Title: Calls and Closets

Summary: "You hadn't seemed quite out of the closet yet, you know?" Magnus said. Alec choked on a laugh. "I'm not, really. Literally and figuratively." Malec, CoB

Part Two: Promises and Programming

Notes: Well, I had intended to post all these little oneshots separately, but I think compiling them would be a good idea. Unfortunately, this meant that the section I LOVED writing had to be postponed - because I can't post from CoA until CoB is done. There will be only three parts (as far as I know right now). This isn't my favorite thing I've written. In fact, I don't like it much because it was rushed and sort of shoved together. But I think the next chapter is worth it. This is the healing scene, which is less healing and more before the battle. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Mortal Instruments. Or Alec and Magnus.

Alec sniffled against the greenhouse. He hated his allergies, hated hated hated them, but everyone was milling about inside and he didn't want to risk getting walked in on by Jace – or worse, Clary, the nearly mundane who seemed to think she knew everything about him. Isabelle was bad enough.

He punched in Magnus's number and held it up to his ear as the dial tone turned into a ring.

"Magnus Bane the Magnificent speaking, how may I help you?"

"Since when has Magnificent been part of your name?" Alec questioned and reached for a tissue urgently. "Achoo!"

"Alec? Is that you?"

"Yeah," Alec said and wiped at his itchy eyes. "Sorry, I have allergies."

Magnus made a sound that sounded like he was considering something. "I might be able to find a spell about that."

"No, no, don't bother." Alec tried to hold back another sneeze. "I usually don't even come in here."

"What?" Magnus feigned mock surprise. "You're not allergic to the dust bunnies in your closet?"

"Oh, haha, very funny," Alec shot back. "I'm in the greenhouse. Ugh, I hate plants." He sat down against the glass wall, wondering idly why there was an apple core on the ground nearby.

"Why are you there, then? Did rat boy take the closet?"

"No, he left, thank god," Alec said.

"Why are you calling again?" Magnus asked with the nonchalance of someone observing a manicure.

Alec shrugged. "I said I would. If you're busy –"

"Oh, I'm not," Magnus said hurriedly. "One second. Hey, you lot, don't drink too much! I'm going into another room, I have an important call to take!" A door shut on his side of the line.

Alec sneezed and wiped his nose. "You are busy," he accused.

"I see these people almost every day," Magnus excused. "I've only talked to you over the phone once before."

"But if that's business –"

"It's not," Magnus cut in smoothly.

"Promise?" Alec asked. "I don't want you to lose a job because of me."

Magnus laughed. "I don't do promises," he said. "But I can safely assure you that I will not lose business due to you. If anything, I would gain some with such a cute guy by my side."

Alec flushed, but the moment was ruined by another sneeze. "I hate this place," he said again.

"Then why not come over here?" Magnus suggested. "It's just a few werewolves and warlocks over, they're pretty laid back. Except… well, I wouldn't cross this one guy, he's been around almost longer than I, such a pain in the ass, it's like he's got a stick up there. I don't know why I even invite him over…"

"Common courtesy?"

"No, I don't do that," Magnus said. "I guess it must just be because he's the only one I don't have to remind that he's not indestructible. The others are idiots."

"You don't do a lot of things," Alec commented. "Promises, common courtesy… What do you do?"

"A lot of things." Alec could almost see Magnus grinning slyly. "Or people you might want to say."

Alec shifted in his spot uncomfortably. "You're crude sometimes."

"What do you mean?"

"Just… I don't know, you make a lot of innuendos. With the stele at the party and you know, just everything."

Magnus made an annoyed sound. "Of course I do. I've had a while to think them up. I bet Jace uses just as many."

Jace popped into Alec's mind, Jace's excitement, the way he looked at the redheaded girl, the way he wanted Jace to look at him. "No," he lied.

"Right. You mean he doesn't use them on you."

Alec sighed. "Yes. Achoo!"

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Alec sniffled. "Yes, I'm sure. Listen, I actually called for a reason." He blew his nose as quietly as he could.

"To confess your undying love for me that burns like a flame in your heart?" Magnus sounded utterly overdramatic and Alec was sure he knew it.

"No," Alec said quickly. "We know where the Cup is."

There was the sound of something being set down loudly, and then coughing. "Shit, Alec," Magnus said in the middle of gasps. "Don't say things like that when I'm drinking something!"

"I didn't know you were," Alec said. And sneezed. "Sorry."

Magnus managed to get his breath back. "Don't you ever tease like that again," he ordered. "Or I swear, I'll lock you in that closet and you'll never come out." He paused. "Actually, you probably wouldn't mind that. I'll lock you in that closet with rat boy. That's good punishment, and he's probably there, too."

Alec's cheeks were hot. "I mean it! We know where the Cup is. We're going out to get it soon."

"Forgive me for asking, but where is it? And how'd you figure it out?"

Alec shuddered. "Clary," he said simply.

Magnus made a noise of content. "Hm. Good. I didn't damage her too badly, then."

"What's your definition of too badly, then?" Alec asked. "Because she seems pretty messed up to me."

Magnus made a clicking noise with his tongue. "Now, now, Alexander, jealousy isn't becoming. Just because our lovely, conceited friend Jace likes her –"

"You don't even know Jace," Alec interrupted. "He doesn't like her."

Magnus made a disbelieving sound.

"Okay," Alec gave in. "He loves her, whatever, does it matter?"

"No, not really," Magnus said. "I just like hearing you squirm. So… the Mortal Cup, huh?"

"Yep."

"You're really going for it?"

"Before Valentine's cronies do."

Magnus took in a sharp breath. "You know, Alec, your parents –"

"I know," Alec muttered miserably. "I know, they were part of the Circle. And so was Jace's dad."

"I've met your parents, you know," Magnus said offhand. "I have an excellent Clave record for holding prisoners."

Alec wondered what he was trying to tell him. That he'd tortured his parents? Held them under arrest for the Clave until their exile? He couldn't remember that time. He had only been three. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, most importantly, if you ever need someone to magically lock up Clarissa, call me and she's out of the way." Magnus laughed, but Alec didn't find it too funny. Did he have to keep bringing her up? "But seriously, they were good people. I mean, after your mother got over the fact that I was a Downworlder and her son was in my apartment-"

"I was there?"

"Of course, where else would you be? They weren't going to separate you from your parents. I don't remember you much, to be honest. Your mother took you into the guest room and you both stayed there for most of the time." Magnus paused. "I remember you had a blast watching TV, though. I don't think you had ever seen one. It was your first time out of Idris."

Alec was quiet. He tried searching his mind for this instance, for even a glimpse of the colorful warlock in his childhood memories. "I can't remember. Why can't I remember you?"

"You slept most of the time," Magnus supplied. "Your parents were afraid it might be traumatic to such a young mind." He snorted. "Like playing catch would have been traumatic. There wasn't much to do in the apartment. It was as much of an imprisonment of them as it was to us. I couldn't go out without taking them both, and therefore, you. And Mayrse didn't want to be seen with me, obviously."

"I'm sorry," Alec said quietly. He hadn't sneezed for quite a bit, maybe – "Achoo!"

"Bless you," Magnus said for the first time with a laugh. "You know, you and your mother are very similar."

"Really?" Alec wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Usually, he considered it a compliment, but with the way Magnus was speaking, he wasn't sure.

"Yeah. Closed off, sort of standoffish most of the time, don't like being with me in public… I didn't like her much. She seemed very coldhearted."

"Oh."

Magnus continued. "But then I saw her with you and I changed my mind. She reserves her warmth for the people she cares about. That way they can get the best of it."

"I guess she does," Alec said softly. He remembered all the bedtime stories and songs she would sing and the laugh she would make when he was little and tried to tell her a lame knock knock joke. How she let him hold Isabelle the baby even though he was only four years old and reminded him that he was a big brother and had responsibilities. The smile when he showed her his first Marks.

She had never been cold to him, ever, even when he went to show her the most miniscule things. It had been the same with Izzy and Max, and eventually Jace.

"What I'm wondering is – when did you decide that you cared about me?" Magnus asked.

Alec was almost rendered speechless. "What?"

"You're cold to Simon and Clary. You're not cold to me and Jace and your sister. When did you start to care? You're the same as her, Alec, I can tell."

"I don't," Alec murmured, though it was a struggle. "I don't care."

There was silence on the other end. Alec could make out some shouting and glasses being banged before Magnus spoke again. "I really like you, Alec," he said and it sounded painful to admit. "I've been trying to hold back because I know you're not ready for that kind of thing. But it would be nice to know if you liked me back."

Alec couldn't respond to that. He didn't know how. He'd never had somebody like him like that before. And he had only ever liked one other person himself. What was he supposed to say? He tried to think of what Jace would do, but it was all too confident, too cocky, for him to ever pull off.

"Magnus, I'm sorry, I just – achoo!" Alec paused to wipe his nose. "I'm not ready."

"And when will you be ready?"

Alec frowned. "It's been what? Two days? Slow down, please."

"It's because of Jace, isn't it? You're not like him at all, he doesn't like you that way, you don't have a chance with that –"

"Stop it!" Alec said before Magnus could insult Jace. "Just stop. I'm just not ready. Give me a break, I've never…" He trailed off. The words that had once been so concrete in his mind floated away.

Magnus huffed. "Fine. I'll be patient."

Neither said anything for a moment.

"You're scared."

Alec swallowed. "A little," he admitted. "Jace and Isabelle… they'll throw themselves in front of anything without hesitation, This is the Mortal Cup… they're going to get hurt and I don't think –"

"I'll handle it."

Alec's mind felt slow. "What? Achoo! Sorry…"

"Send me a fire message if anyone gets hurt. I can be over in five minutes or less if needed."

Alec narrowed his eyes, even though Magnus couldn't see. "And exactly how much are we being charged for this?"

"Nada."

Alec's jaw dropped. "Nothing?"

"That's what nada means, isn't it? Nada, zip, zilch. I charge you nothing. Just… try to be careful, okay?" Magnus was heard taking another gulp of something. Alec stayed very quiet so he wouldn't make the warlock choke again. "I know you want to take it slower, that's okay, but I still don't want you getting hurt. For Nephilim, your family isn't so bad."

"Really." Alec was disbelieving.

"Yeah. Really. Except that Jace kid and he doesn't count as family, he's not a Lightwood."

Alec smiled. His eyes were starting to itch now – stupid allergies! "Thank you," he said. He wasn't sure what else to say.

"Promise me you will, though."

"You don't do promises. Why should I?"

"Please, Alexander, don't be stubborn."

Alec raised his eyebrows. The full name was a bit much. Magnus could have just said please. Besides, it wasn't like they were going to get hurt. Jace was too good to let anybody get injured on his watch. "I promise I'll send a fire message if anyone gets hurt."

"Swear."

Alec gritted his teeth. "I swear on the Angel that a fire message will be sent if anyone gets hurt."

Magnus made a noise of content. "Good. I'll keep an eye out for it."

"Magnus Bane, you have got to be the most irritating man on Earth."

"That's my goal, darling. Let me know how it goes even if nobody is hurt, okay? I'd like to –"

"Alec?" Hodge's voice rang out in the greenhouse. Panicked, Alec snapped the phone shut and stuck it in his front pocket. He put a hand over the vibrating pocket.

"Over here!" Alec said and stood. He brushed his clothes off and the leaves and dead petals fluttered to the ground.

Hodge reached him only a minute later, his face twisted into confusion. "Were you just talking to Magnus Bane?"

"No," Alec quickly lied, but the phone was still shaking.

"I just…" Hodge shook his head. "Neer mind. I'm getting old. You should go take a shower, get some of those allergens off you."

Alec smiled, more at the fact that the phone had finally stopped and less at Hodge's words. "It wouldn't do to sneeze all over the Cup," he muttered.

Hodge paused and looked around, as if he were being spied on. "Be careful, Alec," he said softly.

Alec set his jaw. Everyone kept assuming he wouldn't be careful. He was always careful – that was why he was such a bad fighter! That was why Jace, a full year younger, was one of the most praised Shadowhunters in their age group and he was just there. The sidekick. Sure, he was Jace's parabatai, but when was the last time he actually did the fighting and not the clean up?

"I will be," he said, but it was another lie. He wasn't going to be careful this time. He was going to do something.

He was going to be like Jace.

Alec woke to cold fingers on his bare torso.

A part of him wanted to jerk up, to yell out in surprise, do anything but lay there with his eyes shut, but it hurt too much to even think. He did manage to gasp.

Someone chuckled beside him. "Just a minute." Magnus's voice was smooth and silky and Alec's muscles relaxed. It wasn't some demon planning to cut him open and eat his insides or something.

A lightening bolt of warmth went up his spine. Alec's hands curled into fists against the pain, fighting a scream.

"Okay, you're good for now."

Alec didn't open his eyes or relax in any way. "What happened?" His voice was completely shot. His throat felt like it was being sanded down.

The cool touch moved from his chest to his hand. Magnus slowly worked his fingers into Alec's fist, loosening the grip. "Relax," he murmured. "You need to relax if you want to heal."

"What happened?"

"You got poisoned by a demon." Alec felt a sweaty strand of hair be swept off his face. "Someone sent a fire message to me. Like I requested."

"I didn't tell anyone though."

"Hodge Starkweather sent it," Magnus said. A sharp knock on the door was followed by Isabelle's shouts.

"Magnus? Magnus, please let me in. You can't make me stay out here. I heard him talk he's awake. Please?"

Alec heard something be shifted.

"Come in, Isabelle," Magnus said finally. "But try to be calm."

The door creaked open.

"How are you feeling, Alec?" Isabelle asked softly and his now unclenched fist was taken by her small one.

"Like I was poisoned by a demon," he said with a tiny smile.

Isabelle gave a little teary laugh. "I'm so glad you're alive and okay. Magnus said… he said…" She sniffed. "Said that another few minutes and even he wouldn't have been able to save you."

Alec cracked his eyes open a slit to peer at her. "I'm okay," he swore and squeezed her fingers. "I'll be fine. Where are Jace and the mundies?"

Isabelle straightened up. "I don't know," she admitted. "Jace just… disappeared and Clary ran out to someplace. And Simon –"

"I don't really care about him."

Isabelle rolled her eyes. "You asked about the mundies. Plural. But I guess you don't care about Clary much, either."

He tried to shrug. "I don't want her dead anymore, but if she's not around I don't particularly care, sure."

Alec shut his eyes again. Magnus had stepped back, retreated to give the siblings space, but the color still hurt to look at.

"Jace will be okay, I'm sure," Isabelle said confidently. "Hodge is gone, too. I don't know what happened – I guess his curse got lifted or something? But maybe they went together."

Alec laughed. "If Jace took Hodge out for his first time in sixteen years, I'm concerned more for Hodge than Jace."

Isabelle giggled, too. "Me, too."

"May I?" Magnus asked Isabelle graciously for something.

Isabelle took a step to the side and dropped his hand. Magnus picked it up a second later and stretched out his arm.

"Ah," Alec went, his eyes stinging. "Ow, don't do that!"

Magnus spread his fingers around his elbow and another shock went through. "I have to do it in segments," he explained. "You're still a little poisoned, but the worst is out. I got it away from your heart. And I can't use too much magic on you at once."

"Could you give me some warning?"

"No. Hearing a Shadowhunter admit that they're not powerful enough to avoid pain makes my day."

"I didn't admit any –" Alec gasped as Magnus tested his arm, bending it and straightening it again.

Magnus set it down gently and laid an ice pack on it. "That, darling, was just your confession of pain. Try to open your eyes."

With a sigh, Alec opened them slowly. Everything swam for a few seconds before snapping into their proper place.

"Isabelle, help him sit up," Magnus ordered. He brought a cup to Alec's mouth. "Drink this."

Alec gulped the liquid helplessly, unsure what sort of potion the warlock was shoving down his throat. It turned out to be water and it felt good. He grabbed for the glass and tipped it more into his mouth. It was empty too quickly.

"Now this." Magnus handed him a purple liquid. Alec eyed him carefully.

"It's purple."

"Is there a problem with that?" Magnus narrowed his eyes so that his glitter eyeshadow was more prominent. "I happen to like purple."

Alec blushed. "I just… I just didn't realize that potions came in pastels."

Magnus and Isabelle exchanged a look, each smiling to themselves.

"Take it. It'll help you sleep."

Alec obliged and within minutes was fast asleep.

When he woke up again, he was fully clothed. He could open his eyes easily.

Magnus was sitting in the chair beside him, sweaty with glowing hands as they worked over his legs. He looked distressed, even scared.

"What's wrong?"

Magnus started, his fingers trembling a little. Nervously, he turned to Alec. "Move your legs," he said in a shaky voice.

Alec frowned. "What?"

"Move them, Alec, for God's sake, move them. Kick me if you want."

Alec didn't want to kick the man. He shifted his leg slightly to the side and then shifted the other. "They're fine. Why?"

Magnus slumped in relief. "The poison got really bad over there. I… I thought I had gotten the worst out but once you were asleep, you started thrashing your arms and I checked you legs, they were turning…" Magnus gulped and shuddered. "They're not looking so good still. But better." He pursed his lips. "I was starting to think I would have to amputate."

"Can you do that?"

Magnus looked at Alec in all seriousness. "I've performed the surgery before, if that's what you're asking. If I'm allowed – well, anything to save your life."

Alec didn't understand. Why was he so determined to save him? He'd been stupid, he'd been dumb, he'd tried to be Jace… Magnus was right. He was nothing like his parabatai.

He felt like a failure.

"You look exhausted," he said awkwardly, not sure how their phone conversations could adjust to being face to face.

Magnus nodded. "I'm drained. I'm going to sleep for three days and recharge myself." He smoothed the blanket back over Alec, pausing at his legs.

"You have a bulge in your pants," he reported, a twinkle back in his eyes.

Alec couldn't sit up, let alone jump to his feet, even though he wanted to. "What?"

Magnus drew back the blanket again and took a now crushed cell phone out of Alec's pocket. "I can't believe you didn't notice. Didn't it stab you?"

Alec shrugged and took the phone mournfully. It hadn't lasted very long at all. Still, the damage was impressive. He decided to save it. He and Jace had a collection of broken phones. They went through several a year. So far, the prized phone was one of Jace's that had been cut clean into two by an astray seraph blade.

Alec actually grinned as he observed the plastic, which had several metal bits and wires sticking out oddly. It barely looked like a phone anymore. This would so top it.

"Can you put this in the top drawer?" he asked and handed it to Magnus. Magnus frowned but reached over to deposit it in the phone drawer.

"Do I want to know why you have a pink phone with flowers in there that looks like it was turned pink with blood?"

Alec laughed. "Actually, that was pink in the first place. The blood only broke it. That was Izzy's first one. Oh and can you grab me one from the second drawer?"

Magnus set a new phone on his stomach. Alec flipped it open and scrolled through the contacts. "Mom, Dad, Institute, Jace, Izzy… Okay, this one is programmed. I just need to activate it later." He smiled and set it on a nearby table.

Magnus picked it up, amused. "You have a supply of preprogrammed phones?"

"They break really easily. It's not hard anyway. We only need a few numbers. Home, my parents, each other, and all the fast food restaurants within five blocks."

Magnus scrolled through again, his thumb pressing lightly on the down button. "You're missing something."

"What? That pizza place? We haven't put that into them yet but we're going to."

Magnus rolled his eyes and punched a few buttons. "No." He slipped the phone into Alec's pocket. "Me." He smiled. "You know, when I asked if you were scared, I didn't mean about the Cup."

Alec swallowed, but his throat was dry again. "What did you mean?"

Magnus ran his palm down Alec's cheek. "Us. Are you scared of us?"

Alec flinched away. "Magnus, I'm not ready, I told you, I can't –"

"Let me try one thing," Magnus murmured and Alec's heart pounded as he leaned in. Adrenaline raced through his veins and he went slack in the warlock's arms.

Magnus's lips were soft. It was just a peck, lasting less than three seconds, if that long. But when he pulled away, Alec couldn't say anything.

"We'll take it slow. I promise. Just give me a chance. It would have killed me to see you die tonight."

Alec took Magnus's hand and nodded slowly. He could do that. He could try. A chance didn't take too much. And maybe Magnus was right – he didn't have a shot with Jace. "I thought you didn't promise."

Magnus rubbed his thumb against the back of Alec's hand. "You're an exception."

Notes: I hope you enjoyed it! Again, not my favorite bit of writing, but I tried my best. I kept all of your advice with Alec in mind (and trust me, it was hard! I agree, Alec probably doesn't curse that much - But I unfortunately do! It was a good practice for breaking the habit, though, so thanks) and appreciated each and every review. Reviews help me get through my day/week/life, so anything you have to say about this chapter would be greatly appreciated and loved and cherished. I tried to reply to as many as possible, but things got hectic and I haven't sent any replies to the more recent ones. SO, here's to you: THANK YOU! As a thanks (and encouragement to stick around), here's a sneak peek:

"What are you not sure about doing?"

"You," Alec blurted out before he could stop himself. He bit his lip instantly, so hard he thought he might draw blood. Why had he said that?

Magnus laughed. "Well, no offense, but I'm pretty sure you're not ready to do me yet. I think you'd have to be pretty hammered to do that right now."

(Insert shameless self advertisements: If you're in the mood for a little bit of the cliche Magnus/Alec angst with a twist about Alec being mortal and Magnus being immortal, check out Forever Doesn't Last. Chapter Three due as soon as I can get it ready for read-ability. Unlike I did with the above chapter)