Disclaimer: All characters belong to Cassandra Clare

Chapter 19: First Time

A body was sitting cross-legged on the floor near the end of the bed. Parts of a robot arm were scattered on the carpeted ground. With the crafting pen in his hand, Alec concentrated on the tube and was melting the parts together. He was narrowing his eyes, trying to get a better vision under the dim light from the small lamp. Ragnor sighed.

Alec lifted his chin up when he heard movements and stubbornly turned back to his task without humming a word. Ragnor flipped the switch and the room was brighter, for the white light shooting from the ceiling.

"You're going to get short sight." He said and settled down next to Alec, keeping a safe distance from those miniature parts.

"Maybe I want to."

Snorted, Ragnor observed him closely. The circles under his eyes were huge and the loom sparkles in his soul's windows were covered by fogs. He didn't blame him though; many things had happened tonight.

He felt bad to hide something from Alec. Said man was too worried to sleep and insomnia did nothing good to his recollection. He nudged the hunched shoulder carefully. "Let's go to bed. Tomorrow is the last session of recollection, you need rest."

Grumpily Alec lowered his hands and bit his bottom lip. It was chapped and dry. He shook his head, "It's not that I don't want to." Twiddling the melted part within his fingers, he added. "I can't."

"Come on," Ragnor yanked Alec up by slipping his arms under his pits, and guided him to the bed. The blue-eyed man sat on the edge, feet rubbing. Placed his green fingers on Alec's temples, he said. "Have a sweet dream."

A short wave of heat shot through his tips to Alec's brain and next second he collapsed to his side, completely passed out. Ragnor smiled sadly and tugged him right, pulling the blanket to his shoulder and checked the ventilation. Before he left the room, he covered those robotic arm's parts with a shield. Alec would be so pissed if someone messed up his stuff.

"Magnus, Alec is asleep."

He talked through the intercom and was hoping the new robot would do his work. Magnus worked magic; Ragnor hated to admit it but he had good influence on Alec. It was a routine of Magnus staying with Alec in his bedroom at nighttime. The robot's presence in some degree barked away those nightmares. Yet Magnus didn't respond.

"Magnus?"

Ragnor asked again and walked to the kitchen where it served as a location of gathering. Two frames came to his sight after his entry.

"You're not going?" He inquired in Magnus's direction as he leaned into the island. Each occupied a side, the one with a single bar stool was not their places.

Said man was standing opposite Ragnor. His cat-like eyes lowered on the smooth surface of the stone. "Not now. I have something to tell you guys first."

This is it. He thought. Aline, being as sensitive looked at Magnus tentatively. They knew about Magnus's backstory after the first session with Jem, also the surprise visit of Detective Herondale. According to them, Magnus – the robot one – was created through a template, an Aristo fashion designer named Magnus Bane and coincidentally, they were close friends with the real one.

When Ragnor heard about it through the intercom he was about to faint. The complication of the situation resembled those bloody soap drama's plots on those shitty channels. Unrealistic and cliché.

But it was happening and he was in the middle of it.

"We all want Alec to be better." Magnus exhaled a breath. "Jem… has a proposition and I've been considering it for a while now. I think it's selfish of me to keep it to myself."

Aline and Ragnor shifted uneasily and they moved closer to Magnus, who took a step back, offering more space for them. The three were standing in front of the cabinet with the Asiatic male robot leaning on the wood furniture, sandwiched by them.

"He is thinking about switching places. Me and the real Magnus Bane."

Shocked by his words, Aline exclaimed. "What!" Her brows were tightly knotted and a hand flied to her mouth, covering her gasping. Ragnor stuttered. "He means like, let the human Magnus Bane take your place?"

Magnus nodded and added. "Something like that. He wants to help Alec to take a bigger step, after all he has been like this for two years now. It will just be minutes for the first try; at least that's what he told me."

"And you agree with him? Did you say yes?" Aline asked. Her hand was down. Magnus had his arms crossed in front of his chest. "No. I said I needed time. I don't know if this is a good idea."

"This is madness." Ragnor whispered.

Only lunatics could come up with such ideas. He was always the conservative type, scared by the risk of hurting Alec more. Ragnor loved him; and he felt that he was betraying Alec if he allowed anyone or anything caused him pains.

Alec trusted him. Would he blame Ragnor if he seconded the plan? It was like he handed his heart to a mysterious stranger. He wanted so badly for Alec to win the battle against the past. Would Alec forgive him if he allowed the human Magnus Bane into his life, pretended to be a robot he too trusted, and let him experience the touches of human?

The three of them were torn. He could see it on Aline and Magnus the same conflicts were in their minds. If they were just robots, those ordinary kind, they would have made the decision right away.

Every opportunity was worth taking. And Ragnor aired his opinion first. "We should do it."

"Ragnor! You're not serious!" Aline's eyes were popping out from their sockets.

"I am dead serious." Ragnor took one of her clenched hands and drawing circles on the back of the palm. "This is risky, but – the war is coming. Luke has warned me about it and believe me, he is a man of honor. He will never deceive us, especially when Alec is involved."

"He is having great progress. Why can't we keep the current pace? Alec can rely on us when time comes. I will be there for him. It's not a promise." Aline wasn't shouting. He shared the same worriment so Ragnor understood her totally.

Magnus stepped in, asking incredulously. "What has Luke told you about? Is Alec in danger?" His hands on his biceps tightened; this small gesture didn't escape Ragnor's eyes.

Magnus had chosen honesty and Ragnor felt it was only fair of him to disclose his secrets to him. "You can say that. It's not a rumor anymore; the Institute indeed works with the transformed. They have spies in every planet basically and Vikram is considered a high density area – there are many hideouts and bases of the Institute inside and outside the border. Luke used to be a secret agent and he had his way to get information. The beasts are about to off the leash."

Magnus gasped. "But Pepin is right next to the border line."

Aline nodded at the fact and explained. "We think Pepin would be safer than others; they like to make a dramatic entrance and Pepin is too insignificant. We are thinking about Deborah or Easton would be their major target."

"You have plans." He noted.

"Of course." Ragnor answered and turned to Aline. "It's also why I support Jem's idea. We can't say for certain that we will be with Alec throughout the attacks. We have to make sure he can take care of himself first."

During war time he had to interact and stay in shelters packed with humans. Alec wasn't weak, just his phobia overshadowed his survival skills. When it was the time Ragnor was sure the blue-eyed man could pick up a sword and swing it to the enemy.

Aline seemed half convinced but she agreed anyway. It was as if a stone had been placed on his chest and Ragnor didn't know it was there until Magnus excused himself to the bedroom. The stone was lifted off when he realized Magnus was a part of this family and he wasn't leaving them. Quite on the other hand, he was trying to help.

Ragnor smiled to himself and comfortingly soothed Aline's back. "It's time for you to recharge." She too smiled at him and exited the kitchen after Magnus, who was walking to Alec's room soundlessly. The two shadows disappeared from the hallway and he heard a soft thud.

Will set his feet into the Lightwood's residence. Just earlier Helen had talked to him about the breaking and entering and he seriously, wanted to smash something to release the overwhelming pressure. It was luck that Isabelle Lightwood was out somewhere. His colleague had notified her and she was on her way back.

Jonathan had expressed his compassion, but it didn't stop the Lightwood addressing the issue to the Clave. Along with the initiate report from the emergency center, Helen also handed him a warning with the receiver named William Herondale.

As the same fate as his phone, it was burnt into ashes.

Gripping a tablet in his left hand, Will went upstairs. The blueprints indicated there was a safe in the master bedroom which was unoccupied for years. It wasn't news that the Lightwoods stayed anywhere but their own house. Too many memories, he suspected.

Like the former cases, the criminal took the valuable goods. Those antiques weren't taken because of the official records. He had known from the beginning that the guy, or the group of people he was dealing with was not some dumbasses. There were plans and flawless cooperation.

Sometimes he just wanted to get away from all these troubles. Will sipped at his mid-night coffee.

As he turned away from the safe, his shoes kicked something. Crouched down, a half-lidded box was under the bed. No one noticed it before because of the long bedding but he somehow had all the luck in the world. With his gelled hands he pulled it out and inspected the contents.

First caught his eyes were two vials of bloods. Will had seen many of them before; there was a storage room in Deborah full of the first blood of every Aristo. There were four old photos. The frames had yellowed with age, the faces remained.

In the family portrait six people were in the Lightwood Mansion's garden, under the branches of an oak. A small baby wrapped in blanket was in the arms of a woman and a man hugged her from behind. Three young children standing in the front row, shoulders touching shoulders and a line was formed. All were smiling, but the particular one with gold hairs, was grinning wider than the rest.

Will had never taken pictures but profile ones when he was young. Aristos didn't exactly have family; the so called one was his teachers and tutors, doctors and nurses. It seemed meaningless to have a photo with strangers.

The rest of the three were single shot for each child. Max, Jace, Isabelle and… Will stopped his mumble. One was missing.

He rummaged the box and tossed the content out. An analyst jumped at his action and pretended she wasn't scared by it. If he was right, Alexander's should be in there, too. However, Alec's photo was gone.

Will sat on his ankles. It didn't make any sense – did Robert and Maryse intentionally left his out, or did someone took it? If it was the latter case, why…?

Deep in his thought, his colleague tapped on his shoulder. "Ms. Lightwood is downstairs in the living room. She wants to speak with you only."

"Thanks." Will stood up and entered codes in his tablet to ask for a photo file for the box and its content. As he exited the master bedroom, a droid passed by and flashlights were lighting nonstop.

The living room was still the same. Will sat next to Isabelle who was fidgeting on the sofa and he covered her hand with his. She looked into him. "Detective Herondale."

Tsked at the formality, he offered. "Just Will is fine. I assume you know what this is about?"

She nodded and her angular jawline relaxed, revealed the true age of the young woman. During the drive to the Mansion he had browsed the profiles of all Lightwoods, their basic information, current locations and such. It was written that Isabelle – the youngest living child in the family – had developed a loving of weaponry like her adoptive brother Jace and both were serving in the army. Jace was in a deployment while she was at rest for a month.

They were both children, teenagers at most. Will wasn't sure if it was morally correct to let someone this young to fight for the country as they still have a lots to experience. He himself hadn't been in a war directly, but his tutors and friends had. Wars could do many things to people.

"I have a few questions and from this moment onward our conversation will be recorded and could be used in court. Understood?"

Isabelle said firmly, showing her strong side. "Yes."

"Alright," Will continued after he pressed a button on the tablet. "Where were you at eight tonight?"

"I was going to my brother's."

"You have to be more specific." Will said softly. He knew it was difficult but the legal procedures required more than vague answers. If the recording was to be used, it had to be detailed.

She nodded again and recalled. "I left the house around 7:15 because the drive to Alec's house is about 90 minutes. A guard robot came with me and it drove. When I arrived Pepin, where my brother lives, probably it was 8:30. The roads were empty and we went there without many stopping, only at traffic lights."

"Then you stayed there until my colleague called you, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

An analyst brought two cups of tea to them. Will thanked him and passed one to Isabelle but she shook her head. She was too nervous to drink; all the robots were sent to the labs and police bots were guarding the house. Every face was unfamiliar to her and not to mention she was in a house which just being broke in. Nothing could provide a sense of security here.

"If you want to we can go to the police station. I am sure a comfortable accommodation will be provided to you." Will suggested. But then again, Isabelle refused. Her lips pursed into a hard line. "It's fine. I will stay with my boyfriend. He is on his way." She gestured his tablet. "Let's get this over with."

Cleaned his throat, Will asked the next question. "For the past weeks, were you or your family members being followed?"

"Not that I know of."

"Are there any secret safes in the house that aren't included in the blueprints?"

"What do you mean?"

"Sometimes people change the design after the house is built. There are products in the black market to shield up the places and interfere the droids, preventing outsiders from finding out." Will explained.

"No, sorry." Isabelle said. Will patted her shoulder lightly. "It's okay. The final one: do you think it is done by someone you know? Not necessary friends or anyone close, someone you know by name – anyone."

He had a name that he dare speak it out. If Isabelle had the same thought as his, he could use her words to lead the investigation to that direction. Come on, Isabelle.

She paused, her delicate eyebrows furrowed. "I am not stupid, you know." He raised a brow at that comment. "The media doesn't report it because of the Clave. But in the army, people talk. They said – there were cases like this before. Is that true?"

She tilted her head forward to observe Will's expression, a strand of black curly hairs swayed in the air. Her ponytail, now that he suddenly noticed, was messily tied. Will sighed and leaned back on the sofa. She did the same.

"Between us." Will said.

Isabelle got his meaning and grabbed the cup of tea, down the whole thing. She wiped the drops with her sleeve. "I have a feeling that it is about the Institute."

Will straightened up and went to his tablet, shut down the recorder before signaling her to continue. She started again after the screen was blackened. "I mean, it is what they want, isn't it? Money. They target rich people and last time," She swallowed. "Last time they kidnapped Alec for money. It makes sense: they get the money and scare us, kill two birds with one stone. It is what they do!"

Her stained voice raised at the end and she slammed her clenching fists on the sofa, breathing erratically. Isabelle was a clever girl, otherwise she wouldn't survive so many battles against the transformed. Will felt bad for her to mention the incident of Alec. Time never made things more bearable.

"You agree with me, Will? Do you?" She asked as she shook his shoulders. Will gently took her hands and rested them on her knees. Somehow he felt compelled to ensure their safety – the three Lightwood children. It wasn't he didn't want to but each time he thought about why, his heart surged.

He did it out of guilt because of his uselessness to help the young Alec two years ago. He groaned lowly when a pain shot from his brain. The Branding of Angels worked every time he thought about the case. Not very painful but still.

Just as he was going to reply, his colleague called his name. "Herondale!"

He turned to the door for a second before he said. "I am with you, always." Tightened his grips Will let go and grabbed his tablet. Isabelle stood and intended to show him out.

He declined. "I can walk myself out."

"Will," She pulled his elbow and looked restless. The dark circles under her dark brown eyes contrasted the bloodless skin. "Thank you."

Will silently walked to the door, Isabelle right behind. He leaned against the frame and watched his colleague's shadow disappeared at the end of the hallway. Flashed her a small smile, he said. "Go to your boyfriend." The he followed his workers and was out of the Lightwood Mansion.

The moon was high up in the sky, the whole area belonged to the famous Mundane family was lightened up, making stars faded into the background. Will stepped on the road of gray pebbles that branched out into different directions. Cars loaded with people were waiting outside.

The wind was howling. The hairs on the back of his neck stood and he rolled up his coat collar.

He needed to talk with Jonathan.

Magnus was a nervous wreck for the upcoming meeting. He was trying so hard to control his anxious shifts and hoping Jem wouldn't notice. Said man was driving steadily, seemed unbothered by the following disaster.

Before it even began, Magnus already had some pessimistic views for the event. He just couldn't see how smooth it would turn out, and how was it possible that the robot Magnus agreed. Well… They were the same person, so he shouldn't be surprised when the robot made tempting stupid decisions like himself.

"It'll be alright. Just casually walk in and talk like yourself – believe me, you two aren't that different, only he is more serious." Jem said out of the blue when they were on a straight empty road. Magnus had heard about Pepin the distant district near the border. It was beyond his comprehension that people could live this far away from the core of a city. Preference, he supposed.

"I can be convincing if I want to be."

First a session with Jem, then a nap. Magnus would only be with Alec for half an hour top. He was told that the blue-eyed man would do some reading before nap; he just had to sit there doing nothing and slipped off once he was asleep. What could have possibly gone wrong?

Jem parked the car in front of a cozy house. It was a one story with a garden surrounding it. A path led up to the front door was clearly directed with two rows of crane flowers. The winter howled at them and Magnus chilled, hurried with Jem towards the front porch.

Instead of pressing the bell, Jem knocked and within a second a green-skinned man peeped his head through the small gap of the door. Magnus looked at him with wide eyes – he must be Ragnor, the butler and guard of Alec. The pea stared back while whispering. "Come on in."

Nodded to each other Jem went through the threshold and Magnus remained outside. It was in agreement that the two would meet in the front porch first. Magnus would only get in when Jem left.

Before Ragnor shut the door right on his face, Magnus gaped and came face to face with a Magnus Bane.

He didn't know how to describe the experience of meeting an identical yourself other than weird, weird and weird. His mind was blown when himself – the robot Magnus spoke. "Nice to meet you."

It was his voice, his face and his everything. His cat-like eyes scanned the body opposite him and sighed at the clothes. The robot was bare feet, wearing a plain white T-shirt and a pair of dark blue form-fitting jeans. Magnus was the same but with boots. He consciously took them off along with his socks, aware the difference.

The robot said sullenly. "The session lasts at least for 30 minutes: you should put them back on, it's cold." He flashed a rigid smile and defensively folded his arms.

Magnus looked at him with a hard jawline. "I am fine." Robots weren't scared of cold and somehow Magnus thought if he showed a weakness to the robot, he lost the battle regardless there wasn't even one in the first place.

"Whatever." The robot sighed. He slid down against the wall and sat near the door, eyed anywhere but Magnus. Said man rolled his eyes and remained standing, couldn't help but study the face of his.

Nowadays robots were very realistic. The robot sitting had flawlessly human skin; the lines formed when he wrinkled his nose, the quick and subtle twitch at the corner of his mouth and the fading redness when he dug his nails on his arms. The features which regarded as normal in his daily life intensified at the moment.

"What are you doing?"

Magnus jolted and realized he had reached out his hand to the robot, himself half crouching. The robot raised a teasing eyebrow at his quick withdrawal. "Couldn't resist your own hotness?"

"Oh come on," He huffed. "No one can say no to my gorgeousness. If I get the chance I would definitely canoodle with my magnificent self."

The robot patted the space next to him. "You know, Jem and Will always say how similar we are. Our faces and bodies and fashion senses."

Magnus sat down. "They do?" He rubbed his palms on the jeans and watched the plants in garden wavered under the winds. To be frank, they looked alike, but behaved in different way. He would admit it to himself that this robot Magnus was more soft, more cautious and quieter. The shoulders tensed when he attempted to make a joke, swallowing nonexistence saliva to moist his imaginary dry throat.

"Yes, though I don't really see any resemblance between us except for our appearances."

This five minutes already proved the fact that they were two different people on the criteria of personalities. He supposed the robot lived a life in a pacific country style and the potential quiet side of Magnus took over.

"They are not very wise, are they?" Magnus asked and let himself relax, enjoying the lovely garden. The robot turned to him and caught his elbow. The grip tightened lightly when Magnus tilted his head to face him.

"Mag – Magnus," The robot said with hesitation. It was indeed strange to hear his voice speaking his name. "Alec is not fragile. He isn't and doesn't want to be treated like one."

"I think he is a tough guy." Magnus replied. He was telling the truth; Jem had implied what had happened to him and he was undergoing a recollection to find out the real cause of his phobia. It took some guts to do that.

"Alec is more than tough."

Then he saw it – the adoration in those amber eyes. Magnus thought it was what love did, giving sparks to your eyes whenever the person occupied your mind. The robot grinned like an idiot and he tried to hide it from Magnus, burying his face into his arms.

He wondered if this was what he looked like to his friends when he was with Etta. Did he smiled like he had the most valuable treasure in the world when he mentioned her? Did his eyes shone like diamonds when her name rolled off his tongue?

The memory was too distant. Magnus ruffled the ebony gelled hairs and the robot groaned under his touch, trying to block away his hand.

At least one of us is loved. He thought.

Out of nowhere an idea popped into his mind. Magnus put his hand on the back of the robot and slid down, sneaking towards the jeans. The robot watched his not-so-stealthy move and when his polished nails were about to brush the belt, the robot pulled away, looking at him like he was an alien.

"Excuse me?"

"Just checking."

"About?"

Magnus met the curious yet guarded glance of the robot and smirked wickedly.

"Well, I always wonder if you have my every part right…" He reached out his hands and the robot recoiled, wiggling his ass a few steps away. The robot held up a palm against Magnus's fist. "I have everything right, okay?"

Raised his delicate brow, Magnus whistled. "I didn't know I can be shy."

Then he leaped forward and knocked the robot on the ground. He yelped under Magnus and tried to keep his voice down. "Magnus! Stop this farce right now!"

Magnus however, ignored his warning. He could see the robot was using the gentlest force to get rid of Magnus. If he was a traditional bot, Magnus would already be immobilized because of the taser. But this robot wasn't ordinary.

"AW!"

Magnus groaned when the robot caught his wrists and threw him over, tossing him on the ground and stood up himself. Both cheeks were flushing due to the small wrestle and Magnus snickered.

The robot looked at him with awe. "Why are you smiling like this?"

"It's just weird doing things to myself."

"Alright." The robot sat back down but kept a safe distance from Magnus. Said man roared and quickly muffled his laughter, scared that their presences were acknowledged.

It wasn't so bad. Magnus had imagined worse.

The side of his torso was collided by an opening door. He let out a soundless cry and lifted his head up, Jem's gray eyes were darting between them. "Having fun?" Both of them got to their feet and patted the dusts off their clothes.

Jem faltered. "Um…"

The hesitation was first understood by the robot. He gestured towards the door and said to Magnus. "Alec is waiting for you."

Then it clicked: Jem couldn't differentiate which one was the human.

"Really, Jem?" Magnus asked in an exhausted tone and Jem turned his head away in shame. "Sorry."

The robot nudged Magnus's shoulder and hurried him to get in. Magnus walked in and closed the door smoothly, leaving the robot and Jem outside in the wind.

It smelled of sandalwood. The structure of the house was easy to figure out. A single hallway with rooms on both sides. First door on the right was the living room and the one on the left was storage room, no doors and curtains. There was a massive book shelf built in the left wall and there were two hollow spots under, one had a charging spot and another had a wardrobe.

Next to the book shelf was a door. Then there were two more at the end of the hallway. He had read the floor plan and was sure that the kitchen was right at the end with the bathroom on his right, the same side as the living room. It left the only one Alec's bedroom.

Ragnor came out from the living room and he motioned Magnus to get closer. Once he was by his side Ragnor walked with him slowly. It was hard for him to admit but his heart had never beat so fast and heavy in his 26 years of life. Ragnor noticed his rapid rate of breathing and stopped him when they were at the front of the closed bedroom door.

"I suppose you have talked with Mag – the robot Magnus?"

He nodded and the green-skinned butler put both hands on Magnus's shoulders, squeezing lightly. "Jem told us about you and he isn't as flirtatious like you. He teases, but not flirts. The environment brings out his serious side."

Did Ragnor just imply he was a flighty individual?

"Just act natural; Alec won't suspect a thing." Ragnor turned him around and pushed him to the door. "Go on. We will wait in the kitchen."

Magnus breathed deeply as the butler walked away. Now or never. He silently turned the knob and strode in with his newfound confidence, but stopped dead when he locked eyes with Alec.

He had seen a student photo of the young man before, nothing recently because Jem clearly stated that Alec didn't like taking pictures. Cameras didn't capture the brightness of those blue eyes and the colorful soul in those frames. Alec was leaning against the headboard and a book was in his hands.

The young man looked up when he heard the sound of door and he smiled warmly to Magnus. The hairs were inky and showed a huge contrast to his wan skin tone.

Just then he returned to the book and Magnus had to keep reminding himself that the smile wasn't for him – it was for the robot Magnus. He gulped and walked closer until he reached the nightstand and did what he remembered. He settled down on the floor with the side of his left knee touched the bed.

His heart was jumping fast for the luster in blues. He took deep breaths in attempts to calm the rushing heart but he was making too much noise. Alec put down his book and his next small gesture nearly had Magnus flipped a table: he brushed the lobe of Magnus's ear with his index finger. His hand lingered on the tensed shoulder.

"Magnus?" He asked in concern.

Alec was a mechanic and no doubt he knew about robots inside out. It was ridiculous for a robot to breathe as technologically they didn't have lungs or require any gas to survive. Magnus must be making a scene by breathing so hard.

Despite of his nervousness, Magnus managed to keep his breathing steady and answered Alec. "Nothing." Alec's brows furrowed in question and Magnus almost fainted for the beautiful sight. "Don't mind me. Keep on reading."

The young man looked down at his book again. Magnus sighed in relief and leaned against the nightstand, crossed his legs to get comfortable.

Sitting there doing nothing should be boring, however Magnus found himself very interested by Alec. He was alive but at the same time looked so dead.

The blue-purple veins jumped beneath the ghastly ashen skin with each heartbeat. Long eyelashes fluttered and occasionally he brushed the eye-covering bangs. When Alec focused on a sentence, his bony fingers fixed at a corner of a page and sometimes rolled and then unfolded it. Whenever he proceeded to the next page, a breath was drawn.

When he read only his eyes and hands moved, the rest of his body stationary. The blanket roughly shaped his legs and Magnus could see the muscles underneath. His built was lean and long like a branch.

"Hey."

Magnus's unfocused eyes suddenly stared into a waving hand. Alec was looking at him rather worried. "Are you sure you are okay?"

The voice came again. It was a sweet baritone that Magnus could never grow old with. It is heaven that robot Magnus is living in. He shook his head and rested his chin on the edge of the bed, few inches away from Alec. Said man ran a hand through Magnus's black hairs and tangled his fingers with strands.

Alec tenderly put the book on the nightstand, extracted his hand and instead both held the brown wrists. Tugging him lightly Alec encouraged. "Come here."

Magnus wasn't sure what to do. Opened his mouth and closed it again, he decided to follow the flow and prayed that Alec wouldn't notice anything strange. His body slid to the bed and Magnus sat with a leg hanging outside the edge.

It was oddly pleasurable when Alec snuggled into him. The young man wrapped his arms around Magnus's waist like he was afraid to be left alone. The ball of inky silks set on his hip and was extremely close to his genital part. Strong legs twined around Magnus's and a small nasal moan escaped once Alec was in a comfortable position. Slowly Magnus reached forward and pulled the blanket back up to Alec's shoulder.

He remembered what Jem had said. They are in love. His heart tightened when he thought of the possibility of their future. This love wasn't right, no matter how much Magnus wanted to believe there was no right or wrong when love was the subject of discussion.

Nothing good will come out from this. Magnus thought and sympathetically soothed the back of Alec.

"You are not – going, right?" Alec slurred and his chest vibrated against Magnus's thigh. When he was thinking a response, Alec cuddled him tighter and rubbed his cheek on Magnus. It was endearing and heartbreaking.

Magnus replied. "No. I will be right here with you."

"Good."

The slow pats on the back coaxed Alec to sleep and soon he was snoring. Magnus moved his hand up to the messy jet black hairs, scratching the scalp like he was Chairman Meow. The grip around his waist relaxed and Magnus didn't want to leave the warmth.

But this wasn't his place. He waited for another ten minutes making sure Alec was in deep sleep and carefully slipped away from the young man. His feet nearly touched the floor when Alec groaned and rolled on his back, sprawling like a child.

Magnus exhaled the breath he was holding and crept out of the room. He slumped against the wall once he was outside.

What a terrible mistake he had made.

A/N:

Finally Magnus meets the robot and Alec for the first time and there will be more in the future. To be honest while writing the scene I really wanted to kill myself because I tried not to be too confusing about which Magnus is doing what. I hope it comes out okay.

A review is highly appreciated and please tell me where I can improve.

Wish you all have a good day!