Magnus stared out across the numerous faces of Downworlders merging together with Shadowhunters. It was a long awaited sight, each person exchanging names and forming partnerships. But Magnus couldn't find any sense of appeal at that moment, Alec was eighteen; meaning he'd be fighting. He would have to choose a partner, and no matter how selfish he felt for thinking it, Magnus couldn't help but be upset that Alec hadn't chosen himself yet. He furled and unfurled his fingers nervously, feeling a chill sweep down his spine, despite the heavy jacket he wore. Alec couldn't choose Magnus here, his parents would see and might know; even though Magnus highly doubted that, he had to accept the fact that Alec was a paranoid person. And even more so, still battling affections for his parabatai. The thought made Magnus's stomach churn painfully, and briefly he closed his eyes.

Alec was probably off with a different Downworlder, keeping as far a distance from Magnus as possible. It would only be natural, Alec tended to not want anything to do with Magnus whenever anyone else was around. 'Especially Jace.' Magnus' mind seethed furiously. Magnus swept aside his petty jealousies, that wouldn't bring Alec over here, and it wouldn't change the fact that Magnus would just have to accept a partnership with another Shadowhunter. Now, in the midst of a heavy battle, wasn't the time for Magnus Bane to be picky.

Still, his heart fluttered anytime he caught the sight of black hair, only to sink at the realization that it wasn't Alec. His footsteps became heavier as he trudged through the crowd, politely declining random Shadowhunters at their offers for partnership. He had his heart set on Alec, and all of him knew he'd rather go into battle alone than with somebody other than Alec. He felt selfish and picky for thinking all of this, his mind battling for either a stubborn nature or giving in and accepting another person. Just as he was about to turn around and seek out another Shadowhunter, luck crept in. Alec stumbled over to Magnus, azure eyes staring towards him with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. It made Magnus have to halt to catch his breath.

Magnus didn't know what to do, and it seemed like neither did Alec. They simply stared at each other across the distance, his cerulean eyes wide and calculating. Then, he strode over, confidently, back straight and head up, like whatever plan he'd been formulating had finally come to full view. It felt like an eternity, and Magnus couldn't force his legs to approach Alec as well. After what felt like hours, which in reality was only mere seconds, Magnus was standing before Alec, both watching the other with uncertainty. "I want to be your partner."

Alec blurted out the words, being only how he knew to be: straightforward- all the while Magnus stood, overcome by selfish glee. Due to Magnus' long pause, Alec's face darkened a deep scarlet, fingers nervously tugging against the fabric of his Shadowhunter gear. He had been so certain, though now he's second guessing if Magnus has a partner already. "I-I-I mean, that's only if you don't already have one; I-I know I'm not the first choice, a-and you're a High Warlock and whatnot."

Magnus could only think of one way to stop him from rambling like this; a kiss- but to kiss Alec before all his Shadowhunter peers and his family and Jace was asking for heartbreak. So instead he settled on a simple gesture, placing his hand on Alec's shoulder gently, he lowers his head to catch Alec's gaze again. "It's alright Alexander, I don't have a partner. And yes, I'd like to be yours very much."

Alec seemingly melted at Magnus's touch, and felt himself yearning to slip against Magnus and just kiss him, but the thought filled Alec with too much fear, and he wasn't marked with the fearless rune, and he wouldn't be able to suppress that fear with mind techniques. Swallowing heavily, he nods and motions for Magnus to pull up his sleeve. Hesitantly, Magnus lowered the hand from Alec's shoulder, slowly tugging up the sleeve. Presenting Alec with his wrist he nods, he wasn't for certain on why he was afraid in that moment, maybe because Alec was entrusting his life to Magnus by this and expecting Magnus to do the same, or maybe it was just the fact that anytime Alec touched Magnus's bare skin he lost his breath. A final thought surfaced into his mind as Alec bent over his arm to mark his wrist, 'This could be the last time we're together alone'.

Magnus stared intently at Alec, feeling like there wasn't anyone else in the entire hall even though they were surrounded by bodies. His green speckled cat eyes narrowed fondly as Alec shakily drew on the rune, just as nervous as Magnus himself was, but Alec was more keen to show it. He never knew how to hide any emotions, he only knew how to be blunt. His stele traced over Magnus's skin with a slight burn that Magnus flinched away from at first. Alec glanced up warily, eyes shining with worry. "It burns slightly, I'm sorry, I forgot to warn you."

Magnus couldn't find his voice, so instead he only nodded, closing his hand into a fist as Alec began to draw again. The burning sensation subdued moments after Alec began, mainly because Magnus wasn't focused on the rune or the pain it brought. He was focused on everything Alec was doing; his trembling hand wavy from focus, his dark ebony hair that Magnus so loves to touch falling gently before Alec's azure stare, the way he chewed on his bottom lip in contemplation as if he feared Magnus would die if he messed up, and the way he had unconsciously angled his body as physically close to Magnus as he possibly could. Magnus noted every small detail, and it only made his heart flop in his chest more.

Then Alec moved away, his eyes retracing the winding mark. Lifting the stele to his own wrist, he shakily presses down, his whole arm shivering. Magnus wanted to reach out and still him, but the whole of the Shadowhunters were here, he'd be seen by everyone being touched affectionately by a male Warlock, only seconds later Magnus decided he didn't care. Placing his hand gently on Alec's elbow, he pulls him closer and softly holds his arm steady. "Easy Alexander. You don't want to mess up."

Alec blushed darker and hid it by lowering his head and allowing his hair to rain over. The rune was done quicker on Alec's arm, and he stared down with a mixture of wonder and awe before looking back up to Magnus, which only seemed to heighten that look of wonder and awe. Magnus didn't know what to say now, he was breathless and certain that all he wanted was to kiss him, but a dry joke might run farther.

Suddenly Magnus's mind was silenced effectively by a deep kiss, Alec's lips forcefully pressing against his and his arms wrapping around his neck to draw him closer so he no longer had to stand on the tips of his toes. Magnus stood for awhile, non-responding to what was happening, his eyes were wide and he was well aware of all the people staring at the two in shock and outrage. Alec kissed Magnus harder, his lips begging him to kiss back, a blush dusting his cheeks at the fear of Magnus rejecting him in front of everyone, that would just make this moment even worse. Magnus took the hint and allowed his eyes to close, his heartbeat rapidly rising as he braced his hands on Alec's hips, his own lips responding to Alec's desperate kiss. This kiss spoke a million words, it proved to Magnus that Alec wasn't conflicted, and wasn't confused. He was perfectly secure with Magnus, he was fine proving that point as well.

Alec pulled back, face flushed and breathless. "Everyone's staring." He whispered, as if finally acknowledging the fact of what he'd just done. Magnus slipped his hands up Alec's back, pressing him closer against his body. "Let them." He whispered back before leaning in to steal another heartfelt kiss.

A/n:This is strictly taken from the book itself, it's just my own take on how it might've felt from a different P.O.V than Simon and Maia's.