Alec cricked his neck, rolling his shoulders to ease some of the tension. Glancing at the clock he realised it was almost 8 pm, he'd been researching for almost 12 hours straight. The desks around him were still littered with books the undergrads were either too rude or too lazy to return to the shelves but the people themselves were long since gone. Most guys his age probably would have more raucous plans for a Friday night but Alec savoured the silence, the surroundings making him feel like he was at the centre of all knowledge. Rows and rows of bookshelves surrounded the central study area, the floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the park. He had his own desk in the post-grad office he shared with the other history students but the library was his favourite place to study. Not only was he closer to the texts he needed, but the sense of peace he felt and the smell of the books (not to mention the absence of the smell of Raj's dodgy microwave meals) all helped with his concentration.
Not that he needed the help this evening. Right now he was captivated by the words in front of him. Though the small writing and cursive scripts on some of the original texts were making his eyes ache in the evening light, the contents made it all worthwhile.
He was in the second year of his PhD studying the Caribbean trading of the late 18th century. More specifically, the attempted resurgence of pirate supremacy in the Caribbean. The heyday of pirate's had definitely been much earlier, but around 1810 increased reports of pirates were found. Alec's research centred around the politics of pirates, how legislation at the time and the increase of colonisation helped aid the rise of piracy, particularly the later crews. He'd been researching the trade around Nassau and the companies that operated those particular shipping routes when he'd ended up down a rabbit hole in his research. It was easily done for Alec, he adored history and devoured information at an alarming rate, whether relevant to his studies or just out of interest. So while his core focus should really have been on the governors of Nassau at that time and how their duplicitous nature had allowed them to profit not only off legitimate trade but also the pirate trade, he had found himself caught up in the tale of one pirate in particular.
All pirates had a code and their politics were surprisingly democratic in nature, but one name stood out in particular, his reputation more favourable than any of his peers. The pirate Raziel, nicknamed "the Angel Pirate", was one of the most infamous captains of the period. He and his crew had been responsible for almost half of all pirate incidents around the Bahamas over the course of two decades. The texts Alec had found himself engrossed in described Raziel as fair and humane, unusual descriptors given his lifestyle choices. Many of the records from the ships he and his crew raided were entirely favourable in their accounts of his actions. A Robin Hood of the seas, Raziel pillaged merchant ships of their wares, but always left behind enough for the crew to survive on until they reached the next port. Raziel's unconventional approach to pirating earned him favour among the crews of the ships he boarded but only served to infuriate the Navy and the captains of the trading companies all the more. The accounts from the authorities at the time painted an entirely different picture, he was a thorn in their sides. A scourge they wished to see wiped from the earth. He had been the most wanted man in the world for his "reign of terror" but no matter what sums were offered as a reward for his capture, no matter what jewels the crown was willing to part with, not one single person ever came forward with information.
If Alec was honest, he was more intrigued about Raziel than about most historical figures he'd researched. In general, his views on pirates were less than savoury. While yes, they believed in democracy and fairness, a lot of their motives weren't exactly moral or in the interests of the wider communities. The phrase "There's no honour amongst thieves" was apt to describe many crews. Their barbaric approaches and the bloodshed they caused only added to his disdain. But Raziel was an exception. He was fair and he was kind, only taking the excesses of early capitalism and distributing that amongst the communities in the region to allow others to prosper and grow. Alec couldn't help but wonder what had motivated Raziel to choose this course, to assuage the usual methods of piracy for a more benevolent approach.
Alec's musings were interrupted by the library door opening. While not loud by any means, in the silence that had surrounded him for several hours now, he was startled out of his reverie. He looked over to see who else would find themselves in the library rather than celebrating the start of the weekend with booze and dancing only to realise it was one of his colleagues from the history department. Alec lowered his head below the partition of the desk, hoping to avoid notice.
The sound of soft footsteps heading in his direction alerted him to the fact that his half-hearted hiding had been unsuccessful. He flipped to the next page in the text attempting to appear engrossed in his reading while trying to remember how to breathe.
The scent of sandalwood invaded his senses, making his heart stutter. Here was the other reason Alec rarely worked in the office. His brain couldn't function when presented with Magnus Bane. The first time he had laid eyes on Magnus it had confirmed what he'd already known - Alec was very, very gay. The realisation that Alec had a type and that type was Magnus Bane was a new realisation, however. A few stilted conversations early in their studies had cemented in Alec's mind that acquaintance was the best he could hope for as he tried not to visibly swoon whenever Magnus was around in his too-tight trousers, sheer shirts and dazzling eye make up. It might have been fine if Magnus was purely aesthetically pleasing but the fact that he was incredibly intelligent and articulate only added to his appeal. So Alec point-blank avoided the office, for his own sanity!
"Good evening Alexander," Magnus quietly murmured, respectful of the hushed surroundings.
"H-h-hi Magnus," he stuttered out. It was unfair really, Alec found himself thinking as he looked into the golden-green eyes of the man standing over him. Why could Alec not function at all in his presence?
"What has got you trapped in here on this otherwise lovely evening then?" Magnus asked, leaning into Alec's personal space slightly to look at the text in front of him. "Ooooh, the Angel Pirate. You know, if you were so interested in the story of Raziel, you could have just asked. He is the focus of my research after all!"
Alec blinked at him slightly. He had known that, of course. It was just that once his research dragged him in a particular direction he was a bit like a lighthouse - his attention focussed on a very specific, narrow beam, forgetting all outside influences. "Well, uh, initially I was reading about the Governor of Nassau and well, my research went a bit sideways," Alec blushed slightly, cursing himself for how easily flustered Magnus' presence made him.
Magnus laughed, a musical sound that rang clear through the empty room. "Easily done. I assure you we've all been there. So given that you've clearly been looking at this a while. What's your theory?"
"My theory?"
"Well, of course, your theory. What is Raziel's gift? You know, his buried treasure?" Magnus pulled out the chair at the desk next to Alec, glancing around once more before smirking and kicking his feet up onto the desk. As always, Magnus was dressed impeccably. Alec didn't know much about fashion but he did know the way Magnus clothing choices were probably very stylish. His black boots were polished to a bright shine, with gleaming silver buckles and silver plating on the slight heel. His dark trousers clung to every muscle of his legs, only emphasised by the delicate silver pinstripes running through them. His shirt was unbuttoned just past the point of decency, revealing golden skin and an array of shiny silver necklaces. He was the picture of ease. Alec's mouth ran dry taking in the sight in front of him.
"I guess I haven't given it much thought," he mused, feeling on the spot but not wanting to appear stupid. "It can't be just your standard gold bullions, jewels or the like. That wasn't really Raziel's style."
"True. Though it must have considerable value," Magnus stroked at his goatee, deep in thought.
"What if that value was actually sentimental though? Not monetary like most assume?" Alec asked suddenly.
"In what sense?" Magnus' eyes were alight with interest, his passion for the topic evident in his expression and the set of his shoulders.
"Well we know that it's unlikely items he's looted, he was too much of a good samaritan to covet any treasure for himself. But look here…" Alec ran his finger down the page in front of him, trying to find the specific passage, "'Raziel's gifts were hidden by the pirate towards the end of his captaincy' the texts are all inconsistent. Lots of them talk of Raziel's gift but some of them mention giftS plural," he emphasised the S as he spoke. "What if it wasn't as most assumed, gifts from Raziel but gifts for Raziel. We know he had many admirers and he helped many people. What if the gifts are actually payments or thanks or tokens from loved ones?" Alec was almost breathless by this point, having rushed out his thought almost as soon as it had come to him.
Magnus hummed quietly for a moment. "You know, I've been researching Raziel for almost half a decade and no one has come up with a theory quite as compelling as that," he held Alec's gaze as he continued, "It's a shame you're never around the office really. With a mind like yours to debate with, I'd probably be much further along with my PhD."
Alec barked out a self-deprecating laugh, blushing again. "I just prefer the quiet and the company of books I guess. Anyway, the others are just as into this stuff as I am."
"Agree to disagree on that one I'm afraid. Lydia thinks the whole concept of hidden treasure is too whimsical and childish. And Raj? Well, his theory stemmed around the reports that Raziel's presence brought about euphoria and the depictions of him as an Angel. He took those accounts rather literally, completely overlooking the idea that Angels are kind and bring blessings of a more metaphorical nature. So to Raj, the treasure doesn't exist but instead, Raziel was a 19th century drug lord, handing out hallucinogens like they were candy," Magnus smirked. "I've had some great experiences over the years with all sorts of illicit substances but nothing that would be quite worthy of so many written accounts labouring on about the experience in such an effusive manner."
"That makes absolutely no sense at all. How did Raj even get funding for a PhD if that's how his brain works?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," Magnus said, shrugging his shoulders and making his shirt cling ever so slightly tighter against his biceps. The effect was disarming for Alec's brain function, which was already on tenterhooks.
"It surprises me that no one has ever found Raziel's treasure," Alec said, bringing the topic back away from borderline insulting their colleagues.
"I don't think anyone's ever cared enough to look. He's hardly the most famous pirate. Also, most people with an interest in studying piracy are far more interested in the blood and gore side of things. Raziel by all accounts is 'boring' in comparison."
"But you're interested, " Alec stated quietly.
"Well yes, but I am the exception to many rules," Magnus ducked his head.
Alec couldn't argue with that. After all, how many other historians walked around with bright streaks in their hair and wore eyeliner and jewellery? Magnus was one of a kind.