And here you have the second part of this series! Now we're diving straight into the second chance, and the Malec! Hope you'll enjoy how our main characters handle things. Clary isn't actually in this one, here it's all Alec... and all who come with him. Clary's side of things will be shown in the next part of the series.

This installment has two parts, the next will be posted next week!

Never Enough

By: Lalaith Quetzalli

One would think that having managed it all once before, getting things done this time around would be easier. And perhaps they'd be, if he were content with just repeating his past. But that's not who Alec is. He always wants to do better, be better. And he knows now that no matter the odds, he'll never stand alone…

Alec

I'm trying to hold my breath

Let it stay this way

Can't let this moment end

You set off a dream in me

Getting louder now

Can you hear it echoing?

Take my hand

Will you share this with me?

'Cause darling without you

"Never Enough" cover by Boyce Avenue

xXx

Alec knows that he's playing a very dangerous game. Even with his knowledge, of his enemies, and even who most of the spies around him are (both for the Circle and the Clave), it's not easy. Especially when his allies aren't such yet, because he hasn't yet earned their respect, and their alliance. It's a very complex situation, to know all he can (and will) do, and yet not be there yet. Worse even, finding so many complications for getting there. And it's not like the complications weren't there the first time around, it's just that then he just had so much to do! With Clary, and Valentine, and Jocelyn and the Mortal Cup and… Magnus… He was barely aware of half of the things he was trying to get done at the same time. Looking back on it, it's a wonder he survived with his sanity more-or-less intact; less of a wonder that he kept giving Magnus whiplash with his actions, the way he practically switched gears on him every other day, hell of a surprise Magnus endured it all long enough for Alec to ever have a chance with him at all!

Still, he's promised himself he'll do things right this time. Right by Magnus, by his siblings, and by his people; his people at the Institute, those that know him, that trust him, that Believe in him… the Clave and almost everyone else can go to hell (literal hell even!) as far as he cares. Also, while they might not know it yet 'his people' isn't just the shadowhunters, it's the nephilim, the warlocks, the werewolves, vampires… it's everyone in the Shadow World!

The first step to achieving any of that is to be able to have power himself. Less than two days after the meeting with Clary he realizes that he'll never get anything done if he has to seek his parents' approval for every single thing. Not just because just having to wait for their response every single time will take forever, but because there's no way they'll ever approve more than half of the things he wants to get done. So the first step in his (not inconsiderable) plan, is to take the 'Acting' out of his title as Head of the New York Institute.

After considering the matter carefully for a further three days, Alec knows there's only one way he can achieve his goals: he has to prove he deserves the post more than his parents. Which from the start won't be easy, considering it's just him; traditionally Heads are married, the couple sharing the power and responsibilities of leading an Institute. It's true the first time around he got there on his own, but he just doesn't have the time and he'd rather not wait until Valentine makes his official return and things go insane. It shouldn't be that hard, he doesn't think, it's not like others, in the Institute and back in Idris, are ignorant to the fact that his parents aren't around, more focused on bettering their standing than in doing their duty to the Institute. They don't care about it, not like Alec does.

In the end he knows he cannot do it on his own. So he enlists the help of his sister, his parabatai and his (once) future Head of Security: Andrew Underhill. The last one he ponders over for a while. Underhill is a man who believes in the law, and the Clave, a bit too much; yet wasn't Alec the same before he met Magnus? Before he had his eyes opened to the world as it truly is and not as the Clave claimed it was? He knows Underhill… Andrew, is not a bad man. He just needs a little push to do the right thing. Also, Alec cannot forget how Andrew once thanked Alec for his bravery, not in battle or anything like that, but in being himself, claiming it was what gave him (Andrew) the courage to do the same… Of course he'll have to find a way to introduce him to Lorenzo, when the time is right (and when Lorenzo arrives…). Finally, he sends messages to some old friends of his, like Aline Penhallow, Helen Blackthorn and Michael Rayhorn, all whom he knew during their shared childhood, back in Idris.

He manages to either indirectly reveal or imply enough things to several individuals to have a number of spies discovered, including none other than Consul Malachi Dieudonné. That one takes him completely by surprise, as he did not think he'd ever be able to out the man, not unless the Consul turned on Alec himself. Though apparently he's not the only one who's long suspected that there was something not quite right about him…

Just like on the original timeline, that particular revelation pushes for the revision of the cases of every single known 'former' Circle members. What takes Alec and his siblings completely by surprise is when not only Maryse finds herself de-runed and exiled (again), but Robert too is harshly punished, stripped of all his titles and power; while not de-runed, and allowed to remain in Idris, he will never be able to pursue any position of power again. Max is given the option of staying with his father, or being under the custody of his siblings, he immediately chooses the latter, arriving to the New York Institute before the end of the week.

The biggest surprise comes when newly appointed Consul Penhallow reveals to him that it was none other than Hodge who gave them the names of more than half of the Circle spies and sympathizers in the Clave. He didn't even ask for leniency, or a change to his own punishment, just that the children not be punished for the sins of their parents…

"Why?" Alec cannot stop himself from looking for the man after Penhallow's gone.

"You know, sometimes you reminded me of me, Alec." Hodge comments, a turn of phrase both eerily similar, and remarkably different from what he said to Alec once, in another time. "A loyal friend standing in the shadow of a Favored One. I was always afraid you'd make the same mistakes I did. Ha! Look where they got me." He shakes his head. "And yet look at you. Stepping out of the shadows, standing on your own… you're gonna go far kid."

It's… Alec doesn't know what to say, what to think about Hodge. For so long he saw the man as almost family, the 'good uncle' the one who actually gave a damn about them, when even their parents didn't. And then Hodge betrayed him, betrayed them all, hurt Lydia, stole the Mortal Cup for Valentine, and Alec hid his pain, his hurt behind a wall of anger and bitterness, because the man's choice of Valentine had sullied all the good memories Alec had of him. Except that's not how it ended, is it? Alec might not have been there, but Jace told him that Hodge tried to help him, when Valentine went after him in the City of Bones, died trying to help. And now… What is he supposed to do now?

It doesn't seem entirely fair, to judge people by what they did in another time. Yet he cannot exactly ignore it either. That would be both dangerous and stupid. And he cannot exactly ask for help regarding what to do. Clary's the only one who shares the memories, and she never knew Hodge that well in the first place.

He knows he cannot tell anyone about the Other Future. He understands, just like Clary does, that no one would believe them. Also, he doesn't want to risk angering the Angels, doesn't know if the fact that Clary was only supposed to use the special rune once means that only one person can know, or only one person can recover the memories of that other time. He knows Clary's already changed things from the original plan, choosing to go further back in time, rather than to the day where she originally could have and didn't stop Johnathan, in Toronto. He also fully understands why Clary made that choice, and fully agrees with it. And since the Angels haven't intervened to stop her, or him, he's not too worried on that front… yet.

Things keep escalating in the following days. The number of the demons appearing in New York rising to unprecedented numbers. And then there are the strange attacks that have nothing to do with demons. Alec has no doubt that Valentine's involved, much as the Clave might insist that he's dead (because that's what they've always said and they cannot possibly admit they might be wrong…). Several times the demons involved are Shax demons, which makes Alec wonder if Valentine's trying to track down Clary. Even knowing just how capable the redhead truly is he still worries about her, just a bit.

Alec hates how insane things have gotten since his parents' sentencing. He's still 'just' Acting Head of the Institute. Clave representatives keep dropping by, supposedly to help him, though he knows they're just looking for an excuse to get rid of him entirely and give the Institute to someone else. Or, they'd probably try, if they'd anyone who could do it, he supposes. He'll never forget Andrew's comment on the matter.

"We've made things pretty clear to them, sir." Andrew's voice was quiet but solid, confident.

"Clear…?" Alec echoed, not quite getting it.

"That you're our Commander, our Head." Andrew elaborated. "The only one we'll follow."

The Clave isn't quite ready to admit it yet, but Izzy and Jace are both certain it's just a matter of time. The New York Institute will be his.

Still, until it's made official he has to make sure that the Clave has no reason to believe he's anything less than capable. Which means he's busy All the time. Jace, doing his best to help where he can, and knowing that paperwork isn't his thing, does his best to help with training, leading a lot more patrols than usual, especially with the newbies.

Alec doesn't actually realize when it starts. He's so focused on his work, on making sure that the paperwork the latest Clave envoy: Lydia Branwell, will be checking over is perfectly in order, he only drinks coffee when someone leaves a cup on his desk (his people know him all to well), ignoring his hunger altogether. At least until he feels a wish to cross-reference something and, when trying to get on his feet, he ends up sprawled on the floor instead. The pain hits him then. Deep and sharp, and it's not just that, but also a growing weakness…

"Jace!" He cries out as he realizes abruptly that something is very, very wrong with his parabatai.

He makes it to the infirmary at about the same time the patrol-team does. Two of them half-carrying, half-dragging an unconscious Jace to a bed. He's been stung at least thrice, Shax demons. The worst part though, is the blood-loss.

"He… he's lost way too much blood." Izzy says, clearly fighting to keep herself from going hysterical. "I… I don't know what are we gonna do Alec…"

Truth is he doesn't know either. Blood-loss is… complicated, where nephilim are concerned. They have a rune that allows them to produce more blood for a short amount of time. But Jace's energy levels aren't up to such a thing. The other option, the rune for blood transfusion, is even harder, Jace's blood-type is extremely rare, Alec knows that. Nephilim are harder to match than mundanes. And while mundane blood might help him last longer, it won't be enough… Alec is seriously considering sending Clary a message to ask for her help, he knows she's a compatible match, and while she might not want to be in the Institute or have the Clave know about her, he knows for a fact she'll do anything for Jace. And then the last thing he could have ever expected happens: Imogen Herondale arrives to the Institute…

It turns out that when Izzy went looking for possible donors for Jace, Inquisitor Herondale's name showed as being compatible. With all Whitelaws dead, and the Herondales believed to be as well, it's probably no surprise that the woman chose to travel to the New York Institute herself to find out how come an unknown young shadowhunter was said to be a blood match to her… That's how the truth, that Jace Wayland is in fact Johnathan Christopher Herondale, is revealed. At least one less thing for Alec to worry about.

Jace is pretty shocked when waking up to find not just his siblings, but a grandmother he didn't know he had, waiting on him. And when learning the truth about his parents… Obviously it's a lot to take in. Still, Alec's happy for his parabatai (he'll make sure the horrors Jace, his brother, went through in the other timeline never come to pass, he'll never have to suffer like that, will never end up with the blood of his last living family on his hands…).

A couple of days later Alec steps into his office to find Imogen there already, clearly waiting for him. She hasn't taken his chair, the way his mother used to, as a pointed reminder of who truly held the power between them; but neither is she sitting on one of the visitor chairs.

"Madam Inquisitor," He greets her with a respectful nod of his head. "I didn't know you were expecting me. Would have never kept you waiting."

"That's alright Mr. Lightwood, I haven't been here long." Imogen says politely. "And waiting has… given me the opportunity to put my thoughts in order."

He considers his options for a few seconds before finally making up his mind. He crosses his office and goes to stand just by his chair. Waiting before she takes a seat on the other side. Whatever she might plan on telling him, for the time being he's still the Acting Head of the New York Institute, and to that he'll hold.

"I knew not my grandson lived." She says, apropos of nothing. "After the loss of my son, and his wife… we all believed him to have died while still in the womb. Lost before he ever had a chance…" She shakes her head. "It's no secret that I don't like you. Though, as has been pointed out to me. It was never about you, really. I hated that your parents, having been part of the Circle, of the group that was to blame for Stephen's and Céline deaths, never paid for all they did. They were forgiven, allowed to go on with their lives, showed a mercy they did not deserve, and why? Because they had young children? Because their children lived while mine, my son, daughter-in-law and grandson died?!"

If Alec's honest with himself, he'll have to admit that he never understood Imogen Herondale. In the other timeline… he never saw her as a bad person. Perhaps a bit… strict, so willing to follow the law she didn't seem to see that it wasn't always right (especially when the laws were decreed by individuals with such racist views, and a belief in their own superiority…). That had begun to change, when Jace came into her life, though regretfully it didn't last long. Alec cannot help but wonder how that might change now. He's going to do his best to ensure Jace never ends in such a position, being used by Lilith, or anyone else. Perhaps Imogen might yet come to be an ally…

"I tried to give Jace the Institute."

Imogen's words are almost enough to make Alec's heart stop. Not like it'd be the first time she said (and did) such a thing, though last time around she didn't say anything about it, just went and did it. For all the good it did, as Jace pretty much handed it to him immediately. And yet, he cannot help but register exactly what she said. The key word being 'tried'…

"Jace refused." Imogen goes on. "Said I clearly didn't know him if I thought he had any interest in doing such a job. That I didn't know the people in this Institute if I believed they'd ever follow anyone other than you and… and that I didn't know you, if I couldn't see that you were the best person for the job…" He shakes her head, continuing before Alec can even think of anything to say to all of that: "He's right. I don't know him. A part of me might want to see Stephen in him. But he's not Stephen, and that's something I need to accept, if I want to get to know Jace. And I want that, I want to get to know my grandson, as more than just the shadow of his father. As for you… I know you're a Lightwood, but you're neither Robert, nor Maryse. Whatever you might think, young man, I do know that you were a big part of the move that finally got all those Circle members found and properly punished. I know not if you were aware that your parents…"

"I was aware." Alec blurts, flinching slightly at his own interruption. "Apologies, just… I did know. Doesn't mean I agree with their past actions and choices, nor with the…" Hard as he might try he cannot find a good way to word the next part. "Clave's choices regarding their crimes."

Imogen's expression twists at his carefully chosen words in such a way that Alec cannot help the half-insane thought that in anyone else that'd have amounted to a snort.

"What is it that you truly want Mr. Lightwood?" Imogen asks solemnly, eyes boring into him, as if she could see through him. "You've sought to become Head of the New York Institute. Why? Tell me, what is your goal? What is it you really want?"

"I…" Alec takes a deep breath, he knows this is important, probably one of the most important questions he'll be ever asked: "I want peace, Madam Inquisitor…"

xXx

Alec is officially made into the Head of the New York Institute. Jace serves as his second in command, essentially a Deputy Head. It's rare but not unheard of, with Alec being unmarried, and his declaration that he has no interest in getting married for the time being (he knows that in time others will realize the truth about him and his preferences, but he hopes to be able to prove himself before that day comes); also, the two of them being parabatai does help. Alec is stunned speechless at the cheering that almost shakes the place when the news are made official. Everyone in the Institute is so happy for him…

It's Jace's idea for them to celebrate by going on patrol, just the three of them. Because of course, his parabatai almost dies on one patrol and less than a week later he's all for doing it all over again! When Izzy agrees with him though Alec decides to capitulate. It's not like he doesn't want to go out with them. Besides he knows that part of the reason Jace was so badly hurt was him protecting the younger and still incredibly green shadowhunters he was on patrol with that night, this time it'll be the three of them. So off they go.

It seems to be a slow night. A few low-level demons, nothing they cannot handle, even if they were alone. A point comes where they make almost a game out of it, competing to see who notices the demon first, who's fast enough to kill it before the others can. Alec's tally's pretty good, both thanks to his choice of weapon, and the fact that the war heightened his situational awareness beyond what most shadowhunters train to.

They're halfway through their patrol and Izzy's just returned after slipping to a bodega to buy a bottle of something, most likely alcohol of some kind. He's about to make a comment on the likelihood of either her or Jace beating his record if they get drunk, when something calls Alec's attention. At first he doesn't know what it is, as when he looks around he sees nothing strange, nothing out of place: just darkened streets, houses, a small park a block away, it's late enough and the neighborhood suburban enough there aren't any mundanes on the streets. So then why…

He catches the movement from the corner of his eye and zeroes in on it immediately, activating two of his vision runes (he has one for distance, another for catching up details, among others) with barely a thought. He can soon see a man standing on a rooftop, holding a bow, and pointing it at… Alec follows the most likely path of the arrow to the front of an old-looking apartment building. He has a second to wonder what's going on exactly when he sees a flash of light in one of the upper floors and then… there's a lot of noise, some kind of commotion, more lights. He activates his hearing rune in time to hear rushed footsteps, people running… fleeing. The shadowhunter realizes what's about to happen a second before the other archer fires.

Alec's response is automatic, as he draws an arrow of his own and shoots in a fraction of a second, then repeats the motion, shifting his aim just slightly. The first arrow hits the one from the other archer in mid-air, pushing it out of course, allowing the individual… the child who just ran out of the building to not die the moment he steps onto the street. Alec's second arrow hits the archer in the neck, or more precisely, in the red-looking circle that seems to have been burnt on the side of his neck…

"Circle members!" He yells at his siblings. "Jace, Izzy, protection detail!"

His siblings don't question him, even though it's clear they have no idea what's going on. They see the people… the warlocks running out the building and rush to them with all the speed their runes can grant them. Things get messy for a little bit as the warlocks catch sight of them, of their runes, and think the worst, until Jace steps before one of the women, catching the blade of one of the circle members on his own seraph blade and pushing him back, away from the warlocks.

Alec doesn't even stop to look behind him, he just focuses on shooting arrow after arrow, on making sure none of the circle members can get to the warlocks. When they get too close for the bow to be practical, he hooks it on his back and draws his seraph blade with one hand, at the same time he uses the other to activate several runes, readying himself for direct combat. After the archer, he makes an effort not to kill any more of his enemies, knowing the Clave would rather he take them alive, though at the same time, his priorities are clear: his siblings and the warlocks will survive, no matter what he has to do to achieve that.

Even when one of the enemies gets close enough to make a somewhat deep cut on his flank, Alec barely allows it to slow him down a bit, just enough for him to hurriedly draw an iratze just above the wound, and then he's back to fighting.

In the end Alec doesn't know how long the fight lasts. He just keeps going until the enemies stop coming at him. It's only when several seconds pass and nothing happens that he allows himself to take a breath. The exhaustion hits him a couple of heartbeats later. So hard he feels like he might collapse. He's about to turn around to make sure they're all alright when Izzy strangled yell makes him snap to attention, a fraction of a second too late, he's too slow to avoid the woman coming at him, blade raised high and a crazy look in her eyes. Only, inches before she reaches him she's hit by what looks like blue lightning, which throws her back several yards, until she hits the pavement, unconscious.

Alec turns around automatically, looking for his savior. His mind realizing who it must be a fraction of a second before he actually sees him: Magnus… Alec cannot help himself, he just stops and drinks Magnus in, slowly, from the bottom of his booted feet to the tips of his carefully groomed and dyed hair. He allows himself a momentary pang of regret at the sight of his dark brown eyes, wanting more than anything to see the golden-green cat-eyes he knows so well, wanting to see His Magnus… except, the warlock before him isn't his Magnus, is he? They haven't even met yet! And, as Alec realizes a moment later, the warlock's staring at him oddly… the shadowhunter forces himself to focus on the present, realizing that the warlock introduced himself, and is probably waiting for Alec to do the same.

"Alec...xander… Lightwood." He forces himself to swallow, his mouth unexpectedly dry.

"Shadowhunters protecting warlocks, this is… surprising." Magnus states in a guarded tone.

"Like you said, we're shadowhunters," Alec states, trying his very best to sound perfectly at ease. "Protecting is what we do."

"Your own, sure, mundanes, I've no doubt, but Downworlders?" Magnus presses.

Alec can tell he's being tested. It's surprising how different yet similar the Magnus before him is to the one in his memories. Their first meeting in the other timeline went nothing like this. Then again, back then Magnus was just being… well, Magnus, when they met, rather than the High Warlock of Brooklyn. The two split before the intentions of the Circle members became obvious and they each had to see to their duties. This time, it's different. Entirely by accident Alec has managed to find himself in a position to help Magnus, to help his people, and while he can still see the glint in the warlock's glamoured eyes, the hint of attraction, it's being suppressed in favor of duty. Something the shadowhunter understands all too well.

"All who need my help will have it as long as I can give it," Alec states, it's a vow more than a statement, and with the way Magnus's eyes widen the slightest bit, he knows the other man can tell the nephilim's being entirely serious.

"We owe…" Magnus begins, hesitation clear in his tone.

Alec cuts him off, placing two fingers on the warlock's mouth before he can finish talking. He knows how much he'll hate it, the mere thought of being indebted to shadowhunters, and while Alec realizes (belatedly) how forward his own gesture is, he cannot help himself.

"You owe me… us, nothing." He stutters a bit in his hurry to reassure Magnus. "Like I said, we were just doing our duty."

"Alec!" Thankfully Izzy's call stops him from making even more a fool of himself.

She and Jace have finished rounding up the Circle members, both dead and alive. Probably realizing they're still busy, Magnus offers some help, opening a portal to just outside the New York Institute. A good thing considering the three siblings hadn't even started to plan on how to get their almost half a dozen prisoners there.

Even then, Alec cannot help himself, as he turns to look over his shoulder, his eyes searching for Magnus, just before the portal closes. He doesn't know whether to be pleased, flustered, or both, when he finds the High Warlock looking straight at him…

xXx

The next time Alec sees Magnus is during the first meeting of the brand new Shadow World Council. He's trying to recreate what he tried before with the Downworld Cabinet, only this time he's purposefully putting himself, as representative of the nephilim, on the same level as the other members. Trying to communicate how much he wants them all to be equal. It's also why, while he's opened the doors of the Institute for their first meeting, one of his first orders of business is to try and convince the other members to do the same. Hoping that rotating meeting locations will allow everyone to truly feel like equals in this endeavor.

Because it's the first meeting, and with the knowledge that it taking place in the Institute is likely to make at least some people nervous, Alec makes a point to invite each different group of the Downworld to send at least two representatives.

Raphael Santiago arrives with his second, Griffin. Alec nods at the two men. He knows Camille is gone, dead at some 'redhead's hands' according to statements. He has no doubt that was Clary. He's not sure if she decided to go after Camille directly, or if it was just a coincidence. He knows she's been making sure Valentine keeps going in circles, searching for a way to wake up Jocelyn, trying to discover where she hid the Mortal Cup, and where Clary herself is hiding. So it's entirely possible that Camille, being the ambitious, cold-hearted bitch she's always been, tried to team-up with Valentine, and it didn't go well for her. Alec also remembers that the Book of the White would have been among her possessions, and if someone were to find out the importance of that book in connection to Jocelyn… anything's possible. In the end what matters is that Camille's dead and Raphael has become (again) the leader of the Brooklyn Vampire Clan. At least Alec knows he can be reasonable… most of the time.

Meliorn and Kaelie arrive in representation of the Seelies. Alec knows both of them as well. Kaelie, Jace's sometimes-fling, and Meliorn… in another time he was Izzy's 'source' and she'd sleep with him sometimes. This time around though… while Izzy hasn't told him anything Alec has noticed that there sometimes are flowers in her hair, and there's a light in her eyes… he wants so much for his sister to tell him what's going on, but at the same time, he knows how terrifying it can be, with a new relationship, when you don't fully understand yourself, your feelings. So he'll let her find herself, come to terms with whatever might be going on, whether it's just more of the same 'fun' or an actual relationship. All he wants is for Izzy to be happy.

Magnus Bane arrives with Tessa Gray, whom Alec never got the chance to meet the first time around. He and Magnus made plans to visit London where Magnus would have introduced them, but then the fight against Johnathan turned critical and…

Perhaps the greatest surprise he gets is when the representatives from the New York werewolf pack arrive. He knows the old alpha's dead, killed by Circle members before the shadowhunters could get there. He expects Luke to arrive, perhaps alone, perhaps with someone else he might trust. He's completely shocked when instead it's Maia Roberts that arrives (as alpha of the pack no less), she accompanied by Jordan Kyle, who represents the Praetor Lupus. On the latter Alec's not sure whether to feel honored or worried that the 'wolf guard' have chosen to make themselves known and send a representative to the burgeoning Council.

In the end, the only faction who hasn't sent their actual leader is the Seelie Court (which, in Alec's opinion, is not a bad thing, he really doesn't like the Seelie Queen…). Though at least in this timeline, since Valentine's return is only rumors and not quite official thus far, the Clave hasn't requested any scouts be sent after him, no one's died, and thus the situation with the Seelie Realm hasn't become as precarious as it was then.

Once it becomes obvious that no one else will be joining them Alec signals his sister, who steps into the room, closing the door. She doesn't lock it, the door is closed for privacy only, and the last thing they want is for any of the (hopefully) new allies to feel like they're being trapped. That's also why they're in a room at the very edge of the Institute. To ensure they won't feel trapped (Also, with Magnus being the High Warlock of Brooklyn, and thus the one who placed the wards in the Institute in the first place, Alec has no doubt that if he truly got it into his head he could break through the wards rather easily).

"Very well, good evening everyone." Alec greets them all. "Welcome to this, the first session of the Shadow Council. I am Alexander Gideon Lightwood, Head of the New York Institute, and with me stands my sister, Lead Forensic and Envoy to the Seelie Realm: Isabelle Lightwood."

Each of the people in the room introduces themselves in turn, though Alec cannot help but glance at Magnus rather frequently. Every so often their eyes will meet, and it's taking all of Alec's self-control not to blush like a teenager with a crush!

The meeting goes well. Not perfect, but that's okay. They're in completely new territory with the Council, it's to be expected that they'll need a few tries to get things right. Still, he cannot help but think things are going much better than the first time around. Except for one thing… Magnus. It's not… the warlock looks at him, smiles, is nice, he even flirts at times and… that's it. No matter how many openings Alec keeps giving him, there's nothing, no invitation to go elsewhere, no offer for drinks, nothing at all. It's driving Alec insane!

"Maybe you should just ask him out, instead of waiting for him to give the first step, big brother." Izzy's voice pulls him out of his musings rather abruptly.

"Wa… what?!" Alec's head snaps up when he realizes what she just said.

They're back in his office, filling the paperwork for the latest meeting of the Council to send it to Idris. While the Clave isn't exactly in favor of all Alec's attempting with the Council, neither are they trying to stop him. Alec's wondered more than once if they're so sure he'll fail (in which case they clearly don't know him, at all), or if perhaps they're just waiting to see if it can truly be done… He can only hope.

"Come on Alec, I'm not blind." Izzy rolls her eyes for extra emphasis. "The way you keep looking at him, and the flirting… the tension gets so thick I could cut it with my dagger!"

"I don't… I…" Alec's completely speechless.

"I'm not the only one who sees it." She goes on.

"What?!" That's definitely more than he can take.

"Calm down, no one thinks badly of you for that. If anything Raphael seems to find the situation humorous for some reason. Kaelie says that it shows even us angel-blooded have hearts… oh! And Tessa wishes you all the best."

"Izzy… I… I can't…"

"Yes you can big brother. Just go, ask him out."

"I… Izzy…"

How's he supposed to explain to her that he hasn't the slightest idea of how to do that? How to do any of it at all? It's just… the first time around it was Magnus who pursued him, Alec was just left confused, trying to make heads or tails of his own thoughts and feelings more than half the time. And then, after the insanity that was his almost-wedding to Lydia, after coming so close to losing any chance at all of ever having anything with Magnus… The kiss that day seemed to set the pace for them both. As Alec kept throwing himself into things, into their relationship with barely a thought, terrified that at any moment Magnus might change his mind, decide Alec wasn't worth trying so hard after all. The one time he hesitated things went so wrong…

He promised himself he'd do things right this time around, for Magnus, and for himself, but truth is he doesn't even know how to do that!

"He won't give the first step, you need to know that." Izzy says right then.

"What?!" Alec snaps in shock. "Why not?!"

Has he done something wrong? What can he possibly have done that'd lead Magnus to think he cannot ask Alec out? He never hesitated before…

"Well, there's the fact that you're a nephilim, though I don't think that'd stop him, exactly." Izzy points out. "But you're not just any shadowhunter, are you? You're the Head of the New York Institute. And the leader of the Shadow Council…" she waves a hand when Alec tries to interrupt her. "You may say whatever you want, but we both know that's how the Clave sees it, and the Downworld as well. It's not necessarily a bad thing. They know you don't intend to order them, that you truly see them all as equals, and that matters. But still, you know that relationships between shadowhunters and downworlders aren't exactly common. Your name alone would be enough to set tongues wagging. But with your position… and his… Magnus won't risk affecting your reputation. Not unless he's sure this is what you want…"

"I… I want…" He cannot think of anything else to say, any better way to say it, but that seems to be enough, as his sister smiles at him before taking his cellphone and placing it on his hand:

"No time like the present!" She says with a wink before leaving the office.

Alec's dialing before he's fully aware of what he's doing, almost hanging up on Magnus when the warlock answers him before he's ready:

"Hello?" Magnus calls. "Alec…? Is everything alright?"

"I…" Alec swallows, forcing himself to focus, this is Magnus, he has to do things right! "Yes, everything's just fine. I was just wondering, I…" Why is it so hard?!

"Alexander…?"

A number of memories flash behind his eyes in an instant: their first meeting, introductions, all the ways Magnus would flirt with him and Alec kept feeling like he might combust. Wanting so badly yet terrified he'd never have… It's that thought, the knowledge that he can in fact have, if he just tries, that finally gives him the push he needs:

"Would you like to go for a drink some time?" He asks, voice as even as he can make it.

"Oh Alexander…" Magnus's voice is low and husky as he replies. "I'd love to."

"I… ah… great! That's great!" He replies, not even trying to hold back his delight. "Tomorrow night alright with you?"

"Sounds perfect." Magnus is practically purring on the phone. "Have a good night Alexander… the sweetest dreams…"

Even after hanging the phone Alec feels like he might combust, like there's a very real chance this, Magnus, might kill him… It'd be worth it though. Nephilim love once, fiercely, Alec's always known that. Even if before Magnus the knowledge was only theoretical, he's never doubted it. Magnus is It for him. And while he knows he might not be Magnus's only love, that won't stop him from loving the warlock as deeply and fiercely as he knows how. And who knows, perhaps the Angels might smile upon him someday and grant him the one wish that's always been there, at the back of Alec's mind, even if he's never allowed it to cross his lips… to have their lover never end…

I hope you're enjoying this, and what's yet to come.

Remember, if you're a fan of Simon and want him in this, tell me, time's running out if you want him to be included.

As always, full-size cover (and the series wallpaper) can be found in my DA account, where I go by Princess-Lalaith.

If anyone wants to make a remix, translation, podfic, fanart, etc. of this fic, feel free. Just let me know you did it (both so I know, and so I can go see it), give me credit where it's due.