"Guys, we have something to tell you," Aline announced suddenly, standing up with her glass of sparkling water clutched closely to her chest.
Magnus had managed to get them a private room at Le Bernardin – the things this man could accomplish and the people he knew continually astounded them all. The room was beautiful and completely private and the staff were always on hand but not too overbearing. They had ordered some wine for the table (whenever they were with the Warlock, getting served alcohol was never a problem, despite them all being underage) and were all feeling a little merry now, partly because they hadn't ordered any food yet. Peter and Paul Hawkswood had been (finally) persuaded to join them and they were being exceptionally quiet, though their silence was not as awkward as it had been. Magnus had not allowed them any of the wine, though he had promised Peter a glass with dinner.
The girls all looked very lovely, every one of them dressed in their finest frocks. Isabelle wore a tight black number, accessorised with chunky gold jewellery and Clary wore a dark forest green dress with a small amount of beading around the neckline. Helen was in black like Izzy, the dark colour making her blue-green eyes stand out electrically, whilst Aline wore a shimmery creamy-gold dress: they complimented each other beautifully. Even Alec, who admittedly had no fashion sense, could tell that.
Magnus looked resplendent too, as he most always did, wearing a very tightly fitted dark crimson velvet suit with a black silk shirt underneath. He was dripping in bright silver jewellery and his hair was spiked artfully, though not glittered. Alec always loved the way Magnus looked, whether he wore makeup or not, but tonight he was sporting dark, smoky eye makeup and long false eyelashes: he looked absolutely stunning.
Magnus had managed to get him in a shimmery grey suit and turquoise shirt and he felt thoroughly uncomfortable. He wished he could pull off fashionable outfits like his boyfriend, or just throw anything on like Jace and look wonderful. He had protested, telling Magnus he looked 'obviously homosexual' in the blue and grey outfit, to which Magnus had cocked an eyebrow and replied with a "So?" Magnus kept telling him how gorgeous he looked, but he felt like an idiot. Jace kept smirking at him too and making comments like "I absolutely love your suit, darling," or "that colour really brings out your eyes, lover boy," or "have you ever considered modelling as a profession?" Clary had berated him a couple of times, but Jace loved tormenting Alec and he knew Jace wasn't going to just leave it.
Hopefully he'll get drunk and forget to be a jerk.
Helen stood and joined Aline, clutching at her hand lovingly. Everyone was now looking at them, giving them their full attention.
"I asked Aline to marry me today," Helen said aloud, though she was gazing into Aline's eyes and not paying the rest of them much attention.
"And I said yes," Aline announced excitedly, turning and addressing them with a huge grin spread across her face.
Isabelle gasped and practically jumped up from her chair, followed by everyone else rising in order to go over to the couple and congratulate them with hugs. Magnus ordered champagne.
The girls were admiring Aline's sparkly engagement ring with vigour and Alec sat back in his chair contentedly, admiring the happy scene before him. He was feeling light and warm, probably brought on by the two glasses of wine he had already consumed. Magnus sat down next to him and handed him a glass with a small smile.
"Not sure I should be drinking much more – at this rate you'll have to carry me home," Alec warned jovially. Placing his hand on Magnus knee and taking a large long gulp of the fizzy drink.
"Do you hear me complaining Alexander?" Magnus purred at him, covering Alec's hand with his own. "But maybe you should slow down baby – champagne should be savoured, not bolted down like cheap tequila."
Alec laughed heartily; clutching Magnus' hand tightly he brought it up to his lips and planted a loving kiss across his knuckles.
"Do you really want to marry me Alec?" Magnus asked him, his voice a sad whisper. It made Alec start a little and he turned to face the Warlock, not letting go of his hand.
"Yes," he told him sternly, though perhaps a little too loudly. "I've been worrying about it and I've been having my doubts, but I really do."
The words tumbled out of Alec's mouth. He really did want to marry Magnus, despite all of his reservations. In this sudden moment of clarity he realised this and he felt elated.
"Doubts?" Magnus asked him sceptically, pulling them both to their feet and then over to a corner on the far-side of the room, where they were slightly more out of ear-shot from the group.
"I'm just not sure we should rush into it. I'm only eighteen and I still don't feel like I'm old enough to get married. But I do want to marry you, Magnus Bane. I will marry you someday." Alec smiled goofily at the Warlock, whose expression was unreadable. "Besides, giving you my family ring is not really a proposal – it's not a real engagement ring. And maybe I will want an engagement ring too…"
"I understand," Magnus told him softly, stroking the side of his cheek tenderly. "We have the rest of our lives together, there's no rush."
Magnus pulled out a long silver chain from about his neck. On it dangled the Lightwood family ring. Alec had noticed he wasn't wearing it on his hand but hadn't said anything earlier because he really hadn't wanted Magnus to wear it in front of his family without some sort of explanation first. He had been too relieved to ask Magnus why.
"I think you should take this back," Magnus told him, handing him the ring. He looked at the ring and then to Magnus in shock. The Warlock was smiling comfortingly at him, but Alec could see the hurt in his beautiful eyes very clearly. With a wave of determination (mixed with nausea – he really needed to stop drinking wine) Alec strode over to the group and stood, rather ungracefully, onto one of the chairs. Everyone stared up at him, looking slightly horrified. Except Peter, who looked like he was about to explode with laughter.
"I also have something to announce!" Alec exclaimed, stumbling a little on the chair. Jace ran to him as fast as lightening and attempted to steady him, but Alec batted him away.
"You're drunk," Jace observed, though he didn't seem too amused.
"No I'm not," Alec countered. He looked over to Magnus, who was stood where he had left him, on the other side of the room; his expression was as dark as storm clouds and he had his arms folded about his chest. Was Magnus annoyed with him?
"I wanted to let you all know that I love that man," Alec told the group as he pointed at the Warlock. "And although we aren't getting married anytime soon and although we aren't officially engaged…" Isabelle gasped and then let out a squeak. "I have asked him to wear my family ring, because he is my family." Alec watched how Magnus' expression softened and the Warlock smiled, his arms dropping to his sides as he gazed lovingly at Alec.
"Even Jace admitted it!" he said, clasping his parabatai on the shoulder. "Yesterday, Jace referred to Magnus as his family. So I thought it would be a good idea for him to wear the Lightwood family ring. And one day, maybe he will be called Magnus Lightwood." Alec winked at Magnus, but the distraction of Magnus smiling, mirthful face made him stumble again and Jace had to catch him and pull him down from the chair.
"Graceful tonight, aren't you?" he said sarcastically.
"I'm not sure about being called Magnus Lightwood…" Magnus piped up. "But to know that not just Alec, but all of you, think of me as family is truly warming and I am very honoured." With that, Magnus slipped the Lightwood ring onto his finger and then wiggled his hand towards the group.
The next thing Alec knew he was being embraced very tightly by Helen, whilst Aline and Isabelle were hugging Magnus. He'd have to work on the Warlock and convince him that Lightwood was a much better family name – Bane was just made up by Magnus anyway.
As the evening progressed and they enjoyed a truly exquisite meal Alec made sure he drank mainly water to try and sober himself up a bit. He felt embarrassed that he had behaved a little tipsy in front of Peter and Paul Hawkswood and subsequently Peter hadn't really stopped laughing at him all evening.
He reminds me of Jace…
Paul still hadn't said a word, but the young boy only looked terrified about fifty percent of the time now, which was certainly progress.
He and Magnus held hands throughout the rest of the meal, or kept their feet tangled with each other when they needed both hands to eat. However, neither managed to say a word about what had happened and Alec suspected this meant a very long and serious chat at some point. Alec hated long and serious chats. He wasn't very good at them and it made him get flustered and really anxious, even if there wasn't anything for him to feel particularly nervous about.
"Let's go to Pandemonium!" Clary announced as desert was being cleared. This was met with an enthusiastic squeal from the other three girls. Alec felt stuffed and fit to burst with all he had eaten and he groaned at the prospect.
"Come on baby, it might be fun," Magnus suggested.
"I'm really not in the mood – I shouldn't drink any more and I think I've eaten too much."
Magnus leaned in and whispered in his ear. "Well I had planned on seducing you on the dance floor, but if you don't want to then I shall have to show you my moves at that cramped bedroom at the Institute. I warn you, you won't get the full effect."
"Magnus, please! I feel totally bloated and gross…" Alec told him in a hushed voice, although he couldn't help the tingling sensation his lower abdomen or the sudden heat in his crotch. Magnus chuckled salaciously when he noticed Alec's slight blush.
"Guys, I think we need to call it a night and we do have to take Peter and Paul home," Magnus announced cheerily.
"Not fair!" Peter protested jovially – it seemed the one glass of wine was about one hundred percent more alcohol than Peter Hawkswood had ever drunk in his life.
"I never thought I would hear Magnus Bane, High Warlock of Brooklyn turn down an invitation to party," Isabelle teased in a mock flabbergasted voice.
"Now now Isabelle, we know very well the only reason why Magnus would turn down an invitation to a club," Jace said, downing the remainder of Clary's glass of wine.
"Why no, Jonathan, I don't believe I do know!" Isabelle continued, turning it into some sort of sick game intended to make Alec die from over-heating.
"Guys, come on," Alec said meekly and was promptly ignored. "Not in a nice place like this."
"Well you see Isabelle it is quite simple. Magnus Bane has only ever turned down an invitation to a night out of fun and debauchery for one thing."
Magnus was trying (and failing) not to giggle into his wine glass. Alec felt his ears catch on fire.
"Ooooh do tell," Helen suddenly piped up, smirking at Alec.
Stupid Helen
"Why, to go bonk my dear brother! Isn't that right Alec?"
"Shurrup Jace," Alec said weakly, realising he was already turning the colour of tomatoes. He also noted that Peter was looking about a little nervously. There were kids here that really shouldn't be subject to this kind of perversity. Everyone else seemed to be giggling though. Because, apparently, his and Magnus' sex life was completely hilarious. Alec scowled at his parabatai.
"I can't imagine it myself, nor would I ever wish to, but apparently Alec is an incredible lay if it means Magnus wants to forego our esteemed company – especially mine – in order to play hide the sausage all night."
Alec almost choked, so did Peter, and Clary's eyes widened in shock. The others continued to laugh, now louder and harder at this.
Brilliant. My sex life is a joke.
Alec felt Magnus squeeze his hand tightly.
"That's enough Jonathan," he warned Jace in a dangerous, booming voice. Thank god Magnus was getting offended now because he wasn't sure how much more humiliation he could take without popping a blood vessel. Everyone stopped laughing and Alec couldn't help but feel a little smug.
"Right, come on Alexander, time for us to leave," Magnus announced, jumping up from his chair and pulling Alec along with him. "And you two," he told Peter and Paul softly.
They left rather awkwardly and mostly in silence. He loved Magnus so much right now: he could never get it through to Jace when he had crossed a line. To be fair, the guy did look pretty ashamed of himself and Clary was now scowling angrily at him.
He's clearly not getting any tonight. Serves him right!
"See you later Iz," he told his sister, giving her a big hug and kiss.
"Don't wait up," she told him quietly and winked, to which Alec rolled his eyes.
"Congratulations to both of you," he told both Helen and Aline. "Sorry we are being party poopers, but I think I've had enough to drink. Hope you have a great evening," he said as he embraced both Aline and Helen in turn.
"I am sorry about all of that Alec," Helen told him. She was the only person who had apologised.
"Don't worry about it," Alec told her with a smile as Magnus appeared behind him and helped him on with his coat. Helen was fast becoming one of his favourite people and he could picture them being very good friends with each other.
Peter and Paul followed them out of the room silently. "Good night Paul," Isabelle called after the youngest, which would have been a very endearing gesture had it not been completely obvious that she had only said it to make a point that she was still half ignoring Peter. Of course, Paul did not reply, though his brother did turn around and stare at Isabelle for a moment. "Good night Isabelle," he told her slowly, his expression stoic. "Good night everyone. I hope you all have a great time."
Alec got that sad, stabbing pain in his chest again. Peter was misunderstood, too quickly judged by his sister and he could see that it would now be an uphill struggle for him to align himself with the group. Alec felt deeply sorry for him, because he could see that Peter was a good kid who was going through a difficult time and he could identify with that.
Alec stirred from his slumber whilst fighting a hard, sharp ache in his head. His mouth was dry and he felt like he had been in a three hour fight with a hoard of Drevak Demons.
"Morning beautiful," Magnus purred at him. The Warlock was still in bed too, but sat up and gazing at his phone.
"Why do I feel so bad? I did not drink that much wine…" Alec moaned. Magnus chuckled as he wrapped his arms around him and planted a tender kiss on his brow.
Alec jumped to his feet in one movement, startling Magnus somewhat. He rubbed his hands down the side of his face, perhaps attempting to rub some life back into his skin. He thought he may as well go to the bathroom and splash his face and brush his teeth (and make sure he looked at least vaguely presentable) before Magnus got any ideas. Alec had never liked the idea of being close to another person when he had just woken up; he found it all too embarrassing. What if he had morning breath? Or his hair was sticking out at comically weird angles? It wasn't vanity, either. His experience of waking up next to people, though limited, had proven his theory that he was definitely the only person who looked like a troll first thing in the morning. Magnus, who even when he went to bed with all of his makeup on, still looked completely splendid first thing, even if his makeup was smudged or his hair was in disarray – he could always pull it off.
"Aw, don't run away!" Magnus called out to him as he darted into the bathroom. Alec ignored him and gave his face a wash and brushed his teeth. He was feeling loads better, his headache only a distant throb, as he walked back into the bedroom.
Magnus greeted him enthusiastically, sprawled out on the bed and completely naked. He couldn't help but smile.
"Come back to bed," Magnus pleaded in a husky voice.
"I really have a lot to do today…"
The look of sadness and shock that passed over his lover's face was just too much to bear and Alec burst out laughing. He strode quickly over to the bed and sat beside the Warlock, smoothing his fingertips tenderly across his shoulder.
"Think it's funny to tease me do you Alexander?" Magnus purred at him, a ferocious desire clouding his eyes as he grabbed Alec's hand and brought it up to his lips where he kissed Alec's fingers lightly.
"A little," Alec admitted with a small sigh and a loving smile. With that, Magnus caught Alec's pointer finger in his mouth and drew it in deeply, sucking on the digit seductively. Alec threw his head back and moaned at the sensation, feeling the warmth and wetness of Magnus' mouth course down through his body and scorch a burning need into every fibre of his being.
Suddenly, there was a knock on their door.
"Hey, it's Izzy – can I come in?"
Both he and Magnus let out a long sigh to bemoan their loss of privacy. Alec got up hurriedly and walked over to the door. It was no use yelling to his sister to just leave them alone because they had soundproofed the room thoroughly using a combination of runes and spells since they had moved in. It saved a lot of embarrassment for Alec, though Magnus didn't seem to care. Alec caught Magnus rolling himself up in the comforter out of the corner of his eye as he went over to the door and opened it to his sister.
"Morning!" she beamed at him enthusiastically. "Can I come in?"
"No," Magnus told her from across the room, now stood upright with a sheet wrapped about himself.
"Oh sorry, were you guys busy?" she asked with a salacious wink.
Alec replied with a "no" just as Magnus said, "always" and returned Isabelle's wink.
"Never mind," she told him quickly as he turned and scowled at Magnus. "Just wanted to let you know that I will be helping out with the training of that horrible brat today and wondered if you knew where Jace was. But I can see you've only just got up, so…"
"No, I've not seen him," Alec agreed. "But please go easy on Peter today, Izzy?" She huffed and turned to leave. "Please, Isabelle," he pleaded as he grabbed her hand. She turned back around to face with a sigh and rolled her eyes.
"I'll try not to let him bother me too much," she told Alec with a nasty edge to her usually sweet voice.
"Isabelle, I mean it," Alec warned. "Peter – and Paul – they've been through a lot. And I know it doesn't necessarily excuse his behaviour when he arrived, but please remember that Peter has just lost his parents. He watched them die. You can't blame him for acting out a bit."
He watched in shock as his sister's dark eyes misted and turned glassy with tears. He hadn't quite expected this reaction.
"We've lost our parents too, Alec. We watched our parents die. I killed our father. I could feel it as the life left his body whilst knowing that it was because of me," she bit out angrily, the tears streaming down her soft pale cheeks. Alec could only stare at her. "And I have to live with that for the rest of my life. I have to wake up every day and remember that I killed my Dad. Poor Jace has watched his father die three times – twice with Valentine and now with our father. I know Valentine wasn't his real dad but until he came to live with us Valentine was the only father Jace ever knew. And I know dad was a father to Jace as well, even if we lost him to Sebastian in the end, he was our father…" She was sobbing openly now and Magnus had joined them at the door, a pair of skinny jeans haphazardly thrown on to maintain his modesty and an expression of deep sadness etched across his face. He looked as sad as Alec wanted to look, though Alec was not sure if he could bring himself to actually feel that grief anymore. What happened had happened. And it was awful, especially for his sister, but they had been at war and with wars there was always loss. It was part of being Shadowhunters. It wasn't fair, but it was who they were.
Magnus pushed past him and gathered Isabelle up into a tight hug, whilst Alec just looked on not really knowing what to say or what to do. She cried into Magnus, barely supporting her own weight as she crumbled in front of him. Isabelle – the strong one. When they had lost Max she had been so angry and deeply hurt with grief and guilt. But she hadn't let her fragility show, even then. Now, as she broke down Alec could see the side of her that he had always known was there but she hid so well.
"Isabelle –" he begun and stretched out his hand to her, trying some how to reach her in her despair. But she remained unresponsive, folded up in Magnus' arms. Alec felt lost and redundant. She was his baby sister, but she didn't seem to want him.
They stood like that for a few minutes before her sobs began to die down.
"Now," Magnus said as he pulled away from her slightly. "I think someone needs a trip to the salon," he told her with a half-smile. She laughed weakly and wiped her eyes with her arm. "I was planning on going today anyway – girlie day out?"
"I have training with Peter – I – maybe tomorrow or something?"
"I think that's a great idea, Izzy," Alec said to her softly. She looked up at him suddenly, as if she had forgotten he was there and he had startled her. "You should go out for some pampering, I can take Peter's training today."
"You don't need to give me special treatment just because I cried all over your boyfriend," she told him rather seriously.
"That's what big brothers do when their baby sisters are upset. Special treatment." He gave her an encouraging smile and said, "don't pretend you don't love it."
"Right – I will meet you out front in ten minutes," Magnus told her cheerfully.
"You? Get ready in ten minutes?" she asked him and smiled softly.
"Stranger things have happened," he said as he pulled apart from her.
Alec arrived in the training room to find Jace strapping Peter into a rope as Paul stared on, open-mouthed.
"No Izzy?" Jace asked him, raising one of his golden eyebrows in question.
"Not today," Alec replied, hoping his and Jace's borderline telepathic communication skills were on form today and he wouldn't have to explain. Jace nodded knowingly and turned back to Peter, who looked extremely sullen.
"She's not coming here because she hates me," Peter declared as Jace tightened a knot a little too harshly.
"No – that's…" Alec began.
"It is true," Peter interrupted indignantly.
"Well, it may be true but that's not the reason she isn't here," Alec told him with a certain amount of exasperation. "Hi Paul, you ok?"
The youngest Hawkswood stared up at Alec with some confusion. However, to Alec's delight Paul smiled broadly at him. Well that was an improvement.
"Flips?" Jace suggested to Peter. The boy nodded at him and took off to the far wall to climb up into the rafters.
"Looks like you can handle both by yourself," Alec told his parabatai with affectionate pride. He had to admit, he was impressed. Jace wasn't the sort of person you would necessarily associate with being a teacher or remotely capable of dealing with children.
"There's only so much I can do with Paul before he's been marked," Jace shrugged like it was no effort at all, though Alec could see he had a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth in response to the praise. "Is Isabelle ok?"
"She'll be fine."
"So where is she?"
"She went to the salon with Magnus."
Jace snorted derisively. "Well if I had known that sort of thing can get you out of training I would have booked a Swedish massage." Alec rolled his eyes – there was no point telling Jace how upset Izzy had been because he would then just worry unnecessarily when there wasn't really anything any of them could do. "Come on Paul – let's practice agility," he told the small boy who immediately jumped to his feet. He reminded Alec of a jack-in-a-box.
"As long as you don't have to go get a spray tan or anything it would be good if you could help move the equipment," he called back over his shoulder to Alec as he went over to the pile of neatly stacked mats. Alec tutted loudly and stalked off to the equipment store.
"I don't even know what a spray tan is…" he muttered to himself. Jace was such a jerk sometimes, but better he had a few jokes with Alec than take it out on Izzy at the moment.
Jace walked Paul through the obstacle course he had fashioned him whilst Alec watched Peter practice flips. He was much better than Alec had been at his age. He was quite possibly better than Alec was now. However, being Jace's parabatai meant that Alec knew how to deal with feeling humble. A loud thud and clatter caused him to jump. There was a scream and Alec wheeled round to find Jace running over to where Paul was lying on the floor, cursing loudly.
"What on earth?!" Alec yelled as he sped over to them. Paul was clearly in pain – it looked like he had fallen off a high box and had hurt his arm, which he was clutching tightly. Peter rushed over a moment later in a panic. "He's broken his arm!" Peter called out frantically.
Jace scooped Paul into his arms and Alec pulled out his stele – it was an instinct to him now, from years of fighting alongside Jace and Isabelle, who were very much prone to injuries. He crouched down in front of Paul and Jace and tried to comfort the boy.
"It's ok Paul, accidents happen. But we will get you healed up in no time at all," Alec soothed as he patted Paul lightly and warmly on his good shoulder. Paul stared at Alec soundlessly, still clutching his broken arm, with a blank expression on his small face and his hazel eyes drowning in his shimmering tears. Alec rolled up Paul's sleeve as Jace held him tightly yet gently, trying in his own way to give comfort. Peter was now stonily silent as he crouched down onto the floor and gazed worryingly at the scene.
However, as Alec brought his stele towards Paul's skin, the young boy screamed and flailed, kicking out and causing both himself and Jace to tumble backwards in surprise. Peter clutched at his brother and hugged him close. "It's ok, it's ok," he repeated.
"What the hell?!" Jace yelled, though Alec could tell he wasn't angry, just a little shocked. It wasn't often anyone caught Jace off guard, let alone a ten-year-old.
"I'm sorry," Peter told them, "he's frightened to be marked."
"Paul, come on, one little iratze won't hurt and it will make your arm better," Jace tried to reason. However, Paul then began sobbing very loudly and it sounded like the poor kid was hyperventilating.
"No – we don't have to mark him," Alec announced and then crawled back over to the Hawkswoods. "Paul," he said firmly yet gently, which made him look at Alec suddenly, "we aren't going to mark you if you don't want to be marked. I promise, we won't hurt you. You don't have to have a mark." With that, Alec pocketed his stele, trying to show Paul he was serious. To everyone's relief, Paul began to calm down, only taking the odd little jagged breath and making the occasional whimper as Alec smiled warmly at him. "Are you alright to walk? Because we will need to get you to the infirmary." Paul nodded slowly and Peter raised both of them to their feet.
They walked the corridors to the infirmary in silence. Peter's arm was wrapped fiercely around his little brother and he wouldn't let go, even though it slowed their pace a little. Alec had told them it was important that Paul did not move his injured arm at all if possible and he could tell the boys were being overly cautious, not wanting to make it any worse. "Jace," Alec said when they arrived and had Paul sat on one of the beds, "I need you to call Magnus and tell him to come back. He will be able to deal with this better than me."
"Seriously, one little healing rune and he would be fine," Jace told him exasperatedly.
"I understand that," Alec reasoned with his parabatai as patiently as he could. "But he's terrified, Jace, look at him." Jace turned his head to gaze thoughtfully at Paul Hawkswood and then shrugged.
"I did notice," he told Alec sarcastically, though there was no harshness to his tone.
"Loads of kids are scared of marks, it's not unusual," Alec told him firmly, as if he was trying to defend Paul's decision. Jace just smiled dazzlingly back at him.
"I'll go call Magnus," Jace reassured him before sweeping out into the corridor to make the call.
Alec walked back over to the bed to see little Paul's face contorted in pain and he decided that it would be cruel to not help him. It was strange for Nephilim to refuse a healing rune and want to heal the mundane way although not entirely unheard of, especially in children, but Alec was not about to see a young child in clear agony and not do anything about it. He got some medical supplies out of the cabinet and prepared a very small dose of morphine. He couldn't help but feel a certain amount of admiration for Paul who, despite his initial outburst in the training room, was now taking the pain of what looked like a broken wrist with stoic silence. Paul didn't refuse the needle of painkiller and visibly relaxed as soon as the drug was administered. However, the dose must have been a little off because Paul fell asleep soon after: Alec had to admit he wasn't used to administering morphine to children. But at least Paul wasn't in pain if he was sleeping.
"Thank you," Peter told him suddenly in a strained whisper.
"Don't mention it," Alec said and smiled at him.
"I mean it – he never used to be terrified of runes, but now he's scared of everything, including steles. I think he's just scared it will hurt, but to be honest I have no idea what is going through his head."
"Hey, it's ok. The two of you have been through a lot. Paul is so young it is going to take time for him to get his own head around things. So I wouldn't worry about him too much. You're there for him and he knows that – it's all that matters."
"And thank you for everything too," Peter smiled sadly at him. "For taking us in, for being so patient with both of us. You're a really great Shadowhunter."
Alec could feel the familiar sensation of a blush tinge his face. "Jace has always been better…" he mumbled and turned to look at the sleeping Paul, trying to hide the fact he was blushing.
"Jace is a great warrior, but he would be rubbish at running an Institute. You know what I think?" It wasn't really a question so Alec didn't interrupt. "I think that being a Shadowhunter is so much more than being able to fight demons. Being a Shadowhunter means you are a protector of people. And sometimes people need more than just protection from demons. You protect people, Alec. You are more than a fighter – you are a defender. The Clave needs fighters, but defenders are much more valuable in my opinion and far rarer."
Alec felt deeply touched by Peter's words and he smiled at the eldest Hawkswood in thanks, still vaguely aware his face was probably the colour of beetroot by now.
It was about half an hour before Magnus and Isabelle hurried into the room. Paul was still asleep, but awoke suddenly when they clattered in noisily.
"What's happened?" Magnus asked calmly, though he hurried over to Paul's bedside with long, quick strides.
Alec explained what had happened and told the Warlock he had administered some morphine. Magnus smiled at him and looked pleased, so he guessed he had probably done the right things. For some reason, Paul seemed to trust Magnus more than the rest of them and he happily handed over his injured arm when Magnus had asked to examine it. A couple of blue sparks later and Paul's arm was fixed.
"You're so good at that," Alec told Magnus later, when they were alone. His lover arched an eyebrow at him. "You know, with people – helping them , healing them. That sort of thing."
"As are you," he told Alec seriously.
Alec looked into his beautiful eyes and smiled. "It's nice of you to say that, but I'm hopeless with people. I never know what to do or say. You are a natural – must be your experience," Alec told him with a snigger. Magnus grabbed his arms and pulled him in for a kiss. "If that's another stab at my age, Alexander, I shall have to punish you."
Alec kissed him languidly and then let his head fall onto the other man's chest. "That would be nice," he sighed.
A/N - OMG guys, I am so so sorry it has been so long since I updated! My life has been crazy busy recently with me getting a new job, trying to buy a new house and doing an absolute shed-load of singing! But hopefully these will be coming through a little more regularly now and you have my deepest apologies for keeping you in suspense.
Please don't forget the 3 F's - they are so important! - FOLLOW, FAVOURITE and FEEDBACK. Please do leave me a review and let me know what you think of this chapter, the whole fic or even just to let me know how angry you have been with me for abandoning you!