SHAPESHIFTED (✓)

18. Demons of the past.

Magnus held the young shadowhunter until he stopped crying. No one dared separate them or ask questions while they held onto each other. Once the young nephilim's silent crying turned into just sniffing, he laid him down again and healed him completely.

Alec wasn't ready to come out to his family or to tell them the truth, but he knew that if he lied right now, it'd be worse whenever it'll happen in the future. So he need to let the inevitable happen today itself. Once Magnus was done healing him, he sat on his bed and looked at his family, including Clary and Simon. Everyone was wearing an expression of worry and curiosity. 'Maybe they won't react the way Robert did.' he thought. He then took a deep breath and finally spoke. "What do you people want to know?" He asked softly, but his voice was hoarse and croaky from all the crying.

"Alec, sweetheart, what is going on? Why do you have this illegal rune? And how do you get it? What does Samuel have to do with any of it?" Maryse asked everything in one breath.

"Alec, I don't understand, if you didn't want me to be your Parabatai, didn't want this bond, then why ask me and then put a freaking rune over it? You could've just said no. But you didn't. So, can you care to explain your actions?" Jace yelled.

Alec flinched back at the tone he had used and curled himself up like a ball. Magnus noticed this and squeezed his hand tightly.

"Will you, please, keep your voice down, blondie? Questions can be asked calmly also, so you better keep your voice low!" Magnus stated coldly.

"Who are you to give me orders? And why are you even here? You healed my brother, thank you for that. Now you can leave." He yelled again.

"Jace! Stop it! I know you're upset, but this is not the way." Izzy stated fiercely.

"KIDS! STOP! Magnus, I think you should leave, thank you for healing my son, you'll get your payment in a few days."

Alec held onto his boyfriend tightly, not letting go of him. "All of you, stop! He's not going anywhere. And, stop yelling, Jace!"

"Alexander, I think I should-"

"No! No, please, Magnus. I need you with this. I can't do this alone. I won't be able to. Please! Please, stay!" He begged his boyfriend.

Magnus looked at the whole family then at the poor nephilim and nodded. He held his hand tightly and sat beside him. Everyone looked at them when Maryse finally broke the silence.

"Alec, what's going on? This is a family matter. I'm not able to understand anything. Please, honey, tell us what's going on with you."

"Firstly, Jace, I didn't put this rune on myself.. Sam.. Samuel did!" He looked at his family who were frozen in their place and were staring at him with wide eyes.

"But... But why Alec? And why did you let him?" Jace asked, his voice still held anger.

Alec took a few deep breaths to calm himself. "Be.. Before I answer that, there's something else which you all need to know!"

He looked at all of them then continued. "Mom, I always said I never wanted a relationship, I always scared away the girls you arranged for me, always deflected the topic with some excuses."

"Yes, sweetheart, but, how is it related?"

"It.. it is!" He took a deep breath and squeezed his boyfriend's hand so tightly, that his nails started digging into his palms. "It wasn't because I didn't want a relationship, it.. it was because.. I.. I was scared."

"Scared of what, Alec?" Maryse asked softly.

"Of.. of your people's reaction." The others exchanged a look except for Izzy who knew what he was talking about. "I was scared that I may lose you all."