Hello my lovelies! I'm so happy! I got 100 followers now and 51 favorites YAY! Now, I also have to thank the wonderful persons who gave me 71 reviews! You're all amazing! Now what if we bring it up to a hundred? ;) I always enjoy and cherish all of your reviews and the time you spare (or the fights you have with your cell, thanks XMizzTuraX lol) to give me a good word or an opinion :) Ok so here's the new chapter for Kissed, I know I'm awfully sorry I made you wait 5 days and posted a chapter of the sequel before this but please forgive me? So this is Simon's transformation and some confused Alec picking up on his feelings for Magnus that he discovered in the last chapter. I really hope you enjoy this. There's also some Magnus's pov as I know you guys love it and I do too :) I can hardly stay away from Magnus's mind loool!
Ok, to answer to Angelic-Demon96, here's some new surroundings for you. I had planned it all along but I thought you could enjoy that. Also, I would answer your question by letting you know that I felt the need to keep Malec relationship within Magnus's apartment walls from the beginning as it's the only place they can really see each other comfortably and that Alec rarely have spare time to give his lover. Although, your comment got me thinking and boiled up some ideas. So, to all my lovelies readers, I will have some other questions on the foot note (as EarnestlyBunburying and Guest told me they enjoyed it) for you to help me with the rest of the story.
Disclaimer: Don't own sh*t and Cassandra Clare is the goddess of it all! There's some book's dialogue in here, not mine! But not changing them either for accuracy.
Chapter 11 : Blood-Red Moon and Sour Mood
Alec was walking out of the butcher's shop alongside Magnus into the fresh dark night, feeling more and more uneasy with their night's business and their night altogether. Magnus knowing about a butcher who could gave out blood for a certain amount of money was already creepy but it also brought up front all of what is lover could really do, what he really was. It brought up all their differences and just how much Alec didn't know anything about the beautiful man beside him. They had grew unusually quiet on the way to the butcher and now in the shadows of the taxi, going to the cemetary. Magnus had tried to spark up some conversation, even flirting and kissing but Alec reluctant mood had showered him down cold. Alec felt bad about being so closed off but he really couldn't help it. For the first time he had known Magnus, he sensed the warlock's years and magnetic presence as a direct threat to his fragile heart and confidence. They sat there, on either side of the taxi's back seat and Alec could almost sense the distance between them that stretched as an insurmountable gap.
Alec's mind was a dizzying mix of frustration, fear and anger. The atmosphere of this evening had gotten really serious between the two of them as soon as Magnus had asked of Alec what he really wanted. It had lightened up with their lovemaking and banter about the stupid bet but somehow the profoundness had lingered around them. For once, Alec had talked about his worry for his siblings, about the situation they all found themselves in, something he almost never did with Magnus, and then there had been this question... and his answer. Alec couldn't shake his restlessness thinking about that and looking at Magnus from the corner of his eyes through the shadows of the taxi, his lover so dark, somber and... different. Alec almost growled seeing the way his thoughts had twisted. He hated feeling so apart and different from Magnus, hated to think about the fact that their entire relation was based on not much else than physical attraction for now. Sure Magnus had asked him to be his boyfriend, gave him a key to his flat, told him that he wished more for the both of them but Alec couldn't shake his feeling of insignificance. Most of all, he hated Magnus to be able to play so easily with him.
What had he been thinking? They had had sex twice while his siblings were at the Seelie Court and could have come back anytime. He was scared out of his mind thinking that Magnus could get him to do just about anything, make him forget about anyone, toss aside his fears and countenance... with barely a flick of his fingers and that sexy smirk of his. Where would that lead him? He had pratically told Magnus that he might be ready one day to drop everything for him, Alec almost lost his breath when he allowed himself to remember that, what would be the next step? Ask him to come out to his parents, to the Clave, tell Jace, of all people, or just ask him to cut his parabatai bond altogether? Alec knew he probably was freaking out for nothing, Magnus would never force him into anything, but he had just realized the depthness of Magnus's hold on his soul and it was sending him in an abyss of fear and cold sweats. He never thought he could feel like this... and he was just not ready. Alec was NOT READY to love Magnus... at all. Just thinking that he loved Magnus made him winced in discomfort. He couldn't remember when he first had admitted it to himself but the feeling was there nonetheless. It had popped in his mind and soul, claiming Alec's heart and drowning any possibilities for the shadowhunter to blind himself any longer. Love meant commitment and Alec had coped very well without real commitment.
To sum up all this whirlwind, one thought was left in Alec's mind; Magnus was cornering him to spill out his feelings and intentions but what exactly did Magnus want? He had never answered that really... More was very vague. In fact, Magnus never answered anything. That sunk Alec's spirit even further down. He had reached an awfully gloomy mood when the taxi stopped in front of the large iron gates of the Jewish cemetary.
Alec walked out of the taxi after he threw some money at the driver and moved swiftly toward the gate, not waiting for Magnus. He could hardly handle himself at that point and thinking about what they were just about to do put him on edge even more. The bag of blood in his hands an unwelcomed reminder of the facts. He just stood there, taking in the scenary. If Alec hadn't know this was a cemetary, he could have think this was a private park for the famous and wealthy. It was almost peaceful, what with all the mature trees surrounding them, the gracious vines winding around the elegant iron fences, the graves unseen from the front entrance. It would be peaceful if Alec hadn't felt a chill run up his spine, the too silent surroundings telling him about the dead lying before them. If Alec had never seen ghosts, he could still feel them and it had always made him utterly uncomfortable.
He was about to text Jace to know how to find them all when he felt a hand on his elbow. He jumped, startled, as he had almost forgotten about Magnus by his side. Alec exhaled shakily as Magnus turned him around so he could face him. His lover looked strangely sad and nervous himself, something Alec would have never believed he would see. If there's one thing he knew about Magnus was that he was confident, always. He didn't get to think more about it as his boyfriend leaned in and claimed his lips. For a few seconds, Alec gave in, yet again swept off his feet by Magnus's warmth and closeness, their lips moving together in the most entrancing dance he had ever known of. Although, soon enough, all the unsaid words between them caught up with him and he pulled away, his gaze drifting off to his boots-clad feet. He couldn't do this right now. Magnus spoke up in an eerily soft voice.
- "Alec, I know there's something wrong with you and I need to know what all this is about. We won't see each other for a while after this, as I will have to bring Jace back to the flat with me and I refuse to let you go without you telling me what's worrying your pretty head." Magnus said, and at the end of his speech, he grabbed Alec's chin between his long fingers lifting his head up so he could read the beautiful blue eyes.
Alec could only avert his gaze and that's what he did. Now was not the time. He didn't want to ponder his new feelings and the raging emotions that were fighting within him. He couldn't give in to Magnus, yet again.
- "Magnus, now is hardly the time. There's nothing alright? Let's just get this over with. I hate cemetaries." He answered in a flat tone.
He didn't give Magnus any more time to make him change his mind and turned away from him, walking up to the wrought iron fences. He was about to draw out his stele to open the gates when they creaked loudly, giving him passage. He looked over his shoulder and looked at Magnus, giving him a brief curt nod. He dug out his cell phone from his pocket, sending Jace a text to ask him where they were exactly and a few seconds after, he had the location, some secluded clearing near the end of the cemetary.
The lovers walked side by side in a heavy silence, moving up the well maintained alleyways, bordered by flowers and bushes. As Alec looked around, he could see the cemetary couldn't be looked in his entirety from any point of view around. There were only twisted alleyways that somehow lead to diverse patches of grass where you could see all the funeral monuments from a distance. He could only hope that they took the right path and quickly they found that they did. The tombs grew sparse and soon enough, he could see Jace and Clary sitting atop a hill and behind them the mature trees opened up to show a clearing lightened up by the moonlight.
He didn't know what happened the moment he saw the golden locks, it had been a while since Jace had provoked any kind of ache within him but, at this moment, he felt an intense need to be beside his parabatai, to bask in his presence and forget about how his life had become complicated in the last few days. When he spoke, his voice sounded relieved and longing, not that Alec really thought about it.
- "Jace!" He called as he hurried toward him, barely noticing Clary's presence and noticing even less Magnus's tense posture behind him.
His nerves were getting the better of him and only Jace could set him off the knots twisting his guts. Well, to be honest, something else could do that but Alec had promised himself he wouldn't think about Magnus's almost magic hold over his body, heart and soul.
Magnus's pov
Magnus couldn't help but grit his teeth when he heard all the longing and need in Alec's voice when he called out for Jace. He had started to believe they were getting past that but here again, Alec would make him face the love he had for his parabatai. It would soon drive him crazy.
Jace inquired reluctantly about where Alec had found the blood and Magnus realized he had zoned out for a few seconds. When he saw Alec's uneasiness, he came to his rescue as it had become his habit lately.
- "From a butcher shop in Greenpoint." He said, moving closer to the group. "They bleed their meat to make it halal. It's animal blood." He said tonelessly.
- "Blood is blood." Answered Jace in the same toneless voice.
He then turned to Clary and tried to talk her out of witnessing the rise of Simon to be welcomed in his Night Children's life. Magnus didn't listen to him anymore, looking over his lover whom's expression had sombered when Jace's attention had moved to Clary. And here they were again.
He had to fight down viciously with his possessivity and anger toward his lover. Alec had gave him the cold shoulder all the way here and Magnus only wanted to understand. What had happened to their glorious evening and the hopes that had flared in his chest at Alec's words, letting him know that he was now wondering about a life outside the Clave, outside of the shadowhunters's bubble and maybe, just maybe, about a life with him?
He was sick of this puppy behaviour of Alec toward Jace. He always felt like they were walking one step ahead to then move three backward. Magnus had respected Alec's need to be quiet and pensive for the last hour or so but now, it was about time they cleared this situation. He would not allow his boyfriend to run back to Jace everytime he felt anxious or confused about something. He moved swiftly behind Alec who was following Jace and Clary up the hill and he grabbed his elbow gently but firmly.
- "I think our conversation is not over, my love. What is going on with you? And I want an answer now." Magnus said huskily, barely containing the anger in his voice.
Alec shot him a venomous look over his shoulder and Magnus felt his heart sank when he saw the expression on his boyfriend's face. Never had Alec looked at him that way, never. Now he was getting really worried.
- "Let go of me Magnus!" Alec hissed violently. "Don't you see there's people around? They can see us, Jace can see us. And I already told you there was nothing so stop pushing me! This is not the time to talk!" He whisper-yelled, his face a mask of contained anger.
Shocked, Magnus let go of his lover's elbow but quickly whispered back to him, his voice choken by anxiety, before Alec moved away from him.
- "Fine. You're right about the fact this is not the time but don't tell me there's nothing going on. It's obvious there is and I'll found out." Magnus threatened, fear and fury mixing in the pit of his stomach. Damn Jace. He would not let Alec run away from him. He loved him too much.
Contrarily to what Magnus expected, Alec's features softened and he looked at him straight in the eyes for the first time in an hour and a half. The blue orbs lingered for a few seconds, shifting from softness to a sort of desperation Magnus couldn't understand. Although, Alec nodded his agreement and that's all he needed.
They walked up the hill and saw Alec's siblings surrounding a rectangular space of fresh dirt, waiting. Isabelle was sitting on the ground, her whip around her ankles shining under the moonlight. Jace and Clary standing aside, awkwardly beside each other. And then there was Raphael Santiago. Magnus should have known he would be the one responsible of this situation. They did have a sort of history together but he had never been really fond of the boy. He could although thank him for taking the place of Camille at the head of the New York Vampire's Clan. Usually, they kept away from each other and only talk when official business required it.
He caught up with the conversation when Raphael looked up to him in surprise before smoothly erasing the expression of his face. Good, Magnus didn't want their acquaintance to be known. He always preferred his business and past to be hidden, it was much easier that way. He moved closer to Alec though, feeling the need to protect him somehow, eventhough Alec was an accomplished shadowhunter that barely needed his help most of the time. His features became blank as he returned Raphael's stare.
- "High Warlock" Raphael said in silky voice. "I hadn't expected to see you here." There was almost a threat in Raphael's voice and Magnus knew why. Warlocks don't mess around Vampires's business.
Magnus straightened up and moved even closer to Alec, a movement Raphael didn't miss but the warlock answered him in a smooth, unconcerned voice nonetheless.
- "I was curious." He said softly, his eyes shining from the challenge. He would stay here for his lover, no matter what. "I've never seen one of the Night Children rise."
Raphael looked over at Jace who had moved away from Clary and was now almost sprawled against a tree trunk, his face as blank as Magnus's own.
- "You keep surprisingly illustrious company, Shadowhunter." Raphael said, his voice even more edgy if possible.
Magnus grit his teeth and was about to answer unpleasantly when Jace saved him the trouble.
- "Are you talking about yourself again" Jace said ironically, his boot tracing pattern in the dirt before him. "That seems boastful."
Magnus could barely contain his snort, seemed like someone else didn't appreciate Raphael very much. Although Jace usually didn't care about who was on the receiving end of his scornful remarks.
- "Maybe he meant me." Alec said, earning a suprised look from everyone. His lover rarely joked around and with their recent fight and the creepy atmosphere, it was even more startling. "Sorry" He said again, sheepishly. "Nerves."
Magnus almost swooned right there and then and his heart clenched, wishing to comfort his lover.
- "There's no need for that." He said gently, moving to touch Alec's shoulder but of course, the boy flinched and walked out of range, his head hanging low, almost ashamed of Magnus's attempt at PDA.
His hand fell to his side uselessly, hurt again by Alec's dismissal. When would he learn? But he couldn't help himself. Alec had this way of bringing out his deepest need of protectiveness and caring. If it would be up to him, he would never leave the shadowhunter's side, gazing at him all day long and being there for him whenever he needed it. Magnus sighed delicately and let his head hung low, zoning out of the conversation around him.
It soon rushed back to him though when he realized Simon was rising and Clary was running toward the grave. God this girl was so stupid and reckless sometimes. He barely had the time to move before Raphael took a hold of her, telling her to let it be, that she couldn't help Simon through this.
Of course, being the stubborn girl she is, Clary didn't listen and then, all hell broke loose.
Alec's pov
Alec didn't want to ponder on the reason why he had let Jace drive away with Clary, Izzy and Simon in Luke's truck. He didn't want to think about the awful rising, what with Clary being almost killed by his best friend, without Raphael's intervention. He didn't want to analyze the way his heart soared knowing he had another hour or two alone with Magnus. Most of all, he really didn't want to talk about his confused feelings with the warlock, or why he had taken his lover's hand in his when they had neared Brooklyn, the streets empty and dimly lit by the lampposts lining the sidewalks. He stayed mute and quiet all the way there, still horror-struck by their evening and in dire need to be comforted. Somehow, Magnus didn't push him again, didn't question him taking his hand and respected his silence.
They walked upstairs to Magnus's apartment without a word exchanged and soon, they were sitting side by side on the furry pink couch, Chairman on his lap and purring happily. The sound felt odd and echoed through the flat, the only sound between them. He felt Magnus fidget beside him and he knew the silence would soon be broken by his lover's demanding questions. He didn't want that so he spoke first, his voice a trembling whisper.
- "Magnus. I don't want to talk right now. I know you may be worried about me but it's been a long night. And probably we won't be alone together for a while, what with Jace coming back here soon to continue his imprisonment, so would it be too much to ask of you to just hold me?" At these words, he lifted his gaze from his hand petting Chairman Meow to loose himself in the depths of the green-gold eyes, soft and worried, that were studying his face carefully, searching for some reassurance. "I need you right now and I don't want us to talk, I just want to be close to you, is that ok?" He added, in a barely audible voice, shy to express his longing so bluntly.
Magnus didn't answer him but he obliged Alec anyway. He moved closer to his lover and wrapped his arms around the younger man, gently kissing the damp forehead and moving one of his hand to run his fingers through Alec's black locks, rocking them gently and murmuring some nonsensical words through his lover's ears, giving Alec the comfort and love he needed. Alec closed his eyes and sighed, relaxing in the warlock's embrace, now able to imagine that Magnus really cared for him and loved him just as Alec wished he did more fervantly everyday. Enclosed in those familiar arms and snuggled in the warm body, he could forget his fears and anger, the way Magnus could turn him into his puppet with a snap of his fingers, the way he felt so desperatly depressed about the triviality of his life compared to Magnus's own, the way his life was slowly slipping away from him to shift around and rest within his boyfriend's lap, available for him to take or to ruin completely if he wished to.
At this moment, Alec could forget and simply enjoy his new found revelation. He loved Magnus Bane.
Magnus's pov
Magnus was breathing more easily. Alec had came to him in his need, for once letting him know he had a place in his life. He could have been bothered by the fact that nothing was cleared yet, knowing that he still didn't know what was going on with his lover, that he was unaware of where their relationship was going, that he was unsure about Alec's feelings toward him or if they even had a future together but at the moment, he could rest in peace...
Alec needed him and he was glad. He would find a way to speak and see his lover again soon enough.
Magnus gently pressed his lips onto Alec's one, in a chaste kiss, willing away the fears and uncertainty crawling within Alec's heart and smoothing away the anxiety in his own.
Did you like it? Please let me know :) And let's hop up to the questions :
1- Did you feel like I described well enough the cemetary scene or were you confused by it all?
2- I tried to let known there was somewhat of a relation between Raphael and Magnus as we know this will be established in further Bane's chronicles (or in the last one, didn't have time to read it) and I tried to keep it vague, to maybe fix it later. Did that bother you or should i have left it altogether?
3- In the upcoming chapter, due to Angelic-Demon96 comment, I'm thinking about a Magnus breaking into the institute to see our shy shadowhunter and have the talk he want to have desperately. The other option would be a night meeting somewhere in a park or a café. What do you guys prefer?
4- I was thinking about doing some extras for Kissed, writing down Malec first meeting at the party and when Magnus came to care of Alec's wounds. Maybe I could add some other random meetings. Would you guys enjoy that? Got any ideas that wouldn't stray from TMI plot line?
Thanks to everyone who answers and of course, you don't have to! I enjoy regular reviews as much as the ones who answer the questions :D See ya darlings!