We return to the main world.

It's the same day that AU!Magnus appeared, but Magnus and Max have been gone most of the afternoon and evening.

Let's listen in as they tell Alec about their adventure.

Enjoy.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Max and Magnus step out the portal. Max stretches, "Home sweet home."

The loft is dark and quiet. Outside, night has fallen. Magnus looks across the living room at the cable box. 12:03A

He closes his eyes and relaxes when the love rune gives the Institute as Alec's location.

They both jump when Magnus' phone starts beeping repeatedly.

Max giggles, "Sounds like a lot of texts from Daddy."

Magnus takes out his phone as Max turns on the lights. They walk over to the sofa and sit down.

Magnus smiles as he looks at his phone. 10 messages from Alexander He touches the screen. Max rests his head against his father's arm as they read the texts.

Magnus, you and Max back yet?

Did you go on an adventure without me?

Guess you aren't home yet.

Guess I'll stay here and got caught up on paperwork since you and Max went on an adventure and didn't want me to help.

Izzy got me dinner from down the block.

Still not home?

I'm almost done.

This must have been an interesting adventure, too bad I wasn't asked if I could join you.

Done

Still not home?

Magnus sees that the last message was at 10:30P, "Why isn't he here?"

Max shrugs, "Maybe he's in the training room?"

Magnus smiles, "Let's find out." They stand and Magnus puts his phone in his pocket. He opens a portal and they leave the loft.

They walk out into the training room. The room is dark. They walk into the War Room and see a few ShadowHunters at the computers.

Lori looks up, "Evening Mr. Bane, Max."

Magnus smiles, "Evening. Have you seen my husband?"

She looks around, "I don't remember him leaving, so he should still be in his office."

"Oh, thanks." Magnus and Max leave and walk to the elevators.

Max glances at his father, "Why would Daddy still be here if he finished his paperwork?"

"Maybe he's talking to somebody."

They step into an elevator and go upstairs. They get off the elevator and walk to Alec's office. Magnus pushes opens the door and they look in.

Alec is fast asleep at his desk. His right arm is stretched out and his head is resting on his left arm.

Magnus smiles as he remembers other nights when he showed up, ready to yell at his husband for working late, only to find Alec sleeping.

Max looks from his sleeping Daddy to his Poppa and smiles. Magnus has a soft smile on his face and his eyes are warm with love for the sleeping man. No matter how many worlds Max goes to, one thing is always the same. Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood are deeply in love.

Magnus winks at Max and whispers, "Let's take him home."

Max nods, "Yes, Poppa."

They walk to the desk. Magnus gently strokes Alec's hair, then kisses the top of his husband's head, "Alexander, wake up."

Alec slowly picks his head up and looks at his husband with sleepy eyes, "Magnus?"

Magnus kisses him, "Yes, my angel. Why aren't you home?"

"Because you and Max aren't there and I didn't want to be all by myself."

"Well we're home now."

Alec's eyes are still half open, "You are?"

Max giggles. Alec looks at him, "Blueberry, you're home?"

Max nods, "Yes, Daddy."

Alec looks at Magnus, "Oh. Can I get a portal home?"

Magnus kisses him, "Of course you can."

Alec gives him a sleepy smile, "Awesome."

Magnus helps Alec to his feet and holds him around the waist. Alec rests his head against Magnus' as Max opens a portal and they leave the office.

They walk into the loft.

Max eyes his laptop on the kitchen table. He bought it back just before he and Magnus left for the Warlock Hall to deal with Zachary and Lamar. He'll check the other world, to make sure everything is okay, in the morning. Right now, he's tired and hungry.

Magnus walks Alec to their bedroom, as Max asks, "Poppa, you want something to eat?"

Magnus stops, "That's right we haven't eaten since this morning." He looks at Alec and smiles, "Let me put Daddy in bed, then I'll have a bagel."

Max smiles, "Really, Poppa?"

Magnus nods, "Yes, Max. Give me a few minutes."

Max nods, "Okay." He walks into the kitchen as Magnus and Alec continue to their room.

Magnus gently puts Alec in their bed. He flicks his hand and Alec is in his tshirt and sleep pants. Alec rolls over to his side and reaches across the bed.

Magnus quickly changes into his pajamas and gets under the covers. He inches closer to Alec's hand and watches Alec smile in his sleep as his fingertips touch Magnus' arm. Magnus moves close enough so that Alec can rest his head on Magnus' chest. Alec wraps his arms around his husband and sighs, "Magnus".

Magnus kisses the top of Alec's head and whispers, "Always." He glances up and sees Max standing by the door shaking his head and smiling.

Magnus whispers, "Husband before food."

Max nods, "That's what I figured. I put a couple of bagels with cream cheese in the fridge for you."

"Thanks."

"Night Poppa."

"Night, blueberry." Max walks away.

Magnus holds Alec tight. No matter how long a day he's had, as long as he goes to bed with Alec in his arms, it's a good day. He closes his eyes and falls asleep.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Magnus opens his eyes. The sun is shining and Alec is still asleep. Magnus smiles. The only thing better than ending the day with his favorite ShadowHunter in his arms, is starting the day holding Alec.

Even after all these years, being able to hold Alec is something Magnus never takes for granted. Especially when there are worlds where Alec is dying or worse, dead. Seeing that other world's Alec, old, sickly and just skin and bones, made Magnus appreciate even more that his Alexander will always be young, beautiful and strong.

For a brief moment, a dead Alec flashes in Magnus' mind. He holds Alec tighter.

At this point, it's not only about him. Max was also shaken by the other Alec's appearance. He will never see his Daddy old, but he has seen him close to death, and even dead.

Magnus remembers Maxine portalling into the loft after her fathers were murdered. He thinks about her seeing her Daddy stabbed within the walls of the Institute, a place Alec should be safe.

If all goes well, Mikey will never see his Daddy at death's door. And yet, when confronted with a dying 'Alec', Mikey's only concern was restoring his health.

Magnus kisses Alec's head and smiles. Mikey may be young, but he has a strong enough faith in his power that nothing would dare challenge him for Alec Lightwood's life.

Magnus' smile fades as he remembers being in Max's nightmare and seeing Magnus2's continued failures to save his Alec from the demon. The memory flash, of his Alec dead and cold on the bed, returns. Magnus' arms tighten around his husband.

Alec opens his eyes and tries to move, but the arms around him, tighten. He looks up and sees Magnus staring into space. Alec gently whispers his husband's name.

Magnus blinks as he hears his name. He looks at Alec and gives him a weak smile, "Here."

Alec smiles, "Now you are, but a few seconds ago, you were lost."

Magnus nods, "True, but you always find me."

"Always." He kisses Magnus.

Magnus pulls Alec closer, as they continue to kiss.

After a few minutes, Alec smiles, "When did you finally get home?"

Magnus laughs, "Just after midnight."

Alec sits against the pillows, "You went on an adventure without me."

Magnus kisses him, "That wasn't a question."

"No it wasn't."

"The adventure kind of fell into our laps and there wasn't much time to get you."

"Uh huh."

Max giggles, "Next adventure, we will make sure to bring you along, Daddy."

Alec smiles at his son, who is standing by the door, "Thank you, Max."

Magnus rolls his eyes, "Twenty years of this."

Max giggles as Alec kisses his husband, "I love you."

"Don't distract me." Alec kisses his husband's neck. Magnus purrs, "Audience is here."

Alec smiles and waves his hand at Max, "Audience go have breakfast." He goes back to kissing Magnus.

Max giggles, "Don't you want to hear about the adventure you missed out on, Daddy?"

Alec stops kissing his husband as he sits up, "Now that you mention it, I would like to know about this fabulous adventure that you went on without me and that took all day."

Magnus shakes his fist at Max, as Alec gets out the bed, "That was rude."

Max giggles, "Poor Poppa."

Alec laughs as he walks past Max, "Don't laugh at your Poppa." He kisses Max's head, then walks into the kitchen.

Magnus gets out the bed. He walks over to Max and kisses his forehead, "Love you."

"Love you too, Poppa." He holds his father's hand as they walk to the kitchen.

Alec smiles, "Why are there bagels in the fridge?"

Max giggles, "They were for Poppa."

"And?"

"And he got distracted."

Alec laughs, "I see."

Magnus sniffs, "Well, I'll eat them now." He takes the plate from Alec and sits at the table.

Alec fills three mugs with coffee as Max spreads cream cheese on bagels. They bring the food to the table. Alec sits next to Magnus and Max sits across from his fathers.

Max takes a bite of his bagel, "Daddy, did you know that Poppa owns a nightclub?"

Magnus chokes on his bagel, "I'm more like a silent partner."

Alec raises an eyebrow as he looks from his son to his husband, "I did not know that."

Max nods, "It's called the Pandemonium."

Alec drinks his coffee, "Why does that sound familiar?"

"Something about Aunt Clary."

Alec slowly nods, "That's right. That's when we first met her. She followed us into that club, when we were chasing a shapeshifter." He looks at Magnus, "You own that club?"

Magnus nods, "I have money invested in it and back then I used to party there."

"Party?"

"Yes, Alexander, before I met you, I went to parties."

"Whatever, so what does this have to do with yesterday's adventure?"

Max giggles, "That's where that world's Alec and Magnus met, in the Pandemonium."

"Wait a minute." Alec looks at Magnus, "You were there, that night?"

Magnus nods, "I was."

"Why didn't I sense you?"

Magnus shrugs, "It wasn't our time to connect. In that world, it was their time. In another world I followed seven year old you into the Institute, here I came home. We all took different paths but still ended up at the same point. Together." He kisses Alec.

Max shakes his head, "No distractions."

Magnus laughs, "One little kiss, is not a distraction, blueberry."

Alec smiles as he kisses Magnus' neck, "Wanna bet." Magnus closes his eyes with a purr.

Max giggles, "Do I have to separate you?"

Alec laughs, "Audience is fiesty this morning."

Max sniffs, "I'm not the one being fiesty."

Magnus laughs as he pulls away from Alec, "Fine, where was I? Oh yes, so after that world's Alec ran after Clary, they met."

"Went after Clary, when?"

Magnus shrugs, "I guess it was after you dealt with the shapeshifter. She ran away from the action, then bumped into me. Alec chased after her."

"Yeah, she ran out but I stayed with Izzy. Jace went after her."

"Like I said, different paths, same result."

"So what else is different?"

"When he and Hodge got attacked by the forsaken, he almost died."

"Died? I was only scratched."

"He was bitten."

Alec's eyes widen, "By the angel. And Magnus?"

"He kept the demon venom from killing Alec. Afterwards Alec realized that he could have died without being truthful to himself or to Magnus and that is when they had their first kiss."

Max giggles, "In front of Grandma and Robert."

"Oh I bet they reacted the same way as when I kissed you."

Magnus smiles, "Yes they did."

"Okay, so how did Max and you end up there?"

"Actually, Magnus showed up here, looking for Max."

Alec looks at a nodding Max, then back at his husband, "Here? Why?"

Magnus finishes his coffee, "His Alec was close to death. He saw Max showing up in those other worlds being the hero and he thought Max could help him, so he portalled here."

"And that's when you left?"

Max nods, "First I checked their timeline on my computer and I saw nothing amiss. We figured it was best to go there and see what was going on."

Alec shakes his head as he stands. He refills his mug, "Magnus, Max?" His son shakes his head. Magnus flicks his hand and his mug is refilled. Alec rolls his eyes, "Show off." He sits back at the table, "So somebody was fooling around with the timeline?"

Max nods, "The timeline had been glamoured so that I wouldn't see that Alec was dying."

Magnus takes a big gulp of coffee, "Let's move this along so that we can get off the subject, of those two words in the same sentence." Max nods, Magnus continues, "Alec had the love rune but it was hidden."

Alec is confused, "If it was hidden, how did you know he had it?"

"Magnus mentioned that he and Alec could sense each other right from the beginning. We know from our own personal experience, that's an indicator that you have the rune."

Alec nods, "Okay, but who hid it?"

Max sniffs, "Robert had Zachary, Lamar, Gilbert and Ivan do a spell that hid it."

"My father? How did he know about it?"

Magnus' eyes go cold, "The bastard took Alec to a seer when he was five. The seer told him that Alec had a love rune that would eventually appear when he crossed paths with a warlock. He didn't know who the warlock was. They did a spell that would prevent the rune from showing up."

"But it didn't change anything. Alec and Magnus were still together."

Magnus nods, then reaches for Alec's hand. He runs his thumb across his husband's knuckles, "True, but without the rune, Magnus was unable to fully help Alec and keep him from dying."

Alec kisses Magnus gently, then covers Magnus' hand with his other hand, "So he died?."

Max shakes his head, "No, Daddy. Mikey was able to break the spell and the love rune appeared in its usual spot."

"Mikey? Damn, I missed an adventure that included Mikey. Was Maxine there as well?"

Max giggles, "No, just Mikey and his Poppa."

"Oh, so this was a Magnus only event."

Magnus laughs and kisses Alec, "Poor you."

Alec smiles, "I like to hear you laugh. So, the rune healed him?"

Magnus runs his thumb across Alec's knuckles, "Breaking the spell was only the first step. Alec was so weak, Magnus empowering the rune alone wouldn't have healed him."

"So he still died, if only for a few minutes."

Max shakes his head, "No, Daddy. After the rune appeared, I mentioned that Magnus had to put magic in it, then Alec had to die for the rune to bring him back. Mikey wasn't having any of that. He empowered the rune using Magnus' magic and Alec was restored without having to die."

"Wow, and I missed that."

Max giggles, "Mikey was awesome."

Magnus nods, "Seeing the security footage was one thing, but to be there while he does magic beyond his years, it's incredible."

Alec sniffs, "I'm lucky you showed me the footage, otherwise I wouldn't personally know how awesome Mikey is."

Max giggles, "Daddy misses all the fun."

Magnus kisses Alec, "If you didn't work so hard, you would have more time for adventure."

Alec smiles, "What kind of adventure are you talking about, Mr. Bane?"

"Hmm, any kind you want, Mr. Lightwood." They kiss.

Max giggles, "I mean it, I will separate you two."

Alec laughs, "Sorry, blueberry."

"Yeah, right."

"So now Alec is better?"

Magnus nods, "Not only healed but young again."

"And what happened to Zachary, Lamar and those other two warlocks?"

Max giggles, "Gilbert and Ivan. They are all dead."

"I figured as much. I don't remember dealing with a Gilbert or an Ivan."

Magnus sniffs, "Gilbert was the warlock that glamoured himself to look like me."

"That was when Maxine kept young me safe?"

Max giggles, "Yes, Daddy. And now that you mention it, I don't remember an Ivan in any of my other adventures. Poppa?"

Magnus nods, "I haven't had much to do with him and that's probably wise on his part."

Max nods, "Very wise, Poppa." He reaches for his laptop and turns it on, "Let me check to make sure everything is okay with them."

Alec smiles, "If not, we can go fix it."

Magnus laughs, "After all the time we spent there, there better be nothing to fix."

Max giggles as he types, "Daddy's just upset, he missed out on all the fun."

Alec sniffs, "Damn right, I'm upset."

Magnus smiles and kisses him, "Poor you."

Max giggles, "Her sad ass went back to Topeka."

Alec raises an eyebrow, "Who's her?"

"Suzanne Leeds, she took over as High Warlock of Brooklyn."

Magnus laughs, "She didn't last that long."

"The hall is still there."

Alec asks, "Hall?"

Magnus nods, "She put a hall in the middle of Prospect Park for warlocks to gather. Only thing is, nobody wanted to gather there." He finishes his coffee, "Not caring about her, Max. What about Alec and Magnus?"

Max nods as he continues to type, "They're doing good, Poppa. Oh wait." He looks at his father, "Have you ever heard of warlock twins?"

"I suppose it's possible, why?"

"About a month after Suzanne got her ass back to Kansas, Beatrice Mead found twin warlock baby boys outside the hall."

Magnus nods, "I've known the Beatrice here for centuries."

Max nods, "She called Magnus right away..."

Magnus laughs, "Let me guess, the babies took one look at Alec and they all fell in love."

Max giggles, "How did you know? Alec and Magnus named the boys.." Max's eyes sparkle as he looks at his fathers, "Maxwell and Micheal." He grins.

Alec smiles, "Awesome names."

Max nods, "There's pictures of the twins."

Alec quickly stands up, "Pictures? I want to see the babies." He sits next to Max and grabs the laptop. His eyes twinkle, "They are adorable."

Max sniffs as he sits back in his chair, "Don't get any ideas, Daddy."

Alec ignores his son and smiles at his husband, "Magnus, come look at them."

Magnus laughs as he stands and walks over. Max shakes his head, "Poppa, it's not necessary."

Alec clicks on the different pictures and smiles, "Look at them, they're beautiful."

Magnus pulls a chair close to Alec, and smiles, "Yes they are."

Both babies have one eye that is green and one that is gray.

Maxwell's left eye is green and his right is gray. His brother's eyes are the opposite. Maxwell's skin is pale green, while his brother's is a light gray. Micheal's tiny tuffs of hair are the same shade of green as his brother's skin and his brother's tuffs of hair match Micheal's skin.

In all the pictures they're in matching outfits. It's easy to tell that they have already picked a 'favorite' father, by the matching smiles on their faces. If only AU!Magnus is in the picture with them, they are brightly smiling at the camera. If only AU!Alec is in the picture, they are smiling at him. If both their fathers are in the picture, one smiles at AU!Alec, while the other smiles at AU!Magnus.

Alec smiles, "Gorgeous babies with beautiful eyes."

Max shrugs, "I guess."

Magnus laughs as he stands and walks over to Max. He kisses the top of his son's head, "If it were up to your Daddy, we would have a hundred children running around the loft."

Alec sighs, "That would be awesome."

Max sniffs, "No it wouldn't be."

Magnus laughs, then kisses Alec, "When was the last time I told you, that I loved you?"

Alec smiles, "Yesterday morning, then you went on an adventure without me."

"I love you." He kisses Alec.

Max giggles, "And we are back to being distracted."

Magnus winks, "Better than talking about siblings?"

"I have siblings."

Alec laughs, "But you didn't watch them grow up."

"We met Maxine when she was eight and now she is a teenager. Mikey is practically still a baby."

"It's not the same."

"Whatever, Daddy."

Whatever, Max."

"Are you done looking at baby pictures?"

Alec laughs, "Yes, blueberry."

"Good." Max closes all the tabs and powers down his laptop. He stands, "I'm going to the Institute."

Magnus raises an eyebrow, "It's Saturday."

"I know. But you two keep getting distracted, so it's best that I leave you alone."

Alec smiles, "We appreciate that, Max. What are you going to do there?"

Max shrugs, "I'll see if Aunt Clary or Aunt Izzy want to train, I'm a bit rusty."

Alec laughs, "They haven't fallen for that since you were sixteen."

Magnus smiles, "Maybe Uncle Jace will train with you."

Max wrinkles his nose, "Nah, Uncle Jace plays dirty."

Alec laughs, "That's because he has spoken to your aunts."

Max sniffs, "Whatever, Daddy. Maybe I'll go to the library and visit my old friend, the Gray Book."

Magnus smiles, "Don't you know enough runes, Max?"

"Never know enough runes, Poppa. Besides there may be a warlock out there looking to take away my title."

"Right, any warlock that loves runes as much as you do, loves you even more and would never dream of taking away your title."

Max smiles, "That's right. I'll find something to do." He kisses Magnus' cheek, "Later, Poppa." He kisses Alec's cheek, "Later, Daddy."

Magnus smiles, "Dinner is your choice."

Max giggles, "A subtle hint as to when I should come home."

Alec smiles, "Was that a question?"

Max giggles, "No it wasn't, Daddy." He continues to giggle as he opens a portal and leaves the loft.

Magnus kisses Alec, "He got the message."

Alec laughs, "Took him long enough."

"Hmm, those babies were adorable, Alexander."

"Yes they were." Alec stands and holds Magnus around the waist.

Magnus kisses him, "If the opportunity presented itself, would you consider adopting another child?"

Alec nods, "In a heartbeat and I'm sure Max would agree."

Magnus smiles, "Yes all his complaining is just a show. He loves Maxine and Mikey to bits."

Alec kisses Magnus, "Meanwhile, how about a little adventure of our own, Mr. Bane?"

"Hmm, I thought you would never ask, Mr. Lightwood."

They kiss as they make their way to their bedroom.

the end

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Yeah, another WiP is complete. \o/

Hope everybody liked it.

Now I move on to When Worlds Explode.

Love you. xoxo