When duty calls

Chapter 3

“Where would they go on a Friday night?” Alec asked through gritted teeth. He was hoping the kids would be sleeping by now, but he couldn’t find them anywhere in the house. “Don’t give me that look!” He snapped, frowning at his husband.

“It’s not the first time they sneak out, and I thought we made it clear last time it happened that we wouldn’t tolerate that kind of behavior” Magnus let out a soft sigh as he tried to keep calm. He was tired from the mission, and he was looking forward to a bit of peace but his sons had a different idea.

Alec snorted, “If I remember correctly, you covered for them once so I’m not surprised they didn’t take us seriously.”

“Oh, so you’re blaming me?” Magnus crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow at him. “Okay.” He added when the other gave him a small shrug.

They waited for more than five hours. It was almost 4 in the morning, and they had already called everyone they could’ve thought of to see if they were with them. They were aware of the fact that Jace and Clary or Simon and Isabelle would cover for them if they were in big trouble. Even Catarina had done that a few times but now neither of them knew where they were.

“What if they don’t want us as their parents?” Alec asked out of the blue and Magnus gave him a confused look, sure he had that fear as well but he knew that Max and Rafael couldn’t live without them.

“Why would you say that?” Magnus asked, sitting comfortably on the couch near his husband, naturally taking his hand into his own.

“Rafael and I… we had a disagreement” Alec looked down at their joined hands and smiled sadly.

“Like a normal father-son relationship.” He nodded although he was getting a bit worried. “But that doesn’t mean they’ll leave us or that we’ll abandon them.”

“It’s my fault. They’re gone because of me.”He said, not even listening to what his partner was saying.“I- Magnus we-“ He let out a shaky breath and turned his head to the side. He told his husband about the conversation he had had with their oldest son before he had to leave for the mission.

“From what you told me, it doesn’t seem like it’s your fault,” Magnus whispered and pulled Alec close to his chest, pressing a kiss to his forehead when he felt the other wrapping his arms around him. “And even if he’s mad at you, he couldn’t survive a day without you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” he mumbled against Magnus's chest. “He can’t live without you, but me?” He let out a bitter chuckle. “He made clear that he doesn’t want to speak or be around me.”

“Don’t say that. You know that’s not true.” Magnus frowned and squeezed him. Next, he glanced at his phone, neither of them had called back or answered his texts. “Has Max responded to you?”

The Shadowhunter grabbed his phone and shook his head. He had received texts from his siblings but not from his sons. What if they were lost? What if they got kidnapped, and that’s why they couldn’t answer? They had many enemies, so it was something that they should consider. But who would be stupid enough to mess with the children of the High Warlock and Head of the Institute?

“I’m gonna track them,” Magnus said and gently pushed Alec away from him, standing up.“I hope they’re together.”