Alec was only vaguely aware of someone approaching before he heard Magnus's voice. "Alexander, do you mind if I sit?" He looked up to see Magnus brushing aside plants to get to him. Alec had always gone to the greenhouse of the Institute when he was upset. It reminded him of Idris, of home.
He cracked a smile before answering, "We both know you're going to no matter what my answer is, so go ahead." Magnus acknowledged the comment with a smile of his own before sitting beside Alec and grabbing hold of one of his hands.
"Alec, I-" he began but Alec cut him off.
"No, Magnus. I want to start this conversation. There's something I need to tell you that should go ahead and clear up this situation." He turned to look Magnus directly in the eyes, his own blue eyes shining. "I want to do this. I want the immortality rune."
Magnus was clearly taken aback by this statement. Alec knew that his running off with tears in his eyes certainly didn't send the message that he wanted what he was being offered. But he had run off because he had needed to clear his mind, not because he was scared or upset at getting the rune itself.
"Alec, hold on. I think you need to slow down for a second." Magnus's voice was full of both love and pain.
"What? I thought you wanted this? This is our chance to make everything okay again, to fix our relationship," Alec was practically pleading, but he didn't care. He just wanted to stay with Magnus for as long as possible; that was really all he had ever wanted.
Magnus took a deep breath and Alec could tell that this situation was bothering him more than Alec had thought it would. "Alexander, you need to slow down because I'm scared that if you use the rune, this will end in me being hurt."
Alec had never been so stunned in his life. How could the two of them being together forever cause Magnus any pain? "Wh- what are you talking about? I'm not sure I understand." His voice was weak when he finally found the courage to speak.
Magnus's voice was kind when he began to explain, "Alec, you need to realize that you will lose Simon, Clary, and Isabelle. Not to mention Jace. You won't see any of them again. You won't see Max again either. Well, of course, unless something kills you but that's unlikely for a pretty long time at the very least."
Magnus paused, taking a breath as though trying to keep himself together. Alec squeezed his hand, yet stayed silent, not daring to talk until Magnus was done.
"If you're going to take this rune, then I need you to promise me a couple of things, Alexander. I need your word."
Alec didn't hesitate for a second before replying, "Absolutely anything, Magnus. You know that."
"I want you- No, I need you to- I," His voice was strained; he was unable to form a full sentence. "I need you to promise me that you won't do either of two things. Firstly, I need to know that you're not going to get bored with me after so many years." He held up a hand to keep Alec from protesting. "I also need to know that when you've lost everyone you currently have, you won't leave me. You won't take your own life to be with them again. No matter what. It wouldn't be fair for me to get my hopes up, to be so utterly happy that I have you, and then for you to leave me in any form."
He finally looked Alec straight in the eyes. When Alec looked back at him, he could clearly see the immense hope written everywhere on Magnus's face. But that hope was mixed with a terrible fear as well. Alec looked down at his hands, unable to bear the pain and fear in Magnus's eyes, yet unable to form any kind of answer.
"Magnus," His voice was crystal clear when he began, something that surprised both of them. "Now that you've put it that way, I really need some time to think about it before saying one way or the other."
Magnus stood up immediately, suddenly so full of rage that Alec couldn't find a way to respond. "Of course you do, Alexander." His voice was cold, hard, and distant.
"What's your problem, Magnus? I haven't said no. I just need to make sure that I can promise that, so I don't hurt you."
"Just forget it," was the only reply he was given before Magnus stormed out of the greenhouse.
Alec didn't have the courage to leave. He was utterly confused as to why Magnus had reacted in such a way. He was the one who had told Alec to slow down on the decision. Why would he get angry when Alec agreed that he needed more time?
He sighed innerly when he saw who his next visitor was. "No, Jace. I am not in the mood for this right now. Just leave me alone."
Jace tried, and failed, to hide the amusement in his voice. "Not a chance. Clary and I were almost killed by a very angry Magnus busting out of the Institute in full rage. I'm not leaving until I know what happened to cause that."
Alec was tempted to smack the smirk off of Jace's face when he relented and began to explain what had just happened.
Jace was silent when he finished; he slowly turned toward Alec, confusion clear on his face as well. "Wait a second. I don't really understand. What did you to wrong again?" Alec shrugged and Jace took that as a cue to continue. "I mean, you haven't said anything either way yet, and, frankly, you do need to take some time with it. Anyone with half a mind can see that you love him more than the entire world. I'm not sure I get why he's acting this way."
"Yeah, me either," Jace turned back to see Alec with his arms wrapped around himself, as if trying to hold himself together. He sat back down and lightly shoved Alec with his shoulder.
"Hey, everything will turn out fine. But you need to pick what's going to make you the happiest, no matter what that is."
Alec's voice was shaking when he replied. "Yeah, that would make sense. But an angel sent it, Jace. There must be a reason I'm supposed to be immortal other than the fact that I love Magnus more than anything. What happens if I don't take it?"
Jace shook his head, "I don't know. But what I do know is that whatever you decide, Magnus will be okay with it eventually. Just don't force yourself to do it for him, or anyone else."
Alec smiled and grabbed Jace's hand. "Thanks for understanding, bro. I have to go make this right, though, it can't wait."
Jace watched as Alec practically ran out of the greenhouse. He smiled to himself before leaving, wondering how he'd ever once thought that any of them could live without Magnus.