The walls of the Institute were nearly as familiar as his own penthouse. The wards were all his, they had been for years. And Magnus had come to work very closely with the Weapons Master, one Isabelle Lightwood and the Head of the Institute, one Jace Herondale, with a strong second in command in the form of Underhill.
After the wedding- god, the wedding, how was it that years later he was still haunted by the whole fucking thing- he’d hoped to distance himself shadowhunters. But Clary and Isabelle had seemed determined to keep him on their lives.
He wasn’t sure if it was pity or torture but he found himself incapable of saying no to either of them. Of course, had he cut ties after Alec went ahead with his marriage to Lydia he wouldn’t have his Madzie.
His Madzie who was currently running ahead of him, intent on reaching Isabelle before him. She was bright and beautiful and powerful. And he loved her, his daughter. If he sometimes thought about a certain dark haired shadowhunter, if he hadn’t bothered to date or hook up with anyone, if there was still that strange pain in his chest well... it didn’t matter.
Except word came a few months ago that Lydia Branwell-Lightwood had died in combat. And then a little later came the news that Jace was stepping down as Head of the Institute and Alec Lightwood- who had been serving on the council in Alacante- would be stepping in to take the position.
And Magnus’ chest and stomach, his whole body, had been a riot of butterflies and nerves since the news came.
Not that he’d let it show. Still, he’d intended to see Isabelle first today. To give himself some courage before officially greeting the new Head of the Institute. Except-
“You aren’t Izzy!” Madzie was exclaiming from just inside the weapons room. “Who are you?”
And Magnus knew... before he turned the corner. Before the wild dark hair and deep hazel eyes came into view... he knew.
“Alexander,” he breathed, out of reflex or memory. Because he hadn’t really seen him since the wedding except for the one time he’d come to start up the official downworlder and shadowhunters meetings. “This is Mr. Lightwood, Madzie. The new Head of the Institute.” He thought he managed to control his voice well enough but Madzie was eyeing him suspiciously. “We were, um, looking for Isabelle. Before I came to meet with you.”
She was going to keep Madzie. And Magnus had honestly needed her silent understanding that years ago a different life had been possible. But Magnus hadn’t made it in time.