Malec Drabble Alphabet - M
Magnus Bane. It was a name that inspired both fear and awe in equal measure. It was also a name that was almost universally known amongst all the varying species of the Shadow World. Magnus Bane: one of the most powerful warlocks of their time, a well-known lothario and party boy⊠and also a complete enigma to most. He seemed to have allies and foes on every continent, though none appeared to know anything but the basic details about him; his true age still remained a frustrating mystery. The warlock also seemed to be able to procure anything for anyone, at the right price of course. His magic was known to be stronger than the everyday warlock, capable of making what should be impossible happen. He was a modern legend, immortal and untouchable.
To Alec, the name Magnus Bane meant something else completely. It was a name that brought comfort and, dare he say it, love. He knew very well that Magnus was a person like any other, full of beautiful contradictions and uncertain truths. He knew of the man beneath the legend. He knew of his little nuances; the way he used humor to deflect and disarm, the way he used clothes and makeup as armor, the difference between his placating smirks and his genuine smiles. He knew all about Magnusâ insecurities that he hid behind boisterous confidence, and he knew all about the dark past heâd escaped.
Alec knew everything about Magnus Bane, and yet he was learning more everyday. And, Angel, he loved everything about him too.
Love. Alec was in love. He could hardly believe it himself.
Oh Alec had people he loved, his siblings being at the top of that list⊠but being in love was an entirely new feeling for him. He didnât realize how beautiful and yet painful it could be. It felt as if his heart would beat right of his chest every time he was with Magnus. Wonderful, gorgeous Magnus. Magnus who was legendary for his hedonism and even his brutality and yet was most understanding, generous person he had ever known.
Alec wished he could tell the warlock how much he meant to him. But the words always got caught in his throat, dying on his tongue before he could get them out. Maybe he was afraid of rejection, irrational though it was⊠or maybe he felt he wasnât worthy of loving Magnus. Or maybe he just was bad at love. Honestly, it amazed him that the other man had stayed with him for as long as he had. Alec was constantly grateful for the warlockâs patience with him.
âWhat about love?â Magnus had once asked him.
I love you, the shadowhunter thought now, looking at the man lying beside him. He swallowed thickly, unable to tear his eyes away from Magnusâ resting face. His hair was a mess; dark locks falling into his eyes. The makeup heâd been wearing earlier long wiped off, leaving only smooth, bare skin. He was lying on his stomach, arms curled around a pillow, eyes slowly drifting closed. Angel, heâs so beautiful, Alec couldnât help but think, dumbfounded.
âAlexander, I can feel you brooding,â Magnus huffed fondly, interrupting the shadowhunterâs spiralling thoughts. âItâs much too late for brooding.â
âHowâd you know Iâm brooding?â he asked, brow furrowing. âMaybe Iâm just strategizing for tomorrowâs mission.â Yeah, my mission to finally say it. Honestly, itâs just three words. Stop being pathetic. You say them to Izzy all the time.
But this⊠this is different. More important somehow.
âItâs also far too late to be strategizing, darling,â Magnus said softly, opening his sleepy eyes. He reached over and gently touched his thumb to the wrinkle in Alecâs brow, smoothing it away. Alecâs throat tightened at the action, his heart stuttering. Câmon. Just say it. âSleep. You can be your big, strong shadowhunter self tomorrow. Right now I just need my Alexander to close his admittedly gorgeous eyes and get some rest. Wouldnât want him to get injured on that all important mission tomorrow.â
He flushed a bit at the compliment, heart picking up speed. âAre we talking in third person now?â he asked dryly. He was rewarded with an amused smile, Magnusâ eyes sparkling. Nowâs your chance. Just say it. âMagnus, Iââ the other man looked at him drowsily, waiting for him to finish. Just. Say. It. âI- I wonât get injured,â he finally mumbled, looking away.
Magnus laughed a bit, the sound as painfully beautiful as the rest of him. âI hope not. I donât particularly like having to fix you up when youâre all bloody. But I thank you for the reassurance. Now less talking, more cuddling; I want to sleep.â The warlock promptly took one of Alecâs arms and pulled it over himself, rolling onto his side to accommodate the new position.
Alec sighed, feeling like a failure, but settled gladly around the other man, their bodies pressed flush together. Spooning, another new concept to Alec, though one he apparently sucked less at. I just canât say things, he thought sulkily. But he gave into his to desire to hold Magnus a bit tighter in an attempt to calm himself, pressing his nose into the back of his neck, nuzzling.
The warlock sighed contentedly at that and was soon sleeping peacefully. Alec, on the other hand, was still very much awake⊠And in the comforting darkness of the bedroom, with the only sound breaking the stillness the steady puff of Magnusâ breath, he finally allowed himself to say what heâd wanted to say the entire time.
âI love you,â he whispered against Magnusâ skin. I love you so much. Thank you for letting me love you.
Tomorrow, he then decided. Tomorrow he would say it for real.
He didnât get to see Magnusâ answering smile from where he lay in Alecâs arms, the warlock having heard the entire thing. But that was ok, because he would realize what happened in the morning, when Magnus would roll over and catch his face steadily in his hands, the words spilling out breathlessly.Â
âI love you too, Alexander,â Magnus would say for the first time.
But certainly not for the last.
All alphabet drabbles are tagged under malecalphabet