A/N: Read, rejoice, review! ;)

"Your eyes, they shine so bright / I wanna save that light / I can't escape this now / Unless you show me how" – from Demons by Imagine Dragons

Chapter 14 –Sweet Dreams, Alexander

Magnus laid on the bed in his cold cell frustrated. He'd tried reaching Alec in his dream again without success, and he could feel his inner anxiety growing with every failed attempt. Magnus was grateful that at least this form of magic was free for him to use; he wouldn't be able to do magic in his cell if it was applied on material things, like opening the cell door or setting the place on fire – both ideas had crossed Magnus's mind – but visiting Alec in his dream required mental work only and that kind of magic couldn't be blocked from him.

There could be many reasons this wasn't working: Magnus and Alec could be in different time zones, which could explain why Alec wasn't asleep yet; or maybe Magnus's magic wasn't strong enough after spending the entire day working on Valentine's portal; or - Magnus's heart squirmed at the thought - Alec was hurt, making it impossible for Magnus to reach him. Either way, Magnus hated that he couldn't contact Alec, he was so desperate to see him. Alec was like fresh air to a drowning man to him right now; he couldn't think straight without him. He barely had a grip on it as it was.

So Magnus reached into the inner pocket of his blazer and held out a tiny bottle with a blue potion in it. It was glowing softly, casting subtle shimmers over the walls of his cell. It was a kind of magic booster – not nearly as strong as taking people's lives and using their souls for magic – it was more like an energy drink, extremely difficult to make, which could give the warlock an extra kick to keep him going. Magnus had brought three little bottles with him, but had already used up two over the past week to help him with the portal.

He held up the last bottle and stared at its swirling contents. It contained only one gulp of elixir, and Magnus wondered if it would be smarter to keep it for later, for his escape plan. His hesitation didn't last long, though, as he pictured Alec in front of him and the joy seeing him would bring him. So Magnus opened the small bottle and downed its content, hoping with all his might that Alec was asleep and this wouldn't turn out to be a ridiculous waste of magic.

He laid on his back, trying to get as comfortable as the hard bed allowed him to, and closed his eyes, focusing his thoughts on Alec. He felt the magic buzzing in his head first and then slowly vibrating through his body. It involved all his senses, and when Magnus felt like he was floating in space, completely weightless, he knew the magic was working.

It took a while before he could finally sense Alec, and when he did, he didn't hesitate to follow him. He decided to just show up wherever Alec was in his dream instead of pulling him away into a different location; that way Magnus could save a lot of magic.

He only opened his eyes when he felt solid ground under his feet, and he found himself – to his astonishment – in a very familiar place: his own loft.

It was dark; the only light came from the streets of Brooklyn. But the loft seemed exactly the way he had left it, except… As Magnus looked around, he noticed the ceiling was gone and a sky full of stars had taken its place.

That's an interesting idea, Alexander, Magnus thought and sought Alec with his eyes until they fell on a tall dark figure standing taciturnly by the window with his arms crossed, staring out at the city, apparently buried in thoughts. Magnus's heart skipped a beat when he saw him.

"Alexander?" He asked softly, too afraid to speak up, as if that could wake Alec up and scatter the dream away.

Alec turned around slowly to face Magnus, his lips slightly parted in surprise. They just stood there, holding their breaths, unable to believe that they were in front of each other. They didn't even dare to blink, wanting to savour every second they could look on each other, like if the other could disappear in the short moment of a blink.

"Magnus?" Alec replied bewildered and moved towards him with hesitant steps.

And that was it for Magnus. He had been so eager for this to happen and now that it had, he wasn't prepared for all the emotions overtaking him, so he just stood there, paralyzed, staring at Alec with wide eyes and never letting his face out of his sight. When Alec finally stopped in front of him, Magnus felt like he was about to explode, he was so overwhelmed by Alec's beauty. Those big beautiful eyes and those rosy lips and that face full of hope were too much for him. He had spent so much time away from anything beautiful that so much of it now hit him really hard.

Oh my Alexander! It's him! He's here, right in front of me! Oh dear, is this really happening?

He's staring at me with THOSE eyes!

I think I'm about to die.

"Magnus…" Alec's numb voice showed an overwhelming amount of feelings. "Are you really… are you here?"

Say something, you stupid warlock!

"Well," Magnus shook his head and finally recomposed himself. He gave Alec a small smile. "This is my loft, so it's not that surprising to see me here, is it?"

"Is this real?" Alec looked around confused and Magnus knew he was sensing the strange buzz in the air of Magnus's magic leaking into the dream.

"It's only magic," He said, not feeling the need to explain more. All he wanted was to enjoy Alec for as long as possible.

Alec looked him up and down like he still couldn't believe what he was seeing, and Magnus was glad he had performed a small glamour on his dream self to make himself and his clothes look neat. He had even managed to conjure some eyeliner and subtle golden eyeshadow. He didn't want Alec to see him in the pitiful state he really was in. He didn't want to make Alec feel bad for him – if he wasn't feeling bad already, that is.

"Magnus, I…" Alec's voice was trembling now and he looked down for a second to avoid Magnus's look, which only made Magnus worry. And Alec gave him every reason to do so, because when he looked up his eyes were very watery.

"I'm so sorry I'm making you go through this," Alec said and tears began to trace their way down his face, drawing a line across his cheeks. It broke Magnus's heart into a million pieces.

"Oh no, Alec, sweetheart…" He said soothingly. He did not plan to call him by such an intimate nickname so soon, but he couldn't help it. It slipped his mouth without thinking and he watched Alec for any signs of discomfort or rejection caused by his 'sweetheart'. But Alec didn't seem to mind.

"You're not making me do anything," Magnus continued and looked into those beautiful dark eyes. "I made my own choice going with Valentine. And it's not as bad as you think. I get to tease a lot of Shadowhunters, which, you know, has been a hobby of mine for many years," He added playfully in an attempt to make Alec feel better.

"Has he hurt you?" Alec asked, turning from sad boy to fierce and threatening Shadowhunter.

"No, no, nothing like that," Magnus assured him. Well, at least not physically, he added in thought.

"Why does he want you there? What did he ask you to do?" Alec asked curiously. The tears had stopped, to Magnus's relief.

"He wants me to create a portal to a place he can send all the Downworlders. He seems to think that's easier to do than killing them all one by one. I've gotta hand it to him, it's not the… stupidest idea I've ever heard of," Magnus said and looked away, because he didn't want to show his feelings towards Valentine in front of Alec. He didn't want this topic to ruin their miraculous reunion.

"How are you, Alexander?" Magnus changed the topic, smiling at Alec. He noticed that Alec had lost some weight since the last time he had seen him.

"Who cares about me?" Alec asked confused. "I'm not the one trapped with Valentine," He stated objectively.

"Well, I care," Magnus said like it was too obvious. He couldn't believe Alec seriously just asked him that.

"I'm fine," Alec answered reluctantly. "I miss you," He admitted shyly, hoping it was dark enough for Magnus not to see him blush.

"I miss you too, Alec," Magnus replied with googly eyes and felt a bubble of happiness form in his chest when he saw Alec smile at his words.

"I just feel bad, because we left each other on such bad terms." Alec gave Magnus a sad look, but he didn't seem so shaken up by his emotions anymore. "And… I never should have done that. I never should have pushed you away. I wish we could just start over, you know?" Alec looked at Magnus with so much hope and need in his eyes it made Magnus melt even more.

Magnus suspected the only reason Alec was so open about his feelings now, was that he believed it was just a dream - and Magnus had no intention to tell him otherwise – but, even so, he loved that Alec felt comfortable enough to be honest about his feelings with him. He wondered what he had done to earn his trust.

"And we can," He answered, taking Alec's hand with one of his hands and cupped his cheek with the other. Alec looked down at their linked hands in surprise, as if he hadn't been expecting how real Magnus's touch felt.

"Look, Alec. Please, don't worry about me. I'm fine. This is nothing I can't handle," He reassured Alec about his situation in a soothing voice and caressed his check with his thumb. He loved the way Alec's skin felt touching his, it was like his hand always belonged there. And Alec seemed to be enjoying it too by the way he leaned into Magnus's hand.

"Okay," He said softly. The small word sounded somewhat like a purring cat to Magnus. He raised his eyebrows thinking 'Damn, that was easy. I should do this more often.' In fact, Magnus was sure that if he had known caressing Alec provoked this effect on him he definitely would have done it sooner.

In the meantime, Alec was marveling about the way Magnus's touch made him feel. He had never felt anything like this before. That gentle and caring hand felt like the safest place in the world. Alec knew nothing bad would happen as long as he was with Magnus like this; just the two of them together in this haven. Magnus slowly rubbing his thumb against his cheek sent warm shivers down Alec's body, so he closed his eyes for a second to take it in and opened them again when he felt Magnus's breath reach his face. Their faces were so close their noses were almost touching. They both held their breaths from the tension that was surrounding them and stared into each other's eyes with yearning.

Magnus hesitated. He wanted to kiss Alec so much, but he was also afraid if he did, the dream would disintegrate immediately. He couldn't possible keep his focus on maintaining it if he was kissing Alec, which was everything his body and soul had been longing for. It made him so happy that Alec hadn't rejected him. He felt that he was starting to lose control over the dream already. He wished there was more light to see Alec's face better and the next thing he knew, dozens of tiny golden balls of light emerged around them, floating lazily in the air, illuminating them.

Alec didn't pay attention to the candle-like illumination that just happened to appear around them. Although, he was grateful it allowed him to see Magnus in his full grace. His breathing got heavier just from watching Magnus's beautiful features until the point where he couldn't hold himself back anymore. He leaned in and felt his nose brush Magnus's cheek as he placed his lips over Magnus's.

Despite his initial hesitation, Magnus responded to the kiss eagerly and placed his hands behind Alec's neck. He allowed a hand to go even further, up Alec's soft hair when he felt Alec's strong arms wrapped around his back, pulling him closer. If the world had to end right now this was the place where Alec wanted to be – at this tender dance of lips and tongues with Magnus. The kiss was slow paced, and they explored each other curiously with light caresses.

The floating golden balls multiplied around them, and Magnus pulled away. Alec chased after his lips, but Magnus maintained a distance. His magic was dropping quickly and he was terrified of losing Alec again. He took a deep breath and concentrated all his power into maintaining the dream.

Please, please, just a little more, I beg you, Magnus pleaded desperately to keep the dream going.

Alec wasn't sure why Magnus had pulled away. He hoped it wasn't because of his clumsiness at kissing. He turned away a little embarrassed and then… the most beautiful scene caught his attention. He glanced up at the hundreds of magical balls of light that reminded him of tiny candles, hovering around them and bathing everything in the living room in a nice golden shade. They went all the way up to the black sky.

"It's so pretty," Alec said delighted and couldn't help the big smile that took over him as he watched this breathtakingly beautiful scene.

"The prettiest," Magnus agreed and Alec had no idea that he was in fact talking about his smile, not the floating magic balls. Those he had seen a million times before. But Alec smiling like this was rare and new to him and truly the most beautiful thing Magnus had ever witnessed.

Alec gazed back at Magnus, carving the image of him immersed with the golden light into his memory. It was a sight he never wanted to forget, even if it was only from a dream.

Magnus watched Alec devour him with his eyes, stunned, and as much as it hurt him, he knew it was time to say goodbye. His magic could end at any second now.

"Alexan-" He started, but Alec didn't let him finish. He grabbed Magnus by his waist, pulled him close again and kissed him full on the mouth. Magnus instantly went out of air and couldn't keep his magic flowing anymore as the kiss became more passionate than before. They were completely lost in each other, desperate hands running up and down each on other's backs and arms and messing up hair, their bodies glued to each other and they felt the two hearts pounding frantically. Until a cold breeze of air passed through them all of a sudden, putting all the magical lights out. In fact, the entire apartment had vanished and Alec and Magnus were left standing in pitch black space.

Alec broke the kiss and hugged Magnus tight against him, burying his face in Magnus's hair and inhaling his scent.

"Please, don't go," He whispered into Magnus's ear, like he had known this was coming to an end.

I don't want to, love, Magnus thought bitterly, as he hugged back. But he didn't have a choice. He rested his head on Alec's shoulder and tried very hard to keep his tears at bay. He felt Alec's pounding heart against his and planted a soft kiss on his neck, which made Alec shiver from head to toe and let out a small moan. Magnus faced his loved one once again and left a soft, lingering kiss on his sweet lips before the vacuuming sensation of the dream ending ripped them apart.

Magnus was lucky he was already lying on the bed; otherwise he would have crashed on the floor from the force that had expelled him out of Alec's dream. He kept his eyes closed as he slowly recovered his breath.

Thank you, Alexander, he thought and tears of joy ran down from his closed eyelids. He was worn out from the abuse of magic he'd just performed, but despite that, he felt warm and fully restored for the first time in days and he hadn't felt this happy since Alec's wedding day.

He remembered Alec's heartwarming face and Magnus fell asleep with his lips curled up in a smile.

Hundreds of miles away, Alec woke up in panic. He sat up on his bed and looked around in the darkness. When he recognized the familiar shapes of his room he let out a sigh of relief and relaxed his body against the pillows.

Alec's heart was still beating fast from what just happened. He placed his fingers over his lips, so astonished by how real Magnus's kiss had felt. He knew this had been the most wonderful experience that ever happened to him. Too bad it was just a dream, he thought, wishing it had happened for real, although he knew he wouldn't have had the courage to admit all his thoughts and feelings to Magnus and kiss him the way he did in this dream. But for now, all he cared about was this warm fuzzy feeling in his chest as he remembered the details of the dream. He replayed it inside his head until he fell asleep again.

The next morning Alec went straight to Isabelle's room. She had just gotten dressed up; she received him wearing black skinny jeans and a cute pink satin top. Her hair was up in a loose ponytail.

"Hey, Izzy. Can I talk to you, please?" Alec seemed rather flustered.

"Morning, Alec," She greeted him with a smile and let him in.

Alec realized that Izzy was in the process of getting her make up on, so he walked to the farthest point from the mirror possible.

"What's up, big brother?" Izzy asked him calmly. She knew her brother too well and had picked up the nervous vibes from him as soon as she laid her eyes on him. So she gave him space and went back to the wall length mirror to use her favorite new acquisition from yesterday's shopping trip with Clary: a pink matte lipstick. She had a clear view of Alec's anxious reflection.

"Have you ever had a dream that felt so real you actually believed it was real? Until you woke up?" Alec asked staring at Izzy's back.

"Sure. I think everyone has dreams like that," Izzy answered a bit surprised at the topic.

"Well, I just had this really weird dream with Magnus," Alec said and he felt his cheeks go red.

Isabelle stopped applying her lipstick and raised an eyebrow at her brother's reflection.

Well, look at you. One kiss from Magnus and your mind is already corrupted, Izzy thought with some pride.

This conversation was certainly getting interesting. Who would have thought Alec would talk to her about his wet dreams? Surely, not Izzy.

"It's completely normal to have those kinds of dreams, Alec," was all she said with a shrug. She was trying to show him it wasn't a big deal.

"What?" Alec blinked and shook his head confused at Izzy's tone. Isabelle put her lipstick down and turned around to face him.

"Oh, you mean like…. It wasn't…" Isabelle said awkwardly, waiting for her brother to understand what she was hinting at.

But he just looked even more confused now.

Wow bro, are you really that innocent or are you just playing dumb? She gazed at her brother suspiciously, but she couldn't read him. Alec had perfected his poker face years ago.

Or maybe my mind is just too dirty… Isabelle shook the disturbing thought out of her head and pressed her lips against each other to contain her embarrassment. Even though Alec seemed to have no idea what she was insinuating.

She sat down on her bed and took a deep breath before looking at Alec again.

"So… Why was this dream so weird?" She asked keeping a normal conversational voice.

Alec sat on the bed next to Izzy and didn't look away, which made her happy. She loved that Alec turned more to her for advice now after he'd had that breakdown the other day.

"He was there, he told me he was doing fine. And that I shouldn't worry about him." Alec sighed. "I guess I just heard what I wanted to hear. But it felt so real, Izzy. I never had a dream like that before."

"Well, maybe it was real. Maybe it's a warlock thing. Like when Dumbledore showed up for Harry and said that just because something is happening inside your head it doesn't mean it's not real," Izzy argued.

"Dumbel-who?" Alec blinked at her again and his confusion was definitely legitimate this time.

"Oh my God, Alec! You really need to be educated," Izzy challenged him as she jumped off the bed.

"I am educated," He snapped back at her, a bit offended.

"Clearly not enough," Izzy said snarkily and went back to the mirror to finish applying the lipstick.

Alec rolled his eyes and decided he's had enough of his little sister and her inappropriate innuendos for one day. He got up and tugged her ponytail lightly before heading out of her room, making Izzy's hand slip and drawing a thick line of lipstick down her chin.

Izzy sighed and thought 'Okay, when is Magnus coming back? My brother needs distraction ASAP!' as she reached for the towel on her dressing table to clean up her face.

A/N: This after-chapter with Izzy wasn't planned, but inspiration hit me, so I wrote this little 'bonus chapter'. Hope you liked it! Let me know what you think, lovely readers! ^.^