Chapter Text
Alec was just about ready to start tearing out his hair in frustration. He knew how stubborn shadowhunters could be, himself especially, but this was just ridiculous.
Magnus was being open, honest and flexible in his attitude towards the shadowhunters, but the Clave representatives just weren’t budging even an inch.
And Alec wasn’t even involved in the negotiations, only allowed to sit at the side and observe. He felt like it might be going a little differently if he had been allowed to input anything, but that would probably be a bad thing because he would have lost his temper a long while ago.
Magnus looked his usual calm self as if nothing bothered him, but Alec had noted a couple of small ticks which suggested Magnus wasn’t far from losing his patience.
These people were supposed to be the Clave – the leaders of his people. If they couldn’t be polite or make any decisions at all, how did they get to be where they were? Why did they even agree to meet with the warlocks in the first place?
All they had done was go around in circles for hours, everything Magnus said was countered, usually with something as inane as ‘Why should we trust you?’
They just wouldn’t believe that the warlocks didn’t want to wait until they let their guard down and steal the power of the shadow world for themselves.
It was getting really boring, and a little hypocritical in Alec’s opinion, since it was the shadowhunters who had previously broken their word and attacked during a truce, leading to a massacre of warlocks. Surely if anyone had a right not to trust the other side, it was the warlocks.
Alec sighed and leant back against the wall and Izzy rested her head on his shoulder. His sister was bored too and so was Jace, that much was obvious. At least Clary was doing a slightly better job of feigning interest in all of the proceedings.
The only positive side to these talks was that, so far, there hadn’t been any violence. All the bodyguards had been able to stay back and alert, but hadn’t needed to be called into action.
There’d been some verbal attacks sure, but nothing over the top. Thankfully, there was also no sign of the anti-magic device that the Clave had somehow created to block warlock magic either, which meant they were trusting the warlocks at least a little.
At least Max wasn’t having to sit through this, they’d left him behind in the warlock camp, under the watchful eyes of Catarina. The two got a long really well so Alec knew there wouldn’t be any problems to deal with when they got back – unless the two of them had gotten up to some mischief of their own together, but Alec thought perhaps Catarina was a little too level-headed for that.
He was dreading the moment that he and his siblings were going to be brought up for discussion.
Maryse had managed to corner Alec when everyone was arriving and dragged him away out of sight and hearing range of others to be able to talk to him.
Alec felt like he didn’t have a choice when Maryse glared at him and gestured with her head for him to follow her. She was still his mother and commanding officer after all, he just hoped she wasn’t about to do something crazy.
“You have betrayed your family, Alexander,” Alec flinched, both at the use of his full first name – only Magnus could call him that - and how bluntly his mother had started speaking the second she knew no one could overhear them. She definitely wasn’t going to be pulling any punches.
“You have destroyed our family name, our influence with the Clave,”
Alec didn’t respond, what could he say to that? She wouldn’t believe he did what he thought was right.
“Your…dalliance with this warlock has seriously impaired your judgement. He’s completely brainwashed you with his magic and you can’t even see it!”
He wanted to defend himself, defend Magnus, but his mother continued on without giving a pause for him to do so,
“You’re going to have to face the consequences of your actions. So will Isabelle and Jace. It’s not going to be pretty and I will not be there to defend you,”
“I don’t need you to,” Alec finally found his voice and was proud of how strong he still managed to sound, “I don’t need your protection anymore,”
Maryse looked a little taken aback for a moment before replacing her stern mask.
“Be that as it may, you will face what you have done and you are not going to like it,”
Alec would face whatever he had to, he just wished his siblings weren’t going to be dragged down with him. It’s not like they helped him to free Magnus when he was being held prisoner in the New York Institute. All they did was find and free their brother when he had been kidnapped and held hostage in the warlock camp.
Did they really have to be punished for that? For wanting to protect their family?
He rubbed his hands over his face, trying to keep his blood flow going and wake himself up a little. He needed to stay awake and alert so he would know everything that was going on.
Refocusing on the discussions he heard, “We will take into account everything you have said to us today, it is not to be believed that tensions between our two races can be resolved today. We shall reconvene at another time,”
Clearly the Clave representatives were getting a little bored too.
“Very well,” Magnus said, trying not to let annoyance seep into his tone, “I will agree that we will get no further today, perhaps we can try again in two days’ time,”
The representatives glanced between each other, sharing some kind of mental communication before Inquisitor Herondale nodded her head,
“Yes we agree. Two days,”
Magnus made to stand and make his farewell, when the Inquisitor raised her hand to stop him.
“Just before you go, perhaps there is one other topic of conversation,”
Magnus raised his eyebrow, “Oh? And what would that be?”
Alec felt his heart sink, this was it.
“Jace Wayland, Clarissa Fray and Isabelle and Alexander Lightwood have yet to face punishment for their actions. As this is a shadowhunter affair and does not affect our negotiations, we ask that you allow them to return to New York. We will leave other shadowhunters with you in their place,”
“They need to be punished even now? After the positive effect that their actions have had?”
“The outcome is not important in this situation. Will you allow them to return?” The Inquisitor clearly would not be moved and Magnus shared a quick awkward glace at Alec as he tried to figure out his next move. He didn’t want to lose Alec back to the shadowhunters, especially when he knew Alec’s punishment was bound to be very bad.
This was difficult, if Magnus refused then it could ruin everything he’d tried so hard to get.
“I’ll allow them to return on one condition,”
“Yes?”
“That they choose to go with you. If it is their desire to return to New York, then they may. If they wish to remain in our camp, then they will.”
Everyone’s attention was drawn to the three siblings sat at the back of the room and they automatically sat up straighter.
“What about Max? Will he be left alone there?” Izzy asked.
“If all four of you decide to leave then we will send Max back to you,”
“Alright,” Izzy and Jace stood, Jace taking Clary’s hand and tugging her up too, “It’s time for us to go back. We didn’t intentionally avoid punishment for our actions after we found Alec, it’s time for us to deal with it,” Izzy nodded in agreement and they moved to stand on the left side of the room with their people.
Alec couldn’t help but feel proud of Jace’s words, his younger brother was finally growing up and learning some responsibility.
Clary looked a little worried but she would always stay with Jace and it would be nice for her to see her mom again.
“And you, Alexander?” The Inquisitor prompted.
Alec didn’t want to give away the depth of his relationship with Magnus, but he couldn’t help meeting the warlock’s gaze to try and figure out the other man’s thoughts on the matter.
Magnus looked blank, but Alec knew him well enough to see beyond that. Magnus’ knuckles were almost white as they gripped his suit trousers and his eyes looked distinctly sad. Magnus thought Alec was going to choose to leave him.
Dammit, he really didn’t want to do this. He was scared what his family would think of him. If he chose to avoid punishment for his actions and stay with Magnus, he’d officially be outcast. He’d really be a traitor and defector of his people.
Could he do it?
Looking into Magnus’ eyes he had his answer.
“Alec!” Maryse hissed, snapping his attention back to all the people in the room who were staring at him.
He slowly stood up and clenched his fists loosely, trying to stop his hands from shaking.
“I won’t go back to New York,”
A response began instantly, shadowhunters frowning and whispering together, his mother glaring daggers at him, the Inquisitor appraising him so much he felt like she could see straight into his soul.
But what he noticed most was the look of surprise on Magnus’ face.
“What do you mean you won’t go back to New York?!” Maryse yelled, “Alexander you will return with us now,”
“No, I won’t. New York isn’t home anymore, I’m going to stay,”
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Magnus deflate slightly in relief, as if he thought he’d heard wrong the first time Alec said he wouldn’t return.
“We can force you to come with us,”
“No, we can’t,” Inquisitor Herondale shocked everyone as she spoke, contradicting Maryse, “Magnus Bane was clear in his terms, the siblings would return dependant on their choice. Your boy has chosen to remain.” Alec couldn’t tell if she was disapproving or not.
Maryse let out a sound of annoyance and stormed out of the meeting room.
The Inquisitor ignored this and returned her attention to Magnus.
“So we have their answers, we have two shadowhunters outside. Bring them in,” She called out, to who, Alec didn’t know, but within seconds two young looking shadowhunters were escorted into the room.
Alec recognized the girl, she had lived in Idris, the shadowhunter home city, when Alec and his family had stayed there for a while when they were younger, “Aline Penhallow and Jeremy Pontmercy.”
He didn’t know the boy, but he knew his family. They were very high up and influential within the Clave. Jeremy looked to be about fifteen or sixteen with very buzzed short hair and deep scar crossing his face from his left eye all the way down to just underneath his chin.
Aline was looking like a 100% badass shadowhunter in skin tight black leathers and her long black hair scraped back into a ponytail. All she was missing was weapons.
“Alright then. Same place, same time, two days. It was nice talking with you,” Magnus swiftly swept across the room to Alec and placed a hand around his elbow, guiding him away. He wanted to get Alec out of there before the shadowhunters could change their minds and try to take him away.
Creating a portal, he pulled Alec through without waiting for anyone else.
*
Leading Alec away from the portal to get out of the way of the others coming through, Magnus looked up at his boyfriend.
“Why did you choose to stay here?” Alec looked away self-consciously, his eyes downcast and Magnus waited patiently for Alec to speak.
“I know I can’t stay protected here forever. One day I’m going to have to go back and deal with the repercussions of what I did. I broke the law, I betrayed my people. I did it again by choosing you today,”
“You didn’t betray anyone, Alexander. You did what you thought was best,”
“That doesn’t matter, I chose you and not them. That’s enough for me to be labelled as a traitor,”
He took a deep breath and forced himself to look at Magnus’ face.
“I’d do it again. I’m not ready to let you go yet,”
Magnus reached out to hold Alec’s hands in his. Those words made him feel so inexplicably happy, but he couldn’t help feeling a little guilty over them.
“But they’re your family,”
“Are they? My mother has practically disowned me and my father does whatever she says. I mean, of course Izzy and Jace are my family but they understand now. I want to be here with you,”
Feeling a deep swell of affection, Magnus leant up and had almost pressed his lips to Alec’s when they heard,
“Alec! You’re back!” They were pushed apart by Max putting himself between them and wrapping his arms around Alec.
“Where are Izzy, Jace and Clary?” He stared with wide eyes up at Alec.
“They went home, it’s just you and me now,”
“I still get to stay here, right?”
“Sure, as long as you want to,”
“I do! Catarina and me made cookies, we’re gonna decorate them now!” Max ran off as quickly as he’d appeared and Magnus and Alec watched him go fondly. They were interrupted by Aline and Jeremy wandering over uncertainly.
“Welcome to our camp,” Magnus greeted, sounding every bit like the leader he currently was, “I’m sure you know that I am Magnus Bane,” The two newcomers nodded at him.
“We’ll set up a couple of tents for you and perhaps Alec can show you around if you’d like. I’m sure he’ll also tell you that there aren’t really any rules here and you aren’t going to be restricted in any way. All we ask is that you don’t start trouble,”
“Sounds fair enough,” Aline said, “How’ve you been, Alec? It’s been a long time,”
He shrugged, “Alright I suppose. Considering everything. How’s Beijing?” Aline’s parents were the leaders of the Beijing Institute.
“Boring for the most part, this is the most exciting thing to happen in a long time,”
“Glad to be of service,” Alec gave a small smile.
“Where are you from, Jeremy?” Magnus asked politely. The younger shadowhunter couldn’t quite disguise a look of disgust that Magnus had spoken to him directly and Alec frowned.
“I live in Idris,” Was all Jeremy offered before wandering away from them.
“Well isn’t he a charmer,” Aline moved to stand next to Magnus as they all watched him,
“Don’t you know it. I’m not sure why he agreed to come here, not that I know him all that well,”
“We’ll keep an eye on him. Now, let’s get you set up here,”
Magnus sent Alec a look of longing and made a kissy face at him when Aline wasn’t looking and Alec couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face as he went to find Max.
*
Later that night found Alec and Magnus alone in Magnus’ tent, cuddled up together on the sofa.
“How do you think the first talks went today?” Alec asked quietly, holding Magnus close and running a hand up and down his arm softly.
“Hmm,” Magnus started with a sigh, “Not as well as I would have liked, but I’m not really all that surprised,”
“I don’t know how you kept your cool. I was getting stressed just listening to it,”
“A long-honed talent. It was a near thing close to the end though,”
“Hopefully next time they start to come to their senses a little,”
“Doubtful, but maybe they will surprise us,” Magnus relaxed his head back against Alec’s shoulder and let out a deep breath of contentment.
They were quietly enjoying each other’s presence when a fire lit up on the coffee table and disappeared, leaving a letter in its place. Magnus reached forward to pick it up.
“It’s for you,” He handed it to Alec.
“It’s from Izzy,” Alec skimmed over the letter quickly, then again slower, taking in all the details. When he was done he pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to keep calm.
Hi Brother,
I’m proud of you for following your heart today. It may not be what I
expected for you but I’m glad you’re happy.
Our mom is really pissed at you, I overheard her talking with dad and
I think she’s considering disowning you for real to try and ‘restore
the family name’. I wouldn’t worry about it though, seems to be
all talk.
Jace, Clary and I are being recalled to Idris the moment after I send
you this letter to face our punishment for disobeying orders to
look for you. We’ll be kept under house arrest there and we won’t
be allowed any outside contact, but I promise to keep in touch
with you whenever I get the chance.
Please be careful around the Clave, something here doesn’t feel
right and I don’t want you getting hurt.
I love you, be safe
Izzy xxx
Magnus had read over Alec’s shoulder and offered him a comforting hug, “I’m sorry about your mother,”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m a little more concerned about what she thinks about the Clave, Izzy’s instincts are usually right on point.”
“We’ll both be careful,”
“Do you promise? I can’t deal with anything happening to you now,”
“I promise. I’ll keep safe, I won’t take big risks in our negotiations,” Alec pressed a kiss to Magnus’ forehead in thanks, “That being said, we do need to talk about Isaac,” Isaac had been the leader of the Warlocks before disappearing a few years prior.
“What about him?” Alec leaned away.
“He’s been stuck in Edom for long enough, ever since Nathaniel took over. I want to go and find him, bring him back,”
“No, Magnus you can’t,”
“I have to, he’s suffered down there for long enough,”
“Why does it have to be you? And what about ending the war? You’re leader right now you can’t leave your people. What do you even know about Edom anyway? What can you even expect down there?”
“I don’t know much, admittedly. Isaac is a good man; how can I leave him? He was a much better leader than I will ever be, we need him back,”
“Isaac never achieved an almost-peace with shadowhunters,”
“But he never had you to help him,”
“Regardless, please don’t go now. I need you, I can’t lose you so soon after finding you and we don’t know what to expect down there. Please wait – for now at least, when we know more we can think about it,”
“Alright,” Magnus said at last, “I can wait,” Alec let out a sigh of relief and slumped forward, back into Magnus’ arms.
“You’re not going to lose me, Alexander,” Magnus whispered, “I love you too much to let that happen,”
Alec froze, “What?” Magnus smiled and ran his fingers through Alec’s hair.
“I love you,” Alec’s heart was beating so quickly he wouldn’t have been surprised if Magnus felt it too.
“I love you, too,” He said and suddenly his whole body felt light and fluffy. He did love Magnus, it felt right to have finally said it.
Their lips were drawn together then, almost as if they were magnetically attracted. It started sweet but quickly escalated into something deeper, more passionate as they held onto one another.
Hands began to roam each other’s bodies and Alec let out a moan as Magnus deftly crept his hands beneath Alec’s black t-shirt and pressed them against the bare skin of Alec’s lower back.
Alec returned the favour and began kissing down Magnus’ neck, lavishing attention there with lips and teeth and tongue, Magnus letting out small noises of encouragement as he did so. His hands lifted the hem of Magnus’ shirt and began to push it upwards, reconnecting their mouths together as he did so.
Magnus lifted his arms to help remove it and their lips parted for merely seconds as it was thrown to the ground before they connected once more. Lifting himself up slightly, Alec flung his leg over Magnus’ waist to straddle him and press their bodies together, another sound of pleasure escaping him as Magnus’ skin connected with the small sliver peeking through where Alec’s shirt had ridden up slightly.
Soon Alec’s shirt was removed completely, thrown somewhere across the room. Alec was feeling overwhelmed, this was far from the first time they’d done something like this – making out like teenagers that is, but this felt bigger. More intense. He wanted more.
“Mags…Magnus,”
“Mmm? Yes, darling?”
“I want you,” Magnus pulled back so he could stare deep into Alec’s eyes, trying to decipher what he saw there. He seemed to realize that Alec wasn’t just talking about more fooling around.
“Are you sure? You know we don’t have to,”
Alec groaned in neediness, grinding his hips down against Magnus’, “I want to. I want you, all of you. Please,”
Magnus keened low in his throat and pushed at Alec’s shoulders until the other man moved away and they were both standing.
“Just tell me if you want to stop, okay?” Alec nodded, not trusting in voice in that moment. Magnus settled his hands on Alec’s hips lightly and kissed him again, slower but somehow filled with more feeling than before.
Sliding his arms around Magnus’ waist, Alec dipped his hands just underneath the waistband of Magnus’ pants. Magnus began walking Alec backwards, carefully leading him towards the large bed and Alec let himself fall backwards when his legs bumped into it.
Magnus fell easily on top of him and they shuffled their way up the bed until Alec could rest his head amongst the pillows. Magnus took his time kissing his way down Alec’s chest, lavishing attention on each nipple as he passed by. He traced across the outlines of Alec’s abs with his tongue and held him down when hips started to stutter upwards, although he carefully avoided the patch of skin where his parabatai rune used to be.
As he reached Alec’s pants he pressed a teasing hand to the bulge hidden just underneath and removed it just as quick to undo the button, enjoying Alec’s whining as he practically begged for more.
Not wanting to tease too much, Magnus made quick work of removing Alec’s pants and boxers, kicking them off the end of the bed and his mouth engulfed Alec’s erection. The shadowhunter gasped and his hands sought out Magnus’ hair and held on tightly, but not enough to hurt Magnus or try to control his movement.
Magnus sucked up and down, increasing his pace and thoroughly appreciating the feel of Alec hard beneath his tongue.
“Ah…Mags…so good,” Magnus hummed in response sending more sparks of pleasure through Alec.
Just when Alec felt ready to explode, Magnus pulled off and Alec dropped his arms back to the bed, letting out a pained sigh.
“Don’t worry darling, I have much more planned for you,”
“Oh really?”
Magnus smirked, “Of course. If you want this I’m going to make it good for you,”
Alec made an unintelligible sound as Magnus climbed his way back up Alec’s body and kissed him soundly while taking off his own pants.
Here Alec was comfortable, he wasn’t a stranger to being naked in bed with Magnus but he could feel some nerves seeping in. He wanted this, he really did but no matter how much he loved and trusted Magnus, he couldn’t stop a part of him being worried. He felt himself tense up slightly as he kept thinking.
It was his first time after all. Would it hurt? Would he like it? He didn’t want to hurt Magnus’ feelings if he didn’t, although he didn’t really think that would be a problem.
Sure, if he asked Magnus would probably let Alec do him instead, but for his first-time Alec didn’t want that. He wanted to feel Magnus inside him.
As Magnus pressed their naked bodies together, Alec tried to push his thoughts aside, he just wanted to enjoy this and be good for Magnus.
“Are you okay, Alexander? I can practically hear you thinking,”
Alec took a deep breath, trying to relax again.
“I’m fine, just…nervous,” Smiling understandingly down at him, Magnus kept his touches fairly platonic, above the waist.
“Are you sure you want…”
“Don’t ask again,” Alec interrupted, “Please…just do it,”
“Alright,” Magnus reached underneath a pillow and subtly summoned a bottle of lube. He still didn’t like to use any magic around Alec. The shadowhunter seemed okay when other warlocks would use it and it wasn’t aimed at him, but Magnus didn’t want to take any chances.
After Alec had been tortured with magic, he wasn’t about to use it on him or around him. He wanted to make sure that Alec was comfortable at all times and if that meant not using his magic openly then that was fine by him.
Kissing Alec once more, Magnus coaxed him over so his was lying on his stomach and kissed down his back.
One day he’d really like to worship Alec and have him writhing on his tongue, but today wasn’t that day. He didn’t want to overwhelm Alec too much during his first time.
Flicking open the bottle of lube Magnus spread some across his fingers, rubbing it together to try and heat it up but Alec still jumped when it came into contact with him. Magnus chuckled, “Sorry darling,” Alec just grunted in response.
Magnus rubbed his index finger against Alec’s entrance, letting his boyfriend get used to the feeling before slipping it inside.
“Ah!” Magnus kept his movements slow, cautiously nudging in further every time he pulled out and pressed back in again.
“Is this okay?” He asked as a second finger joined the first. Alec wasn’t really sure how to describe what he was feeling; it was nothing like he’d actually expected.
“It’s…weird,”
“Good weird or bad weird?”
“I’m not sure yet. Keep going,” Magnus kissed the back of Alec’s shoulder as he began to scissor his fingers, stretching Alec out.
When he was happy that Alec was relaxed enough he crooked his fingers and smirked when Alec cried out in pleasure.
“Like that, darling?”
“Ah…yes…yes! Mags…don’t stop,” Magnus did as he was told and kept a light pressure on that spot, watching with rapt attention as Alec squirmed underneath his ministrations.
Two fingers became three and Alec winced a little at the stretch, but it still felt really good.
“Magnus, please. Fuck me already,” He was tired of waiting, he needed Magnus inside him.
The warlock removed his fingers and pumped some more lube into his hand and slicked his cock.
Magnus took it slow, guiding himself inside and moving in inch by inch.
It burned more than Alec imagined and he’d never felt so full before. He thought Magnus’ fingers had been a lot, but his dick was so much bigger.
“Okay?”
“Uh…” Magnus bottomed out and held himself still. It was difficult, Alec was so tight and hot and his magic was desperate to escape but he kept it on the tightest lockdown he could.
“You feel so good, Alec,”
“Ngghh…” Alec felt completely overcome with emotion. Magnus was inside him…it was really happening and it was starting to feel good now that he was getting used to it.
“Move!” He demanded huskily and Magnus was only too happy to comply, thrusting in and out shallowly. Magnus rolled them so they were lying on their sides and pressed in deeper. Alec reached back to cling onto Magnus’ arm and Magnus buried his face into Alec’s neck, biting and kissing the skin there.
Alec was making the loveliest sounds, only serving to spur Magnus on further and thrust harder.
But suddenly, “Oh!” Alec shouted and Magnus froze and his eyes widened, his hand seemingly stuck on Alec’s back where he could still see the traces of blue sparks where his magic had escaped. This was the worst thing that could have happened! Alec was going to hate him…
“Oh god…Alec…I’m so sorry,” Why couldn’t he just control himself better? He was a High Warlock for god’s sake!
“Magnus,”
“I’m so sor-” He tried to repeat, when Alec stopped him.
“Again,”
“What?” Had Magnus heard that right?
“Do it again, Magnus please,” Magnus hesitated but when Alec pleaded desperately with him again, he didn’t have a choice.
Releasing his magic in small bursts sent a heat through Alec’s body which left him tingling all over, enhancing the pleasure he was already feeling.
Alec shifted back, fucking himself against Magnus.
“Gods Alexander, yes!” Magnus met him thrust for thrust, pistoning his hips forwards and nailing Alec’s prostate every other time.
“Mags I’m so…I’m so close, fuck,”
“Come for me, darling,” Magnus wrapped a hand around Alec’s cock, keeping the flow of magic light and steady, and stroked twice, three times and Alec was spurting across the sheets, the clenching of Alec’s passage setting off Magnus’ own orgasm just seconds later.
Magnus slowly slipped out and rolled onto his back, breathing heavily. Alec rolled onto his front, strangely enjoying the feel of Magnus’ cum sliding down his thighs.
“How do you feel?”
“Awesome,” Alec mumbled into the pillow, sounding totally blissed out.
“Do you want me to clean you up?”
“Mhmm,” With a snap of his fingers, both of them as well as the bed were immaculately clean. Magnus was a little bemused, how was Alec suddenly so okay with his magic? He wasn’t complaining, magic certainly could make sex better, but Alec was always so skittish.
What had changed? He made a mental note to ask Alec about that later, for now it could wait.
Alec snuggled into Magnus’ arms and drifted off to sleep, mumbling a tired “I love you,”. Magnus smiled and kissed Alec’s forehead, “I love you too, sweetheart,” and he wasn’t too far behind Alec before sleeping too.
*
Something had woken him up. What was it? Alec was warm and still in his arms, what was different?
He gasped and bolted upright as the pain which must have woken him surged back through him.
“Mags? What’s wrong?”
No…something had happened. He couldn’t feel him anymore.
“Fuck,”
“Magnus what happened?” Alec sounded panicked, worried by his lovers’ behaviour. Magnus took a shaky breath and dropped his head into his hands.
“Elias is dead,”