it’s finally here! chapter 1 of my new multi-chapter “of crowns and constellations” is now up. this is a “red, white & royal blue” au. magnus is the first son of the united states. alec is the crown prince of the united kingdom. they hate each other. but do they 😏
Synopsis:
There are a few things about the First Son, Magnus, that every member of the White House staff knows for certain: One, he’s deathly allergic to hazelnuts. Two, when he’s cramming for a midterm, you’d be better off poking an actual lion with a stick than talking to him. And three, he absolutely cannot stand Prince Alec, the Crown Prince of the United Kingdom.
But when a catastrophe at a royal wedding occurs, Magnus and Alec are forced to put their differences aside and play nice for the cameras. Which, if you ask Magnus, is nearly impossible, because Alec is about as interesting as watching paint dry. Will they be able to fool the world for the sake of international cooperation? Or will they finally see each other for who they are, and could this be the start of something new?
thank you all so much for reading! i’m so so excited to write this and see where it goes! in the meantime, feel free to yell at me here ♥︎
Magnus threw his phone to the floor, his fingers shaking too much to hang up the call and his mind too occupied to even think about anything else. Not when Alec was laying on the ground in front of him, one of his own arrows sticking out of his chest.
His breath was ragged and slow, his eyes squeezing shut every so often from the pain he was feeling. His palms were clammy from where Magnus held it tight in his own. His skin was growing pale, sweat beading at his hairline from where he desperately hung onto life.
And all Magnus could do was sit there, and watch as the love of his life was slowly dying. His hands twitched with the need to summon his magic and make Alec feel better. But he couldn’t, there was no magic within him to summon, there was nothing he could do but hold Alec’s hand and stroke his cheek through the pain.
“Alexander, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, it’s okay.” Magnus’ throat clenched shut at the sound of Alec’s ragged and strained voice. He should be comforting Alec, not the other way round, yet Alec didn’t want to stop, always wanting to make others feel better, even if he was hurting. “If this is- is how I go. At least I saw your face. I know that you- you are safe.”
His voice was tired, rough around the breath that he couldn’t seem to find. And his words, they felt like a knife in Magnus’ chest. He wasn’t going to lose him, he couldn’t.
“No. No, it’s too soon. It’s too soon for you to leave me. I love you so much, Alexander, you can’t leave me. Please, stay with me, I love you.”
Magnus was helpless to stop the tears that were falling down his cheeks, the sobs wretching at his chest, his heart aching. Alec leaned up, with the last bit of energy that he had, and wiped away the tears on Magnus’ face.
“I love you too, Magnus Bane.”
And then his arm fell back down, too weak to hold it up. And his breathing slowed. And then his eyes slowly started to shut. And Magnus sat and watched as the life slowly left the only man that had ever loved him in a way that changed his views on what love should be. He watched him slowly fade, but their eyes never left one anothers, taking in the last of each other.
Magnus was too focused on the dull hazels that were looking up at him to notice the portal that had opened in front of them. All sound was a hum in his mind, nothing mattered but the way that Alec smiled weakly at him. It wasn’t till he was pushed away from holding onto Alec’s face, that his focus was ripped away from the love of his life.
His eyes skimmed over to Catarina, watched as her magic pulled the arrow from Alec’s chest and in his daze he grabbed it, the cool metal a reminder at how close he was to losing Alec. Catarina fought to keep him alive, applying salves that she had conjured with one hand and using the strongest healing magic she knew with the other, not letting his breathing stop. He watched as Catarina did the one thing that he couldn’t do in that moment. She was saving his life.
And when her magic stopped, and she slumped down breathing heavy, she looked at Magnus and nodded her head. “He’ll be okay.”
And a wave crashed over Magnus, the shaking and the sobs took over him as he reached to take Alec’s hand as the life rushed back through his veins. The colour was slowly bleeding back into his cheeks, and his skin was warm under Magnus’ lips as he pressed a kiss to his head.
It would take a while, Alec still needed more care, and he would need help to be back to full strength when he did wake up. But Magnus was going to be there every step of the way. All their fights and differences were insignificant to him now. Alec was going to be okay.
I finally finally got a poem down. I have reformatted this SO MANY TIMES and i DONT KNOW how to do the read more thing and tumblr formatting is the fucking bane of my existance im ready snap. ANYWAY This one is for @enkelimagnus and also a special shoutout to @champagnemagnus for the inspirastion and companionship these past few days. this was supposed to be super light and breezy ahaha no tumbr fucks anyway theres no form because im the worst and im rambling
You're just too good to be true
You make me feel like I’ve won some kind of lottery, the stars aligned, they dropped you
right out of the sky
for me, into my waiting heart.
I can't take my eyes off you
The strong form of you stands before me.
My eyes wonder
down the long length
of your sumptuous frame.
From the full curve of your shoulders that lead
like a mountain range
into those incredible arms.
The strong column of your torso, artfully sheathed in shimmering silk, rippling
as you turn towards me.
You'd be like heaven to touch
I imagine the satin softness of your skin, the warm underglow it holds, like there is a furnace in your core,
I want to stoke it with my adoration, kisses becoming coals.
I wanna hold you so much
I long to reach out, hold that body against mine, have you under my hands. Of all the things I have held,
your heart,
your body,
your sunshine saturated
shape has to be the best by far.
My fingers prickle, my lips twitch, I need that respite, you
a triage for my restless love.
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive
Finally, you stride towards me again, the ridiculously gorgeous smirk sown across your face, eyes aglow with childlike mirth.
Gathering me all back up into those fences-
arms that whisper safety
whisper home has a heartbeat.
The urge to hold onto you, to trace and re-trace love worn paths, commiting to memory my favourite parts of you, even though I could read you back to front by the first chapter.
It makes me feel invincibly lucky, which cosmos collided for us, I never thought I’d have this.
twenty gayteen is the year of alec finally enjoying his life as a succesful gay man with a good support system, great friends and family, the year when he finally proposes to the man of his life and gets to see all of his dreams come truein twenty gayteen we’re seeing alec flourish and grow, fellas!
oh are we supporting saia tonight? well count me in for their playful nerdiness and charm and also how good they are together and their sweet sweet smiles and oh my god i love them so much!!
In the minutes that had passed after Catarina had left the loft, Magnus found that he couldn’t stop touching Alexander. He was afraid to look away, as if Alexander might stop breathing if Magnus looked away. The image of him, lying on the dirty ground of the alleyway, his own arrow buried into his chest - it burns itself into his mind. It cuts through him, along with the feeling of blinding fear, and of helplessness that had poisoned him as he’d realised that he couldn’t do anything to help him.
It was a terrifying feeling. To be utterly and completely helpless in the face of Alexander’s life slipping away.
Alec’s healed hand rests on the couch between them. The skin is still pink around his wrist, and slightly swollen, despite Catarina’s best efforts. As he shifts to face Magnus, the collar of his shirt falls to the side, exposing a bit of the white bandage that covers the slowly healing wound on his chest. Magnus’ stomach twists itself at the sight of it.
“Magnus.” Alec’s voice is soft, and gentle. The one Magnus has only ever heard when it’s directed to him.
Turning to look at him, Magnus runs his gaze over Alec’s face, taking in the line of worry that creases the skin between his eyebrows. He wants to reach out and smooth it out.
Alec cocks his head to the side, regarding Magnus with an expression he can’t quite read. A second or so passes before Alec is standing up, reaching into his pocket to pull out his phone. He glances at Magnus.
“Come on. Get up.”
Magnus narrows his eyes at him. “What are you doing?”
Alec doesn’t answer, eyes trained on his phone while he holds out his free hand to Magnus. He turns to look at Magnus expectantly. Magnus sighs and takes his hand, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.
“Alexander. What are you doing?” Magnus repeats.
“I,” Alec pauses, smiling when soft music begins to play from his phone. He places it down on the coffee table and wraps an arm around Magnus’ waist, pulling him closer until he’s flush against his chest, “am dancing with you.”
Magnus is lost for words. It’s been so long since he last did this, since he’d told Alec late one night, in a conversation that had carried on for hours and hours in between silk sheets, that dancing was one of the few things that brought him peace, and calm.
One of them, because the other is currently holding onto him like he never wants to let go. And it’s love that Magnus sees in the soft crinkles that surround Alexander’s eyes when he smiles at him, the gentle caress of his fingers against his waist that make him feel like nothing’s wrong. Like nothing is too much, too painful, that couldn’t be eclipsed by this moment.
“Your arm.” That’s all Magnus can manage to get out, through the emotion settling itself in his throat.
“My arm is just fine.” Alec says softly, pressing his lips gently to Magnus’ forehead.
It’s the simple melody of acoustic guitar that surrounds them, wraps them in an inexplicable warmth that feels like nothing could ever break it. Magnus’ eyes sting with the promise of tears as he wraps his arms around Alec and lets himself be pulled closer. He places his head in the crook of Alec’s neck, and just breathes, breathes in everything that makes him whole.
“Thank you.” The words that escape him are so soft, like a breath, that he’s not sure if Alec even heard him.
Alec’s arms tighten around him as they move slowly to the music. It’s nothing beautiful; not a display of skill or talent, but it means the world to Magnus. He could stay like this forever.
Alec’s breath plays gently over the skin of his neck. A breath that might not have been there, if Magnus had been but a second late. The mere thought of it shakes him to his very core.
“I almost lost you today.” he whispers, in a voice that seems so unlike his own.
A soft sigh escapes Alexander’s lips. He presses closer, and kisses Magnus’ neck. His stubble tickles the skin of his neck, and warmth spreads from that spot. Magnus lets himself feel the beat of his heart, lets himself feel the warmth of Alec’s skin.
He’s alive. He’s alive. He’s alive.
“You didn’t. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I love you.” The words fall from him immediately, like a knee-jerk reaction. As if they’re always waiting on the tip of his tongue, waiting to find their way to Alexander.
Alec pulls back then, so that he can look at Magnus. He moves his hands from his waist and brings them up to his face. Magnus lets his eyes flutter shut for a moment, before turning his head to press a kiss to Alec’s palm. Alec’s thumb comes up to collect a tear that had escaped Magnus’ eyes.
He didn’t even know he’d started crying.
“I love you too.” Alec says, eyes soft and gentle, “So fucking much.”
He drops a hand from Magnus’ face to hold onto one of his. His fingers intertwine with Magnus’, and his gaze falls to their clasped hands.
“I’m sorry.” His voice is strained, “I’m so sorry.”
Magnus’ brows furrow together, “Why are you apologising, my love?”
“You gave up everything for Jace. For me.”
“Not everything.” Magnus says, because his everything is standing right in front of him, “Not you.”
Alec shakes his head slightly, like he’s at a loss for words when Magnus says things like this. Magnus forces a smile onto his face. Alec has had enough pain for one day.
“I’m fine, Alexander.” He tries with all his might to keep his voice from wavering, “I’ll figure something out.”
A pained look finds its way into Alec’s eyes. “You don’t always have to be so strong.” He whispers. His thumb runs gently over the curve of Magnus’ cheekbone, “I know how much your magic meant to you, Magnus.”
He should have expected it. Alec has always had a knack for seeing beyond a façade, no matter how carefully constructed it may be. He’s a protector. And Magnus feels the weight of everything that had happened sink into his shoulders. He feels the lack of the familiar thrum of magic under his skin, feels the sickening emptiness of the well inside him. Everything is hollow.
“I don’t know what to do.” Magnus confesses, voice choked, and then he lets himself fall apart, lets himself sag and release the tension from his shoulders and lets Alec hold onto him, lets him help him pick up the pieces of what’s left of him, “I really don’t know what to do.”
“We’ll fix this. I promise.” Alec’s voice is resolute, unwavering, “I’ll move heaven and earth to find a way to fix this.”
Alec’s eyes are fierce, strong, like everything about him. It’s just one of the endless things about him that Magnus commits to memory. Alec loves deeply, guilelessly, with every part of his heart. And Magnus lets himself be enveloped by that love, lets himself find the strength he needs to overcome this in Alec. In the man who feels like he was the universe’s gift to Magnus, for anything good he’s ever done in his life.
Magnus loves him like he’s all that’s left in the world.
Alec’s fingers touch the corners of his unglamoured eyes. They flutter shut of their own accord. Magnus had forgotten about them. That they’re out in the open for all to see, now. He feels exposed. Like a nerve.
Nothing, however, could prepare him for the surge of emotion that takes over him when Alec leans forward and presses his lips gently to each eyelid. All the breath leaves Magnus, and his hands come up to clasp Alec’s wrists. And he’s the only real thing in the world then, Alexander Lightwood. The only thing keeping his head above the surface of the water.
“I promise.” Alec whispers then, and the conviction lacing every syllable tugs at something in Magnus’ chest
What did I do to deserve you, Alexander?
“And in the meantime,” Alec continues, a playful smile finding its way onto his face as Magnus opens his eyes to look at him, “I should probably train you.” His fingers run gently down Magnus’ sides, leaving a trail of blazing warmth in their wake. “You know. For self-defence.”
Magnus raises a brow at him, unable to wipe his own smile from his face, “You just want to see me in tight training clothes.”
Alec’s grin just gets wider as he shrugs, “Can you blame a guy?”
Magnus lets out a laugh, and wraps his arms around Alec’s neck before leaning forward to kiss him.
“Anyways, magic or not,” he whispers against Alec’s lips, “I’d still kick your butt, Shadowhunter.”
Alec’s eyes narrow playfully. “We’ll see about that.”
It’s moments like this that make Magnus feel like the world had really found its way into his palms with Alexander. Like there was really nothing that he couldn’t conquer with Alec by his side. The answers to everything seem to lie with the man in front of him, the man who looks at him like he’s all that matters.
Magnus kisses him then, lips lingering, feeling his breath and his heartbeat align themselves with Alec’s, until they’re two halves of a whole that seemed like the universe itself had willed it into existence.
