Summary: It has been days since the illness started to spread. And somehow, impossibly, Magnus thought Alec would be safe. That all the protection spells he’d woven on the Shadowhunter would keep him safe.
He was wrong.
It was too late.
Alec was already sick.
Or,
Shadowhunters fall ill to a mysterious curse, and Magnus Bane will be damned if he doesn't try everything to save his husband and little family of angel-blooded troublemakers.
Relationships: Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood
Tags: Canon Universe, Inquisitor Alec Lightwood, High Warlock of Alicante Magnus Bane, Mysterious illness, Curses, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Alec Lightwood Loves Magnus Bane, Magnus Bane Loves Alec Lightwood, Protective Magnus Bane, BAMF Magnus Bane, Secret Santa 2025, POV Magnus Bane, Angst with a Happy Ending
Chapters: 2/4
Word Count: 1,904
Notes: This was written as a gift for Lyora to the Punnyhill Farm's Secret Santa 2025.
Summary: Magnus was born a warlock. Magnus became a mundane for love and by self-sacrificing tendencies. Magnus turned into a vampire after an act of spite and revenge.
A story about survival, new identities, love through adversities, and accepting changes.
Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Episode: s03e17 Heavenly Fire, Vampire Magnus Bane, Turned without consent, Major Character Undeath, Immortal to Mortal to Immortal, Magnus Bane Deserves Nice Things, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Good Boyfriend Alec Lightwood, Soft Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood, Cat & Alec friendship, Domestic Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood, Fluff and Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending
Rating: E
Chapters: 10
Words: Around 23k~
This fic was created for the Shadowhunters Mini Bang 2023: Presented by the @malecdiscordserver
You can read it on AO3 or the seventh chapter below ~
Chapter 7 - I'm here to stay
There was an old saying that said that no news are good news. But when almost half a day has gone by and there was no news from Alec - no calls, no messages, no surprise portalling -, Magnus felt like slowly losing his mind. Not to be an overbearing boyfriend, especially when your partner is a Shadowhunter, but this was no ordinary mission either. Hell, Magnus would feel more reassured if Alec was dealing with a Greater Demon, not Camille.
He dread to think what that woman could do to Alec. She killed Magnus without an ounce of regret, and they knew each other for centuries. But Alec was new, Alec was… was…
Magnus groaned out loud. He needed a drink.
Or ten.
But before he could even dare to touch one of Ragnor’s very expensive decanters, his phone vibrated inside Alec’s his sweater. He hurriedly fished it out to accept the call, expecting to be Alec with good news, but his stomach totally dropped when it wasn’t his boyfriend’s name on the screen.
It was Isabelle’s.
It didn’t sound good.
“How bad is it?” Magnus quickly said in lieu of a greeting.
Perhaps Izzy had already anticipated this kind of reaction because she went straight to the point without trying any amenities or giving excuses.
“Bad, but he is stable now. Cat tried her best, and alongside some iratzes, he might be as new in a couple of weeks.”
Weeks. Magnus let out a shaky breath.
Would the result be different if he was there to fight together with Alec? Maybe he could’ve persuaded Camille or…
Or he have her mess with your head again.
Magnus shook his head. No, he couldn’t go there. Not now.
“I feel so useless,” he said anyway. “Of course, I trust Cat’s healing skills, but if I still had my magic…”
If I still were a warlock...
Isabelle stayed quiet for a moment, and Magnus dreaded the pity that was about to come.
Though, surprisingly, it didn’t. Her voice was kind, almost amused.
“When it’s about Alec, you don’t really need magic, Magnus. Believe me, your charms are enough. You make him feel better than any healing spell or angelic rune. Would you like to come and keep him company? I’m pretty sure he’ll be very happy waking up to you next to him.”
And because she was Isabelle Lightwood, she couldn’t help but also tease.
“He’ll probably be less fussy, too. Raziel knows that my big brother can’t stay still for long, even worse if you’re on the other side of the ocean and he can’t portal without a healer’s approval.”
That was what sealed the deal for Magnus. He was still very uncertain of stepping into New York, especially the Institute, but since all this undead ordeal had started, Alec was the one bending over backward for Magnus, coming and going all the time without complaining once. It was about time that Magnus would do the same for his boyfriend.
Yes, for Alec - and mayhaps even for himself - Magnus could be brave again.
No more hiding.
“Yes. Please, ask Biscuit to open a portal for me.”
Isabelle’s glee was all he needed as a response.
~*~
Magnus barely left the portal and already found himself with his arms full of Clary and Izzy.
“We missed you so much, Magnus.” Clary tightened the hold on him, almost as if afraid he would disappear again in the blink of an eye.
“I’m sorry for taking so long to see you again.” He smiled, patting their backs gently.
“If you pull that shit again, I’ll force you to eat my special lasagna, even if you can’t eat anymore.” Isabelle sniffed.
“I wonder how that would taste now…” He mumbled before hearing someone snickering behind him. When he turned his head, Magnus found Jace looking at him somewhat fondly.
“Welcome back, Bane. You look good.”
“And you look like shit, Jonathan.”
Magnus wasn’t even teasing. Jace looked really bad - his skin looked grayish, clearly clammy, and the bags under his eyes were a sickly purple. Magnus could only imagine what kind of pain was bleeding from the parabatai bond.
And if Jace was bad, Alec was twice worse. Not only in appearance but the readings on the EKG device didn’t look good. Alec’s heart was too frantic for someone who was lying down. There was also a sling immobilizing his left arm, bandages covering the entirety of it until his shoulder.
If they had to do that the mundane way, something was very, very wrong.
“What happened?”
“Camille was expecting us. I think she wanted us to come. So, of course, she wasn’t alone. She had a lot of followers, most of all still fledglings, demons, and a couple of warlocks. We took care of them while Alec and Cat ran after Camille, but–”
“Cat?” Magnus gasped in horror, his eyes wide in panic. “Catarina never gets involved. How did she…”
“Cat was furious,” Jace grumbled. “She demanded to go with us and Alec didn’t even blink twice to allow her.”
God, he was going to have words with Cat. She was supposed to be the level-headed between them, not indulging his boyfriend in murdering tendencies against his ex.
Well, somehow Magnus wouldn’t be surprised if it actually was the opposite and Alec was the one indulging Cat.
He sighed tiredly, but couldn’t hide the fondness regarding this blooming friendship between them. What was he going to do with those two?
“So, what else?”
“There was a rift open in the basement where all the demons were crawling from. We aren’t sure what hell realm it was, though. Not only the demons were a different kind, but a strange smoke was spiraling in there. It was contained somehow, and we can only guess it was per Camille’s request because it seemed poisonous to Downworloders too.”
Magnus hummed. He could guess what hell realm it was, and if he was right, they had dumb luck. The venom from its demons’ teeth was quick, effective, and fatal.
“Was there any casualty on your side?”
“Only scratches, but no bites. The only one who got truly hurt was Alec.” Izzy sighed, gently squeezing her brother’s ankle. “Between Alec and Cat, when Camille realized it was over, she tried to at least take one of them with her.”
“Cat.” Magnus guessed in a beat.
Izzy blinked in surprise. “Yes. How do you know? Even I thought she was going for Alec.”
Magnus shook his head.
“Camille is very clever. Yes, she could’ve tried to harm Alexander to hurt me, but she always saw the bigger picture first. Without Ragnor and Raphael, Cat is the only immortal closest to me as my family. If she died, and decades later I also lost Alec due to his mortality, I’d be all alone.”
Izzy nodded slowly, clearly disturbed by that woman’s cunningness.
“At least she failed…” Magnus shuddered, holding tight on Alec’s good hand to remind himself that his boyfriend was safe.
“Yes, because my self-sacrificing brother was able to throw himself in front of Cat in time and serve as a living shield. Camille ended up grabbing him instead and both fell inside the rift. Alec grabbed a rock in time, but that harpy craved her nails on his shoulder. It tore his muscles to the bone. He almost got his entire arm ripped out.”
Magnus flinched.
“But she still didn't give up.” Jace continued, clearly annoyed. By his frown, he would bring Camille back just to kill her again if he could. “She only failed to drag Alec with her because his ring shoved her or something. It was pretty strong and-”
“This is why it will take some time to totally heal.” Isabelle intervened, sending a ‘shut up’ glare to Jace. “We were able to prevent the loss of movements on his arm, but it will take a lot more iratzes and physical therapy to get to what it was before. No bow for him for a while.”
“At least it wasn’t his right arm. Alec would get crazy without being able to write reports.” Jace snickered.
Magnus snorted though. “Bold of you to assume he wouldn’t learn how to write left-handed just for that.” Then shook his head in fond disbelief while regarding his unconscious boyfriend. “Silly Shadowhunter…”
However, something started bothering him and he turned to Isabelle and Jace again.
“There is only one thing I don’t understand. You said that Camille almost ripped his arm off when she held onto him, but some magic from a ring pushed her. What ring?” Magnus frowned. Alec didn’t wear rings as far as Magnus knew. His Shadowhunter didn’t seem one to like jewelry, after all. Did he pick up one of Magnus’ as a good luck token? Magnus did have some that were imbued with a couple of enchantments. Nothing strong enough to counterattack dark magic, however.
“God, you can’t keep a secret if your life depended on it, Jace…” Alec groaned and three pairs of eyes snapped towards him.
“Alexander!” Magnus immediately lifted Alec’s hand and peppered his knuckles with kisses.
Alec’s pale cheeks immediately gained some color, causing his siblings to snicker.
“Sorry, buddy.”
“No, you’re not.”
“No, I’m not.” Jace full-on grinned and Izzy giggled after seeing the attempt at a glare by Alec.
“Hush, children. Off you go, you two. I need to take care of my boyfriend now. Shoo!” Magnus waved his hand towards the door, not even trying to feign a look at those two heathens.
The infirmary door closed after stifled snorts and hushed snarks, but neither man paid any attention to them, only having eyes for each other.
“Hi.”
“Hello, my love.” Magnus smiled. “It looks like you had a difficult mission.”
Alec groaned again. “Difficult doesn’t even cover it. I’m so glad it’s over though. Camille won’t be a problem anymore, and you’re finally free from her.”
Magnus’ smile turned a bit sad on the corners. “At a high cost, I’m afraid. I’m just happy the price didn’t skyrocket with your life. I’m really glad you tried to protect Catarina, but you could’ve died, Alec.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t really think. When I saw her going to Cat, I just… acted.”
The vampire nodded but didn’t try to reprimand him or anything. He was too relieved for that. Too relieved knowing it was finally over and there would be one less nightmare of a never-ending pile of them. Or so he wanted to believe. The shadows always lurked for a little while after.
“Marry me.”
Alec blurted suddenly and Magnus startled.
“W-What?”
“I was going to wait more until I was sure you were more settled and ready, but God, Magnus. I can’t. I love you so much. Calling you my husband consumes my thoughts all the time.” With some difficulty, Alec reached for the ring he had been carrying for the last days. “This isn’t the right one yet. The warlock jeweler I’m in contact with has been running some experimental tests with different types of strong protective and tracking spells. For us both. So you’ll also never have to worry about me.” Alec smiled a little. “I think I can let Soohyun know that her spells are a success.”
The older man gaped at him.
“Please say something, Magnus.”
It was then that the whole dam broke as if only now the reality had hit Magnus with full force.
Magnus started to giggle.
Then, the giggles morphed into a hysterical laugh.
And then, into sobs.
Alec was alarmed, certain that he had done something wrong. He was about to backpedal and ask Magnus to forget about it when the man grabbed his cheeks and practically slammed their mouths together. The kiss was a bit painful - definitely wet and salty - but Alec ignored even his injuries to reciprocate all the love bleeding from Magnus.
“Only you…” Magnus was still sobbing, but there was a hint of a smile in his words. “Only you would propose to me at a Shadowhunter infirmary, darling.”
Alec blushed hard, then shrugged, going for nonchalant and missing by a mile.
“The only other option seemed to be during some Apocalypse. Maybe a city burning, demons everywhere.”
Magnus half-sobbed, half-giggled, and Alec smiled softly.
Completely smitten.
“Is this a yes? No? Or do you need time to think about it?”
“Alexander.” Magnus tried to wipe his face the best he could with his hands, and only then he looked at the Shadowhunter with a big, genuine smile.
His eyes were a little swollen around the edges, his make-up was all smudged, his nose would probably be very red if he wasn’t a vampire, and there was what seemed to be a bit of snot on it.
And yet.
Even a mess, Magnus Bane was beautiful.
Alec loved him so much.
“It has been a yes since you scrunched your nose in the most adorable way when I served you a drink that you hated. And then, when you had to go back to the Institute because your mother demanded, you still chose to spend the whole night talking to me about the most ridiculous topics. It has been a yes since that night, cintaku.”
At that moment, Alec’s eyes lit up in a way that Magnus would never forget.
He was certain not even the gold of his former eyes could outshine them.
They were full of love, hope, and adoration.
Magnus kissed Alec again, happily drowning in his boyfriend.
Here you can relax, drink any combination of coffee, get a cute latte art (from a tall, dark and handsome barista) and just be yourself. Maybe even fall in love. Who knows? Roll a dice and make your bet.
Alec falls in love with Magnus. Magnus falls in love with Alec. And between smiles, drawings and surprising words, not even a sugarless black coffee is stronger than their pining.
Here you can relax, drink any combination of coffee, get a cute latte art (from a tall, dark and handsome barista) and just be yourself. Maybe even fall in love. Who knows? Roll a dice and make your bet.
Alec falls in love with Magnus. Magnus falls in love with Alec. And between smiles, drawings and surprising words, not even a sugarless black coffee is stronger than their pining.
Summary: Magnus was born a warlock. Magnus became a mundane for love and by self-sacrificing tendencies. Magnus turned into a vampire after an act of spite and revenge.
A story about survival, new identities, love through adversities, and accepting changes.
Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Episode: s03e17 Heavenly Fire, Vampire Magnus Bane, Turned without consent, Major Character Undeath, Immortal to Mortal to Immortal, Magnus Bane Deserves Nice Things, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Good Boyfriend Alec Lightwood, Soft Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood, Cat & Alec friendship, Domestic Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood, Fluff and Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending
Rating: E
Chapters: 10
Words: Around 23k~
This fic was created for the Shadowhunters Mini Bang 2023: Presented by the @malecdiscordserver
You can read it on AO3 or the eighth chapter below ~
Chapter 8 - You taught me to live each day like it's my last
“Are you really a vampire now?”
“I am.”
“And you only drink blood now?”
“I do.”
“And no magic? No more extra chocolate sprinkles?”
“No magic. But I can still give you extra chocolate sprinkles. In secret, or else Uncle Alec will punish us with a lot of tickles.”
Madzie giggled.
Children were so simple. In the best of ways. Although it hurt admitting some harsh truths out loud - like not being able to use magic anymore -, it was nice doing it only to fulfill an honest curiosity, full of wonder and awe.
Magnus wouldn’t lie and say he wasn’t nervous at finally meeting Madzie again, but he missed his goddaughter too much to keep pushing back a visit. Since the successful mission against Camille three weeks before, Magnus was making more visits to the New York Institute - and New York overall. He was slowly trying to get used to the city again with his new senses and also going to the Hotel DuMort to talk to the clan.
If he was also using the opportunity to keep an eye on his very, very stubborn fiancé who was still healing from the mission, well, nobody but him needed to know that.
“Are you okay with this new me, Sweet Pea?”
“I am.”
See? Simple.
“I like your fangs. They are cool. Much cooler than Uncle Simon’s.” Then, as if telling him a secret, she lowered her voice and came closer to him. “But don’t tell him that. Or he will have puppy ears.”
“Puppy ears?”
“It’s puppy eyes, kiddo.” Cat corrected her after snickering.
Madzie shrugged, then went back to play with her dolls in what seemed to be an imaginary tea party.
Magnus, who was drinking a special blend of blood tea, turned to Cat then.
“I know that I shouldn’t be surprised, but she took this change better than I anticipated.”
Catarina took a sip of her own actual tea, not bothering to hide a grin afterward.
"Your little brood of Shadowhunters plus Simon took it upon themselves to play with Madzie and distract her while her Uncle Magnus was away. But she spent more time with Simon. Alec’s idea. This way she could get more used to vampires and not feel uncomfortable when visiting your future clan."
Alexander…
“Anyway, vampire or not, that boy was a perfect babysitter. He talked so much, that even Madzie got tired. She never napped so quickly in all the time she has been with me.”
Usually, Magnus would make a teasing comment about that, but his mind was still processing what Cat told him about Alec’s idea.
"Cat, how the hell did someone like him choose me? If we weren’t already engaged, I’d barge into the Institute right now and ask him to marry me."
"Magnus Bane finally settling, huh? In all the centuries that I know you, you never mentioned wedding bells, not even with the demon."
Magnus chuckles. Everyone around him stopped saying her name - not out of fear, but because they believed it could erase her from their memories sooner than later.
"Alec makes me dream about things that I've given up a long time ago, Cat."
Marriage. Family. Children.
"I want everything with him."
“I’d say you’re already halfway there.” His friend wiggled her eyebrows, jutting her chin towards the ring he was wearing.
His real engagement ring. A couple of days after Alec was discharged from the infirmary, he received a message from the warlock jeweler to let him know that the enchanted pair of rings were finished. Even without his powers, Magnus could feel the magic pouring from them - it was very powerful.
He knew Alec had ordered them specifically for Magnus, to keep him safe, but Magnus was glad and relieved to know it went both ways - Alec would also have an extra layer of protection and he would know if the Shadowhunter was in true danger.
“Have you chosen a place to hold the wedding?”
“Not yet. Alexander and I are still discussing all the details. He said he wanted to get involved in the planning this time.” Magnus smiled, then chuckled. “But I called dibs on the decor. I love Alec, but his concept of color is black and different shades of gray.”
The warlock frowned. “I thought you would go with the traditional gold of a Nephilim wedding.”
“No. In another time, we would’ve gone with a mix of Nephilim gold and Warlock blue, but now…” Magnus sighed before putting his teacup away.
Suddenly, Madzie piped in.
“Are you and Uncle Alec marrying like those princes and princesses of fairy tales? Uncle Alec looks like a prince.”
Magnus laughed. “And you’re absolutely right, my love.” He picked her up, and she immediately snuggled with him.
“Auntie Izzy told me I could be a flower girl. Does this mean I’ll wear a dress full of flowers?”
“If you want to wear one, we can arrange that. But being a flower girl means you’ll create a path full of flowers for me and Alec. This way, our marriage will start more colorful, fragrant, and beautiful.”
“I like that.” Magnus could hear the smile on Madzie’s voice, and his heart couldn’t help but melt at that.
“Me too, Sweet Pea. Me too.”
~*~
“Alex reminds me of you,” Magnus commented, earning a deadpan look from Alec.
They were sprawled on the couch, Magnus bracketed by Alec’s legs, his head resting on the Shadowhunter’s chest - the sound of Alec’s beating heart still being Magnus’ biggest source of comfort.
Lately, this was how their date nights went by. A movie or a show, a nice meal, cuddling - or a delicious session of make out - until they fell asleep. It was a good way to keep the nightmares at bay, and gradually Magnus has been feeling more relaxed and settled again.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t share popcorn anymore - Magnus had his own snack soaked in blood.
“Because we both are called Alexander?” Alec drawled.
“That too, but you two are very good with politics, always trying to help others, born leaders, adorably oblivious when it comes to crushes, and have a dangerous public sex kink.”
“I don’t have a public sex kink!”
“Darling, Underhill has to deactivate the training room’s cameras every time we’re there.”
Alec grumbled under his breath, and Magnus snickered.
“Well, I’m sorry if it’s too hard to keep my hands off you, Your Royal Highness.”
This time, Magnus gasped.
Then, they both broke into a fit of giggles.
Alec let go of his popcorn in favor to hold Magnus closer and took the opportunity to nuzzle against the side of the vampire’s head. Magnus closed his eyes for a moment, sinking into that warm feeling so uniquely Alec, and only after a couple of minutes he went back to pay attention to the movie.
It was only when they were in the middle of the second movie, some underrated rom-com, that Magnus noticed how Alec was distracted.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Lydia.”
“Ah, I see. You’re thinking about your ex-fiancée while I’m right here with you.” Magnus teased.
Alec rolled his eyes. “It’s not that. It’s just…” He waved a bit upset to the TV. “I can understand that guy being afraid of coming out, but does he need to treat the guy he loves like that? Like a dirty secret?”
“Sometimes you don’t have a choice if you want to be with the one you love the most,” Magnus whispers, and there is an underlining of a past experience there.
Alec sighed. “As much as I hate how I treated you in the past when we first met, I think it was better than treating you as someone who should be hidden. No one should, but especially not you, Magnus. You are too big to conceal. If someone did that, they were a major asshole and didn’t deserve you. People should be proud to show you off, not hide you.”
Magnus looked surprised at Alec who was still fuming and cursing the main character of the movie.
“Even when I lost everything and was a mere mundane, you never minded, did you?”
“Of course not. I love you. All of you. And I accept any version you choose to be.”
“And if I became like one of those villains from superhero movies?”
Alec shrugged. “Some villains are hot.”
Magnus fully grinned by then.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe I am. But that’s okay. I got you.”
I will always get you.
They stayed in silence for some more time, until Magnus broke it.
