A/N: Sorry if this is really short. The new version of Word doesn't give word counts on selected sections. The poll on my profile is still up if y'all wanna check it out. It doesn't say on the poll, but it's for when I write the trial. Totally random, but are there any other firsts(like Sweeter Than Cotton Candy)you wanna see? Thought about changing it from a one-shot to a collection of firsts from this story. Enjoy, guys!

23: Alec

I want Magnus to make the choice in this. I don't care what Jace does or says to me. I just don't want him hurting Magnus a third time.

"I really don't want him here. I don't trust him. But I don't want someone to die either. If he froze to death because I dislike him, I'm a murderer," Magnus mumbles.

"It's your decision," I tell him.

"I guess he can stay."

"He was serious about waiting on you, by the way."

"Oh, I know."

Jace looks beyond happy about being allowed to stay.

"You didn't bring clothes?" I ask.

"Mom threw my stuff out," he replies.

"Help yourself to some of mine. After you shower. Why aren't you in school?"

"Suspended for getting into it with Sebastian."

"Jace! Can't you behave for two seconds?!"

"I've been here for two seconds."

"You know what I mean. How long are you suspended?"

"Two weeks. It started the day after you kicked me out."

"Why'd you get into it with him?"

"I didn't like the way he dressed. What do you think, Alec?"

"Do you still love her?"

Sighing, Jace nods.

"I'm gonna shower before you decide we need to do our nails and discuss failed romance," Jace tells me, walking away.

Magnus curls up in the armchair with a book and a blanket. He looks so cute! And very warm. He has no idea my grandma made the quilt for me, and, somehow, the sight of him curled up under it looks more like home than my parents' house ever did.

"Are you still jealous?" I ask.

"He's known you longer than I have," Magnus mumbles.

"But I'm not in love with Jace. I never really was, I think. Lust isn't love."

He glares at the door when the doorbell rings again.

I open the door to see my lawyer, Jia Penhallow, standing in the hall. She's holding a manila envelope in one hand.

"I thought you said the papers wouldn't be done until tomorrow?" I whisper.

"With the blizzard coming, I wanted to get them done early. They're all I focused on today. You're a friend of Aline and Helen," she replies, holding the manila envelope out to me.

"He's gonna freak. Do you wanna come in for coffee?"

She accepts my offer.

Magnus is watching her warily over the top of his book.

"Mags, this is Jia. She's the lawyer handling our case. She's who I was talking to this morning. Do you wanna see the papers?" I say, offering him the envelope.

He opens it cautiously.

"Is this a joke, Alec?" he asks.

"No. I got you emancipation papers. You don't have to wear a leash anymore. You'll have more rights than you do now. And I can't ever decide to put you up for adoption because you'll belong to yourself. Is this something you want?" I reply.

He's looking at me like I'm an alien.

"You're not doing this because you don't want me anymore, are you?" he asks.

"No! I'm doing this because I love you. Have you ever heard the saying 'If you love something, set it free?' I want you to have more rights than you have now," I reply.

"Will I have the same rights you have? Like, voting and driving and shopping wherever I want?"

"Legally, you'll be recognized as a human," Jia tells him, sitting on the couch with a mug of coffee.

"Where do I sign?"

He signs the papers hurriedly. I fasten the tag with 'Emancipated' engraved on the front onto his collar.

"I still have to wear a collar?" he asks, his nose crinkling in disgust.

"Once the paper's are filed, you'll get a photo ID and you won't need your collar anymore. You'll have to keep the ID visible at all times," Jia informs us.

"Lean down," he whispers, squeezing my hand gently.

Expecting him to kiss me, I do as he asks.

"I love you, Alexander Lightwood. I'd go to the moon for you if you asked," he murmurs.

Now I'm the one staring. I have yet to understand how anyone could hurt someone as wonderful as Magnus. Maybe it only makes sense to psychopaths.

"You have no idea how amazing you are. I love you," I reply, stroking my thumb over his.

Anything he asks, I'll try my best to do. Especially if it means getting another hybrid away from Ragnor, I decide, smiling at my adorable boyfriend.

"Ragnor videotaped a lot of the abuse. It's online. If you want or need to use the videos as evidence, it's okay. If my testimony will help, I'll do it," Magnus mumbles.

I don't like the resignation in his voice. The scumbag made Magnus's life living hell for ten years. Facing him in court will only be one more thing on the list of ways Ragnor tore Magnus apart.

"Magnus, Alec told me a great deal about what you went through. If you don't want to testify, you don't have to," Jia tells him.

"Will it put him away?" Magnus asks.

"It depends on the judge. They may decide to do nothing. Or they may put him away."

"I hate talking about it. I hate everything he did to me."

"You still have time to decide. I need to know by the last week of December. Can you write down the name of the website?"

She leaves after getting the name of the website. Magnus isn't trying to read. He's simply staring at his blanketed feet.

"You okay?" I ask gently.

Swallowing, he nods. He's not okay.

"Do you want some hot chocolate?" I ask.

"He'll kill me next time, Alec."

"He won't. Magnus, I'd fight to the death for you. What do you need me to do?"

"Dunno. Thanks for setting me free."

"You're welcome. What's one thing you wanna do now that you can do almost whatever you want?"

"Run down the street naked. Kidding, darling. You're the only one I want ever seeing that. I wanna do everything."

"Between you and Jace, I'm gonna have a stroke or heart attack before I'm twenty."

But I wouldn't trade Magnus for anything. Jace? Well, puppies are really cute. Or maybe a kitten to keep Mags company. Then again, he did save Mags. Izzy's a keeper too.

"But you love us," Jace says from the hall.

"Magnus, yes. You, sometimes," I reply.

His laughter's the only answer I get.

As long as things keep getting better and Jace doesn't get stupid again, I'll be a very happy man.