Alec woke up with Magnus in his arms. His boyfriend was warm against his chest, fingertips absently tracing the runes across Alec's chest. Alec had to fight back a shudder as the touch tickled his skin.
"Morning," he mumbled, turning his head to press a sloppy kiss against his Magnus's temple.
"Good morning," replied Magnus.
Prising his eyes open, still heavy with sleep, Alec saw Magnus smiling up at him, his fingers stilling on Alec's chest. The shadowhunter squeezed one arm tighter around Magnus's waist, shifting the other to press his fingers beneath the warlock's chin, lifting his head and kissing him again, capturing his lips this time. Magnus gave a soft, surprised moan into his mouth, pushing up into it.
Shifting himself around, Magnus ended up straddling Alec's stomach, cupping his face in both hands and nipping his boyfriend's lower lip. Alec startled at the sharpness of it. He raked his hand into Magnus's hair, gently pushing him back a little.
"Okay," he murmured, smiling up at him. "Okay, I'm awake."
There was a knock at the door and the handle turned before Alec could even call out an answer. Mismatched eyes met his for the briefest second.
"Oh," Jace turned away immediately, shielding his face on the side closest to them. "Man, I'm sorry—"
"He's a coy one, isn't he?" Magnus teased.
"Jace, relax," Alec assured him calmly, gently pushing Magnus off of him so he could prop himself up on his elbows. "We weren't doing anything. I literally just woke up."
"Still—"
"And he's still wearing underwear," Magnus interrupted the flustered shadowhunter. "Myself however..."
He yelped as Alec smacked him in the face with a pillow.
"Mom's coming to the institute this morning," Jace muttered awkwardly. "Thought you'd like to be up to greet her."
Alec nodded. "Yeah, I'll be right there."
The door shut with a click and Magnus quirked a faint smile. He snuggled back against Alec's chest, forcing him back down against the pillows and Alec, despite knowing that he had work to do, knowing he should be there to welcome his mother, complied beneath his demanding touch, wanting to be with Magnus just a little longer.
"I think I've embarrassed you."
"Why would I be embarrassed?" Alec replied lightly. "To be caught in the same bed as my boyfriend? Scandalous."
He leaned down to him and Magnus smirked into the kiss, clutching the back of Alec's head to prolong the moment. When he allowed them to break apart, Alec sighed against his lips.
"Magnus, you know I love you, right?"
"Of course," Magnus answered dutifully, brushing his thumb across Alec's cheekbone. "I love you too. What's brought this on?"
"It's just... you having to sleep here if you want to see me. It's not really fair."
Magnus canted his head, a knowing look crossing his expression. "Alexander, we talked about this."
"I know, I just… I just wanted to apologise. I know it's difficult, and I'm sorry. I know the kind of effort you're making so we can see each other more often and I'm sorry for being so busy all the time. Even around the institute, I barely see you. I just feel like I never show how much I appreciate everything you do to maintain our relationship."
Magnus smirked softly. "Maintain?" he chuckled. "You make it sound like so much work."
"It is work."
"Well, it's work that I'm happy to do."
Remaining in bed, Magnus watched shamelessly as Alec dressed himself for the day. Alec caught his staring by his reflection in the mirror while he was picking out a shirt, and he dropped his gaze. A steady blush crept up the back of his neck; the pink hue made Magnus smirk.
"Why so shy?" he asked slyly as Alec hurriedly pulled on a shirt. "You look good. You should show off more."
Alec smiled, casting a coy glance over his shoulder at Magnus. His boyfriend stretched out on the bed for him, letting his arms shudder from the force of their extension. Alec's throat bobbed in a thick swallow and he turned his attention back to the buttons of his shirt, smoothing his hand down the fabric as he finished off the last of the clasps.
"You don't like what you see?"
Alec smiled softly through a small shake of his head, just disbelieving of Magnus's flirtatious attitude this morning. "Don't tease. You know I do."
"Then come back to bed."
Again, Alec shook his head. "I can't, sweetheart. I've got work to do."
There was a creak of bedsprings and Alec glanced around to trail Magnus's wander over to him. He'd been lying to Jace, as it turns out, and was in fact wearing underwear: a pair of black boxer shorts. Nothing else though. He swayed up to Alec and wrapped his arms up around the back of his neck. The kiss was soft and sleepy and, when they broke, Magnus let his head rest in the gap where Alec's neck joined his shoulder.
"You know I love those pet names you keep coming up with," Magnus mumbled.
"I know you do, that's why I said it."
Magnus sighed softly, pressing as close as possible up against Alec. "Stay?" he requested once more, almost a plea this time.
It took every ounce of Alec's willpower to shake his head. Again, Magnus sighed. Alec hated how disappointed that sound was, and he pressed his fingers beneath Magnus's chin to tilt his head back, kissing him again, deeper now than before. Magnus pushed up against him, lips trying to chase him as he pulled away.
"I'll start organising some time away from the institute," Alec promised in a whisper, his hand combing absently through Magnus's hair. "Okay? I'll get Jace familiar with all the assignments and ask him to act as head while I'm away. When you feel up to portalling, we can take that trip to Iceland. Just you and me, no phones, no distractions."
Magnus smiled up at him. "You mean that?"
"Of course," said Alec, running the pad of his thumb along Magnus's jaw. "You're the most important part of my life. I know it's not always clear, but don't ever forget that, okay?"
Magnus's eyes were wide and he parted his lips, but the doorknob twisted before he could reply, and both men glanced around to see Isabelle poke her head into the room.
"Hey, sorry," she apologised immediately, seeing their position in one another's arms. Alec couldn't help but be irritated at the constant interruptions they received at the institute and found himself longing for the solitude of Magnus's loft. Isabelle glanced to her brother. "You ready? She's here."
Alec nodded quickly. "Ready." He kissed Magnus's forehead as he pulled away. "Go back to bed, okay?"
Magnus nodded and Isabelle cast him a wink as she opened the door for her brother to come through. "That's a good look on you," she teased, nodding down to his underwear.
"Why thank you," Magnus chuckled.
Alec ushered at him sternly through the open door. "Go back to sleep."
"Alexander—"
Waving a hand, Alec cut him off, gesturing to Magnus and then pointing to the bed. "You need to rest, okay? Get your strength back. I'll see you later."
He pulled the door shut without waiting for Magnus to argue. Beckoning his sister along, Alec set off down the corridor, absently fixing the unruly collar of his shirt as he walked, smoothing it down beneath his fingers. Isabelle hurried up alongside him, a grin lighting her expression. Alec knew that look all too well.
"So, I hear Jace caught you and Magnus this morning as well," Isabelle gossiped, the smile never fading from her face. "I'm pleased. It's about time you let yourself be seen like that with him."
"What? Almost naked?"
"No, I mean intimately… at the institute."
Alec nodded, his mood dropping a little as he remembered how afraid he had been to come out to anyone, even Isabelle, even himself, and how ashamed his parents were when he admitted his feelings. He understood now why Magnus was so stubbornly proud of himself, why he flaunted his magic and his sexuality. Part of him longed to be so carefree.
"I never want to have to hide that part of myself," realised Alec aloud. "I don't want to hide Magnus because I'm not… I'm not ashamed of him, Izzy. I love him."
"Oh, I know," Isabelle agreed, practically beaming now. "And I know he loves you too. I'm so happy for you, Alec."
Alec cast her an appreciative glance. At least he always had her support; he always had and he knew he always would.
Their mother was waiting in the Ops Centre. She seemed to grow lighter as she saw them approach, a smile crossing her lips. Alec supposed he was the only one she hadn't seen yet, and shared her smile as his mother embraced him warmly, so different now than only a few months prior.
"I heard about the demon assignment" she revealed, concern furrowing her brow as she pulled back from the hug, squeezing Alec's shoulder. "How's Magnus doing?"
Alec nodded. "He's fine. He's just staying at the institute to rest for a few days while his magic recovers. It really took a lot out of him."
Maryse looked as though she might say something further, but Alec waved a subtle hand to cut her off. He had spotted Magnus drifting out into the Ops Centre. He was clothed now in his usual, handsome attire, but he seemed dazed almost, squinting at the lights, a hand running absently through his hair to comb any unruly locks into place. Lifting a hand seemed to get his attention and Magnus was at his side in seconds, smiling politely at Alec's mother, clearly uncertain how he would be received.
"You didn't have to get up," said Alec, gently running a hand across his boyfriend's shoulder. "You could have gone back to sleep. It's important that you rest so you can get your strength back."
"Alexander, relax," Magnus soothed, reaching to lightly grasp his hand in turn. "I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me."
Maryse quirked him a gentle smile. "How are you finding life at the institute?"
Magnus dipped his gaze briefly and Alec squeezed his hand in empathetic support as his boyfriend forced a smirk. "It's certainly never dull. Shadowhunters… you're all so busy."
A commotion at the door distracted Alec and the others turned to follow his gaze as his attention fixed on the entrance.
To the surprise of his children and the carefully concealed dismay of his ex-wife, Robert Lightwood marched his way into the institute, a swarm of Clave guards at his back. There must have been at least fifteen armed escorts with him. Many had their seraph blades already drawn, as if expecting a confrontation.
Alec frowned softly, coming forward to greet his father and his, seemingly unnecessary, myriad of guards. "Hey, what's going on?" he asked, disliking the heavy look on his father's face as he halted before his son. There was no anger in his words, just a genuine curiosity. "I didn't hear anything about a Clave visit. Did something happen?"
Robert regarded him a moment, indifferent to his questions, before waving a hand to his escort. "Seize him."
It was after Alec took a step back in shock that he realised it wasn't him his father was arresting. Guards pushed past him to cuff runed shackles around Magnus's wrists. Magnus frowned and squirmed in the restraints, defiant queries lost in the blood rush drowning Alec's ears. A stele cracked across the cuffs and Magnus cried out in pain as the symbols glowed hotly, sending him slamming down to his knees. His finger's crackled with crimson sparks but they died before anything could be done.
"Magnus!" Alec called, shaking himself from the daze, trying to get to him but two other clave members held him back. He glanced to his father, who watched Magnus with an expression so void of emotion that it sent terror to Alec's heart. "Dad, what are you doing? Let him go!"
"He's done nothing wrong!" Jace yelled and Alec glanced back to see him trying to come to the aid of his parabatai but he too was restrained. Like Alec, it took two guards to hold him back.
"You have no right to do this!" Isabelle made her input, wise enough to remain stationary for the time being.
"Magnus is innocent," Clary snapped, complying with a hand on her shoulder from one of The Clave. "Let him go!"
"I'm afraid that's not possible," Robert replied, no hint of sympathy or regret in his eyes. Alec swallowed thickly, his blood running liquid ice through his veins because stubbornness came genetically for Lightwoods and his father's tone held no room for argument. "He's far from innocent. Mr Bane has challenged The Clave and he must face the consequences."
"Because I didn't give you a necromancy spell?" Magnus hissed, glaring up at Robert.
"What?" Alec gasped, turning his attention on his father.
"Silence!"
The runes burned white hot in the manacles and Magnus hunched forward with a scream of pain, just barely kept from completely collapsing by the men that held him. A collective wince shuddered among his friends because none of them had ever heard the warlock sound like that. Alec stared with eyes blown wide in fear as Magnus heaved for breath, his body shuddering with every strained inhale.
"The warlock will be held in the cells below the institute for questioning," stated Robert coldly.
"No!" Alec screamed, fighting against the men that restrained him as he tried to run to Magnus. "No, you can't do this! Magnus!"
He could hear others clamouring in the background, Jace and Clary and Isabelle all shouting and rioting against The Clave, but they were held back too. Another guard had to assist with controlling Alec. Finally, in desperate desire to help her son, Alec's mother ran forward, gripping her ex-husband's arm.
"Robert, this is madness," Maryse insisted desperately. "I beg you to reconsider." Robert turned to her, emotionless. "Look at what you're doing; this cannot be justice. If you do this, know that you will lose us forever. Alec, Isabelle, Jace… They will never forgive this. You will be breaking Alec's heart, Robert. Please, if anything, you have to care about your son still—"
"The decision is final as it is just," Robert snapped heatedly, barely glancing to the warlock as he delivered the devastating sentence. "The Clave has commanded that you be questioned until the required information is gained. It will be in your best interest to comply. Afterwards, you will be transferred to Idris to serve your sentence." He lifted his chin. "Magnus Bane, you have been charged with the corruption of shadowhunters and refusal to adhere to the accords. The sentence is death."
"No!" Alec yelled, fighting against his captors, managing to force them to stagger forward at the strength with which he fought them.
Magnus took in shaking breaths, his face draining of colour, his eyes of light, as shadowhunters hauled him to his feet. "Alexander..." he whispered, almost a sob, tears already catching his eyelashes from the terror of his sentence and the pain of his shackles.
"Take him away," Robert ordered coldly.
Filled with new determination when faced with the inevitability of Magnus being taken from him, Alec ground out a shout of defiance, slamming the back of his head into the face of one of the men holding him. There was a crack and a hissed curse and Alec broke one arm free. He kicked back sharp against the shin of the other and elbowed the last in the nose.
He ran to Magnus, hearing more shadowhunters right on his heels, taking his chance to grab his boyfriend's face with both hands and kissing him hard. Magnus pushed up against him, as desperate for contact as Alec was, stealing this kiss in the midst of tragedy.
It didn't last.
Shadowhunters grabbed Alec's arms and Magnus sobbed as he was ripped away.
"Alexander—"
"Magnus, I love you!" Alec called desperately, still fighting even while people were dragging them apart. "I love you! I'll fix this, I promise! I swear to you, I'll get you out of this!"
They kept their eyes on each other as Magnus was dragged into the elevator, Alec whispering mindless comforts under his breath as if his boyfriend could hear him from so far away. He couldn't shout anymore; the tears would break if he tried to raise his voice. Magnus swallowed thickly and bowed his head. His eyes closed.
The expression of utter defeat was the last thing Alec saw before the elevator doors slid shut and Magnus was lost from his sight.