EDITED 5/30/2020
"Where are we going?" Clary laughed as Wesley tugged her along down the street.
He had insisted that she put on a nice navy blue dress that he had shoved at her and that she meet him outside the institute. Clary had done both and had yet to get any answers. His hand was firmly holding hers as he led her through the city
"Not telling, love." Wesley grinned over his shoulder and Clary found herself smiling back at him easily and the butterflies in her stomach started fluttering helplessly. She had to remind herself that the two of them were just friends. Wesley had a soulmate back home, a soulmate that wasn't her.
It was another five minutes filled with unanswered questions before Wesley finally ducked inside a nice looking restaurant, pulling Clary in behind him.
"Hope you're hungry." He smiled at her, wrapping an arm around her waist. He pulled her to him just in time as a busy looking waiter nearly bumped into her and would have had Wesley not pulled her out of the way in time.
"I am, this place is amazing!" She beamed, looking around. "How did you hear about it?"
It was definitely one of the fancier places that she had been to. Since Jocelyn was a single mother, she hadn't had much money to go out to eat and Clary had never had a serious boyfriend before being introduced to the Shadow World.
"Magnus recommended it. Apparently he and your brother have been here before." Wesley said.
Clary nodded in understanding, this place definitely looked like somewhere Magnus would spend time at. It didn't necessarily look like Alec's style, but then again, anything Magnus liked was Alec's style nowadays.
"Hi!" The hostess popped around the corner, smiling at the couple. "Just two tonight?"
"Yes, please, love." Wesley smiled at her, pulling Clary a tad bit closer.
"Right this way." The hostess gestured for the couple to follow her.
They were led to a communal table towards the back of the room and Clary almost stopped short when she noticed who was there.
Wesley swore under his breath and then leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
"I am so sorry, Clary. It isn't too late to leave. We can go somewhere else."
Clary shook her head. "No, we aren't leaving. This is perfect."
"Clary!" Simon exclaimed when he looked up. Maia instantly pulled her hand back from his and looked extremely put out.
The hostess put Wesley and Clary's menus down and informed them that a server would be with them soon before disappearing. Wesley pulled Clary's chair out for her, right next to Maia and circled the table to sit next to Simon.
"So.." Clary sighed.
"This doesn't have to be weird." Maia told the group. "You guys do your thing, we will do ours. Yeah?"
The other three nodded awkwardly.
"So," Wesley looked over at Clary. "Share an appetizer?"
"Sure!" Clary smiled looking down at the menu. "You pick."
"Okay," Wesley looked the menu over and at the same time as Simon, who'd leaned over intending to help him out, said "Barada salad?"
Wesley looked over at Simon with a furrowed brow as Clary slowly answered.
"My favorite."
"Great." Wesley said.
The group fell into another awkward silence before Maia threw her menu down and asked "who's up for cocktails?"
"Great idea!" Clary nodded.
—-
"Is Mr. Harris okay?" Catarina asked Luke desperately as he came back to join the group.
Magnus, Alec, Madzie, Luke and Isabelle had all come to Catarina's aid when she had called about a Ley Line Surge not long after Magnus had gotten one about a surge at Lorenzo Rey's party.
"He'll pull through." Magnus told his friend, sympathy written all over his face.
"And everyone else?" She asked tearfully.
"There was a patient upstairs on a ventilator." Alec told her.
"Oh God." She cried, closing her eyes. "It's all my fault." She told them remorsefully.
"Catarina, you had no way of knowing this would happen." Magnus told her, trying to comfort her.
"This proves Lorenzo's mansion wasn't the only place affected." Alec said quietly. "We have to get back to the institute."
Magnus, Izzy and Luke all started to walk away. "I'll be there in a second." Alec told Magnus quietly and transferred Madzie's hand from his to Magnus'.
Alec rounded the patient bed that Cat was standing next to and stopped in front of her. "Um, Magnus told me that you and me, we're pretty close. And I just wanted you to know that I might not have my memories right now, but Magnus is working on a way to make me immortal and I guess I'm trying to say I'm here for you, memories or no. You're my friend too, not just Magnus'"
Catarina offered him a tearful smile and pulled him into a quick hug. "I'm so glad you two worked it out. And I'm glad we have forever now."
Alec held onto her a few seconds longer before pulling away and going to find the others.
—
Clary and Wesley arrived right in time for the argument.
"You're going to use the Angelic Core? Are you serious?!" Raj asked Alec.
"This is our only chance to stop the corruption." Alec told him. "We're going to flood the ley lines with angelic energy. Put an end to this once and for all."
"So your plan is basically divine drano?" Clary said, announcing her and Wesley's presence.
Alec threw her what to others would appear to be an irritated look but Clary could tell her brother was relieved to see her.
He sighed and pulled up an image of the institute on the holographic table.
"The only problem is the institute is not built on any ley lines."
Raj gave Alec a smug look which really pissed Alec off.
"At least not yet." Alec continued. "That's where Magnus comes in.
Magnus nodded and stepped up to the table.
"I know a spell that will temporarily allow me to divert the magic of the core." Magnus told the group gathered. "Once the ley lines are in place, you'll tap into the core and we can kiss the demonic corruption goodbye."
"Right. And what happens if a demon shockwave hits while you're using your magic?" Raj asks.
"I'll be there." Wesley told the smug Shadowhunter. "I can stabilize him and make sure that nothing bad happens."
While not necessarily true, the Shadowhunter didn't have to know that.
"This is a risk we have to take." Alec told his people. "Evacuate the Institute. Essential personnel stay behind."
Magnus, Alec and Wesley made their way downstairs. Madzie has been sent with her aunts to go back to the loft.
"You're sure about this?" Magnus asked Alec. He wasn't entirely sure he wanted Alec down here doing this with him. If the core reacted badly or his magic went haywire, he was not confident in his ability to protect the man he loves, and he didn't want to leave Madzie without either of her parents.
"You got a better idea?" Alec asked as he hit some keys on a control panel.
"I could try it on my own. It'd be far more difficult, but at least you'll be safe." Magnus told him.
"And let you hog all the glory." Alec said lightheartedly.
Magnus chuckled. "Maybe."
"As long as you're here, I'm not going anywhere." Alec turned to look at him. "I told you, I'm never leaving you."
Magnus gave Alec a small, sad smile. He knew that he could mess this up, not when Alec was down here with him. Not when his daughter and almost sister-in-laws were counting on him. He whipped his jacket off and took a few steps forward.
"Well then, let's get started."
He waved his hands around and started the spell as Alec watched intently and monitored the ley lines on the panel.
"A little further!" He called out as he noticed that Magnus almost had it.
Magnus strained for a moment before he had it. "Now!"
Alec pressed the button but was shocked when he was denied access. In bold red letters the panel was telling him that he was unauthorized.
He tried a few more times with the same result.
"Alexander! I can't hold it for much longer! Do it now!" Magnus yelled.
"I can't! Someone's locked me out!" Alec told him.
"Alec!" Magnus screamed, straining even harder.
"I need to release the energy manually." Alec ran over to the wall and opened a secret door.
"Well whatever you do, do it quickly!"
He dug through cables and wires trying to find the switch.
"Alexander!"
"I'm working on it!" Alec tried to push the lever up. "It's rusted."
He pulled his jacket off and his sleeve up, and activated his strength rune. "Come on, come on." He pulled the lever up and the energy was released.
There was a flash of light and Magnus fell backwards. Both men were breathing heavily as Alec rushed forward to steady his fiancé.
"We did it." He grinned giddily, crouching next to Magnus and allowing the man to lean heavily on his thigh.
"Let's go home." Magnus told him.
-—
The next day, Izzy called Alec and Clary to the Institute around ten in the morning. Magnus stayed at the loft with Madzie to ensure that the Institute was off the ley line grid before he followed after them.
"There you are!" Magnus exclaimed as he found the three Lightwood siblings in the weapons room. His daughter's hand safely in his, he entered the room and after a moment's hesitation, let Madzie's hand go so she could run to Alec. He wasn't fond of letting the young girl run free surrounded by so many sharp objects.
"Good news! The core is off the ley line grid and free of demonic corruption."
Alec had a hand on Madzie's shoulder but did not look happy. In fact, none of the three siblings looked very happy.
"That's good news. Thank you." Alec said after a moment of silence.
"Alrighty then." Magnus said awkwardly. "We'll make ourselves scarce. Madzie c'mon."
"But we just got here." Madzie complained.
"We just got a fire message from mom saying she's dropping by for an impromptu family dinner." Isabelle speaks up, taking pity on Magnus.
"Those are a lot of air quotes." Magnus said, impressed.
"Mom doesn't just drop by for anything." Alec said.
"We think it has to do with her and Dad." Clary said sadly.
"They're finally making the divorce official."
"My condolences." Magnus told the siblings, moving closer to Alec.
"It's for the best. Problem is, instead of just being sad like a normal person, she starts trying to everyone around her."
"Which usually includes grilling her children on everything she thinks is going wrong in their lives." Alec piped up. "Not to mention she has no idea that I'm a father or engaged so I'll be getting that talking to I'm sure."
"Where are you holding this suspenseful dinner?" Magnus asked.
"Definitely not here." Izzy said, clasping her hands under her chin.
"The Institute tends to bring out her inner Inquisitor." Alec informed his fiancé.
"How about our place?" Magnus gestures to Alec, Clary and Madzie.
"Magnus, you don't have to..."
"I insist. You can have the place all to yourselves. Madzie and I can go out for dinner."
"Why would you do that?" Alec asked, his brow furrowing.
"You're family too, Magnus." Clary said. "Madzie is half Lightwood, and you will be too soon enough."
"You and Madzie are my family. Mom said it's a family dinner. You both should be there." Alec said firmly.
"I agree." Isabelle added. "Think about it. If Magnus is there being his usual charming self, mom won't have time to interrogate us."
Magnus nodded, looking down at Madzie who was still clinging to Alec's leg with his hand in her shoulder. "This is clearly important to you." He said looking Alec in the eyes. Ergo, it's important to me."
—-
Magnus and Alec had left Madzie with Isabelle for a little while, just while they cleaned up the loft before Maryse came over. Besides, Madzie had wanted to see how Aunt Izzy worked.
They were currently cleaning Madzie's toys off the living room floor when a blinding pain surged through Alec's head, sending black into his vision. He cried out, making Magnus spin around and catch him as his knees buckled and he started to fall.
"Excuse me." A voice behind him said. "I can't help but think you look like someone I used to know."
James turned around and came face to face with the most beautiful man he'd ever seen. He looked into the man's cat eyes and knew. It was his soulmate. Warlocks just know like that.
"I'd certainly remember meeting you." He said, extending a hand. "I'm James, James Marcs."
"Magnus Bane."
—-
"You're serious?" James asked disbelievingly even as he stared at the faded black and white photograph in his hand. It was clearly him. "Reincarnated?"
"Yes, my love." Magnus said quietly, a hand on the younger man's shoulder.
"Well," James sighed. "At least now we have forever."
Magnus grinned and kissed him. "Indeed we do."
—-
"Raphael, I mean it!" James ran after the young Vampire. "You better not antagonize Camille. You don't understand what she's capable of."
"Seriously, Dad? I'm not going to do anything stupid. Just drop it."
"I'm not going to drop it, you're my son and I want you to be safe!"
"Whatever you dork."
"Love you too, son."
—-
"If on the off chance I do die," James said one night after his third martini.
"Don't talk like that. You won't die this time."
"Let's just say that I do. Not that I will, but if I do, next time I'm reincarnated, you should mess with me. I want you to tell me something crazy."
"Like what?" Magnus said playing along despite the pained expression on his face.
"Mmm, when we're getting to know each other, tell me you've been with like... 17,000 people."
"17,000?" Magnus asked, shocked. "That's insane."
"That's the point."
—
"Alexander! Alexander, wake up! Alec!"
Alec tried to sit up but Magnus pulled him back down against him. He was laying across his fiancé's lap, Magnus' arm around him, supporting his back and his head propped next to Magnus's shoulder. Magnus was looking down at him, cat eyes exposed, his worry was palpable.
Alec stared up at Magnus with an expression of awe on his face that made Magnus worry that something was seriously wrong. "Alexander? Please, what happened?"
"Magnus..." Alec breathed, still looking up at him, shocked but happy. "It's you."
"If I hadn't caught you, I'd be sure you hit your head." Magnus ran a hand over Alec's hair in a loving, worried gesture.
"I'm so sorry, Magnus." Alec said, reaching a hand up to stroke Magnus' cheek with his finger tips.
"Whatever for, darling?" Magnus' brow furrowed as he caught Alec's hand and pressed it against his cheek, holding it there.
"I broke my promise. I never meant to leave you. Certainly not like that. I'm so sorry, my love."
Magnus froze, his grip on Alec's hand tightened. "James." He breathed. "You remember. You remember being James."
Alec nodded. He pulled his hand out of Magnus' tight grip and put it on the back of Magnus's neck, using it to pull the Warlock's mouth down to his own. They kissed for what seemed like an eternity before Alec had to pull away for air.
"Raphael." He breathed. "I need to see him."
"I can call him. But he probably won't be able to make it until after nightfall. It's sunny out." Magnus said regretfully.
"Would you be too angry if I just went to the Dumort now? I'll be back to help set up. I swear."
"Don't worry about it, darling. Clary will come back to help. You go see our son. It's been far too long since you've seen him, knowing who he was. He misses you dearly." At the clear hesitation on Alec's face, Magnus pushed him up into a sitting position. "Go. I've got this."
—-
Alec pulled the door to the Dumort open and stepped inside. "Hello?" He called as the door shut behind him. "I'm here to see Raphael Santiago."
There was a whoosh of air and then Simon was standing in front of him. "Hey man, I was just leaving but I can take you to see Raphael. I was just with him. C'mon, this way."
Simon led him up several flights of stairs and through too many hallways to count before they were stepping into the same room that Alec had found Raphael and Izzy in the night that Alec had attacked who he now knew to be his son.
Raphael had been sitting on the couch, staring at the wall when they entered, but quickly stood up when he noticed them enter.
"He showed up here asking for you. I just brought him in, I'm still heading out. See you guys later."
"Thanks, Simon." Alec called over his shoulder as the Vampire sped out.
"Mr. Lightwood, what can I do for you?" Raphael asked as he took a few steps closer to Alec.
Alec stuffed his hands in his pockets and he too took a few steps towards his son.
"You can start by calling me Dad." Alec told him. "And also telling me what the hell you were thinking, taking Camille on. I told you not to do that. She's too dangerous."
Raphael shook his head. "Shut up, you damn dork." He sped the rest of the way up to Alec, closing the distance between the two of them and wrapped his arms around the man. "I missed you so much Dad."
Alec held Raphael close to him and just breathed him in. "I'm so sorry, for the way I... left and then a few weeks ago the whole thing with Izzy. By the Angel, I can't believe I hit you."
"I deserved it." Raphael told him. "And you didn't leave. You died, brutally."
Alec pulled back. "Never say that you deserved something like that. You will never deserve to have one of your parents hit you."
"Just forget it, Dad. I have."
Alec didn't answer him and instead pulled away from Raphael. "I can't stay unfortunately. I left your Papa alone at the loft and my mom and sisters are coming over for family dinner. You should come if you can make it."
"I wouldn't want to intrude." Raphael said and awkwardly walked back over to the couch.
"You wouldn't be intruding. It's a family dinner and you're my son. It's not like Madzie isn't going to be there."
"I'll think about it." Was all the answer Raphael gave.
"Alright," Alec nodded. "I hope that we see you there, hijo.(son)"
Alec turned around and headed back home, hoping to the Angel that this dinner went alright.
Another chapter. What do we think about Alec and Raphael's relationship revelation? Thank you for the votes on the last chapter, I will be writing a cute Malec/Madzie domestic scene.
I'd like to get some more feedback so please comment the following, if you would:
1. What's your favorite part of this story so far?
2. What is something you would like to see happen next?
3. How do you think Magnus will make Alec immortal?
4. Which character from the books would you like to see in this story?
Lots of love ❤️ Katie