Isabelle looked at brother as if he had lost his mind. It wasn't that she had anything against Magnus, anything serious beyond having a few cuter outfits and access to certain cosmetics before herself, it was just that he was... The Institute was meant to house Shadowhunters, not their warlock boyfriends and godchildren. As long as Magnus made Alec happy, he was a good guy in her book, but to invite him to live at the Institute...? And she was supposed to be the troubled one? She looked to Jace for support, but he and Clary were more likely to second the decision because of their own relationship... But it was different for them, because Clary was a Shadowhunter!

"Alec, you can't be serious!" Clary looked at him the same way his sister was - like he had fled the loony bin and was acting as if he were the King of Cats.

"Clary's right, you can't expect Magnus to move into the Institute! For one thing, Maryse would never allow it," Jace shook his head, pointing to Isabelle, "What kind of example is that for Isabelle? She's already-"

Isabelle, always armed with demon-stomping boots, nailed her brother in the side, "If you like your organs where they're at, I suggest you not finish that sentence."

Magnus spoke thoughtfully, measuring his words, "Working in that kind of place would really kill my business... But if that's what Alec wants of me, I'll put up with you people."

Alec spoke for the first time since making the offer that Magnus move in with him, "You would do that for me?"

Isabelle rolled her eyes, not one for romantics herself, "Urgh, stop with that mushy stuff already before you make us all sick. We get it, Alec loves Magnus and Magnus loves Alec. Can we move on already?"

As usual, Alec and Magnus ignored Isabelle, "I'd do anything for you."

Isabelle started to make gagging sounds and pretended that she was going to vomit. Clary shot her a dirty look, thinking that the romance between the two was sweet, "Jace, please remind your sister that she's not one to talk since she's been dating someone exclusively for the past two years now."

Jace didn't want to get in the middle it, but he couldn't resist the urge to mock Clary's best friend and Isabelle's boyfriend, "She's got a point Izzy. You've been dating that... Simon," He said the name as if it were burning his mouth, "For quite some time now. Frankly, I surprised that he hasn't asked you to marry him yet, he seems like the kind of guy that would marry his high school sweetheart at the first opportunity."

Blocking out the Simon-diss fest, Magnus and Alec were talking about seriously moving in together, heads bent close together as if telling each other a secret that the others couldn't know, "You know, I actually meant that as a joke, but if you really want to - "

Magnus put his finger on Alec's lips, lightly pressing them closed, "I'd rather not be in constant proximity to those people, but if it's for your sake, I'd endure the worst possible fate a thousand times over."

"Softy," Alec grabbed Magnus' hand and slid it down to his chin, leaving it there, "But that's one of the things I love most about you."

X x X Fast Forward X x X Enter At Your Own Risk X x X Fast Forward X x X

In the end, after who knows how many arguments and fights, Alec, Isabelle, Jace, and Clary had convinced Maryse to allow Magnus to move in to the Institute - under a strict probationary period. Alec had finally been able to win his mother's approval by telling her about Nexus and her mother, Devon Grey. Even though Magnus had given him permission to tell his mother about Devon, he kept it as simple as he could out of respect for both the dead and his boyfriend's private life. Magnus had offered to let Alec borrow Nexus when he spoke to his mother, but he declined, telling Magnus that he shouldn't be loaning his daughter out like that. Alec also felt bad blackmailing his mother with the baby any more than he had to.

"I've decided to let you stay here out of the kindness of my heart, Bane, so you had best respect my rules," Maryse was the older version of her daughter, only worse if possible, "Am I clear?"

He smirked, biting back a number of rude retorts, "As the elegant Glass City you Shadowhunters hold so dear."

She frowned at him, her eyes narrowing, "If it weren't for Alec, and that adorable Nexus, I wouldn't let you step a toe in this place. In fact, I have half a mind to just throw you out now."

"At least you can admit that you only half a mind," Magnus' cat eyes crackled with grim amusement, "You don't like me, and quite frankly, I'm not your number one fan, but if there's one thing we can agree on, it's that we both love Alec. If you were to throw me out without a reason, I'm pretty sure that Alec would become bitter towards you, and you don't want that, do you? I wouldn't, so if I were you, I'd just stay out of my way."

Maryse looked as if she had been slapped, "Are you saying that you have no intention of following my rules?"

He shook his head, little flecks of purple and silver glitter catching in the firelight, "I'm just saying that I'll follow your rules, as long as you're not breathing down our necks, looking for every little excuse you can. Stay out of my hair, and I'll stay out of yours."

Magnus took no pleasure in speaking to Alec's mother this way, well maybe a little, but a part of wished that he hadn't. But it was too late now, and Maryse did look as if she understood his purpose for this chat. He was not going to be bossed around by some little human, no matter whose mother she was.

"Magnus," She looked at him as he stood at the door, ready to leave the library, "Take care of Alec. He's lucky to have someone like you."

He nodded, "You don't have to thank me. I only have his best intention in mind, nothing more."

She laughed, a sharp, dry sound, "I always thought that you were just a self-absorbed narcissist, but you aren't are you?"

He shrugged, opening the door and stepping out, calling over his shoulder, "No one's going to believe that."

A/N:

Yes, ILuvYa44, yes it would be, that's why things worked this way in the end. Since I'm still reading CoFA, I'm not exactly sure how well Magnus and Maryse get along, but when I do eventually find that out, I'll make changes to the future chapters to make this one make sense. Remember, three years is an awfully long time... Thank you everyone for the support you've shown!