This begins with Alec's taxi ride at the end of A Window Into an Empty Room (3.06), it takes a slight detour into AU land, then returns to show canon. We all know how messed up the show's timeline is.

A drunk Alec arrives back at the loft.

Enjoy

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After giving the cabbie the loft's address, Alec slouches in the backseat of the cab and stares down at his hands. He lost track of how many "doubles" he drank but he's pretty sure it was way over his usual amount. His brain is hazy but Alec is fine with that.

He's trying to forget something but he doesn't remember what it was, so Alec figures that's a good thing. His eyes slowly close.

"Hey, buddy, we're here."

Alec blinks as he looks at the cab driver. He must have nodded off during the ride. He clears his throat as he reaches into his pocket, "Who much?"

The cabbie shakes his head, "Forget it, you were snoring so loudly, I was afraid that I was gonna have to carry you inside."

Alec laughs nervously as he opens the door and gets out the cab, "Thanks."

The cabbie nods, "You're welcome. You be careful and good night."

"Good night." Alec closes the door. The cabbie waves then drives away.

Alec sighs as he walks into the building. He doesn't think as he walks to the elevator and pushes the button. It arrives and he gets in. He stares at the buttons for a few minutes until his finger hits one. The door closes and the elevator goes up. Alec leans against the back wall and closes his eyes.

The elevator stops and the door opens. Alec blinks as he stares out the elevator. He slowly steps out then walks down the hallway. He stops at a door and stares at it.

His eyes slowly close and he leans forward. His forehead hits the door with a loud bang.

Alec blinks when the door opens a minute later. He grins, "Magnus Bane, hello."

Magnus raises an eyebrow, "Alexander, are you drunk?"

Alec giggles, "I think so." Magnus gently holds his arm and brings him into the loft. Alec leans his head against Magnus', "You're so beautiful."

Magnus laughs, "Thank you." He guides Alec to a chair, "Sit."

Alec falls into the chair then looks around, "This isn't the Institute."

"No it isn't." Magnus pulls a nearby chair closer then sits down.

Alec sighs, "I need to get back to the Institute. Big day tomorrow."

"Oh?"

Alec nods, "I'm getting married."

"Oh? To whom?"

"Lydia."

Magnus leans back in the chair, "You're getting married to Lydia tomorrow?"

"Uh huh."

"I see."

Alec looks at Magnus with tears in his eyes, "I'm so sorry."

Magnus quickly sits up and reaches for Alec's hands, "Nothing to be sorry about. It's okay."

Alec shakes his head, "It's not okay. I don't love her. I barely like her. This is all fucked up."

Magnus kisses Alec's hands, "You're just tired. This will look so much better after a good night's sleep."

Alec sighs as he pulls his hands from Magnus. He wipes his eyes as he stands up, "I guess you're right."

"Where are you going?"

"Back to the Institute."

Magnus stands, "You are in no condition to be walking the streets. Sleep here."

Alec shakes his head, "I'm getting married tomorrow."

"Yes, Alexander, you told me."

Alec gives Magnus a goofy smile, "I like when you call me that."

Magnus smiles, "Alexander?"

Alec giggles, "Yes."

"So it's settled, you'll stay the night."

Alec's eyes widen, "I'm getting married tomorrow."

"Why do you keep saying that?"

"Because you keep flirting with me."

"Alexander, you are being ridiculous."

Alec winks, "You keep calling me that."

Magnus grins, "Maybe I am flirting with you."

Alec giggles as he holds his arms up, "Yeah me."

Magnus laughs, "How many drinks did you have?"

Alec lowers his arms. He looks at his hands then shrugs as he looks at Magnus, "Not sure."

"Then you are definitely not leaving this loft until the morning."

Alec nods, "Okay, Magnus." He walks over to the sofa.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going to sleep."

"Not on the sofa. You will sleep in a bed."

Alec's eyes widen, "I'm getting married tomorrow."

Magnus laughs, "Yes, you keep telling me that." He walks to Alec and takes his hand, "Let's go." He gently pulls Alec away from the sofa.

Alec looks from Magnus to the sofa. He starts to say something.

Magnus squeezes his hand, "Do not tell me what you are doing tomorrow." Alec closes his mouth as Magnus nods, "That's better. Now, enough of this, it's time for bed."

Alec, still holding Magnus' hand, silently follows him to the bedroom.

Magnus gestures to the bed, "Now get comfy."

Alec nods as he sits on the bed. Magnus flicks his hand. Alec looks down at himself. He's wearing a gray tshirt and black sleeping pants. He looks up at Magnus, "Why did you do that?"

"That's what you sleep in."

Alec's eyes widen, "How would you know that?"

Magnus smiles as he thinks of an answer then says, "Izzy told me."

Alec nods as he gets comfortable, "Oh." He pulls the bedsheets over him, and sighs as his head rests on the pillows. He slowly closes his eyes. After a few seconds, he sits up quickly. His eyes open wide, "Where are you sleeping?"

"In bed." Magnus chuckles as he watches Alec's eyes widen even more. He quickly gestures to the doorway, "In another bedroom, of course."

Alec nods as he lays back down, "Okay, just wanna make sure." His eyes close.

Magnus folds his arms across his chest, to keep himself from fixing the sheets. He watches as his boyfriend relaxes and slowly falls asleep. Magnus smiles as Alec starts to softly snore.

Magnus walks to the bed and adjusts the sheets around Alec. He leans over and gently kisses his boyfriend's lips, "Good night, Alexander."

Alec smiles in his sleep then whispers, "Good night, Magnus."

Magnus straightens up and waits, but Alec continues to sleep.

Nodding, Magnus magically changes into his sleepwear as he walks around the bed. He watches Alec as he gets in the bed and covers himself. Alec continues to snore. Magnus moves closer to his boyfriend.

Satisfied that Alec won't wake up, Magnus rests his head next to Alec's on the pillow. He puts his arms around his boyfriend and gets comfortable against Alec.

He chuckles softly, he can't wait to see how much Alec remembers in the morning.

Magnus falls asleep.

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Magnus opens his eyes and smiles. Alec must have rolled over during the night. He's curled around Magnus, his head resting on Magnus' chest.

Waking up with Alec in his arms is something that Magnus looks forward to every morning.

Although after their spat yesterday over breakfast, Magnus worried that may have come to an end.

Last night, after doing battle with the Owl, Magnus still finds it hard to believe that it's Jace, he thought he would find Alec in the loft, but that wasn't the case. Alec never responded to Magnus' text, so he figured Alec was too busy having fun with his family.

Returning to an empty loft, was scary. Not that Magnus was afraid of being alone in the loft, it was the thought of losing Alec that chilled him to his very soul.

He was thinking about sending Alec a text, to see where he was, when he heard a knock on the door. Magnus was relieved that Alec had made his way back to the loft.

Telling Alec to stop acting like a child, was a terrible thing to say. Alec being curious about his box of mementos was only natural. Many of Magnus' lovers found the box and looked inside. But for some reason, Alec finding the box so soon in their relationship, made Magnus realize how little time he really has with the ShadowHunter.

Involuntarily Magnus holds Alec tighter, as if by thinking of losing him, would make Alec vanish from Magnus' arms. Alec sighs softly in his sleep as he snuggles closer.

Magnus kisses the top of Alec's head then stares up at the ceiling.

He thinks about their conversation that started this mess. Not the one regarding the box, but about Alec moving in.

Alec has been spending most of his nights here in the loft, so of course, he would think it's a great idea for him to officially move in. And if Magnus is honest with himself, the few nights that Alec stays in the Institute, Magnus gets little, if any, sleep.

Magnus isn't sure why he said 'no', watching Alec's face broke his heart. He wonders if his negative response prompted Alec to look in the memento box. Maybe in search for a reason as to why Magnus would tell him 'no'.

Magnus rubs his cheek against Alec's hair then nods as he comes to a decision. He's taken from his thoughts when Alec picks his head up and looks around.

Magnus smiles, "Good morning, Alexander."

"Morning." Alec groans as he looks at the sun shining through the window, "What day is it?"

Magnus chuckles, "Saturday."

"Good." Alec puts his head back on Magnus' chest and snuggles against his boyfriend.

"Don't you have to rush back to the Institute?"

Alec tilts his head up, "Huh?"

"Big wedding and all?"

Alec sits up, "By the angel, I didn't dream that?"

Magnus laughs, "No, you didn't. You were quite adamant that your wedding to Lydia was happening today."

Alec sighs as he lays back against Magnus, "Sorry about that."

"Oh, I found it quite entertaining."

"I bet."

Magnus holds Alec, "I was thinking that maybe I was a bit hasty in saying 'no'."

Alec mumbles against Magnus' chest, "About what?"

"About you moving in."

Alec sits up, "Okay."

"Yes, now that I've had time to think about it, maybe it would be a good idea."

"Really?"

Magnus leans over and kisses Alec, "Yes, really."

"You sure?"

"Yes, let me make it official. Would you, Alexander Gideon Lightwood, like to move in with me?"

"No." Alec gets out the bed and walks towards the bathroom. Magnus stares after him, speechless. Alec stops and turns to face Magnus. He slowly smiles, "Yeah, that's the same way I felt." He quickly walks back to the bed and kisses Magnus, "I'm sorry. I wanted to make sure you meant it." He sits on the bed and hugs Magnus.

"Actually, I wasn't exactly sure, until you told me 'no'."

"Then it's settled."

"Yes, it is." Magnus pulls Alec on top of him and they kiss for a few minutes.

Alec laughs as he rolls off Magnus, "The mundanes are right."

"About what?"

"The best part of breaking up is making up."

Magnus laughs. They hold hands as they lay side by side. Magnus glances at Alec, "Sorry about missing dinner with Maryse."

"Yeah, Izzy has a new boyfriend. A mundane. She told him, we were in the jewelry business."

Magnus chuckles, "Jewelry?"

"Yep."

"Interesting."

"What time did you finish with your client last night?" Magnus takes a deep breath. Alec looks at him, "What's the matter?"

Magnus sits up, "We found out who the Owl is."

Alec sits up as well and slowly nods, "Ok, why do I get the feeling that this is going to be bad?"

"It's Jace."

"Jace? As in my parabatai Jace?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"We don't know."

Alec pinches the bridge of his nose, "So much for my Saturday off. You keep saying 'we', who else knows?"

"Clary, Luke."

Alec takes a deep breath as he leans against the pillows, "Breakfast, then I need to know everything."

"I'm sorry, Alexander."

Alec kisses him, "This isn't on you, Magnus. We'll handle it." He gets out the bed, "Let's get this day started."

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Magnus fills two mugs with coffee and brings them to the table. He walks back to the counter and spreads cream cheese on two toasted bagels. He brings the plate of bagels to the table, just as Alec, after a quick shower, is walking out the bedroom.

Magnus smiles, "Breakfast is served."

Alec kisses him before they sit down, "Smells good."

Magnus winks, "You smell good enough to eat."

"Always flirting."

Magnus laughs as he reaches for a bagel, "Can I help it when my boyfriend is such a happy drunk?"

"I'm not drunk now." Magnus chuckles as Alec drinks his coffee, "That is what I needed."

Magnus raises an eyebrow as Alec puts the empty mug on the table, "You want a refill?"

"Yes, please. I can tell it's going to be one of those mornings." Magnus nods as he flicks his hand, Alec's mug is full again. Alec smiles, "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

They enjoy their breakfast in between smiling at each other.

Alec stands to clear the table, after they are done, when his phone rings. He takes it out his back pocket and glances at the screen, Izzy. He hits 'answer' then 'speaker', "Yeah Izzy?"

"Simon just bought Clary to the Institute."

"Okay."

"She was hurt real bad. But Catarina healed her."

Magnus interrupts, "What happened?"

"She went after Jace and he threw her from a rooftop."

Alec closes his eyes, "By the angel."

"Like I said, she's okay now."

Alec nods, even though his sister can't see him, "Good. Magnus and I are on our way. Meet us in the War Room."

"Simon's still here."

"He can join us."

"Okay, see you soon. Bye."

"Bye." They hang up. Alec puts his phone back in his pocket.

Magnus squeezes Alec's arm, "We will figure out what happened to Jace and we will fix him."

Alec sighs, "We have to."

They clear the table and wash the dishes. Magnus opens a portal and they leave the loft.

- the end -

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Which leads into Salt in the Wound, a lot better than what we got in the show. One minute Clary is laying on the car, broken and bleeding and the next she is upright, getting hugged by Alec.

WHO, last we saw, was in a taxi cab going to the Institute, I guess, since it's obvious that he and Magnus don't make up until after the meeting.

The timeline was unrealistic with so much happening in what seems like a blink of an eye.

Still, I would give ANYTHING to get a fourth season. Wouldn't you?

Happy holidays, everybody.