Author's Note: This stories takes place in season 1 in place of episodes 11 and 12. I have made changes to the story as I needed it to fit in with Alec's emotional state. Valentine hasn't revealed to Jace and Clary that they are siblings as I am an Alec and Magnus fan and didn't want anything else drawing the attention from them. I love Magnus and Alec's relationship and just wanted to explore it without too much craziness around them. I hope you enjoy the story.
Warning: There is a non-graphic, non-consensual touching in this story. Please don't read if this is a sensitive issue or trigger.
Alec closed his eyes and let the cool wind run through his curls. His sister wasn't going to be punished by the Clave because Clary returned the cup and saved her. The relief he felt when Lydia Branwell told him the news almost drowned him. It also felt good that the two people he cared most about, outside of his family, were willing to help Isabelle because he asked them. However, it only magnified the clash of his obligations to his family with his feelings for Magnus. After telling Isabelle the good news and paying Magnus for his services as her advocate he came up here. He was standing on the roof of the Institute. His favourite place. This was where he and his parabatai came to spar, talk, joke around and just be in each other's company because that was always the best place to be. Ever since they became parabatai, Alec always felt more whole when Jace was close by. He felt sorry for Shadowhunters who couldn't find someone to form this bond with. Alec never realised how unfulfilled his life was until the parabatai ceremony.
It all changed when Clary Fairchild came into their lives. At first, he was jealous because he knew Jace loved her the way he would never love Alec. But that changed when Magnus entered their lives and Alec felt something for the Warlock that was very different to what he felt for Jace. Everything in his life was turned upside down. On top of all of this, he found out his parents were Circle members and it was up to him to restore his family name. He realised he couldn't act on his feelings for Magnus because his family always came first. Images started flying through Alec's mind; his fight with Jace, his use of the parabatai bond to find Jace, the Clave trying to persecute his sister, Magnus telling him he was hurting both Magnus and Lydia. It was all coming down on him and he couldn't stop it. For the first time in his life, he wished he wasn't a Lightwood. Everything around Alec went silent. He was shocked to be even thinking that. He had always been proud of his heritage. He knew then that he needed to speak with Jace. He needed Jace to talk about everything… and maybe apologise for implying Jace didn't care about Isabelle.
After asking around, he found Jace at the foyer of the Institute. As he approached, he realised Jace wasn't alone. He stopped when he saw that Magnus, Isabelle and Clary were with him and they seemed to be deep in conversion. He knew he was wrong, but something about the way they were standing, the way Magnus looked like he didn't want to be there and their soft voice told him they were talking about him, so he stepped behind one of the many fancy columns holding up the historical building, drawing a rune to heighten his senses.
"Clary, it's not your fault. We all agreed to steal the cup. The Clave was looking for a scapegoat." Jace reassured his girlfriend, "At least we have your mum back now and the cup is back, safe."
"Alec still thinks I didn't know about it. He thinks this was all about Meliorn and the Clave were just trying to find an excuse to prosecute me." Isabelle felt guilty for not telling Alec. Seeing her brother fight for her, made her realise how much she had taken him for granted.
"Let him keep thinking that. He's mad at me anyway and he doesn't like Clary. No point in him being angry with all of us."
Magnus, who was frustrated that this talk has already taken longer than he wanted. He didn't regret helping Jace and Clary steal the Cup but he didn't want Alec to find out he had anything to do with it. It was bad enough, seeing Alec fight blindly for his sister's freedom. He couldn't fathom the fallout if Alec found out they were all a part of it. He was about to speak up and dismiss himself from this impromptu meeting when a tall, figure stepped out from behind a column. He felt his blood drain from his face when the situation he'd been trying to avoid, came to haunt him.
Jace frowned at Magnus's horrified expression. He was looking at something over his shoulder. His stomach dropped and he knew who he would find before he even turned around.
Alec felt his world that had been threatening to crush him, crumbling into a million pieces around him. Suddenly, he was the 15 year old kid, who had overheard his mother and father talking about him. "Sometimes, I wish he was more like Jace. Jace is a natural leader. He'll do great things when he grows up. Alec...Alec…" Alec had run away before his father could finish his words. He didn't want to hear what his father thought of him. He remembered running into Jace and suddenly everything was okay again because he was with his parabatai. All his concerns and fears always disappeared when Jace was by his side.
Jace couldn't make it better this time. They looked at him with guilt and pity. Poor Alec, always doing the right thing and never being acknowledged for it. Don't tell, Alec, he won't understand. Don't let Alec know, he'll report it to the Clave. Suddenly, all the insecurities he fought came back at him. The insecurities he'd felt but was chased away when Jace arrived at the institute crushed him along with everything else. All the control he had during Isabelle's trial, during this whole Meliorn fiasco, during his engagement with a woman he didn't love, while fighting his feelings for Magnus...all of it left him right then. "Don't let me interrupt you. I was just heading out." Alec needed to leave this suffocating room. He stormed past them to the front door. Jace tried to grab his arm but Alec flinched from him so violently, Jace took a step back. "Don't touch me." He held his thumb and forefinger half an inch apart, "I am this close to saying or doing something I'll regret for the rest of my life." The veins and muscles in his neck was evidence of the strain of keeping hold of his emotions. They all stayed where they were. "I can't be here or anywhere near any of you right now."
"Alec…" Isabelle started but gasped at the fury in Alec's eyes.
"I fought so hard for you!" Alec grilled out, taking all of the little self control he had, not the yell at the top of his lungs. "I told them they were wrong. You didn't steal the cup. I fought with everyone, convincing everyone that you were innocent." He turned to Magnus, whose eyes were filled with regret, "I begged anyone who I thought could help, to save my innocent little sister." Alec shook his head and scoffed, "I am so stupid." He yanked the front door open and left, ignoring the desperate calls behind him.
Jace, Isabelle, Clary and Magnus stood on the steps of the institute and watched as Alec ran as fast as he could to get away from them. Magnus sighed, "There goes any chance of getting a date with him." The three Shadowhunters turned to him, looking incredulous, "What?" He rolled his eyes at them, "I'm returning to my apartment, feel free to join me if you want. We got ourselves into this mess together, maybe we can get ourselves out of it."
Alec Lightwood ran as fast as he could. He ran until he could no longer feel his legs and even then, he kept running. They were all in it. His friends. His family. His parabatai. Magnus. They all lied. They all played him. Magnus stole his stele. Jace used it to steal the cup. Isabelle covered for them. And he fell for it all. He fought for his sister, thinking she was being unfairly punished for something Jace and Clary did. He must've looked so stupid to her. Stupid Alec. He tried so hard to protect his brother and sister, knowing they thought he was overprotective. He did it because they were his world and now his world was gone
Jace was wearing a hole in the floor of Magnus's apartment. He couldn't get the look on Alec's face out of his mind. The anger, pain and worse, betrayal, burned through his entire body. Jace still remembered meeting Alec for the first time. He had just lost his father and somehow, Alec made the emptiness and sorrow disappear. Jace hated that his actions were the cause of Alec's pain right now. He dialled Alec's number again. Again, it went to voicemail. "Alec, call me back and let me explain." He rubbed his eyes, "Please, call me back."
Magnus glared at him, "Why do I keep letting you Shadowhunters convince me to help you? And why did you need to talk to me about it all and at the institute! I helped you because you said Alec would never find out about my part in it."
"Did you think I wanted this? He already thinks I betrayed him and now with this…" Clary took his hand, seeing how scared Jace was, "I could lose him."
Isabelle shook her head, "No, that's not possible. Alec loves you. He loves me. He won't leave us."
Magnus rolled his eyes, "Of course he loves you, which makes our betrayal worse."
Clary frowned, "Betrayal is a strong word. You did what you had to do. Alec will see that."
"You've seen what Alec would do for the Clave, for the Lightwood name." Isabelle looked at Magnus, who stared back with pain in his eyes. "He's willing to give up his happiness for it."
Clary didn't understand. "You guys are making it sound like Alec won't be coming back. I'm sure he's out clearing his head. He's a smart guy. He'll see the bigger picture."
Jace shook his head. "You don't know Alec. Ever since I've met him, he's followed every rule to the T. The law is hard but it's the law. That is Alec's mantra." He kept glancing at Magnus when he said the next part, "Last week when you saved Luke, it was the first time he did something the Clave wouldn't approve of."
"Sleeping at a Downworlder's apartment?" Magnus allowed himself a small smile at the memory. He liked how innocent Alec was. His view of the world was so different to Magnus's. Magus has seen so much that it was refreshing to see things from younger and less experienced eyes.
"And lending his strength to a Downworlder." Jace had hoped that Alec was starting to see things their way but years of having the law drilled into him couldn't be broken so easily.
Alec pulled out his phone when it rang for what seemed like the hundredth time. He rolled his eyes at the caller ID. "Give it up, Jace." He grumbled as he hit the disconnect button.
"That wasn't nice." Alec spun around upon hearing the voice, "Hello, Shadowhunter." An iron bar slammed Alec across the temple.
Magnus poured himself a drink from the bar that doubled as a globe. It's been so long since he's felt this way about anyone and now he may have lost Alec before even asking him out on a date. He growled at Jace, who was still pacing. "Jace Wayland. That rug is centuries old. You won't be able to afford its repairs."
Jace was about to retort with a typical smart remark when his phone rang. The room jumped. They all knew who it was as soon as they saw the relief pour over Jace. "Alec, thank God."
"No need to thank me, Jace." Jace froze. Magnus frowned and with a flick of his finger, put the phone onto speaker. "But if you insist, you can bring me the Mortal Cup."
Isabelle's hands flew to her mouth at the same time Clary gasped, "Valentine."
"Hello, daughter. Glad you are there too."
"Where's Alec?" Jace growled but the fear for his parabatai was obvious.
Valentine laughed, "I tell you what? Let's have a video chat." He hung up. When it rang again, Jace's hands were shaking.
"Answer it." Magnus demanded even though he knew he wouldn't like what he'd see.
Jace swiped up with his thumb and immediately a half naked, half conscious Alec, hanging by his wrists, filled the screen. Dried blood was caked down the side of his face and in his hair. Bruises were forming around his ribs. "Alec." Suddenly, Valentine appeared behind him. Alec groaned as his head was pulled back cruelly by the hair, exposing his neck. Valentine held a needle in the other hand.
"This is the first of three injections. It won't kill him but…" Alec gritted his teeth, refusing to scream as the contents of the syringe entered his blood stream. Valentine let him go and the camera stayed on Alec as he swung on the chains, writhing in agony.
"ALEC!" Jace almost broke the phone. "Valentine, I'm going to kill you!"
Magnus closed his eyes and muttered something under his breath. His magic floated through the air and hovered around the phone.
The camera finally turned away from Alec and Valentine's ugly face appeared, "He's strong." He shrugged, "Expected, I guess since he is Jace Wayland's parabatai." Jace clenched his jaw. He hated it when people referred to Alec that way. Alec was so much more than just his parabatai but nobody saw it. Not even Alec himself. "That injection will last about an hour. In an hour, just as the pain starts to recede, I'll give him another one. It will be worse. If I inject the third one, his heart will stop."
"What the hell do you want?" Jace roared into the phone.
"You know what I want. Bring me the Mortal Cup and I will return Alec Lightwood." Valentine gave the ultimatum. "Don't and he dies. I'll call back in an hour and give you another show." He turned the camera and showed them Alec again who was groaning from the pain but no longer writhing. He was too weak. Then the phone went blank.
Jace dropped on the blue couch, his phone slipping from his hand and dropping to the rug. "This is my fault."
"No...Jace, this is Valentine." Clary corrected, sharply, "And we'll get Alec back."
"Valentine wouldn't have gotten his hands on Alec if I handled this better." Jace pulled at his hair.
"He was in so much pain." Isabelle sobbed. Clary pulled her into her arms, comforting her as much as she could.
Magnus's eyes flew open, anger burning, "We don't have time to wallow in our guilt. We need to find Alec." He drew back his magic from the phone. "I can locate Valentine but I need time. For now, you all need to find a way to get the Mortal Cup."
"We can't. It's in Idris now. We can't portal there without permission and there is no way Lydia will give us permission." Jace rubbed his hands together, scared. They've burned all bridges at the Institute. Even though they've returned the cup, Lydia wasn't going to trust them. This is why Alec always followed the law because he knew if Jace or Isabelle got themselves in trouble, he still had the resources of the Institute at his disposal. Those same resources were not currently available to anyone in the room. "And even if she did, the Clave won't bargain with Valentine. Even Robert and Maryse would sacrifice their own son."
"Then think of another way!" Magnus ordered, "I need to perform a location spell. Valentine will have his place heavily shielded from detection so it will take a great deal of magic for me to find him. While I do that, figure something out!" He left them and slammed the door of his room closed. Shadowhunters! All talk and no action!
"I'll speak with mum…" Isabelle tried.
"You know they won't do a thing!" Jace interrupted her.
"Then we can talk to Lydia. Alec is her fiance, she…"
"Works for the Clave." Jace cut her off.
"Then what!" Isabelle screeched hysterically, "What?!"
"I DON'T KNOW!" Jace shot off the couch, "I don't know." He unconsciously rubbed his parabatai rune.
"Jace." Clary slipped her hand into his and squeezed it, "We'll get him back."
"How?"
Clary looked around at the pictures around the room. She had her mother's abilities. "I can create a replica of the tarot card. We can take that to Valentine and I will pull the cup from the card."
"Will it work?"
"I pulled a tea cup from my sketchbook once, I can do this." Clary nodded, confidently. She smiled as she saw hope come back into Jace and Isabelle's eyes.
Jace nodded slowly, "We can do this. Izzy, help get the paint for Clary."
"Do we have a picture of the cup anywhere? The closer I get to the real thing, the better." Clary requested.
"I know where there is one." There were books in the Institute library. Jace may not be able to get the Tarot card but nobody was going to question him over a book.
Ice water hit Alec's face, shocking him from unconsciousness. Valentine's men were relentless. They refused to let him have the relief unconsciousness could bring him. "You don't get to sleep, Shadowhunter."
"Go to hell." Alec spat but there was no strength behind it.
"Not before you. Once Valentine gets the cup, you're ours; free to do whatever we want." The man pulled out a knife. "How about a taste?" He brought the blade to a rune on Alec's ribs and started cutting into the skin, tearing along the outline of the rune. Alec bit his lips, refusing to give this sorry excuse for a man the satisfaction of hearing him scream. "When Valentine gets the cup, I'm going to tear every rune off your body." He pierced the rune at his collarbone, "I'll leave this one till last." He laughed as he pressed the blade in further into the parabatai rune. He licked his lip hungrily, "And then I might enjoy myself before killing you." He whispered seductively in Alec's ear.
One hour was up and like clockwork, Jace's phone rang. He took the call in the kitchen, away from Clary and Isabelle. Clary still hadn't finished the drawing. Magnus was with him but kept out of sight of the phone's camera. Valentine didn't know he was in the picture. If he did, getting to Alec would be even harder. He was close to finding him. One more call was enough to locate him. He nodded to Jace. Jace took a deep breath before answering. Again, Alec filled the screen. Jace had to cover his mouth to stop himself from crying out loud. Tears ran down his face as he took in the condition of his brother. Blood ran down his torso from cuts over his chest and shoulder. "You will die for this." Jace promised. He jumped when Valentine violently pulled Alec's head back, making Alec cry out. He couldn't hold out any longer.
"Where's the cup?"
"Clary and Isabelle are getting it. Please don't…" More tears ran down Jace's face when a second dose of the torturous toxin was injected into Alec's neck.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Valentine roughly let Alec go, letting him swing on the chains.
"ALEC!" Jace cried out with his parabatai.
"AAAAAHHHHH! Alec writhed and sobbed, trying to escape the pain.
"Another hour, Jace. He won't survive the next one." Valentine cut the line.
Jace wiped away his tears and turned to Magnus, shocked to see angry tears in the Warlock's eyes. He knew Magnus liked Alec but this was more than that. "Did you get what you needed?" Jace asked as if he didn't see the tears for his brother.
"I did." Magnus's cat eyes glowed, "They have him in a shipping container at the docks. Number HSLU 67839 5."
"That's very specific." Jace said, surprised.
"I'm very determined." Magnus whispered in a low voice.
"Then we should go." Jace was about to rush out and gather what he needed when Magnus grabbed him.
"No. We can't. We need to wait until Valentine calls again." Magnus knew they had to exercise patience.
Jace glared at him, incredulously, "Alec is being tortured. We can't wait another hour!"
Magnus hated that Alec was in so much pain but he had to be smart, "We must if we want Alec back alive." Jace frowned, confused and so Magnus explained further, "I am a very powerful Warlock but I cannot fight Valentine front on. We need to lure Valentine from the docks with the cup. I can get Alec out while you and Clary are distracting him."
Jace closed his eyes, calming himself. He couldn't fault Magnus's plan. "Waiting is going to be hell."
Clary carefully picked up the completed tarot card, "I'm done."
Magnus waved his magic over the card, drying the paint. "That's impressive."
Isabelle nodded, "It's almost an exact replica."
Jace kissed Clary on the temple, "Thank you."
Clary concentrated on the card, waiting for it to morph before she reached in and pulled out the fake cup. She grinned, "It worked."
"You're amazing." Jace gently took the cup from her, "This should be good enough to fool Valentine long enough for you to get to Alec."
Magnus nodded. They had a plan. Now to implement it.
Magnus portalled to the docks with Isabelle, far enough away from the storage container Alec was in, to ensure Valentine's goons didn't see them. Jace and Clary were meeting with Valentine on the Brooklyn Bridge where he had kidnapped Alec. Magnus let his magic flow over the docks. This mustn't be Valentine's base. There weren't nearly enough men guarding it. Valentine was keeping his base very secret. "Stay behind me, Isabelle. I will take out the guards." Isabelle nodded.
Alec groaned as his body burned. He felt like fire ants were running all over his body. He was delirious with pain. "You're all mine, Alec Lightwood. I would love to see the Lightwood's faces when I send your body to them, defiled and torn apart." Alec closed his eyes and turned his head away when the man's hand lowered towards the waistband of his bloodied, black jeans. He wished the pain would get worse so that he couldn't feel what this scum was doing. He was focused on transporting his mind away from this hell, he didn't notice the man drop to the ground with his neck broken. He didn't see Magnus's cat eyes glow with uncontained anger. He didn't hear the cold icy voice saying, "You're fortunate I have a more urgent matter to attend to." He didn't hear someone call his name. "Alec." A cool, gentle hand lifted his head but despite the gentleness, Alec flinched at the touch. He didn't want to be touched. "Alec, it's me, Magnus. I'm getting you out of here."
"Go to hell." Alec didn't hear the gentle words.
Magnus didn't have time to convince Alec that he was there to save him. "Sorry, Alec, this is going to hurt. He magicked the chains from Alec's wrist. The sudden rush of blood into his arms caused him to groan. Magnus ignored him, "Stay awake for me." He leaned over and hefted Alec onto his shoulder, carrying him outside where Isabelle was standing guard. "Let's go!" Magnus created a portal.
Magnus dropped Alec unceremoniously onto his bed. "Sorry, Alec, but I'll be right back." He turned to Isabelle. "Do what you can for him." He ordered before disappearing through another portal.
Isabelle rushed to the kitchen and filled a large bowl with ice water. She put it down on the bedside table and ran to the bathroom for a couple of face towels. "You'll be okay, Alec." Isabelle promised as she started wiping away the blood, trying to treat Alec like he was any other Shadowhunter who was hurt.
Alec flinched at the hands on him, "Don't touch me." He weakly pushed at Isabelle's hands.
"Alec, it's me, Izzy."
"No!" Alec pushed himself up with the little strength he had and bodily pushed Isabelle away, falling to the floor with a thump.
"Alec!" Isabelle dropped next to her brother, "Alec, I'm your sister."
"Get away from me!" Alec pushed himself up and hugged his knees to his chest, squeezing himself into the corner of the wall and bed. Isabelle watched her big brother tremble and cower from her. This isn't Alec. Alec protected her. She wiped the blood on his arms, ignoring his flinches. Tears flowed freely down her face but she didn't wipe them away. It wasn't until she saw the blood on her hands that she made to fall away from her brother.
Jace's palms were sweating. He watched as Clary pulled the cup out of the tarot card. He handed over the cup to one of Valentine's men. Valentine never took risks. He didn't move from where he was, about 15 metres in front of thm. Jace and Clary were fine with that. They needed as much of a headstart they could get if this got messy. Jace took Clary's hand, "Where's Alec?"
"No rush, Jace. My men are keeping him company." Valentine mocked.
Clary winced as Jace tightened his hold on her, keeping his anger in check. She placed a gentle but firm hand on his arm. She shook when Valentine took the cup and examined it. It was good enough to ensure Valentine didn't recognise it as a fake straight away but not good enough to fool him for long.
"What is this?!" Valentine's burning eyes turned to them, the cup crushed to pieces, "Where is the cup?!"
"Somewhere safe from you." Jace and Clary stepped back when Valentine slowly walked towards them.
"You just signed your parabatai's death certificate." Valentine growled at the same time a portal appeared behind Clary and Jace.
"You called?" Magnus stepped through and gestured for Jace and Clary to go through. The entire time, he kept his eyes piercingly on Valentine.
"Magnus Bane." Valentine threatened, "You should've stayed on the fence."
Magnus wasn't phased by him. He avoided confrontation with Valentine because he needed to protect his kind but everything changed the moment Alec entered his vision. "You chose to torture the wrong Shadowhunter. Now, you have me to deal with." With a wave of his hand, Magnus snapped the necks of Valentine's men, "Touch Alec Lightwood again and broken necks will be the least of your problems."
Valentine watched as Magnus stepped back into his portal and disappeared, leaving him alone on the bridge. He smiled, "This just got more interesting."
Jace and Clary froze when they entered Magnus's room to find Alec curled up and shaking and Isabelle pushed against the wall opposite him, hugging her knees and crying, "He's terrified."
Magnus shot into the room and cursed, "Do I have to do everything!?" He knelt by Alec and waved his hand over Alec's head, "Go to sleep, Alec. You're safe now." Alec's eyes slowly closed. "Jace, help me get him on the bed." He could use his magic but he needed to reserve his powers for healing Alec.
Jace jumped onto the bed and helped to lay Alec down, pulling the covers up to his waist. He pulled out his stele and started drawing iratzes over Alec's cuts. Isabelle frowned at herself. Why couldn't she do that? Alec is her brother, why couldn't she help him? What was wrong with her? She didn't even know she was sobbing until Clary pulled her up. "Alec will be fine. Magnus and Jace will make sure of it."
"There's so much blood." Isabelle looked at her hands. They were covered in Alec's blood. "He was scared of me."
Clary led her out of the bedroom and away from her unconscious brother, "Let's get you cleaned up."
Magnus's eyes were drawn to a wound on Alec's arm. It wasn't caused by Valentine. It was an old one, from when Alec was attacked in the Institute. It was why Magnus was called there. Robert needed the Institute's wards strengthened. It was also why Jace and Isabelle asked for his help to steal Alec's stele, which led to this.
Jace deliberately didn't look at Alec's face as he drew iratzes over the numerous cuts. "There's so many." His hands started shaking. It felt as if this would never end. "There's too many." He corrected himself. Alec's body started to tremble and it wasn't from the cold or fear. "What's happening?"
"He's going into shock." Magnus waved his hands over Alec, sending warm energy to his vital organs.
Jace's eyes moved between Magnus and Alec, anxiously waiting. Jace was never good at waiting. He picked up Alec's hand, "You can't leave me, Alec. Entreat me not to leave thee." Jace sobbed, "You promised. I can't lose you." He coughed out a breath of relief when Alec took a deep breath and let it out. He smiled, brushing back Alec's hair, "That's good. You're going to be okay." His smile faded when his fingers brushed over a lump on the side of Alec's head, making Alec wimper. "I'm sorry."
Magnus sat on the bed, exhausted from his continuous use of his magic today but he wasn't done yet. He moved his hand to Alec's head, "May I?" He requested.
Jace looked up and nodded, moving his hand, "Please." He begged.
Magnus smiled when Alec turned his head towards the comfort the magic brought. It wasn't that it took away the pain. It felt familiar and comfortable, as if he belonged to it. "He'll sleep through the night."
"Will he be okay?"
Magnus nodded but still looked grim. His fingers feathered a wound in the dead centre of his parabatai wound under his collar bone. "This went through his muscles and being chained up the way he was, the muscles tore further in his struggles." His hand moved down Alec's wrists, "Ligaments were torn here as well. I've done what I can. It's deep but it'll heal. He'll be shooting arrows in no time."
"How about the rest?" Jace could still see the cuts even though most of them were gone. There were still bruises from being used as a punching bag.
"Your iratzes did most of the healing." Magnus assured him. "His ribs are still tender and the bruises will fade. You should go reassure your sister and Clary. I'll stay here tonight."
"You should rest too. You look terrible." Jace said of the lines under Magnus's eyes.
"Don't be ridiculous. That's impossible." He smiled at Jace's attempt at a laugh. He nudged his head at the door, "Go. I'll rest in the chair." He said of the plush armchair in the corner.
"Comfortable as it looks, Alec won't mind if you rest in the bed, next to him." Jace could feel how Alec felt about Magnus, as much as he denied it. He never pushed it because Alec was very introverted when it came to his feelings.
Magnus chuckled, "You weren't here when he jumped three feet because I dropped down next to him on the couch. I don't want to risk him hurting himself further by trying to get away from me."
"Don't be offended. Alec is very…" Jace frowned, trying to think of the right word.
"Innocent?" Magnus smiled wistfully, "I know."
"Conservative was the word I was looking for." Jace told him. Alec was a protector. He knew of the dangers in this world. He wasn't innocent.
"I was referring to his view on lust and love." Magnus clarified.
Jace nodded, "I guess he is in that regard. Wake me, if he wakes up."
Magnus nodded his promise.
Images of men with dark veins jumped into his mind. Baseball bats. Fists. Syringes. Hands touching him.
The sound of short, heavy breathing woke Magnus from his light slumber. He flicked on the light and found Alec's head tossing on the pillow. His hair stuck to his brow. A shimmer of sweat coated his skin. It didn't take a Warlock to know Alec's fever was dangerously high, conjuring demons in his mind, "Alec." Magnus let his magic flow with his voice, "You're safe. You're with me, lying down on the lush green grass, looking up at the clear blue sky. There's a cool breeze blowing on your skin. It's soothing. Your head's on my shoulder and you fall asleep to the sound of my voice, telling you about the time I first fell for a Shadowhunter." Magnus picked up the face towel on the bedside table and dabbed at Alec's brow. Alec's breathing evened out but the crease between his brow told Magnus the demons haven't completely left Alec. "I'll protect you, Alec."
The early morning sun peeked through the gap in Magnus's thick, luxurious drapes. It slowly crept up the bed until it reached Alec's eyes. Magnus jolted from his sleep when he heard Alec groan. He shot off his chair and pulled the drapes closed, hoping to stop the sun from waking Alec. He turned back but saw he was too late. He wanted Alec to rest as much as possible, however, he longed to see the boy's blue eyes again. He walked around the bed and sat on the side, waiting patiently while Alec struggled to open his eyes. Magnus smiled at how young and innocent Alec looked as his brow furrowed in frustration at the difficulty of such a simple action.
Clary woke up at hearing a door opening outside the guest room. She turned to her left and sighed at the puffiness around Isabelle's eyes from all the crying. Quietly, she crept off the bed and moved silently out of the room.
Clary stood at the door of the balcony, rubbing her arms in the cool morning air. From behind, she could see how tense Jace was, even as he learned against the balcony railings, looking out at the sun rising over New York City. She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, "How's Alec?"
Jace turned around, circling his arm around Clary's shoulders, drawing her to his side, "He's still sleeping. Magnus said he'll be fine."
"You're not going to lose him, Jace. Alec loves you." Clary was sure of that, "He will always love you."
Jace smiled wistfully, "You know, no matter what I did, Alec would back me. If I did something stupid," He laughed, "which was often, Alec would be right there beside me, telling me what an idiot I am but still backing me up."
"He's your brother."
"I'm so used to having him next to me that I didn't know how to handle it, when we ended up on opposite sides of all of this. I lied to him, stole from him. Alec can forgive me for anything but I'm not sure about this." Jace turned to Clary, "Alec was tortured because of what I did."
Clary stopped him, "No! You had no hand in that. You can't blame yourself for what Valentine did." She took a deep breath, "Alec needs you right now. You two have had each other's backs for a long time. Don't stop now." Clary hugged him tight and then let go. "I'm going to get some coffee for all of us. I'll take Isabelle with me. She needs some fresh air."
"Thanks, Clary." Jace kissed her and walked with her back to the guest room.
Alec finally managed to pull open his led eyelids. At first everything was blurry then a handsome face slowly came into focus. He could recognise those eyes in a heartbeat. "Magnus." His voice was barely a whisper.
"Hi." Magnus smiled, affectionately at him.
Alec looked around the unfamiliar room. It was stylish, decadent and gave a feeling of warmth. This was Magnus's room. The realisation shocked him and just like he did a week ago, he shot up but he was too weak to get anywhere this time and all he got for it was a tearing pain in his left shoulder, "AAAHHH!" He cried out, falling back on the bed. Magnus's magic shot out reflexively, keeping Alec on the bed and soothing the pain.
Jace stumbled into the room. "Alec." He pulled out his stele and activated an iratze. "Jace?" Alec frowned at his parabatai when the pain finally receded. "What are you doing here?" The memories of what happened at the Institute came back. They all lied to him. "Oh." He realised he was asking the wrong question. "What am I doing here?" He tried to push himself up but an invisible force held him to the bed. "Let me up." His lack of energy undermined the determination.
"Your shoulder is badly injured. Do you remember…"
"Of course I remember what Valentine did to me. A little hard to forget, don't you think?" Alec closed his eyes from the images and the pain. He tried to shut them out but they kept coming. "I need to get out of here." Alec pushed against Magnus's magic but it wouldn't budge. "Let me go! Let me GO!" Magnus winced at the strength Alec was using to break through his hold on him.
"Alec, calm down. You're going to hurt yourself further." Magnus begged him.
"Let me go!"
"Alec!" Jace shook his good shoulder, hard, "Listen to me!"
Jace flinched at Alec's glared, "Why the hell should I when you never listen to me? Where the hell have you been when I needed you to listen!?" The control he had back at the institute was gone. Tears burned Alec's eyes as he let everything out. He needed his anger to drown out his fears. "Where were you when mum and dad arranged my engagement to Lydia? Where were you when I needed to fight them, to tell them that I deserved to be happy as well? Where were you when I was fighting for Isabelle?!" The lump in Jace's throat threatened to choke him. He didn't know what to say. Where was he? He asked himself. When Jace didn't answer him, Alec continued, "I needed you, Jace but you didn't have time for me, did you? You never do anymore. Do you even feel our bond?"
Jace gasped at that question, "Of course I do." He found it ironic that he and Clary were just talking about how Alec always had his back and now Alec was telling him he wasn't there for him.
Alec shook his head, "If you did, you would've felt how lost I've been." He closed his eyes and forced himself to relax, to stop fighting Magnus's hold, "Let me go, Magnus."
"Not unless you promise to stop moving. I'm too weak to heal your shoulder and you can't afford to make it worse." Magnus tried to reason.
"Don't you all have something better to do? I'm sure Clary has a lead you have to follow. Go do her bidding and leave me the hell alone. It's what you've been doing anyway." Alec knew he was sounding like a jealous child, but he didn't care anymore. "I have a wedding to prepare for. Let me go." Alec knew how much those words hurt Magnus. "My fiance's waiting for me."
Magnus had to admit, the words did hurt but he was over 400 years old and hence wasn't fooled by Alec. The boy's world was turned upside down and he was doing everything in his power to grasp onto the few pieces that still made sense. Right now, nothing in this room did. "Alec, I know you're disappointed in all of us but going back to the Institute and marrying Lydia Branwell is not going to make everything right again."
"To hell with what you think, Magnus. This is my life and all of you can either accept my decision or get the hell out of it!" Alec started fighting the warlock's hold again.
"Alec, you need to stop fighting us." Jace could see the strain in Magnus as he kept his hold on Alec, "You're hurting Magnus!" He knew Alec had feelings for Magnus and was betting on those feelings right now. "Magnus has spent the night healing you. He's weak and you're pushing him to his limits. I know you care about him, Alec."
Alec did see the strain and he did worry about the Warlock. He stopped fighting and saw the relief on Magnus's face, but that didn't mean he wasn't still angry, "Fine, but I want you to leave, Jace. I don't need you here."
"I'm not leaving you."
It didn't take much for Alec to fight them again, "You know, you really suck at being a parabatai lately. You're nowhere to be found when I need you and now you won't leave when I don't."
"I'm not leaving you." Jace repeated stubbornly, "Valentine got his hands on you. I'm not risking that again."
Valentine's name triggered the images he'd been fighting with his anger, "Valentine used me to get to you, when he realises you don't give a damn about me, he'll leave me alone."
"Stop saying that!" Jace yelled at him, "You know you're the most important person in my life."
"I was!" Alec glared at him, "You have Clary now, so why don't you just go to her? At least someone can rely on you."
Isabelle and Clary returned from the bakery and heard Alec's words. "Alec's awake." Isabelle rushed into the room but her smile faded when Alec saw her and pinned her with disgust in his eyes.
"And here's my innocent little sister. Have you come to see your stupid big brother broken?" Magnus closed his eyes. Alec wasn't pulling his punches. He wanted them all to leave.
"Alec?" Isabelle sounded so small and fragile, it reminded Alec of her when she was five and had a nightmare. He immediately regretted his words and Magnus saw it.
"Alec, I know what you're doing. Stop pushing us away."
Alec swallowed the regret and smirked, "And what am I doing? Tell me, oh great High Warlock of Brooklyn."
"We hurt you badly, and you never want to feel that pain again. Pushing us away means you won't risk feeling like that again." Magnus knew he hit the nail on the head when he felt the fight in Alec ebb. "It doesn't work that way. Believe me, I've tried it. You'll only miss them more and love them more." Magnus was exhausted. "I'm going to let you go now. I'm sorry." He apologised for his part in stealing the cup and for what was about to happen.
Alec glared at him, "I don't n…AAAAAHHHHHHHH!" The pain Magnus held at bay, returned in full force. His eyes rolled back as the pain threatened to send him into oblivion. All the images of what happened to him in the shipping container flooded his mind. "Please stop!" His body trembled. Sweat ran down his body, soaking the sheets under him.
"Magnus!" Jace gasped at the fear he felt through his parabatai rune, "You can't stop now. He's reliving the torture!"
"I don't have the strength to hold all that pain back. You're his parabatai. Restore his faith in you." Magnus sat back in the chair, breathing heavily.
Jace swallowed. He didn't know what to do. It took so much of Magnus's magic to numb the pain, what could he do? His eyes fell on the wound in the centre of Alec parabatai wound. You're my parabatai. I made a promise, Alec, one I will never break. "Alec!" Jace was on his knees on the bed beside his brother. "Entreat me not to leave thee. It's a sacred oath and I'm not breaking it. Do you hear me, Alec?" He smacked his cheek hard, "Alec!"
Alec shoved against the bed. He threw his head back against the pillow. "AAARRRRHHH!"
Isabelle ran from the room, covering her ears. Clary ran after her. "Izzy." Isabelle was crouching in the furthest corner of Magnus's balcony but she still couldn't get away from her brother's pain. "Izzy." Clary pulled her into her arms. "He'll be okay." She told her but she didn't even believe her own words.
"He hates me."
"He's hurt, Izzy. He could never hate you." Clary may not know Alec well, but one thing always shone brightly in Alec since they met, Alec was a protector.
Jace slapped Alec again, "Valentine is not here. You're safe!" Alec froze. His breathing came in short gasps. "You're safe." Jace repeated, tears pooling in his eyes for the fear he was seeing in Alec's eyes. "You're safe. I promise."
Alec's voice shook, "It hurts."
Jace nodded, "I know and I know I've let you down." He pulled his stele from his back pocket and activated his parabatai rune and then ran his stele over Alec's. Immediately, Alec felt his fear and pain ebb. Jace gasped at the pain and fear. This was only half of what Alec was feeling. "God, Alec, I'm so sorry." Alec could see his pain in Jace's eyes and suddenly all the anger he felt for his parabatai drained away.
"I'm scared." Alec reached up despite the pain in his shoulder and pulled himself into Jace's arms, "I'm scared." He sobbed.
"I'm here, Alec. I know I'm late but I'm here." Jace promised him over and over again until he felt Alec's trembles ease.
Magnus smiled when he felt Alec's anger leave him. Magnus could deal with the physical pain but Alec needed to let go of his emotional pain first. There was no point healing him if he wasn't going to let his friends and family take care of him, "Let me take care of your shoulder. I need to immobilise it so you can't make it worse." Jace gently pushed Alec back while Magnus arranged the pillows behind him. "Here." Jace frowned at the brace that appeared out of nowhere. It shouldn't be a surprise. He was in the room with a warlock. Magnus numbed Alec's pain while they got the brace on. When they were done, Alec couldn't move his left arm or shoulder. "How's that? Is it too tight?"
Alec turned to him and shook his head, "It's good. Thank you."
"Alec," Jace called quietly, getting his brother's attention, "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. You're right. I should've felt there was something wrong." Alec shook his head, wanting to stop the guilt, but Jace needed to get this out, "You were lost. I should've found you."
Alec shook his head again, fear and pain weren't the only emotions shared when Jace activated their runes, Jace's guilt was shared as well. "It wasn't just you. I didn't want to listen. I haven't felt right since I found out mum and dad were circle members." Alec wiped at his eyes, "I've wanted nothing more than to make them proud and even now I'm still doing what they want. What's wrong with me?" Alec broke down then, "Why am I so pathetic?"
Jace pulled Alec into his arm, letting his brother bury himself in his chest, "Don't say that about yourself." Jace has never felt so much anger towards his adopted parents, "You don't need their approval and their approval means nothing anyway. They were the ones who dirtied the Lightwood name, it's not your job to fix their mess."
Magnus's heart went out to the brothers. He's met many Shadowhunters in his centuries but few parabatai and only one other pair who had a bond as strong as this one. "I know overbearing parents, trust me. Your life is yours to live however you like."
"You deserve to be happy, Alec. Don't let our parents take that away from you." Jace knew his brother too well. He may be feeling anger at his parents but the Lightwood name means as much to him as it does to Maryse and Robert. He worried Alec would still choose Lydia for the sake of the family. "But no matter what choice you make, I will be right next to you." He leaned down and kissed Alec's head, "I love you, brother."
Alec basked in his brother's love and Magnus's calm aura. He pulled away from Jace and wiped at his tears, a little embarrassed that he let himself lose control like that. He turned to Magnus, "I'm sorry for what I said."
Magnus smiled, "I've learned to not let words said in anger, get the better of me."
"You were there, weren't you? You got me out of there?" Alec asked. Magnus nodded. "Thank you. You saved my life. If you ever need anything..."
Magnus chuckled, "How about, when you get better, we go on a date?"
"Magnus." Jace groaned when he saw Alec's cheeks go red and he knew it wasn't from the fever. "Can't you wait a couple of days before asking him out?"
"Jace." Alec gasped when he jolted at Jace's words. "You two getting back at me by embarrassing me to death?"
Magnus grinned then held out a cup, "Drink this. It will help with the pain."
Alec grimaced when he tried to grip the cup with his right hand. The pain in his wrist stopped him from keeping a hold of it. "I've got it." Jace steadied the cup and helped Alec drink. He took the cup once it was emptied and handed it back to Magnus.
"You have quite a few injuries. The ligaments in your wrists are torn. The bandages are to keep you from moving it too much." Magnus told him.
"Great. Basically, I can't do anything. Nothing to keep me busy." Alec finished off to himself, but not soft enough.
"Alec…" Magnus called hesitantly, "If you want, I can remove those memories."
Alec's eyes widened, "You can do that?"
Magnus nodded, a little disappointed that Alec seemed to want to take the offer, "If you want me to."
Alec narrowed his eyes, confused, "Why did you offer if you didn't want me to take it? Are you testing me?"
Magnus was impressed. Alec was very perceptive for his age, "I don't like seeing the fear in your eyes. So if you want me to take that away, I can."
"But it's experiences like these that can either break us or make us stronger." Alec finished for Magnus. Magnus nodded. Definitely wise for his age. Alec did want Magnus to take away the memories. He wanted to forget the man's touch. He shook himself from the thought. "No, I won't let them win."
"Alec has never run from his problems yet. He's not going to start now." Jace smiled proudly.
"Thank you for offering but I think I'll decline." Alec leaned back and closed his eyes, not wanting Magnus or Jace to see more than he wanted them to know. "I'm tired."
"It's the tea I gave you." Magnus revealed, "Go to sleep. The tea will keep the nightmares at bay."
Jace put a hand to Alec's chest, "And I'll be here if they do come. You're not alone."
Alec reached up and gripped Jace's hand, "I know." He mumbled as sleep took over. He kept a good hold of Jace's hand. Jace smiled. He didn't mind.
"You look like you need to sleep as well." Magnus got up. "I'm going to conjure up some healing tinctures for Alec. Get some rest."
Jace arranged more pillows around himself. It was difficult to do with only one hand but he wasn't going to take his hand back from Alec. He smiled at how peaceful Alec looked. Alec needed his hand more than he did. Jace laid back against the pillow, his forehead touching Alec's head, letting his parabatai know that he was there for him.
Magnus paused on his way to the kitchen. He spotted Isabelle outside with Clary. Isabelle seemed calmer now. "Is everything okay, ladies?" Magnus stepped out on his balcony. "Alec is resting for now. Jace is keeping him company. Why don't you ladies head back to the Institute? I'm sure the Clave is missing you by now and I would rather not have them knocking at my door."
"I want to stay with Alec." Isabelle wiped away her tears, "Let me stay."
Magnus sighed and stepped closer, glancing back at his bedroom before he spoke, "Alec is calm for now but I can still feel his turmoil. He may have forgiven us but it will be a while before he heals from his ordeal. Jace can keep him calm because he is his parabatai. I can keep his pain at bay but he does not trust you, Clary, and Isabelle...well, there is nothing you can do for him."
"I…"
"Let him heal, girls. He's hurt, physically and emotionally and seeing the two of you won't help." Magnus didn't want to be so blunt but he needed the girls to understand.
"Avoiding him is not going to help." Clary said wisely, "We can't fix it if we're not here."
Magnus smiled at his beautiful girl who he watched grow up, "Your mother must be so proud of you."
Clary put on a brave face, "Hopefully she can tell me that herself once she wakes up."
Magnus nodded, "That is why we did all this, isn't it? To find your mother."
Clary frowned, "Magnus...no…"
Magnus stopped her. He said those words to make a point, "Of course not but that is not the way Alec is seeing it. From his point of view, everything Jace and Isabelle has been doing, is because of you. I'm a part of this, because of you. It doesn't take a Warlock to see that Alec doesn't like you, Clary. You turned his black and white world and filled it with a million shades of grey."
"How do you know so much about my brother?" Isabelle knew Magnus liked Alec but she didn't think they were close enough for Magnus to know her brother.
"I am over 400 years old, Isabelle. There's not much I don't know and your brother is an open book. Like I said, his world is black and white; it's not hard to see what he is thinking...feeling." Magnus gestured to the door, "Let him have his world back for a night or two. He can't heal if he is constantly reminded that he is not a part of this circle you, Clary, created."
Isabelle was angry now, "You've known him for a month and you think you can make decisions for him? I've known him my whole life."
"And if I was the one causing him pain every time he sees me, I would leave despite what I need." Magnus's words stung but his voice was soft and kind, "Can you do the same, Isabelle?"
Clary took Isabelle's hand as she waited for her to make the right decision. "You won't let anything happen to him." Isabelle asked, stated...demanded.
"You have my word." Magnus promised her.
Alec flinched in his sleep. Light reflected off blades as they cut through his skin. The needle in his neck was agonising. Then more blades.
The grip on Jace's hand woke. "Alec." He called when he saw his brother flinching and tossing. "Alec, it's Jace. You're safe with me in Magnus's apartment." Sweat ran down Alec's temple. His body recoiled and shrunk as if trying to get away from something. Jace pulled out his stele and activated his parabatai rune and then Alec's. He held Alec's hand in his and closed his eyes. "Can you feel me, Alec? Can you see me?"
A bright light reflecting off one of the blades, blinding him. He squinted, his eyes watery from the lights. When they cleared, Jace was standing in front of him, smiling. "I'll protect you, Alec."
"Jace." Alec breathed in his sleep. He relaxed again and continued sleeping peacefully.
"Good job." Jace's head spun towards the voice, "My potions and spells can only do so much for a tortured mind. Your parabatai bond is much more effective." Magnus placed a tray with a grilled quesadilla on it, on the bed. It looked very authentic. "Straight from the streets of Mexico." Magnus answered the question on Jace's mind, "Why buy from a stall in New York when you can have the real thing?"
Jace nodded, jealous of Magnus's power and freedom, "Looks delicious." He frowned at the tight hold Alec had on his right hand. It made eating hard. Magnus walked to the other side of the bed and used his magic to loosen Alec's hold. Alec frowned at the loss of the secure hold but before he could whimper in protest, Magnus replaced it with his own hand. Alec immediately relaxed again.
Jace picked up the quesadilla and bit into it. It was delicious but Jace wasn't enjoying it. It worried him how scared Alec was. It took a lot to scare Alec. He was always the strong one. The rock for every member of his family and now, he needed to hold his hand to sleep. "This isn't Alec. What Valentine did… I'm scared we won't get our Alec back."
Magnus shook his head, "Nobody comes back from torture the same person. You either come back broken or stronger. I have faith that Alec is the latter."
"He can't sleep peacefully without me or you. How can you be so sure?"
"It has only been a day and already he's found a way to fight his nightmares. You should feel lucky that he found that way in you. He's leaning on you, Jace. He is depending on you to get him through this. Don't let him down." Magnus's voice broke no argument.
Jace watched Magnus curiously. He knew Magnus had a long history with Shadowhunters. From developing the portal to fighting alongside them. He also knew Magnus didn't agree with many of the Clave's laws. For a long time, with Clary as an exception, Magnus avoided Shadowhunter business but since he met Alec, he would find excuses to come to the institute to see him. "What did you see in Alec at the party?"
Magnus was taken off guard by the question. He thought about it. What was it about Alec Lightwood that made him fall so fast? His blue eyes amongst his dark hair stood out first but Magnus wasn't superficial. It was when he looked into those eyes. "I've never seen someone more out of place than Alec. My party screamed everything that made Alec uncomfortable and he showed it." Magnus laughed, "He hated it, right?" Jace nodded, chuckling. "He was awkward and innocent. Most Shadowhunters I meet are like you, cocky and ignorant," He shrugged when Jace narrowed his eyes at him, "No offense. Alec was there to do a job and that was it. He wasn't planning on having fun while he was there or to try anything new. I've never met someone so...pure."
"You saw a lot in one look." Jace smiled, "I'm glad. Alec's changed since he met you."
"How so?"
"Alec doesn't trust easily. You can see the way he looks at Clary. He doesn't trust her at all. He hates that I do and he hates that I've been running around and putting myself in danger with her." He looked at the way Alec held Magnus's hand. "He trusts you. He saw something in you that night as well."
"What do you think it is?" Magnus was curious.
"I don't know. He won't talk to me about things like that." Jace shrugged.
"Of course not." Magnus wanted so much to caress Alec's cheeks, to run his fingers through his hair, but he controlled himself, "He intrigues me."
Jace finished his lunch and put the tray aside before turning to face Magnus, directly, "Alec is the most important person in my life." Magnus nodded, seeing the truth in that statement through the intensity in Jace's eyes, "I didn't think I would meet anyone who would be good enough for him. He's loyal and kind. I won't let anyone hurt him." Again Magnus nodded, "It's not going to be easy, Magnus. You'll be fighting every prejudice, generations of traditions. Alec isn't just any Shadowhunter. He's a Lightwood. You've seen how proud Robert and Maryse are."
"Are you asking me to steal Lydia Branwell's fiance?" Magnus asked, amused.
"Please do. Alec is being swallowed by Shadowhunter politics. You heard him. He's lost. I'm scared I'll lose him completely if he marries her." Jace begged him. "I know he cares about you. Show him you're worth the scrutiny both of you will be enduring if he takes this step. Show him you're worth the risk and I promise you, I'll endure the scrutiny with you."
Magnus gave up fighting his urges and cupped his hand against Alec's cheeks. He smiled at how right it felt. "I don't know if I'm worth it but you definitely are."
Jace watched nervously, "Please don't kiss him. He's never…" He stopped realising what he was about to say. Magnus expression told him he didn't cut himself off fast enough.
Magnus felt the blood drain from his face, "I know I keep using the word innocent to describe him but it's more in regards to his view of love. Tell me… how innocent is Alec?"
Jace quickly got off the bed and picked up the tray, "I'll take this back to the kitchen."
"Jace? How innocent?" Magnus's voice was growing in alarm.
Jace turned around and shook his head, "I am not… I can't have this conversation with you. It's not for me to tell you." He ran away as fast as he could.
"Have you seen him with anyone?!" Magnus called, pulling his hand from Alec.
Alec gasps at the sudden cold air. He pulled his hoodie around himself. The room was dark. "Jace?" He called out. Someone was in front of him. "Jace!" An arm shot out from behind him and wrapped around his neck.
"Jace isn't here." Valentine hissed in his ear, "But let me introduce you to Manuel." A latino, red-eyed downworlder stepped out from the shadows. "He's been asking to have his way with you." The downworlder pushed aside Alec's hoodie and ran his hand down Alec's naked chest.
Alec shook, "No." The arm around his neck cut off his air. He shut his eyes from what was about to happen to him, "No!"
"Alec!" Magnus regretted letting his conversation with Jace take his attention from Alec. He winced at the sucking sound coming from the Shadowhunter. "Alec, nothing is around your neck. You can breathe."
"What's going on?" Jace rushed back and grabbed Alec's hand, rubbing the cold from it.
"Another nightmare."
"Alec, breathe." Jace begged. He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Alec's temple, ignoring Alec's struggle, "Listen to my voice, Alec. It's only you and me. You can breathe."
The lips on his chest disappeared and the arm around his neck loosened. Slowly, he turned around. "Jace?" Jace smiled. "Jace." Alec threw his arms around his brother, "Get me out of here, please."
Jace pulled back from Alec when he felt his breathing returning to normal. "Alec." Alec wasn't awake but tears ran down his cheeks. "God, Alec, I'm so sorry." Jace pulled Alec into his arms, "I'm sorry Valentine got his hands on you."
Alec blinked slowly as he woke from his sleep, "Jace?"
Jace tightened his embrace, "I'm here, Alec. I'm not letting you go."
Alec gripped Jace's shirt in his fists, "Jace. He was going to..." He cut himself off when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
Magnus took his hand back when Alec cut himself off. What was Alec about to say? He thought back to the moment he entered the shipping container. The man was standing...no, he was kneeling. Jace frowned when Magnus's cat eyes burned. "He was going to what, Alec?" Magnus asked.
Alec pushed back from Jace and turned to Magnus. He shook his head, "Nothing." He shifted away from Magnus, a little. "Nothing." Jace put his arm around Alec's shoulder, not sure what Magnus was asked.
"He was tortured, Magnus. We saw what was done to him." He didn't understand why Magnus suddenly looked like he wanted to kill someone. Since they got Alec back, Magnus had been the one keeping a cool head, why was he losing it now?
"Valentine was never going to let you go. He'd already handed you over to his men. What did they have planned?" Magnus wished he hadn't killed the downworlder so quickly.
Alec shook his head, burying his face in Jace's shoulder. Jace rubbed his shoulder, feeling there was something very wrong now. Why was Magnus so angry? What was Alec about to say? He was going to… Jace stiffened when he finally heard it as well. He swallowed and tried to keep his voice calm but the fury behind it couldn't be masked, "Alec, did they…" Jace couldn't even get the word out, "Were you r…"
"No!" Alec pushed away, "No!"
"Alec, if they did…"
"They didn't!" Alec begged him to believe him. He shook as he continued, "But he touch… touched me. His hand…" Alec pulled his knees up, "His mouth." His hands came to his mouth. He looked sick. "Sorry…" Magnus barely got out of the way in time when he shot from the bed and ran straight to the bathroom.
Jace and Magnus listened to Alec's dry heaves. He hasn't eaten enough to throw anything up. "This stays between us." Jace drilled through his teeth.
"I would never." Magnus glared at him. He found himself about to lose control of his emotions. They were just talking about how innocent Alec was. He closed his eyes at the image of the man kneeling in front of Alec's pants. He knew he was about to unbutton his jeans. He tried to remember if the button was unbuttoned or not. "It wasn't." Magnus was sure.
"What?" Jace narrowed his eyes at him.
Magnus shook his head. "Nothing. Nothing happened to Alec. I hate that they touched him but he wasn't… there was no…"
The dry-heaving stopped and they heard the shower turn on. "How do I get him through this?"
"We got to him in time, Jace. We can't let the what-ifs get to us otherwise we won't be able to help him. He's having a shower now because he can still feel that man's touch on his skin." Magnus sighed, "We can't let him think that he's dirty… tainted."
"I wouldn't tell you before but I know you guessed it." Jace angrily wiped away his tears, "He's never been with anyone. Never kissed, never touched. Nothing. So this… I don't know how to help him."
Magnus sighed. Of course Jace couldn't help him. Although Jace was more experienced with women he was was still younger than Alec. Magnus, on the other hand, has seen enough in his immortal life to help Alec through his ordeal. "Let me help him. What he's seeing in his mind are fleeting images. He was in immense pain. He can stay here with me for a week or two. I'll help him forget." He promised.
"With magic?" Jace hoped and yet knew the answer.
"No, with care."
Jace was sceptical but Magnus seemed confident. "Are you sure you don't need me here?"
"Sometimes, it's easier to talk about traumatic experiences with someone who is not in the family. Alec feels like he needs to stay strong for you and Isabelle. He doesn't need to do so with me." It made sense.
"But he still needs me to help him feel safe."
"You've seen that I can do that too. Trust me, Jace."
Jace was hesitant. He'd just promised Alec that he would stay by his side but he also knew Magnus was right. Alec wasn't going to talk to him about this. "Okay, but you need to keep me up to date."
"Of course."
Alec got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. He grinded his teeth when his shoulders and wrists protested at his movement. He could take it. He endured the torture at Valentine's mens' hands, he can handle this. He looked into the brightly lit up mirror, the cuts were mostly gone, it was what he couldn't see that sent fear through him. The mirror started to fog up again from the steam. There was something...someone behind him. Alec froze. A hand snaked over his shoulder and down his chest. No. This isn't real, Alec told himself. Another hand came around his waist. Slowly, it moved lower towards the towel. "NO!" He punched the mirror and stumbled back. The door behind him swung open and a hand grabbed his arm. "Don't touch me!" Alec spun around, ready to fight whoever came near him.
"Alec!" Jace held out his hands, showing Alec he wasn't a threat. "It's me. Jace."
Alec stopped, his bloodied fist was ready to take on anyone. His eyes moved, fearfully between Jace and Magnus. Jace and Magnus. Jace and Magnus. He repeated the names in his head. "Jace." He couldn't hold back anymore. "Jace." Jace gathered his brother in his arms and let him cry. Alec couldn't even hold himself up any longer. They dropped to the ground. Crying together.
Magnus used his magic to dress Alec in black trackies and a grey shirt. It was all he could do. He was about to leave the boys in privacy when he saw the shoulder brace on the towel rack. He winced, knowing how much pain Alec's shoulder would be causing him now but he waited patiently, letting Alec calm down on his own.
Magnus knelt next to the boys when the sobbing stopped. He gently put a hand on Alec's shoulder, "We should get you back in bed and put the brace on. You must be in quite a bit of pain right now."
Jace pulled back quickly, worried, "Is it bad?" He asked Alec. Even though Alec shook his head, Jace could tell it was taking a lot of effort to hold back the pain. "Come on." He got to his feet and pulled Alec up by the good arm. He smiled at Magnus, gratefully, sensing he was using his magic to help Alec to his feet.
"Sit down." Magnus ordered. Alec sat on the side of the bed. Jace sat beside him, keeping him up. Alec frowned at the clothes he was wearing. "These aren't my clothes." He turned to Jace, "When did I get changed?" Jace chuckled. Exhaustion was making Alec delirious, which he preferred over the fear he saw earlier.
Magnus gently fitted the brace over Alec's injured shoulder, then reached behind him. He kept his eyes on Alec's as he did it, gaging if his touch would cause fear. He smiled when he only saw trust mixed with modesty. "You're cute when you blush." Alec looked away quickly and Jace groaned.
"Magnus. Not the time to flirt."
"Don't be ridiculous. There's always a time to flirt." Magnus secured the brace, "How does that feel?"
Alec kept his head down, "Good." His knuckles on his right hand caught his eyes. It was cut up and bloody. "Sorry about your mirror."
"Ah crap. I forgot about that." Jace cursed.
"Nothing I can't fix." Magnus said of both Alec's hand and his mirror, "Gives me a reason to renovate." He gently took Alec's hand, his other hand hovering over it with blue magic flowing around it. "There's pieces of glass still inside. This is going to sting a little." Alec hissed as the glass was pulled out. Magnus sent the pieces to a trash can before using more of his magic to heal the cuts completely. He smiled at Alec, "There you go. Good as new."
Alec fisted and unfisted his hand, "Thank you."
"Let's get you comfortable."
"Can I sit outside on the balcony?" Alec asked before they could help him under the covers again. "I'm feeling cooped up."
Jace looked to Magnus, who nodded, "It's a nice day outside."
Alec sat back on the chaise, his leg extended out and extra pillows propping him up. He closed his eyes and lifted his face to the sun. "I could sit out here forever."
Magnus smiled at how content Alec looked, "You are welcome to." Then he chuckled when Alec opened his eyes and looked away. It was so easy to make Alec uncomfortable.
"If I'm going to leave him with you, you need to stop doing that." Jace rolled his eyes.
Alec sat up, "Leave me here?"
Jace grimaced. He hadn't told Alec that yet, "Um...yeah. Magnus and I were talking and thought it's better for you to stay to rest. The Institute is too busy with Valentine out there."
"But why can't you stay here with me?" Alec knew he was being childish, but he didn't want Jace to leave him. "I feel… " He looked down at his hand, "safer."
Jace smiled and moved closer to his brother, "I need to be there and monitor all movements on Valentine." He hesitated at the next part, "I also need to keep an eye on Clary." He continued when Alec didn't say anything, "Clary is new to our world, Alec and she's hell bent on finding a way to wake her mother. She'll get herself killed if I'm not there."
Alec nodded. He didn't like Clary but he knew how strongly Jace felt about her. He needed to let Jace go for his sake, "I understand."
"Magnus will stay with you. You trust him, right?" Jace wanted to make sure Alec was comfortable here before he left.
"I do." Alec answered without hesitation, "He saved me." Magnus smiled, falling for this Shadowhunter more and more. "But you've done enough for me." Alec turned to him, "I can return with Jace to the Institute."
"No." "No way."
Alec frowned at their protest, "Why?"
"The Clave will have no sympathy for what you've been through." There was a reason why Magnus stopped working with Shadowhunters for so long. He found them growing more and more heartless.
"I don't need their sympathy." Alec hated people feeling sorry for him.
"That is not the only reason, Alec." Jace put a hand on his shoulder, "They'll use the Soul-Sword to get whatever clue they can to find where Valentine might be hiding. They'll make you relive it all." Alec flinched at that. "Hell will freeze over before I let that happen." Jace assured him with a squeeze of the shoulder.
"Besides, they won't find anything sifting through your memories. Valentine didn't keep you near his base." Magnus added, "If anything, he would set traps at where he kept you, hoping to catch a Shadowhunter or two in their bid to find him."
"And it's safer here. Valentine won't come here looking for Clary." Jace was sure until he saw Magnus wince at the statement. "What?"
Magnus shrugged, "I might have provoked him a little." Jace and Alec were confused, "I told him to stay away from you, Alec and then snapped his men's necks."
"The whole time we were looking for Alec, you were careful to keep yourself hidden from him. Why would you provoke him?!"
Magnus's eyes fell on Alec, who looked at him with such innocent eyes, it almost ached, "I wanted him to know who he was up against if he dared to touch you again."
Alec was still confused, "But you… you didn't even want to get involved before, why would you make yourself a target?"
Magnus sighed. It saddened him that Alec couldn't fathom why Magnus did what he did. It made him angry that Alec grew up believing he wasn't worth anyone's attention. "He did it for you, Alec." Jace answered for Magnus, seeing the love in Magnus's eyes. Is that really what he was seeing? Is this 400 year old warlock falling for his brother?
Alec still didn't take his eyes off Magnus. Magnus sat on the end of the chaise and put a hand on Alec's leg, "He won't come after you if he knows I'm protecting you. You're not Valentine's target. Clary is. He won't let his pride get in the way of the bigger picture. You were an easy target the other night because you were alone. It was luck and convenience for him. Now, if he dared to try, he would lose too many men and waste too much time."
Alec was shocked at what Magnus was saying, "You did that for me? Why?"
Magnus chuckled and shook his head in disbelief, "Come on, Alec. I've been flirting with you since we met. Can't you work out why?"
Alec looked away, shyly, "I guess. I just don't understand it."
Magnus wondered what happened in Alec's life for him to always doubt himself, "Well, stay for a week or two and I'll help you understand."
Alec gave a small smile, "Okay."
Magnus gently laid a woolen quilt over Alec, who had fallen asleep in the late sun. "So tell me something, Jace Wayland." Magnus sat in the single seater next to the lounge, "Why is it that you see every hint and sign I throw Alec's way, and mind you, they are not subtle, and yet Alec sees none of it?"
Jace laughed, "At the Institute, at clubs, almost anywhere we went, Izzy and I got all the attention. Alec would always stay behind us. If you didn't know better, you would think he was our bodyguard. And when Alec did catch someone's eyes, Alec was never interested." Jace gave Magnus a big grin, "Until we met you. I've never seen Alec react to anyone the way he does to you."
Magnus raised his eyebrows in disbelief, "He barely reacts to me."
Jace shook his finger at Magnus, "You think his lack of reaction is because he's not interested. It's because he doesn't understand why it's directed at him when I'm around."
"You are full of yourself, Jace Wayland."
Jace nodded, "Guilty but it's still true." His joking attitude disappeared, "Everyone thinks I'm better than he is at everything but it's only because I'm the one who rushes ahead, who shows off and Alec backs me up, he stays in the shadows. Have you seen him use a bow and arrow? It's amazing how fast he lets them fly. He's exceptional but nobody sees it."
"But you do and that's why he's happy to stay in your shadow. Because what you think is all that matters." Magnus wondered if his feelings were just lust but now he knew it was more than that. "I see it."
"I think that's why Alec trusts you. I don't think he realises it but it's the way you look at him. You see Alec Lightwood." Jace grinned, "And that's why I trust you as well." He nudged his thumb at the door. "I'm going to go now. Tell him I'll check on him when I can. Help him make the most of this time, Magnus. Show him a world outside of Shadowhunters. He deserves to do something for himself."
"I'll do that."
Alec woke up to beautiful, flickering lights. He frowned at the warm quilt, he didn't remember getting and then looked around groggily to see candlelights along the balcony wall. He turned to his left and found a dining table set up with more candles. An amazing aroma came from inside the apartment when the door opened. Magnus walked out with two plates. "I hope you are hungry because I brought food from the streets of India. He paused, "Do you like Indian cuisine?" Alec nodded absently. "Excellent." He finished setting up the table. Alec looked around. There was a lot of food. He was expecting to find Jace somewhere. "Your parabatai returned to the Institute. He said he'll come by to check on." Magnus watched to see if Alec would withdraw because his brother wasn't here.
"Oh okay." Alec pushed the quilt aside and gingerly stood, only wincing slightly at the ache in his shoulder. He looked down at his clothes and then at Magnus's stylish, pressed shirt and coat. "I feel underdressed." He said of the set up.
Magnus looked around, "Oh, please, don't be silly. This is dinner for me every night. I like to make dining in feel like dining out." Alec still looked uncomfortable, "If it makes you feel better," With a click of his fingers, Magnus was dressed in black trackies, a grey singlet with a black zip up hoodie, "How's this?"
Alec smiled shyly, "You didn't need to do that for me." He walked over to the table and sat in the seat opposite Magnus. "This is a lot of food. You do this every night?"
"I give the rest to the needy." Magnus answered the silent question.
"You're a good person, Magnus." Alec noticed that the naan bread was already cut into smaller pieces on his plate, and everything could be eaten with just one hand. "And thoughtful."
Magnus smiled, surprised the extra work he put in was noticed, "Eat up, Alec. You haven't had a good meal in a while."
"Longer than you think. Shadowhunters aren't known for their cooking." That made Magnus laugh.
Dinner was enjoyable and comfortable. Alec laughed at Magnus's stories from long ago. He envied Magnus. He was free and did whatever he wanted. "You've seen so much of this world. Does it ever get boring for you?"
Magnus nodded thoughtfully, "I was getting bored of my parties but then you walked in and suddenly the world seemed new again."
Alec ducked his head, blushing at the compliment, "I'm not interesting. Quite the opposite actually."
"You're a breath of fresh air for me, Alec. You're young and yet you have an old soul. You've never taken your family, friends or parabatai for granted." Magnus rested his chin in the palm of his hand and gazed lazily at Alec, "You're perfect."
Alec looked away, almost ashamed. Magnus sighed, feeling what Alec was thinking. "No. I'm not." Magnus knew telling Alec that none of what the men did to him, changed him in any way. Magnus knew that he needed to use these two weeks to show him that.
"Let's talk about me." Magnus changed the subject.
Alec couldn't help but chuckle, "We have been talking about you."
"I mean, what do you think of me?"
Alec looked like a deer caught in headlights, "Um… you're… you're…" Magnus waited patiently. "You're mesmerising."
Magnus raised his eyebrows, surprised that Alec would admit, "I think I'm going to enjoy this." He leaned forward on his elbows and rested his chin in his hands, "Go on."
"I avoid looking at you because you always look like you can read my mind. You answer my questions before I even ask them." Alec was curious, "Can you read minds?"
Magnus laughed, "Not at all but after centuries of living with all walks of life, I've learned to read expressions. You, Alec Lightwood, are an open book."
"Oh." Alec always thought he kept his feelings hidden, "Anyway, you're also kind. Everything you do, you think about others first. You're smart. Powerful. Wise. You deliberately say things that would make me uncomfortable because you think it's funny."
Magnus jumped at that, "No!" Alec jolted at the exclamation, "Everything I say to you is the truth. I'm not making fun of you."
Alec shook his head, "That's not what I mean. I just know you like how easy it is to make me blush. You're 400 years old. You're experienced. I…" He shrugged, "I haven't even been asked out."
Magnus smiled, "Alec Lightwood, would you go on a date with me tomorrow?"
Alec glared at him and stood from the table, "See? You're doing it again." He turned away when Magnus reached over and put a gentle hand on his arm to stop him.
"Alexander, I'm serious."
Alec frowned, "No one calls me Alexander. Not even my parents."
"I like Alexander. It suits your old soul and you haven't answered my question. Will you go on a date with me tomorrow?"
"You forget that I'm engaged."
Magnus nodded, "Lydia Branwell."
"I'm sorry, Magnus."
"Let's make a deal." Magnus suggested, "For the next two weeks, while you're healing, let's forget that I'm the High Warlock of Brooklyn and you are betrothed to Lydia. Let's be mundane for two weeks and if I can convince you that I'm the one for you, you call off your engagement with Lydia."
"Magnus, you know my engagement with Lydia has nothing to do with my feelings. It's the right thing to do for my family." Despite everything he's said, he still put his family first. It was the emotions and anger that made him lose control and expose himself.
"Just give me two weeks. What harm can it do?" Magnus pushed.
"Only destroy my family name," Alec mumbled under his breath before taking one. "You'll respect my decision."
"Of course."
Alec nodded, "Okay."
Despite the confidence Magnus showed during dinner, tomorrow's date made him nervous. He'd never felt nervous before a date in centuries. He sent a fire message to Clary; Any ideas for a first date with Alec? The message returned; I'm so happy for you! Just be yourself. Well, you're no help, Magnus thought. He was about to send a fire message to Isabelle when he received one first; Alec doesn't like anything grand or flourishing. He likes simple. Don't do anything that will make him feel like he's standing out. He'll love whatever you do. "Everything I do is flourishing and grand!" Magnus let the message poof out.
Alec sat back against the bed in the guest room. He insisted Magnus get his room back and so Magnus ensured the bed in the guest room was as luxurious as his own. We're going on a date tomorrow. What should I do? Alec sent the message to Jace. His heart has been pounding since dinner. If he kept it up, he might have a heart attack. Follow Magnus's lead. He's taking you out so he'll have everything planned. Just enjoy the day. Don't overthink it, Alec. "Easy for you to say, you do this all the time!" Alec huffed. He wasn't going to get any sleep tonight. He didn't even have anything to wear!
Magnus knew he would have trouble sleeping and so sent up magic dust in the air. He let it flow out of his room and into the guest room. If he was having trouble sleeping, Alec wouldn't be sleeping at all.
Alec rubbed his eyes groggily. He frowned. Last night was one of the best sleeps he's had in ages. He didn't think he would even sleep. He headed to the bathroom to wash and was surprised to see a set of clothes sitting on the armchair near the door. He picked it up with his good hand and smiled. A simple pair of dark jeans and a casual, button up black shirt. Magnus was extravagant when he dressed but he didn't push that onto Alec.
Magnus was making a simple breakfast when Alec came out of his room. He was holding his shoulder brace, "Um… do you mind helping me with this?" Alec asked.
Magnus smiled, "Of course not." He took the brace, "Are the clothes to your taste?"
"Yeah, thanks. It's very comfortable. Sorry, I'll get Jace to pack me a bag." Alec smiled his thanks when Magnus finished fastening the brace.
"I'm a warlock. It was no trouble at all." Magnus made a face, "Although, there may be a naked mannequin in Downtown Manhattan." He smiled at Alec's laugh, "How did you sleep?"
"Best sleep I've had in a long time. Thanks."
"You must've been tired." Magnus denied doing anything.
"Not tired enough." Alec mumbled to himself.
"What was that?"
"Nothing." Alec walked over to the blue couch. "Did you make this?"
"I make everything myself."
"I mean, actually cook it, without magic." Alec picked up a cheese toast.
"I like authenticity and that's why I go to different countries for my meals but that doesn't mean I can't cook. I told you; for the next two weeks, I am not the High Warlock of Brooklyn. At least not while we are on our date."
"Our date's started?" Alec almost choked on his orange juice.
Magnus really did love the innocent side of Alec. He was comfortable until he thought this was the date, "Not yet but I wanted to start the day off the mundane way to get us into the right mindset."
Alec smiled, "You think of everything, don't you?"
"I want our first date to be memorable."
"It already is." Alec's never been on a date. "This toastie is really good."
"Come, finish up and we'll head out." Magnus told him.
"Where are you taking me?"
"So, do Shadowhunters take strolls through parks?" Magnus asked as they walked amongst the think trees of Central Park.
Alec shook his head. "At least, I've never tried it. Jace likes to hunt demons."
"Alexander Lightwood, do you do anything for yourself?" Magnus found it more and more frustrating that Alec never did what he wanted to do.
"Watching Jace's back is for me. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to Jace." Alec's tone was so casual, as if it were normal to always live to keep another person alive.
"Well, that's going to change." Magnus reached over and took Alec's hand in his. Alec flinched but didn't pull away, "Look around you, if you could do something for yourself, what would it be? We have artists, mimes, families having picnics. What do you want?"
"This is all very mundane. I never liked the mundane." Alec told him.
"Mundanes have their way of having fun."
Alec spun and grinned, "I do remember seeing something called a fun park. The big train thing looked fun."
"A rollercoaster?" Magnus clarified, then chuckled at Alec's bright eyes, "Fun park it is." He frowned at Alec's shoulder, "Only one go of the rollercoaster though. I don't want you to make that shoulder worse. Jace and Isabelle will kill me."
It was night time and Magnus managed to secure the last Ferris Wheel ride. Alec closed his eyes and enjoyed the cool breeze as they reached the top. He turned to Magnus and weaved his fingers through the Warlock's, "Thank you for today."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
Alec found himself falling into Magnus's eyes. He leaned in close. Magnus gently took his chin and closed the gap. He pressed his lips to Alec's and then pulled back, waiting to see what Alec would do. Alec found himself wanting more and pulled Magnus in for a longer and more passionate kiss. So this is what it feels like to do what you want. Magnus pulled back when he felt their carriage reaching the bottom, knowing Alec wouldn't want to show any public display of affection. "How was that?" Magnus asked of Alec's first kiss.
Alec gazed longingly into Magnus's eyes, "Perfect."
Alec was laughing at something Magnus told him when Aldertree appeared with Jace and three other Shadowhunters. Alec ignored everyone else and looked at Jace, who looked ready to kill someone. "Alec Lightwood. We are under orders from the Consul to take you back to the Institute to recount your ordeal while imprisoned by Valentine." He nodded to the three Shadowhunters behind him. For the first time in Alec's life, he didn't trust the Clave. He took a step back involuntarily. He was surprised when Magnus stepped in front of him. "This is Shadowhunter business Mr Bane. Stay out of it."
"I beg to differ. Alexander is under my care." He smiled and shrugged, "Treat me like his doctor. I have the authority here and he is not well enough to be interrogated."
Aldertree smirked, "No one said anything about interrogation. We only want to talk to him."
Alec recognised the look in Aldertree's eyes. He was deciding whether or not Magnus should be treated as an enemy of the Clave. "Magnus, it's okay." Alec put a hand on Magnus's arm, "I'll go with them."
Magnus turned, patting the hand on his arm and gently pushing it away. "We had a deal. Two weeks, remember? I still have 13 days with you and I sure as hell am not giving them up after that Ferris wheel ride." Alec turned his head away from Aldertree, hiding his smile. "Trust me." Magnus told him. He knew how much sway he had with the Clave. Over centuries of favours, it was time Magnus cashed in on them.
"He comes with us." Aldertree ordered. The three Shadowhunters moved forward a step before they froze in place. Jace coughed in his hand, hiding his laugh. Aldertree turned to him, "You find this funny?"
"I find this nothing short of hilarious. I tried to tell you; it would be easier freeing Alec from Valentine then taking him from Magnus." Jace grinned.
"Magnus Bane, you are dangerously close to violating the Accords." Aldertree warned, ignoring Jace, "Alec Lightwood, don't make this harder for yourself."
"If this is not an interrogation, why do you need these three to take Alexander in?" Magnus accused.
"I was told he was with you and knew you would be trouble." Aldertree answered.
Magnus let his cat eye's glow, "Well then, I wouldn't want to disappoint." Blue magic surrounded Magnus and Alec. Alec glanced around him, putting his hand out to touch the blue field. He smiled at how comfortable and warm it felt, as if it was a part of him.
"Alec Lightwood. Control your warlock pet."
Alec's head spun, an anger he never knew he had burned within him, "Careful Aldertree. Magnus is the High Warlock of Brooklyn and the Ambassador for Warlocks. You show respect or I swear, I will use every connection I have to take you down. The Lightwood name has more power than you think." It was moments like these that made Jace proud. Alec was born a protector.
"You are little more than a child, Alec Lightwood. What can you do?"
"Try me!"
Magnus turned to Alec and smiled, "You are so sexy right now." He whispered so that only Alec could hear. Alec couldn't help but smile shyly, turning away from Aldertree again, "Let me handle this." Alec nodded. Magnus turned back to Aldertree, "You're treading very dangerous waters here. Your Institute walls are protected by my magic. Your portals are created with my magic. You rely on me for information on the Shadow world."
"What are you trying to say, Bane?"
"I find it hard to believe that the Clave would risk losing my allegiance for the meagre chance of getting anything useful about Valentine from Alexander. If I was to call a meeting with the Consul, will she be confirming what you told us?" It was a bluff but Magnus knew he was right. He was very good at reading micro-expressions. "Alexander is my guest for the next 13 days, after that, if he chooses to do so, he'll return to the Institute. But mark my word, Aldertree, I find out that the Soul-sword has touched him, I will pull all of my support and believe me, you don't want to know how much of my resources you rely upon." Magnus released the Shadowhunters from his hold. "Go home. You won't be getting what you came for today."
"And what of Lydia Branwell, Alec. You're humiliating her by staying with this warlock."
Alexander clenched his fist. He hated the way Aldertree referred to Magnus, "His name is Magnus Bane, Aldertree and Lydia and I have an understanding, so go and mind your own business."
Aldertree turned to Jace in one last ditch to salvage this, "Talk some sense into your parabatai."
Jace raised his eyebrows at him and then rolled his eyes. Aldertree was more of an idiot than he thought, "Sure!" He stepped forward, "Hey Alec!"
Alec couldn't help but smile at Jace calling him, "Yeah?" He called back.
"How's your shoulder?" Jace asked, to Aldertree's frustration.
Alec shrugged his good shoulder, "I jolted it on the rollercoaster but it was worth it. Have you been on a rollercoaster?"
"What's a rollercoaster? Is it as fun as it sounds?" Jace loved how relaxed Alec looked.
"Hell yeah! It's that thing over there." Alec pointed to the monstrous ride.
"That's enough!" Aldertree yelled at Jace, "Tell him to come home."
"Fine." Jace groaned, "Hey Alec, you should go home."
"Listen to your parabatai, Alec." Aldertree added, not understanding Alec the way Jace does.
Alec frowned, confused, "Really? Okay." He turned to Magnus, "Jace is right, we should go back. I'm tired."
Magnus nodded, "Seeing as your people so rudely ended our date, I'll portal us to the apartment."
"See you in the morning, Jace." Alec called.
"Bye!" Jace waved.
"What?!" Aldertree was close to pulling his hair out.
"I told you to tell him to come back."
"The word you used was home. Trust me, for now, Magnus's apartment is his home. He's more comfortable there than at the Institute."
"You are an insolent child!" Aldertree cursed.
Jace looked up at the rollercoaster, "I wonder if they'll turn the ride on for me to have a go."
"AAAAHHHHHH!"
Jace shrugged, "Was it something I said?"
Alec gingerly lowered himself into the blue lounge. He didn't realise how tired he was until he stepped into Magnus's apartment. He groaned as he took off his shoes and stretched himself out on the lounge. Magnus knelt near his head, affectionately brushing aside his curls. "I'm sorry Aldertree crashed our date." Alec blinked owlishly at Magnus.
Magnus combed his finger through Alec's hair, hypnotically, "The best part was over already. He didn't ruin anything." His voice was melodic, soothing. He smiled at Alec, trying to fight sleep but losing. Magnus leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips, "Sweet dreams."
One week later…
Alec notched his arrow and slowly lifted the bow. He closed his eyes and pulled the arrow back before the muscle in his shoulder gave out. "Ahh…" Alec hissed, putting the bow down and gently massaging away the ache. A hand that released a comfortable warmth moved over his shoulder.
"Let me do that." Magnus's soothing voice easily helped him relax. Over the other shoulder came a cup of coffee, "Here." Alec smiled and took the cup. He let Magnus lead him over to the outdoor lounge. "You should be careful." Magnus admonished as he sent healing magic through the shoulder.
"I was being careful. I didn't push it." Alec then added cheekily, "Don't you want me to stay a little longer? If I keep…"
"Don't you dare, Alexander." Magnus's voice was serious, "I will not see you in pain any longer than I must."
Alec leaned his head back, and took Magnus hand in his free one, kissing it, "I was joking."
"Don't joke with your health." Magnus leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. He walked around the lounge and tucked himself next to Alec, "So what do you want to do today?"
"I want to… stay in." Alec grinned, "Is that a mundane thing to do?"
Magnus laughed, "Definitely."
It was after breakfast that Magnus decided to get to the serious part of this two week deal. He promised Jace that he would help Alec through his trauma. Now that they've kissed and Alec seemed comfortable with his touch, they should move onto the psychological part. "Alexander."
"Hmmm…" Alec replied lazily. He was laying on the outdoor lounge with his head on Magnus's lap.
"Have you had any more nightmares about your ordeal?" Magnus knew the answer. Just last night, he soothed Alec's fear with his magic.
Alec started a little at the question before answering, "Once or twice."
"Tell me about them."
Alec pushed himself up with his good arm, "I would rather not."
"Keeping it bottled up isn't good for you."
"I'm fine." Alec rubbed his hands together nervously, "I've mostly healed and that… man is dead."
"That doesn't take away the fear." Magnus turned himself to face Alec, "I know you've made progress. You don't flinch when I touch you but what happens if I…" Magnus knew he was treading a fine line here but he needed Alec to know that he wasn't okay. "If I touched you…" Magnus snuck his hand under Alec's shirt. He felt Alec tense but he didn't move. "If I move lower." Alec shut his eyes, trying to hold back the fear, "Or if I…"
"No!" Alec shot off the couch and stumbled back from Magnus, "Don't do that. I don't want that."
"Alexander, talk to me, please."
Alec scoffed, "You don't seem like you want to talk."
"I want you to admit that you're not okay." Magnus stayed seated on the couch so that Alec didn't feel the need to run away. "One day, Alexander, whether it is with me or Lydia or some other lucky soul, you will be taking the next step. Flinching at every touch is not good for a relationship."
"I'm fine."
"Do you trust me?" Magnus sighed.
Alec rolled his eyes, "You know I do."
Magnus smiled at how easily that answer came for Alec, "So if this is how you react to my touch, how is anyone going to get close to you? How are you going to be intimate with anyone else?"
Alec turned away and moved the balcony barrier overlooking New York City, "Who says I want to be intimate with anyone else?" His eyes widened when he realised he said that out loud, he turned around, "I mean…" He knew he was too late and he couldn't think of anything to cover up what he just said.
Magnus was grinning at him, smugly, "Looks like I didn't need two weeks to convince you."
Alec groaned as he admitted, "You convinced me the first day."
Magnus did get up now, knowing Alec was no longer geared for flight, "Alexander Lightwood, you never stop surprising me. From what I've learned of you, you don't admit to your feelings, even to your parabatai."
"I don't talk to Jace because he can't be serious for a minute and I don't talk to Izzy because she would push me to have sex on the first date." Alec turned back to the view, leaning over the stone barrier. "Anyway, I didn't have anything to talk about, or could talk about."
"You're referring to your feelings for Jace."
Alec nodded. It wasn't a secret. At least not one Magnus didn't know about. It was revealed when they tried to summon a demon with Clary's memories. Jace was the only one that believed what he revealed was just his love for a brother. "I think my feelings for him were my safety net. I could secretly feel that way and stay at his side and nobody would know because we were parabatai."
"How about now?"
"Now he's my parabatai." Alec smiled, gratefully, "You showed me that."
Magnus turned Alec to face him, "Let me show you what a real, intimate touch feels like. Let me make you forget what that man did." He gently took Alec's hand and led him to his bedroom, relieved that Alec didn't resist.
Alec nervously sat on the end of Magnus's bed, "Magnus, I…"
"This is not sex." Magnus stood in front of him and gently lifted his head by the chin. He leaned over and kissed him, "That's for another day." He chuckled at Alec flushed cheeks as he lowered Alec onto the bed and placed himself on the side, almost top of him. He didn't stop kissing and let his hands roam over Alec's clothed body.
Alec shivered as Magnus's hand moved under his shirt and slowly up his ribs. He gasped and flinched when a man other than Magnus flashed in his mind. He shut his eyes and Magnus's hand froze. "Alexander." He placed a warmed hand against his cheek, "Open your eyes." Alec did and Magnus wished he could make the fear there evaporate, "Don't close them. See me, no one else." When he felt Alec relax, he started moving his hand again. He laid gentle kisses up Alec's torso. He smiled at the shiver, knowing it was from pleasure and not fear. Magnus pushed Alec's shirt up and looked for permission from Alec. Alec stretched his arm above his head, letting Magnus slip his shirt off. The ugly bruise spanning Alec's shoulder and down his chest. Magnus kissed it, "How is the pain?"
"It's fine."
"Are you sure? Because I can st…"
"Shut up and kiss me." Alec demanded breathily.
"Your wish is my command." Magnus grinned before kissing Alec passionately. When they broke away, Alec's eyes were filled with love and passion.
"You know what you said about sex?" Alec asked. Magnus nodded. "I won't hold you to it."
It was the second last night of their two week deal and they were having a double date with Jace and Clary. "I can't believe you've never been on a rollercoaster." They were at the Fun Park again, walking amongst the stalls, enjoying ice cream and fairy floss.
"Who'd thought Mundanes knew how to have fun?" Jace laughed when Clary pushed him playfully.
"You should try to do more things the mundane way." Alec advised, "I've almost had 2 weeks of it and it's been amazing." Magnus smiled at him affectionately, accepting a kiss on the cheek from Alec.
"I think that's a good idea." Clary agreed, "Who better to show you the mundane world than a former mundane?"
"Why didn't you think about taking me here?" Jace complained, "I had to learn about it from Alec."
"You say that like an insult." Alec laughed, "You jealous that I tried something before you?"
"Don't be stupid." Jace loved how happy Alec was. He wished it could last but Valentine was still out there and Alec had to return to the Institute soon. "So, what are we doing next?" Jace shook himself from that thought. It was a near future problem.
Clary saw the exchange between Alec and Magnus and knew they were ready to finish this date off privately, "I think we should call it a night." She smiled in acknowledgement when Alec mouthed thank you to her.
They were at the entrance of Luna Park when a rift opened in front of them. "What…"
"Clary!" Jace jumped in front of her and pulled out his blade, "Azazel!" He called before slicing a demon in half. "Raum demons!" Jace put his arm out to protect Clary and backed away as more demons came through the rift.
"Magnus!" Alec called out a warning but Magnus had it under control, creating a small portal and sending it into space. "That was cool." Alec grinned.
Another rift appeared. Magnus growled, "This is the work of a warlock. It must be nearby. Buy me some time. I need to locate it."
"No problem." Alec armed himself with his bow and arrow, which had been glamoured.
"Clary, don't let their tentacles touch you." Jace cautioned.
"I don't plan to let any part of those things touch me." Clary grimaced in disgust.
Alec jumped on top of a statue, getting a clear 360 view, his balance and agility rune giving him the stability he needed. This was what Alec did best, watching everyone's backs. Jace looked up at his parabatai when an arrow dispatched a raum attacking Clary from behind. "Don't worry, I have all our backs." Alec assured him. Jace grinned. He lived for this.
Magnus closed his eyes and sent his magic out, sensing for a power similar to his. He smiled when he found the young warlock behind the gates of the Fun Park. "Come to me." Magnus wrapped his magic around the warlock's neck and yanked him from his hiding place. "Close the rift." He ordered.
"I work for Valentine." Magnus saw the dark vein, a sure sign that this warlock was under Valentine's spell.
"Damn Valentine!" Magnus closed his hold on the warlock's neck until he passed out. "You can't keep the rifts open if you're unconscious." He didn't want to kill anyone and especially not one of his own kind.
Alec smiled when the rifts closed, he turned to Magnus, and he saw a demon leap at Magnus's exposed back, "Magnus!" He let his arrow fly but the distraction was enough for another demon to latch itself onto Alec's left arm. He hissed as the sharp teeth on the tentacles sunk into his skin. Alec stabbed the demon in the eye with the tip of his arrow, effectively dispersing it before notching it and sending the arrow flying at another demon. His arm burned. Alec activated an iratze, quickly, feeling the pain ease straight away. He knew it didn't neutralise the venom but it did let him focus on the remaining demons.
Magnus marvelled at his boyfriend in action. He was graceful in his movements. Continuous arrows flew seamlessly, none of them missing their mark. How did the Clave not see Alexander Lightwood's worth? The last of the demons was handled and Alec jumped from his perch. Magnus's brow furrowed at his unsteady landing. He rushed to his side, "Alexander." He caught Alec as he swayed, "Darling?" Alec tried to shake out the cobwebs.
"Alec!" Jace ran to them, "What happened?"
"I'm going to hazard a guess…" A portal opened and ten men who were obviously Valentine's walked through.
"You've got to be kidding me." Jace growled.
"We're here for Jace Wayland and Clary Fairchild." The tallest one demanded.
"Oh sure. Since you asked so politely." Jace answered sarcastically.
Magnus was struggling to hold Alec up, "I'm sending you back to the apartment and then…"
"No! I'm not leaving any of you here." Alec activated another iratze and a stamina rune, "I'll be okay." He said, already feeling strong enough to hold his own weight.
"You are stubbornly protective."
"Jace would be dead ten times over if I wasn't." Alec said, loud enough for Jace to hear.
"Are you saying I can't handle myself?" Jace took the challenge, "Watch me." He ran towards the men.
Alec shook his head and glanced at Magnus, "See what I mean?"
Magnus smiled despite his concern over Alec. He could see the sweat caused by an onset of a fever, "Let's get this over with so I can get you home."
They may seem to be outnumbered but the Shadowhunters had Magnus on their side. He knocked them unconscious and sent them through portals. Two of them, who had more of a brain than the others, targeted Alec, knowing from earlier that he was injured and the warlock's weak spot. Alec dodged a stab at his ribs but froze when a blade appeared dangerously at his throat. "Stop or this one dies."
Jace dispatched his guy and spun around. "Let him go!"
"Alec." Clary gasped.
Magnus glared at the men daring to hold Alec hostage. The still conscious but injured henchmen gathered behind the ones threatening Alec. "Now, like I said before; Jace Wayland and Clary Fairchild are coming with us."
The effects of the iratze was wearing off and dizziness hit Alec, he stumbled and dropped to his knees. The goon holding the blade lowered it slightly, to avoid killing Alec before they could get what they wanted. The other man, their leader, pulled Alec's head up by his hair, exposing his neck to the blade, "Are you hard of hearing?! I won't ask again!"
Jace was about to step forward when a force next to him stopped him. Magnus was glowing with magic, "Is Valentine hard of hearing? I made it clear to him that Alec Lightwood was off limits!"
"Lord Valentine does not take orders from a warlock." The man growled.
"That's unlucky for you." The High Warlock of Brooklyn said in a low, deadly voice. His magic shot out and latched onto the blade, yanking it out of man's hand and taking out another guy. A magical whip wooshed through the air and wrapped around the man holding Alec's head, cutting off his air. He let Alec go and grasped at the invisible rope.
Alec braced himself with a palm on the ground to stop himself from falling on his face. He felt something try to grab him by the arm but then dropped to the ground with a thud. Alec looked up and smiled at how amazing Magnus looked. He had the coolest boyfriend. He felt himself lifted off the ground and floating forward, "Take him." Magnus ordered.
Jace grabbed Alec and lowered him to the ground, "How are you feeling?" He asked as he leaned Alec against him.
Alec smiled at the henchmen flying all over the park, "Magnus is so cool."
Jace laughed, "You're delirious."
"But he's not wrong." Clary agreed with him.
"I like your girlfriend." Jace shook his head as Clary beamed at that comment.
"He's clearly not in his right mind, Clary. Don't take it to heart."
"I can and I will." Clary said, determined.
Another portal opened up behind them. Clary spun around and found 5 more of Valentine's men. "Valentine really wants us badly."
"Sorry Alec, I'll be right back." Jace leaned him forward so Alec could hold himself up. Alec could hear the battle around him. He tried to get to his feet but his arms and legs refused to obey. He couldn't focus enough to give himself another stamina rune. He was suddenly on his feet, violently pulled up by the throat. His air was cut off by strong hands squeezing his neck. He struggled, his feet kicking an inch off the ground. His vision started darkening around the edge when he was dropped. He pulled in a much needed breath, then spluttered on the ground, coughing through his bruised airways. He frowned at the corpse staring at him. Alec pushed himself up with the burst of adrenaline he got from almost dying and drew a stamina rune, quickly before it wore off, followed by an iratze. It wasn't as effective but at least he was on his feet. He turned around, looking for Magnus and smiled when he found him walking towards him,
"I think it's time to call it a night." Magnus increased his steps when he saw Alec start to sway. Alec grabbed him as soon as he was within reach. "Hold on a little longer, okay?" Alec nodded, exhausted. "Wait!" Magnus called before Jace could kill the last of Valentine's men, "Let him live. I need to send a message."
"Magnus." Alec has never heard Magnus so angry and he didn't like it. "Magnus, don't…"
Magnus kept an arm around Alec, "Just a moment longer, Alexander." He opened a portal and sent the dead men through it, then called out to the only living one, "I have four names for Valentine; Ragnor Fell, Caterina Loss, Tessa Gray and Magnus Bane. Four of the most powerful warlocks will combine powers to take apart his plan at the seams. Stay the hell away from Alec Lightwood! That's my last warning!" He threw the man through the portal and closed it.
"It's not a good idea to provoke him, Magnus." Alec worried for Magnus's safety. He leaned heavily against him.
"Let's get you home." Jace pulled his arm over his shoulder and walked through the portal Magnus created.
Alec dropped the carpet as soon as he exited the portal. He groaned, pulling his shirt collar, "It's hot."
"Get him to the bedroom!" Magnus ordered, "I'll be there in a minute."
Jace grunted as he draped Alec's arm over his neck and hefted him to his feet, "You've been eating well here, haven't you?" Clary tried to help from the other side but was worried about the angry bites along his arm, "We are working out as soon as you get back to the Institute, I need my parabatai in mint condition." He dropped Alec onto the bed, then swung his leg around so that he was lying comfortably..
"You're just jealous." Alec managed, "Why is… it so hot in here?"
"Here." Clary got a towel from the bathroom.
Jace smiled gratefully at him as he took the towel and wiped the sweat around Alec's neck, "Your temperature is skyrocketing."
Alec grinned dopily at Jace, "Did you see Magnus? My boyfriend is the coolest."
"Your boyfriend?"
"SSSHHHH, not so loud! He doesn't know." Alec growled at him.
Jace shook his head, "Raum venom. It's almost like a drug until it kills you. Where is Magnus?"
"Right here." Jace moved out of the warlock's way, "Drink this, darling."
Alec squinted at the bright yellow fluid, "Is that going to make me glow in the dark?"
Clary couldn't help but laugh at how cute Alec was acting, "He's cute when he's drugged."
Magnus had to agree, "No but I can make you glow in the dark if you'd like, after you drink this." He tipped the vile and Alec drank it obediently. Using his magic, Magnus soothed the burning in Alec's arm and calmed the fever. "Sleep, Alexander." Magnus waited until Alec closed his eyes. Alec would be fine. The venom remained in his system longer than it should've and moved faster because of the adrenaline and stamina runes Alec gave himself to keep aware of his surroundings. "He won't wake for a while. You can stay or I can send you a message when he wakes."
"Sorry to ruin the last days of your deal with Alec. I know Alec loved staying here with you."
Magnus smiled, "It may be the last days of our deal but it is definitely not the last of us. Not if I have any say in it."
Jace let out a long breath, "Listen, Magnus. I can't thank you enough for what you've done for Alec in these two weeks but you need to understand that Alec has responsibilities at the Institute. Robert and Maryse are not going to let their eldest run off with you. They are relying on him to form an Alliance with the Branwells to restore the Lightwood name."
"Alexander is not a pawn for political gain." Magnus brushed Alec's cheek with the back of his fingers, "Before this, Alexander didn't know how it felt to love someone and to be loved by someone outside of his family. He does now. I trust him to make the right decision. Besides, you begged me to steal Lydia Branwell's fiance." He waved his fingers in the air, "Something about losing Alec if he married her?"
Jace groaned, "Tell you the truth, I didn't think you could do it. Alec is so shy when it comes to these things and family means the world to him."
Magnus smiled, wistfully, "I'm hoping I do too."
Clary recognised that smiled, "It doesn't take a genius to see that you mean everything to him."
Magnus raised his eyebrows at her, surprised at how wise this young girl was. Jace, on the other hand, was not, "I don't want you getting your hopes up. I know Alec." Shadowhunter, Magnus huffed at himself.
Magnus turned to face Jace, "Then you should have faith in him. Alexander's strong and he trusts me."
Two days later…
"Alec! Don't you walk away from me!" Alec turned around to face his mum, "Go back to Lydia and tell her the wedding is back on!"
Alec shook his head, disappointed in his mum. He turned around and continued walking. She was always hard on them but he always believed she was doing it because she loved them, now he wasn't sure. "Don't you want me to be happy, mum?"
"Don't be a child! You can learn to be happy with Lydia." Maryse admonished her son like he was 10 years old.
"I can't be happy with anyone but Magnus!" Alec yelled as he spun around to face her again. He realised then that they had walked into the command centre. Jace looked astonished. Clary and Isabelle smiled proudly. Alec looked around uncomfortably, then swallowed the embarrassment back, "Do you know what I went through when Valentine had me? He had his men…" He moved in close to whisper in his mother's ear. He may have put what happened behind him but it didn't mean he wanted the entire Institute to know. Maryse gasped and stumbled back a step. "Magnus helped me through it. Magnus sees me as a person. He doesn't want anything from me but me."
Maryse took a breath and tried to tackle this from another angle, "And I am grateful to him, Alec but are you sure he is what you want? You hardly have any experience."
Alec rolled his eyes, "And yet you want me to marry someone I barely know. A little hypocritical, don't you think, mum?" He put his hand out when she tried to protest, "Don't. You won't convince me to change my mind. Maybe you're right and Magnus isn't the one for me but he's worth the risk. Let me make my own mistakes. I'm staying with him until you can get your head around your son dating a warlock." He smiled at his brother and sister before leaving.
"Let him go, mum!" Isabelle called out.
"Alec and Magnus are in love." Clary took an involuntary step back when Maryse spun on her and pointed a finger.
"Mum…" Jace held out a hand to ward off her anger.
"All of this is because of you. You've got both my son's doing things completely out of character." Maryse accused.
"Mum!" Jace called incredulously, "What does Clary have to do with Alec and Magnus?"
"This all started after she arrived!" Maryse continued, "Alec and Magnus wouldn't have met if not for her."
Jace and Isabelled blinked at their mum, then looked at each, astonished at how unreasonable Maryse was being, "Mum! Alec is a Shadowhunter. Magnus is the High Warlock of Brooklyn! They would've met eventually!"
"But they wouldn't be together!"
"Ha!" Jace let burst out of his mouth, "Magnus fell for Alec the moment he saw him and Alec saw something in him then as well. Nothing in this universe, including you and dad, was going to stop those two." Jace let out a huff, "Trust me. I can feel it."
"You…" Maryse gestured to all of them, "All of you, have been a bad influence on Alec. He was a good boy until…"
"HE WAS YOUR GOOD SOLDIER!" Jace yelled. The entire room froze and Jace didn't care, "Alec has never been your son. He was your lieutenant and your way of cleaning up yours and dad's mess!" Jace placed a hand on his chest over his heart, "If you felt what I've felt for the past weeks, you would be eternally grateful to Magnus for making Alec the happiest he's ever been in his entire life." Then he took Clary's hand, "Now, Clary is going to take me to the Fun Park." He turned to Isabelle, "Want to come, Izzy?" He pulled Clary towards the front door. Clary grabbed Isabelle just in time and dragged her with them.
"Fun Park!" Isabelle cheered.
Jace paused at the door, "By the way," He started, turning to his shell-shocked adopted mother, "Don't blame this on Clary as well. Alec was the one who introduced me to a Fun Park." He grinned and shrugged, "Who's the bad influence now?"
Magnus opened the door to his apartment. "Who do we have here?" He smiled at the man at the door, "Alexander Lightwood. I've been wondering if you would ever come around again."
Alec rolled his eyes at the exaggeration, "Magnus, I've been gone for a day."
Magnus grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him into the apartment, hungrily kissing him. "One day too long."
"Mag…Magnus…" Alec tried to speak between the kisses but Magnus wouldn't let up. He pulled back forcefully and held up a finger, "Let me speak first."
"Grrr…" Magnus rolled his eyes and walked over to the lounge, dropping into it, "Action is better than words."
Alec laughed at how childish Magnus was being, "I'm 18, you're Four hundred and something, who's supposed to be more mature?"
"Talk so I can get back to what we were doing." Magnus demanded.
Alec sat down and hesitated, "Um… I know we haven't been together long but can I stay here for a while?"
Magnus sat up, a little shocked, "Did Maryse kick you out?"
Alec shook his head, "No but she wasn't happy. I don't want to stay there and listen to her nag me to change my mind."
Magnus's eyes widened, "You really called off the engagement?"
Alec was confused, "You didn't think I would? I thought we talked about it. I want to be with you. Do you…"
Magnus grabbed him and kissed him hard, "Of course that's what I want. I thought you would need more time."
Alec shrugged, "Why delay the inevitable?" His eyes glanced around the room, uncomfortably when Magnus didn't say anything. "Um… so, can I stay here?"
Magnus leaned over and kissed Alec again, this time gently, "Stay as long as you like."
Alec couldn't believe this was happening to him, "Is it possible to be falling in love with you so quickly?"
"I fell in love with you the moment I saw you."
"There is such a thing as love at first sight? I thought it was a myth." Alec was genuinely curious. Magnus loved how new to love Alec was. He found everything they did so fascinating.
"Apparently so." He got into a crouch and crawled over to Alec, pushing him back against the couch. Alec happily obliged, stretching out and lying back. "You really are perfect, Alec Lightwood."
Alec gazed dreamily into Magnus's eyes, "Is this real? I never believed I would… I could ever have this. Have you...even deserve you." Magnus paused and frowned. He stopped seducing his boyfriend and pushed himself up. "Magnus?" Magnus pulled Alec up before sitting down in the lounge, properly. Alec crossed his legs on the couch, staying facing Magnus, "Did I do something wrong?"
Magnus sighed and shook his head, "Only that you think so little of yourself, Alexander." Alec was confused. "Jace told me that all your life, you've lived in his shadow."
Alec shrugged, "Maybe, but it never bothered me."
Magnus nodded, "I know, because Jace always knew how amazing you are and his opinion and thoughts were all that mattered."
Alec was still confused, "Is that a bad thing?"
"Of course not. I am grateful to him for that but just because it never bothered you, doesn't mean it didn't affect you." Magnus spoke wisely, showing his 400 years of experience.
"I don't follow."
"You don't think you deserve what we have." Magnus reiterated Alec's words, "You think that because nobody has appreciated you for you. I never want to ever hear you say or even for you to think that you're not good enough. You're the most loyal man I've ever met. Your protective instinct is so strong, it's almost like you have a sixth sense of where your family and friends are. Your arrows find their targets as if they have a mind of their own." Alec listened intently as Magnus put him on a pedestal so high, he was getting light-headed. "You stood up to Aldertree for a Downworlder you only just started dating. I've never had anyone stand up for me like that, and definitely not by a Shadowhunter against another Shadowhunter." Magnus took Alec's hand in his and clasped it tight in both of his, "You shine so bright, it's impossible for you to live in anyone's shadow. I see that and I know, eventually, the rest of the shadow world will see that too, if you will let them."
Alec felt like he was floating. He was in awe of everything Magnus articulated, "You see all that." Magnus nodded. He pulled Magnus in and kissed him hard and passionately. When he finally pulled away, Alec was breathless, "I love you."
"And I love you." Magnus was almost blinded by the most beautiful smile from Alec upon hearing those words returned, "I love you, Alexander Lightwood." He said again. "Now, enough talking." He stood and pulled Alec to his feet, "I've wanted you in my bed, naked and doing whatever I want without worrying about your injury." He grinned when Alec gave a nervous but happy chuckle. He loved that everything about love was new to Alec and made it new for Magnus as well.
the End
