The sky gets dark slowly.
Magnus's loft.
Magnus sat on the couch in the living room, fully concentrate on his spellbook. He was thinking desperately, wanted to find a better solution and back up plan before he goes to meet his great demon father, Asmodeus.
"Magnus, I know you're at home! Open the door now!" It's Alec's voice from the door with the eager knocking sound.
Magnus frowned, he put down the book and walked to the door quickly.
"Hey, you're back," Magnus said with a sheepish tone. Actually, he wasn't really expecting to see Alec coming back that soon. Or maybe, in an honest way, Magnus thought Jace should be supposed to stop Alec from coming here.
Alec stared at Magnus with an unhappy face, his voices full of angry and hurt.
"Do you have anything to say?"
"Huh…What…?" Magnus turned his back on Alec, walked slowly to the living room.
"Magnus, Jace had told me everything. Why you asked Jace to stop me?" Alec confronted.
"Stop you? Stop you from what…? Alec, I don't know what are you talking about." Magnus bit his lips and tried so hard to make a proper reply.
"Magnus, stop acting innocent. I know you told Jace about our plan to go Edom, but why? Why are you doing this? I thought we already have an agreement to keep this secret between us. And the most important thing is that you also asked Jace to stop me from accompanying you to go to meet your father!" Alec looked furious.
Magnus sighed. "Alexander, please calm down and listen to me…"
"I thought after everything that we had been through together, we should be closer and be sincere to each other. No more lies, no more hidden thoughts, and no more tricks behind back, of course." Alec said.
Magnus ducked from Alec's sight and looked down on the floor. "…I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize to me. Magnus, you should know that I'm willing to follow you wherever you will go. I'll always by your side, no matter what will happen. I'm with you!" Alec opened up his arms and hugged Magnus as tight as he can.
Magnus stunned by Alec's action and words, feeling so touched in his heart. "Alexander…I don't mean to hurt you. I love you so much, that's why I just can't put you in danger."
"Magnus." Alec fixed his gaze on Magnus's eyes, full of affection.
"I'm sorry but I just can't… Alexander, you have totally no idea what's the Edom look like. That place is a hell, there's totally a mess and in chaos! Trust me, you will never want to go there, even though it's a short night trip. Furthermore, who knows what's my father wants… I can't read his minds and it's truly scared me. I am worry about… What if we cannot get back to here…? I don't mind if I can't make it, but my biggest concern is you, my Alexander. I just can't imagine, what if you are trapped inside at there…?" Magnus said.
Alec shook his head and replied. "Magnus, like what I've said. I will go wherever you will go. There's nothing can stop me from being together with you. If we really can't make it through or can't come back to here… Then, just let me be with you, let me stay with you in Edom. I'm willing to take this risk for you, Magnus."
"No. You shouldn't do it… Alexander, you don't understand…" Magnus's unfinished words stopped by Alec's fierce kisses and turned into a broken low moan.
Alec grabbed Magnus's waist and pulled Magnus closer to him. Magnus felt his brain was totally in blank and burned out by Alec's passionate kisses. After a long while, Alec broke the kisses and let both of them get some moments to take a breath.
Magnus gasped for breathes and gazed into Alec's deep dark eyes emotionally. "Alexander…"
"Please do not abandon me," Alec begged in a soft husky tone.
Magnus rested his head in Alec's shoulder. "I never want to do that."
"But you already did it… many times." Alec replied.
"Alexander, I…" Magnus looked up and his eyes met Alec's.
"Listen to me, Magnus. No matter what, WE can do it together. You no need to handle it all alone. Let me stay by your side. You can't get rid of me that easily, Magnus Bane." Alec said while he pressed another soft kiss on Magnus's forehead.
"…You will regret it someday." Magnus sighed sadly.
"No, I won't. I never regret to be with you, Magnus. I will only regret it if I let go of your hand." Alec smiled and hold Magnus's hand to his mouth. Alec closed his eyes and kissed Magnus's knuckles gently.
"Alexander." Magnus grinned and finally, give in.
The sweet couple then kissing each other with their deeply love, without notice that there were three young shadowhunters walked into the house quietly.
Alec's hand slowly sneaked inside Magnus's clothes and caressed Magnus's strong muscles with seductive moves. At the meantime, Alec continued his kisses with Magnus fiercely.
"Next time if you guys want to do some 'things', you should make sure the door is locked well." Jace faked a cough sound and raised his brow at Magnus and Alec.
"Hey, guys~ Slow down, slow down. Cut it a break, we have serious works to do." Isabelle laughed softly.
"Hi." Clary greeted awkwardly when Magnus and Alec looking at them with a confused look.
"Jace, Izzy… For the Angel's sake!" Alec looked annoyed and frustrated. He let go of Magnus gently to give both of them have time to make sure they were in a tidy and neat appearance.
Magnus gasped and took a few deep breaths to soothe his on-fire mood.
"Why all of you coming here?" Magnus asked.
"To make sure our big brother Alec get some proper preparation since this is his first time to meet his boyfriend's parent," Isabelle replied with a lively tone. She grinned and continued. "As Alec's personal stylist and image consultant, I already help him prepare a fine costume for the first meeting. So, there's nothing to worry about, Magnus, I will make sure your boyfriend is always in good look and won't embarrass you in front of your father."
Magnus looked confused and turned his head to Alec. "…What…?"
Alec sighed. "Feel free to ignore her. She just talking nonsense."
"Don't be so rude, Alec. You should know I'm talking the truth. You really have a bad taste on outfit selection, just admit it." Isabelle rolled her eyes impatiently.
"Stop it." Jace sighed heavily and complaint continuously. "Izzy, please, stop those non-important matters. Now, we should focus on the real job. Come on guys, we have to do some serious works. Asmodeus is a hell ruler, if you guys want to visit him, we should always have back up plan. Or else, I won't let anyone of you leave here and go to Edom tonight!" Jace said firmly.
"Exactly!" Isabelle smiled to support Jace.
"So, what's your brilliant plan?" Alec crossed his arms and looked at Jace.
Jace smirked, then he turned his head to Magnus.
"Why are you looking at me?" Magnus felt uncomfortable. "Jace, don't look at me like that. I don't have any plan, okay? Sorry, but it's true. Look, I have to admit that I don't have any backup plan ideas at all. This Edom night trip could be very danger, anything could be happened! That's why I asked you to stop Alec from coming here in our earlier conversation."
Jace and Isabelle exchanged weird smile look silently.
Alec was getting confused now. "Hey, tell me, what's exactly in your minds?"
"Yep. Actually, Jace really came up with a brilliant idea. Even Isabelle and I are feeling good. This plan should be worked." Clary said with a light heart.
"…Is it?" Alec doubted that.
Isabelle looked excited. "Alec, the solution is really simple. The answer is always the 'Magnus'!"
Alec and Magnus furrowed their eyebrows, feeling curious about the answer.
"Magnus, I believe that your father didn't mention any restriction about that you guys can't meet him in the dream, right?" Jace said.
"Dream…?" Alec asked.
"Dream… Dream! That's it!" Magnus looked happy and hugged Alec all of a sudden. "What's a great idea! How come I never think of this!"
"See! I'm always the smart one." Jace felt so proud of himself.
Isabelle tapped Jace's arm softly and laughed happily. "Don't be so cocky. You get this inspiration from that great demon Niatas, don't you?"
"…What? Wait… Wait… Anyone care to elaborate in more details for me?" Alec still looked quite confused. He seemed can't catch up the others.
Magnus sighed of relief. "Alexander, we can meet Asmodeus in our dream. If the dream is created by me, that means I can fully control the whole situation. All the setting in our dream can be set up by me too! So, we no need to worry about my father anymore."
"Are you sure this plan can be worked? But how can we make sure Asmodeus will come into your dream?" Alec asked with a worried face. "This totally looks like a trap. I don't think your father is stupid enough to fall into our plan."
"There's nothing to worry about, he surely will come if I'm the one who makes an invitation," Magnus said confidently. "However, I think we need someone to wake us up on time, just in case as a backup plan."
"Don't worry, Magnus. That's why we are here." Jace replied with a shrug.
"Oh yeah, thank you very much. You really help a lot." Magnus nodded with satisfaction.
"Now… Where should we begin?" Isabelle looking at everyone in the living room.
"What about starting with creating some potion?" Clary suggested.
"What potion?" Alec asked.
"Healing potion, banish demon potion, wake up potion and whatever you need potion. Always prepare the backup plan, it is the best, right?" Clary sighed.
"Well~" Alec rubbed hands together, looked back at Magnus.
"Alexander, I should go to make some preparation. You stay here with your siblings, okay? Don't worry, everything will be fine." Magnus gave Alec a soft kiss on the cheek before he walked quickly to his study room.
"But Magnus…" Alec tried to say something but Magnus stopped him.
"I got this!" Magnus waved his hand and replied in a loud tone.
"It's okay, Alec. Just leave this to Magnus." Jace comforted Alec.
Alec still looked worried. "I am worry about that Magnus might need a helper. Maybe, I should go and help him."
Jace grabbed Alec's arms immediately to stop Alec from walking to the study room.
"Alec, if you want to help, then you should stay. Magnus got this, okay? He is always the expert in this field. But you? You just a shadowhunter who doesn't know anything about the potion or magic. So I think it's better if you can stay with us and wait patiently. Just let Magnus do what he needs to do, okay?"
"But Magnus …" Alec tried to defend.
"No but." Jace stared at Alec with a serious look. Then, he threatened. "Or… You want me to ask Magnus to send you back to institute?"
Alec gasped and stopped talking immediately.
"Good." Jace hummed a random carefree tone. After that, Jace clapped his hands. "Izzy, let's get our preparation too. Come on!"
"What preparation?" Alec frowned again.
Isabelle's lips broke into an enigmatic smile. "Don't worry, Alec. You will certainly like it."
Alec tilted head and narrowed his eyes. "How come I have such a strange bad feeling?"
Isabelle and Jace laughed happily. At the same time, Clary also can't help herself but feeling excited.
"It's a good thing, Alec," Clary explained, but only made Alec more confuse.
"Whatever… I'm not in mood right now. So, whatever you all planned to do, please just count me out." Alec sighed.
"Alec, you are the main character in the whole show, how can we leave you alone?" Isabelle grinned.
"Seriously, I'm damn nervous now as you know that I am going to Edom soon. So, unless you have anything related to tonight's meeting, or else I'm not interested in any other things right now." Alec paced in the living room impatiently.
"Hey, take this." Jace walked to Alec and hands a small box into Alec's hand.
Alec looked totally frustrated at first, but the next moment when he noticed what the small box that Jace passed to him, Alec stunned blankly. A small ring box with Lightwood family crest carved on it.
"…Jace." Alec looked up at Jace.
"You mentioned to us that you are planning to propose to Magnus, right?" Jace said.
"That… I… Yes, I did, but… It's that time before Magnus broke up with me." Alec swallowed hard and he opened the ring box. One pair of shinning rings with Lightwood family badge on its surface.
Alec took a deep breath. "Why you give this to me now? Tonight is definitely not good timing. And, I'm not sure whether Magnus accepts it or not. I'm losing all my confident…"
"Alec, listen to your heart and go for it." Isabelle encouraged. "No one can foresee what will happen next. The future is always unpredictable, that's why we need to cherish every single moment."
"What if Magnus rejects it?" Alec looked worried. "Maybe, I should need to wait and find another perfect timing."
"Alec, there's no such thing about perfect timing." Jace sighed. "Just follow your intuition and listen to your heart. Like what the Izzy said, cherish every single moment before it's too late."
Clary gazing at them with a soft smile face, then she opened her mouth to express her thoughts. "Alec, trust me, Magnus would love it. He always the one you been waiting for. And you, you are his perfect match that he is longing for."
"Hey everybody, there's a piece of good news! I just done all the preparation job. We can get ready to visit Asmodeus at any time." Magnus said with an excited loud tone. He walked out from his study room and headed towards the living room.
Alec looked in shock, then he hid the small ring box into his trouser's pocket quickly, before Magnus saw it.
But once Magnus noticed that the weird atmosphere in the living room, Magnus looked confused and asked. "What happened? Did I missed anything?"
"No," Alec replied very fast and he walked to Magnus.
"I'm ready," Alec said while he stroked Magnus's chin. "Do you need to take some rest before we leave?"
"I'm good, don't worry. Alexander, just creating a few small potions won't affect me at all." Magnus smiled and caressing back his lover's face. "You must be very worried by now. I can get it. It's not an easy decision to make. Edom is not a good place after all."
"…What? No. Actually, I'm not worried too much about the Edom trip. It's just…" Alec stopped and gasped for breaths.
"Just what?" Magnus looked confused.
Jace, Isabelle, and Clary waiting impatiently, all of them gazing at Alec and curious on how Alec will react.
"Alexander…? What's wrong?" Magnus asked again.
"I…Um… I…" Alec replied in hesitation, his words were stuttering.
Magnus raised his eyebrows, feeling weird indeed.
"Are you okay?" He showed his concern to his boyfriend.
"Yeah, I am fine. No need to worry, I'm totally fine." Alec claimed.
"Okay." Magnus still feeling weird but he does not really want to find out the answer now, as his left wrist magical mark that Asmodeus marked him was shining red again.
All the young shadowhunters looked frightened and worried.
"Magnus, are you all right? Is there any pain?" Alec grabbed Magnus's left hand quickly and checked it carefully.
"It's okay, no pain at all," Magnus replied softly. He eyes fixed on Alec's nervous but protective reaction, and his heart was feeling warm.
"Alexander, I am fine," Magnus reassured.
"I don't care! No matter what Asmodeus says, I must ask him to remove this stupid mark from you!" Alec said. He placed Magnus's left hand to his lips, then he gazing deeply into Magnus's eyes.
"Magnus, please trust me, okay?" Alec requested.
"I am trusting you," Magnus replied without hesitation.
Alec heaved a sigh of relief. "I'm not going to let anybody hurt you. Not even your father has this right. I will never allow him to do it."
Magnus smiled softly. "I know. I love you, Alexander."
"I love you too, Magnus Bane." Alec pressed a gentle kiss on Magnus temples.
After a while, Isabelle nodded her head, broke the silence peaceful moment.
"Okay, let's do it. It's time to pay Asmodeus a visit. Alec, please be calm and stay cool, don't you ever dare to shame our family name."
"Come on, it's time to shine, Alec Lightwood!" Jace said.
[To Be Continued]
Sorry for late update. Hey, y'all, I'm back!
Next chapter coming soon!