Price to pay Chapter 5 : Comfort, a shadowhunters fanfic

Chapter 5 : Comfort :

Alec peeled as many files as he could as he impatiently waited at the Institute for Magnus, his parabataï and Clay to return from their mission to Ragnor Fell. The two shadowhunters arrived an hour later in the main hall and Alec immediately stood up to join them :

-What happened ?

Izzy rushed to them :

-Are you fine ?

-Yes. We were attacked. Ragnor Fell is dead…

Alec's blood froze in his veins :

-Where is Magnus ?

-He stayed there. He's alright, Clay reassured him. He said he would take everything home to study Ragnor's stuff and see if he can find anything to help us wake up my mother.

-Better not to disturb him for the moment, said Jace.

The elder Lightwood nodded. He didn't like the idea of knowing Magnus alone there, with his soul bruised by the loss of a friend, but he probably needed some space to vent his anger and sorrow :

-Come with me, said Jace.

The trio followed the blond into one of the armories :

-There is something wrong. We were attacked at Ragnor Fell's place. Valentin knew we would be there.

-You think there is a mole at the Institute ?

-It's not possible. It's our family we're talking about here, Isabelle scolded.

Jace turned his attention to Lydia. He could see her in the main surveillance room :

-Everyone is not part of the family.

-It's not her, said Alec.

-How can you be sure ?

-She was busy with me to plan our wedding and unplan it, after Magnus canceled it. But she could not warn Valentine of an affait in which she had scarcely feet.

-He scores a point, said Clary. But I can still talk with her to see.

Alec winced, he didn't agree with this idea, but apparently Jace didn't seem to want to let go of it :

-Okais, but I want all the details of this conversation.

Clary nodded and left the room. Jace and Alec were going to do the same, not without being glanced half sad, half angry, but Isabelle intervenes :

-You're not going anywhere. You have to talk to each other.

The blond opened her mouth to answer, but she cut him off :

-I don't want to hear anything like an excuse. You need to discuss and you will do it now !

Isabelle gave them a look that destroyed the slightest initiative to pass. She took care to stay not far from the door to be sure that the two parabataï were going to talk to each other to solve their problem. Jace and Alec looked at each other without saying at first and then the blond broke the silence :

-I don't know how we did to find ourselves in such a situation. But I know that my life is much more difficult to manage since we don't talk anymore.

-Mine too, end to said Alec.

-Recently you could think that I made foolish choices.

The black-haired nodded positively :

-I know you think I only thought of myself… And Clary. Without worrying for a minute about the consequences on others. What I can tell you is that there were times when it was complicated.

Jace walked to his parabataï :

-But you must know that I always did what I did because I thought that was right. And I never wanted to make you suffer… I'm sorry.

Alec's thoughts were spinning in his mind, but the words came out alone and his heart relieved :

-I know… It's just that… I was swimming in psychodrama.

-Yeah… Besides, you're tied to an obscure creature.

-And Clary is your sister. How are you managing this ?

-Oooh, damnit, do not launch me on this subject. Pity.

Alec smiled at the overwhelming air of his parabataï as they settled together on a small sofa. They talked for a moment about Jace/Clary situation before the blond asked :

-How is it with Magnus ?

-It's okay.

-He asked nothing… You see…

The cheeks of the Lightwood ignited :

-No, he didn't ask, tried nothing.

-And this collar ?

-I don't really know what to think

Alec sighed deeply, which made Jace laugh:

-That's a fun situation.

-It's embarrassing, not funny.

-Maybe, but it's better that he doesn't hurt you.

-That's right, sighs the black-haired boy.

Jace patted him on the back:

-Everything will be alright. We will find a way to break this contract, or force him to do so.

-Maybe.

Alec was convinced that Magnus wasn't going to come back on this contract so easily. When they left the room, they didn't miss the satisfied smile of Isabelle. She had managed to reconcile her stupid brothers and it these times of threat, it was a good thing that they are a team again.

Night was falling and Alec had joined his room at the Institute. He was staring at his phone. The shadowhunter was reluctant to contact Magnus. What shoul he do ? Come in ? Stay here for the night ? He took a deep breath before sending a simple text to the warlock. "I learned for Ragnor. I'm sorry… Do you want me to come home tonight ?" He didn't have to wait very long to get an answer. "You would be too much of a diversion in the face of everything I have to do. Stay at the Institute tonight." Alec didn't think he would be disappointed with this answer. But he was. But he understood that Magnus needs time and focus on studying the property of his late friend. The hunter took a good sgower before going to sleep. He had only spent one night with Magnus, but his bed at the Institute seemed colt to him without the warlock. Alec had trouble falling asleep…

The hunter woke up at the first light of the day after having slept badly. He put a hand on his face, sighing before looking at the screen of his phone. No news from Magnus. Alec sighed again, should he send him a message ? Call him ? He didn't know, so he chose to do… Nothing and get to work. He took a shower before putting on clothes and joining his post at the Institute. He plunged into the files that covered his desk, but his thoughts always ended up drifting towards Magnus. Was the warlock well ? Had he found anything to stop Valentin ? Isabelle gave him a pat on the back :

-Are you well Alec ?

-He said I was going to distract him…

-It's more than likely. But don't worry. I'm sure he'll be contacting you soon for asking you to come at his place.

The elder of the Lightwood hoped with all his heart that this would be the case. Really.

No news from Magnus during the day. Alec was more and more worried, especially since the warlock had not responded to the message he send on noon. Was he so busy ? Or had he plunged into alcohol to make up for the pain of losing his friend ? The hunter didn't know and that made him anxious. He should not. He should not. He should not worry so much about an obscure creature… Except it was not an obscure creature… It was Magnus. The warlock who helped them. A warlock who was still helping them find a way to stop Valentin… A warlock he… Appreciated… A lot. No, it was more than that. Magnus made him feel things that no one had ever made him feel. He yearned for his touch, for his presence… Just for him. Alec was drawn from his thoughts by the sound of heeled shoes. It wasn't shadowhuners' shoes, could it be… ? The black-headed looks away from his folders. His heart began to beat faster as his eyes opened wide and an immense relief invaded his whole being. Magnus was there. Alec jumped up from his chair and rushed to the warlock. He turned his head towards him and smiled:

-Alexan…

Magnus didn't have time to finish his sentence. The hunter hugged him forcefully. He didn't care about the others' eyes on them, he had died of anxiety for the warlock and he was relieved to see him here. Alec stepped back and looked closely at the warlock's face :

-You're okay ?

Magnus seemed surprised at the question. The real anxiety of the hunter touched him in the depths of his being. It was so rare that we care about him instead of asking him to do something :

-I'm fine Alexander, the warlock said with a smile. I even found something to help you.

-I will look for the others.

In fact, Magnus followed him step through the Institute to find Clary and Jace. They were all four in one of the meeting rooms to be in peace. Magnus made different objects appear on the central table :

-Here are the items related to the magic I found at Ragnor's place. But it remains to be seen which one can lead us to the white book.

Clary almost immediately stretch to a particular object :

-Look at this bookmark. I have already seen it. In the parallel dimension, you showed me a grimoire. It was inside, it was necessarily the white book.

-If you're right, with that, you can find the one who has the grimoire.

Jace shrugged :

-Okais, he said moving his arm to catch the bookmark.

He planned to use his tracking ability with the help of Alec and their parabataï link. But Magnus was far ahead of him in seizing the object :

-At this game, warlocks are stronger, he said proudly.

It was aslo a way of making sure that Jace didn't touch Alec. Magnus took a deep breath, closed his eyes and concentrated on using his magic. And of course, Alec was watching him closely. Fascinated. He suddently opened his eyes, shocked :

-Well, there is a good news and a bad news. The good thing is thaht I know who has the book. The bad thing… It's Camille.

-Camille ?, repeated a disgusted Clary of this answer.

The whole group was pretty depressed to know that it was the vampire who owned the book:

-Apparently, Rapahel decided to lock her up at DuMort Hotel.

-I hit her the last time, she will not help me, said Clary.

-We will not leave her any choice, Jace reassured her. Do not worry.

After a short silence, Jace left the room, closely followed by Clary, they had things to say to each other. Magnus and Alec exchanged a look, then Magnus snapped his fingers. The objects all disappeared from the table :

-Magnus ?

-Hmm ?

-If… If you need to talk about… Ragnor's death… I'm here.

The warlock was once again surprised but very touched by the hunter's comments. So, he smiles again:

-Thank Alewander.

The hunter approchaed the warlock. And he stopped asking all the questions that were running though his mind. He wanted to be there for Magnus, he wanted to be shoulder on which to cry, to lean. He wanted to tell his days to the warlock and listen to his. He wanted to took care of him. He wanted to be with him. Then he took his courage with both hands, like the collar of the warlock's jacket and he kissed him. Without any hesitation. If Magnus was surprised, he wasn't slow in responding to the kiss. He even went to catch the hunter's lips as he recoiled slightly to catch his breath. Their eyes met and Magnus could discover all the love Alec felt for him. Love who quickly turned into panic when Alec became aware that some hunters were watching them, including his parents and his sister :

-You will never stop surprising me.

-What did I do ?, Alec whispered.

Maryse and Robert went immediately to them. If Magnus chooses to retreat, Alec stays firmly on his feet :

-What are you doing Alec ? Does this obscure creature use his powers on you ?

Magnus grit his teeth but says nothing :

-Magnus doesn't use his power on me. I kissed him on my own.

Maryse remained silent for a minute :

-You cancel your marriage, you bind your life by a contract to an obscure creature, you flout the honor of our family… I don't recognize you anymore.

His mother's words were harsh and they angered Alec as much as they hurt him :

-However, I am the same. You must understand that now I don't hide it anymore.

Maryse's eyes slid to Magnus :

-All this for an obscure creature, she whispers before turning on her heel and leaving the room. Robert went on to his son :

-Let her time.

A silence settled down as they all watched the mother leave the room :

-And you ?, Alec asked.

-It's beyond me I recognize it. But what do you want ? The world changes.

Then, he frowned questioningly :

-Your story dates from before the contract ? Are you in love ?

Alec smiled uncomfortably as Magnus took on an air clearly saying "This question comes a little early":

-Lover ? We ? No. No, no, well… It's not exactly that.

Alec glanced at Magnus to say "help me". And the warlock intervenes :

-In fact, it's all new.

The eldest of the children Lightwood nodded. That's it, that was it. Robert nodded, but very slowly, as if helping his thoughts reach his brain :

-I see.

He put a hand on his son's shoulder before saying :

-I will take care of your mother.

And he left the room. Isabelle, who had approached, gave them a smile before saying :

-I am proud of you Alec.

The words of his sister did him the greatest good. And he offered her a sincere smile before she eclipsed at her turn. Magnus felt he needed to relax Alec, otherwise he was going to have a heart attack soon :

-You know what I just realized, we didn't even have a first date.

The hunter smiles :

-That's true. You're right. We went through an unprecedented stage called "tied his life by contract".

Magnus winced slightly :

-But… You want us to go for a drink… You and me ?

-I's love to.

-Awesome.

The two men really needed a moment of relaxation just for them. Alec took a step to leave but Magnus grabbed his wrist :

-Hum ?

The warlock snapped his fingers but nothing happened :

-You can go now.

-Euh… Okay ?

The hunter moved slowly and backward, wondering of everything was fine with Magnus. Usually when it snapped fingers, something happened. But there, nothing :

-You come ?

For his part, Magnus hid his smile behind his hand before following Elder Lightwood. He was curious to see how Alec would act now. But he would not tell him that he had broken the contract that united them. He felt he didn't need it anymore.

Normally, it's over. Bus as I am unstable, I can have other ideas and post bonus. ^^

HappyUmbrellla