Magic, Memories, and Malec

Time and Eternity

"Upon Time and Eternity
Eternity is like unto a Ring
Time, like to Measure doth it self extend;
Measure commences, it is a finite thing.
The Ring had no beginning, middle, end."

- Upon Time and Eternity, John Bunyon

"Wait, really?"

New Year's Eve wishes. Eight years in a row. All Alec's resolution-making had paid off. Finally. Eight years later. Perhaps, Toby thought, he'd been wishing his whole life for this. For the past few years, Toby had been telling his parents he had three resolutions – two real, and one 'empty wish'. The way the empty wish worked was he'd say he was making a resolution to perfect his tumbling, or work on his stamina, or learn to cook something other than pancakes. But really, he was filling that slot with a different resolution – a wish. One that had finally, finally come true.

His initial "Wait, really?" was met with two nods and enormous grins from both Magnus and Alec.

"By the Angel!" Toby cried, throwing his arms around them. "This is amazing!" He pulled back. "But, how? Why now?"

"Has the news not reached Idris yet?" Magnus smiled. "It's legal."

Toby's mouth dropped open. "In all...?"

"All fifty states." Alec grinned.

"Guys, that's... that's amazing. Oh my God. This is the greatest thing that's ever happened!"

"I don't know about that." Magnus laughed. "But it's pretty up there."

"I can't believe I missed the news." Toby exclaimed disappointedly. "When did it happen?"

"Only about twelve hours ago." Alec explained. "We would have called but..."

"No service in Idris." Toby frowned.

"Well, as soon as we fix up that portal in your place, it won't matter." Magnus reminded him.

"Wow." Toby breathed. "This is the best. I'm so happy."

"You'll stay a while?" Alec asked.

"Yeah, sure, of course." Toby said, eyes glittering. "Wow." He beamed. "Engaged. Congratulations."

"Do you remember when it happened here?" Alec asked, dishing portions of chicken salad onto plates, which he handed to Toby to take into the dining room. Magnus weaved around the two of them, waving a sparking hand and quickly making up a pitcher of punch, which he laid on the table as well as some glasses. Toby sat down at the table, and nodded in answer to Alec's question. He grinned, thinking back to the day in 2011. Of course he remembered. The rainbow flags people had waved in the streets, the parades, the atmosphere of acceptance and happiness and celebration. At the time, fourteen years old, he'd asked:

"So, you're getting married now, right?"

Magnus and Alec had shaken their heads.

"There are still thousands of shadowhunters who can't get married in their home state. It wouldn't seem fair."

Toby had been surprised, but proud of the nobility in their stance.

"But... what if it takes too long?" Toby asked.

Already, he saw Alec getting older, but Magnus not doing the same. Only just a teenager, he was very acutely aware of the impending pressure of mortality.

"Then," Magnus had said, "That would be a real shame."

"I remember." Toby said now, spearing a piece of chicken from his plate. "It was pretty something."

At his ankles, a grown up Chairman Meow pushed against Toby's foot. The cat mewed; Toby rolled his eyes and fed the cat a piece of chicken from his plate. The animal purred appreciatively and lay under the table, happily kneading Toby's feet.