A Malec Story

Chapter 52: Saint Magnus's Home

Magnus

It was way past midnight and Magnus had no idea where Alec was. He'd said not to wait up for him, that morning. That he was going to search for Jace. But Magnus waited up anyway. Feeling scared and insecure, afraid that Alec was slipping away from him.

His phone buzzed. A message from Jocelyn told him Luke had been badly wounded by Sebastian. Jace had been there too, looking for Clary. That's why Jocelyn needed a safe place to stay.

Magnus texted her back that she was welcome to stay and he would ward the house, so Jace and Sebastian wouldn't be able to enter.

Then Jocelyn appeared with a white faced Clary. "Saint Magnus's home for Wayward Shadowhunters," Magnus said upon opening the door, "Welcome."

Magnus watched them as they walked in, their shoulders hunched, both of them exhausted from being up half the night. Jocelyn explained what had happened. Jace and Sebastian had shown up in their house. They'd come for Clary, Jace wanted to take her with them. And Jocelyn stood face to face with her long lost son, who had told her she'd abandoned him. Then Luke had come into the room with a gun, demanding for the boys to leave. Sebastian had turned on Luke, wounding him badly. Sebastian and Jace seemed to be connected somehow, a union tighter than any earthly bond. Even tighter than the bond of parabatai. If you cut one, the other bleeds. If you kill one, the other dies.

Magnus had guessed something of the kind, based on his studies so far. He had contacted Brother Zachariah and Tessa about it and they had confirmed his thoughts based on their own studies. He texted Zachariah now, giving him the information Jocelyn told him. Then he texted Alec, saying there was news from Jace and he should come home.

He was in the kitchen, calling Jordan, the cute werewolf boy to ask him a favor for Luke when he heard the key in the front door and Alec entering the apartment. "Where's Magnus?" he heard him ask Clary.

Magnus flew back into the living room, glad to see his boyfriend. "Alec!" He blew him a kiss, and instantly noticed the bruise on Alec's face. What had he been doing all night?

"You got my text?" he asked, worried.

"Yeah," Alec replied, not looking at him, "I was only a few blocks away."

Alec turned to Clary then and asked her about Jace. Magnus regarded him closely and registered the hurt in his face when he heard about Jace being connected with Sebastian now. Seemingly not caring about him, or Isabelle. Magnus felt his heart ache at seeing Alec so forlorn. Knowing he couldn't do anything about it.

When his phone rang he found it was Brother Zachariah telling him he was coming over to discuss the new turn of events. They talked about the issue, Zachariah said no weapon on this earth could sever the bond. That's when Jocelyn suggested the Iron Sisters. Magnus called Isabelle then, asking her to come over.

Isabelle would be the only one of them able to enter the Adament Citadel, where the sisters lived. Only female Shadowhunters were allowed to go there. But Magnus had another reason to want Isabelle here. Alec was hurting and Magnus didn't know how to comfort him. Isabelle would know, Magnus was sure of it.

Zachariah left and Magnus sent both Jocelyn and Clary to bed. He returned to the living room and went to sit on the couch next to Alec. He touched his cheek with his thumb and Alec jerked back.

"What happened?" Magnus asked.

"Nothing," Alec answered, sullen.

"I know you're hurting," Magnus said softly, "I wish I could do something to make it better."

Alec looked at him as if he wanted to say something but he sighed deeply and remained silent.

"Do you want something to drink?" Magnus asked.

"Sure," was all Alec said.

Magnus walked to the kitchen and got them two glasses of wine. He felt a sudden snap, someone was leaving his apartment. He knew instantly it was Clary. She'd made a Portal in one of his spare bedrooms. He considered going in there and holding her back, but he knew it was pointless. Clary was as stubborn as her mother. If she wanted to leave, Magnus wasn't going to stop her. He could guess where she went. To see Jace. However dangerous that was, she was willing to do whatever it took to get him back.

Back in the living room he conjured up a fireplace, with a blue-green fire snapping in it. Alec had changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt. He was sitting on the couch, looking very young and beautiful, his feet tucked up under him.

Magnus sat down next to Alec and wrapped his arm around him. Alec rested his head on his shoulder and they sat in silence for a while, sipping their wine.

The door opened and Isabelle came in. Alec jumped up off the couch and went to her, wrapping his arms around her to pull her close. Magnus could tell by the way her shoulders moved that she was crying.

Alec was comforting his sister, "Iz, it's going to be okay. Izzy."

Isabelle pushed him away, impatiently, furiously wiping her eyes. "How can you say that? How can anything possibly be okay after this?"

"Izzy." Alec said, tugging at her hair. "Don't go to pieces. We need you."

He whispered something to her then, Magnus couldn't understand it, but he watched them closely. He was glad Isabelle was here. Alec had turned from upset into big brother mode in a snap. And that was who Alec was, loving, caring for others. It made him able to be himself.

After explaining to Isabelle what they wanted from her, Magnus shooed her into the third bedroom. He told her about Alec being unhappy, he wanted to tell her how worried he was about him. "You can give him understanding I can't. And he loves you."

"Of course he loves me, I'm his sister," Isabelle replied.

"Blood isn't love." Magnus said as he turned to leave her, "Just ask Clary."

Isabelle's eyes darkened at that, but then she suddenly moved towards him and put a hand on his wrist. Magnus turned around and looked at her, surprised.

"We'll be okay, Magnus," she said, her eyes big as she looked at him. "We're Lightwoods. We stick together, we're strong and we can take whatever the world throws at us."

Magnus nodded, "Thank you."

He walked back to the living room, where Alec was hanging on the couch. He regarded him thoughtfully for a while, thinking about Isabelle's words. They stuck together, she had said. Alec and Isabelle and Jace. They were a team. And now with a member down. Magnus wondered if Isabelle was right, and Alec could stay strong and take on the world without Jace at his side. Magnus couldn't help but feel a little pain at the idea. Alec relying on Jace, on Isabelle. Whereas he, Magnus, only relied on Alec.

Alec noticed him now and looked up, "What is it?"

Magnus shook his head, "Nothing."

He walked towards the couch and sat down, tugging Alec against him. Alec went to lay down, his head on Magnus's lap while Magnus trailed his hands through his hair. "You should try to get some sleep," he whispered.

"What about you," Alec said, staring up at him, "You look tired."

Magnus nodded, while starting to softly brush his hand over Alec's hair and his forehead, swiping over his eyes. Repeating the motion over and over again like he did on that day of their second meeting. Alec had been wounded and needed sleep. The motion of his hand over Alec's forehead and eyes had relaxed Alec then. And it did the same for him now, his eyes fluttering shut.

Magnus continued the movement until Alec's breathing steadied and he was asleep. Magnus trailed his hands softly through Alec's hair, sending a blue spark of magic at the bruise on his cheek, healing him. He sighed deeply as he stared at his wrist where the bracelet dangled. The one with the snakes Alec had bought for him in Rotterdam. Those were easier times, Magnus thought, yearning for it as he cut his gaze away from the bracelet and into the fire, worrying. Alec had always been open to him and told him if there was anything bothering him. But lately he became more and more remote. He couldn't help but wonder if Alec was slipping away from him. Like water spilling through his fingers, and he was unable to grasp him.