Summary: Alec has been in love once before Magnus. When a mission goes wrong and takes them through the mundane underworld, everyone finds themselves learning more about their archer. They also meet the only man other than Magnus that can turn him into a flustered mess. Post! 2x20, but Malec isn't back together yet.

Tags: Malec; Sizzy; Clace; Alec/OMC

Expected length: 4 chapters

Chapter One

The thing about being one of the most respected warriors of his generation was that everyone has their own view of who he is.

To his siblings, he's their parents' most loyal, the obedient one.

He's their protector, the one who follows the Clave's rules to the letter and rarely thinks outside the rhetoric they feed him.

To his parents he's their failure and their proxy.

He raises his siblings in their stead but seems unable to live up to their expectations of him. He's the one who takes the punishments in his siblings' stead, their secret keeper and an outlet for their frustration.

To the Clave, he is a soldier.

His sexuality and his brief relationship with Magnus had marred his rapport with them only slightly, his prowess and stoicism saving him from falling in standing. He was the "Obedientobedient" Lightwood, the only thing saving his family's reputation as Clary and Jace's missions, and his parents' former involvement with Valentine tried to drag it under.

To Magnus, he's naive.

The warlock seemed to be under the impression that this was Alec's first relationship and treated him like a naive child for all that he tried not to. He saw him as a Shadowhunter struggling with a crush he shouldn't have and afraid to challenge his own beliefs, a view he, himself had helped cultivate in trying to deny his attraction to the man.

Soldier. Lover. Parent. Child.

Everyone thought they knew him.

His hopes.

His dreams.

His past…

His lips curled into a bitter smile; hazel green eyes half-lidded as they followed the smoke trailing from the cigarette in their owner's hand.

It was enough to make him wonder.

For so long, he'd played into everyone's views of him. He spit the Clave's rhetoric as if he'd known nothing else, bornevc the punishments of his parents until his bruises bloomed across his skin and blood escaped its cool confines the cool confines of his skin. He played the naïve Shadowhunter for Magnus (although, he was unsure of how much was an act) and the goody-goody two shoes for his siblings but it all left him feeling-

Lost.

So long had passed since he'd been able to be himself, been able to branch beyond the roles assigned to him that he found himself yearning for a past he'd sworn he left behind.

A past that he'd done well to keep hidden.

Snuffing out the remains of his cigarette, he shook the wistful thoughts from his head, eyes shuttering as his phone sounded the notification of a new mission.

Forcing his features to shift into the stoic visage he was so well known for, he turned and slipped back into his bedroom window, idly wondering how everyone would react if they truly knew him.

He doubted he'd ever know.

He didn't know why he had to be there.

Since his breakup with Alec, Magnus had done his best to avoid coming to the New York Institute, a raging ache in his heart whenever he was in his former lover's vicinity.

He'd been angry about the lie about the soul sword, about Alec choosing the Clave over the downworlders, but…

But- every time he saw the heartache in his former lover's eyes, glimpsed the pain lurking in them when he behaved coldly, he wanted to embrace him and promise it would all get better.

Yet, as time passed, Alec seemed to close himself off more. Off from him and from his siblings, further behind his walls than he'd been when they'd first gotten together. That heartbreak was hidden behind stoicism, and a wall of ice colder than anything that Magnus had managed to greet him with.

He'd completely shut himself behind the Shadowhunter façade that Magnus had only just started to pull him out of.

It hurt.

It hurt so much.

So why had he answered when Isabelle had called requesting his presence at the institute?

He didn't know.

Even as Alec entered the room, his lips pursed and gaze distant, he still didn't know.

Isabelle sent him a kind smile, before she began to speak.

"For the past few days several mundane have been turning up dead with trace amounts of seelieSeelie magic in their system. Each of the mundane victims have been seen entering the same club on mundane surveillance but they're never seen leaving."

Alec frowned. "The seeliesfae are under the Ccabinet, not the Institute."

The young woman nodded. "Yeah, I know, but here's where things get strange. Each of the victims were killed with a combination of a seraph blade and magic. More so, they were all seen speaking to the same mundane man only hours before they were found dead."

Magnus raised a sardonic eyebrow. "So why am I here?"

Izzy met his stare with an unimpressed expressionexpression, and he fought not to wince at the look.

"Because the mundane is a friend of your and his club is only second to your in popularity only due to how exclusive it is. His name is Felix Marques."

The warlock's eyes widened, but Alec froze his eyes widening just the slightest bit. His sister caught it immediately.

"You know the name?"

The archer nodded slowly, still looking stunned at the revelation, and Magnus found himself curious despite himself. Still he spoke before the younger man could, his lips turning down in slight frown.

"Felix and I were friends almost fifteen years ago. We had a falling out over some of his more unsavory activities. I'm afraid we haven't spoke since then, if you were looking for me to help you infiltrate his club."

She cursed softly, but Alec interrupted his voice impassive. "I can get us in."

In unison he and Izzy sent the man the same incredulous look, eyebrow raised, but he paid them no mind. Instead he stood, pulling his phone from his pocket as he went.

"Be ready by eight." He ordered, then before they could question him, he was gone, dialing as he went.eH

Slowly, Magnus turned to Isabelle, who was staring after her older brother with a frown.

"Why does your brother know one of the most powerful men in the mundane world?"

She shook her head, then frowned. "Powerful?"

He nodded. "Felix Marques is the head of the most powerful international crime ring in the world. The Order has their hands in just about everything in the mundane world from politics to everyday grocery stores, and Felix has been at its helm for over twenty years. Anyone that has ever dared to cross him has never lived to regret it."

Her frown deepened. "Why the hell would Alec know someone like that?"

"I don't know. But,But I bet after tonight we'll find out."

*/*

True to his word, Alec was waiting in the Ops room for them at exactly eight.

As he caught sight of the shadowhunter, he felt his heart catch in his throat, his intrigue growing by the moment.

He'd forgone his usual shadow hunting clothes completely.

Instead, he wore a wine-red silk shirt that clung to his torso and sleek black slacks, A black leather bracelet and polished black boots completing the outfit. His hair fell in disarray atop his head, a few of the curls falling into his eyes and had he not spent the afternoon with her, he'd have assumed that his former lover had been subjected to her tender mercies.

"Wow," the younger Lightwood commented. "How come you don't dress like this more often?"

He shrugged. "Got everything?"

She nodded, as did Magnus. Alec stared at them both, then nodded as well.

"Let's go."

"You're not taking your bow?" Magnus asked before he could stop himself and Alec shook his head.

"No. The club is usually busy around this time. Plus, if we want to get the information we need, I'll need to be on the floor."

Isabelle raised an eyebrow. "How exactly do you know that? I mean, even me and Jace have never been able to get into this club?"

Alec snorted. "Look are we going or not?"

Sensing he was growing agitated, she nodded but sent him a glare telling him that she had far from left the subject alone.

Sighing, the archer turned and led them from the building.

The walk was a short one, only fifteen minutes, and with the tension brewing between them all, no one dared to break the silence. However, as they eared the club, Magnus could feel doubt building in his gut.

Isabelle seemed to feel the same, because as they neared the building, the line outside the door ridiculously long, she grabbed Alec's sleeve.

"Are you sure you can get us in?"

Something dangerous flashed through the elder Lightwood's gaze before he gently pulled away from her and moved forward, bypassing the line completely. Sharing a worried glance, they followed, watching as the bouncer grinned at the sight of the archer.

"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes!"

Alec smirked. "Is Pops in?"

The man chuckled. "For you? Always." The man glanced at them. "They with you?"

He nodded, and the man raised the rope to let them enter. He stopped Alec just before they passed.

"The Boss is here as well, Kid. He's in VIP if you're trying to avoid him."

Pain flashed across the shadowhunter's features for a moment before he looked away. "Thank, Jer."

"No problem. Look after yourself."

He nodded then led them further into the building.

It was packed.

Dim lighting set the ambiance, smoke curling through the air, and deep green and blue lights flashing around them, it was easily a place that Magnus himself could see running.

On stage, a band was playing a bass-heavy rock song, the bodies around them swinging to the beat and a slow sensual smile curled across Alec's lips.

As they moved further into the building, people greeted Alec like an old friend and he returned their greeting with his own, lighter, friendlier, than either Izzy or Magnus had ever seen him.

"Alex!" Called a warm voice and Alec turned just in time to be caught in a firm embrace. Alec returned it his gaze soft in a way it only seemed to be around his siblings.

"Pops! How are you? Nicco told me you had a bit of a fall last week?"

The man chuckled.

He was objectively handsome, regal in his older age, with shoulder length silver hair pulled into a sleek tail, and bronze skin, his eyes a dark hazel green. A blue suit clad his frame, still powerfully built though he had to be nearing his sixties.

Worse, Magnus knew he was the only man known to be more ruthless than Felix, himself. His father, Leonardo Marques.

What the hell was going on?

"Nicco exaggerates. Your old Pops is fine. Have you been to see your Ma?"

The shadowhunter shook his head. "Non, I'm here for work. Someone's been throwing dinner parties in house."

The former Don's gaze darkened into something dangerous. "How many?"

"Six, so far. All last seen near Felix."

Leonardo nodded, flagging down a passing worker. "Bring Felix to his office. Tell him its important."

The woman nodded and walked away. As she did so, he gestured for them to follow him. He led them to a wide spacious office, the music muted. Felix was waiting for them when they arrived.

Standing at 6'7, he was taller than even Alec, his dark hair shorn short and his jade eyes cold. He was muscular, thick compact muscle cording his arms and legs, visible even through the tailored black suit he wore. His gaze was even as roamed over them, only widening as it landed on Alec.

"Alexander?" He breathed, smiling.

The archer didn't return him smile. Instead, his lips thinned into a line the only sign of his displeasure.

"Mr. Marques." He responded coolly. "May we speak in private. All of us."

Felix frowned, smile faltering only slightly as he glanced behind Alec at his father, who nodded. Turning his gaze back to the eldest Lightwood he nodded and led them into his office. Once they were inside he closed the door and moved to sit behind his desk, his father flanking him.

"What's going on, Alec?"

"Six dinner guests. All see near you prior to their invitation."

Jade eyes darkened. "I see. And what are you needing from me?"

"How's your pest infestation?"

"Exterminator took care of it. You can be frank."

"I'm gonna be gathering intel. This is Magnus and my sister Izzy. They'll be covering me. I just wanted you to be aware so there were no…misunderstandings."

A slow, sly smile crossed the man's lips. "Put on a show?"

Alec stared at him, then smiled back, hazel gaze dangerous. "Of course."

Magnus shifted, wondering if he were the only one that noticed the lust that flashed in Marques' eyes. Wondering if he should ignore the violent trill of jealousy it sent down his spine especially when the man responded.

"Looking forward to it."