Defending Our Rights- Shadowhunters

Maybe You Were Stronger Than I Was: Malec-Chp.3

I grabbed my bow and quiver and reluctantly handed them over to Magnus.

"Here you go, payment in full. Thank you, Magnus." He nodded and started walking out. He turned before getting very far and started walking back to me slowly.

"Lydia was great on the stand today."

"So you get it!"

"No Alec, I get her. I like her. But you don't have to marry her."

"Yes, I do Magnus.

"You'll be lonely for the rest of you're life, and so will she. Neither of you deserve it." He looked down and back up with the same puppy dog eyes he had when he convinced me to stay the night at his place. There was something different in his eyes this time though. They weren't full with want, they were full with hurt. "And I don't either." I looked down at my feet before seeing him move. " I don't know what to do with these." I looked up and he handed me back my weapons. "You keep them safe for me." He nodded as I took them and started to walk out.

"Magnus, wait!" I threw down the artillery when he walked out of the door. I chased him down the hall and grabbed his shoulder, turning his small frame around. "You know I have to do this Magnus."

"No you don't Alec! Me and you both know you don't want this!"

"It's not for me Magnus! It's for my family, my parents."

"BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE ALEC! YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN SO WORRIED ABOUT YOUR FAMILY NAME AND MAKING SURE IT SITS WELL WITH THE CLAVE THAT YOU DON'T SEE WHAT'S RIGHT INFRONT OF YOU! YOU CAN'T GO THROUGH LIFE FIXING OTHERS MISTAKES ALEC, YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART ALEC!" I've never seen him raise his voice at anyone and I could see he didn't do it often. His voice cracked in random places and his eyes glossed over.

"Magnus It's up to me to restore the Lightwood name. I'm sorry."

"No. You're not. It shouldn't have to be your responsibility to bring back what your parents lost. Maryse and Robert are idiots ok! Fucking idiots that should've gotten their shit together a long time ago! I can't watch you suffer just because they did horrible things." His eyes were more then just glossed over now. His mascara and eyeliner were now streaming down his face. His glitter sat randomly along the trail that the tears left.

"Magnus, please stop crying. You know there's nothing I can do."

"You're wrong Alec, there is so much you could do." He started backing up. "And if you won't do it then I won't sit here and watch your life crumble before you."

"Magnus please." I stepped forward and he put a hand up.

"Don't Alec, it's over." He turned and headed for the door. I slouched down and sat on the floor against the wall. I put my head in between my legs and heard heels clicking down the hall.

"Alec, is everything alright? Magnus just left sobbing." Izzy came up and stood infront of me.

"He's still mad about the marriage." I looked up at her.

"We all are Alec, not just him. You don't have to d..."

"EVERYONE IS SAYING THAT! I DO HAVE TO DO THIS IZZY, BECAUSE OUR PARENTS SCREWED UP!" I stood up and started pacing back and forth.

"I told you we'd find away out of this, but know, it's too late." She walked off down the hall. I couldn't think straight and I could barely see straight. I decided to go take a walk to clear my mind. When I got outside of the gates of the Institute I saw a car on the side on the road. Magnus was at the wheel, keys hanging out of his shaking hand. He had his head on the steering wheel and the tears wouldn't stop coming down his cheek. I walked over to the door and opened it.

"Come on Magnus." I held out my hand for him to get out.

"Just go away Alexander, you've done enough." He attempted to put the keys in the ignition but failed multiple times. I bent down so that I could look into the car and up at his tear stained face.

"You're in no state to be driving a car. Come inside and I'll get you cleaned up." He hesitated but took my hand and I helped him out of the car. It was cold to the point of seeing your own breath and Magnus wasn't in very warm clothes. I took my jacket off and wrapped it around him, walking him back to the Institute. I ushered him to my room and went to make him some hot chocolate. I came back with two mugs full. His was a Charley Brown Christmas mug and mine was Chinese writing at first glance but really said 'Fuck You' when you turned it sideways. It was one of my favorites but I felt like I deserved it tonight.

"I would've been fine driving home." I handed him his cup wrapped the blanket over his shoulders. I picked up my mug from the desk before pulling out the rolling chair and sitting down.

"No Magnus that's not a risk I'm willing to take, I shouldn't have even let you out that door."

"You take a lot of risks Alec, why not take that one?"

"Because I know I couldn't live with myself if you died or even got hurt on my account."

"You don't get it do you? This whole thing is on your account."

"Magnus I'm sorry I really am. Just tell me what to do to make this go away. I don't know how I'm supposed to react to anything anymore."

"Alec," He moved over and pat the spot next to him on the bed. "Come here." I moved over to sit next to him and rested my head on his shoulder which was surprisingly easy even though our hight difference. He took my free hand in his and we stayed there, just like, for a while before her broke the silence. "You're only 20 Alex. There is so much you still can do and see. You don't understand the responsibility of this marriage."

"It was a stupid decision I know, but it's the only choice I have. My parents are setting me up with someone anyway."

"I know Alec, I just wish there was something I could do to help you out, but I just feel like I'm in the way of all this."

"Magnus you're doing everything just by being here. If it wasn't for you here I would loose myself."

"Even if I don't like what you're going through Alec, you never have to go through it alone." I sighed and dug my head into his neck. I felt the water slide down my face. One after another. They landed on Magnus' shoulder. "Hey hey hey, don't cry." He lifted up my head. "It'll be alright Alec, I promise." I stared into his cat eyes for what seemed like hours but was only a few seconds until I gave in. I leaned in and he moved in slightly but I closed the gap quickly. What I intended to be a simple kiss at first turned to me putting my arms around his sides. We fell to the bed and he wrapped his arms around my waist. I lost myself in it. The lust, the bliss, the passion. It all clouded in my mind. Suddenly it wasn't angels and demons, wolves and vampire, shadowhunters and warlocks. None of that existed anymore. No Jace, no Izzy, and no Lydia. Just me, and Magnus. Nothing else mattered.