After a particular incident, which Magnus will deny has anything to do with his decision, the warlock gives teaching shadowhunters in training a go.
If he happens to also teach his husband something along the way, that's just a bonus.
When shadowhunter academies had first opened their doors to downworlder teachers, both Catarina and Ragnor had tried to convince Magnus to give teaching a go. Catarina with her steady and unwavering faith that Magnus would be a positive influence on the young minds, and Ragnor with his teasing competitiveness, insisting that Magnus would screw the kids up royally.
Good times.
No matter how much the two had tried, though, Magnus had declined.
Now, however, as the husband of one Alexander Gideon Lightwood-Bane, head of the New York Institute and - if rumors are to be believed - rising star candidate for the position of Inquisitor, Magnus has decided to reconsider that whole teaching deal.
Especially since the New York institute has become kind of infamous in the shadow world as the place for not only heroic world saving, but also progressive attitudes and relationships between shadowhunters and downworlders.
This brought young, inquisitive, and impressionable minds in the form of 8 to 17 year old shadowhunters in training, to the doors of the NYI for a true “field trip” experience.
Which is how Magnus Lightwood-Bane, a warlock of immense power and more than four centuries of life experience, finds himself in the institute’s training room, standing in front of a group of 12 kids, and undertaking what he feels to be a momentous mission:
Putting some sense into the next generation of shadowhunters' heads.
Which, really, if you think about it, might just be the most important task of all. And when considering previous experiences with various shadowhunters in his aquaintance, also quite daunting.
Never the less, Magnus is ready and willing to take on this mission for the sake of preventing future stupidity, catastrophes and recklessness.
(And no, this obviously has nothing at all to do with any recent actions, of selectively foolishly reckless heads of the institute’s. How ever could anyone arrive at such conclusions?)
"So, to reiterate all we have learned today, let’s have a little Q and A.
Let’s say you are strolling by an alley and a portal opens up, which releases a bunch of ravenor demons. What should you not do?"
Many of the children raise their hands eagerly, and Magnus points to one of the girls in the front. Ten year old Mathilda Ravenscar, who despite her young age, has shown some remarkable astuteness.
"Recklessly engage the hostiles without any backup."
Magnus gives her a proud smile and nods. "Right! And what should you do instead, in that completely hypothetical situation?"
Again many raise their hands, and Magnus is so very satisfied to see the obvious fruits of his work. He will be rubbing it in Ragnor’s face how great of a teacher he is.
“Yes, Preston.” He picks the 16 year old successor of the Gladstone line.
"Use either your cell phone, or your stele for a fire message, to send out a distress signal to the nearest allies, and keep an eye on the situation until reinforcements arrive."
The teen answers dutifully.
Happily clapping his hands together, Magnus nods enthusiastically.
"Very good! And what if, in this still completely made up scenario, the demons are about to disperse and attack the mundanes before your backup has arrived?"
Eager hands rise up once again, and Magnus pats himself on the back for being the greatest teacher ever. (Take that Ragnor!)
"If interference is needed to keep the demons away from the mundanes,” 12 year old Allison Longford answers, “make use of the portable temporary containment fields that the allied warlocks have made for us, to buy a few extra minutes."
Magnus beams. "Excellent! You are all going to be wonderful future shadowhunters who use their heads and don't make stupidly reckless decisions that land them in the infirmary, and have their spouses worried out of their minds. … Hypothetically speaking, of course.”
The children all smile and congratulate each other on a lesson well learned, and Magnus sends a covert look to the other side of the training hall, where one ‘head of the institute who is currently having his arm in a sling’, and one parabatai of the ‘head of the institute who is currently having his arm in a sling’, have been observing the class for the last few minutes.
Jace, with great amusement, leans over to Alec slightly, making sure to keep his voice low, lest the training hall's acoustics carry their conversation back to the group of visiting shadowhunters in training and their teacher.
"So, Magnus is still pissed about last week, huh?"
for the malec prompts thing: Reverse AU? (shadowhunter magnus x warlock alec)
I had to think about this one for sure. I’ve never read any reverse AU for malec. I wasn’t sure who to keep as shadowhunters or to switch everything. I hope you like it!
“The man is 200 years old, and we don’t have one high quality picture of him?”
Hodge gives Magnus an exasperated look and carries on with the presentation, “Alec Lightwood is High Warlock of Brooklyn. As Magnus blatantly put it, he is 200 years old, which is deemed young for warlocks. The fact he has this position shows how intelligent, resourceful, and clever he is. He’s dangerous and sharp as a nail. If we’re going to find him and interrogate him, we’re going to need to be smart about this.”
Magnus rolls his eyes, flipping his dagger between his painted fingers. He squints at the pictures on the screen, presumably the only four photos they have of this Alec. One is of a group of French and American soldiers, and many of them have their arms bandaged and blood and dirt on their faces. They’re standing in rubble and smiling goofily at the camera. There is one man in the back with his face turned, blood and guck dirtying his face. His black hair is long and disheveled with a beret on top.
Magnus has no idea how anyone found this picture, or narrowed down the identification of the soldier to be Alec Lightwood. Though, the man in the photo was staring off and had a way about him that differentiated him from the others. His body posture and the one side of his exposed face was calculating, showing an envious amount of knowledge and experience. Like he knew something everyone else didn’t.
The other photos are of him on the battlefield with only half his face, and then one is a faraway photo of him standing in front of the Titanic when it was still docked in England. There are a few question marks on that photo, but Magnus highly doubts this extremely smart man who avoids cameras and attention like his life depends on it would sink a ship.
“Why do we need to find him anyway?” Catarina asks beside Magnus.
“The Consul needs to know where the warlocks are with Valentine. More and more of them are disappearing, whether from Valentine kidnapping them for his experiments or they’re going into hiding,” Hodge explains with a sigh. He scratches his neck. “Magnus helped us out with knowing Clary. She didn’t say where Alec lives, but she slipped and said a group of them are meeting at Pandemonium.”
“So he may not even be there,” Ragnor dulls, rolling his eyes. He stands with a dramatic huff, patting his pockets for his seraph blade.
“It’s our best chance,” Hodge clips. “We’re leaving in thirty.”
*****
Magnus goes to Pandemonium on a weekly basis. He tells Robert and Hodge he goes there for researching purposes, but he knows they know that’s complete bullshit. He’s a people person. Always will be. He enjoys being surrounded with fun people and partying the evening and night away. He may be a shadowhunter, but he will never say no to a round of shots and dancing.
The first night he had gotten dirty looks when they saw his runes, and he was ignored by most of them. It was fine with him. He can get down with any crowd. He knew a few vampires, including Raphael who introduced him to a group of vampires and werewolves there. Once they realized he wasn’t there to interrogate or had any shadowhunter gear on, they slowly loosened up and treated him like one of their own.
Safe to say it was weird walking into the club with his gear and runes on display. His throwing stars are hitched on his hips and lower thigh, and they glow in the neon room. His normal acquaintances throw him second glances, hesitance and worry on their pensive faces. They step back, their backs straight and ready for anything as he walks by.
Magnus already lost Cat in the crowd, and he can count on her to scout out the suspects. The only details they have on the High Warlock are black hair, pale skin, and he is slightly taller than Magnus.
The shadowhunter eyes up the taller men, taking note of their clothes. The man has to have either a good or an old taste in clothes, since he’s lived many decades. He also has to be rich based on his age. One doesn’t live for a very long time without learning how to make profit.
Nobody fits the bill, and he’s walked the entire building. Cat finds him in the middle and informs him she’s leaving. The warlock is obviously not here, and they’ll have to get in contact with Clary again if she’s willing. Magnus spots her dancing with a blond boy, Jace. If he wasn’t dressed and armed, he would make sure to shove into him. He’s never been a fan of him, and he hates how he’s immortal and will be a pain in the ass for a long time to come.
Magnus waltzes over to the bar and orders a hard drink for his troubles. Everyone avoids his stare, and he even has to call for the bartender a few times to be serviced. He takes a seat next to a man in a rugged gray sweater. He’s slouched over his drink like he’s protecting it, and he’s got his chin in his hands. A hood covers his hair, and black tufts poke out from underneath. They’re unruly and fluffy, and Magnus really wants to run his fingers through it. The AC in the room blows at the stranger’s hood.
Magnus turns and throws the stranger a wide charming smile, and he makes sure to tongue the thin red straw that’s used to stir his drink. The bartender must not have wanted to be bothered again because his whiskey is stronger than he expects.
“Hi, handsome,” the shadowhunter drawls, placing his chin on his hand and fluttering his lashes. Yup, very strong drink indeed.
The man tenses and gives him a blank stare, and his hazel eyes look Magnus over. Magnus really wishes he brought another set of clothes, especially when the man responds with an unimpressed, “Hi.”
Magnus is not one to give up easily, and he turns his body to face the hot stranger. “What are you drinking?”
The man blinks, appearing to have remembered he had a drink in the first place. He must be sitting right underneath a draft because his hood moves subtly, and he reaches to adjust it. He thumbs his own straw, “I don’t know. Something Meliorn made me.”
Magnus hums, taking a glance at the man’s hands and how large they are. His fingers are long and have an admiring way about them. The alcohol is getting to his head. He treads a thin line when he moves his chair an inch closer, “I’ve been here a lot. Regular customer really. I bet I can guess your drink.”
The man’s mouth twitches in what Magnus hopes to be humor, “Regular customer is an understatement.”
Magnus gapes in humiliation, before realizing what the man just admitted. He throws the stranger a wicked grin, daring to pull a fake piece of a lint off the man’s shoulder. “So you’ve been keeping an eye on me, handsome?”
The man doesn’t answer him right away. Magnus wonders if he’s going too far with this and making the man straightly uncomfortable, but all he does is fidget and straighten his back when Magnus starts playing footsie with him. “You’re, uh, usually wearing more colorful clothing.”
Magnus grins like a cat, becoming more daring and toying with the hood. The stranger’s cheeks are pink and flustered, and he’s always been a sucker for blushing men who don’t know what to do with their hands. His hazel eyes linger over his face, taking longer at his lips.
Magnus chugs the rest of his drink, purposely allowing a few droplets to slide down his chin. The man watches it happen, and his full lips part completely mesmerized. Magnus licks his lips for good measure and stands incredibly close to him. Their shared body heat rises in temperature, and Magnus wishes he would take off his sweater.
He fiddles with a string he finds, eyes never leaving the man, “I can wear whatever you’d like, baby.” The man shivers at his words, pupils enlarging and chest heaving faster as if he’s never been approached so unabashedly before. Shame, really, he’s blushing so pretty.
“Your sweater is cute and all,” Magnus whispers loud enough for only them to hear. “I would much rather see you take it off.” Maybe he’s too tipsy for this because the moment he touches the hood, the man’s hand snatches his wrist firmly. He is about to apologize, but then the man reaches out with his other hand, caressing Magnus’s cheek and bringing their lips together.
The kiss is awkward at first, as Magnus is more than tipsy right now. But once the room stops spinning, he goes all in. He tilts his head, fitting their lips together better and tasting the peach rum on his lips. The flavor is heavenly, and he curses the angels before slipping his tongue into the deepening kiss. The man sighs into his mouth, and Magnus feels uncertain hands on his waist.
Magnus must have climbed into the stranger’s lap because he’s towering over him now. He runs his hands down his chest, feeling the defined muscle hiding underneath. He doesn’t even know this man’s name, but he wants this man under him or on top of him. He’s not picky, and he smells so enticing.
“Hey!” an angry voice calls. “None of that here. I don’t care who you are. You can’t have sex in my bar.”
The man immediately tries to pull away, and Magnus has none of it. He grabs a hand and pulls him out of the chair and towards a hallway. “This way. Come on, beautiful.”
The man obliges and as soon as they’re out of view down the hall, Magnus shoves him into the wall and kisses him. He hears a deep groan, and it makes his legs weak. He needs to hear it again.
Without thinking, he reaches up and tugs on the man’s hair. The man groans, as he runs his fingers through his hair and slightly yanks. The noises he gets in return is encouraging, and he reaches farther up until he feels soft fur.
Wait.
His focus drifts from the kissing to the mass of soft fur twitching under his fingers. He leans back, sliding the hood off the stranger’s head and freezes.
Two cat ears black as their owner’s wild hair twitch and flutter under his gaze. Feeling his staring, they shift and lay flat against his head, hiding entirely in his hair. Magnus thinks of his own cat, Chairman, who lives outside and occasionally feeds when he turns up.
What a precious look on a beautiful man, who pulls his hood back up with a scowl not aimed at Magnus. His cheeks are rosy red and his eyes are downcasted in shame. “I’m sorry - I didn’t mean to let this get that far. Here, I’ll just go-“
“No, no, honeybun,” Magnus stops him gently and cups his heated cheeks. He should really ask for his name. “You are more adorable than I originally thought. What a precious warlock mark. Do you like to have them scratched?”
“I, uh, I don't know-“
“Alec?”
Alaska in January has nothing on the ice that grows throughout Magnus’s entire body the second he hears someone say that name.
Jace stands in the doorway of the hallway, protectiveness showing in the guarded way he’s standing. Magnus turns back to Alec, who refuses to look at him.
“Oh my angels,” Magnus mutters and backs away with his hands up. He curses, “I was just molesting the High Warlock of Brooklyn. Shit.”
Alec’s face hardens, “So what, you worry about titles now? Would you not have approached me if you knew who I was?”
“No!” Magnus scoffs and freezes when Alec gets more pissed. “I mean, uh, shit. I don’t know. You mean you don’t want to hex me?”
“Did I give off that I wanted to hex you?” Alec asks, appalled and annoyed. His fists are clenched and little sparks of purple filter the area around his hand.
“Well…no,” Magnus weakly answers. He runs his fingers through his hair nervously. “No one knew what the High Warlock of Brooklyn looked like, at least no shadowhunter. I didn’t expect you to look the way that you do.”
Alec pinches his nose irritably, “I’m so sorry I didn’t meet your standards.”
“No! I mean,” Magnus sighs. He waves over Alec’s still form, “You’re adorable and cute. I didn’t think…”
“The one correct thing you’ve said tonight,” Jace cuts in. Magnus flips him off.
“Just,” Magnus groans and gets back into Alec’s space. Thankfully, the warlock lets him, but anger still swims in his hazel eyes ready to snap like a coiled snake. “Let me take you out? I really like you. Please let me fix this?”
“Like him? Did you have a conversation I missed somehow?”
Magnus flips Jace off, and Alec throws him a look. “Fuck off. Go be miserable somewhere else, guard dog,” Magnus growls.
“Excuse me?”
“Jace,” Alec scowls before taking a deep breath. “Go. I’ll be right there.”
Magnus smiles wide at Jace when he finally leaves. He turns back to Alec, and the smile turns genuine. “Please? You just surprised me. I do like you, and you’re very cute.”
Alec blushes and nods a moment later, “Fine. I’ll text you my address.”
Magnus watches him leave before calling out, “You don’t have my phone number.”
Alec waves his hand, forming purple swirls in the air. There’s a grin on his face when he answers, “I got it.”
Magnus leans back in the rattan chair and chooses 'truth'.
"Are you a top or a bottom?" Jace asks.
Alec hits his parabatai over the head with one of the firm pillows from the sofa. They started to play stupid party games after realising that the born and raised shadowhunters never had heard of them. Alec is already regretting agreeing to it.
"Ouch!" Jace hisses, rubbing the painful spot. "It's just a question."
"He needs to answer," Izzy points out, sounding as if she were a judge proclaiming a sentence, and takes a sip from her wine glass.
"I have no problem answering that," Magnus says. Alec grabs his arm, eyes full of concern, but his boyfriend pats his hand. "It's okay, Alexander. I'm not ashamed of who I am." He leans closer to Jace and says, "It depends on the cuddle pile. I don't want too many people on top of me. But if it's six or less, I'm fine being at the bottom."
Jace blinks at him while Clary falls giggling against her boyfriend's shoulder.
"That's not what I meant," Jace grumbles.
"Wait," Simon calls. "You're fine with six people on top of you? I know you're immortal, but as a warlock you still need to breathe, right?"
"Of course. But I actually like it sometimes—the pressure, the surrender, the feeling of being one with everyone around. Back in the 1960s, we did it all the time. We cuddled a lot. I think at some point I had The Stones and The Beatles all over me, if you know what I mean," Magnus says and winks at Simon.
"You married the best and worst liar of all time, bro," Jace chuckles.
"I'm not lying, Jonathan. I'm embellishing the truth," Magnus says and snaps his fingers. Two photographs appear in his hand, one showing Paul McCartney kissing Magnus' cheek, the other Janis Joplin sleeping wrapped over his chest.
"Damn!" Simon breathes.
"Did you sleep with them?" Clary blurts out.
"A gentleman never tells, biscuit," Magnus replies and cuddles against his husband.
"Smooth," Alec whispers into his ear.
"I always am, my love."
"I still don't believe it. No one can enjoy lying buried under a pile of people," Jace says, mirth sparkling in his eyes.
"Is that a challenge, Mr Herondale?"
"It sure is, Mr Lightwood-Bane."
Magnus snaps his fingers, and the coffee table is replaced with a pile of pillows.
Magnus swirls around elegantly and lands in it with a giggle.
"Challenge accepted," he chuckles.
Alec rolls his eyes but joins him. Izzy, Clary, and Simon follow soon after, building a giggling and snickering pile of bodies.
"Come, Jonathan. I can take it."
"Why can't you say anything without sounding naughty?" Jace asks.
"It's a natural talent," Magnus quips.
"C'mere," Alec orders. "We all know you want to."
Jace rolls his eyes. "This is ridiculous."
"You started it," Magnus points out.
Jace shakes his head and carefully lowers himself onto Simon's back.
Hi! ...I had an idea for a prompt (only if you like it, of course. So, it's these lyrics from a song ('Try' by Colbie Caillat): 'You don't have to try so hard, you don't have to bend until you break, you don't have to change a single thing'. You can use just a bit or everything, whatever you want! 💛
hello dear!! I hope you like this!! It’s pretty much just morning malec and Alec just being a huge romantic sap :)
read on ao3
Alec walks into the kitchen, scratching absently at the stubble on his jaw. The morning light streams through the balcony doors, though it doesn’t quite reach in here. The kitchen is dusted with shadows, Magnus in the middle of the room. He comes to a stop at the threshold, though, lips quirking as he takes in the scene.
Magnus is standing in front of the coffee maker with a kind of single minded focus he gives everything. His hair is flat on one side and sticking up on the other, he’s wearing an emerald silk robe whose half-assed knot has already come undone. Parted, it shows a delicious sliver of golden skin and the black lace panties he’d gone to bed in last night.
His glamour’s down like it always is now when it’s just the two of them and Alec’s heart turns over in his chest even as swallows the surge of lust that never fails to rock him when he sees Magnus like this.
Magnus doesn’t acknowledge him, though Alec sees the small smirk on his mouth as he leans over just a bit more.
Walking over to him, Alec wraps his arms around his middle, mouths absently at the back of his neck as Magnus takes his now full cup from under the drip, pouring a dash of milk in and stirring it.
“Darling,” he remarks idly after a moment. “You’re going to have to let me go if I’m to make breakfast.”
Alec decidedly does not let up and Magnus grins even as he sets his coffee down and turns until he’s facing Alec.
The loft is silent and it feels like they’re in their own little world. It’s these moments that stun Magnus, sometimes. He enjoys his own company– has had to, otherwise he would have gone insane long ago. But now that he has Alec, it’s like his heart is content in the stillness in a way he’d never managed before.
He’s leaning against the counter, ready to postpone breakfast or maybe cancel it altogether in favor of a late lunch when Alec gets that look in his eye.
It’s one that Magnus has become intimately familiar with in the past year. It’s the look that’s part soul-defying love and part wondering disbelief but all of it’s overlaid with aching sentiment.
It’s the look Alec gets when he’s about to sneak past through Magnus’s defenses with an earnest declaration that would be totally unexpected, awkward, and unwelcome from anyone else. At this point, Magnus distantly accepts that he doesn’t even have defenses any longer when it comes to Alexander. The man across from him had ducked and evaded like the most dedicated warrior, soldiering through barriers that had left everyone else frustrated as they proclaimed him not worth the effort, too much work.
Alec hadn’t even considered another way, though. He’d never contemplated turning away from Magnus and his thousand layers of self-protection. He’d made it look so easy as his guileless smile and earnest, matter-of-fact statements devastated Magnus so inexorably.
So as they stand in his kitchen and the morning light makes Alec’s eyes even more beautiful and he looks adorably rumpled in nothing but loose sweatpants and stubble, Magnus knows that Alec’s about to devastate him in the best way in mere seconds. He sees the way his boyfriend’s gaze moves over his face, feels the way Alec’s hands caress his back absently.
“You’re so beautiful,” Alec murmurs.
Magnus closes his eyes and takes a heady breath, though he can’t help but say, “Alexander, I woke up eighteen minutes ago. My hair is a bird’s nest, there’s probably drool on my chin, and I fell into bed without taking my makeup off.”
He raises a hand between them, showing off chipped polish and half a dozen marks. “I was making a potion yesterday and it blew up in my face, literally. I’m a disaster this morning, love.”
While Magnus feels warmth slide through him at Alec’s compliment, there’s not a doubt in his mind that it’s just love’s rose-tinted glasses hiding his many imperfections from Alec.
Still, it’s nice to have a boyfriend willing to lie so innocently to make him feel good.
His musings break off as Alec grabs Magnus’s hand and intertwines their fingers, raising their joined hands until he can lay them over his jaw, rubbing softly. Magnus smiles at the gesture, Alec’s habit of touching him so casually yet so intimately.
“I don’t care,” he says simply. “That’s what I’m trying to say. Your hair looks ridiculous, there’s blue eyeshadow on your cheek, and your manicure looks like it was mauled by a bear.” He takes a step closer, noses along Magnus’s jaw. “You’re still perfect. You’re perfect for me. You don’t have to try so hard to impress me.”
He pulls back and sends Magnus a different sort of look. “You really don’t have to try at all. I’m pretty much a sure thing for you at this point. I love your blending eyeliners and artfully tousled hair and thousand dollar shirts. But I also love you like this. Because this is you too, and sometimes I think it’s the realest you. And I’m the only one that gets to see it. You save the world every day but here, with me, you’re comfortable enough to show me this side of you and I never get tired of it.”
Okay, that might do it. Magnus knows his eyes are holding the world’s fondness as he looks at Alec with his heart on his sleeve.
“Aren’t you a charmer,” he murmurs. Though, he can’t help but add, “Is that a hint of caveman I’m detecting, Alexander?”
Alec just shrugs, pulling Magnus closer to him. “You know I have a tendency to be a caveman, babe. Didn’t hear you complaining last night,” he murmurs.
Magnus laughs, wrapping his arms around Alec’s neck and bringing him in for a kiss. “Oh, no. I wasn’t complaining. It’s adorable, you know.”
Alec smiles and kisses Magnus again. It’s nothing heated, just warm affection that echoes the way it’s dripping through their veins like liquid sunshine.
“As long as you like it,” Alec whispers, nipping at his ear.
“I like you,” Magnus replies.
He feels Alec laugh more than anything before he answers, “I kinda like you, too.”
Magnus leans forward, resting his head against Alec’s chest, humming in contentment as Alec starts swaying them side to side.
Magnus’s favorite part of the day was always the night, the hours between dusk and dawn were his. He liked the way it could cloak him in mystery, the way it could let him indulge in darker impulses without second thought, the way it made him seem more powerful and imposing to friend and foe alike.
As he breathes in the quiet morning air, though, Magnus thinks that mornings have definitely become his new favorite part of the day.
Ah, but who’s he kidding. As long as he has Alexander, every minute they’re together is his favorite, no matter the time or weather or the world outside of them. As long as he has a boyfriend who loves his raccoon eyes and bleary morning disposition, Magnus is content. Always. Forever.
When July became December, their affection fought the cold.
But they couldn't quite remember, what inspired them to go.
Oh memories! Where'd you go? You were all I've ever known!
How I miss yesterday! And how I'd let it fade away?
Don't fade away.
It was at first glance that Magnus Bane knew that he was in trouble. This boy, with his dark hair and hazel eyes, with his lips and his stance and his demeanor, would be the cause of Magnus’ demise. He hadn’t yet said a word to this boy, and Magnus knew he would be the source of so much heartache.
“I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced. I’m Magnus.”
“Alec.”
Alec. It was with one word that Magnus felt his heart flip, with all the possibilities that this boy, this Alec, promised. The way his crooked smile fell perfectly on his face made Magnus feel a way that he hadn’t felt in centuries.
Alec was gone as fast as he had appeared, but Magnus knew this wasn’t the end. Not yet.
Magnus would always remember the day he met Alec. He would always remember how his heart fluttered when Alec said his name for the first time. He would always remember how they stayed up all night talking about anything and everything, how Alec was so willing to share his strength with him. He hadn’t even hesitated. He would always remember the way his heart broke when Alec told him he was engaged to Lydia, or how his heart pounded as Alec looked back at him from that alter. And when they had kissed, Magnus couldn’t help but think that perhaps they would one day find themselves in this situation again, kissing in this chapel, but maybe next time Magnus would not be labeled as an intruder. He would always remember the way he felt like he had lost it all when Alec just wouldn’t wake up, how Magnus had stayed by his side every second of it, begging anyone who was listening not to take him away, “angel please don’t take him away, I’ve just got him, I can’t lose him now.” He would always remember their first date, how he had thought he had screwed it all up but Alec just surprised him again and kissed him so tenderly, like he was afraid he might break. He would always remember their first night together, the passion, the intensity, how Magnus allowed himself to let his guard down after so long, how Alec had learned what it meant to love, and to be love. He would always remember the look on Alec’s face when he found him after Valentine’s massacre, how he had hugged him so fiercely like he never wanted to let him go. He would always remember the way he felt when Alec had told him he loved him, because not in all his years of being alive had he ever felt so loved. He would always remember the look in Alec’s eyes as he begged and pleaded for Alec to believe him, the hatred in Alec’s eyes when he thought that he was Valentine. He would always remember how he had trusted Alec with the most important thing he could ever trust him with; his past. He would always remember how Magnus had been so afraid that Alec would turn away, but no, the Lightwood boy kept surprising him and he had looked at him with so much love in his eyes.
Should have known right from the start
You can't predict the end.
“Magnus, I love you.” Alec had begged.
“I need time.” Magnus had responded.
He would always remember the way Alec’s face fell, how his own heart broke. He had so much love for this shadowhunter, and as he looked up at the face he had fallen in love with, he couldn’t bring himself to end it.
Don’t fade away.
“This isn’t the end. Not forever.” Magnus promised. Alec swallowed, and nodded. “I just need time.” Magnus repeated.
“I love you.” Alec repeated. Tears formed his eyes, and Magnus couldn’t stop himself from taking his hand and pressing it to his lips softly. It was tender, light, but filled with promise.
as requested by the wonderful @smariko !! sorry that this was quite late, but i had a little bit of trouble starting this one lol. this pretty much takes place after the events of 2x10. enjoy :)
Alec and Magnus sat cross-legged on Alec's bed, facing each other, and talking about everything and anything. Business at the Institute had just calmed down and Alec needed to just sit down for a second. He was alive, Magnus was alive, they were alive together. And he made sure to cherish that before the next threat arose.
Alec reached out to run a light finger down the bridge of Magnus' nose. Magnus sighed at the touch, eyes closed and hands on Alec's chest. They were sitting close enough to feel each other's breath but it never felt close enough.
Suddenly, the door to Alec's room burst open and the two jerked back in surprise. Turning around, Alec glared at Jace who was standing in the doorway. “Jace, come on! We went over thi-”
“You're gonna wanna see this,” panted Jace. Both Alec and Magnus frowned and eyed each other curiously. Without another word, they both rose and followed Jace to the Ops Centre.
“Jace what's going on?” asked Alec, worry soaked in his voice as they turned the corner of a corridor. Alec reached his fingers out to Magnus' hand and they interlaced fingers tightly.
“It's the Clave,” was all Jace said. Alec groaned loudly, knowing full well that the Clave only ever sent emissaries to ruin things. The three made it to the Ops Centre as quickly as possible to join Isabelle and Clary. Shadowhunters had their weapons drawn and handcuffs out, wading their way through everyone in the Institute.
It didn't take them long to figure out that Shadowhunters were ushering all Downworlders off the premises. A Clave representative explained that after the attack on the Institute, no Downworlders could be trusted to be in the Institute. Alec rolled his eyes. They must have known that no Downworlder was responsible for what had happened. The Clave often cloaked their prejudice as wanting to help keep the entire Shadow World but everyone knew it was bullshit.
Isabelle stepped up to Alec and Magnus with an apologetic gaze. “The Clave is placing a ban on all Downworlders entering any Institute – ever. They're thinking of writing it into the Accords,” she whispered. Alec was speechless. They couldn't do that, they just couldn't.
Magnus looked up from Isabelle to see Simon being forcefully removed from the Institute. A seraph blade was dangerously pressed to his back. Simon looked back at a distressed Clary who was also being held back by an angry Shadowhunter. Magnus glanced at Simon and felt compelled to help him. “Simon!” Magnus exclaimed, wading through the dense group of Nephilim, Magnus ran up to Simon, a hand reached out to his.
Before he could do anything else, Magnus had a seraph blade held to his throat by a Clave emissary. “Hey!” Alec yelled, running to the front of the group. Magnus stood as still as possible, aware that one wrong move could have him slaughtered. Alec glanced down to see Magnus' fingers spark with flames of red – he was getting ready to attack. Magnus looked up to sneer at the Shadowhunter in front of him, cat eyes glowing. The Shadowhunter looked back at him in disgust.
Suddenly, another Clave representative had his blade to Magnus' throat as well and Magnus let his sparks die. Alec clenched his fists at the sight. He couldn't just stand there. Alec cautiously walked up to the situation. Every other person in the Institute had stepped meters back, steering clear of anything that could go down. It was dead silent.
Alec placed a hand on Magnus' shoulder and pushed him back lightly before stepping up between the Clave emissaries and his boyfriend. His eyes were piercing into the Shadowhunters' in a look that was deathly cold. His jaw was clenched and knuckles white. “Nobody touches him,” Alec said in a low but harsh voice.
One of the Clave Shadowhunters stepped closer to Alec. “Sometimes I wonder why we ever let them in,” she said, coldly. She glanced over to Magnus to look him up and down in disgust. “Get rid of him yourself,” she snared before setting down her blade and ushering the rest of the Downworlders and Clave emissaries out of the Institute.
Letting out a deep breath that Alec wasn't even aware he had been holding in, he turned to look at Magnus. The Warlock had his eyes cast downwards and had fists balled up beside him. He looked so helpless and – although Alec would never describe him this way – weak.
Alec stepped closer to Magnus, forehead pressed to the side of Magnus' head. He was at a loss for words. “I don't know how to fix this...” he murmured, softly, helplessly. Magnus looked up at Alec.
He pressed his hand to Alec's cheek. The boy always wanted to fix everything. “It's okay,” Magnus said as he stroked his thumb under Alec's eye. He scoffed, letting his hand drop to his side. “It's almost like the 1700s again.”
Alec looked at Magnus with a pained expression. He was trying to apologise but Magnus knew that it wasn't his fault. None of this was. “I'm leaving with you,” said Alec. Magnus frowned at him. “If you're not allowed to be here, neither am I.”
Magnus shook his head. “You're the head of this Institute, you can't leave,” he said, in a matter of fact tone.
Alec nodded. “I'm the head of this Institute, I can do what I very well please.”
i hope you enjoyed! if you have any prompts or scenarios for me, please head over to my ask box!
in the meantime, magnus and alec have a tickle fight amongst books.
Magnus loved kissing Alec. There were the breathless, heated kisses, that held the promise of something more.
The gentle, slow kisses after they just woke up.
The hello kisses.
The goodbye kisses.
The “I missed you so much”-kisses.
And Magnus’ favourites: The ones when Alec didn’t know how to articulate his feelings, so he resorted to touching. Kisses that promised love and protection, that held adoration and affection.
But no matter how many times they kissed and no matter the situation they were in, Magnus noticed that Alec always reacted a certain way when the kiss broke.
His Alexander would lower his head and break eye contact, keeping his eyes closed for a few more seconds, as if to calm himself. If he were to look up, he would have a dazed expression on his face and if he were to speak up, his voice would be husky, on the verge of breaking.
Magnus loved watching Alec like this. Everytime Alexander opened his eyes after a kiss, he looked like he still couldn’t believe that he got to have this. That he could kiss Magnus whenever he wanted.
.
Alec loved kissing Magnus.
Sometimes he still wondered whether he was doing it right, whether he was enough.
But whenever they broke their kisses, Magnus would always be gazing up at him with such adoration that Alec had to take a moment to center himself.
He still couldn’t believe that this amazing man was his.
But whatever they did, Magnus would never be the one to reach out first.
At first it had confused Alec. He had thought that Magnus would take charge of the situation, given how inexperienced Alec was. But Magnus always made sure that what they did was what Alec wanted.
Alec wondered how he could show him that Magnus wasn’t too much. That he wasn’t going to scare Alec away. That Alec was going to stay for as long as Magnus would let him.
.
“You can touch me, you know?” They were laying on the bed, exhausted after a long day. Alexander was on his back, Magnus on his side, facing towards him.
“Darling, I think we already established that. Multiple times.” Magnus’ voice has taken on a suggestive undertone, making Alec blush.
“That’s not, I just, you can touch me. First. I mean, you don’t have to wait for me to kiss you first.”
Alec turned towards Magnus. “You don’t have to hold back. You’re not going to overwhelm me.”
Magnus swallowed, suddenly at a loss for words. Under different circumstances Alec might have found it funny.
“I love you, Magnus.”
“I love you too”, Magnus murmured, his eyes wide. He shuffled closer to Alec, until he was pressed along his side. “So much.” He leaned in and Alec happily surrendered.
If you enjoy my writing, you can buy me a coffee here
Well, as my soul has been swallowed by Malec on Shadowhunters, I actually went so far as to write fic for the first time in god knows how many years! Just a tiny one. I wanted Alec providing comfort in a moment of sadness for Magnus, just a little bit of comforting fluff. Posting it here and there's a link to it on ao3 too if you prefer to read there. If anybody has advice on tagging better on ao3 please let me know.
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TITLE: Forgetting
SUMMARY: Just a soft little moment on the one year anniversary of Ragnor's death - I really wanted a little moment of grief for Magnus and Alec providing some warmth and support to help him through it, nothing too heavy, just some warmth and affection when Magnus needed it. And I wanted them both waking at Magnus' place.
TAGS: magnus bane/alec lightwood, magnus bane & alec lightwood, sad magnus bane, malec oneshot, malec, alec lightwood provides comfort
NOTES: Massive thanks to my awesome beta damevinteren.tumblr.com who added finesse to a few clunky sentences and provided some much needed positive support and confidence! You're awesome :D
Alec woke slowly, becoming aware at first of the gentle heat of his eyelids, heavy with sleep. He stretched slightly and moved in increments, feeling the soft sheets twist and move as he experimented with the idea of waking. A glowing heat was settled in his core, gathered and cultivated through the night from blankets and the warmth he and Magnus shared underneath them.
He opened his eyes after a while, noting shapes and colours lazily and then sliding them shut as he drifted. The light was cool and soft in their bedroom, the faint blue tint of early morning before the gold of dawn had reached the horizon.
Some mornings Alec woke to the feeling of Magnus' warm body radiating heat beside him and he'd shift to make contact, pressing arms together or brushing his fingers against skin. Some mornings he woke to the feeling of trapped limbs and a comforting weight, Magnus scooted up close to him, skin against skin and breath hot against his neck or chest. Some mornings he was alone in the bed, with the sound of Magnus distant in the apartment, the cascade of the shower or the clinking of pots and jars as he takes care over his makeup.
This morning as he slowly drifted more to wakefulness he didn't hear sounds in the apartment, his eyes fluttered more easily open and he turned his head to the side. His features settled into a slight frown. Magnus was sat facing away from him on the edge of the bed, the bed sheets cast aside and his hand still holding the edge of them as if he had only just thrown them off. The bare skin of his shoulders were curved over in apparent defeat, his head bowed.
Alec moved an arm out towards him and mumbled a soft "Hey", the words slurred slightly from sleep. The tips of his finger just brushed the fabric of Magnus' silk pyjama trousers.
Magnus turned his head ever so slightly but didn't lift it, showing an edge of his cheek bone and the crinkle of a slight smile, "Good morning sweetheart." His voice sounded low and heavy, and Alec knew for sure something wasn't right. He pushed the covers down, ignoring the rush of cool air on his chest and moved quickly over to Magnus. He swung his legs over the side of the bed to sit beside him, his boxers rumpling up as he settled and ducked his head down to peer at the warlock. "Hey," he repeated, but more enquiring this time and quieter, putting an encouraging hand on Magnus' shoulder and squeezing. "You okay?"
Magnus took a deeper breath and lifted his head towards Alec, his eyes sad and glassy. "It was a year ago today that my dear sweet cabbage Ragnor died. I got stuck half way out of bed somehow." Alec let out a sound half way between a sad 'oh' and a puff of air, and wrapped an arm around Magnus as he sank sideways against him. Magnus' skin was cool from sitting in the air and Alec rubbed a hand over his far shoulder to warm it, gripping his right hand in his own and squeezing gently.
"I didn't realise, we don't have to work today, I'm sure you can call off your meetings and I don't have anything that can't be moved..."
Magnus smiled tiredly and squeezed Alec's hand back, "Thank you Alexander, but... I used to keep days clear, when it was an anniversary of someone's death..." he sighed and Alec wrapped his arm a little tighter around his shoulders, staring at their hands clutched together. "... Over the years somehow it became even harder to imagine that eventually, some year I'd stop keeping those days clear. That somehow this would mean some year that I'd forgotten them enough, left them behind. I've lived so long and seen so many people die, I fear... When the loss is fresh somehow I fear even more the idea that I might some day forget them."
Alec didn't know what to say, felt helpless for a second. Didn't know how to ease the pain and fears of a man that had spanned four centures and could see the potential of an infinite future. Magnus saved him floundering for words and straightened and stood in a swift movement, as if leaning against Alec and sharing his fears had lent him some small burst of energy.
"So," he said. "I have clients this morning and afternoon with gaps inbetween to take a breath."
Alec reached out to grasp hold of Magnus' elbow and rose too, standing close in front of him. The tilt of his head was sad and tired and Alec took a step towards him, closing the distance between them. He wrapped long arms under Magnus' arms and around him, gliding over his back and pulling him in. Magnus let himself lean forward into Alec, their chests pressing together as he turned his head to settle into the crook of Alec's neck.
Alec swayed them back and forth very subtly, running his hand up and down Magnus' spine as the warlock leant against him and took a deep breath, his hands hanging loose at his sides.
"How about," Alec started, tipping his head a little so he could see Magnus' face against his neck, observe his closed eyes. "...you phone me each time you have a gap between clients, and you come to me or I'll come to you, and I can take those breathers with you." His words felt clumsy and inadequate for the comfort he was offering.
He felt Magnus smile against his neck and press in further, goatee and stubble prickling his skin. "That sounds wonderful my dearest."
Alec couldn't help smiling lopsidedly at the term of endearment and he twisted his head a little to kiss the tip of Magnus' ear gently. He felt Magnus smile even wider against his neck, press a soft kiss to the skin there and then push away to hold his hands against Alec's chest. He lifted his head up, looking a little more confident now.
"I think I will wear forest green and purples for my eye makeup today, with a dash of glitter, those were Ragnor's colours."
"I'm sure Ragnor would approve," Alec replied encouragingly, unsure if this was the case after having heard only a little about Ragnor in the past, but feeling this was the right thing to say.
"He would not!" Magnus huffed around the edges of a smirk, his eyes sparkling a little for the first time that morning. "He'd say I was being ridiculous."
Alec smiled back and snorted in fake outrage, his heart lifting a little to see Magnus smile. "I'd show him who's ridiculous."
Magnus wriggled his shoulders playfully and laughed, "That old grump would give you a run for your money Alexander, I'd love to have seen the two of you attempting to glare each other into submission."
"Me too," Alec replied softly, meaning it. He ducked his head forward and placed a quick kiss to Magnus' lips and then unwound his arms, turned Magnus around where he stood and gave him a gentle push towards the bathroom. "Come on, let's make you sparkly for Ragnor." Magnus laughed and reached back to grab Alec's hand, pulling him along after him.
