Malace || Shadowhunters || Malace || Demon On Your Shoulder || Malace || Shadowhunters || Malace
Title: Demon On Your Shoulder – The Split Soul's Soulmates
Fandom: Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments
Disclaimer: All rights to the Shadowhunters show reserved to Ed Decter, the books the show is based off and its characters belong to Cassandra Clare. This fanfiction on the other hand is entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Tags: polyamory (m/m/m), alpha/beta/omega dynamics, soulmate AU, daemons, past child abuse, hurt/comfort, angst, explicit intercourse, anal, oral, f/f, m/f
Main Pairing: Magnus/Alec/Jace
Side Pairings: Lydia/Izzy, Simon/Clary, Luke/Catarina
Shadowhunters Characters: Jonathan 'Jace' Herondale, Magnus Bane, Alexander 'Alec' Lightwood, Isabelle Lightwood, Clarissa 'Clary' Fray, Simon Lewis, Lydia Branwell, Madzie, Catarina Loss, Luke Garroway, Raphael Santiago, Maxwell Lightwood, Imogen Herondale, Valentine Morgenstern
Daemons: Aurea (Jace's Golden Retriever), Celestina (Jace's barn owl), Shyama (Magnus' panther), Minerva (Alec's snow owl), Dolios (Max's raccoon), Nagendra (Izzy's cobra), Timon (Lydia's lynx), Seraphina (Clary's robin), Adina (Simon's rat), Ares (Andrew's dog), Piedad (Raph's bat), Menelaus (Cat's lion), Regulus (Madzie's bunny), Lupercalia (Luke's wolf), Cornelius (Imogen's horned owl)
Summary: Everyone had a daemon, an animal-shaped manifestation of their own soul, and bore a picture of their soulmate's daemon on their body. Everyone, aside from Jace. Because Valentine split his soul, giving him two daemons – and took the one on his soulmate's marks. So even when he meets them and recognizes them by their daemons, his daemon doesn't match.
Demon On Your Shoulder
The Split Soul's Soulmates
Chapter 5: The Comfort of a Panther's Embrace
The new room Jace had was pretty. Large enough, comfortable bed, a book-shelf, great view. Magnus had even been considerate enough to add a shelf above the bed, on which a nest was. Magnus had magicked a nest for Celestina into the room. And Celestina seemed to love it. Of course, she hadn't immediately been comfortable in it because it was 'too generic', according to the daemon. She'd left the room and returned with feathers from Minerva and fur-bundles from Shyama, to perfect the nest. And then she absolutely loved it.
How adorably happy she looked, snuggled into the nest with her chest puffed out. Not that Jace wasn't happy himself where he was right now. The bed was big, comfortable. Soft sheets. Expensive sheets. Far better quality than the sheets at the Institute. Plus, the added bonus of them smelling like Magnus. Well, like Magnus' clothes. Laundry detergent, home-made. Unique to Magnus.
"New start, Celestina," whispered Jace into the dark room. "Gonna change things."
"Long as we stay here," Celestina sounded sleepy. "Here is safe. Here is good."
Jace hummed. She wasn't wrong. The loft was gorgeous, spacious. Magnus even had a training room, for Alec. Now for Alec and Jace, as he'd made very clear during the tour of the place. A huge balcony with a breathtaking view, some plants and seats outside. The kitchen though, that was really tempting. State-of-the-art, so big. Jace had always liked cooking, the routine of it was great, helped him be calm and more focused. The only room more tempting than the kitchen was the master bedroom though. The forbidden door, behind which Magnus and Alec were currently sleeping.
No. Not where he was going tonight. Just sleep. He deserved one good night of sleep, right? The Morning Star, the City of Bones, back at the institute under Aldertree's rule... it had been too long since he had last had a good night's sleep. If he was being honest, even before the Morning Star. Learning that Michael was still alive, it had brought all those bad memories to the forefront of his mind. They kept him up at night, haunted him whenever he did find sleep.
Not tonight. Tonight, Jace was going to sleep in this bed, surrounded by the scent of Magnus' laundry detergent, safe within the wards of his alpha's magic. Tonight was going to be a good night.
/break\
It was not a good night. About an hour later, he jerked awake with tears streaming down his face, a cold sweat covering his body. He was shaking uncontrollably. Celestina landed in his lap and snuggled up to his stomach, trying to calm him down. Jace's knuckles were white from how tightly he was clawing at the sheets. Frozen on the spot.
"I... I'm not..." Jace's voice broke. "I don't..."
He let go of the sheets to instead hug his daemon close. He was still shaking. Once he'd regained a little composure, he got out of the bed. Took shaky steps out of the room. Drawn toward where he knew his parabatai was. Alec always made everything better. He used to sneak into Alec's bed whenever he had a nightmare and his parabatai would hold him tight, sooth him back to sleep.
Only when he stood in the doorway to the master bedroom did he pause. Because it was no longer Alec's bed. It was Magnus' bed, in the alpha's bedroom, where the happy couple laid curled together, deep and peacefully asleep. Jace couldn't go in there. That wasn't his place.
He walked back out, slow and unsure. Where was he going now...? He didn't want to go back to bed. The softness and comfort were so disconnecting after that nightmare. Memory. Not nightmare. Nightmares were pieces of fiction, what he'd seen, he had experienced. It was all real and he still had a lot of scars to prove it. Shaking his head, he walked past his new bedroom.
The living room had the large window front and glass door leading out onto the balcony. He opened the door and took a tentative step outside. The balcony was nice. Could use a couple more plants, in Jace's opinion. But it was nice. The fresh air would help him clear his head. He headed to the bench but didn't sit down on it, he sat down in front of it, resting his back against it.
"Are you alright, cub?"
Looking up, Jace saw Shyama approach him. The panther was stunning. In theory, Jace knew how large a real wild cat was, but knowing it and having said wild cat stalk up to him was a difference. Large with silken fur and golden eyes so deep they fixed him in place. The panther tilted her head, waiting for an answer, as she walked closer and closer. She was trailed by multiple house cats, which looked a bit like a duck with her ducklings.
"I'm... I'm fine, Shyama," Jace's voice was shaky, making his words unbelievable.
She looked unimpressed. Which was fair, he didn't even believe himself. She kept walking toward him, until he could feel the panther's warm breath puff against his cheeks. Sitting on the ground, he was on eye-level with the panther. Suddenly, there was something wet and rough on his cheek. It took him a moment to realize that Shyama was licking his cheek. The panther was purring loudly, resting her paws on Jace's thigh to get better access and then she licked up to his hair.
"What you need is a good grooming and then you will sleep better," declared the daemon.
The daemon who was currently grooming him. Touching him. Jace couldn't even breath in that moment, because this wasn't... The only daemon who'd ever let him touch them was Minerva, outside of his own. Why would Shyama seek him out like that, touch him...?
"What..." Jace trailed off, confused. "Why...?"
"Because you didn't come into the bedroom," replied Shyama. "If you refuse to let Magnus comfort you, then I will take care of it myself. Stubborn cub."
Jace couldn't argue with the panther. He was still too dazed by the feeling of large paws on his thighs, her head pushing against his. And then, once she was pleased with her grooming, she settled down, curling around Jace. Her purring was so comforting, slowly lulling him back to sleep.
/break\
When Magnus woke up, it was with his soulmate's head on his chest. Mh. He liked waking up with Alexander like that. They hadn't done more than kiss yet, but falling asleep together in bed was the most comforting thing he could imagine. Alec was still asleep. Last night had been long, they'd talked a lot about Jace – now that the blonde was living with them. Something Magnus still found a bit baffling. From everything he'd heard and seen about Jace, the blonde didn't strike him as the one to ask for help. How hard must this have pushed him to come seek Magnus?
"Sleep some more, darling," whispered Magnus, kissing the top of Alec's head.
He left his lovely beta in the bed and sneaked out. Alec had been so concerned last night, talking about how badly Jace had been treated, how hard the City of Bones must have been on him, how Jace refused to talk about it, even with Alec, and how much that troubled Alec. All he wanted was to be there for his parabatai, but he couldn't. Not if Jace didn't allow it.
"I got myself two troubled Shadowhunters there, didn't I, Shyama?" Magnus sighed. "...Shyama?"
He'd gone into the kitchen to make himself a tea. Usually, his daemon would rise with him and follow him into the kitchen. Nowhere to be seen. Mh, strange that. Oh well, perhaps the two Shadowhunters had troubled her enough to want to sleep in too, for a change. And yes, two. Because Jace was Alec's parabatai and as that, a permanent part of Alec's life. Jace's troubles were Alec's troubles. And Alec's troubles were now Magnus' troubles. With his tea in hand did he head out onto the balcony. He loved to sit out there in the fresh morning air while enjoying his first tea, before he'd really start his day. Take it slow, enjoy the morning.
A few feet from the couch did he pause, stunned. In front of it laid Shyama, curled together around Jace. The blonde beta was curled against the daemon, resting his head on the panther's flank. The way she laid around him, so protective... He'd never seen his own daemon like that with anyone.
"Shyama..." Magnus trailed off, unsure how to even formulate his question.
"Sh," her voice was a dark, annoyed rumble. "Do not wake him."
She was glaring at him. Now, Magnus wasn't new to having his daemon glare at him. But usually, it was for a good reason. Usually, it was after he had done something tremendously reckless or stupid, or both. Right now, he had no idea what exactly he'd done to upset his daemon.
It was too early in the morning for any of this, quite frankly. So he took a seat, right next to them but on the comfortable cushion of the seating arrangement he had spent thousands of dollars on. He sat close enough to caress Shyama's head, to appease her. Whatever he'd done to upset her, he hoped she would calm down soon. Was it related to Jace...?
"Hoot morning, Magnus!"
Celestina shook herself from her spot somewhere between Shyama and Jace. The little barn owl quickly jumped up next to him, smiling at him. Oh, she was so precious. She spread her wings.
"Hoot morning to you too, Celestina," Magnus couldn't help but smile. "How are you?"
"Good! Look, my wing is all healed up again!" Celestina puffed her chest out, flapping her wing.
The smile on Magnus' lips brightened. "That is wonderful, little darling."
He reached out for her on instinct but then stopped himself. Jace handing her to him was one thing, but he couldn't just touch the daemon now, just because he had been allowed once before. The owl took the decision from him because she hopped up onto his lap and then got fully comfortable.
What was he supposed to do with that? His eyes wandered down to his own daemon, still rolled together around Jace in a protective manner. This was utterly peculiar and even Magnus had a hard time explaining this away with him being Alexander's soulmate.
"Alexander told me you're not very trusting," whispered Magnus, tentative fingers caressing the owl's soft feathers. "Why... am I allowed to touch you, Celestina?"
"You're safe," replied the owl, wiggling around a little to get even more comfortable. "You will protect him, right? Protect them both, yes? You're a strong alpha and warlock. You will make sure that my Jace and my Alec will be safe. That the bad man won't hurt them?"
Magnus' chest tightened and he wrapped an arm around the owl. "I will protect all four of you."
And he had never meant anything more in his life than this. Because Alexander was his soulmate, it had never been a question for Magnus that he would protect his soulmate.
"You better keep that promise, Magnus," Shyama spoke up, sounding sharp.
Huh. This was getting more and more peculiar by the minute. Magnus just leaned back, getting more comfortable himself, and continued patting the owl. Until Celestina was joined by a large snow-owl. Minerva nudged Celestina aside enough so both owls could sit on his lap.
"Magnus...?" Alec's voice was rough with sleep. "You weren't in bed... or anywhere else in the loft. Neither was... Jace... What is... going on here? What did I miss?"
"I'm unsure myself," offered Magnus. "When I woke up, I found them like this. And I decided... to join them for my morning tea."
Alec grunted confused and then sat down on Magnus' other side. He leaned his head against Magnus' arm, while his focus was on his parabatai. Jace looked so peaceful. Serene, in a manner Alec didn't get to see often. And he was cuddled against Magnus' daemon.
"Thank you, Magnus," whispered Alec, tilting his head to bury his nose in Magnus' neck. "For taking him in. He is... He is my parabatai. My heart, walking around outside where I can't protect it. Thank you for helping me protect him, Magnus."
The alpha's scent was so soothing. So warm and spicy and nice. It made Alec's eyelids feel heavy the longer he breathed it in. Out here, with Magnus and Jace and their daemons. So serene. Perfect.
"Of course, darling," Magnus pressed a gentle kiss against Alec's hair.
Now that had been closer to the truth than Alexander had meant to share, most likely. His heart, walking around outside. Yes, parabatai were very close, their souls were tied together by choice. Chosen soulmates. But to be a part of his soul was something different than to be his heart. Magnus had seen it from the beginning, the way Alexander looked at the blonde. One day, the two of them would have to talk about this. About Jace, and Alec's feelings. One day soon. Because Magnus had questions, questions to which neither of them had answers, most likely.
Jace being Alexander's parabatai would bring Magnus and Jace closer, both tied to Alec's soul one way or another. But not this abrupt, not this intensely. If Jace was Alec's heart... perhaps these feelings were returned. A parabatai bond strengthened by romantic love. Perhaps that was why there was so much trust from Jace? Because their souls were linked, indirectly through Alec.
"It's too early for these kind of thought experiments," muttered Magnus to himself.
He closed his eyes and leaned against Alec, wrapping an arm around him to hold his soulmate close.
/break\
Jace was a surprisingly good roommate. Honestly, Magnus didn't know what he'd expected (though he would have compared to Alec, who was a bit of a mess. Endearing mess, but mess nonetheless). Jace was very orderly, didn't let his things lay around. He even cooked.
"This is delicious, Jace," Magnus smiled pleased, taking another fork full of dinner.
"Jace was always the only one of us useful in the kitchen," Alec chuckled, a fond look on his face.
"Yeah. Don't ever let Alec into your kitchen to actually cook," Jace warned Magnus. "It's... not pretty. Or edible. Izzy is even worse though. I feel bad for Lydia."
"Ah, yeah," Alec frowned. "Someone should warn her."
It had been about a week now that Jace lived with them and Magnus was quickly growing very comfortable with this arrangement. Alec was more relaxed than Magnus had ever seen him since meeting him. Finally, his parabatai was safe and with that, Alec could relax.
"We should really hurry up," commented Alec with a look at the clock.
Too bad that the Shadowhunters had to still go to work. This war was dangerous, incredibly dangerous. He wished he could shield them from this, but they were both soldiers and more than that, this was personal. There was no way either of them would step back. Still, a part of Magnus wished they would. Wished they all could just step away from Valentine.
"Be good and stay safe," Magnus smiled. "Both of you."
There was a look flickering over Jace's face. It was hard to read, but it was more than surprise, that much Magnus could tell. What it was though, Magnus didn't know. And this wasn't the first time he caught these looks. Was it some kind of confused jealousy? If Magnus' theory of Alec's reciprocated feelings was true, then surely Jace must have very mixed feelings about Magnus. On the one hand, he must be happy for Alexander, because Alec had found his soulmate – and of that, Magnus was sure. He knew, deep down, for some reason, that Jace would not resent Alec's soulmate. Alec's happiness had priority for Jace, that much was apparent. Still, even happy on Alec's behalf, there would be jealousy. A longing to be the one who got to love Alec like that instead.
/break\
Living with Magnus was both the best and worst decision Jace had ever made. He was still confused about why Shyama seemed so affectionate with him, but he wasn't going to argue. All his life, he had longed for his panther, and here was that very panther, wrapping strong paws around him to hold him warm and close. But Jace also didn't want to question it too much, because that way laid even more questions. Questions he was afraid to have answered.
It was good though, because for the first time... for the first time ever, he felt safe. Even at the institute, as a child, he had felt safer than before, but never fully safe. Here? With Magnus' wards, with Magnus and Alec at his side, he felt safe. And that was good.
What wasn't so good was having to see Magnus and Alec together. Laying curled together on the couch, whispering lovingly with each other as they watched a movie, sharing casual kisses, touching in passing. They killed him, all these little moments he now witnessed, the domestic air around them, it chipped away at Jace. Seeing his two soulmates happy and in love like that, watching as an outsider but close enough to get to see the small, private moments? It was awful.
"Hold still, cub," Shyama sounded annoyed, swatting at him.
Jace had grown weirdly used to getting groomed by a giant cat. Sighing, he submitted to his fate, allowing Shyama to lick his hair until it all stood up. Alec was snickering from where he sat on the other couch, doing paperwork. Jerk found too much joy in Jace's suffering.
"Don't laugh. You're next," warned Shyama with a glare at Alec.
That shut Alec up. It only confused Jace more, the way Shyama treated him. Just like Alec. Did the daemon... know? Was that it? Did she somehow sense that Jace was supposed to be... No, right?
"Ah, that... hair-style suits you quite well, sweetheart."
Jace turned to glare at Magnus, who looked so... fond. No. Stop that. The alpha shouldn't look at Jace with that fondness. It was only going to give Jace hope. Hope for something that shouldn't be. Something that couldn't be. Because Jace was no longer their soulmate. And Valentine was alive.
"Say, Jace..." Magnus spoke slowly, sitting down next to Alec. "I've been wondering, have you found your soulmate yet? With all these blossoming romances around you-"
"No," Jace's voice was sharp. "I don't... care. It doesn't matter."
Shyama growled, wrapping her tail around Jace's ankle. Oh, Magnus had noticed just how possessive his daemon was of Jace. Even more so than of Alec. Perhaps because most of the time, Magnus was all over Alexander, scenting his beta or touching him gently one way or another. There was no need for Shyama to also scent him. Jace, on the other hand... But that still left the question why she felt that way about him. Magnus had tried to get an answer from the panther, but all she would do was glare at him and say 'mine' as though that explained anything.
/break\
Alec had never been wooed before. He'd never expected he would, even with his two soulmates somewhere out there. Wooing was just not something done with betas. Alphas wooed omegas. But Magnus? He pulled out all the stops. Fancy dates, gifts, flowers, gentle kisses, walks beneath the stars. It was amazing. Alec was positively on cloud nine. And when they got home from a date, they would curl together on the couch and Jace was right there. It was as close to perfect as Alec could imagine. Perfect would be if Jace were there with them, during the dates too. But that was dreaming too big, wishes that Alec knew he would never see fulfilled.
"Do you love him, Alexander?" Magnus' voice was soft.
It was phrased as a question, but Alec knew it wasn't. Alec knew that Magnus knew. They were soulmates, there was no way Magnus couldn't see how torn Alec's heart was. Alec rolled over to face his alpha. Both were in bed, together. It was late, they should be asleep.
"I... do," Alec's pulse quickened, he'd never admitted this aloud. "I'm... sorry."
"No, no, love, don't," Magnus leaned in, kissing his forehead. "I don't know what to do with this yet, but thank you for telling me the truth."
What to do with this? What was there to do? Alec looked at Magnus curiously, but he didn't feel like voicing that question would do him much good just yet. Because Magnus looked far-off too, like he wouldn't be able to answer it yet either.
Author's note: Look at that! Some comfort for Jace! Next chapter, we're gonna angst about the Soul Sword incident, because it's not angsty enough yet :D" (man that show really heaped on the pain)