Hey everyone! So it's finally here. The final chapter of the story. It's a doozy! I apologize for it being a little on the lengthy side. Also, I apologize if the ending seems cliche. I finished writing this at 5am. No joke. I am not functioning properly ;) So just a little side note, this chapter is told from Jace's POV, then Alec's and then Magnus's. Thank you to all the readers and followers! A very special thank you to EVERYONE that left a review! Y'all have made my first experience on FanFiction an incredible one! I'd love more feedback so review it up! Again, thank you for following me! Without further ado, here is the final chapter of Forever Parabatai. :)

Clary was laying on her back in the shade under a weeping willow, her hair fanned out against the emerald green grass. She was smiling in her sleep, one hand resting behind her head and the other draped lazily across her stomach. The cascading golden material of her dress skimmed her slim figure and emphasized the fiery tones in her red curls. She was truly an eclipse personified; radiant, mesmerizing, beautiful.

A warm breeze ruffled the branches of the weeping willow, and speckles of light filtering through the leaves danced over Clary's skin. Her smile widened, as if the sunlight's touch tickled her skin. She tilted her head back and inhaled the sweet scent of summer.

I followed her lead, closing my eyes and drawing in summer's essence. I waited for the familiarity of fresh grass, the intoxication of clean air and the comfort of sunshine to wash over me. But I did not smell summer. The warm breeze carried a different scent, pungent and foul...

I opened my eyes and nearly fell out of my chair to see Alec's face mere centimeters from mine. He was grinning ear to ear, pleased at his success in startling me. He blew a quick puff of air at my face before backing away. The familiar odor filled my nose.

"Dude," I groaned, "you really need to brush your teeth."

"Nonsense." Alec seated himself at the foot of his bed, wincing slightly. "Morning breath works better than an alarm clock."

I yawned and rubbed my eyes. "How long have you been watching me sleep, creeper?"

"Not long. I was going to let you sleep, but you started grinning like an idiot, so I decided to have a little fun."

"Next time could you just stick my hand in a glass of warm water? The stench coming out of your mouth could be classified as a toxic weapon. I think it actually dissolved my nose hairs."

Alec crossed his arms. "Consider it a public service. No one wants to see your nose hairs."

I looked down. "That's pretty rich coming from a guy only wearing a towel."

"Shut up," Alec growled. "My pants didn't really qualify as pants anymore. They were more like 'Daisy Dukes' with attached denim mud flaps."

"So," I pointed an accusing finger at my parabatai, "you were watching me sleep pretty much in the buff?"

I smirked triumphantly as Alec's cheeks burned.

"I am not in the buff."

I pressed on, relishing in the sweet satisfaction of vengeance. "Yikes, Alec. I mean there's Edward Cullen creepy, and then there's just plain wrong."

Alec threw up his hands. "Why did I wake you up? You're much less annoying when you're asleep."

"Yes, why did you wake me up?" I examined my fingernails. "Aside from needing a healthy daily dose of my cunning wit and charm."

"I wanted to go see Magnus. Which room is he sleeping in?"

"My room. I'll go get him," I offered. "I don't know if you should be walking around on your leg yet."

"No," Alec said firmly. "I've had my fill of laying down. Besides, I need something to do to take my mind off of..."

Take your mind off what, Alec? I thought. Being sealed inside a dark container for hours on end? Being beaten an inch from death? Being sliced and stabbed like a raw steak? Being branded not once, but twice by Lucifer reincarnated? All of the above? Take your pick, Alec.

"All right," I conceded, not daring to argue. "At least let me grab you some clothes first."

Alec agreed, and I returned a few minutes later with a plain blue t-shirt and a pair of baggy gray sweatpants. I turned away to give him some privacy while he dressed, giving him a couple minutes longer than necessary.

"How do I look?"

I glanced over my shoulder. Aside from the bandages on his wrist, the cut on his face and any bruises peeking out from under his clothes, Alec looked surprisingly normal. The brilliant glow of his blue eyes, complimented by the color of his t-shirt, drowned out the dark circles lurking just below.

I directed my eyes pointedly at his mussed hair. "Like you just rolled out of bed. Your warlock's favorite look."

Alec's small smile wavered, as if he suddenly felt very self-conscious. He moved for the hall, limping noticeably on his healing leg. I fell into step beside him, slowing my pace to match his. We ambled down the hallway in silence, except for the occasional sharp intake of breath when Alec accidentally put too much weight on his leg. Eventually we found ourselves standing outside my closed bedroom door.

Alec shifted uncomfortably. "Should I knock?"

"Technically it's my room, so I'm allowed to barge in unannounced whenever I please." I tilted my head. "However, I told Magnus not to sleep naked in my bed, so he probably did it just to spite me."

"Knocking it is." Alec rapped his knuckles lightly against the wooden door.

When there was no reply, I banged my fist against the door, loud enough to rouse any sleeping person inside. Silence called back to us. Feeling Alec's apprehensive eyes bore into me, I turned the knob and pushed the door open. My room was vacant. My bed had been made, the sheets unwrinkled and pulled taut as if it hadn't been slept in at all.

Damn you, Magnus Bane.

"Where is he, Jace?"

Probably halfway around the world.

I kept my voice level and steady. "I suppose he could have gone back to his place."

Alec was quiet for a moment, then he lightly bumped my arm. "Let's go."

"Go where?" I asked stupidly.

"To Magnus's."

"Alec-"

"Damn it, Jace," Alec cut in. "I'm going to Magnus's with or without you, so don't even bother."

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose, dreading what would be waiting for us at the warlock's, or rather what wouldn't be waiting. "Fine, but you need a mint or a stick of gum or something first. I refuse to walk down the street with a giant green stink cloud following us. It'll divert everyone's attention from me."

Much to Jace's irritation, I'd refused his insistence to take a cab to Magnus's. I needed the fresh air to clear my head so I could figure out what I wanted to say to him. I limped along briskly, too pissed to acknowledge the pain in my leg. My parabatai had long ago given up on suggesting I stop to take a break, as well as trying to convince me to go back to the Institute because I was not 'in the right state of mind'. As far as I was concerned, there was a certain warlock I wanted to throttle for ditching out on me, and I was headed in the right direction to do so.

Before long, Jace and I were standing outside Magnus's place, staring at the buzzer.

"Are you sure you want to do this right now?" Jace asked.

I nodded my head, determined. "Will you buzz him? He might not let me up."

Jace shrugged and pushed the button, holding it a few seconds longer than needed.

"Bane."

I noticed Jace's shoulder sag with relief the moment Magnus's voice drifted through the speaker. I narrowed my eyes. What had he been hiding from me?

"Did someone mail order God's gift to humanity?"

The first door immediately swung open. Jace turned to me, smiling widely. He lightly punched me on the arm.

"Go get him, tiger."

"You're not coming up?"

"Nah. I've got a girlfriend back home that owes me a foot massage." He winked at me. "Have fun on the stairs, cripple."

I passed through the door, glancing back at my parabatai once more before climbing the stairs. I took my time on the steps, more so to be alone with my thoughts for a minute longer than to compensate for my injury. When I reached Magnus's door, I lifted my hand to knock but the door swung open before I could touch it. Magnus stood in the doorway, giving me a once-over.

"I figured it was you."

"Hey," I whispered.

Magnus stepped aside and invited me in. I clenched my fingers to ease some of the shaking as I glanced around. Though there was not a speck of blood visible anywhere inside, I felt my pulse quicken as my eyes found the all too familiar spot on the floor. The scar on my shoulder prickled and my mind summoned a shaded image of a pool of blood...my blood.

I could feel Magnus creep up behind me.

"How's your leg?"

I cringed as Magnus's hot breath tickled the back of my neck. "It's fine."

When Magnus's finger reached out to tuck my hair behind my ear, I shrugged in on myself. The reflex startled me, and when I turned around I could see the hurt etched in the warlock's face. I rubbed my arm, embarrassed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that."

Magnus nodded, though the hurt lingered. "Why are you here, Alec?"

He had not asked it rudely, but the question made me feel unwanted. I toyed with the hem on my t-shirt, lowering my eyes so they would not reveal the gut-wrenching sting of rejection.

"You weren't there when I woke up."

"I did not think you wanted me to be there."

"Of course I did."

Magnus put his finger under my chin and tilted my head up. An image suddenly flashed before my eyes: Magnus's hand crept upwards and sealed over my nose and mouth, cutting off my air. The image disappeared abruptly, and I was gazing into two stunning yellow-green eyes.

"Alexander," Magnus said softly, "you can't even look at me without flinching."

"I'm fine," I insisted.

Magnus's hand fell away and he crossed his arms, unconvinced. I decided to change the subject. I scoured the room for a topic, where I noticed an array of books scattered across the floor.

"What's with the books?"

Magnus's eyes followed my gaze. "It seems I had an unexpected visitor again."

The memory came flooding back to me, almost strong enough to knock me off my feet. I ran my fingers through my hair, guilt-ridden and fuming for letting it slip my mind in the first place.

"Sebastian said he was going to come back here. He claimed he knew where the Book of White was because Camille told him. I'm sorry, Magnus. I should have told you sooner."

"It's all right, Alec."

"Did he take it?"

"Yes," Magnus said, making me drop my face into my hands. "Or rather, he found the fake I so cleverly left out for him."

I lifted my head, unsure if I had heard him correctly. "Sebastian found a fake?"

"Camille likes to think she's a lot smarter than she actually is." Magnus winked. "She and Sebastian have that in common."

I smiled, elated and relieved. "So where is the real Book of White?"

Magnus's gaze dropped to the floor and he shuffled his feet, like a child getting ready to be reprimanded. I wanted nothing more than to reach out a touch him, to comfort him, but a leash of fear held me back. What was he so afraid of telling me?

"The Book of White is hidden in your room back at the Institute, Alexander," he admitted, his eyes finally falling on me again.

My throat tightened. "My room? Why?"

"So I would always have a reason to go back and see you."

I tugged at the collar of my t-shirt. "Even after you broke up with me?"

When Magnus nodded, I lowered myself into a crouch and buried my face in my hands, too emotionally overwhelmed to hold myself up. To know that Magnus had never truly stopped wanting to see me when I'd thought he'd abandoned me was overpowering. It was possible that those long nights I spent thinking about him were the same long nights he spent thinking about me.

Magnus was crouched down in front of me, and he gently pried my hands away from my face. He swiped his thumbs across my cheeks, erasing my tears. I blinked rapidly as he took my hands in his.

"I can't stay away from you, Alec. I love you. I will love you forever, whether you're whole again or broken." He squeezed my fingers. "But I need to know if you still love me. If you still want to love me."

My throat tightened again, my words choked inside. I knew what Magnus was asking. He knew he was inadvertently a catalyst for the resurfacing of my trauma, and he was offering me the chance to walk away. There was no doubt in my mind that Magnus would let me go, but I didn't want to go anywhere unless he was there with me.

"I love you," I whispered.

Magnus smiled and leaned forward to touch his forehead to mine. We breathed in each other's scents, holding on to each other like a life line.

"Magnus, I dont- I still-"

"It's okay," Magnus breathed, reading between the lines of my stammering. "We'll take it slow."

His lips pressed against mine, gently at first, but as I started to kiss him back, his need became more forceful. His tongue gently probed inside my mouth and his fingers slid through my hair. I nipped at Magnus's bottom lip with my teeth and cupped his face in my hands. Without breaking contact, the warlock scooped me up into his arms and carried me to the bedroom, gently laying me back on the mattress.

I shivered as Magnus's hand crept under my shirt and across my stomach. The hungry clashes of our teeth mixed with our escalating breathing. My hand drifted downward to brush my thumb against his exposed hip bone, a whisper against his skin.

Magnus moved the focus of his lips to my throat. I sighed, dizzy with desire. My heart skipped a beat when I felt his kiss on my shoulder through the fabric of my t-shirt. There was a flash and Magnus was gnawing on my flesh, his eyes completely black. Then he was kissing me again. I closed my eyes and tried to relax, to get lost in Magnus's touch. Another flash: Magnus suffocating me. I struggled to catch my breath.

When Magnus gently closed his fingers around my wrist, my control shattered into tiny fragments.

"Stop!"

Magnus rolled off me and stepped away as if I'd just told him I was diseased. The passion in his face had been extinguished, replaced by concern. I sat up and rested my head in my hand, panting heavily. Magnus rubbed my back with slow circular motions and waited for me to regain control of my breathing.

"I'm sorry," I apologized.

"You didn't do anything wrong."

"I'm screwed up." My voice trembled. "Every touch is horrifying. I can't kiss you without thinking about you smothering me."

"It's okay, Alec," Magnus insisted, now combing his fingers through my hair. "We're taking it slow, remember?"

I pushed the heels of my palms into my eyes. "I just want it to go away."

Magnus lay back on the mattress, coaxing me to follow. He angled my body so I was turned in towards him, cradled against him. My head rested against his shoulder and his arm curled around me, stroking my arm leisurely.

"Is this okay?" He asked.

I listened to the soothing rhythm of Magnus's heartbeat. "Yeah."

"Then we're already making progress."

Despite it still being early in the afternoon, I felt my eyelids begin to droop. Magnus pressed his lips against my hair. I clenched his shirt in my hand, afraid of drifting away.

"It's okay," Magnus whispered. "I've got you."

My hand skimmed over the cool mattress beside me. My eyes snapped open. The spot beside me was vacant; Alec was gone. The bedroom door was still ajar, and the lights in the next room were on. Blinking against the brightness, I crawled out of bed and walked into the living space.

"Alec?"

One of the kitchen drawers was pulled out, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw the array of knives inside. I pushed down the rising panic and continued my search. It was impossible for Sebastian to have come back thanks to the wards I'd cast before Alec had arrived, but the wards could not prevent Alec from hurting himself.

My heart lurched when I finally caught sight of him. He was curled into a tight ball on one of the sofas, and in his hand, clenched so tight his knuckles were white, was a butcher knife. His face was contorted in either fear or pain and his body quivered, but he was fast asleep. Apparently Alec felt that not even I could protect him from the demons that hunted him during the night.

But there was a way for me to protect him...

I weighed the option in my mind, but the moment Alec began to shake violently and whimper in his sleep, the decision was made. I hovered my hands over Alec's head and set to work building a shield in his mind, blocking every memory that pertained to his abduction and torture. Alec's face began to relax and his grip loosened on the knife. The intense radiance of the sparks flowing from my fingers began to fade as the shield solidified. When I pulled my hands away, exhaustion filled every limb in my body.

I wondered what I was going to tell Jace. It was imperative that he kept his mouth shut once he knew what was going on. And we'd have to concoct a story of how Alec had gotten all his scars. If one of us slipped up and Alec found out what I had done, the consequences would be substantial. There was no room for error. Alec was mine to protect. Alec was mine.

Alec moaned softly. I snapped my fingers and the knife in his hand vanished. He gave a little jolt at the sharp sound and opened his eyes.

"Hey," I whispered.

Alec looked around, confused. "Why am I on the sofa?"

I pushed his hair back from his face, smiling when he didn't flinch. "You must have been sleep walking. I woke up and you were gone."

He groaned as he stretched out his cramped muscles. "Weird. Let's go back to bed."

Alec slipped his hand into mine as we walked back into the bedroom. I lay on my side after we crawled under the covers, studying him: the strong line of his jawbone, the paleness of his skin, the lack of anxiety and tension in his shoulders.

"What are you staring at?" Alec yawned.

"You." The old you. The real you. The you I fell in love with.

"Like what you see?"

"Very much."

Alec edged closer and leaned over me, pushing my shoulders down so I was flat on my back. He covered my mouth with his and slid his hand under my shirt, trailing his fingers up my abdomen and across my chest. His movements were fluid and controlled...and fearless.

"Will you hit the lights?"

I snapped my fingers and we were covered in a blanket of darkness. Alec smiled against my lips.

"I love you," he breathed.

I placed my hand on the back of Alec's neck and pulled his lips to mine.

"Tonight I'm all yours," Alec whispered.

Tonight and every night afterwards. You are mine, Alexander Gideon Lightwood. Mine to protect and to love and to hold. No one will take you away from me. I love you. You are mine, and I am yours. Forever.