Here it is, and I didn't make you wait over a month this time :P we are reaching the climax my lovelies! If you have ideas or suggestions let me know, I always take them into account, read you soon!

Chapter 13: Just a blue-eyed fool

You may call me a dreamer

Call me a fool

Just a blue eyed believer in you

But I'll die for that someone

In the blink of an eye

So tell me… please tell me

Just what kind of fool am I?

-Under grey skies by Kamelot.

Alec felt himself floating, he was weightless and his body felt oddly numb, which was a welcomed sensation after the incessant weeks of pain he had experienced. The last thing he remembered was the abandoned alley and being all alone, where was he now?

Does it really matter? He wondered, rejoicing in the alien sense of peace. Wherever this was, he hoped he could stay for a while longer.

Of course, he should have known better.

Time to rise and shine my little Nephilim Sonneillon said, using the mind speaking that both terrified and infuriated Alec so much.

There goes my peace and quiet. The shadowhunter thought, looking around for the source of the demon's voice without success.

Enjoy the last twenty-four hours of your life my dear angel. Sonneillon said, and even without seeing his face, Alec could hear the sneer in his voice

Suddenly, he felt all of his pain and exhaustion coming back at him with full force. A new fit of bloody coughs was what finally jolted him back to reality. He felt the cold, wet pavement on his back and when he turned his head to the side he saw a bunch of abandoned furniture, huge metal container and plastic bags full of trash with such a strong stench that made Alec gag.

Great, my last day of life will be spent in a dumpster. And Simon thinks his life's a joke.

The boy would have snorted, but he didn't have the strength for it, so he just laid there, on the cold floor of an abandoned New York alley, waiting and hoping. Hoping that he would pass out again, if only to escape the pain for a little while.

"Not a very shadowhunter-like thing to hope for" he muttered, trying to stop the imminent flood of tears that he could feel coming, but it was futile, he started to sob uncontrollably, adding to the many aches and pains in his body, but he didn't care. Despite everything he had said to his family and what he had done to try and protect them, he was still scared and alone and afraid of dying. He wanted his family SO BAD.

Because of all the thinking and crying he had been doing, it took him a while to hear the footsteps that were approaching in his general direction.

"Oh, by the angel" the shadowhunter groaned and hen winced because of the pain the motion brought "I can't deal with this now"

With some effort he managed to roll over on the floor and crawl onto one of the alley's brick walls, the tiny stones on the pavement scratched his knees and hands, but Alec didn't notice, it was like comparing the pain of a bug bite with that of an amputation without sedatives.

He didn't have the strength to stand up, even when he tried to do it by leaning his weight on the wall, the best he could manage was o struggle into a sitting position and take out one of his knifes from his weapon's belt, which he had remembered o bring with him.

The effort left him sweating heavily, his clothes hung to his body in the same way as is wet hair hung to his scalp. He was gasping for air and soon the coughs started again, staining his chin and hands with blood.

The steps sounded louder now, reverberating into the air of this silent, abandoned streets.

They'll be here any moment now. Alec thought, but he couldn't bring himself to care, he had bawled his eyes out a few minutes ago and that had left him emotionally exhausted, he didn't really have it in him to feel scared right this instant.

Soon he was a faint glimmer of light, shining in a beautiful shade of red. The strange light intensified as the footsteps approached, and by the time he heard them turn the corner the scarlet light was shining so brightly that it forced Alec to close his eyes.

Because of this, he didn't see the five shadows on the wall as people closed in on him. But that didn't lessen the shock he felt when he recognized their voices.

"I think he's around here, the chain is shining even brighter than before!" Alec recognized that as Isabelle's voice and groaned internally at how much of a failure he was, he couldn't even hide from his family for more than a day!

He opened his eyes and turned his head towards the light. The first face he saw was so similar to his one, with her moonlight pale skin and black hair. Isabelle was holding a crimson colored chain in her hand, but as soon as they both made visual contact the chain shone blindingly for a brief moment before vanishing into thin air.

"Alec!" she yelled throwing herself in his direction, her face looked ashen and there were dried tear tracks on her cheeks but she still seemed so beautiful and relieved, it made Alec want to cry himself. His sister's body collided with him, knocking the wind out of his lungs as she hugged him with all of her shadowhunter strength, he would have liked to remain like that for a bit longer, but her embrace was painful and it made him wince loudly.

"By the Angel, I'm so sorry" she said, stepping away from him, an apology written in her face.

"It's ok" Alec hissed between clenched teeth "I'm used to it"

At that, his sister stiffened and moved farther away from him, revealing her companions. He was not surprised to see Jace, as pale and tired-looking as his sister, relief and anger warring in his worn features. Then there was Clary, her hand intertwined with Jace's as though she were his own lifeline, which she probably was, she too looked exhausted and slightly afraid but the tiny smile she shot Alec was genuine. Simon stood a bit farther away, and by his expression he wasn't entirely sure just how to feel at the moment, and Alec could hardly blame him, he wouldn't have known what to do in his situation either.

Lastly, to Alec's surprise, he came eye to eye with Magnus Bane's gorgeous green-gold gaze. For a moment he didn't feel sick or in pain or afraid of dying. He remembered why he had run away from his family and the reason he had given up on the warlock's love. He loved Magnus, and he was going to die because of it, he didn't want to make them suffer along with him. Why had they come after him?

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his dormant panic finally catching up with him. They couldn't be here, they had to go away, leave him to die alone.

"What kind of a moronic question is that?!" Izzy replied with an irritated cry "You disappeared from home when you are weak and sick, we were worried out of our minds! So we did what we had to do and we found you!"

"You shouldn't have" Alec muttered half-heartedly. In truth, he was moved at the fact that everyone would go so far to find him.

"Well that decision is not up to you" Magnus had shifted closer to the blue-eyed shadowhunter and was looking down at him, a tight expression in his face. Alec could clearly see the fatigue and anger in the warlock's face, but he also thought he perceived something else. Fear, anguish…love? Yes, Magnus had said he still loved him, but with everything that had happened recently, it was hard to believe.

"We're taking you back home with us" That was Jace, Alec didn't need to look up to recognize that voice "And just to be clear, that was NOT a question"

Alec raised his head and glowered at his adoptive brother, but of course, it had no effect on him, especially not with Alec so sweaty and weak after a fit of bloody coughs.

"We're just trying to help you" Clary chimed in "I know why you think you needed to do this, we all do. And it was very noble, but you don't have to go through this alone"

Alec snorted and then winced in pain "I just wanted to be left alone, spare you some anguish, was that too much to ask for?"

"Yes" a chorus of voices replied in unprecedented unison. Alec had never loved them more than in that precise moment, he had also never been as annoyed and exasperated at his family as he was just then.

They all closed in on him and kneeled on the ground to hug him tightly. He wanted to return their embraces and caresses, but he didn't have the strength to move his body. He was sure they would all have stayed there quite a bit longer, if he hadn't started to shake like a leaf and those blasted cough hadn't assailed his body once more.

He felt a hand on his forehead, and in his dazed state it took him a minute to understand that it was Magnus who was touching him.

"His fever is up again. It's getting too high, we need to get down before it's any more dangerous. Also, he's coughing blood again. Let's get him back to the Institute".

"S-stop…" Alec wheezed, trying to catch his breath "Stop talking as if I weren't here. It's annoying"

No one acknowledged his comment, they looked at him with tiny apologetic smiles, which he didn't understand.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, dreading whatever idea that could prompt that reaction from his siblings. He was sure he wouldn't like what was coming.

"Nothing" reassured Isabelle, a suspicious glint of mischief in her dark eyes "Just…Don't freak out alright?"

"Freak out?" Alec repeated, not sure where this conversation was going "Why would I freak out?"

"Because of this" He heard Magnus deep, velvety voice and before he could register anything else, he was –quite literally- swept off his feet. Alec let out a tiny yelp of surprise, but it was short lived, he didn't have enough air to spare for a bigger reaction.

"Put me down!" Alec mumbled weakly. Really, how much more embarrassing could his situation get? Now his ex-boyfriend had to carry him home "I can walk by myself, I only need a bit of support!"

Magnus gave him a disbelieving look and shrugged without putting him down "We both know what a terrible liar you are, so don't even bother trying darling" With that final comment the warlock and the shadowhunter made their way outside of the abandoned alley, Alec sighed tiredly and leaned his head into Magnus' chest in silent resignation.

There are worse things that could happen He thought. And in truth, he was secretly happy about being found and was feeling more comforted than he had in a long, long time.

The walk back to the Institute was a quiet one. Magnus held him tightly in his arms, flanked by both Isabelle and Jace, while Simon and Clary walked a little behind them, giving the family a bit of space.

Alec looked up at Magnus' face, something he didn't think he would get to do again. He let his eyes roam the warlock's features. His caramel skin, full lips and gorgeous golden-green eyes. He didn't miss the bags underneath them, dark and pronounced like bruises, or the lines of exhaustion that plagued his former lover's skin.

"You look exhausted" Alec said at last, breaking the silence.

He heard dry chuckles in the background and realized his siblings and friends were listening in on them.

Magnus looked at him with a hurt expression that was as fake as a three dollar bill "Right back at you, Alexander" And the shadowhunter had to fight the urge to smile when his scowl made the High Warlock of Brooklyn grin with satisfaction.

Not much was said after that, and Alec thought that maybe he would doze off. He felt weak, sore and exhausted, but sleep eluded him. Perhaps it was for the best, he didn't want to miss a single moment of the time he had left.

After a while Alec found himself in front of the Institute's main gate. He was home, the notion made him feel warm and comforted. When he had left he had expected never to see this place again, but thanks to his family's efforts he was back here again.

Once inside the Institute's walls, he noticed Magnus heading for the left staircase, knowing where that would take him he tugged at the warlock's shirt to call his attention.

"I don't want to stay in the infirmary" he pleaded "It's so somber in there"

Izzy approached them and took one of her brother's hands in hers, she was shaking slightly; though the tremors were so faint most people wouldn't have noticed.

"Your fever is up, you are sweating to the point where your clothes are damp and your hair's sticking to your skull, you are shivering all over and you have spent the past hour trying to hide your coughs. You need medication and constant monitoring" She gave him a heated stare, challenging him to contradict her words. Alec wouldn't do it, she would just nag at him again.

"I know" he conceded, not willing to start a fight he was sure to lose "But I can do that at any other room, I just don't like the atmosphere in that place. And the white walls drive me crazy"

Isabelle was about to protest, but thankfully Jace cut her off "Before he ran away he was staying in his room, so it doesn't make much of a difference were he rests, as long as he's being looked after"

Izzy grumbled "I guess that's fine" she agreed at last "But he's not staying in his room, where he'll have an excuse to throw us out when he feels like it, and he's not staying anywhere alone"

Alec scowled at his sister. HE was the older sibling, not the other way around "You can't do this to me!" he screamed in anger before running out of breath "You can't treat me as if I were a child"

"That's what happens when you behave like a child. Running away and straining yourself when your health is already in such a precarious state. I am not going to risk it, even if it means nailing down your doors and windows and chaining you to the bed"

Alec glowered at his sister, who remained unaffected "And just where do you plan to dump me?" he spat out letting his anger get the best of him.

The smile Isabelle shot him let Alec know that she was thoroughly enjoying this "Why brother, you are staying in my room, obviously"

Alec debated with himself for a moment and decided that this was a battle he was obviously going to lose, Izzy had Magnus and Jace's support on this, so he decided to save his strength, with a tiny defeated sigh, he looked up at the warlock and motioned for him to lead the way. He was annoyed to see an amused glint in his ex-boyfriend's eyes at their sibling's quarrel, but it soon faded from his mind when Magnus squeezed him a bit tighter in his lean, tan arms as they walked through the Institute's hallways towards Isabelle's room.

Once there Magnus headed straight for Izzy's four-poster bed. Alec tugged weakly at his sleeve to call his attention.

"I'm tired of laying down" He explained, seeing the warlock's puzzled expression "And even though I DO feel tired, I can't sleep anymore, believe me, I tried"

"Then what do you want to do" Magnus inquired "I'm fairly certain you can't even stand by yourself right now"

"Just let me sit on a chair for a little while"

"All right then, but give me one reason to think you are straining yourself and I'll glue you to the bed with magic if need be" Magnus tone was only half jesting and his eyes revealed that he would do it, if it came to that.

"No one is going to let me leave down my escape, are you?"

"Not any time soon" Magnus admitted, before depositing Alec in the fancy chair placed in front of Isabelle's vanity table. It was a tall piece of furniture with a wide back that allowed Alec to lean fully into it, a fact the boy welcomed since he could collapse bonelessly into the piece of furniture without making I obvious just how tired he was.

Looking around he noticed that neither his brother or sister or even Simon and Clary had followed them here, which was odd. Alec had been under the impression that his sister was going to stay as close to him as humanly possible.

"Where did everyone else go?" the shadowhunter only asked out of curiosity, not because he missed his pushy siblings at the moment.

Magnus, who was sitting at the edge of the bed, directly across from Alec hesitated for a moment before answering "Let's just say that reports of the recent increase on demon activity have reached the ears of your parents back in Idris. They are trying to cover for you since if they find out about Sonneillon they would most certainly quarantine you before we could help you"

Alec chuckled "Well it shouldn't be too hard for Jace and Izzy to convince mom and dad. They are always willing to believe that everything's fine instead of facing reality"

"Stubborn lot, the Lightwoods" Magnus muttered in agreement.

"I won't try it again, if that's what you're implying. You should rest for a while, I noticed that you all seemed really exhausted"

"Oh, we are. Coming up with that personalized tracking spell was not a walk in the park. But I will sleep later, right now I'm on duty" that last sentence was tinted with the tiniest bit of mockery, which annoyed Alec

"Babysitting duty?" he spat out.

"Guarding duty. You really gave us all a fright, Alexander. Just humor your sister with this"

Alec huffed and burrowed himself deeper into the chair, if even Magnus was going to treat him like he was frail china, there really was no point in trying to argue his point anymore, so he would just make the best of the time he had. He looked at Magnus, who was in turn inspecting him intently with his cat-like eyes, the gaze was so intent in almost made Alec blush.

"What?" he demanded, feeling dazed and short of breath.

"I was just thinking" Magnus replied, before pausing for a moment "About another shadowhunter, who looked very much like you, and who was also caught in the middle of a demonic curse"

Alec knew just who Magnus was referring to. That name had become such a constant in their conversations when they had still been together and Camille had even brought him up to taunt Alec and make him jealous, which had been easy enough to accomplish at the time.

"You mean Will Herondale" Alec said softly.

"Yes. You are actually distantly related to him" At the shadowhunter's questioning look Magnus added "William's sister, Cecily, married Gabriel Lightwood. That's the branch you descend from, Isabelle's necklace belonged to her many years ago"

Alec merely nodded, it was an interesting bit of information to know, but that was not what had called his attention "You said he was cursed?"

"His case was rather particular. He thought himself to be cursed, and an unfortunate coincidence made it seem like it was true, but in truth he was just the punchline in a demon's twisted idea of a joke. His curse was fake"

Lucky him… Alec thought bitterly, but abstained from making any comments.

"What were the specifics of his curse?" the shadowhunter asked, induced by a morbid sense of curiosity.

"Any person who ever loved him would die" Magnus replied, an echo of ancient sadness in his voice.

Without realizing it Alec spoke the words Jace has said once, the words that had haunted him since his curse was cast "To love is to destroy"

Magnus' eyes widened "I suppose that's exactly what Will believed"

It occurred to Alec that maybe this was the very last chance he had so, with every ounce of strength he had, he rose from his chair and made his way towards Magnus on wobbly legs. The warlock stood from the bed and closed the gap between them, catching Alec when he stumbled and nearly fell to the ground.

"What's the big idea Alexander? You are supposed to rest!"

"I'm fine" he said, with what he hoped was a reassuring smile "What you said just made me think about the words Jace always used 'To love is to destroy, and to be loved is to be the one destroyed' The first part applied o Will Herondale, the latter applies to me"

"I'm not sure I understand" was Magnus' puzzled reply

Alec, sill enveloped in Magnus' strong embrace placed a hand on the warlock's cheek, the difference in their complexions creating a star and beautiful contrast "It really doesn't matter, Just know that I love you. You made a fool of me, Magnus Bane, a foolish teenager in love who dreamed of a future together, a whole life together with you"

All that is left for me to do is to die for you

He heard Magnus swallow a lump in his throat and felt the downworlder's embrace tighten

"I love you too. And you will have a life. There must be some time left for us to do something"

Oh right, they know the mark on my chest is some sort of countdown, but they can't read it. So they don't know how much time I have left.

Alec thought it better not to say anything, he wanted to enjoy his moment. To abandon himself to loving Magnus, to openly displaying just how much he cared about him. Without thinking Alec pressed his lips to Magnus' in a feather light kiss, he was about to pull away, feeling rejected at the warlock's lack of response when the kiss deepened. It was slow and tender, but passionate and it left the young Nephilim gasping for air. It was perfect.

"I love you" said Magnus, in a low husky voice "And I promise I will save you, once you are healed we can talk about us. There will be time for that, there will be time for everything"

So close Alec told himself sadly. You were so close Magnus

Instead, the boy only nodded "I'm feeling dizzy, can you help me to the bed please?"

"Of course darling" Magnus lifted into his arms and placed him delicately on the bed. Alec held out a hand and his ex-boyfriend took the hint, grabbing tightly onto it. He boy didn't betray himself to what was going on in his head.

"Tick tock, tick tock, goes the ticking of your heart" Sonneillon chanted into his aching head "Tick tock, tick tock, sounds the last beat of your life" before the demon's annoying voice vanished it gave Alexander one last grim remainder.

"Just a few more hours, my darling Alexander. Just a few more hours before you belong to me"

The shadowhunter tightened his hold on Magnus' hand and smiled down at the warlock, who was now staring at him quizzically.

"It helps with the pain" Alec lied, thought it was not entirely untrue.

Better me than Magnus Alexander reminded himself. Sonneillon wouldn't have had mercy on him, that demon would have tormented him until Magnus replace his body or died.

"There are worse things" He said, smiling down at his warlock.

A bit of a transition chapter, please review and tell me your opinions. BTW I was surprised to find that the most requested idea for a future fanfic was a rendition of The Little Mermaid. I saw a couple of ongoing mermaid AU's but I guess there's never enough of them? The first place was a tie between that and mute Alec, so if base my story on the Disney version, I could kill two birds with one stone :) second place was a tie between sleeping beauty (with Magnus being the beauty) and Snow White (with Alec as Snow White, because white skin, black hair ;D) I'll get to work on that soon I promise! Reviews are love!