He frowned at the target, his mind too clouded at the moment and preventing him from hitting the bullseye.

"Did you forget to rune yourself up this morning or something?" Jace enquired with a smile, though Alec did have to give him credit because he did look genuinely concerned.

"It's nothing. I just can't relax right now. My mind is spinning." He dropped his bow back down to his side glumly and then Jace came over to him and hugged him tightly. There was a time when this would have lifted Alec's heart up and beyond and make him giddy with glee. Now, it only just managed to crack the surface of his brooding, though it was comforting to know his brother cared and was here for him. Well, he was here for the weekend anyway, giving Clary some space with her mom, Luke and the baby in Idris.

"You know you can talk to me about anything right?"

Alec sighed and thought he probably sounded like a melodramatic Hardy heroine. "Of course I know. But there isn't really anything to say. Camille is in the sanctuary, very much alive, my husband has literally spent all night with her and completely neglected me and I just feel like crap about it. Especially since we had an argument before this all happened and haven't really had chance to make up."

"What were you arguing about?"

"Ugh, I'm not sure I can even talk about it."

"Let me guess: Magnus wants you to wear pink shirts more often?"

Alec scowled at him, though he couldn't really be bothered so he came across as a little pathetic.

"If you really must know we had an argument about having a family in the future. Although, for the life of me, I can't work out what the argument is actually about. As far as I can tell, we are kind of in agreement, so I am just baffled why he is so offended."

"Ah, so that is why you are shooting like a little girl. Don't mean to pry, but this isn't just an 'I want a baby' moment. Something has happened."

"Not sure if I should tell you this, but Helen and Aline asked us to have a baby with them…"

Jace looked genuinely shocked for a moment.

"And, you know, it was all a little sudden. I'm not saying we will do it, but it brought up the wider question of us ever having a family together and I think he isn't interested in kids, which I am totally fine with."

"Whoa, hang on, wait. Firstly, Helen and Aline? Seriously? Which one would be having the baby? I am guessing you will be playing daddy in this little set-up as Magnus is a Warlock."

"Helen… I think."

"Well at least your kids would be hot. Bit of fairy blood in the Lightwood family lines wouldn't go amiss to make us all extra interesting, even if it's kind of naughty to be associated with fairies right now," Jace chuckled and picked up another bow from the chest. He took one of Alec's arrows from his quiver and lined up his shot.

"No, it isn't happening. Magnus got so upset by it I honestly thought he was about to ask for a divorce…"

"Stop being so dramatic. Magnus loves you more than anything. Even if you went off and had hundreds of babies with random Shadowhunter girls he would stick by you."

"Not so sure about that," Alec mumbled grimly as Jace loosed his arrow and it went sailing right into the bullseye. Alec grumbled, partly in annoyance at Jace suddenly being better at archery than him and partly because he was a little upset by his own admission that his husband definitely did not want children. He was a little surprised by how glum it made him feel, but he was sure that Magnus would always come first and if it was something he did not want then Alec would be fine with it.

He wasn't even sure he knew how to be a father. He supposed he would probably be more like Hodge than his own father – a little more liberal, more affectionate, but then he suddenly snapped back into focus, remembering how Hodge had betrayed them all and how this wasn't something he needed to worry about anyway because it was never going to happen.

"All I am hearing right now is 'babies' – Clary is so broody because of Josie. I know she feels guilty talking to me about it all the time, but she can't help herself. I want to have kids with her, of course I do, but I want to get married first. It would be nice to have some time just me and her first, you know?"

Alec looked at his parabatai with as much sympathy he could muster, which wasn't an awful lot. "At least it will be straightforward for the two of you. You'll have a nice little family set-up. Very normal, very average."

Jace sniffed. He knew how to press Jace's buttons and he did enjoy winding him up when possible, considering how much his parabatai messed with his emotions. "There won't be anything average about my children that's for sure. In fact, they will inherit angel's blood from both sides so I am going to assume they will be super mega awesome."

"Of course they will," Alec sniggered.

"Although, I am not sure how good a father I will be. Let's be honest, I didn't exactly have the best paternal role models. It petrifies me actually," Jace said, releasing another arrow that this time not only missed the mark, but missed the board entirely and sunk into the plasterboard wall. Jace crinkled his nose in annoyance and slight puzzlement.

"You see, I am not the only one who can't concentrate because of all the baby talk," Alec consoled.

With that, Paul and Mathieu walked into the training room together. They had met that morning and already seemed to be getting along famously. Mathieu had even started teaching Paul some French when Alec had left them in the kitchen with Paul making an absolute mess cooking pancakes. Alec wasn't sure why he had been so freaked out by Mathieu when he arrived. He was an attractive guy and he was only flirting with Alec because Alec had been stupid enough to pretty much ask him outright what his relationship status was. He should have been flattered really that someone like Mathieu would be attracted to him. Yesterday, he had the feeling that Mathieu was creepy in some way, but seeing him so easy-going and friendly this morning with Jace and Paul just confirmed that Alec was probably just over-tired and over-thinking everything. Mathieu was really nice.

"I hope you cleaned up," he called over to Paul with a slight frown.

"Huh?" Paul asked a little baffled to be drawn away from conversation with his new tutor. "Oh yeah, no worries, Mathieu washed up." He had a huge grin across his face.

"Paul…" Alec began, about to berate him. Magnus' influences had already made Paul untidy and he would never learn if others just kept tidying up after him.

"It was no bother at all," Mathieu cut in. "As I will be living here over the next few months I can hardly consider myself a guest so should be doing my bit anyway. Paul very kindly made me some delicious pancakes so it was the least I could do."

"Hey, I have some laundry that I need to get done…" Alec elbowed Jace in the ribs, but Mathieu just laughed.

"Do not think just because you are the famous Jace Lightwood that I will be your servant," Mathieu warned with a grin and a playful wag of his finger.

Alec could tell Jace liked that, being referred to as 'famous' and he preened and walked over to the weapons chest with a swagger. Alec rolled his eyes.

"Would you be so good as to demonstrate some of the drills you have been using please Jace?" Mathieu asked politely. "I would like to see the kind of things Paul is used to doing and the pace he goes at so that I may assess where he can improve and perhaps alter some of my own methods so he feels more – uh, how do you say? – more familiar?"

Jace, of course, was more than happy with that plan and he bristled with authority as he set up one of his 'Jace extraordinaire' assault courses, which Alec always considered too dangerous by half and even Mathieu looked slightly panicked by the set-up. Alec lined up another arrow, this time only narrowly missing and feeling a little happier about it, even if he still couldn't entirely concentrate.

"If you will permit me?" Mathieu was suddenly at his side. Alec nodded, not really knowing what was about to happen. Mathieu positioned himself inextricably close to Alec and moved his arms gently into position, lining the bow up again. It felt intimate. And wrong. Alec could feel his heart racing and he wanted to run away. Mathieu was very well built and very attractive, so he briefly wondered whether he were mistaking an attraction for the revulsion he felt. But he had never felt this uneasy around Magnus.

"You are holding your breath for some reason when you shoot. Like you are waiting for something? You must remember to breathe through your draw, do not hold your breath. The oxygen, it helps the brain and aids your concentration," Mathieu told him, his voice a sultry whisper, which Alec supposed was meant to be turning him on. It really wasn't. But then, Paul and Jace were here and he couldn't pull away and potentially cause a scene, it would be too embarrassing.

"I know how to shoot, thank you," Alec told him shortly, yet quietly so that Jace and Paul wouldn't overhear. Mathieu backed off immediately, holding his hands up in apology.

"Forgive me," he said to Mathieu, though a little tersely. "I have a lot on my mind right now. I am probably better off going and finishing up some paper work. We are looking to take on some more young Shadowhunters here so there is a lot to sort out. Excuse me," he finished slightly louder, so that Jace and Paul would notice he was leaving.

"Catch you later!" Jace called, unconcerned, as he hauled a mannequin across the room. Paul waved. Mathieu gave him a cautious nod, an unreadable smirk on his face. Alec felt like he wanted to punch Mathieu in the face, so quickly walked away before his ludicrous thoughts had chance to surface.

He felt like taking a shower once he was out and headed back to his room hurriedly. Somehow he felt particularly grimy after that session.

He found Magnus in their bedroom, snoozing on the bed, on top of the covers and fully clothed. Alec really didn't want to disturb him but he felt so drawn to him and missed him so much he went over to the bed and planted a very small, light kiss on his cheek. The Warlock stirred and gazed sleepily at Alec.

"Hey," he said, sounding quite groggy.

"You ok?" he asked Magnus, cupping the back of his head and stroking his fingers through Magnus' un-gelled hair. It wasn't often that Magnus didn't use styling products and Alec always loved running his fingers through his soft hair when he had this rare opportunity. Magnus sighed into the touch, clearly enjoying it.

"Yeah, I'm fine. What time is it? I didn't mean to fall asleep, I was just going to rest my eyes for a few moments."

"It's ten, so not too late. Do you have clients today?" Alec already knew the answer, considering Camille was currently languishing in their sanctuary, but he could always hope that Magnus would just ignore her.

"No," Magnus said grimly and pulled himself upright. "I was only going to rest until nine – I had better go and see how she is. See if she will eat or drink anything now."

Alec suppressed his exasperation and squeezed his husband's hand. "You're such a kind person," he told him sincerely and Magnus smiled at him.

"I'm glad you think so," he purred, pulling Alec close for a kiss.

"I thought you said she was still drinking blood?" he asked.

"She is, which is all kind of weird, but she seems addicted to it. But now she is mortal she needs to be eating actual food and drinking water too, otherwise she will die of thirst and starvation."

"Let me help," Alec told the Warlock determinedly. "I kinda want to see what she's like anyway. I'm curious."

"Baby, I'm not sure if that's a good idea," Magnus cooed, stroking the side of Alec's cheek.

Alec fixed his eyes on Magnus'. "If you think I am going to let you spend all day in the company of your ex and have no supervision you are sadly mistaken Mr Lightwood-Bane."

Magnus jolted, as if electricity had passed through him and raised his eyebrows in question. "Mr Lightwood-Bane?"

Alec smiled at him and then kissed him again. "That sounds better than just 'Bane'."

"Hey, that's my name and has been for centuries," Magnus said, though his smile betrayed him.

"Well, I think it should be my name too now. What do you think? I was mulling it over whilst we were on Honeymoon. I mean, I would still have to be just 'Lightwood' for official Clave business, but I would like to be 'Lightwood-Bane' when we legally register."

"You still keen for that? We don't need to. It's not like Shadowhunters particularly follow anyone's law except their own."

He knew they technically didn't have to legally register with the State, but Alec felt he wanted to. Gay marriage hadn't always been legal in New York and he wanted to make sure they both did their bit – add their names to the cause as it were.

"Yep, still keen to be officially married to you in every single possible way I can think of," he confirmed with a grin and Magnus kissed him again, this time passionately.

"I love you, Mr Lightwood-Bane," the Warlock whispered against Alec's lips. The sensation travelled all through his body and Alec shivered in delight, kissing his husband more deeply, caressing him with his tongue. And then Magnus was flinging him onto the bed, devouring him hungrily with his kisses. He wanted to lose himself in Magnus, enjoy his husband lavishing him with affection, but he could not help that tiny niggling at the back of his mind. About Helen and Aline's proposition; about Mathieu's flirtations creeping him out; about Camille, only downstairs.

"What's wrong?" Magnus panted, clearly turned on already and getting excited, his entire body hard and hot with expectation. Alec just felt his head pound painfully, the rest of his body limp and unenthused.

"I'm sorry," Alec sighed. "I guess I have too much on my mind," he admitted with a nervous gulp. He couldn't look at Magnus.

The Warlock silently and fastidiously undid Alec's gear and his trousers. The Shadowhunter was about to protest, but when Magnus' fingers brushed across his flaccid cock he suddenly burst into life and felt himself go hard almost instantly.

"That's better," Magnus purred and kissed him languidly whilst stripping Alec of his remaining clothes. The Shadowhunter went to work on Magnus' clothing too and they were soon both naked and entwined on the bed, holding each other closely, their hands tender on the other's body.

Magnus reached for the bedside table and then squeezed out some lubricant. He kissed and nipped at Alec's earlobe as he reached around to play at the Shadowhunter's entrance. Soon, Alec was writhing with pleasure and frustration in equal measure.

"Please Magnus, stop being such a tease," Alec groaned out and his husband chuckled lightly against his neck. Alec pushed Magnus away from him a little and picked up the lubricant himself, taking matters into his own hands so to speak he squeezed a dollop into his hand and then caressed Magnus' length, coating it. The Warlock threw his head backwards and moaned at the contact. Alec shifted position easily and practically wrestled Magnus into place on top of him.

Magnus began to giggle. "Keen are we?" he asked with a smirk. Alec sat up a little and was able to catch Magnus' bottom lip in his teeth. The Warlock gasped and kissed Alec feverishly, moving his body closer.

"Always," Alec told him in a deep, rumbling whisper, the vibration of his voice alone causing Magnus to let out a small murmur. He entered him quickly, unable to contain his desire and Alec winced slightly. Thankfully, Magnus had his eyes closed and didn't see, otherwise Alec knew he would have stopped and he knew it would have driven him crazy if he had. It didn't take long for the pain to turn into an overwhelming pleasure and he bucked his hips up urgently, to meet Magnus' thrusts. The Warlock moaned loudly at the encouragement and started to thrust with more passion, driving into Alec harder and deeper. Alec almost felt blinded with ecstasy and he didn't care if he were screaming out noisily in delight. All that he knew and felt was Magnus making love to him and making him feel wonderful. The world could have dissolved in that moment and Alec wouldn't have cared, if he had even noticed. But he managed to open his eyes long enough to look at his husband, his cheeks flushed and his eyes wide and staring fixedly upon him as he moaned in pleasure.

The sight itself was almost enough to tip Alec over the edge. "Magnus!" he called out loudly, a strangled plea and, without even missing a beat between his thrusts, the Warlock grabbed hold of Alec's now throbbing cock and pumped it furiously. His rhythm and speed were punishing and furious, and Alec could not even tell anymore where his body ended and Magnus' began. The pleasure was intense and beautiful and overwhelming as Alec came violently, every single muscle in his body tensing and then relaxing, palpitating with release.

Magnus drove wildly now, unable to keep in time anymore, his thrusts quickening though now shallower as Alec's muscles contorted around him. The Warlock dropped his body so that the two of them were only millimetres apart and Alec writhed beneath his husband in ecstasy as he rode out his orgasm.

"I love you," he whispered hoarsely when he had recovered to a degree that would let his brain have some purchase over his speech. And then Magnus orgasmed too, as if the words themselves had caused it.

They lay together tangled and out of breath, holding on to each other as if they were caught in a storm.

"I love you too," Magnus told him after a while, still panting a little. And he drew Alec closer to him and kissed his forehead lovingly before he attempted to pull away.

"No," Alec whined, holding on firmly to his husband. "Don't go."

Magnus chuckled and smoothed Alec's hair.

"I would keep you inside me forever if I could," Alec sighed.

"I know baby."

They stayed wrapped together for another few moments, until Alec began to feel cold and he heaved a heavy sigh and pulled apart slightly, signalling that he was finally going to let Magnus go.

"You still want to come and see Camille with me?"

Alec nodded, though not too enthusiastically. "Let me just jump in the shower."

"I'll join you," Magnus said with a grin.

They washed themselves tired yet happy and sated. Alec breathed the scent of the soap deeply and revelled in the steam and heat.

"I –uh – hope you don't mind but I've invited Helen and Aline over for dinner," Magnus announced suddenly. Alec looked at him warily.

"I think we need to talk – all of us – about the current situation."

"And what are you going to say to them?"

Magnus furrowed his brow. "We are going to talk to them about their proposal," Magnus amended.

"Well there isn't really much to say. I was just going to call Helen on Monday to let her know. It's a bit awkward isn't it?"

Magnus looked suddenly pale and worried and Alec almost did a double take. "What's wrong?" he asked hurriedly.

"Let's get out and get dry and I will tell you," Magnus told him. Alec practically jumped out and towelled himself as quickly as he could, all the while eying Magnus with great concern, watching like the Warlock was about to explode at any second.

Magnus sniffed at his discarded clothes, shrugged and put on his jeans. His outfit had been clean this morning and it wasn;t midday yet, though it wasn;t like Magnus to not take every opportunity for a wardrobe change.

"Ok, you are really worrying me now," Alec advised him as he pulled out some fresh clothes from his drawers.

"I want us to have children," Magnus blurted, and then looked sheepish.

Alec gawked at him, open-mouthed and still, not quite believing what he was hearing.

"And I am sorry if I gave you any other impression. I – I suppose I was just in shock that an opportunity like we had the other day arose so soon. I wasn't expecting to even entertain the idea for at least another couple of years. But I do want to have a family with you. More than anything."

His husband didn't often sound nervous or unsure about anything, but the way he spoke was so vulnerable and small that Alec could do nothing but fold him up into his arms.

"Magnus are you – well, are you sure?" he asked tentatively.

"I don't think I have ever been surer of anything in my life," he said with a smile, though panic still clouded his eyes.

"And you think we should take Helen and Aline up on the offer?"

Alec was still confused about this. It was great that Magnus wanted to have children, but he himself wasn't entirely convinced about having a baby with Helen and Aline.

"It's sooner than I expected," Magnus said. Alec could tell he was trying to reason with himself. "I think we need to find out more. About logistics, et cetera. But…"

"What?"

"I can't stop thinking about it. I am terrified. I never had a father myself, not really. But I always wanted kids… Until I found out that I couldn't." He sounded sad and Alec stroked his cheek to try and comfort him. "I had forgotten about it for a long time," he admitted. "Until you - and it all came flooding into focus. It was always just a silly dream for a long time and then suddenly it was so real. Even before I became mortal I was thinking about the possibility of that kind of life with you."

"Magnus," Alec said a little sternly. "Are you saying you think we should have a baby with Helen and Aline?"

"That is why I want us to talk to them. Perhaps it was not ideal timing, but if, ultimately, having a child is something we both want then this may be our best – perhaps only – chance to do that."

"It won't be our only chance," Alec told him soothingly.

"But a Nephilim child? I doubt we will get this opportunity again."

"It doesn't bother me whether we have a baby who is Nephilim, Downworlder or a Mundane. It really doesn't," he told Magnus honestly.

"But this child could do so much good. The right family connections, super-hero type abilities. Plus, I would hope, a sympathetic voice for Downworlders, seeing as one of its fathers would be a Warlock." Magnus managed to raise a smile for him, despite his obvious turmoil.

"But Helen and Aline wanted a donor, Magnus, not two fathers for their baby. They might not agree to any terms we set down."

"Then fine," Magnus said brightly. "Then we walk away and look into other options. But I think this is the first step. Sitting down with them and talking about what all four of us want. You do still want this, right?"

His beautiful eyes were bright and shining with worry and expectation and he made Alec's heart melt.

"I told you that I wanted whatever you wanted, but the truth is that I do want to have a family, Magnus. But ideally I want one with you, just the two of us. I am not sure this is the best idea…"

"Then let's talk to them. Let's see where we all stand. Please, Alec?"

Alec couldn't quite comprehend Magnus stood in front of him, full of hope and desperation, actually begging him to consider the offer. There had been quite a bit of a turn from the initial reaction in LA, but it seemed like the notion had merely shocked them both. It had now wormed its way into their brains and the idea of going along with Helen and Aline was implanting itself in both of them. As a Shadowhunter, Alec often had to trust his gut instinct. And he had to admit that his gut had been telling him that this was certainly a possibility, right from the beginning. But it was complicated, and very confusing.

"Ok, let's speak with them," he agreed and Magnus visibly deflated with relief. "But I don't think we should go into this with any expectation. We should be clear about what we want and then we can see if they want the same and if this is something that can work."

His conviction surprised him a little. Magnus swept him off his feet and kissed him enthusiastically.

"Thank you," he told Alec sincerely. "You know, you are far wiser than your years."

"And you are far less wise than you should be for yours," he chuckled and drew Magnus to him for another kiss.

"So…?"

The question was left hanging in the air for a moment.

"It's not pretty," Alec confirmed and Jace crinkled his face and took a bite of an apple pensively.

"Did she speak?"

"Not really, just mumbled incoherent nonsense. She seemed to know who we were though. She kept gripping onto my arm." He patted his arm where he was sure there would be bruises from Camille digging in her finger nails. "But she is not like herself at all. Vulnerable and weak and half-crazed. It's sad really."

"But at least you don't have to worry about Magnus cheating on you."

"Jace!" Alec scolded, but Jace just smiled at him, clearly pleased he rose to the bait. "Also, stop eating – we are about to have dinner." It was a little pathetic, but sometimes you just had to go with anything you could to keep his parabatai in line.

They served up together and Alec took a seat as far away from Mathieu as possible, between Jace and Magnus. Paul was chattering away to his new tutor with enthusiasm, as if the rest of them weren't even there. But Mathieu seemed gracious and understanding and let Paul ask him as many questions as he liked and was continually patient. Alec did catch Mathieu staring at him at one point, but decided to ignore it.

"So tell me again how she managed to survive," Jace asked Magnus.

"She had some of Raphael's grave dirt and managed to summon him whilst Maureen attacked her. Raphael helped her to survive. But she was weak and living in the subway tunnels, feeding off rats and the like until the Asmodeus cult got hold of her and Eris decided to make her mortal."

"So it is true then? A mortal vampire?" Mathieu asked, suddenly interested in their conversation. Alec couldn't help suppress a scowl at him, which was probably a little unfair. Magnus caught his hand under the table and shot him a private, questioning look. Alec just shook his head and returned to his pasta.

"Oh yes, she is mortal alright. I actually got her to drink an energy drink earlier. She seemed to like that. It's something – I am hoping it will prevent her from dying of dehydration."

"But she is still drinking blood?" Jace looked mildly disgusted by the notion.

Magnus sighed, about to explain when Peter appeared suddenly at the door.

Paul jumped to his feet. "Peter!" he cried and ran to his brother for a hug. Jace sprang to his feet too, most likely out of reflex.

"Hi guys," Peter said timidly. "Is there enough for another plate?"

"So are you finished in London? Or going back?" Alec asked him, sort of hoping he would tell them he was staying at the New York Institute for good.

He looked well, if not a little worried about something. He also looked older, traces of his childhood vanished. "I was actually heading to Alicante, but thought I would drop by here first," he informed Alec as he got a plate and served himself some pasta.

"Is Isabelle still in Idris?" he asked and Alec saw immediately the real reason for his visit.

"Yes," he told him warily. "But she won't appreciate you just showing up there, you know that."

He looked sad for a moment before steely determination cleared his eyes. "I just really needed to speak to her and thought she may be here."

"No, she hasn't been back yet. She really is enjoying herself at the Academy you know," Jace told them with a fond smile.

"Well she visited me in London last week. I thought she may have stopped by on her way back."

Alec shot Jace a concerned look, but his parabatai shrugged, clearly having no idea either that Isabelle had gone to London to visit Peter.

"For goodness sake Jonathan, just answer your bloody phone," Magnus suddenly piped up, exasperated.

"Huh?" Jace said.

"It has been buzzing all through dinner and is now giving me a headache," the Warlock told him grumpily.

Alec kept his gaze on Peter as he chatted with his brother, trying to fathom out what exactly his intentions were towards Isabelle. Perhaps something more had happened between them, but Alec could hardly just come out and ask something like that.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't realise I had knocked it on silent," Jace said and then answered his buzzing phone. "Hey Clary!"

Magnus rolled his eyes. It wouldn't be the first time he had complained about Jace talking on his phone at the table.

But then the room went deathly silent and Alec looked towards Jace, following everyone else's gaze, to find his parabatai still and pale. It was only then that Alec realised Clary was meant to be in Idris, where there was definitely no phone signal. Something was very wrong.

"Ok calm down," he told Clary over the phone. Alec listened more closely and could hear crying and yelling. "Open a portal and come here."

More distraught wailing on the other end of the phone and Magnus got to his feet out of concern.

"Bring them here, we'll sort this out. I love you. Please hurry." And then Jace put his phone down. Everyone was holding their breaths, waiting for an explanation.

"Clary and Izzy have Simon," Jace told them, looking just as bewildered as everyone else. "He's alive."

A/N: Apologies for the cliffhanger! Do leave me some feedback if you can, it wold be greatly appreciated :-)
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