly changed her position.
"Well… I think Alec must has his own reason to do this. And, I believe Alec's judgment." Isabelle walked to Alec and tapped his back gently.
"Alec, but I want you to make a promise to me, please say that you won't ever do something rashly," Isabelle said.
Alec nodded. "You have my promise."
Isabelle also nodded her head and sighed again. "Now, tell me if I can help with anything."
"Izzy, are you losing your mind? Am I the only one who owns the sensible thinking right now?" Jace asked.
"Jace, please help me. I really need your support…" Alec said.
"No!" Jace yelled.
Alec looked so sad while Isabelle shook her head and said to Jace. "Jace, Alec need you. He and Magnus need us."
"Alec, do you know why Magnus told me about this matter? He wanted me to stop you, okay? He didn't want you to risk your life for him!" Jace shouted.
"If this is true, then this will be the strong reason why I must insist on my decision! I will never leave Magnus alone to face this kind of mess! I can't be selfish to him, not anymore!" Alec shouted back at Jace with a louder voice.
"Jace, tell me. Will you give up on Clary, after Clary make sacrifices for you and get into troubles? Will you leave Clary alone to face all kinds of shit, and you fled away yourself to pretend that you didn't feel anything?!" Alec asked.
"I…I…" Jace stuttered.
"You won't leave Clary alone, of course." Isabelle sighed heavily and spoke again. "Jace, now you should know that's why I am supporting Alec."
Jace sighed but say nothing on it.
Isabelle then teased with a lively tone, tried to change the atmosphere in the room. "Well, I think it's the time for us to get Alec ready! Tonight is important for him. Our Lightwoods children shouldn't be that rude, tonight will be Alec's first-time official meeting with his boyfriend's parent."
Jace shrugged and became speechless.
"…Oh, Izzy…" Alec frowned and looked miserable. "Please don't remind me again."
After a short while, Jace stood aside and watching that Isabelle discussed with Alec, from what Alec should wear to impress his boyfriend's father, until what the things Alec should take caution to avoid embarrassing moment…
Jace sighed and opened his mouth, being the only clear-headed person trying to get everybody back to the main point. "Alec, please tell me that you have a proper escape plan after meeting with Asmodeus."
The atmosphere in the room suddenly froze.
Awkward silence between the Lightwoods siblings and Jace.
"How you and Magnus planned to meet with Asmodeus? Please tell me that you guys not going to the Edom. It's could be dangerous and bring unexpected worse result!" Jace said.
Isabelle kept her mouth shut this time, as she was wondering the same question.
"I…" Alec sighed. "We sure can figure a way out. Magnus said that going to Edom is not a wise choice for us…"
"So… What's the plan? Care to share with us?" Jace narrowed his eyes and asked again.
"I… Erm… I…" Alec creased his brow and looked nervous.
Jace shook his head, looked worried. "You really need good preparation. Come on, the clock is ticking and we are short of time now!" Jace sighed heavily and looking at Alec and Isabelle, commanded with a loud tone.
"Don't act like a block of wood, please! Hey, both of you, wake up! It's time for us to make some real preparation! No matter what, it's the first time of Alec meeting with his boyfriend's parent after all!" Jace smirked confidently.
Alec raised his eyebrow with an awkward smile.
Isabelle laughed softly.
"Get ready, big brother. You shouldn't embarrass our Lightwood name!"
[To Be Continued]
A/N: Please leave a review after reading ya, much love! XD