Disclaimer- I do not own the mortal instruments series, nor the characters.

Author's note Hello everyone! Sorry this took so long, I've been battling some serious writer's block! I have offically finished this little fan-fic, and will be taking a short break before beginning more.

Thank you to ALL who reviewed, you are all amazing and I love you all!

Malec to the end, I know that I will see you all again soon

-NinjaKitten

After dinner at Taki's, Alec had gone back to the institute with Isabelle. She insisted that he train with her, for she had skipped the morning because she was lonely. "I don't like you being gone, especially when Jace is constantly either moody, or getting fixed from some curse." Alec would have smiled had he not been so worried for Jace.

Alec had ended up training with Isabelle for a good few hours before an alarm went and they were sent on a mission. Without Jace, the two seemed unbalanced. Though it was an easy enough mission, Alec and Isabelle returned with a fair array of bruises.

"We need Jace back," Isabelle concluded as she pulled her dirty boots off, cringing slightly when she bent down.

"I know."

Alec walked into his flat, kicking his boots off and throwing his key onto the table. Sighing, Alec shrugged his coat off, tossing it onto the couch without glancing at it. Running a hand through his dark hair, Alec frowned as it flicked down into his eyes; he needed a hair-cut.

Reaching the kitchen, Alec stared into the fridge; even though the fridge itself was packed, Alec's creativeness-and energy lever-was running low. However, Alec's rumbling stomach kept Alec from walking away from the fridge-and at an attempt to salvage a meal-Alec pulled bread, onions, and so on from the kitchen. Heaping the ingredients onto the marble island, Alec proceeded to cut slices of cheese, put the bread in the toaster, and cut onions; sniffing slightly a few moments later, Alec had finished his sandwich. Staring at it moodily, Alec ate it quickly; no, it wasn't a great meal, but it would keep him until Magnus came back and made something proper for him.

Walking back into the living room, Alec stared at the tv, confused. "I didn't turn the tv on," Alec muttered as he stared at the man droning on about some disaster on the news. Immediately on edge, Alec looked around the room with narrowed eyes, crouching slightly. Alec cursed himself for not carrying a seraph blade-or at least a knife!-on him.

A figure rose from the couch; Alec prepared to lunge forward until the golden hair began shining in the streak of sunlight. "Jace?" Alec asked incredulously. Though Alec straightened out of his defensive crouch, he still stared at Jace with narrowed, cautious eyes.

Jace standing in the living room, uninvited, reminded Alec too much of their last encounter, and Alec glared at the boy, unwilling to allow the scene to replay itself. "How did you escape the silent brothers?" He asked through clenched teeth.

Something was different though; Jace's eyes were alight with both happiness and guilt; Jace had always been skilled at schooling his features into an unreadable mask, but Alec could read lines of regret pulling his lips into a scowl, as well as his eyebrows, squeeze into a small frown. Alec could always read Jace, except for the past few weeks. "I didn't necessarily escape," Jace hedged, obviously uncomfortable with Alec's hostility. Jace seemed bare, and his voice seemed raw with confusion and uncertainty. Alec's scowl in reply seemed to not help Jace. "I was cured, if that's what you wanted to know, but the Silent Brother's wanted to keep me around for more experimenting." Jace shrugged slightly, looking a bit more like himself. "I didn't want to stay, so I left." He sounded ridiculously cool about the situation, but Alec knew better, hearing the slight waver in his voice.

"How do I know you're 'cured?'" Alec asked, putting quotations around 'cured' while staring at him with untrusting eyes. In reply, Jace slowly unbuttoned his shirt; before Alec could question him, Jace pulled the shirt to show a large red welt on his chest, where the red possession mark had been before. There was a scar from where Clary had cut the mark, but the welts must have been from the removal of the mark. However, Alec remained skeptical. "And your connection with Sebastion?"

Sighing, Jace raked a hand through his hair. His eyes hardened at Alec's snappy tone. "I don't know Alec, I didn't come to answer every one of your damned questions!" Jace seemed unsettled, his eyes never stopping on anything as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

"Then you can leave," Alec replied with a cold, flat voice; his eyes were hardened sapphires, his lips a thin line. "I don't want you here, so if you don't have a reason to be here, feel free to leave." Alec knew that he was being unreasonable, but he couldn't help it. Jace had cut through his heart, stabbing at his every defense; Alec understood that it hadn't exactly been Jace, but the hurt was real and deep. Seeing Jace just reopened the wounds.

"Alec, I know the things that I said to you." Jace almost whispered. Alec felt his anger wavering as he watched his brother at his lowest. The boy's eyes were shining, though he blinked back the tears; Jace did not cry. "I know every word that I threw at you, and I saw your face as I did it. I know that I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I wanted you to know that it wasn't me, not really." Jace seemed to be waging a war inside himself, and Alec instantly felt like a complete asshole.

Jace would be punishing himself enough for Alec; When Jace had hurt Clary, he never forgave himself, despite Clary's constant reassurance that "it hadn't been him." Alec knew that there was nothing worse to Jace than being powerless, especially as he hurt others, and Alec knew that he was not helping. His features instantly softening, Alec took a step toward Jace. "I'm sorry Jace, I shouldn't be judging you so harshly. It just hurt so much. I hadn't been thinking properly." Jace seemed unaffected by Alec's apology, and Alec sighed, knowing that it would be hard to lift Jace from his self-hatred. "Jace, don't worry, I'm over it," Alec lied. "I knew straight away that you weren't being yourself. You couldn't control what happened."

When Alec had finished speaking, Jace had been shaking his head, hands covering his face from Alec's view. "No, Alec, this is all my fault," Jace argued, his voice muffled through his hands. "I am too weak! I keep allowing excuses to cover my actions, but eventually I will have to stand up to them." Jace looked up to Alec and Alec was hit with the overwhelming sadness in his brother's eyes. "I will never forgive myself for the things I said to you. You are the strongest person in the world for the things you've done for love." Jace's voice broke and he paused, trying to collect himself. "I only wanted you to know that I did not mean a word of what I said to you," Jace murmured before standing up.

Looking up, confused, Alec asked, "Are you really leaving already?" Alec didn't want to see Jace go in his state; he would end up killing himself.

"I don't belong here, Alec."

Alec had a feeling that Jace was talking about much more than just in Magnus's apartment.

"No Jace, you belong anywhere I am. You are my parabatai and more importantly, my brother." Alec lifted a hand to Jace's shoulder, and was encouraged when Jace didn't shake it off. "I have already forgiven you, for there is nothing to forgive. It wasn't you Jace." Alec smiled softly at his brother. "I only care that you are now free, and we can finally get onto killing that bastard Sebastion."

Jace's eyes instantly alighted with excitement, though the self-loathing was still there, hidden deep for now. It was all that Alec could hope for, for now. "He will die," Jace promised, his eyes darkening with pure hatred. Just as Jace was about to elaborate, he was picked up by the scruff of the neck, and thrown to the ground. Jace looked up blankly, looking about as shocked as Alec felt.

Looking up, Alec took in the tall figure of a very intimidating, very angry Magnus Bane. His cat eyes were glowing, narrowed slits, and his fiery hands were glowing, shooting blue sparks. Jace stood, his expression unreadable as he faced Magnus; he did not defend himself even as Magnus grabbed him again and threw him to the ground.

Only then did Alec's initial shock fade and he jumped up from the couch, shouting, "Magnus! No, Jace didn't do anything!" Magnus ignored Alec, stalking toward the fallen shadowhunter. Alec jumped in front of Jace before Magnus could reach him, throwing his hands wide. "Magnus," Alec shouted louder, commanding the Warlock's attention; Alec had to admit that the Warlock's fury was frightening when Magnus turned his eyes on him. "Magnus, please listen," he pleaded, walking closer to him.

The Warlock's hands went out, sending one last bolt of blue lightening before he dropped them, sighing. Jace was now sitting up, his face bruised as he cradled his one arm. "Magnus, Jace is better now. He had been controlled by Sebastion's curse, and it's only now been removed by the Silent Brothers." Alec motioned toward Jace's opened shirt where the red welt could be seen.

Magnus's eyes softened slightly from the enraged fury from before as spoke, however he still shot glares at Jace. "And what? He came here to apologize?" Magnus glared at Jace. "Some things cannot be so easily forgiven, shadowhunter."

Jace seemed to agree completely, but Alec jumped in before he could. "Magnus, he always has my forgiveness, because he never actually did it." Magnus seemed unwilling to look at Alec, but when the Warlock's eyes finally settled on him, the last of the anger seemed to ebb away, leaving a rather drained Warlock behind.

"Are you alright?" Magnus asked, looking at Alec. Alec himself was surprised, for Jace was the one bruised and broken. He smiled and nodded before motioning toward Jace. "Magnus?" Alec pleaded. Though Magnus obviously understood Alec with that one word, he didn't seem happy about it as he walked up to Jace and, with glowing hands, seemed to heal the shadowhunter's wounds. Jace tried to protest, but Magnus ignored him.

"Where did you get your bruises from, Alec?" Magnus asked before shooting a quick glare to Jace. "If I didn't come from him."

Only then did Alec remember that he had previously been fairly beaten up by the demons with Isabelle. "Oh," Alec muttered. A slight blush came to his cheeks as embarrassment washed over him; it had been such an easy mission! "Well me and Izzy had a run in with some demons. We weren't really prepared," Alec replied, watching Jace carefully. He hoped that Jace understood what he meant, and, more importantly, that he was needed back at the institute. Jace, however, seemed too caught up in his own misery to notice.

"And what are you still doing here, pray tell?" Magnus asked non-to kindly as he looked at Jace; at least his hands had stopped glowing. Jace, obviously taking the hint, walked to the bootroom, pulling his boots on.

Shooting Magnus a "Your-not-helping" look, Alec followed Jace. The boy remained silent until he had finished tying up his boots. "I'm sorry Alec, I will not bother you both anymore." Jace turned to leave, but Alec caught his arm, frowning. "Jace, I don't want you to disappear! If you left, Izzy would be devastated, and," pulling the guilt card, Alec finished, "It would hurt me more than those words ever could. Especially knowing I was the reason you left."

Jace seemed torn, but he nodded slightly. "Well, I suppose we can all focus on finding Sebastion," his eyes sparked with anger at the name. "Then figure everything out later." Jace smiled slightly, and Alec felt his heart skip a beat. No, he wasn't caught up in the golden-boy's smile, he was merely happy to see the boy rising from his dark stupor.

"Alright, I'll be around later to begin deciding on our next plan of action," Alec told his brother, his smile full of relief. "And Jace," Alec added, his smile spreading to a joking grin. "How about you just go straight to the institute? No detours, ok?"

Pushing Alec affectionately, Jace nodded before leaving. Alec sighed, feeling as though a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders; one that he had unconsciously been holding. Turning back to Magnus, Alec gulped in fear; Magnus still looked pissed. "So, uh, how has your day been?" Alec asked meekly, taking an uncertain step forward.

Magnus stood, his expression changing from sarcastic, to angry, to blank, before finally landing on annoyed. "Well, I've just had the best time, Alec, thanks for asking!" He stomped into their bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

Sighing, Alec knew that he had to follow. He couldn't leave things like that. "Magnus," Alec called as he walked toward the bedroom. Pushing the door opened timidly, Alec asked, "Magnus, where are you?"

The Warlock suddenly appeared in front of Alec, his amber eyes shining with anger. "I'm right here Alec! Yet it doesn't really matter if I'm here, with a client, or on the fucking mood, because it seems that my opinion doesn't seem to even reach you!" Magnus huffed before turning away, stalking to the other side of the room and gazing out of the window.

Alec understood Magnus's anger; he had always been so frustrated with Alec's confused affection toward Jace, but Alec was past that. Now he only felt brotherly affection and concern. He also understood that it had been so hard for Magnus to handle Alec's pain and despair from Jace's words, and even hard to just up and forgive him, but Alec had to make him understand too. "Magnus, please-"

"NO, Alec!" Magnus burst, interrupted Alec. He still remained facing the window, though his shoulders were tense. "When will you realize that not everything may be forgiven with a small smack on the hand and then a hug?" Alec took a step toward Magnus, unsure. "When Jace is upset, the whole world has to be put on hold so that everyone can hug him, tell him he's great, and shower him with praise until his giant ego has been lifted! He is not the angel child you all believe him to be," Magnus was passed annoyed now, his voice shaking with frustration and anger.

Alec touched Magnus gently on the back, causing the warlock to tense even more, though he still did not meet Alec's eyes. "Magnus, I understand that it's hard for you to forgive him, but he really wasn't at fault here." Finally the warlock turned to Alec, and his eyes burned with anger. "Oh? And what about the time his arrogance almost got you killed with that demon?" Magnus asked, voice drenched with sarcasm. "I mean, it was a small mistake, what's the matter? Oh, and what about when he almost got me band from the clave because he went to visit his father behind my back? No, "Jace that was bad, naughty Jace" No! Instead everyone felt sorry for him for his terrible past!"

Alec watched the warlock with wide eyes; he'd rarely seen Magnus so completely enraged. "I realize that we have been rather sensitive to Jace, but he has been through more than us, and we don't want to watch him fall more and more into his painful memories," Alec explained calmly, despite his shaking hands. Alec didn't want to take sides, but he couldn't help protect Jace, he'd been doing it for so long. "I don't expect you to forgive him," Alec added hurriedly when Magnus's eyes darkened. "But please, try to understand that I have been protecting Jace my entire life. He's my brother, and I would do anything from him." Alec moved closer to Magnus, his hands on the warlock's chest. "Just as I would do anything for you."

Finally Magnus's eyes softened and his arms enveloped Alec with a tight grip. "I cannot promise that I will behave, but I know myself of the mistakes of my own past. I was never forgiven for many, and they have haunted me my entire existence." Magnus seemed to almost grudgingly calm down. "I would not wish that on anyone, not even that little demon boy." Alec instantly relaxed into Magnus as the warlock seemed to finally see reason. "But don't expect me to suddenly shower him with kindness," The warlock added, causing Alec to smile as they moved toward the bed.

"I never would expect that, Magnus."

Sorry for the crappy ending! Had NO ideas and just wanted to get it all finished!

UPDATE!

...you know. This ending is just so terrible that I may be tempted to write a short "MOST DEFINITELY" last chapter. But you must show me you want it! (please no one say that's what she said!)