The sun was high overhead and a soft breeze was gently fluttering the leaves in the trees surrounding the cliff, as well as Alec's hair. Alec stood at the edge of the cliff overlooking the ocean, his hands in his jacket pockets, posture relaxed despite his racing thoughts. It had been a week at least since the incident in Alicante and he was avoiding Magnus, Catarina, and Madzie's attempts to contact or summon him.

He had been stupid in creating the bond with Magnus, he knew that now. He didn't think he was angel enough for their kind of bonds with his Fall. It shouldn't have worked the way it did. He hadn't created it that way to begin with. Their bond shouldn't be THAT kind of bond.

But it was. And it was all Alec's fault.

Alec felt a pulse with his magic, a split second before a portal opened back at the forest's edge behind him with a woosh. "You've been ignoring Madzie." The 'and me' was implied as Magnus stopped walking about a foot back from where Alec was standing.

The demon drew a deep breath but didn't respond or turn around to face the warlock.

"I'm sorry," said Magnus when it was clear Alec wasn't going to acknowledge him, "I've been treating you poorly ever since Paris. Even with everything you did to help the Downworld since you've been up here. And, I'm sorry for what happened in Alicante. With the memories."

Alec sighed, "You do not have to apologize to me Little Warlock," he said as he turned around to face Magnus, "You've done nothing wrong, except come to Edom to ask for assistance from a demon."

Magnus' eyebrows drew down in confusion, "I don't regret making that decision. Especially because I made the deal with you and not my father." He took a small step forward while speaking, but kept some distance between him and the demon. He wanted to give Alec as much space as he so clearly wanted.

Alec's eyes flashed with fire, and his posture became more aggressive. He started to move closer to Magnus trying to intimidate him, "well you should regret it. You should've stayed in the Mortal Realm and let the Shadow Hunters deal with Lillith and her spawn like they are supposed to do."

The demon was practically on top of Magnus, but the Warlock didn't take the bait.

"Well I don't," said Magnus, not reacting to Alec at all, "and last I checked, I was still in control of my mental facilities and could make my own decisions. But that's not what this is really about, is it Alexander."

Alec let out a demonic growl before turning around and moving back to the edge of the cliff. "The Nephilim," started Alec without turning around to face Magnus, "have a parabatai bond that is a bastardized, lesser version of an Angelic Bond. The Fallen lose the Celestial Grace necessary to create this bond. Just another punishment for their crimes against the All Father and Heaven."

The more pieces of the puzzle fell into place for Magnus, "you created this Angel's bond between us. When we made our deal."

Alec gave a tight nod and bunched his shoulders up towards his ears defensively, but wouldn't turn around to face Magnus.

"From what I understand," said Magnus stepping closer, "about the parabatai bond, both participants need to consent to pairing, as close to fully aware of what they are getting into, with months of preparation and training. Alexander," Magnus reached a hand out and touched the demon on the arm gently, "I consented to our deal. I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to your terms. I might not have known the specifics of what you were going to do, or how you were going to do it, but that doesn't matter to me. If I didn't want to make the deal, I would've said no. I promise you, I would've made a different choice if I didn't want the deal."

Magnus used his hand to urge Alec to turn back towards him, "if I had to do it over again, I would make the same choice. Even if I had all the knowledge I have now about everything that's happened, I would make the same choice. You know the truth of my words. But there is still something you're not telling me isn't there."

Alec turned with Magnus' urging, but refused to make eye contact with the Warlock, "now that my business is finished with the remainder of the Circle Members, I will return to Edom. You won't need to worry about me bothering you anymore." His voice was carefully flat, which was worrying to Magnus.

"Darling," Magnus put a hand on Alec's cheek trying to get the Demon to make eye contact, "that's not what you're not telling me. And I only want you to return to Edom if that's what you want. Not because you think that is what I want. I'd much rather we continue building our relationship as we have been and perhaps even more."

Alec winced, the pentagram on Magnus' side spiked, and Magnus, with his centuries of knowledge, relationships, and this understanding of what Alec accidentally created, suddenly realized what he might be missing about the bond. /It can't be a Soul-Mates Bond? Could it?/.

"Alexander-" Magnus was cut off though.

"I shouldn't have created the bond between us the way I did. I didn't mean to force this on you. I didn't even realize it could've morphed into a Soul-Mate Bond. But I couldn't trust you to uphold your end of our deal without some kind of insurance. I couldn't…." take another betrayal… Alec shook his head and stopped speaking.

"Hey," said Magnus quietly, "I'm not mad. I get it. You couldn't trust me, even though you'd helped me escape my father in the past, you didn't really know me well enough to know if I'd keep my word. But this did happen, so where does that leave us moving forward? Do you really want to go back to Edm alone? Or do you want to try to build something more between us? See what happens?"

Alec let out another sigh before determination overtook his features and he finally met Magnus' eyes, "When an Angel creates this bond with another Angel," he started to say slowly, trying to impart the importance of what he was saying to the Warlock, "they are pledging their love, their lives and their souls to each other forever. They are sharing the deepest connection in all of creation. It is true, pure, love. If the bond is ever broken the Angels would die. Their souls literally ripped out with the breaking bond. You are not an Angel, so you are not beholden to the consequences of breaking the bond. Nor will it affect you if you leave it as is and tell me to return to Edom alone. You would be free to love, or be with any partner you wanted. But I won't answer your question. You need to make the decision of what comes next. Not for me, but with the full knowledge of what moving forward for us will entail. If you choose this- us, it won't just be a normal relationship, it would be more, deeper, and it would be forever."

Magnus didn't even hesitate when Alec finished his little speech- the opportunity for his forever with a being as kind yet complex as Alec was something he'd always secretly longed for. The fact that this bond between them was forged with love was even more alluring, "I choose you darling. I'll always choose you." He pulled Alec down and kissed him. Magnus kept a firm grip on the other's face with the hand on his cheek, and wrapped his other arm around Alec's middle, pulling them even closer together.

Alec made a startled noise, before all the tension in his body left him and he practically melted into Magnus' hold and kissed back. The demon's own arms wrapped around Magnus' waist, his hands gripping the back of Magnus' shirt like a lifeline. When they broke apart, Alec leaned his head down onto Magnus' shoulder as his body shook in relief. Magnus moved his hand from the demon's cheek, to the back of his neck to return the hug and rocked the two of them for a few moments while Alec pulled himself back together.

"Now," said Magnus, a few minutes later, as he pulled back just enough to look Alec in the eye as he spoke, "how about we head back to New York? I feel like we need to talk about this in greater detail, so I have a better understanding of the bond. And, I know a tiny warlock that is really worried about you and misses you."

"Sure," said Alec with a slightly mischievous smile and relief shining in his eyes, "wanna go my way? Hold tight." He was itching to do something and work off some of the tension that'd been building all week in his mind.

Before Magnus could respond, he saw a hint of something behind Alec's back, there was a whoosh and they were gone. Moments later they landed in the warlock's living room, while said warlock tried not to stumble when they arrived, even with Alec's arms wrapped around him.

"What?" Said Magnus, looking around trying to get his stomach settled, and realizing they were standing in his living room, "well, that was convenient. Drink?"

He pulled away from Alec towards his drink cart to mix them some drinks. He turned, not sure what to expect from the demon- whether he'd be sat on the couch, or centimeters away from his back again. But Alec hadn't moved from his spot. He accepted the drink from Magnus, and sat on the couch next to the Warlock when he did.

Magnus took a sip of his drink while he watched Alec sitting next to him on the couch. He had some questions about the bond, and didn't want to scare the demon off. Magnus set his drink on the table and moved to hold Alec's hand in his, trying to ground the demon and keep him from running off, "Alexander, I have some questions about the bond, but I don't want to scare you off or force you into answering my questions. I want you to know, if you don't want to answer yet, that's fine. Just tell me and I'll leave it alone."

Alec gulped down the rest of his drink before setting the glass on the table and turning to face Magnus, a guilty expression on his face, "I'll do my best to answer," he squeezed Magnus' hand in reassurance.

Magnus turned to face Alec more directly, "I don't feel much from the pentagram unless I'm actively digging into it. Is that the same for you? My understanding of the parabatai bond was that both sides could feel each other at all times."

Alec took a moment to gather his thoughts before answering, "I've been keeping a densely layered shield up after the first time you summoned me from Edom and it was activated."

Magnus nodded, expecting an answer similar to that, "but why do that? I didn't even know the link went both ways at first."

Alec's eyes flashed with guilt for a moment before he steeled himself with determination, "when I first created the pentagram and initiated the bond, it took an act of your magic for it to cement into place and it needed to happen within a day or the whole thing would disintegrate. The first summoning. I knew that if given the chance, you would dig into the bond and make the discoveries you did, so on my end I put up as many shields and layers of wall as I could to keep you from realizing it was still active. I know big things came through- large instances of magic use, and strong emotions, but I had hoped you would write them off as a fluke. At that point I didn't want you to know the bond was still active, or that it could go both ways. I didn't want you to know where I was or what I was doing, especially when you thought I'd been banished back to Edom after that first meeting. I wanted to finish what I'd started with The Circle before making myself known to you again."

Magnus' brows drew together as he worked through their different encounters, "but what about Paris? You showed up out of nowhere and I know the Circle wasn't completely dealt with yet."

"I was in the area dealing with the Circle and I knew you were close by because of the bond. I couldn't resist stopping over to see you." Alec's eyes met Magnus' for a moment before he looked away again.

"Well," said Magnus teasing Alec, "I am irresistible."

Alec snorted, but also smiled and brought his eyes back to Magnus with heat, giving him a once over, "always."

Magnus fought the urge to pounce on Alec and start another heated make out session, or something more. He still wanted to know more about the bond.

"So what changed when we were in Alicante?" Asked Magnus, following along and connecting the pieces of Alec's explanations.

Alec paused for a moment, gauging Magnus' facial expressions, which were nothing but supportive, "in Alicante, I had to drop the shields and wall layers in order to allow our magic to merge. I didn't realize until the moment your memories started flooding through to me that the bond had morphed into something else and went deeper than what I had originally created."

"So, you are shielding now? Is that why I can barely feel it unless I'm actively diving into it?"

Alec's eyes lost their heated look as he nodded, "Now that I know what the bond is, I didn't want it to overwhelm you, especially before we talked about it and you made a decision about what you wanted to do next."

"If you dropped your shields," said Magnus slowly, "will the memory exchange happen again? Is that why you're still keeping them up?"

Alec shook his head no, "The memories were the bond solidifying between us. It was a one time thing. I've been keeping the shields up because you haven't asked me to drop them, and I'm afraid I will hurt you if you're not prepared for it to be open."

Magnus nodded, "well, I'm a band aid ripper myself, and I think now is a perfect time for you to open the bond on your side so I can better understand what you're talking about. Let's do this."

Alec looked hesitant, "I don't want to overwhelm you with it. You're not an Angel, it might be too much for your body and mind to handle."

"Come on," said Magnus, as he scooted closer to Alec, "you'll be here with me and can close it up if need be. Besides, you're also not a full Angel and seem to be handling it fine. Really, what's the worst that can happen?"

"You could go insane or go into a vegetative state." Said Alec bluntly and promptly.

Magnus was practically on Alec's lap as he kept scooting closer to the demon, "I doubt that. You'll keep me safe… please? I want to understand and feel what you're feeling."

Alec swallowed and nodded, "okay," he whispered as he moved his hand from Magnus' grip and wrapped his arm around the Warlock's waist, "But only for a little bit."

Alec pulled Magnus even closer and took a deep breath then said, "brace yourself." As he exhaled he lowered the shields and walls blocking off the bond.

Magnus didn't feel anything and was going to say something when all of a sudden he was flooded with feelings, and an awareness that was not his own. It was super intense and Magnus couldn't get a grasp on anything. He was drowning in wave after wave of Alec. His love and respect for the Downworld, for Magnus in particular, his joy, his anger, his lust, his possessiveness, his insecurities, his concern and guilt, his reactions to how Magnus was feeling in the moment. He could feel Alec's Grace and Demonic nature battling within his body, his magic, his very soul. Magnus knew he could get lost in Alec's soul and he'd be happy for eternity being surrounded by the demon. He tried to bury himself deeper, to feel more of Alec.

Just as suddenly it was gone, and Magnus was alone in his own body again. He felt overwhelmingly empty- like all of his senses had been cut out, but also slightly relieved at the same time. He became aware of Alec trying to get his attention- saying his name with growing panic, and that he was definitely clinging to Alec with a death grip. He wanted to say something to reassure Alec, but couldn't make his mouth form the words. Nor could he make himself let go of the demon. He took a second to gather himself back together and forced out the words, "I'm okay."

Then he slowly worked on releasing his tight hold on Alec, who didn't seem to mind the grip at all, even though he'd definitely have arm and hand bruising around his entire waist. He didn't let go completely, just enough so Alec didn't burst any vital organs.

"Blessed Magic," said Magnus finally able to talk, stopping Alec's guilt ridden apologies, "Note to self, that's definitely not a band-aid ripping activity. I'm okay. I promise."

Alec made a wounded noise, and tightened his hold on Magnus, "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have agreed to that."

"Hey," said Magnus trying to lighten the mood, "I'm fine. No extra insanity and definitely no vegetative state, see?"

Alec's look told Magnus the demon definitely didn't find the humor in that statement, so he tried a different route, "Let's take that a little slower from now on. I think I'll be able to handle the bond being open completely, but I also think I'll need to build up to it. But we have the time. I don't plan on going anywhere or letting you go either. Ok?"

Alec nodded and buried his head in Magnus' neck again.

"Has the bond been that intense this whole time?" Asked Magnus a few minutes later as he was processing everything he felt.

"No," said Alec into Magnus' neck. He pulled his head up, "only since Alicante when it cemented itself between us."

A dark thought hit Magnus then causing him to get angrier with every word he said, "wait- you would've gone back to Edom alone without even telling me any of this if I had given any indication that that's what I would've wanted?! You would let me go, forcing more pain on yourself knowing I might be with other people and feeling everything I was feeling for and with them? Why!? Why would you put yourself through that?"

Alec seemed to be shrinking back some from Magnus, but didn't release his hold on the Warlock, "because," he finally said softly but with determination- cutting off anything else Magnus was going to say, or yell really at this point, "consent is important. As I said when you found me, I didn't want to force this on you- more so than I already have - especially if you were disgusted with what you saw from my memories, or upset you'd been forced into the bond in general."

Magnus sighed and released his anger, "Alexander, you did not force me into this. I already told you that. Promise me, from now on, you will let me know what you want or don't want. Promise me you will speak up if I do or say something that bothers you, please. Yes consent is important, but it's a two way street. Your wants and needs matter just as much as mine. You have just as much say in our relationship as I do. In any relationship you have."

Fire flickered through Alec's eyes for the briefest moment, but it brought the memory of his Fall to the forefront of Magnus' mind. How Alec tried to help the Downworld and the Angels- his family- punished him for it. Alec swallowed, "I'll try to remember that Little Warlock."

"Promise." Said Magnus, not backing down.

Alec gave a small smile, "I promise to try."

Magnus gave a small smile and pulled Alec in for a chaste kiss, "thank you."

He also made a mental note to check in more with the demon on different things and bring up concerns if Alec starts to shut down like he's done in the past. /Although…/

"Alexander, why don't we start opening the bond now. Nothing crazy like before- just a little. There's no time like the present. Right?"

Alec narrowed his eyes at Magnus for a beat before sighing, "alright, but if it's too much you need to tell me right away."

He kept his eyes on Magnus' but a few moments later, the Warlock started to feel emotions flooding him that weren't his own- surprise, worry, amusement, love, and hope to name a few. He also noticed Alec's possessiveness and his darker emotions as they slowly wrapped around Magnus like a blanket. The warlock made a content noise (Alec would joke later that Magnus was purring) and curled up closer to Alec. He was happy to just float in the waves of Alec's emotions, but was careful to not try to push it and drown himself again. He also made sure to send his emotions back to Alec, causing the demon to tighten his hold on Magnus' waist briefly.

The pair stayed cuddled up on the couch just holding each other for the rest of the afternoon. They were content to just be physically connected as they both processed the heavy conversations that had taken place throughout the day. "Do I need to learn how to shield as well? So I don't accidentally overwhelm you?" Asked Magnus after a little while of cuddling into Alec's chest.

Alec sort of shrugged but tightened his hold on Magnus, "the shield I have up has been stopping your side of the bond from overwhelming me as well, but I can teach you some techniques to build your own if you ever want it shielded."

Because Magnus could feel Alec's emotions, he knew that while his words were nonchalant, there was anxiety and fear coursing through the demon with his offer to teach him shielding. But the other hadn't hesitated to give Magnus an answer. Magnus sent a wave of appreciation, love, and his own possessiveness back towards Alec in response.

Alec just tightened his arms around Magnus again, and nuzzled into his hair.

Later, Magnus was about to suggest calling Cat and seeing if the girls wanted to join them for a dinner reunion when a fire message came straight at him, and his phone started ringing frantically- if phones could even do that.

The fire message was from Jace, asking for help with a potentially soon to be de-ruined Clary. The phone call was from a frantic Max, asking for help with Jonathan, who had already destroyed two Shadow Hunter command centers, which were plastered all over the world news stations as freak gas main breaks; and Isabelle, who was also apparently going to explode Heavenly Fire, taking all of the New York Downworld out with her.

-End Chapter 7-