Disclaimer: I don't own either series.

Warnings: racism, hate speech, violence, and one sex scene between consenting adults with an age gap.

Words: 9,194

Enjoy!

Chapter 17: Thunder in the dark

Shouts overtook his ears and he scanned the stalls filled with patrons the milled and rushed. Magnus shifted his weight, letting his umbrella lean on his shoulder. Rain Drizzled on his hair. Magnus couldn't feel the heat of the crowd despite their press and no one gave him a second glance. Grey clouds kept his vision unimpeded as he browsed the farmer's market. He went past a booth displaying a bed of peonies and inspected baskets of eggs. A card declared them to be from free-range chickens on health conscious diets. Magnus picked up an egg Magnus stated at the pale shells, slight brown spotting along the bottom. The egg was firm in his hands. He bought half a dozen. He smiled at the female vendor and she winked in return. Drizzle chilled his nape and he smiled.

Lettuce, tomatoes, and squash gleamed from the droplets. Their crispness made his mouth water, so he bought a few of the former and some carrots. Magnus moved a few stalls away, past a row of spices. He glanced quickly at them and found some he liked. Paprika, garlic, and saffron. He swung down to the vendors selling meat. Flyers proudly proclaimed that their beef, chicken, and pork were all organic and raised with care. The packaging was the pale white butchers paper with a saran wrap covering. A circular sticker with a logo of a grinning cartoon cow in the middle held it together. The cut of the meat was written in black sharpie.

Steak sounded good. Magnus reached for a thick package at the same time another set of fingers brushed his. They pulled back simultaneously. Magnus cocked his head to the side, to get a better look at the stranger. A tall and tan man with a wryness that could become broader given time. He had to be at least in his mid-twenties. He had studs in his ears and scars about his arms. He had thick black hair that was cut short. He had golden brown eyes that held a hint of wilderness to them. A bit of electricity seemed to go through his hands and Magnus smiled. A werewolf. Said werewolf grinned at him and gave him a brief wink as he clicked his teeth.

"Hey it's all yours. Call it a freebie for a fellow."

"Much obliged."

"Hey anything for the High Warlock of Brooklyn."

"So you know who I am? Well it's not mutual, but thanks anyway."

The werewolf laughed. "Thank me all you want. Name's Quinn MacIntyre."

"Magnus Bane but you probably knew that already."

"Very true."

Magnus paid for his steak and turned to leave, but Quinn placed a tattooed hand on his shoulder. Sanskrit –like inked all along his wrists and palms. Magnus raised an eyebrow as Quinn tipped an imaginary hat.

"Now, know this, this is London. My city. Your city. We've been given it back and now we have to fight to keep it. I know you can help. Hell, this was your city back in the day."

"Lots of places used to be my city."

Quinn jerked his head to a park. A modest playground with chattering kids running and crawling about on brightly colored plastic. Magnus shifted his parcels into one bag, wrapping it around his hand and letting it dangle. He walked abreast Quinn, the warmth of the other man bleeding into his shoulders. They walked past the gate enclosing the park, swinging its door open and sitting down on a vacant bench.

Yellow leaves burned against the grey sky, framing their heads. Quinn leaned back, arms resting against the top of the bench. His head tilted up to the sky, thick column of a neck revealing a prominent Adam's apple. Eyes gleamed as his gaze stayed fixed. Magnus kept his back straight, but he kept his knees close to Quinn's. Both men were silent as children played. It stayed that way for a while.

"You know, this is my favorite place to go."

"Oh?"

"Yeah." Quinn nodded. "Look at them. Not a care in the world. It makes me think that it should be that way for every kid. I could take one of our own here."

"Not yet, I take it?"

"No, not yet,"

Magnus sighed. "Let me guess. I can make it happen easier and faster."

"Your words not mine." Quinn laughed. "Seriously mate, we all need to help each other. Especially now with the Shadowhunters being gone."

"Shadowhunters kept the peace. Not well mind you, but kept it they did."

Quinn shrugged. "We'll just have to agree to disagree. They're gone now and we have to protect ourselves."

"True enough but I have a feeling that we'll have to agree to disagree on the count of how to protect ourselves."

Quinn stayed silent, unwinded himself in long slow way. He pursed his lips, nodding slowly. He finally turned to Magnus, giving him a long stare. Magnus stared back. Gold eyes flashed, pupils turned to slits. Quinn cleared his throat as he stood up. His voice was a bit more reserved when he next spoke, but he kept his smile up.

"Ok I understand. Just let me know when you change your mind."

Quinn walked off, hands in his pockets as he strode off without a word. He glanced at the kids hanging from the monkey bars, smile spasming over his face before it disappeared. He went on his way. Magnus waited until the werewolf was completely out of his view before leaving the park.

SPNTMI

The world was small, as seen through a narrow tube and bleached of all color. Overcast London was familiar t him when seen through windows. Alec peered out, people watching. He could pick out faces from the crowds. The businessmen with their graceful jogs, trying to keep their suits unwrinkled. Bikers and joggers inside a runner's high of sweat, sneakers and headphones. Mothers piled kids out of vans, shepherding unruly children that were already rumpled at the beginning of the day. People desperately keeping eyes open by thermos's of coffee.

Tourists milled about, camera's flashing. Women in what he guessed were expensive clothes. Elaborate pumps, pencil skirts, and bright scarves. They hurried past whistles and stares, dodging into small boutiques. Skyscrapers, not quite like New York City, but he knew a skyscraper when he saw one. The homeless hid in the shadows of doorway; some bummed cigarettes or sandwiches. Red double deckers drove past, vibrant color attacking his eyes. If Alec tilted his head right, Admiral Lord Nelson glowered up at him. Alec shied away from the mundane's judgmental gaze.

Camille insisted, short of shoving them inside and locking the door behind her. Her flat was an artist's loft above Trafalgar square. Small and spacious, Alec had the feeling she didn't come here often. There was a speck of dust in sight but it didn't come with a lived in vibe. The living room and kitchen shared space with only a single counter to announce the kitchen's presence. Bar stools stood next to the outside counter. Sliding glass doors revealed a balcony that was farther along the end of the space. A bedroom rested on the left hand side; pristine porcelain bathroom nestled inside, a tub on the right with gold taps and complex showerhead.

A reprint of a Norman Rockwell hung above the toilet. Back in the living room, a mini-loft space above and a bit to the back. The stairs that led to it was next to the front and only door. The openness of the wall was covered by an absolutely huge reprint of Jackson Pollock's Autumn Rhythm. Alec was still wondering why mundanes considered violent paint splatterings to be art. But when Magnus through the front door, arms full of groceries, and he walked beneath the painting and something in Alec clenched. Magnus hadn't noticed Alec's stare. He shook out his damp hair, colors somehow brighter when he did so.

"Amazing weather." He gave a little laugh. "Nothing gets the English down. Nor rain nor shine nor overpriced farmer's markets."

He set the groceries down on the counter and pulled an apple out from the top of the bag. Magnus smiled at Alec, winking as he rubbed on the front of his shirt. Magnus took a bite. Alec flinched at the crisp snapping sound of the bite. Magnus took a huge chunk out of the fruit, a piece of it poking out of his mouth. The redness of the skin bold against the pale apple flesh. Juice sprayed out, dripping down his mouth and chin. It glossed Magnus's lips. Magnus swallowed in rapid eager crunches. His Adam's apple moved up and down. It swooped up and down smoothly beneath the skin. It fit seamlessly with the rest of Magnus's throat, smooth lines shivering as the warlock swallowed. Alec stared, his insides going curiously dry. His teeth clench, spit oddly sweet in his mouth. Blinking rapidly, he watched Magnus take bite after bite. Magnus raised an eyebrow as he slurped on the apple core. A wave of dizziness came over Alec and something must have shone through on his face because Magnus frowned and stared to make his way over to Alec.

He shook his head and Magnus swallowed, his movements aborted and he turned to the counter and began unpack the groceries. Alec stared for a moment before helping. He grabbed a jug of milk from Magnus's hands, ignoring the way his chest shuddered when their fingers brushed against each other. As Alec bent down, head peering into the fridge and unable to see Magnus's face he finally spoke.

"…So how goes it?" he cringed. "I mean…well what's it like out there?"

Alec sensed Magnus stiffen a moment before relaxing.

"It's going." He gave a sharp chuckle. "Going someplace that's for sure."

"I'm sure I could be a good judge for that."

"Alec…"

Magnus sighed and Alec scowled. His shoulders got tight to match the squirming in his guts. It wasn't like preparing for a battle; at first it seemed that way but now something different seemed to crawl into him and heat up his insides. There was no focus to it, no life or death hum of dread to block out distractions. He was aware and aware that his words were weapons that he wasn't capable of fully using. If he wasn't careful the wrong ones would spill out of him. Magnus put a hand on his shoulder and he jumped. He turned around to glare and found his heart wasn't it. His expression must have been a strange one. Magnus tightened his grip with a set expression. It looked far too serious on him, a grim line to his lips and the yellow in his eyes seemed to stand out even more. Alec wanted to lean forward, into Magnus's chest, but something in him rebelled and he disentangled himself from Magnus.

"I'm going upstairs."

Magnus stepped back and moved closer to the kitchen counter.

"I'll start dinner."

Alec made an affirmative grunt as he made his way up the familiar stairs and loft. He entered the master bedroom, sheets still rumpled. Magnus and Alec took turns sleeping in the bed. The pull out couch downstairs worked just as well and to Alec was more comfy. He stared at the bed, shuddering. Camille used to lie there. Granted, the sheets were pristine and crisp but the idea of her lounging in night clothes, rubbing her legs together underneath the silk fabric turned his stomach. Her blond hair fanned out on her pillows.

Her dressers were still littered with expensive girly things. Perfume bottles with classy cuts, some looked like antiques, with the slim tubes connecting to squeezy puffs. Cases of make up with a faint settling of dust. He could taste the expensiveness but what caught his eye was the strange tube.

It was clean, almost to a shine. Not even fingerprints on its glass surface. A green ribbon with silver threading still wrapped around the ornate stopper. It took him a moment to realize that the wrap around clasp on the stopper could double as a ring. As for the tube itself it had two thin layers. He peered into it. One was more opaque than the other. He frowned; he'd seen this before. Trick glass. Someone could pour something into the vial and the second piece of glass obscured the liquid, giving the illusion that the vial was empty. Alec picked it up, turning it over and over, the ribbon catching on his fingers and the thread glittered out sewn initials.

'M.B to C.B'

Alec clenched his teeth hard enough for his head to ache as his fingers tightened around the vial. He raised up his arm, swinging up and about to throw when he stated up at the mirror that hung above the bed. He stared at himself. Eyes darker than normal, physically fine. Maybe a bit slimmer, but all of his muscles still worked. Hair a few inches to ragged. He slowly lowered his arm and stared at himself. Until the sky grew dark.

Dinner was silent. The juices from the streak popped in Alec's mouth. He took the knife in his fingers. The metal cooling his fingers and his heart; he speared the meat with his fork and sawed at the cut in deep swipes. Magnus sipped at his glass, slight smile on his face, half hidden by the rim of his glass. Alec stopped mid motion, silverware clattering onto his plate.

"What?"

"Something on your mind?"

Alec shivered. The chills were back and his shoulders stiff and ached with the effort of keeping them that way. He avoided Magnus's stare, unwilling to look into his eyes for what expression he would find on the warlock's face. Alec studied the patterns in the tablecloth, tracing the vines with one finger. The warlock's eyes heavy on Alec and he swallowed. He put his hand in his pocket, the vial slippery inside his fist. He pulled it out and set the glass onto the table. Alec gave a deep breath through his nose and forced himself to stare back at Magnus. When he spoke, his voice held a touch of frost.

"I believe this belongs to you."

Magnus stared at the vial and then back up to Alec. He frowned at it, picking it up and turning it over in his hands. Alec sucked in a breath as Magnus shrugged, dropping the vial onto the table. It spun, glass giving a tinny echo. With each rotation of the vial, Alec's breath hitched. He had to release all that air. Magnus stopped the glass's movement with his index finger. Alec exhaled in one great burst, overcome with dizziness.

"An old gift to Camille. What of it?"

"What of it?" Alec sputtered. "It was on her dresser. Out in the open."

"Yet the ribbon was still tied to it and not as much a fingerprint."

Alec scoffed. "Please"

Magnus's eyes flashed, yellow shining bright in his face. They narrowed in his head. An entire expression spasmed over his face, it tightened his skin about the eyes and mouth. His lips twitched as if they were trying to slacken and the emotion on that was riding on his face.

Alec resisted the urge to yank away from the table, letting his chair clatter behind him. Some deep instinct in him told him doing so would be worse than the vial. He leaned back in his chair and flattened his palms onto the table. Alec willed himself not to tremble.

"Please."

Magnus slumped, closing his eyes. He spread his hands, palms upward. Alec swallowed and when Magnus's eyes opened, the world shook.

"I loved her once, yes I did." His voice was soft. "When I was young. Well, younger I met her and to me, back then, she was one of the most beautiful things I had seen. She was ruthless, clever, and a survivor. I liked that. To be beholden to no one but yourself. That suited me just fine. So it worked well for us." Magnus sipped his water. "But situations change, people change. I changed. She didn't. I thought that would be enough for me." His lips twisted. "Turns out it wasn't. The more I tried to please her; the more she had resented me. It became part of a cycle for us. To hurt for the sake of it-so we could prove out independence and pretend we meant nothing to each other. We fought just so we could make up. Then she grew tired of me and I realized what that meant to me."

"Oh." Alec trembled.

"Oh."

Alec flushed. Spine trembled as cold sweat poured over his skin. His limbs slack against his better judgment. Spit coated his throat, thick like a lodged blade. He swallowed and it hurt.

"I-I just thought-" He cleared his throat. "It's just that-"

"That what? I'm over seven hundred years old Alec. I'm entitled to love other people."

Alec looked down at his plate. They juices in his steak congealed. The pieces of steak half cut. His vision blurred as he stared at soggy potatoes. Alec quivered, blood rushing in his ears. The buzzing made him dizzy, to the point that he was shaking. His perfect vision noted Magnus standing up, chair scraping. Alec didn't look up, jumping when Magnus's hand descended on his shoulder. It didn't stay there. His shoulder stilled, sweat dampening there. The air hovered between shoulder and hand. Alec's jaw clenched.

"I'm sorry." Magnus's voice was strange to his ears. "I don't know what you want from me."

Alec stood up. His head came to Magnus's shoulder. He figured he could hear the warlock's heartbeat.

Magnus sighed. "I want to respect your space, but-"

"But what? Don't you trust me?"

Magnus sucked in a breath. Hand trembling above and Alec felt the color drain from his face.

"It's…not that I don't trust you. It's the world." He continued. "By now everyone knows the Valentine destroyed Idris and the shadowhunters. Now there there's nothing to stop them from doing what they want. There is no one to control them or take away their freedom."

"Freedom?"

"Yes freedom. That's what's been taken from them by the Nephilim. The age of Nephilim is over and the age of the downworlders has begun and nothing can stop it in their minds."

"What does-"

"Alexander."

"Alec."
"Alec. If they find you what do you think they will do to you?"

"Still. Let me go. Out. Let me go out." Alec shook.

"I'm not trying to control you, I just want to…protect you…even if I have to keep you in here."

"No." Alec moved closer. "Trust my judgment. Please."

Magnus shut his eyes. "I can't stop you can I?"

"No."

Alec brushed past Magnus, shuddering at the slight touch of limbs.

SPNTMI

The drizzle chilled the sweat on his nape on arms. He found himself running through the square. Heart pounding inside him, providing blood through his limbs as lungs filled with air. His legs knew exactly where to take him. Alec weaved his way through crowds. Music blasted from car speakers and shops. Vendors for food; his mouth watered, but he kept moving. Alec headed for the institute.

He ducked through a side street, boots splashing into puddles splashing his knees. The institute's spire shot up, glass, mosaic like a beacon. No light shone through them but the angel's wings were bright to his eyes against bleak skies. Alec looked up and shivered.

A howl rose up, spiraling up to the sharp towers of the institute. Another one and another until it was a full chorus. Werewolves.

A flash of heat made him freeze in place. Snatches of laughter brought him back to movement. Alec dashed to the end of the walkway, turning into the corner to an alleyway. Peeking round' the corner. A whole pack of werewolves. One woman threw her head back and laughed. Her teeth flashed. A vampire. Many of them. Few fae and some warlocks.

They made a game of breaking the windows and dodging the falling glass. Alec gritted his teeth, lips pulled back in a snarl. A flung bottle missed its mark and Alec ducked. He peered around the corner. A woman's teeth flashed as she laughed. Alec frowned. Upon closer inspection, the group was even larger than he thought. He ducked down out of sight and made a move to slide back. His heel hit an empty can. It rolled over glass and smacked a dumpster with a tinny clang.

Alec hissed and a werewolf hoisted Alec over his shoulder; sweat, meat, and chewing tobacco overpowered him. Thrashing his legs connected with the shoulders and the soles of his feet smashing into faces. One yielded, their nose breaking in a satisfying crunch. Alec's curse transforming into a yelp as hands wrapped around his neck. He gasped. The hot acrid breath of the werewolf clouded in his ear. Alec's face twisting but he could no longer move his head. The clouds above him spun.

The stranglehold lessened and Alec gasped. Limp in the werewolf's arms, Alec's eyes swiveled. He was being carried to the steps of the institute. The werewolf dropped him to the ground. Alec gritted his teeth; incisors grinding in uneven jolts as he failed to brace at the impact.

Fae jeered, their sharp pointed faces lending to the twist of their mouths. Alec scrambled up to his feet, shifting into a stance. His palms slowly curling into fists before he brought them up by his face. He brought his left leg forward ready to swing it up. Fae shrieked in laughter, drowning out the howls of the surrounding wolves.

"I warn you." Alec said, "Don't do this."

A vampire with dreadlocks chuckled.

"Aww look what it's saying to us."

More laughter.

"Not as high up on the food chain, huh?"

Dreadlocks laughed. He ducked low, dreads flying. Alec kept his fists up closer and swept his leg up high. A glancing blow. Dreadlocks jerked his head to the side. Alec dodged a swipe, countering with a punch of his own. Alec kicked and dreadlocks blocked with his forearm. He grabbed Alec's ankle, yanking him close to his torso, using his other hand to punch Alec in the face. Alec twisted to escape the pseudo-hold, but another werewolf grabbed him from behind, yanking his arms over his head. He snarled as the angular faced fae leapt up to them and slammed her fists into Alec's stomach. He doubled over and the three pounced.

He thrashed to no avail, unable to check their blows. Alec covered his head. Trying to move, he peered up to see contorted faces; lips carved upwards to reveal pink gums and sharp teeth.

Alec's vision shorted in tandem with his hearing, like he was underwater. His own lips pulled back, glaring at the three of them. They hoisted him up by the arms. He groaned. Alec tried not to sag, glowering at the crowd he was made to face. Dreadlocks pinched Alec's cheek and grabbed his chin by his hand. The crowd laughed and cheered.

A tomato sailed forward, hitting his knees. It burst with a wet 'splurk'. He flinched at the pulpy-ness, damp soaking into the fabric of his pants. He averted his eyes from his knees; something in his gut growing sharp as the stain widened. Spit tasted like salt in his mouth. Someone flung cabbage, hitting his shoulder. It burst apart, green exploding around his face. Alec jerked his head, unable to avoid the brunt of it. Most of

Alec trembled, staring at the faces in the crowd. Deathly pale or suffused in red. Teeth exposed and far too much of a gleam to them. Spit and sweat around the eyes and mouth. Some laughed as others screamed curses. Alec couldn't' hear what they were; so many downworlders crying out at once. A werewolf picked up a rock and flung it at him. It was a midsized stone and it hit him in the sternum. Alec gasped. When he looked back down, all he saw were blurs and shook at the amorphous shrieking mass of downworlders.

Pellets of gravel from the driveways, pebbles and stones moved in with the fruit. Another werewolf found a brick, hefting it and throwing it at Alec. By the time it blurred at him, all he could do was flinch. It slammed into his shoulder. Alec staggered backwards, only helped up by the two men keeping him upright. Gasping, he felt his vision shimmer and go grey. Somewhere in between a slump and a ramrod back, he resembled a weed half-grown. Alec didn't make a sound even as the crowd began to surge forward. It wasn't their faces he saw, but their hands. A fae-all he could see were the spines all along the arms and face. Red eyes gleamed back at him and needle sharp teeth overcrowded its mouth. Hands were pushing this fae forward to Alec and in its hands was a lengthy coarse rope.

Alec went boneless, blood draining. He caught a glimpse of his own marked hands, unable to serve him in either magic or defense. Alec wanted to stay straight-backed and look them in the eye; all he could focus on was those hands and how they would feel tightening that rope around his neck. It would bristle about his throat. It felt just how he imagined it to. The porcupine fae wrapped it around Alec, quills prickling Alec's cheek as the noose was tightened.

The fae gave an experimental tug and Alec's eyes widened, picturing how they would roll up in his head. Dreadlocks whistled and the porcupine fae laughed, grabbing the end of the rope and threw it over one of the stone archways. The end of the rope peeked over. Sweat stuck to his neck and face. His teeth chattered as Porcupine grabbed the fat rope and tugged.

Alec gasped as his feet scraped up in a single swipe. Hands flying up to his neck. His fingers slippery against the fraying cords. They pricked his fingers, warm blood soaking into the ropes. He gagged, tongue bulged in his mouth, blocking his throat. Alec snarling, trying to inhale deep from his nose. Kicking; knees burning as ankles cracked. Limbs ached, icy shooting pins locking them up as lungs burned and raw scraping neck.

The blending masses paled as his eyes rolled up in his head. Lashes squeezing. Alec gurgled, drool sliding down his chin. His eyes bulged as they struggled to close. Tongue lolling and throat burning.

A blinding flash of blue and heat. Alec groaned; the burn brilliant behind his eyelids. The roped yanked harder. Alec's head tilted. Heavy-ness inside his throat. A tight stone inside it. Alec's body clenched for a moment before spasming out of control. He was brought up even higher by the rope until his back arched.

Another shot of blue went past him. The smell of burning meat and hot air whipping his hair. Alec had no warning as he was dropped down, impact shocking him all the way up to his thighs and he buckled, collapsing to the ground. Air rushed into his lungs and he gulped in air. Alec curled in on himself as he scrambled to take off the nooses, retching when he breathed in too fast. Bile filed his nose, snorting as fleck of spittle and sputum flecked his hands.

Alec kept gulping lungful's of air. Boots blurry in his vision, approached him and he wobbled up to his feet, almost falling back down when the vertigo hit. Porcupine's eyes darted back and forth between him and-

"Magnus?" Alec rasped, before going into a hacking fit.

The warlock spared him a glance. His brows were furrowed, but that didn't help Alec figure out what Magnus's expression was. His eyes blurred, wetness streaking down his face but he made no attempt to wipe them away. He glared at Porcupine and Dreadlocks and watched as their faces twisted into snarls, advancing towards him. As was Magnus, the crowd parting as he made his way up to Alec on the stone steps. The stride of the warlock made him tremble. Blue electricity sparked over and around Magnus's fingers like over eager hounds around their master's feet. They hummed in a way that rattled Alec's chest. He made his way to stand beside Alec.

"That is enough."

Porcupine and Dreadlocks snarled out words but Alec couldn't catch it, the words too fast and garbled. Alec frowned, swaying into a stance. Something moved, felt more than seen. Someone moved, shadows shifting as they moved from behind a gargoyle and dropped down a spire. A broad dusky skinned man landed down onto the steps. Pavement shuddered.

"It's never enough."

Magnus sighed. "Quinn."

Quinn gave a little bow. "At your service mate."

Alec dropped the noose to the ground with a thump. It made him jump and he could have sworn that he saw Magnus jumped too. Scattered laughter emerged from the crowd. Magnus kept his eyes on Quinn as he edged closer to Alec and kept his voice slow. He spread his hands open, palms out with his magic still sparking.

"If that's the case then let him go. He's no threat to you."

Quinn opened his mouth but it wasn't his voice; a shout from the crowd drown out what he was about to say. A heavily tattooed vampire screamed, teeth shining as pink-end spit sprayed out.

"Fuck off and die!"

Alec stared at Magnus, who hadn't reacted but then the words were repeated, this time louder and with more downworlders shouting it. Many stared directly at him. It was him. They were yelling it at him. One threw an onion. It landed at his feet.

"Go back to where you came from!"

Another one shouted, this time a woman. Her friends cheered her as she repeated it. One of her friends standing next to her added her own shout.

"We never wanted you!"

Alec wobbled.

"Go to hell you fucking fuck!"

"Fucking half-breed-"

"-Killed my father-"

A small woman with tears in her purple eyes edged to where Alec stood. Her lips trembled, expression fixing him in place. Her pale skin shimmered somehow, veins bright beneath her skin. He couldn't move for her gaze. She was a young warlock. Her eyes went hard as she looked up at him.

"Fuck you inkback."

She spat on him. The wetness of the glob splattered on his face and he flinched. She turned around and walked away without a word. She folded back into the mass and Alec trembled. Voices jumbled together into one incohesive screaming; he could only catch snatches of individual voices until they would get caught back up into the group again.

"Arrogant cunt!"

"-of a bitch!"

Alec turned, insides trembling as he had to look at Magnus. He met the warlock's gaze. He held universes in those eyes-in that moment that didn't feel like a moment. Alec's mind went quiet, only a phrase drowning out the rest of his surroundings to a vague numbness that that he could observe with a detached fear.

'Hail and farewell.'

Alec knew that Magnus was speaking; it was why he turned his head. Magnus was speaking to the downworlders now, his voice rang out. It crackled like the sparks of magic on his fingertips. An errant spark brushed Alec's hand and it jolted him to clarity. His heart leaping in great bounds to free itself as Magnus's words reached his ears.

"-Look at yourselves. Beating a boy with no weapons or family. Nothing to call his own. You can't take anything from him. So you will gain nothing from him. Nothing but prove the Nephilim's point that you deserve to be controlled. You deserve it-"

"Jonathan Shadowhunter was an angel cocksucker. He sucked the angel's cock and saw fit to beat us. Killed our people, stole our homes, our lives-and expected us to smile and say thanks. Well I say no more! Karma's a bitch, bitch!"

Quinn grabbed Alec, hands burning into his shoulders with the veins bulging up to the knuckles. Alec stared at them. The scars on those huge knuckles keeping him transfixed. Quinn tensed and the movement in his muscles moved from his wrist to the shoulder. His grip tightened and Alec found himself fixed in place. Quinn's smile made all of Alec's instincts scream.

Magnus's hand descended on Quinn's wrist and held fast. His lips barely sheathed the rest of his mouth, eyes wide and shining like pits in his face. His entire frame stiff, muscles jumping time with his magic and when he next spoke his voice was soft.

"…Fine. The Nephilim are dead but hunters are not. They will find you and they will kill you. Mark my words."

Laughter rang out among mixed jeers and boos.

"We're not afraid of hunters. They don't even know where to look."

"…Suit yourself."

Magnus fixed Quinn with a look Alec was glad wasn't directed at him. It would have vaporized him on the spot if it had. Magnus pulled Quinn's hands off Alec's shoulders with a kind of tightness that made Alec realize that he was moving with deliberate slowness. Once Quinn's hands were removed the werewolf back slowly away, a slow smile creeping onto his face while his eyes stayed cold. He moved backwards, not taking his eyes off Magnus. He went to the institute's doors. Quinn's handle lingered on the handle of the doors.

"Alright…to each their own."

Magnus nodded, turning around to scoop up Alec and stride down the steps. The downworlders cleared a path as Alec craned his head in time to see Quinn shove institute's doors open.

"Have at it gents!"

The downworlders cheered and swarmed past Magnus and Alec, shoving their way inside. Some shoved into Magnus without a backward glance. Alec fought the urge to be sick as downworlders swarmed inside the foyer of the institute. His last glimpse of institute was the chandelier being pulled apart. Alec's eyes shut tight but the bright light of the chandelier shattering into thousands of pieces was seared into his soul.

SPNTMI

Alec's body floated in Magnus's arms; a soft buzzing permeating his body as his mind seemed to drift between sharp clarity and fuzzy out focus. Like a camera lens that couldn't keep its setting. Arms the felt heated to his shot-through nerves. Eyes rolling in their sockets with ease; the moon was swollen in the window, ripe and juicy enough to it. Its light streaming through the windows before being obscured again by the thunderclouds. Lightening streaked through the sky.

Magnus was murmuring something as they ascended the stairs. The way his feet padded up the stairs made his heart soften into nervous flutters. Little keening noises rattled around his ears and it took him a moment to realize that they belonged to him. Alec burrowed half his face into Magnus's chest, but kept an eye open to the soft light that slid into the room. His gut twisted as dread crept in at the sight of the empty downstairs. Magnus led them to Camille's master bedroom at the top of the stairs.

Magnus set Alec down and disappeared down stairs, returning a moment later with bowl of water in his hands. A pair of towels and pajamas under one arm and a first aid kit under the other. Magnus set the towels and pajamas on the bed next to Alec, the first aid kit and the bowl on the ground by Alec's feet. Alec wordlessly shifted in his seat, undressing down to his boxers. He looked down at his bruises. They bloomed like flowers all across his torso. He knew they formed a burning ring around his neck. The coppery tang of dried blood flaked around his mouth. Alec flinched at the soft cool towel that dabbed at the side of his face.

"Sorry." Magnus pulled out a small vial from the kit. "This'll sting."

Alec sucked in a breath, tears prickling at his eyes. His shoulders sagged as Magnus continued to stroke at the cuts. His long slim fingers prodded at Alec's nose. Alec blinked rapidly. The pads of Magnus's fingers were cool around the slope of his nose, almost ticklish.

"Well at least it's not broken." Magnus's hands moved away from Alec's face. "Hold still. They may have broken something."

Alec nodded as Magnus's hands roved down to the shoulders. Alec shivered as Magnus patched up his cuts, fingertips leaving trails of hot-cold trembling down his chest. When he breathed in, he could feel that same sensation settle heavy in his lungs. If he moved too fast he may break. Alec took a sharp breath. Sharp to the point that it hurt his throat, slicing down his lungs with a powerful keen. Magnus looked up at him.

"I know it hurts." He pressed down on Alec's chest. "You may have bruised your ribs."

"No." Alec rasped. "No…"

Magnus dropped down to Alec's knees, moving down to his feet. Alec watched, mesmerized as Magnus dipped a portion of the towel in warm water and began to wash his feet. Alec's breath hitched when Magnus rubbed the arch of his feet. The muscles tensed, cramped up for a moment but then became pliant under Magnus's ministrations. Alec wanted to lean back, but couldn't. The sight of Magus kneeled was craving through his stomach as some kind of calm-tenseness was settling over him.

Alec knew what was happening, as though he skipped ahead to the next scene and found it pleasing. He shuddered as Magnus kneaded his toes. Alec swallowed heavily as what should have been obvious beforehand was now announcing itself to Alec. He sighed, back still ramrod straight as Magnus moved to his other foot. Alec made no move to put on the pajamas, even as Magnus began to stand up.

Magnus turned over the covers and put a hand on Alec's shoulder, pushing him back down on the bed. Magnus slipped back, but Alec snatched his wrist. A haze had come over him and he tugged at Magnus's arm. Alec wasn't sure what his expression looked like but Magnus was giving him a wary glance. Alec swallowed heavily, lids heavy as he leaned forward. In the warlock's voice was a warning.

"Alec…"

"What?" he whispered.

"This isn't the place…you're grieving."

"So-I can always grieve."

Alec tried to pull himself up and Magnus down at the same time. He wobbled and Magnus slipped, catching himself on the bed. His arms a loose cage about Alec, and he made a move to get up, but Alec grabbed his arms again.

"I'm sorry." He gasped. "Please I'm sorry-I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorr-"

"Alec. Alec it's fine. It wasn't your fault."

"Yes. Yes it was." He forced his teeth to unclench out the words. "If I had been braver. I should have said something. I should have said how much you meant to me. I'm sorry you never had a chance to be accepted by my parents. To be given a change…to give them a chance. I'm sorry you had to deal with me-with my cowardice. Now we'll never know and now you've stood up for me. You've made yourself an enemy. All of that for me and I-"

Magnus kissed him. Alec's squeak of surprise morphed into a small mewl. Magnus had never kissed him like this. His lips deft and hard in their pressing. Alec's guts swooped at the soft flesh against his own so insistent next to him. Magnus's tongue giving a curious sweep. Alec opened his mouth wider with a little cry. Magnus was shaking and Alec scooted farther on the bed to let Magnus rest his weight and not fall off the edge.

Alec grabbed Magnus's shoulders as he pulled back for air. Magnus buried his face in the crook of Alec's shoulder, biting and sucking at the pulse point right at the thumping vein. Magnus, blew on the wet spot he had just made. The trail of moisture cooling at Alec's nape. Magnus left a string of kisses along Alec's rope burns. The heat of it caused Alec to arch up. He scrabbled at Magnus's clothes, whining when his fingers fumbled with the buttons. Magnus laughed.

"Easy. I'm not going anywhere." He gave another soft laugh. "Here I'll do it."

Magnus leaned back, unbuttoning his shirt and slipping it off. Alec bit his lip at the sight of Magnus's undershirt. A rumpled white wife-beater. It was soft under Alec's touch. A hint of hips peeked through. Alec's mouth watered. Alec slipped his fingers beneath the shirt, rubbing circular motions on Magnus's stomach. There was no belly button but there were taunt muscles that moved with each breath the warlock took.

Alec watched Magnus swallow had as Alec dropped his hand down lower to the waistband of Magnus's jeans, unbuttoning them. Alec flushed at the sight of boxers peeking through but he powered on. Magnus pulled off his shirt as Alec set to work on the pants. Alec started giggling.

"What? Do you want to stop?"

"N-no. No no no." He giggled harder. "A little late for that."

"Glad you see it that way."

Magnus grabbed the pants away from Alec, the legs tangling around each other's arms as they tried to toss the fabric over the bed's edge. Alec leaned against Magnus, laughing as the pants brushed past Magnus's shoulder and flopped to the edge of the bed. Magnus nuzzled Alec's cheek, directing him back to Magnus's lips and they were kissing again. Alec cupped the sides of Magus's face, letting his tongue slip inside Magnus's mouth. Magnus's voice went into a deeper register, groaning. He pulled back to look Alec in the face. His eyes had a shimmer to them that gave Alec chills. His smile was slow and syrupy on his mouth.

"Are you sure you want this? We don't have to doing anything you don't want to. I'm fine with just-"

"Shut up and get over here."

"Alec-"

"I love you too, but get over here now."

Magnus laughed. "Yes sir."

"That's right."

Alec's laugh didn't stop even as Magnus went back to him, only transitioning to moans as Magnus grinded against him. Magnus pressed Alec against the headboard. Alec spread his legs farther apart and Magnus's hips moved in between them as the two sunk down from the headboard.

Green-yellow eyes stared back at Alec with an unquestioning affection. Alec's head swam as Magnus grabbed Alec's knees and slid the shadowhunter beneath him. Alec arched up to meet him, shivering in his stomach as Magnus kissed his shoulders. Biting his lip, Alec breathed in through his nose, eyelids fluttering as Magnus's hands roved all over him. He gasped when Magnus bit his earlobes.

Alec swallowed heavily, his throat working in such a way that made him aware of what was happening in a way that words never could. Tongue leaden inside his mouth, waiting for Magnus to lighten it. The part of his mind that would be buzzing a constant stream of thoughts muted as sensations came to him unfiltered. It made him unclench his teeth and let out the noise building inside him.

Magnus shifted his weight and Alec moaned, parting his legs. Alec's hands came to life, grabbing at Magnus, pulling him down closer. No more boundaries as Alec whined through his teeth, flushing at the sound. Magnus huffed out a laugh. Alec's skin crackled at the warlock's touch, cool air settling on Alec's nipples.

"Cut it out." Alec said. "I need…"

"Yes?"

"…You…" Alec's lips trembled. "Now hurry up."

"So bossy."

"Yeah…yeah I am."

Magnus nuzzled into Alec's chest, nipping at Alec's belly button. Alec snapped his mouth, teeth clicking as he hissed and his nails pinched at Magnus's back.

"I like this side of you."

In response, Alec's fingernails scraped at Magnus's back and he was rewarded with a subdued sigh. Magnus bit down, teeth scraping at the inside of Alec's thighs. Alec concentrated his gaze on Magnus's head as the warlock moved lower. The blue streaks in his black hair shimmered and danced as Magnus moved up and down. Alec gave another whine as trembling shoots of energy went from his abdomen up to his scalp. Alec's breath came faster. He was vaguely aware that Magnus was breathing in much the same way.

Magnus's slick spit enveloped his shaft. Alec looked down, heart stuttering as he caught a glimpse of Magnus's cheeks puffing out air, a flush along his neck, and the way his hair was wild in every direction. Alec shifted, sitting up.

"Wait, wait." He panted.

Magnus stilled. He looked back up at Alec with his eyes alone. The warlock pulled his shoulders back a little, and Alec smiled at the attentiveness. He cleared his throat.

"I-I'm not going to last much longer if you keep doing that. So…do…" he gave a little laugh.

Magnus opened his mouth, letting Alec go with a wet little 'pop' and Alec's guts twisted at the sound. Magnus placed his hands on Alec's hips as he stared at him between Alec's legs. His blush going all the way down to his shoulders It made his eyes stand out even more.

"What would you like me to do?"

"Well…"

"Rather, where would you like me to be?"

"…Inside." Alec mumbled.

Magnus stilled a moment then nodded. He pressed his fingers harder into Alec's hipbones and Alec sucked in a breath. The points or pressure from Magnus's fingertips burned at the touch. Alec nodded rapidly. He tilted his head in invitation. Magnus's slow smile made something inside Alec ignite.

Magnus scooted forward until he was nose to nose with Alec. His eyes shuttered down as he took a moment before giving Alec a slow kiss. Magnus's hand traveled downwards, knuckles grazing down Alec's navel. Their hip bones were pressed together, appearing merged in the half-light of the storm. Alec felt more than saw Magnus take himself in his hand and shift his weight to adjust himself. Then he lowered himself back down and inside Alec.

Alec gasped and Magnus began to move. The muscles in Alec's legs jumped as he began to match pace. Hot-cold sensations shifted over his skin as sweat clung to him. Alec moved faster, panting hard as his muscles spasmed out of control. Magnus grunted as he sank deeper. Alec shut his eyes tight, imaging his nerves bursting in tandem with the rest of him as he arched back up to meet Magnus. He wrapped his legs around the other man's waist. Alec anchored himself to Magnus as he reached his climax.

Magnus, shuddered next to him for a few minutes before going still. His next movement was so quick that Alec didn't have time to protest the loss. Magnus settled next to Alex, wrapping his arms around Alec's slim frame. Alec wriggled next to him, giving a little mewl.

The thunder sounder small to Alec's ear, the lighting hazy in his vision as the rain pattered above him. Fat droplets splattered against the roof as Alec listened to Magnus's breathing even out. Alec's spirit hummed and as Magnus began to speak.

"How was it?"

"…Wow. Just…wow. Why didn't we do that sooner?"

Magnus's laugh rumbled like thunder in his ears. Alec rested his head against Magnus's chest. It made Alec's toes curl. Magnus stroked Alec's hair, scalp tingling. He felt deliciously sated but his insides still stung in anticipation.

"We can do that again if you want."

"You promise?"

Magnus laughed again, rolling onto his side to face Alec. His smile bright and mischievous and Alec couldn't help the responding smile, till his cheeks ached. His face filled up with color until he could taste his blush. Magnus kissed the crook in his shoulder, tickling him until his laughter became something else. Magnus whispered against his ear.

"Definitely."

SPNTMI

Alec drowsed. Magnus's warm body next to him. Alex kept his eyes closed, willing himself to stay in his in between state of hazy awareness. His limbs still buzzed from frazzled nervous. He had a delicious ache all over.

Birdsong shot through the air, reminding him that it was morning. Alec squeezed his eyes shut against the sunshine, threatening against his closed lids. He nuzzled into Magnus's shoulder. Magnus stiffened, shifting beneath Alec. He groaned, crust peeling about his lids and he tried to force his eyes open. Peering out through hazy vision. Alec blinked rapidly, eyes watering as pale morning light hit his face. Alec looked down at Magnus, who was still but seemed alert to him somehow. Something moved out of the corner of his eye. Blurry to his newly woken senses. Alec turned his head. He froze.

Standing at the foot of the bed was Quinn MacIntyre. Downworlders flanked either side of him. Werewolves flexed their muscles as vampires flashed their teeth. The fae's eyes gleamed as some warlocks clustered forward. Alec bolted, arms sweeping back to the dresser. In a moment just as quick, Quinn held up Alec's seraph blade. Alec froze, hand still hovering over the nightstand. He lowered his chest, bringing himself over Magnus. Quinn tutted, wagging a free finger.

"Ah-ah-ah."

Alec's eyes darted. Magnus was entirely too still, chest bare and barely fluttering. Alec swallowed, looking back up at Quinn. The werewolf gave him a crooked smile, but when he spoke next, the words were not directed at Alec.

"Magnus, for shame. Playing possum while lover tries to defend you."

"Trying to get you to leave." Magnus cracked an eye open. "Hoped you'd have more sense than this."

Quinn laughed. "Magnus, man, I think you know me better than that by now." He sobered. "You should have known that we wouldn't stand for this. For betraying your own kind."

Magnus scowled, moving silent and gingerly. He used his arms to steer Alec behind him as he sat up. He fixed Quinn in place with his eyes.

"I don't owe you anything."

"That's the thing. You do."

Magnus leaned forward, hands moving forward and back. Dreadlocks leered back at them. Alec's lips quivered as he tried harder to press his lips tighter together. His skin prickled and his stomach bubbled. A crash from downstairs made Alec jump; laughter rang up to the top of the stairs. Alec bared his teeth as the sounds became louder. Something that sounded like glass being shattered. Whooping echoed through the flat and Alec could have sworn he smelled smoke. Magnus's shoulders squared off and tense. The muscles slid up and down as though they longed to move the rest of Magnus.

Quinn kept still as the smell of smoke become denser, more realized. It crept up the stairs, slinking under the cracks in the doors. Alec gagged as the smoke began to move up the stairs. He sat up straighter, his movements plain to the other downworlders. Dreadlocks leered at his shift of his muscles and Alec's subsequent freezing when he was noticed.

"Not yet, mousie."

Alec's mouth tightened, teeth aching. Mouth filled with spit as he kept his cheeks sucked in. He snorted, trying to hold off swallowing as long as he possibly could. Dreadlocks laughed at the loudness of Alec's swallow. A buzzing, soft and cold. He knew that Dreadlocks was about to move by the slight hitch in the creature's ankles. Dreadlocks's arms stretched out, extending his reach to the bed. His skin was smoother than Alec anticipated. Alec ducked out of reach, rolling to the side and tumbling off the bed.

Quinn's companions shouted and Magnus sprang forward, blue sparks shooting out of his fingertips. They danced over Dreadlocks and Porcupine, hurtling them into another row of vampires and fae. Quinn avoided them with a sharp side-step. Alec kept low, weaving around the flailing downworlders and raced down the stairs. Magnus shot off more blue sparks, knocking back pursuers whose fingertips brushed Alec's legs.

At the bottom of the stairs, smoke thick and choking clotted in the air. Alec squinted; he could just make out the Jackson Pollock against all the smoke. His eyes watered, head shaking for Magnus. he jumped when he felt the warlock brushing up to his side. Magnus pressed his lips to Alec's cheek. He nuzzled into Alec, pushing the side of his face into Alec's head, directing him to the left where the front door was. Alec nodded. The heat blazed from the other side of the room, spreading from the curtains and licked the ceiling. Alec hacked, gritty air entering his lungs faster than he could expel it. He crouched low, carpet burning the palms of his hands and knees as the moved to the door. Alec grabbed on the doorknob and he yanked his hands back with a shout. Magnus crawled next to him.

"Here let me."

Alec squinted, tilting his head in time to see Magnus's hands vibrate. A kind of hum going up around them and Alec shivered. The flash of blue was so quick Alec could have imagined it. The doorknob shouted off, crashing through to the other side of the door, a smoking hole where it used to be. Magnus pushed the door. Its hinges screamed as Magnus shoved Alec forward ahead of him.

Alec tumbled out into the hall and moved out of the messy heap he was in. He blinked, eyes streaming as he staggered to his feet. Fire crackled behind him and he turned in time to see Magnus emerge. His hair was singed, looking wilder than ever. The warlock grabbed Alec's arms, half dragging half carrying the stumbling Alec. They took the stairs two at a time, their haphazard footsteps echoing over the marble floors.

Magnus steered Alec out to a side entrance. The door swung behind them, slamming at their heels, scraping flesh from their ankles. Alec shuddered at the blast of outside air. Magnus tugged on his arm and Alec straightened up. Alec kept his hands on Magnus, who bent down a bit, hands on Alec's elbows. Alec's knees shook and he retched, nothing coming up but spit. He took a couple of shaky breaths; the chills raking through his body subsided.

Sirens wailed from somewhere, their blaring getting closer and closer as rain drizzled onto their shoulders. Alec breathed in deep. Car exhaust, rain, and vendor food smelled wonderfully human to him right then. The sirens got closer; competing with the fire's snapping flames. Alec pressed himself closer to Magnus but his legs were still and free of trembling. Magnus's chest was wonderful and warm to Alec's cheeks, hair tangling itself onto Magnus's shirt. A smile twist of his lips was the only visible hint of what was inside. His voice only inflected with tiredness.

"What next?"

"Keep moving."

Alec disentangled himself with Magnus, but they walked shoulder to shoulder through the parking lot, holding hands in the rain.

SPNTMI

TBC…