#shadowhunter!magnus

[lurafita]

You know, in the circumstance of reversed roles (shadowhunter Magnus and warlock Alec), there would have been a scene like this:

Ragnor (head of the institute): "Everyone who was on patrol yesterday please hand in your reports now." stops Magnus just as he is about to hand his over: "Magnus, before I take this, how high are the chances that this report is just another love declaration to Lightwood?" Magnus: "Extremely high." Ragnor: "Keep it."

[arialerendeair]

Ok, so u won't even probably get this, but WARLOCK!ALEC AND SHADOWHUNTER!MAGNUS FOR MBBB!?! ADSKFJ I HAVE READ QUITE A FEW OF THEM BUT I ABSOLUTELY LOVE UR WRITING AND WANTED TO KNOW HOW YOU'LL WRITE!!

SO THE FIRST VERSION OF THIS GOT DELETED AND IT WAS ANNOYING BUT I HAD MOST OF IT SAVED SO IT SURVIVED THANK GOD, BUT I HOPE YOU BOTH LIKE IT, HERE YOU GO!!!  

~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~

Magnus cursed the second he saw the board and all of the red spread across it, indicating active demon attacks.  He tightened his hand on the hilt of his sword and turned to look at the others.  "Status," he barked.  

"We don't entirely know what's causing the rifts to open randomly," Ragnor said, flipping the map around before zooming in to show one of the latest hotspots.  "There's been more than two dozen random openings in the last two hours, and we're stretched thin trying to cover all of them as it is."  

Magnus blew out a hard breath.  "You've already alerted the local downworld?"

Ragnor nodded.  "We've received minimal response, and have already reached out to the Jersey and Conneticut Institutes for backup and assistance."  He flipped the map again.  "The only active rift that is remaining open is, thankfully, contained."  

Magnus frowned and shifted the projection zooming in on the dark red that was near Brooklyn.  "What teams do you have dispatched?"  

Ragnor shook his head.  "Not a single one.  It's being held by the High Warlock of Brooklyn, who has, apparently, deemed this enough of an emergency to warrant his personal involvement, not just that of his sister."  

Magnus let out a low whistle.  That meant things were bad.  Alexander Lightwood was known for being a recluse, and often worked hand in hand with his sister, Isabelle Lightwood (though whether they were actual siblings was a point of debate that Magnus heard come up as gossip more often than not), using her as a representative when he required it.  

"But he needs help," Ragnor said.  "He's been holding it, almost entirely on his own, for more than three hours now."  

Magnus' eyes widened.  "Fuck, why the hell haven't we sent him back up?"  

"With what teams?" Ragnor snapped, glaring at him.  "You're the latest patrol to come in, and I don't know if you noticed, but I've already redeployed both Catarina and Raphael to the teams that needed their help."  

Magnus swallowed hard under the glare and nodded.  "So we can't send him anyone?"  

"We're sending him you," Ragnor said, his voice quieting.

Magnus tightened his hand on the blade at his hip and could feel the weight of what Ragnor was about to put on him.  "You're giving me permission, aren't you?"

Ragnor gave a small nod.  "If you deem it necessary, yes, Magnus, I am.  No other shadowhunter will be near you.  And I highly doubt Lightwood will judge you for saving his life."  

Magnus exhaled hard and closed his eyes.  "I need to get ready."  He slid his rings off his fingers and tucked them away.  "I'll head there immediately as soon as I am."  

"Magnus?" Ragnor called, turning to look at him.  

Magnus paused, his shoulders tense.  "Yes?"  

"Come back alive, you hear?"  

Magnus pulled out his stele, watching it light up under his fingers and smirked.  "You know me, I'm like a cockroach, Ragnor.  Impossible to kill."  

Ragnor gave a nod.  "Good.  Dismissed."  

~!~

Making his way to Brooklyn turned out to be a nightmare - demon rifts continued to open across the city, and every report showcased just how much of a losing battle they were fighting.  Three more Institutes had been tapped for support, and Idris had already sent more than three dozen active duty shadowhunters to fight back against the onslaught.  

And somehow, someway, Alexander Lightwood, the High Warlock of Brooklyn, was handling an entire nest on his own.  

Magnus heard the battle long before he caught sight of it, but the second he turned a corner, his breath caught.  

In the center of what had been a normal street a few hours ago, stood two men.  Magnus didn't need to look at the other to know who he was.  Jace Lightwood.  Alec's adopted brother, and one of the fiercest warlocks the Clave was aware of.  He had fought in every war in the past three centuries, and was known for not being merciful.  

"Where the hell are the shadowhunters?" Jace snapped.  "They should have been here hours ago!"  He gave another twist of his hands and sent a fireball crashing through four more demons.  "Didn't you call them?"  

Alec grunted and tried to gather more magic around his palms, tightening his hold on the rift.  "I suspect that they are dealing with a much bigger issue than this."  

Magnus took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders, pulling out both of his swords, looking at the thin blades, the shine of the adamas, and the runes etched into the material.  He closed his eyes and offered up a prayer to the Angel that he would survive this.  

He stepped up beside the two warlocks, slicing through a demon easily, cleanly, watching as it dissolved into ichor.  "There's not enough of us," he called.  He rolled the blades in his hand and spun, attacking another two that jumped at him, advancing as they marched forward.  

"So they send us a single shadowhunter?" Jace snapped.  "What good is that going to do?"  

Magnus turned to look at them, and met the blazing magic-bright eyes of the High Warlock of Brooklyn.  "You're Alec Lightwood, aren't you?"  

Alec tensed and nodded, watching as the shadowhunter in front of him shrugged off his leather jacket and turned to face the demons.  "Yes.  And you are?"  

Magnus didn't answer, because Alec would know soon enough.  The demons were watching him now and he lifted his eyes to them, baring his teeth in a snarl.  

"STOP!" He snarled, the rough grating infernal tongue making his throat ache with the single word.  But every demon nearby turned to face him, exactly as he had wanted.  

"You can speak Infernal?" Alec asked, stepping closer to where the Shadowhunter had unholstered his weapons again.  He traced his eyes over the runes, but now all of the demons were focused on him.  "Listen, they're not going to obey you for long, we need to get out of here-"

"Do you have enough power to close the rift?" Magnus asked, glancing over his shoulder at the two warlocks.  "Between you?"  

Alec swallowed and scowled.  "Yes, but you getting yourself killed so we can do that is pointless, now stop trying to be a hero and-"

Magnus gave a low laugh and turned back to the demons.  He closed his eyes and rolled his shoulders.  "I'm no hero," he promised, his voice low.  He flexed his arms and let go.  He would do what was necessary.  

Alec stared in shock as the runes on the shadowhunter abruptly started to move along his skin, shifting, stretching, and changing.  He reached out and held Jace back from moving, watching as the runes slowly slid over golden skin, covering it in the same inky black color until his entire torso was covered.  

"What the..." Jace breathed, staring at the shadowhunter.  "Alec, what IS that?"

Alec shook his head.  "I don't know."  He'd never seen anything like that in all his centuries.  His eyes darted to one of the demons who decided that they had waited long enough, stabbing forward with a poisonous spine.  It sank into the shadowhunter, and he cursed.  Fucking heroic fool.  "Jace, go get-"

"I SAID," Magnus said, pulling the barb out, looking at it disinterestedly before dropping it to the ground.  "TO STOP."  He spun, the bright white of the adamas blades in his hands contrasting with the dark black of his skin.  The runes would protect him for as long as he could keep concentrating on them.  

All at once, the demons descended on him, and Magnus closed his eyes, turning himself over to the power of the runes that had always, always kept him safe.  

Alec's breath caught as he watched the shadowhunter become something else entirely, not a single movement wasted as he swung his blades over and over again, slicing through demons as though they were nothing.  He shifted his attention to the rift and pushed more power on it, forcing it shut.  "Jace, keep his back covered."  

"I don't think he really needs it!" Jace said, but blasted a few demons away from the shadowhunter who was still at the center of the demon horde that had been descending on them.  

Alec growled and finally managed, with one last push of power, to seal the rift and dropped to one of his knees, panting hard.  His whole body was aching with the weight of the power that he had pulled, and he was going to be regretting this in the morning.  And for the next week, by the sound of things.  

Turning his attention back to the battle, he stared in shock as the shadowhunter sliced through another demon, before faltering, and stumbling, grabbing at his stomach.  

"Jace!" Alec shouted, moving in closer.  He watched one of the blades fall from the shadowhunter's fingers and the, the shield of runes on his body was starting to retreat, all of the runes resuming their usual forms on his torso.  "Jace, get him the hell out of here!"  He picked up the dropped blade and watched it flare red before he sliced through one of the last demons.  

Glad when Jace obeyed the order without protest, lifting the shadowhunter, Alec picked up the second blade and turned to the remaining demons with a smirk.  "Let's dance," he growled.  

~!~

When Magnus woke, his entire body was on fire and he sucked in a pained breath, clutching at the sheets beneath him.  His back bowed off the bed and he tried to shout, but there was no noise, he was being suffocated, he wasn't going to be able to come back this time, there was too much-

"Alec!"

All of a sudden the fire was gone and Magnus' chest heaved as he breathed, his heart pounding hard, the panic subsiding enough that he could start to hear what else was going on around him.  

"I don't know, he just woke up screaming, don't give me that look!"  

Magnus blinked slowly, trying to bring the room he was in into focus.  This didn't feel like the Institute medical wing.  Where the hell was he?  Had he died? 

"Here, drink this."  

Magnus wanted to turn his head to the side, but he didn't have the energy to move.  He parted his lips willingly enough and swallowed down the sweet tasting liquid.  He sank back into the pillows and breathed out slowly, releasing the tight hold he had on the sheets.  He blinked again and stared at the High Warlock of Brooklyn, who was apparently leaning over him with a glare.  

"You know," Alec said, putting the cup to the side.  "I had to call your boss and tell him you were alive.  And that I was bringing you here to heal you, because whatever the hell you did put so much stress on your body that you tore almost every muscle you had."  

Magnus sighed and closed his eyes, sinking back into the pillow.  "Yeah," he said, breathing out slowly now that it wasn't filled with pain.  "But it saved your life, so are you really complaining?"  

A snort from the end of his bed had Magnus lifting his head and he frowned at the sight of Jace Lightwood standing there.  A sense of unease crept over him and he looked between the two warlocks.  "What's going on out there?"  

"Well, thanks to your absolute fucking stupidity of a stunt," Alec said, crossing his arms over his chest.  "I was able to close the rift, and it turned out that one was what was allowing all the smaller ones to open.  The city is now in cleanup."  

"Thank the angel," Magnus breathed, letting his head fall back to the pillow.  He opened one eye and gave the warlock still glaring a smirk.  "Or should I say thanks to you, Alexander?"  

Alec narrowed his eyes.  "It's Alec," he snapped.  "Or the High Warlock of Brooklyn, take your pick."  

Magnus grunted and tried to push himself upright, only to gasp in pain and go crashing back to the pillows.  "Fuck, fuck, dammit, fuck..." he cursed, his arms trembling.  

Alec gave him an unimpressed eyebrow.  "I did mention tearing every single one of your muscles, didn't I?"  

"And I thought you said that because you had already healed me," Magnus snapped back, trying to relax so everything would stop hurting.

"I healed you," Jace said, snorting.  "I didn't have much left, but I healed enough that you could breathe without pain, and keep your vital organs active.  So your torso and shit is fine.  But your arms and legs are still a fucking wreck." 

Magnus sighed and stared at the ceiling.  He wanted nothing more than to flip the arrogant warlock off, but he also was alive because of both of them.  "Thank you for healing me," he growled.  "You wouldn't have happened to grab my weapons, did you?"  

"They're on the other bedside table, along with your stele," Alec said.  "And if you can hold off on being monumentally stupid for twenty-four hours, I should be able to finish healing you."  

"Oooh, personal attention from the High Warlock," Magnus quipped, closing his eyes.  "How much is that going to cost me?"  

Jace barked out a laugh.  "Are you always this much of an asshole?"  

"When I'm in this much pain?" Magnus shot back.  "Yes."  

Jace snorted and rolled his eyes.  

"I'll consider us even since what you did saved both of our lives," Alec said, instead.  He gave Jace a look and was glad when his brother left, shutting the door behind him.  

Magnus tensed as soon as the door was shut and turned his eyes to the High Warlock who was staring at him in consideration.  "Is now when you interrogate me?"

Alec tilted his head and studied the shadowhunter.  "Is that what you think I'm going to do?"

"It's what you should do, considering what you saw," Magnus snapped.  He breathed out slowly and tried to calm his heart rate.  He didn't need to say anything, he didn't need to tell the warlock anything.  

Alec hummed.  "I suppose, were it another warlock, you might be correct.  But I am not without my own secrets.  Let's start somewhere more simple.  Your name?"  

Magnus gave a brief quirk of his lips.  "Want to know what name you'll be screaming later?"  A snort and a raised eyebrow told him he wasn't going to get far with that kind of flirting, but the High Warlock had a jawline to die for, and he was only human.  Well.  Mostly human.  

"Magnus Bane," he offered.  He swallowed and looked up at the ceiling.  He heard Alec give another considering hum and wondered exactly what that meant.  "Listen, if you call Ragnor again, I'm sure he'll have you portal me into the Institute, and then I'll be out of your hair-"

"Your Institute infirmary currently has no room and is actually overrun after the battles," Alec said.  "That's why you are here, rather than there."  

Magnus sighed and closed his eyes.  "Just get the questions over with then, would you?  I'm too fucking tired to dance around them."  

"Is there anything else I can do to help ease the pain of what happened?" Alec asked.  

Magnus opened his mouth and snapped it shut a moment later, glaring at the other man.  "That's it?"  

"Would you prefer I asked something else?" Alec shot back.  

Another sigh, but he grudgingly offered.  "I'm starving.  Doing that makes me hungry.  If you're willing, I need something to eat, and soon, or I'll have a headache that won't go away."  

Alec snapped his fingers once, moving Magnus into a sitting position, and summoned a tray with a variety of finger foods.  "Here.  Tell me what you want to eat.  What do you want to drink?"  

"Whiskey?"  

Alec snorted.  "Try again."  

"Water," Magnus said with a resigned sigh, glad when Alec offered him the straw from a glass, sipping at it before gesturing to the foods.  "Any of the meat.  I do love my meat."  He gave Alec a wink.  

Several minutes of quiet eating together later, of Alec feeding him slowly, carefully, and giving him sips of water between, Magnus finally waved him off, sinking tiredly back into the pillows.  “Thank you,” he managed, meeting Alec’s eyes when they swung to him in surprise.  “For, for the food.  For the healing, for...” he swallowed.  “For not asking.”  

Alec hummed.  “I’ve learned, in the case of such secrets, it is always better not to ask, for both myself and the one with the secret.”  

Magnus closed his eyes and swallowed hard.  “My father was Asmodeus,” he said.  He heard Alec shift and opened his eyes tiredly to stare at the warlock, taking in the disgust on his face and sighed.  “I’m nothing like him.  You can ask my boss.  Also, considering I’m the one who put a sword through his heart, I hold no love for him.”  

Alec stared in surprise and carefully sat down in the chair next to the shadowhunter again.  “Why are you telling me this?”  

“Because you didn’t ask,” Magnus said.  “Because you, you deserve to know that this is not something I will ever use against your people.”  He blew out a hard breath.  “And because if you’re not going to ask, the least I can do is tell you in thanks, to show that your trust is returned.”  

“It hurts you, to do,” Alec stated.  “But you are invulnerable when you do?” 

Magnus nodded.  “I can activate my runes without a stele, and, and use them to form a shield.”  He breathed out slowly.  “It hurts, badly,” he admitted softly.  “But I was forced to do it again and again until I could do it for longer periods of time.  As long as I can concentrate and block out the pain, I can hold it up.” 

Alec frowned and nodded.  He looked down at his hands.  

Magnus recognized that look.  He snorted.  “I’ll tell you how, if you want.”  

“I wasn’t going to ask,” Alec pointed out, his voice quiet.  

“But you want to know,” Magnus said, meeting Alec’s eyes when they looked up at him.  “You want to know if there are more shadowhunters like me.  More that you might need to fear.”  

Alec swallowed.  “Yes.”  

Magnus nodded and closed his eyes.  “Well, you don’t have to worry.  Asmodeus had only one son, and all his other experiments were failures.” 

Alec sucked in a hard breath.  “He...” 

“Yes,” Magnus whispered.  “He got his hands on the blood of a Prince of Hell. It’s, it’s angel blood, but tinted demonic, and he injected it into me when my mother was pregnant, so...” he gestured to the runes on his chest.  “That’s why.”  

Alec looked down at his hands and let the silence stretch between both of them.  

“All right!” Magnus said, injecting as much positivity into his voice as possible.  “I’ve told you about my sordid past.  Time for you to tell me about the oh-so-mysterious High Warlock of Brooklyn!”  

“What?” Alec blinked and snorted.  “I’m not mysterious.”  

Magnus pouted.  “You hide away from the public and let your sister handle all of your public appearances.”  

“I don’t hide away,” Alec said, his voice turning grumpy.  “Isabelle is just better at people politics.”  

Magnus huffed and rolled his eyes.  “Well, mister mysterious and pretty warlock.  Tell me a story.”  He smiled faintly when he saw a hint of a blush on the warlock’s cheeks.  

Alec shook his head.  “I don’t have any stories.”  

Magnus yawned, snorting.  “You’re hundreds of years old.  Of course you have stories.  Tell me something your siblings call boring.”  

Alec narrowed his eyes.  “How’d you know that they’ve done that?”  

“Because I understand siblings,” Magnus said.  “And because I don’t want the pretty warlock to stop talking to me yet.”  

“Stop that,” Alec grumbled.  “Or I won’t tell you anything.”  

“Stop what?” Magnus asked, forcing his eyes open again.  The blush had gotten more pronounced.  He smiled.  “Calling you pretty?  You are.”  

“If you want to flirt with someone, I’ll go get Jace or Izzy,” Alec said in a huff, rolling his eyes.  “You’re just trying to get a reaction out of me.”  

Magnus hummed.  “Nah.  Not interested in them.  You though?  Yeah.”  

Alec blinked and turned to look at Magnus.  “What?”  

“You’ll see,” Magnus slurred, his voice tired.  “Now tell me a story, mister pretty high warlock.  Alexander.”  

Alec bit down the urge to tell Magnus that it was Alec, that it was always Alec, because he’d never heard his full name sound quite like that before.  He swallowed.  “I could tell you about the time I accidentally stole an entire bookshelf from the Spiral Labyrinth and no one noticed?”  

Magnus started to snicker, even though it hurt.  “Now that sounds like a story worth telling, Alexander.  Go ahead.”  

Alec flushed and cleared his throat.  “So, I’d gone to Spain for the summer and...” 

~!~ 

When Magnus woke up, he was no longer in pain and he stretched, groaning happily into the decadent sheets.  He flopped and pressed his face to the pillow and glanced at the chair by his bedside.  It was sadly empty.  

“If you can bring yourself to shower, there’s fresh clothes and lunch waiting for you.”  

Magnus’ eyes snapped open and he sat up in a rush, looking at Alec, standing in the doorway.  The warlock was wearing a t-shirt and jeans, and should not have looked nearly as delectable as he did, considering the lack of care put into his appearance.  “Sure,” he said, clearing his throat.  “You finished healing me?” 

Alec nodded.  “I did.  Now hurry up.”  

Magnus watched him go and quickly made his way to the ensuite where there was a fresh set of clothes waiting for him.  He got himself showered and dressed, grabbing his weapons and holster before heading out into what was clearly the main room of a loft.  He looked around curiously.  There was a greenhouse down one hallway that looked to be spilling into the loft and he took a step towards it, wildly curious.  

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Alec said.  “The firesprig is blooming and unless you have a heatproof rune on, you’ll regret that.”  

Magnus spun around on his heels, rocking back on them nervously.  “You mentioned food?”  

“I did,” Alec said, gesturing to the sandwich materials on the counter.  “I thought you would be up to making your own, and I could summon us coffee.”

“Yes please,” Magnus said, immediately striding for the counter.  He had a sandwich assembled within a minute and took a bite, groaning happily.  He looked up and found Alec watching him and raised an eyebrow.  “What?”  

“I’d like to see you again,” Alec said.  

Magnus blinked and lowered his sandwich, watching that same light blush grow on the warlock’s cheeks.  “You do?  Why?”

“Clearly it isn’t because of your flirting,” Alec said, his voice dry.  

Magnus snorted and reached for the cup of coffee Alec handed him, taking an immediate sip before leaning against the counter.  “Okay, fair.  But then, why?” 

Alec took a sip of his coffee and looked down at it, frowning as he rubbed his thumb along the side.  Dammit, this was always so easy for Jace.  “Because I want to?” he offered.  

Magnus put down the cup of coffee and gave the High Warlock of Brooklyn his full attention.  “To be clear, you’re asking to meet socially.  Not for any official reason?”  

Alec sighed and looked up at the ceiling before back to Magnus.  “I am attempting to ask you on a date.”  

Magnus blinked.  Then blinked again.  But Alec’s expression hadn’t changed.  “Huh,” he managed.  

“That isn’t an answer,” Alec said, taking another drink of his coffee.  

“You know the flirting was just joking, right?” Magnus said, staring at the warlock. 

Alec tensed, his fingers tightening around the cup.  “I am sorry, did I read things wrong?  I should have-” 

“No, no,” Magnus said, shaking his head, reaching out to press his finger to Alec’s lips, a shiver running up his spine at how soft they were.  He lifted his eyes to Alec’s and met the bright, shining blue that he remembered from the battlefield.  “You read them perfectly right, and I’d love to go on a date with you, Alexander.”  

It was Alec’s turn to blink and he stared at Magnus, even as his finger was pulled away.  “Oh.”  

Magnus smiled.  “I more meant that now I’m going to actually flirt with you.” He grinned and gave Alec a wink.  “That means bad flirting with a mix of good flirting just for fun.”  

Alec snorted.  “I look forward to it.”  He paused and met Magnus’ eyes again.  Strange.  The shadowhunter didn’t flinch at his warlock mark.  “Drinks?  Dinner?”  

“Dinner and drinks sounds great,” Magnus breathed, his heart pounding harder at the proximity of Alec and how close they were standing.  “Soon, even?”  

Alec took a brief step back and cleared his throat.  “I, to be clear, I’m not looking for, for a ah.”  He frowned.  “A roll in the hay.  I’d, like to, obviously, see if there’s...” 

“Alec?” Magnus offered, his lips quirking into a smile, stepping in close to him again.  “I’d like to go on a date to get to know you.”  He grinned.  “I also wouldn’t object to a kiss right now, since we both did almost die yesterday.”

Alec’s eyes dropped to Magnus’ lips and then back to his eyes, before drifting to the delectable rune he had peeking out of his shirt.  He thought about Jace’s advice to “Just go for it” and looked back up at Magnus.  “I’d like that,” he admitted.  

Magnus grinned, bright and wide, reaching out to wrap his arms around the warlock’s shoulders.  “Well then, Alexander,” he whispered, tangling his fingers into Alec’s thick hair.  “Far be it for me to deny you something you’d like.”  

Alec smiled into the kiss and let himself be pulled down, sinking into the kiss with a quiet groan.  Magnus kissed him like a man starved of passion and he wanted all he could get of it.  

Maybe there was something special about this shadowhunter.  

~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~

Please enjoy the prompts for the Magnus Bane Birthday Bash!

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[bytheangell]

Chosen Family

( @shadowhunterbingo​ square: Shadowhunter!Magnus. No archive warnings, canon typical violence)  (read on AO3)

“Three go in, three go out,” Magnus, Ragnor, and Catarina say together.

“Let’s do this,” Magnus adds, facing the small nest of ravener demons with a wicked grin on his face. Ragnor and Cat are on either side, his keris blade tight but comfortable in his grip. Ever since they met at the Academy the three of them were inseparable. They trained together, study together, ate together. If it were allowed they’d all room together, too, but instead, Cat shares a room with Tessa. Even so, she spent many nights accidentally falling asleep on the floor of the boy’s room.

Of course, each of them is a skilled fighter in their own right - they know that, realistically, they can’t actually be together 24/7, and they have to be able to take care of themselves without the others around if need be. Thankfully, that need doesn’t arise very often. Once it becomes obvious that the three of them are infinitely more effective as a team than they are paired off with some of the other Shadowhunters they mostly manage the same patrols and mission assignments.

They’re quickly seen as a force to be reckoned with. Magnus attacks with an almost reckless disregard for his own wellbeing, while Ragnor handles the more patient defenses, always ready to cover his impulsive best friend at any moment. Catarina has been known to keep a hidden vial or two of a healing draught on her, though she’ll never give up the name of the warlock contact she gets them from, just in case they get into any particularly rough trouble.

Together they balance each other perfectly, both in and out of the field.

With the two of them by his side, Magnus feels invincible. He feels unstoppable. He feels--

“Watch out!”

-- the pain of flesh splitting apart, sudden and sharp and blinding.

Ragnor’s warning comes a second too late as the claws of the demon drag down Magnus’ back, followed by the feeling of teeth biting into his shoulder as he tries to pull away. Magnus is acutely aware of the poisonous nature of those teeth as he finally tears himself out of its hold.

“Magnus!” Cat’s voice calls out this time as she turns to move toward him.

“I’m fine!” He shouts back, shaking his head. “Just kill the damned things.”

He isn’t fine, but Cat and Ragnor won’t be either if they stop fighting to help him, giving the demons a chance to gather together and swarm. Cat hesitates but turns back toward the demon nearest her in the end.

They continue to fight for a few more minutes until Magnus can no longer hide his muffled noises of pain that accompany every movement he makes, or cover how slow those movements have become - to the point where even when he lands a hit with his blade it barely has enough force to damage the demon.

Magnus doesn’t ask for help - he doesn’t have to.

Instead of flanking him, Cat and Ragnor reflexively move to circle around him as they continue to fight off the demons, taking down their targets while protecting Magnus in equal measure. They don’t discuss it, they just do it, and while none of them are Parabatai but anyone watching would never guess it. They work off one another instinctively, moving as one. Even Magnus, breathing labored and hits slowed, fits his weakening attacks into the careful dance Ragnor and Cat do around him.

Magnus doesn’t feel any fear when his eyes close and he falls to the ground, not even as demons continue to move around him. He knows Cat and Ragnor - his best friends, the people he’s come to consider family - will take care of him the same way he’s taken care of them countless times before. The way they always take care of each other, no question. There isn’t a single doubt in his mind as his vision goes black and he loses consciousness that they’ll get him out in one piece, to live to fight another day.

[aimforthedogstar]

If Magnus was a Shadowhunter, what would be his weapon of preference?

And if Alec was a warlock, what would be the colour of his magic?

I need this for research purposes 🙈

[myulalie]

Magnus’ hand shook as he fiddled with his cuffs. Life without his mother had not been the easiest thing. The Jakarta Institute was big and too busy for a six years old little boy and he had grown lonely until Asmodeus sent him to the Academy in Idris.

“She was just like you, vibrant with life.”

Magnus met his father’s eyes again, gaping slightly. It was rare for Asmodeus to mention his wife and even rarer to comment on Magnus’ flamboyant personality. He was distant, focused on the young man’s accomplishments more than his well-being. They had not really seen each other for years until that evening, with Magnus’ placement in New York and his time at the Academy beforehand. more on ao3

Credits Woman and fan @tbelabuseridze on Unsplash Bridge @weristhari on Unsplash Signet ring @Matchesfashion, balanciaga

[officiallynuts]

Oooh, can you write an AU Malec? Like one where Alec is the Warlock, and Mags is the Shadowhunter! Power switch!

A/N: Oooh I’ve always love a good switch! Hope this is good for you anon!

(Note: I do not own the characters, all credit goes to Cassandra Clare)  

Words: 1,380.

"High Warlock of Brooklyn, your services are requested to the New York Institute, in aid of an Injured Shadowhunter. Come quickly, thank you.Head of the New York Institute."

"Why is it they only need us when some of theirs need healing?" A warlock with the most unnaturally blue eyes spoke with a huff as he dropped the fire message onto the table.

"Oh, just go already big brother, I'll keep an eye on things here." Another warlock in the room laughed at the man's complaining, watching as he stood with another huff.

"Fine, but please, don't touch my potions. I don't want to come back to a hole in the wall." He had to joke, waving his hand to summon a portal, letting himself smile when the girl glared at him.

"That was one time!" She complained, standing with her hands to her hips.

"Three. It was three times, Isabelle." He corrected, laughing as he stepped through the portal before she could say anything else. Or throw something at him. What kind of big brother would he be if he didn't remind his sister of her lack of potion-making? She just wasn't a good cook, the poor thing.

"Warlock Lightwood, I assure you now is not the time for laughter." A voice grumbled behind him once he stepped through the portal, the magic disappearing behind him. And almost immediately, his smile slipped from his face. Right, Shadowhunters. All too serious, righteous, thought themselves to be better than others, warriors.

"Mr. Fell."  The warlock turned to him, narrowing his eyes just a bit. "You interrupted a very important, annually, meeting with my sister, High Warlock of Paris. And not to mention a complicated potion that I had to leave in her care. So forgive me if your Shadowhunter isn't my top priority right now." A paused silence came after that, and two stubborn stares.

"Oh Dios mios, just come already!" Another Shadowhunter rushed over with a huff, sending a glare to the Head of the Institute. "He doesn't have long, Ragnor. The venom is consuming him faster." The Warlock straightened his back at that.

"Take me to him." He commanded, quickly following as the boy turned to lead the way to the infirmary. "Does he have a Parabatai?" High Warlock asked.

"Yeah." The boy answered simply as he practically yanked the doors open. There on the center bed was another Shadowhunter, fretting over the injured one to make him more comfortable. The Warlock couldn't see what the male looked like, but he could see the shine of oozing blood and black goo of ichor. "Me."

The warlock turned to the boy at that to take him in. He stood tall, hands together behind his back. Shoulders pulled back, head held high, a classic warrior stance. But he didn't look any older than fifteen, he was young. And looking closer, he was shaking. There was a pain in his eyes, a tremble to his shoulders, and clenched lips. Like he was trying to hide the pain he no doubt felt coming from his Parabatai.

"Then you may stay. I'm going to need your strength." He nodded before turning to the other, the girl, who had straightened up to stare him down.

"What do you need from me?" She demanded, watching as the warlock snapped his fingers and a paper appeared in his hand.

"This is a list of ingredients. I'm going to need everything as fast as you can." He handed the paper to her, who immediately geared up to run out, but was stopped by a hand.

"Cat." The Parabatai whispered. "Please hurry." Cat gave him a sad smile, then a nod, before finally running out. Turning back to the Warlock, he saw him looking over his brother in worry. "Is he going to be okay?"

"What is his name?" The warlock asked back, reaching to brush some of the damp hair away.

"Magnus." The other whispered, "Magnus Bane."

"Magnus Bane.." He whispered to the boy, who only groaned in response. "I'm Alec, and I'm going to take care of you. Okay? Just hold tight. Raphael, hold my arm and don't let go, okay?" He commanded, turning to the tensed Shadowhunter.

Raphael wanted to know how he knew his name, but he didn't ask then. His idiot friend was in need, he could ask later. So he put his hand on Alec's arm and almost immediately felt a change. The warlock was taking his strength slowly as blue flames swirled around his hands.

Alec needed to sustain Magnus, to prolong the fast-moving venom, put it on pause as they waited for Cat to return with the ingredients. Till then, his magic would do. Combined with shared strength, it helped greatly. His skin was looking it's yellow color, fading into a natural honey shade. Things were looking up, but Alec's magic was starting to fade. He was pouring so much of it into Magnus, it was wearing him down. He needed to stop before he passed out.

And stopped, he did, when Cat came running in with a bag. With all the ingredients he needed, he made Raphael let go of him so he could focus on blending everything. He had to work fast, now that his magic wasn't on Magnus, the venom was spreading again. Only faster, if his screaming was any help.

With a weak snap of his fingers, the potion was finished and he rushed over, moving the Shadowhunters aside so he could get to the other. "Here we go.." He murmured, taking Magnus by the neck gently to tilt his head back. Magnus screamed in protest but seemed the calm the moment the liquid touched his lips. "Drink slow.," Alec whispered as he helped the Shadowhunter drink the potion, mot moving till it was all gone. Only then did he let himself relax and practically fell into the chair that was pushed under him just in time.

"Mr. Lightwood.." Cat whispered, not taking her eyes off her healing friend. He was breathing better, his screaming had stopped. He was breathing deeply to catch his breath as his eyes fluttered open. And like they were drawn to him, warm brown met coral blue. "Thank you."

"Am I dead?" Magnus Bane whispered, not looking to his friends who let out little 'too soon's at him.

"No," Alec answered tiredly, watching the Shadowhunter watch him. "Your friends called for me in the nick of time."

"They called for an Angel?" The other whispered, and slowly started to smile. He seemed to be coming back to his senses, letting out a laugh when the others groaned.

"Dios mios, you idiota," Raphael murmured, shaking his head. Alec tilted his head away at that, biting his lip.

"I'm far from an Angel, Magnus Bane." He corrected, looking back at him. "I should go, you need rest. And don't do anything stupid like this again. Okay, Shadowhunter?"

"You're an Angel in my eyes, Alexander Lightwood." He murmured, closing his eyes to finally rest. "See you in my dreams, Warlock."

If Alec was surprised to hear his full name, he only showed it by a twitch of an eyebrow. But he didn't say anything as he used the back of the chair to stand up.

"Mr. Lightwood, you're exhausted. Please stay." Cat was quick to stand as if help him if he were to fall.

"No, no.." Alec shook his head. "I have overstayed my welcome, I can already feel the glares of others. I should go."

"Then please." A familiar voice chimed in. Ragnor Fell, Head of the Institute. "Name your price for helping our friend. I will give you anything for saving his life." He sounded grateful as he looked over at the sleeping Shadowhunter. Alec followed his gaze and looked at Magnus in quiet for a moment.

"Consider this on the house." Alec finally spoke, looking back to the others. If he was in a mood, he would have laughed at their shocked faces. He normally never did anything free of charge. "Just keep him safe."

That was the last thing he said before waving his hand and a portal appeared before them. And with one last look to Magnus Bane, Alec turned and left the room with a flash of blue.

[loopyhoopywrites]

(This is a sort of continuation/same universe as my Role Reversal AU. You don’t have to read that to understand this, just know that Alec is a warlock (as are Izzy and Jace), and Magnus is a Shadowhunter).

“Do you love her?”

Magnus turns, abandoning his uncooperative bow tie as he sees Isabelle, resplendent in a shimmering golden gown as she stands in his doorway. Her arms are folded, and she glares at him as he sighs, returning his gaze to his mirror as he once more attempts to tie the perfect knot.

“My dearest Isabelle,” He says, “I didn’t expect to see you today.”

“Cut the crap Magnus.”

Izzy strides over, and Magnus finds himself preparing for a slap as she grabs him by the arms and swings him to face her. Instead, however, she simply takes the tie from his clumsy fingers, and within seconds has produced the perfect bow. She fiddles with it for a moment, making sure it’s straight, before stepping back.

“Do you love her or not?”

“I thought I did, once.” Magnus replies casually, turning away from the warlock to select his cufflinks. “Isn’t that enough?”

“Not when you love Alec.”

There’s a sudden clatter as Magnus’ cufflinks fall to the floor. What follows is a moment of silence, before Magnus slowly bends down to retrieve them.

“Alec has made it clear that he wants nothing to do with me.” Magnus says, and Izzy doesn’t need her magic to see through him.

“Oh Magnus.”

She places a hand gently on his arm, and although he tries to pull away she persists, and he finds himself being pulled into a hug. He can’t help but lean in, and when they do finally pull apart Magnus is horrified to find tear spilling from his eyes. Quickly, he wipes them away, only to curse as he realises his carefully applied make-up is now smeared across the back of his hand.

“Sit.” Izzy orders, steering Magnus towards his vanity and pushing him into the chair. Magnus reaches for a make-up wipe, only to have his hand slapped away as Izzy picks it up herself, spinning Magnus’ chair to face her as she begins to carefully dab at his ruined eyes.

“Jace and I are practically babies, you know?” Izzy begins, and although Magnus has no idea what this has to do with his wedding he remains silent as she continues. “For Warlocks anyway. Jace is barely seventy, and I only hit fifty a few years ago.”

“You have to tell me which moisturizer you use.” Magnus jokes, and he manages a smile as Izzy laughs.

“We’ve always had each other, and we kind of forced ourselves on Alec, but Alec…” There’s a pause as Izzy lowers the make-up wipe, clearly considering her words as she drops it back on the vanity and picks up Magnus’ eyeliner. “Alec’s over eight hundred years old, and Jace and I are the only family he’s ever known.”

“There must have been others,” Magnus says, eyes closed as Izzy skilfully lines his lids, “Before the two of you came along.”

"Maybe in the beginning," Izzy admits, "But when you live that long... It's hard to be around people when you know you'll outlive them. Alec's been around so long that I don't think he knows how to make friends anymore."

"He'd made friends with me." Magnus feels the need to point out, and Izzy smiles.

"I think you made friends with him." She laughs sadly, capping the eyeliner and stepping back to admire her handiwork. Magnus watches her, but he's thinking of Alec. He finds it hard to believe that anyone would spend eight hundred years alone, but then he remembers how he'd felt when he parents had passed away, and he thinks he might understand a little more.

"He's in love with you." Isabelle says softly, smashing through Magnus' thoughts like a battering ram.

"No-"

"He's in love with you." She repeats firmly, forcing Magnus to listen. "He's never loved anyone before, not like this, but now he's in love with you and he doesn't know how to deal with it. He's terrified Magnus, and if you go through with this wedding-"

She stops, but Magnus doesn't need her to continue. He thinks of Camille, of waiting at the altar as she walks down the aisle, and he feels sick.

"The Clave are already looking for any excuse to derune me." He whispers, head falling into his hands as it suddenly strikes him just how big a mistake he's about to make. "Imagine how much they'll hate me if I blow off my wedding for a Downworlder."

"I know," Izzy says, kneeling in front of Magnus as she rests a comforting hand on his knee, "But imagine how much you'll hate yourself if you don't."

[saveyourblood]

Harry discussing Shadowhunter!Magnus + Isaiah getting excited. x

Would that make Alec a warlock in an alternate universe? 😊