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Chapter Text

This feeling was growing day by day in Alec's chest.

Ever since they had started training together as soon as Magnus Bane had been transferred from the Institute in Jakarta, Indonesia after losing his parents and had even gained their first runes alongside each other, there had been no one else in Alec's mind.

Magnus had stolen his heart, with his tender eyes, his strong temperament, determined but reserved, some would even say somewhat shy.

The tragedy he had had to go through had only made the Shadowhunter even stronger, kind, considerate of others, those were the things Alec most admired about his friend. That and the incredible beauty of his soul.

Magnus had always been there for Alec, protecting him and guiding him every step of the way. They were only two years apart but Magnus had always seemed so much older. Perhaps it was because of the wisdom he had gained after living through difficult times.

Alec was madly in love with him.

But would that feeling be reciprocated? Was there even the slightest chance that Magnus felt the same way about him?

And even if he did, could they ever do anything about it?

In a Shadowhunter society where homosexuality is absolutely forbidden, could a love between two shadowhunters survive?

It was a day practically like any other, when an emissary from the Clave arrived, he was supposed to have a very important meeting with Maryse Lightwood, the head of the NY Institute.

Both Alec and Magnus were aware of the visit, but not of the issues to be discussed. Magnus was only a few months away from his twenty-first birthday and what he didn't know was that the Clave was waiting for him to come of age so they could appoint him as the new director of the Indonesian Institute, just as his parents had been eleven years ago, when misfortune knocked on their door and they ended up dying in an unexpected demonic attack on the institute there.

Magnus had been saved by the quick action of his father, who had not hesitated a moment to send his nine-year-old son for the help of the then High Warlock of the city Catarina Loss, so that she could send him to shelter in NY, together with his dear friends, the Lightwoods.

They welcomed Magnus with open arms and even came immediately to try to assist their fellow Shadowhunters. But it was too late, practically the entire Institute had been decimated. Magnus' parents had fought bravely but had been unable to withstand the ferocity of the attack.

Eleven years later, the Clave was interested in the young Bane taking over the leadership of his old home, hoping that he would carry on the impeccable legacy of his parents, certain that in NY he had received the best possible training. After all, in a couple more years, the Lightwoods' own eldest son, Alexander, would be taking the position of director of that city.

The news was spreading fast at the Institute so Maryse decided to talk immediately to what was practically another son to her and Robert.

They had received him with all the affection and respect they were capable of, just as they felt for the little boy's parents, and Magnus had proven to be an exceptional young man.

Adjusting to his new life in the best way possible, being among the first in his classes and even dedicating much of his time to teaching and training alongside Alec, who had become his partner and friend immediately, until now they were practically inseparable. The team they had formed together with the Wayland boy and later Isabelle, as soon as she was old enough to take the field, was undoubtedly the best in the Institute. A great source of pride for both the Lightwoods and the Waylands.

The head of the Institute knew that this would be a hard blow for her son, she had never asked, or even suggested anything about it, but she suspected the depth of Alec's feelings for his best friend.

How could she not? Magnus was practically the light of Alec's eyes, and the headmistress of the Institute was sure it was the same way for Magnus.

The fact that upon reaching a sufficient age (her son's sixteen and Magnus' eighteen) and contrary to what everyone had expected, both Alec and Magnus had decided not to become Parabatais, made Maryse almost absolutely confirm her doubts. And the fact was that this bond was extremely deep, it was about sharing a part of their souls, but also about sharing their innermost secrets. This had been a strong hint for Maryse, but even at that moment she had not dared to talk about this with her son.

After all she was well aware of the consequences of a love like theirs and the very thought of it made her heart freeze.

Now the Clave was determined to intervene in Magnus' future, and she suspected that this would not be the only action they might want to take regarding their protégé.

Trying not to think too much about what might come up in the next few months, Maryse sent for Magnus in her office, to inform him of the news regarding his future.

She sat behind her desk and let out a big sigh, waiting for the knock on her door....

"Maryse" said Magnus smiling shyly, "you wanted to talk to me?".

"Magnus, please have a seat" she told him with a soft voice and sympathetic eyes. How would Magnus take this news? And the implications of what came with it?

The talk with Maryse had not been at all what Magnus had expected. He even came away somewhat shocked after the news she spoke of.

"Hey, Mags, is everything okay?" asked Alec worriedly as soon as his best friend appeared in the Institute's dining room with a blank stare and his hands clenched into fists.

"What's going on?" asked Isabelle worriedly.

"Magnus, you don't look well at all, old man" Jace commented and Alec shot him a murderous look.

The older man looked up slowly, meeting the worried gaze of his friends, he tried to avoid it but couldn't help but look straight into the eyes of the most important man in his life.

He shook his head wanting to sort out the hundreds of thoughts that were going around in his head at once, then he turned around and left in a hurry. Trying to delay this moment as long as possible.

Alec shot a glance at his sister and Jace who looked puzzled, he waved his hand to stop them from following and immediately took off after his friend.

"Magnus!" called Alec, but the other hunter didn't seem to be hearing him.

The Lightwood boy continued behind him, until Magnus reached the library and walked through the doors quickly.

"Hey, Magnus!!!" called Alec again as soon as he was through the doors.

His friend was there, standing in the center of the room, silent tears running down his cheeks, his eyes tightly closed and his fists shaking next to his body.

Magnus was a very bright young man, extremely skilled in combat, especially with daggers, he was an incredible strategist and had the makings of a good leader, just as his father had been. Only that the young man had always been somewhat reserved, many would describe him as shy or even somewhat introverted. Except when it came to combat and with his team.

But with Alec he had always been an open book.

Well at least in almost every aspect.

The only thing Magnus had never dared to tell Alec was his true feelings about him.

Because how could someone like Alec love someone like him?

His relationship with young Lightwood was the most important thing in Magnus' life, had been since that day when his life changed forever.

And it was something the Bane boy would never risk losing. Not even to take the risk of finally being able to confess his love to Alexander.

What if Alec didn't feel the same way about him? How could Magnus survive without his best friend, confidant, companion? No, that was out of the question, he couldn't risk losing him.

But what was the case now? In just a few months, he would have to leave the NY Institute, to return to his homeland.

"Magnus" Alec said once again, watching him more carefully "please, you have to tell me what's going on!!!" he begged stopping in front of him and taking one of his hands in his.

Magnus sighed at the gesture and his gaze was fixed on their joined hands. Finally the young Bane began to speak:

"As soon as I turn twenty-one, they will have me return to Indonesia, Alexander. I will be the new director of the Jakarta Institute" he informed his friend.

The blood in Alec's body seemed to freeze in that instant.

Magnus would be gone, he would be gone from him forever, and if they were giving him the direction of an Institute, it meant they would also make him "settle down", there was an arranged marriage for him.

*Shit, shit, shit, shit* thought Alec. How the hell had it not occurred to him before, it hadn't even crossed his mind that possibility.

Any chance of being able to declare his love, of having any chance to live it, to experience it, to fight for that feeling, were vanishing before his eyes at this very moment.

Alec stepped forward and took his friend in his arms, Magnus' arms immediately encircled the archer's waist, as he buried his face in the taller man's neck, where his blocking rune rested.

 Magnus wished this moment could go on forever, that it would never have to end, hell he wished he could stop time right here, melted in the arms of the only man he would ever love.

But what could he do? That was not an option, they both knew the responsibilities that came with such an appointment.

The moment dragged on for a while, Alec's hands running up and down Magnus' back, trying to comfort him in any way possible, while he clung to the shirt the taller man was wearing.

Neither of them wanted to take a step back, they didn't want to be separated, not now, not ever.

Reluctantly they both began to pull away, but instead of stepping back, they brushed their cheeks in a very affectionate way, barely opening their eyes and Magnus' eyes locked on the other Shadowhunter's, their breaths were practically gasps.

The tears in Magnus' eyes were now mirrored in Alec's as well, Magnus reached up to wipe his friend's cheeks and when Alec opened his mouth to say something, the older man couldn't take it anymore.

He took as deep a breath as he could and cut the distance between the two, pressing his lips to the archer's.

Alec tightened his grip immediately and glued Magnus' body to his. Surprised, pleased, amazed at the kiss.

Was this really happening? Magnus was kissing him?

Alec's mind tried to analyze the situation but as soon as Magnus moved his head adjusting the angle of the kiss to deepen it, Alec was lost.

His mind went completely blank, his body seemed to act of its own accord, molding itself to that of the man he had wanted so much for the past few years. To the one who had become the most important thing in his life.

Magnus smiled as he felt Alec kiss him back enthusiastically, as he pushed him against the heavy wooden door of the library entrance.

Alexander smiled too and continued to kiss him as if his life depended on it.

A few moments later, when the need to breathe was impossible to control, they slowly parted their mouths.

They both watched each other, smiling, lost in the sensations of the moment.

"I love you!" whispered Alec immediately, running his hand along Magnus' jaw, feeling the softness of his skin against his calloused hand.

"As I love you," replied Bane with an adoring smile.

"What shall we do now?" asked Alec, giving his beloved little affectionate kisses on his lips, cheeks, nose, forehead until he returned to his lips.

Magnus couldn't help but smile at Alec's affectionate gesture, Raziel, this seemed like a dream come true.

"I don´t have the slightest idea, Alexander" he replied softly, taking the other Nephilim's face to kiss him softly again.

Why did their love have to be something forbidden? Why couldn't they shout to the four winds that they loved each other? Why couldn't they reveal themselves to the Clave and ask them to let them join their lives as they wished.

After all the Nephilim love only once in a lifetime, fiercely, with their whole heart and soul.

Both Magnus and Alec knew that there would never be anyone else for them.

Just as they also knew that a relationship like theirs would never be accepted in Shadowhunter society, they might even be stripped of their runes, thrown into mundane society, or worse, be executed immediately, or confined for life without even the chance to fight for what mattered most to them in this world.

It wouldn't matter how good Shadowhunters they were, nor the services they had rendered to protect mundanes throughout their lives.

The Clave dictated the laws, and they condemned any relationship that was not of a "natural" nature. They did not even accept relationships between Shadowhunters and humans, much less Downworlders.

Something that was absolutely ridiculous, but that no one had dared to question at least until now.

Not even when many knew that none of it was anything as strange as they wanted to believe.

"Well, we'll figure it out together then" Alec assured and Magnus smiled in absolute awe of the man in front of him, "we'll find a way to be able to be together as we wish, I'm not going to lose you Mags, I won't let stupid laws separate us. I know it took me a long time to be able to tell you how I feel, but Magnus, I have been in love with you since forever." Alec continued to look into the eyes of the shorter one and continued with his statement, as he had so often dreamed of making it, exposing his whole soul to the only person who really knew him "that day, when we had to decide if we would become Parabatai, I was so afraid. Afraid that you wouldn't understand my refusal, that you would walk away from me, but my biggest fear was accepting that bond and realizing that you didn't feel the same way I feel about you. When it was you, who spoke up in the first place, rejecting that possibility, a small flame of hope flared in my chest, that maybe, there was a remote possibility that you felt the same way I do for you," Alec confessed.

"That same fear you speak of was what drove me to say no Alexander. I believed that I would die if we became Parabatais and I had to go through the moment when someone else came into your life. The moment when someone else would occupy your heart was something I could not have endured, my love."

Alec smiled thinking about those very words that had crossed his mind countless times in the years leading up to that moment. When he had come to realize his true feelings for Magnus. When despite everything he had tried to put those longings behind him, nothing had been enough.

Because this was true love, pure, sincere, selfless...

"Magnus, that would never have happened because you are everything I ever wanted."

Magnus didn't even answer, he took Alec by the neck and kissed him again, as if nothing else in the world mattered. And that's just the way it was right now.

But reality would come knocking at his door all too soon.

Magnus was only six months until his twenty-first birthday, the Clave's plans for him were already well underway and they had years of prejudice, laws and rejection to face...

Chapter Text

Alec's hands ran up and down Magnus' back greedily as his thigh slid between the shorter man's legs.

The Lightwood boy had no idea what he was doing but couldn't help but follow his body's instincts.

He pressed Magnus harder against the desk in his office, practically making the older one sit on the surface and settled between his legs, while his hungry lips kissed his beloved's neck.

Magnus' head was spinning, as if spellbound by Alec's nearness. This thing he had wanted for so long was finally happening.

The one man he had always loved by some miracle of the Angel, was reciprocating and was willing to fight so they could be together.

Even if the laws of the Shadowhunters doomed them.

Alec grazed his teeth over the angelic rune on Magnus's left shoulder, taking advantage of the skin he had at his disposal by the tank top the other Shadowhunter was wearing, the kind he loved to wear during training and that drove Alec absolutely crazy.

Maybe Magnus wasn't even aware of it, but that little garment let his beefy back, his absolutely perfect, shapely, strong arms...his well-defined chest and several of his runes show through. The dark runes on Magnus' golden skin only added to the sex appeal of his beauty, Alec wanted to run over every single mark on Magnus' body, marks he knew perfectly but thought he could never run over the way he wanted to.

They had barely finished a training session when the elder Lightwood could contain himself no longer and dragged his friend into the privacy of the office, devouring his lips as soon as they were alone, sealing the door with one rune and silencing it at the same time with another.

It had only been two days since they had confessed their love to each other and already they were finding it absolutely hopeless to try to stay sane around others whitout letting everyone know what was going on between them.

They were absolutely in love, crazy about each other, but they couldn't forget that this was a secret relationship.

No one could know what was really going with them at least not for now.

They had to find a solution, some way that they could be accepted, that they could enjoy their love freely, without hiding, without feeling like they were cheating the people who had always supported them by keeping this private.

But this was the best way, at least for now.

Magnus moved his hands to the younger man's waist and gasped as he felt it pressed more firmly against his front.

Raziel, Alec was hard, and Magnus could feel the firmness of his erection against his own, his mouth watering at the thought of him provoking this in his Alexander.

His own cock twitched in his pants, beginning to feel the heat inside him.

Alec was incredibly sexy, determined, inexperienced just as he was, but absolutely sure of what he wanted. That was one of the things the older man admired most about him.

Magnus was very sure of himself, but since he had come to the Institute he had always preferred to keep to himself. Only his closest friends knew his true personality, he was bright, loyal, funny and very generous, but extremely shy when it came to expressing his feelings, which was why he had believed that he could never declare his love to Alec.

The situation was beginning to escalate, so far they had only shared a few furtive kisses, little stolen caresses in moments when they had no one around them.

This was different, it felt so intimate, so real.

So far nothing they had experienced felt like this. It all seemed like a big dream for both of them.

Magnus ran his hands down Alec's neck, his shoulders, his back, until he slipped them into his shirt, feeling the archer's warmth, his skin, the scars of old runes, several of which Magnus himself had drawn, in the countless times they had gone out on patrol alongside each other. Covering each other's backs, looking out for each other in so many encounters with different threats, always side by side.

This seemed like too much and at the same time, both Magnus and Alec couldn't help but want more. They began rubbing against each other, their erections firmly pressed together, their kisses desperate....

"Alexander... "gasped Magnus, trying to control his breathing, once Alec refocused on the rune on his shoulder, which he sucked and licked eagerly.

"I know-I'm sorry," Alec said between kisses.

"We can't do this here, we could be discovered at any moment" commented the older man, as he moved his head to the side to give Alec access to his neck, the archer concentrated on the Shadowhunter's Adam's apple, making Magnus moan helplessly.

"I have to stop, right?" asked Alec innocently as he trailed a trail of kisses from Magnus' throat to his shoulder and back again to claim his lips.

They kissed passionately again, Magnus' hands fixed on the archer's hips. Pressing into each other desperately, until they heard a knock at the door.

"Alec?" called Maryse, knocking once more after a minute in which the young mens froze "Alec, are you there? Are you busy?"

"Shit, shit!" whispered Magnus, covering his mouth with both hands.

"I'll be out in a moment" replied Alec, kissing Magnus' cheek, who was red as a tomato now.

"I'll wait for you in my office" Maryse said after a moment and they both sighed in relief.

"Fuck, that was close" laughed Alec trying to control his breathing and adjusting his clothing.   Magnus shot him an irritated look and punched him in the side. "Ouch! Mags!!!" complained the archer.

"Have you lost your mind, there's nothing funny about this" Magnus told him shocked by his boyfriend's attitude. "Do you know what could happen if we get caught?" he warned him running his hands through his hair in a desperate gesture.

"Hey baby!" called Alec, coming closer to hug him tightly "everything will be fine, we'll find a way, I won't let them separate us, i won´t let them hurt you" promised the taller one.

"I'm afraid Alexander, but not for myself, I'm afraid something might happen to you." Confessed  Magnus.

"Everything will be all right, you'll see" tried to comfort him the eldest Lightwood.

"Are you sure I'm worth taking the risk for me?" he asked with barely a whisper of a voice.

"Magnus" Alec began to speak, taking his beloved's face between his hands to force him to look him in the eyes, "you are all that matters to me, love, I love you, always have and always will! Of course you are worth fighting for. I'm willing to do it, I just need to know if you are too, so , are you sure you love me?" asked Alec suddenly unsure.

"More than my own life" Magnus answered immediately.

"Then there's nothing more to say, I'm not going to lose you, I won't let them separate us" assured the younger one and Magnus felt himself falling in love with him again in that instant, so he just nodded and gave the taller man one more kiss, before adjusting his clothes a bit and running his fingers through Alec's hair trying to fix it somehow.

"Well, go see what's going on with Maryse before she comes back" Magnus suggested to him and Alec nodded immediately.

"What are you going to do?" asked Alec before opening the door.

"Probably take a cold shower" Magnus told him with a wink, Alec smiled complacently and walked out towards his mother's office.

~

"What's going on?" asked Alec as soon as he sat down across from his mother. The look of concern on the Shadowhunter's face made the young man immediately tense up.

"Alec, sweetheart, you are aware that your father's appointment as the new Inquisitor is very near right?" asked Maryse, trying not to read too much into the matter.

"I thought that wouldn't happen until the next election at the Clave" said Alec with a frown, what was that question coming to now?.

"Well, you know that the current Inquisitor Blackthorn, will be leaving office early?"

"I really wasn't aware of it, he is excellent at his job."

"It's not about that...his eldest daughter, Helen? You remember her?"

"Yes of course, she's amazing! The only Nephilim with Seelie blood!"

"Exactly, she was given to her father and raised as a Shadowhunter, they were very lenient with Andrew when word got out about the child" Maryse commented as if in passing.

Alec frowned, what else did they expect? That he would abandon his daughter, even though her mother had died giving birth to her? She was the result of an affair, frowned upon as an affair with a Seelie, but forgiven as a young widower, who simply had an act of weakness.

The Clave had allowed him to keep the little girl and Helen had turned out to be an excellent Shadowhunter, recognized throughout the Shadow World. Thanks to that and despite all that had been said at first Andrew Blackthorn managed to reach one of the most prestigious positions among the Nephilim.

"Indulgent? What else were they supposed to do? The girl was alone and she is his daughter, besides half Nefilim too, she is one of us" the archer answered immediately.

Maryse smiled at her son's response. She adored the fact that Alec thought of equality, she had always been proud of her son's pure heart, of his respect for every one of his peers, including mundanes and Downworlders, she was sure that Alexander would form the new generation of Shadowhunters that would change things for the better.

That was why she so disliked the news she had to give him. Putting on a serious gesture she returned to the matter that plagued them at the moment.

"Alec, the appointment will be moved up because Andrew agreed to step down in exchange for his daughter's life being spared" Maryse recounted.

"What? But-what happened? Helen is one of our best soldiers, Izzy's role to follow! What could have happened that is so serious?" asked the young man.

"Helen declared her love for Aline Penhallow..." said Maryse simply, studying the expression on her son's face as it contorted, first surprise, then sadness and finally sorrow.

"Aline?" he whispered then, fearing for one of his childhood friends.

"She, will be fine, her mother is the current Consul, she got a reprieve for her, Helen accepted the punishment, she will be exiled to Wrangel Island" Maryse informed him.

The blood in Alec's body seemed to freeze. Was this the best scenario he and Magnus could hope for?

They would be condemned for just loving each other?

"This is so absurd, so stupid!" he said suddenly furious. He got up and started pacing the office furious, frightened, hopeless...until he sat back down with his head down, his eyes filled with angry tears.

"Alec-I" Maryse started to say, but when her gaze met her son's, she wasn't able to continue, she swallowed saliva with difficulty because of the lump that had formed in her throat, she fought against her own thoughts, trying to express in the best possible way what she wanted to say.

*Would it do any good?* Maryse thought, when she looked back at her son in front of her she finally made the decision to say exactly what she was thinking.

"Helen and Aline's worst mistake, was to act without backup, without something firm, without even thinking about the laws of the Clave...the law is hard but it is the law" she told him in a very enigmatic tone that did not go unnoticed by the young man.

*Are you giving me some kind of idea? Hell, I think I'm just freaking out at this point* thought Alec with a frown on his face.

Maryse then reached out and took her son's hand, giving it a firm squeeze and a nod, then she continued to simply talk about what she wanted to inform Alec, "Son, as soon as the appointment comes through, Max and I will be moving to Idris with your father."

Alec stopped immediately, his gaze locking with his mother.

"How? But you can't just leave!" the young man protested.

"You will be in charge, Alexander" she told him with a firm voice, "you are more than capable, besides you have the support of Jace and Isabelle" added his mother and as soon as Alec sat down in front of her again, with a defeated gesture she added, "Magnus will help you, he will be your second in command, at least until he assumes his own position."

"You mean until he is sent back to Indonesia...away from us" Alec said almost in a whisper.

"Until he marries and departs back home" replied Maryse.

Alec's eyes filled with tears, he knew it, but hearing it like that, so directly, made his heart squeeze in his chest. It felt like someone was ripping it out of his chest.

"It-" Alec tried to speak but had to clear his throat before he could continue "you know who-"

"No, they haven't decided yet, there are a few more months left..." interrupted Maryse as she saw the suffering on her son's face.

Alec simply nodded and got up once again to head for the exit.

"Alec" Maryse called out to him, she wanted to say something, to give him some hope, to comfort him somehow, but there was nothing she could say, so she simply nodded towards her son and let him go.

The archer felt absolutely devastated.

The news had struck deep into his soul. It wasn't the first time he had heard of something like what Aline and Helen were facing and certainly they had fared rather better than others, but what were the odds for him and Magnus.

How could he bear to expose him to so much danger? The Lightwood family certainly had its influences, being one of the oldest families in Alicante, but would that do any good if they had to come out in the open?

Was there not even the slightest chance for him and Magnus?

When he reached the wing of the rooms he found Magnus in the hallway.

The Nephilim was freshly bathed, his wet hair falling over his forehead and his torso bare, towel around his neck and pants hanging low on his hips as he made his way towards Alec.

The archer felt his breath hitch. Raziel, he loved this man like no one else.

How was he supposed to accept what was about to happen? Resigning himself to a life without Magnus was something Alec was not willing to do. He would fight, he would find the best way, he would do the impossible.

"Alexander? Are you alright?" asked Magnus once he stopped in front of him.

"I will be! We will be!" the young man then said.

Magnus studied his face and stretched, planting a small kiss on the lips of the taller one.

"Of course we will" he assured his boyfriend and squeezed his hand affectionately. "Tell me, what did Maryse say to you?" he asked with genuine curiosity.

"I'll take a bath and tell you all about it later, okay?"

"Sure, honey, see you in a bit" Magnus told him with a smile and continued on his way to his room.

Alec sighed watching Magnus walk away down the hallway. He needed to clear his head, and definitely come up with a plan.

For now he would do the only thing he could at the moment, take a bath and then tell the love of his life everything.

Chapter Text

A small knock on the door alerted Magnus immediately, he had just finished changing but he knew who it was.

He immediately went to open the door, and his face lit up when he saw his Alexander on the other side. But the other Nephilim's expression made him worry quickly.

"That bad? Did she tell you something about my engagem-" Alec interrupted him with a kiss, pushing him to close the door behind them.

"Huuummm-Alec" the Shadowhunter tried to speak, his hands on the other's chest.

"I love you!" the young Lightwood said and Magnus' stomach flipped, he still found it unbelievable to hear.

"I love you too, Alexander," he said nuzzling his neck. "Do you want to tell me about it?" he asked carefully.

Alec just nodded and went to sit on Magnus' bed.

"Do you think it's okay for us to be here?" asked Magnus nervously, touching his ear.

"Mags, we've been alone in your room or mine, a thousand times, I don't think it will raise suspicions now, relax."

"Sure-right, okay," Magnus said then, shaking his head. He sat down next to the other Nephilim and waited for Alec to speak.

Alec told him step by step about the talk with his mother, Magnus' face changing as he listened to the news.

"Helen is a lovely person, so loyal and strong, it's unfair what they're doing to her!" he said getting up from the bed and pacing back and forth, almost exactly the same reaction Alec had had.

"They managed to get their lives spared, that's an amazing thing, I hate to think of it as a victory but, in a way it is..."

"I see what you mean" Magnus assured, sitting down next to his boyfriend, resting his hand on the other Nephilim's knee, "I guess Maryse made it look like a victory too, didn't she?"

"Actually, there was something that really caught my attention..." started Alec and then paused to try to remember the exact words....

"What did she say to you?" asked Magnus with much curiosity.

"She said that Helen and Aline's worst mistake, was to act without backup, without something firm, without even thinking about the laws of the Clave..."

"What do you think she meant?" inquired Magnus.

"I'm not sure, there was something in her look, plus she ended the sentence by saying in a very remarkable way something we all have in clear "the law is hard but it is the law"" commented Alec thinking about that moment, about his mother's expression and the handshake she had given him.

"Baby, you think-well maybe she suspects something?"

"I think she knows us well, too well," Alec said smiling at Magnus.

His mother was a tough, undemonstrative person, a full-blooded Shadowhunter, but she had always had a kind heart. That had been clear as soon as she had taken Magnus in and cared for him like her own children.

The Nephilim would always be grateful to the Lightwoods for caring for him, but moreover for accepting and loving him as well.

"I've always believed that she knows, I mean she knew about my feelings for you" Magnus said with a half smile.

"I think the same thing. There was even a time when every time she wanted to talk to me alone, I thought she would ask. That she might even send me to finish my training in Idris, but it never happened." Alec counted with a small smile, as he intertwined his fingers with Magnus'.

"Perhaps, she meant something in particular by what she told you" Magnus reasoned.

"We'll find out" Alec assured. "There is something else you should know, the real reason she wanted to talk to me" continued the Nephilim, he gave a big sigh and spoke again "She and Max will leave with my father as soon as his appointment becomes official. The Institute will be in my hands" explained the younger one.

"You will be the new director! That's amazing!" Magnus said enthusiastically, he felt so proud of his boyfriend, but seeing Alec's expression his mood changed immediately, "you're thinking about the implications, right?".

"Mags, you know what it means, our times are getting shorter. Just like in your case, if they give me the Head´s position, it's a matter of time before they demand the same from me as they do from you."

"Hey, relax, there's time for you, you're only nineteen, they'll let you carry on as you are, for at least another year."

"I know, Mags but what are we going to do? If I'm in charge of the Institute all the attention will be on me, every step I take" the young man complained.

"You can do it, I'll be there for you."

"Yes, until your twenty-one" clarified Alec somewhat resigned.

"Honey, we'll find a way, okay?".

Alec nodded and leaned his forehead on his beloved's, then smiled and added "mom said you'll be my second in command, at least until you have to leave".

Magnus also smiled and kissed the tip of the young Lightwood's nose.

"That's excellent news, love, it means a lot of time together."

Both young men relaxed, feeling happy about anything that could keep them together.

They had to come up with a plan, look for some kind of backup perhaps? Investigate other couples like them.

Now that they knew what had happened to Aline and Helen, how many other Shadowhunter couples were going through the same thing? How many lives had the Clave destroyed because of their stupid archaic law?

Maybe if they could find these Shadowhunters, talk to them, make themselves heard?

But if anyone found out what they were trying to do, their lives would be over. They had to think about the risks, both to themselves and to those connected to their lives, and of course, think about who they could trust.

To make a false step could mean, they would be stripped of their runes or executed.

Both young men discussed these ideas every moment they could steal between training, patrols and reports for the Clave.

They had always worked wonderfully together, and now was no exception.

Maryse had assigned them together on every single activity and they couldn't be happier about it.

A few days after that talk, they began to think about confiding their situation to their team and friends.

They had always counted on his unconditional support, but even so, both Magnus and Alec were afraid to take the plunge.

What if Jace rejected them? Or if Clary found them repulsive?

Certainly the one point on which both Alec and Magnus agreed was Isabelle. She would matter to them no matter what. Even if it might put her herself on trial for covering for them.

These were some of the most recurring chats when the young Shadowhunters managed to get away for a few hours from the institute or sneak off into some unfrequented corner.

On those evenings when the place was practically empty, the couple was encouraged to occupy the space of the library, resting in front of the fireplace with their legs entangled and their bodies pressed to each other, while they enjoyed soft and lazy kisses, which each time escalated more and more.

They had only been in a relationship for a month and a half, they had recently discovered a way to be able to spend more time alone with the excuse of Alec's preparation to be the new Director.

So evenings in the library were nothing unusual now.

Only they were both young and self-control even in two combat experienced Shadowhunters meant nothing as the heat in their bodies began to escalate.

Hands exploring backs, sides, waists, thighs...bodies rubbing together amid heated kisses.

Uncontrollable erections were undoubtedly making their appearance.

As was happening in this instant where Alec was lying practically on top of Magnus, invading his mouth with his agile tongue, tasting him, making the other Nefilim's head cloud with desire and anticipation.

The Lightwood boy's hands moved down Magnus' chest, until they pressed into his firm stomach, and ended at his crotch.

Alec groaned in satisfaction as he realized that his beloved was in the same state as he was.

Magnus let out a strangled moan as Alec squeezed his cock, beginning to rub over the fabric of his combat pants, feeling its hardness, the proof of his desire.

"Alec-Alexander" gasped the Nephilim pressing his hand over Alec's and moving his hips up to press himself more firmly into the other's hand.

"Oh love, you're so hard" Alec said, moving his lips to Magnus' neck, kissing and sucking gently on his racing pulse.

"It's what you provoke, sweetheart" replied Magnus moving his own hand to Alec's front to feel him too, and damn, his boyfriend was in his same state, fucking hard, pushing against his thigh, as he felt the caress of Magnus' hand, he shivered and the older man smiled as he felt the mess he managed to make of his beloved.

"May I?" asked Alec giving the other man another little squeeze.

Magnus nodded immediately and they both moved a little to give each other better access.

They settled across from each other on the couch so they could watch each other and Alec took the initiative, beginning to try to dislodge Magnus' belt. His hands were shaking and the other Shadowhunter decided to help him, "maybe I could-and you" he said giving him a glance towards himself.

Alec understood immediately and they each concentrated on their own attire.

They were both nervous and totally fascinated. They had never experienced anything like this before. It was absolutely sexy and embarrassing at the same time.

"Mm-maybe if" hesitated Magnus, as soon as his pants were open, he looked at Alec nervously but the other just nodded his head and moved to kiss him, as he slipped his hand into Magnus' underwear.

"Aaaah-shit-Alexander" gasped Magnus as he felt his boyfriend's touch for the first time.

No one had ever touched him like that. It was a delicious sensation, the soft grip, the warmth of Alec's hand, perfect.

Magnus kissed him again, hungry, desperate and at the same time repeating the other Shadowhunter's actions.

Touching Alec felt both a sin and a godsend at the same time.

Magnus began tentatively, barely a caress, stroking up and down Alec's length, until he reached his base and refocused on the swollen, wet tip.

Alec practically grunted and tightened his grip on Magnus as he bit his lower lip.

They both began to move their hands more firmly, up and down under their limbs, panting into each other's mouths as they gave each other uncoordinated kisses as they lay back on the couch.

They spent a while this way, until they began to pick up the pace, both moving their hips instinctively, pursuing their pleasure, trying desperately to finish.

"Magnus" roared Alec thrusting into his boyfriend's hand, a few more movements and the Lightwood boy climaxed, covering Magnus' member and hand with sticky white liquid, this seemed to be the precise point to make the other Nephilim finish as well, adding his own release to Alec's mess.

Raziel why was something like this so incredibly erotic?

Their breaths continued to quicken for a moment, with both young men kissing softly and grinning like crazy.

"Wooow that-was so-" Magnus began to say.

"Perfect? Amazing?" interjected Alec.

Magnus laughed, blushed tenderly and simply nodded.

Alec then turned his gaze to his hands, still covered with their come, an idea crossed his mind, but would it be appropriate to do something like that? What would Magnus think about it? What if he found it absolutely disgusting?What if he didn't even like it himself?

All this crossed Alec's mind in a second and by the time he wanted to realize it, he was already on the move.

The archer, moved Magnus' hand towards his face and with his gaze fixed on the eyes of the other Nephilim he licked tentatively, feeling that particular taste, something bitter, but strangely he found it exquisite at the same time, he continued watching Magnus, as his eyes were fixed on his mouth and finally he put one of his fingers in his mouth, sucking hard, tasting the release of both combined.  This was the most daring thing Alec had ever done in his life, it felt dirty in a way but absolutely natural and exciting at the same time.

Magnus looked at him wide-eyed, biting his lips until he almost tasted his own blood. *Fuck* thought the Shadowhunter *that image alone is unhinging me, get a grip Magnus*.

"Shit baby, you're going to explode my head with a single gesture, you don't know what you're doing to me now" Magnus said half panting and still blushing.

Alec smiled, still licking Magnus' fingers. He had never done anything like this before, but he felt so sexy right now, so powerful and so in love.

He remembered how just thinking about something like this used to make his stomach churn, he always thought he would never be able to experience such things, plus it seemed to him that he would never be able to do something like this.

Yet now here he was. With Magnus by his side, after having had their first sexual experience in life, no more and no less than their first experience together as well. And he didn't even feel a hint of shame about it. He felt proud, powerful, sexy, determined and just seeing Magnus' blushing, his eyes full of love for him, all these feelings increased.

If he had had the slightest doubt before, about this, about his relationship with Magnus, about how it would feel to go from being friends to being boyfriends, lovers, partners, a real couple, now they had completely dissipated. This was everything he had always dreamed of, to be with Magnus, to be able to enjoy these sensations together...this instant was absolutely perfect.

Magnus watched Alec, he couldn't help but blush at the scene in front of him, but also feel excited and he had to confess something anxious too, about what the next steps would be like.

Both he and his boyfriend, had spent most of their lives, trying to repress their feelings, their desires and now for the first time, they were ready to explore them. And they were going to do it together.

And there was nothing more exciting and terrifying for both of them, than all these new experiences they were starting to go through now not just as friends, but as a real couple, not counting that they had to do it in secret.

Stealing moments, touches, glances, always thinking that no one would arrive at the wrong time, having to look over their shoulders so as not to be caught in the act.

How could they enjoy this so important and incredible for both of them in this way? How long could they continue this way without taking risks?

Maybe if they could talk it over with someone, look for allies?

They both knew they could trust their team, surely they would understand, but what if they didn't? What if even they judged them?

If they made a wrong step, all this could end in tragedy...

Chapter Text

This had to be a nightmare, it couldn't be happening!

It was supposed to be just another patrol, how could this have happened?

Blood, lots of blood...

Magnus' mind desperately sought to understand the situation:

Alec lay on the floor, his eyes clouded, his features contorted in pain.

Magnus was on top of him, his hands pressing on the wound on the other Nephilim's right thigh, while Isabelle and Clary drew Iratzes around his other wounds.

"Magnus, we need to get him to the Institute right away. The poison is going to spread" Jace warned. Trying to get the other Shadowhunter's attention.

"I-I can't lose him, not now, Alexander..." repeated Magnus over and over, his hands covered in his beloved's blood, his eyes fixed on his boyfriend's face.

"Magnus. Listen to me!!! You're not going to lose him, buddy, I get what you mean, it's not going to happen" Jace assured him. Taking off the shirt he was wearing and tearing it to make a tourniquet on Alec's leg.

"You don't understand" said Magnus still in shock!

"Of course I do" Jace assured him, looking him in the eyes, "I know you love him, as much as I know he loves you and that's why, we have to hurry, you won't lose him, we'll make it" the blond assured him, squeezing his partner's hand.

Magnus nodded with his eyes full of tears, finally getting into action.

They both carefully picked up Alec, trying to keep his leg as straight as possible, draping the almost unconscious young man's arms over their shoulders.

 "Hurry up, Clary, we can't waste any more time" begged Magnus and the redhead opened a portal immediately, they had to move quickly, the poison was spreading by the minute.

A few hours earlier...

The last few days had passed in a blur. The preparations for the meeting with the Downworlders' council were practically finished.

Several years had passed since the signing of the Accords and despite the supposedly good relations between the factions of the Shadow World, the truth was that everyone preferred to stay out of each other's business, collaborating only on necessary occasions.

Each of the sectors preferred to keep their secrets to themselves.

The life of the Nephilim was practically a mystery for Vampires, Seelies and Wolves as well as for the Warlocks, even though the latter were the ones who maintained the closest relationship with the Angel-blooded, being in charge of numerous healings and portals for transfers in necessary cases.

Magnus was very eager to deal with these matters. Both Alec and he had participated as listeners on one occasion, but this would be the first time that everything was in their hands.

They would be hosting the new High Warlock of Brooklyn, along with representatives from each sector.

Both were especially curious to deal more closely with Lucian Greymark, Valentine's famous Parabatai who became a Lycanthrope after the betrayal of his best friend.

The story was famous among the Nephilim and although Lucian had been practically Clary's father before she discovered she had Nephilim blood, neither had interacted with him so directly.

The entire day was devoted to these preparations, so when Maryse informed Magnus' team that they were in charge of the night patrol, they decided to simply go with their team.

Demonic activities had been greatly reduced over the past few days and both Alec and Magnus were confident that they along with Clary, Jace and Isabelle could handle a simple stakeout just fine.

"Alright guys, simple stakeout night" announced Alec taking his bow and quiver from the arsenal of weapons, along with a dagger and seraph sword, the standard stuff for tackling a patrol.

"I want them to be well equipped anyway, we can't get careless" Magnus added immediately, arching an eyebrow at his boyfriend, who took advantage of the fact that no one was looking at him to throw his boyfriend a little kiss. Magnus smiled a little blushing and continued arranging his equipment which consisted of a seraph sword as well and his Keris which was his weapon of choice secured to his thigh holder as well as his stele and a luminous stone.

They each busied themselves with taking their weapons, only the essentials along with their steles.

Once they were out of the weapons room, the team gathered to begin activating their runes, just the basics, balance, accuracy, agility, strength... they didn't expect it to be a busy night so that was more than enough.

But how wrong they had been...

They left the Institute like any other night, five other patrols were on duty tonight. All in very specific areas where there had been some kind of activity over the last few days.

Alec's team was assigned to the Staten Island area around the ferry, where there had been several attacks in the last month, although nothing new had been reported for several days.

They had decided to split up, to do a first round of the surrounding area and see if there was any sign of activity.

Of course Alec and Magnus decided to stay together, letting Jace take both Izz and Clary with him.

"Do you think it's time to talk to them?" asked Magnus "this could be a great opportunity."

"If you really feel we're not putting them in danger, let's do it" replied Alec.

"It's not like we're asking them to cover our tracks, we wouldn't do that, but I think we owe them the truth, they're our friend, Izz is your sister, love."

"You're right, besides I wish I could share our happiness with them" Alec agreed, smiling as he took Magnus' hand in his, intertwining their fingers.

"Good, then we'll tell them, they should already be at the ferry station waiting for us."

"Come on, I don't want to delay this any longer" reluctantly Alec let go of his boyfriend's hand and they both continued the walk to the next corner where the meeting point was.

When they were a few feet away from their companions, Magnus noticed Isabelle's necklace glowing. The ruby around her neck unmistakable.

Damn it, it was demons without a doubt, and they were close.

Magnus instinctively placed his right hand on his keris, while with his left he signaled Alec to stop behind him.

They could see Jace, Clary and Isabelle take up defensive positions in the distance.

"Fuck, so close and yet so far away at the same time" Alec muttered, his bow ready to fire, his back now pressed against his boyfriend's.

"Relax, Alexander, they're ready" the Nephilim assured him.

"I know, it's just that we feel so exposed, something's not right" Alec complained, taking another look around.

When the growls erupted. Red eyes began to draw in every dark corner around them.

"Shit, shit," Magnus said as he saw the amount of demons around him.

"Start running Mags, I'll have your back."

"Are you out of your mind? I'm not walking away from you, not now, not leaving you surrounded" growled Magnus furiously.

"I can take out at least a dozen as soon as they launch themselves at you Mags, by the time we get into action, Jace will be on his way, we'll make it."

"I'm not leaving you, that's my final word, I'm in charge, we'll do as I say" hissed the Shadowhunter.

"Hardhead!" grumbled Alec but a smile broke out on his face.

The tension seemed to cut through the air, any slightest movement would unleash chaos. What the fuck were these demons waiting for? Why weren't they attacking?

There wasn't much more time to analyze it because in an instant all hell broke loose on them. One after another, each and every one of the demons headed for the couple in the middle of the street.

Magnus caught a glimpse of the rest of his team rushing to their position.

But after that everything went incredibly fast.

Alec was launching arrow after arrow, disintegrating the demons instantly with an accurate shot, but for every one he eliminated it seemed that three more would emerge.

Magnus moved nimbly, using both his seraph sword that glowed with angelic power and his keris, which he slid from one hand to the other, as he slipped past the demons, delivering accurate slashes and thrusts to dispose of each one.

The rest of his team joined the battle immediately but the force of the attack did not seem to diminish.

What seemed like an eternity later, and even surrounded by a large number of these creatures, Magnus saw the exact moment when everything could go to hell.

Several demons were pushing Isabelle away from the group, rolling her over even though the brunette quickly dismissed several with her whip.

Magnus saw the movement of Alec who immediately ran towards his sister, neglecting his back.Magnus' keris flew immediately burying itself in the chest of one of the creatures that tried to reach Alec and disintegrated it right away.

But that left Magnus with only his seraph sword and Alec at the center of the chaos.

The Lightwood boy managed to catch the attention of the demons and almost all of them turned on him, leaving Isabelle practically forgotten.

She immediately rushed to her brother's aid but it was impossible to reach him in time.

Magnus saw great claws, tearing at his beloved's back, his arm, his neck...he saw an instant later his sword fall to the ground and how one of those creatures bit furiously at Alec's thigh, making the young man scream in agony.

Magnus' heart seemed to stop in that instant, this could not be happening.

He pushed against the rest of the creatures, dismissing each and every one with a thrust of his sword, even decapitating several to make his way through.

"I'll cover you, go with him, Magnus" Jace shouted, but the other Nephilim barely registered it, he could only think of his Alexander.

By the time he made it to her side, Isabelle was discarding the last of the demons around her, Clary and Jace taking care of the rest behind his back.

Magnus' legs gave way, his knees colliding with the hard concrete, bathed in his boyfriend's blood.

His hands went straight to Alec's face, trying to see if he was still conscious.

"Alec, love- Alexander" Magnus called again and again.

Alec's eyes fluttered open, searching for his beloved's face.

"Don't be afraid, I'm not going to leave you Mags" whispered the young Lightwood.

"Alec-" gasped Magnus again. He left his boyfriend's face, studying his wounds, stopping at the one on his thigh, the most important without a doubt. He pressed his hands together in an attempt to stop the bleeding, while Isabelle and Clary began to work on Alec.

Magnus had never been so terrified in his entire life, not even when he witnessed the attack on his home when he was only nine years old.

He barely registered Jace's words.

A few minutes later he found himself in the Institute, his hands and clothes covered in the blood of the love of his life, his gaze lost behind the closed doors of the infirmary as doctors rushed to try to save the life of his reason for living.

Isabelle and Jace, grabbed his hands, squeezing hard to try to center him and he looked at them in bewilderment.

"The High Warlock is on her way Mags, everything will be fine" Clary assured him, squeezing his shoulder.

A moment later Maryse came out with a pale face and desperation evident in her voice.

"Magnus, he, he needs you, he wants you by his side" she said with a broken voice caressing the young Nephilim's cheek.

Magnus just nodded and walked through the doors immediately with his heart compressed and fear eating at his insides.

The room was absolutely quiet, but Magnus felt as if a tornado was ripping through his soul.

Dr. McKenzie was monitoring the transfusion Alec was receiving, a nurse was walking away from his bed the instant the Nephilim entered the room.

He approached slowly, his breath practically coming in gasps, trying to control the tears that threatened to escape with every step he took.

Never in his life had he felt so much fear as he did at this moment.

"Bane, you can stay by his side, he'll be asleep most of the time, but we'll let you know as soon as the silent brothers are here, okay?" the dr informed him, blocking Magnus' path to the gurney.

"The silent brothers?" whispered the Shadowhunter trying to look over the shoulder of the woman in front of him.

"The situation is difficult, Magnus. We must be prepared for whatever may happen, we have done all we can..." the dra's voice slowly faded as she saw the young man's expression... "we will leave you with him" she added giving the young Nephilim's arm a small squeeze.

Trying to swallow through the lump in his throat the young Bane simply nodded, and continued on his way to the man of his life.

The sight was absolutely devastating to Magnus.

Alec was wearing a mask to help him breathe, his neck, ribs and right arm covered with bandages that were soaking with blood with each passing second.

The wound on his exposed leg...the damage from the bite went practically to the bone and the blood pouring from that particular spot was black, thick, like oil. All around you could see the veins standing out against Alec's white skin, several Iratzes fading over his leg.

Magnus took a chair and placed it next to his boyfriend, took his hand carefully between his own and kissed his knuckles, silently praying to the Angel to allow his beloved to live on, not to take him away from him, not now, not when they were finally starting to be happy together, not when they had decided to go against everything for their love.

He felt Alec's fingers clench in his hands and slowly raised his gaze to meet the other young man's.

The wounded Nephilim sketched, not without effort, a smile as he saw his boyfriend in front of him.

"Hey, Mags," he said in a raspy voice, wincing as he tried to speak.

"Shhh, love, I'm here, I'll always be with you" Magnus promised him and Alec's smile widened a little.

"Everything will be all right, love" assured the young Lightwood, he coughed and the wince of pain on his face accentuated, compressing Magnus' heart as he watched him suffer helplessly.

"Alexander..." Magnus tried to speak with his eyes full of tears "stay with me" he begged with a broken voice.

He stood up without caring who could enter at that moment, he glued his forehead to Alec's, and the other Nephilim pulled the oxygen mask from his face so Magnus could join his lips in a tender kiss, with much effort he lifted his hand to Magnus' jaw and looking him in the eyes he assured him "I'm not going anywhere, look what I have waiting for me"

The Bane boy couldn't help but smile at Alec's words and kissed him softly again, when he heard the door open behind him.

He slowly stood up ready to face whatever might happen now.

But he only met Maryse's tender gaze, her hand pressed to his own heart, she simply nodded towards Magnus and with a gesture motioned someone else into the room.

"Magnus, Alec, son" she began to speak, moving closer to the young men, "this is Tessa Gray, she is the High Warlock of Brooklyn, she is here to help Alec."

Magnus' face lit up immediately, he nodded with hopeful eyes, but did not move from his boyfriend's side, neither did he let go of the hand he still held firmly in his own.

Tessa smiled and approached the young men, nodding toward Maryse to leave them alone.

"I'm sorry to meet you under these circumstances..." the Witch began, "may I?" she asked Magnus pointing towards Alec.

The Nephilim nodded and she stopped right next to him.

She looked at Alec, analyzed his wounds and nodded slightly.

"Well?" asked Magnus anxiously, Alec's face remained impassive, waiting for the mysterious woman to speak.

"We're on schedule guys, I just need a few minutes" she assured them with a small smile.

The pair immediately looked at each other, both smiling at the other, Magnus glued his forehead to Alec's, whispering soft promises to him, reminding him how much he loved him.

When he sat back up he saw Tessa smiling at them.

"You two are a lovely couple!" she told them, as she propped up some vials on the table next to the gurney that she had surely conjured while they weren't paying attention.

"We-no" Magnus tried to excuse himself, but what was the point? She didn't even know them and that didn't matter now either, the only thing he was sure of was that he would stay by Alec's side no matter what, so he simply nodded and blushing said "Thank you".

"The love between you guys" she said after a moment of mixing some strange colored liquids "is some of the purest I've had the pleasure of perceiving in my long life" she commented as she walked over to Alec, lifted his head and made him drink the strange potion.

Magnus squeezed Alec's hand tighter and couldn't help the question that was going around in his head "how-is-sorry-I'd like to know how you know that?".

"It's one of my gifts, I can sense, even empathize with the feelings of others. Believe me it's not as nice a thing as it sounds, but in this case, I feel privileged to be able to do it" Tessa explained with a gentle smile.

Magnus blushed again and it was Alec who replied this time "Thank you".

"Okay, let's do this, it might hurt a little Alec, and Magnus, he might be unconscious for a while, okay?"

They both nodded and she set to the task.

Magic immediately began to emerge from between her fingers, a very intense magenta color began to run down Alec's leg.

Great clouds of a black, vaporous spice, rose from the leg wound, as Alec twitched and contorted trying to keep himself from screaming.

When the pain was unbearable, Alec arched his back practically getting out of bed.

"Alexander, love, focus on me, you're going to be fine" Magnus repeated over and over, taking his face in his hands.

The moment seemed endless, Magnus couldn't bear to see the pain on Alec's face.

But after a few moments, everything seemed to calm down, when he looked in Tessa's direction again, where she rested her hands near the wound, he could notice that it was slowly beginning to close.

The relief was instantaneous, and even though Alec now seemed to be asleep, probably exhausted from what he had just experienced, he could see that at last the color was returning to his cheeks, the wounds stopped bleeding and were slowly beginning to close.

"I will need you to apply some more iratzes, mainly on the wound that was infected by the poison." Tessa asked him after a few minutes.

Magnus nodded immediately and set to the task.

The witch watched him with a small smile on her lips.

"The devotion you feel for him, it's touching" the Witch commented softly.

Magnus looked at her, his cheeks burning at the compliment, nodded slowly and took Alec's hand in his again.

"He means everything to me" he confessed softly.

"After all the Nephilim love once in a lifetime, fiercely" she said with a nod.

"Y-you know about us? The Shadowhunters, I mean?" he asked shyly, as he watched her take a seat on the couch farthest from Alec's bed.

"My husband is a former Shadowhunter after all," Tessa said with a tender smile.

The surprise was evident on Magnus' face and the HIgh Warlock laughed at his reaction.

"How, I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but how is that possible?" he asked still in disbelief.

"Well maybe I should tell you that besides being the daughter of an elder demon, my mother, was one of you, a Nephilim, she was not marked but had the Angel's blood" the woman began to explain with great patience, her gray eyes fixed on the joined hands of the two young Shadowhunters.

"I've never heard of a heritage like yours, it's amazing" commented Magnus, eager to continue listening to the story of this fascinating woman.

She smiled and continued with what she was explaining "it's a very long story but, the truth is that my mother was a Nephilim who didn't know of her heritage as such, but after moving to London in my teens I discovered the truth. That's where I met Will, my first husband, a Shadowhunter, so you could say I know quite a bit about it, even if things have changed significantly since Victorian times."

"That's just amazing and about your current husband?" said Magnus to her in fascination.

"Jem, he was a Silent Brother, but it's been a few years now, we live a mundane life you might say" Tessa commented with a smile, as she caressed the jade necklace her husband gave her.

"You two, are you engaged?" she asked, after a while of silence.

"I wish I were, but that's impossible" whispered Magnus, watching Alec.

"The law is hard, but it is the law" she recited, also observing young Lightwood.

"That is what condemns us to a life of loneliness or a hasty end" commented the boy reaching out to caress his beloved's cheek.

"That's not what I meant-" the witch's sentence was left unfinished when they were both startled by a knock at the door.

A few seconds later, Maryse followed by Isabelle entered the room.

"The silent brothers are here" Maryse announced, but her face seemed to light up as she looked at her son.

"I don't think that will be necessary anymore" Magnus announced smiling.

Isabelle ran to her brother's side, watching him carefully.

Maryse hugged Magnus tightly letting some tears fall on the young man's shoulder.

"He'll be fine, he's not going anywhere" the young man assured, trying to comfort her.

After a moment she walked away nodding towards Magnus as she smiled.

She walked over to Tessa and shook her hand.

"Mrs. Gray, I will be forever grateful," she said firmly.

"It was a pleasure to be able to help him, however he needs rest, that was a close call, I will have to return in two days to see how he continues" explained the High Warlock.

"Of course, whatever it takes" affirmed the director.

"Good, I'll be back soon" announced Tessa, nodding towards Magnus, before leaving the room.

"Magnus maybe you should go get some rest, I can take care of him" said Isabelle.

"No, I'm not going to leave his side, not until he's fully recovered" protested the Shadowhunter immediately.

"But Magnus, it will only be a few hours-"

"Isabelle, it's okay, Magnus will take care of him, sweetheart" Maryse interjected to the young Bane's surprise.

She simply reached over to give her son a kiss on the forehead and then squeezed Magnus' hand tightly as she walked past him.

The young man nodded and returned to his boyfriend's side. There was no way he was getting away from Alexander.

He would not leave him alone, he still needed to see his beloved once more on his feet, and also try to finish the conversation with Tessa.

What had she tried to explain to him? Could she know any solution to their predicament?

Would Tessa Gray be the key to them being able to stand up to the laws of the Shadowhunter Society?

Chapter Text

That night with Alec in the infirmary, still unconscious, seemed to be one of the most difficult in Magnus' life.

He knew that everything was better, Tessa had warned him that it was possible that he would remain asleep for the first few hours, but it was heartbreaking to see him in that infirmary bed.

Magnus had not left his side even for a moment, with the first rays of morning the Nephilim decided to stretch his legs a little and bring some fresh water. He only had to go out into the hallway for that but it was enough for him to have a rather unpleasant encounter.

In the hallway next to the door of the general ward of the medical wing, there were Terry, Joel and Carlos, three absolutely unbearable and conceited idiots.

The three of them always roamed the corridors together, just a few years older than Magnus, had always looked down on him, first for where he came from, later for his choice of clothing style (which although perfectly compliant with the Shadowhunters code had its own imprint) and in recent years for his choice of eyeliner or hair color. Of course today would be no exception.

"Hey, Magnus, are you still looking out for our brand new Director? That fag isn't even capable of taking down a couple of ordinary demons," said Joel laughing and addressing the other two idiots next to him.

Magnus opted to simply ignore him and continued on his way to the water dispenser, filling the pitcher without so much as a glance at them.

"Don't tell me you're offended Bane, are you afraid Lightwood will steal your title of official sissy at the Institute?" said Carlos, standing right behind him.

Magnus continued to ignore him, once the pitcher was full, he half turned and headed back towards the room, but now Carlos was blocking his way.

"Let me through" Magnus demanded, looking at him seriously.

"Don't worry I'm sure your little boyfriend won't even notice your absence for just a few minutes" he said moving closer to him.

"Let me through" Magnus repeated without even changing the tone of his voice.

"Or what Bane? What are you going to do about it?" he said tapping his ear with a finger.

"I'm not in the mood for your bullshit" Magnus growled.

"It really got to you what happened to your little friend, didn't it? Maybe all this time we were right and you guys are nothing but two pussies" said Joel sticking to Magnus' back again and putting a hand on his shoulder.

Magnus was really tired of the insinuations of these three idiots, he had been listening to them since his arrival at the Institute and the situation had gotten worse as he saw Magnus' advances and that his skills were clearly superior to theirs.

The young Bane shook off the hand resting on his shoulder and set the mug on the table beside him.

In two moves he had Joel with his face stuck to the floor, as soon as Carlos tried to help him, Magnus gave him a single blow right in the throat making him lose his breath, when he turned to look at Terry he was just looking at him from where he remained leaning against the wall.

"I can't blame you for that, they really deserved it" Terry told him. Magnus let go of Joel and picked up the mug again before entering the room once more.

"Stupid, who the hell do they think they are. They don't even understand what they're talking about" Magnus complained as he went to prop the jug next to Alec's bed.

"Stop frowning, Mags, it makes you look older" Alec joked.

"Alexander! You're awake at last!" he said bending down to kiss him gently, "you don't know what a scare you gave me, love, don't ever do something like that to me again!" demanded Magnus with his voice almost breaking.

"I'm sorry, baby. I promise I'll be more careful" promised the Lightwood boy.

"Of course you will, I can't lose you did you hear? I couldn't go on without you, you idiot!" replied the Nepheline kissing his boyfriend again this time with more intensity.

"You won't have to. I'm sorry, Mags!".

"I love you, silly! Just don't ever scare me like that again! Promise!" demanded Magnus.

The other Shadowhunter watched him carefully and then nodded, this must have been worse than he supposed, "I promise!" he said firmly.

Magnus relaxed and sat down next to his bed, Alec's hand in his.

"There's so much I want to tell you. But I think you should get some more rest."

"I'm fine, tell me what it's about?".

"Well do you remember the High Warlock? Tessa Gray?" began Magnus and took the time to detail the entire conversation with the mysterious woman.

Alec seemed lost in thought by the time Magnus finished speaking.

"Alec? Are you okay, sweetheart?" asked Magnus once he finished speaking."

"A witch, married, not once but twice to Shadowhunters? Th-that's-that's one of the hardest laws Mags, how is that possible?".

"I thought the same thing, the truth is that only The Clave has had access to the Codex, to our most sacred rules for at least two hundred years" Magnus commented.

Alec nodded in thought. The Codex was guarded with great suspicion, only the most exclusive members of the Clave had access to it. They were the ones in charge of enforcing the law, but the truth was that the only known law was the one that those members of the Clave proclaimed to be written in that Codex.

The versions of it that were in the Institutes were reduced versions, only the most basic notions.

Could they be manipulating the Law to enforce their own laws?

"Alec" Magnus called him, "Tessa referred to the same thing as your mother, in a particular way. Do you think the law could be in our favor if we can use it properly?".

"I think it's a strong possibility and I think we really need to talk to Tessa again."

"She'll be back to check you out, maybe we'll get the chance!" told Magnus.

"We should meet with her outside the Institute. There's a lot we need to ask her!".

"We can arrange it, I think she is willing to help us."

"Well it's a risk we have to take, our time is running out" said Alec taking Magnus' hand, "hey, don't worry, we'll find the solution, I'm sure" he assured his boyfriend.

"Tessa, she's really special you know?"

"She made a good impression on you, didn't she?" asked Alec with a smile.

"I think she's a very special woman, plus I didn't feel judged, you know? She's really sweet."

"You're going to make me jealous, Mags," Alec told him with a smile."

"Don't be silly, I mean it, her story is awesome and I don't know, I just felt like she understood, you know?".

"I get it, she sounds spectacular, I'm already indebted to her, but her help could be very important in our situation!".

"About that, Maryse, I am almost sure she knows! But she, Alexander, she just stood by us, she even convinced Izz to let me stay by you" explained Magnus excitedly.

"Oh Love, she cares about u and loves you. I'm sure she just wants to see us happy."

"I know it's just that, she looked terrified Alexander. She knows the consequences well, this could tear her apart."

"It won't happen! We will do everything in our power, let's research, let's look for couples in our same situation, Tessa could be of great help too. We'll make it, I'm sure of it!".

"We must be more careful than ever. Just a moment ago, she had an encounter with those three idiots" Magnus explained.

"Joel, Carlos and Terry? What the hell did they do now? If they dared to bother you-"

"Hey, it's all right, I know how to take care of myself..."

"You know that's not what I mean!" clarified Alec immediately.

"I know! Nothing happened that I haven't faced before, it's just, Terry...something about him-I don't know."

"What do you mean by that?"

"He, he behaved differently, Alexander I think he knows" Magnus explained.

"If he knew, he would have already ratted us out to the Clave. That guy hates us!" protested Alec.

"I-I'm not so sure about that, but we'll figure out how to deal with it" Mangas assured him. "Now get some more rest, in the morning I'll try to get Tessa back and we'll talk to her."

"Fine but you don't need to stay here, go to your room Mags" Alec requested.

"No way, I'm not moving from here until you walk out that door with me!"

"I love you, you fool!" said Alec, tugging the collar of Magnus' t-shirt to pull him closer to him.

"And I love you, hard head!" replied Magnus before kissing him slowly.

~~~

It was almost nine in the morning when Maryse knocked on the bedroom door.

Magnus woke up immediately, he looked at Alec still sound asleep, his face calm, his wounds almost completely healed, as bad as they had been. He gave him a soft kiss on the forehead and went to see who it was.

"Good morning sweetheart, how is Alec?" asked the Head of the Institute, taking Magnus' hand and giving it a loving squeeze.

"He's much better, do you know if Tessa is coming today?"

"She is here, I just came to let you know, I needed to see you earlier" Maryse told him with a smile, as she approached her son. She watched him for a moment before removing a lock of hair and kissing his forehead.

Alec immediately stirred and smiled as he saw his mother standing next to Magnus.

"Mom, hey!" he told her with a small smile.

"Honey, I'm so happy to have you back, you gave us such a scare" the Director scolded him.

"Sorry, I'll be more careful from now on."

"You better be, because you almost got us to infarct, Magnus was a mess because of you, don't ever do that to him again" the Nephilim warned.

Alec nodded carefully, his eyes filled with tears. Was he understanding his own mother's words correctly? Was she referring to Magnus in THAT way?.

"I won't hurt him like that again, don't worry," Alec promised her.

She smiled once more and as she headed for the door she squeezed Magnus' shoulder affectionately.

"Tessa will be here in a moment, it is important that you meet with her."

They both nodded, and she left the room to go in search of the witch.

"By the Angel, Mags!" said Alec with a smile, "she, she knows, I'm sure, she knows and she supports us?" he said with his voice hoarse with emotion.

"I'm not sure but I think so too" said Magnus smiling back and bending down to give him a little kiss.

A few minutes later Maryse was back with Tessa, they both walked into the room smiling at the conversation they had been having.

"Hi guys" Tessa said with a big smile, "it's so good to see you."

Alec smiled immediately, there was something about Tessa, she inspired confidence in him, a sense of security.

"Thank you for coming back!" said Magnus to her immediately, moving to shake her hand.

"I'm happy to be able to help you" she answered him immediately.

"I have a lot to thank you for, Tessa," Alec said as soon as she was at his side.

"We have a great deal to thank you for" Magnus corrected and then turned in alarm to Maryse, she might have seemed to agree with what was going on between them but they still had no confirmation about it.

When she saw his worried gesture, Maryse came closer and took his hand again as she did only a few minutes ago, smiling tenderly towards him, just as she had done that first time, when he had arrived at the Institute after one of the most difficult moments of his life.

This was the Maryse he respected and admired so much, the one who was willing to support him, to take care of him, the one who had accepted him as one of her family.

This was Maryse, accepting Magnus once again.

He gave a small nod towards her and they turned their focus back to the conversation Alec and Tessa were having.

"I am happy with the results Alec! You're a very strong young man and it's obvious they took very good care of you" she said, winking at Magnus.

"We really are indebted to you and I wouldn't want to add anything else, but we'd really like to have a deeper conversation with you...you know about what you said to Magnus?" asked Alec.

"Not here, honey! I'm sure Tessa agrees with me" interrupted Maryse.

"Your mother is really wise, you are fit to leave here, you just need to take care of yourself for a few more days, take it easy. And we could meet outside the Institute" she added, moving her hand to join it with Alec's, she left him something, "now I really must get back to my duties, tonight" added the witch before nodding towards Maryse and retiring together with her.

Alec looked at the small piece of paper in his hand, a card, with a phone number and an address, as well as a time.

Magnus approached his boyfriend and Alec showed him what Tessa had left for them, both simply nodded. It would be this very night.

"Well I think it's time to get out of here!" announced Alec, Magnus nodded and helped him up, quickly pulling clean clothes, his stele and boots close to him.

"We're just moving you to your room, no one should notice you're not there during the night" Magnus told him, already thinking about the details.

"Do you think we should talk it over with Izz, Jace and Clary?" asked Alec.

"Maybe it's best to get a better picture before we tell them, I don't want to get their hopes up, or get them in trouble over this."

"Well, then that will depend on what we find out tonight."

Magnus simply nodded. He didn't want to put his team, his friends, his only family in danger.

If Tessa could give them any hope, if they could at least have an opportunity, then they would take that chance.

They would find out what Tessa Gray knew regarding their situation and then they could decide how to continue this story.

Chapter Text

Getting Isabelle to leave in time for their date with Tessa was almost a Herculean task for Magnus and Alec. She had been so scared for her brother, feeling guilty... of course none of what had happened had been her fault, but explaining it to her had entailed far more tears from the feisty brunette than Alec had expected.

Anyway, half an hour before the appointed time, they had finally gotten their friends to "let Alec rest" as Magnus had practically begged them to do.

"Come on, Magnus, let's have a few beers, let's relax tonight, bro! You deserve it" Jace told him giving him a friendly tap on the shoulder.

"Give it a rest already, he must be exhausted too, he'll be next time, right Magnus?" said Clary winking at him and taking Jace's hand to pull him away from the other Nephilim.

"Of course Biscuit, next time we'll all go together!".

"Rest up, okay?" said Izz giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Of course, good night" he said before going into his room.

As soon as he was sure his friends were gone, he headed back to Alec's room, who was already dressed again.

"That girl really doesn't understand a refusal, even when it's for her own benefit!" laughed Alec thinking of his sister.

"She really felt guilty."

"I know, I'm not making fun of her, just...she's amazing."

"Of course she is! Now, did you get the answer? Do we have the address yet?" asked Magnus anxiously.

"We do, but we don't have to worry about it. She'll open a portal a few streets over" explained Alec.

"Perfect, time to get moving then" the other Nephilim hastened to say.

Alec just nodded, finished lacing up his boots and grabbed his jacket from the closet.

"We'd better go out through the winter garden area, do you think you can handle that?" asked Magnus worriedly.

"Mags, we've escaped through those bushes a million times!" complained his boyfriend.

"Yeah but none of those times were you recovering from an incident like this!" protested Magnus.

Alec just rolled his eyes at his partner's concern, which caused Magnus to stomp his foot immediately.

"Ouch! Don't you know I'm recovering from serious injuries? You can't manhandle me like that, Magnus!".

"You little fucker, come on before I hit you again!" threatened Magnus and the smile on Alec's face soon appeared.

Leaving the Institute was a piece of cake, like so many other times when together with his friends they would escape to be able to witness some music recital or simply go to see a movie like any mundane when they were teenagers.

As promised, as soon as they arrived at the right place, a portal opened in front of them, they took each other by the hand and went through it without hesitation.

They appeared in front of a house, this was undoubtedly the suburbs. Houses with large gardens, the lights of the distant city center, Tessa had not lied when she told them that she and her husband led an almost mundane life.

As soon as they stepped through the garden the gate opened.

A tall, thin man with dark hair, slanted eyes and a friendly smile greeted them immediately. The first thing that caught Magnus and Alec's attention were the runes visible on his arms. This really was a Shadowhunter.

"A pleasure to have you guys here, my name is Jem Carstairs, I'm Tessa's husband" the man greeted.

The young men nodded and offered their hands in greeting immediately.

The man took them immediately as they introduced themselves and invited them in.

"Tess will be here in a moment, I was expecting your arrival, but of course you already know that! Can I offer you something to drink?"

"No thank you, we really don't want to intrude" Magnus replied immediately.

"Not at all, have a seat, maybe some tea? Or would you prefer something stronger?" asked Jem pointing to the couch.

"Tea is fine with me" replied Alec and Magnus nodded as well.

Jem nodded and started to walk away, when he passed Tessa before disappearing down the hallway, he gave her a small kiss and she smiled.

"Welcome, sorry to keep you waiting" she apologized, sitting down across from the couple.

"No problem, thanks for having us!" said Magnus to her.

"Guys, I really wanted to talk to you."

"I don't want to sound rude or unappreciative, but why are you so interested in helping us?" asked Alec.

"I've seen too much over the years, I can't take any more injustice. You guys, you really deserve to be able to enjoy your love freely" she explained. "Besides, I knew your parents Magnus and as you may have noticed, Alec, I've also known your mother for a long time".

"I'm sorry, she never mentioned it," commented Alec.

"Some years ago...well your mother was probably your age" Tessa began to explain with a smile, "she was idealistic, very determined. Along with Magnus' parents, they formed one of the best hunting teams I've ever seen, they knew about my story, they wanted to confirm it was true."

"Why would they need to confirm it? What was going on?" wanted to know Magnus.

"A good friend of theirs, he had been accused before The Clave, betrayed in the worst way" Tessa recounted sadly.

"Accused of what?" asked Alec.

"You see your situation or Helen Blackthorn's, is not as unusual as The Clave would like you to believe, not even Helen's father's was, I am proof of that" he said smiling as soon as Jem returned with the tea, setting it down on the table and sitting down next to him.

"How do you know about Helen's situation?" wanted to know Magnus.

"My mother, right? She told you." Alec affirmed.

"She really cares about you, she loves you, both of you," was the witch's answer.

"Could you continue with that story?" asked Magnus.

"There were two young Parabatai among your parents' group, they...were in love. As you know that is strictly forbidden" explained Tessa.

"Besides being Parabatai..." said Alec looking at Magnus.

"That was the really forbidden part" explained Tessa.

"What do you mean?" asked Magnus.

"Romantic love between Parabatai is forbidden in the Shadowhunter Codex" Jem then interjected, "not so love between two people of the same gender, not even between a Nephilim and a Downworlder or mundane" the man clarified to them.

"But-we-I mean, all this time, we were told of the forbidden. Of how unacceptable a relationship like ours would be, even one like yours" Magnus said indignantly.

"That's why we should go back to that old story" Tessa interrupted and both boys nodded.

"The two young men I told you about, were Will Herondale and Steven Wayland..."

Alec's eyes widened in surprise, she was referring to Jace's father, one of his best friends.

"I know it may surprise you, but they were deeply in love, only Image Herondale found out, it was too late because they had already become Parabatai, but she forced Will to marry, it almost tore him apart and Steven along with him."

Magnus sighed deeply and turned to look at Alec, the Shadowhunter's eyes were filled with tears and Magnus knew they were thinking the exact same thing.

Tessa continued speaking "both Will and Steven sought to do their duty, as Shadowhunters and as husbands, but their love never diminished, when Imogen found out what was happening with her son, she tried to prosecute Steven, accuse him of corrupting her son. Will couldn't take it and committed suicide after a public statement clearing Steven of guilt. Not long after, Will's wife Celine disappeared, Imogen never knew what happened to her, nor that she was pregnant, she gave birth to Will's son, but her grief was so great that a few months after the birth she died. She left the baby in Steven's care. Will really loved her, she was his great confidant and friend, his companion in a difficult path although she knew of his love towards his Parabatai, in spite of everything she always supported them" the witch finished explaining.

Alec's mind tried to process what she was saying, Steven, Jace's father, then his best friend was not a Wayland but a Herondale?

"Imogen already had a lot of power in The Clave, she and several of the Council members wanted to prevent things like this from happening, they insisted that the Nephilim must maintain their purity, stay on the right path. They said that 'perversions' would lead to the end of the Angel's children."

"Are you saying that Imogen Herondale along with the council members, are manipulating the laws to keep things the way they want?" asked Magnus then, Alec was still unable to speak after hearing that account.

"I'm saying that the hatred and resentment of so many years, can do wonders, when you have the necessary connections" clarified Tessa, looking at her husband who nodded towards her.

"I think you guys could use her own methods against them...if you're cunning enough" Jem told them with a smile and a wink.

Magnus took Alec's hand tightly and they both settled down to listen to the idea of the unusual pair in front of them....

Barely an hour later, they were back at the Institute.

"I know what you're thinking, love," Magnus said caressing the other Nephilim's cheek.

"Mags, Imogen is Jace's grandmother and he doesn't even know it...he doesn't know his true identity," Alec said with a breath in his voice.

"I know it's terrible, but we can't just drop this bomb on him like this, let alone when we're planning to take on his only family."

"I know, I-I just think we should let Jace talk to Tessa, after all they are family, she is part of his history."

"That sounds like a better plan to me, maybe she can help him understand it all better" agreed Magnus.

"What are we going to do now?" asked Alec tiredly.

"Now you're going to sleep, you'll try to put all this behind you, clear your mind as best you can, we have a lot ahead of us, sweetheart" Magnus told him, opening the door and ushering him in.

Carefully he took off his jacket and made him sit on the edge of the bed, then knelt in front of him, took off his boots, stockings....

"I want you to stay tonight Mags, I don't want to be without you" Alec requested. Magnus simply nodded, still kneeling in front of his boyfriend, he took off his own coat, while Alec stood up once more to discard his pants. He grabbed the other Nephilim and made him stand up, helping him take off the rest of his clothes, his shirt, belt, then his boots and pants. He took him by the hand and led him over to the bed. He turned off the light, leaving only a lamp at the side of the bed on, lay down and stretched out his hand towards Magnus.

The young Bane took it and climbed into bed beside him. He kissed him softly on the lips for a long time, Alec's hand caressed his cheek, his neck, until it reached the back of his neck and brought him closer to him.

The kiss began to heat up, their legs tangling around each other's, their chests practically glued together. Their tongues dancing seductively around each other's.

"Baby-" Magnus tried to speak but Alec bit his lower lip.

"Yes?" finally asked Lightwood almost breathlessly.

"Love, I think I really-" Magnus's answer was half-hearted when he felt his boyfriend's hand between their bodies, both simply in their underwear, the thin fiber separating them beginning to moisten from his boyfriend's insistent touch.

"Tell me, Magnus" practically gasped Alec between uncoordinated kisses, his breath hitching, his hand rubbing the front of Magnus' boxers, feeling him harden with each passing second.

"Alexander" hissed the Shadowhunter "we must stop" he said pushing against his boyfriend's hand by pure instinct as his own hand squeezed his beloved's ass, "aaaah-fuck-you-you-have-to-rest-get-over-you" he whimpered as he grabbed Alec's thigh and crossed his leg over his hip, rubbing his erections with Alec's hand still on hiscock until the other young man moved it to take Magnus' arm to squeeze tighter to him.

They began to move in unison, slow, hard, the bed they were on seemed to have burst into flames. But it was just the heat of their bodies, their need for each other.

They continued to move, faster and faster, Alec's mouth on Magnus' shoulder over his angelic rune, leaking, biting, Magnus' hands adjusting on his boyfriend.

"Mmmmm- seriously-aah ahhh- you want to stop?" asked Alec a moment later.

"Just kiss me" Magnus replied.

They continued this way until their movements were erratic, desperate, the friction didn't seem to be enough, but it really was. Both on the verge of finishing, practically panting into each other's mouths, Alec's hand moved again between their bodies and into Magnus' underwear. He took it in his hand, began to massage it, to touch it in tune with his own movements, until they both burst.

Fast, loud, uncoordinated, hot....

"Fuck-this-Alexander" gasped Magnus.

"I know" said his boyfriend, kissing him once more.

When he got his legs going again, Magnus got up and went to the bathroom, he tried to clean up the mess in his underwear and took a cloth to help Alec remove the remnants of his orgasm.

"You don't have to, I can-"

"But I want to," Magnus assured him.

He helped his boyfriend remove his underwear and biting his lips he passed the warm cloth over, carefully cleaning his boyfriend's cum.

He then went back to the bathroom and discarded both of their underwear, walked over to Alec's drawer, pulled out two clean boxers, putting one on immediately before returning to the bed, ignoring the almost hungry look on his boyfriend's face as he watched him wear His underwear.

He handed the boxers to Alec who immediately put them on and climbed back into bed, opening his arms for his boyfriend to snuggle up next to him.

Practically without another word and after a few soft kisses, both young men fell asleep.

Morning came in what seemed like only a whisper to Magnus.

"Shit, shit, I fell asleep here" muttered the Shadowhunter, as he tried to pull his arm carefully out from under Alec's neck. He didn't want to wake him up but he had to leave immediately, before the usual routine of the Institute began and someone could see him sneaking out of the room.

"Don't go" whispered Alec turning to Magnus and putting his face in the other Nephilim's neck.

"Sorry love" Magnus tried to explain kissing Alec's matted hair, he moved to look at the time on his phone "fuck, it's almost seven, the halls will start to get crowded in a few minutes".

"Ok, I have to get up in a few minutes anyway too" Alec said pulling away a little to kiss Magnus' chin.

"Don't even think about it, you can still take one more day off."

"But it's just that I have a lot to do, even with my mother here I-"

"We're not going to argue about this, one more day, or at least this morning," Magnus warned him very seriously.

"Fine, I'll take the morning, but you know we have a lot to do."

"All in good time..." replied Bane with a smile.

He got up and dressed quickly, under the watchful eye of his boyfriend.

"You look sexy in my underwear," Alec told him with a grin.

Magnus just smiled and blew him a kiss before opening the door to quickly leave, still adjusting the muscle shirt he had just put on, when he froze in front of Alec's door.

Right in front of him in the hallway, stood Terry. His gaze was fixed on Magnus' shoulder, right next to his angelic rune, where there was a lovebite Alec had left.

"You should cover that up, and try to be a little more careful next time" Terry said after clearing his throat.

Magnus' hand immediately went to his shoulder, he swallowed hard and tried to speak but the other Shadowhunter simply held up his hand and said "I'm glad he's okay now" before walking away without another word.

Magnus covered his face with both hands once Terry was out of sight.

*What the fuck was that?* he asked himself over and over again as he hurried into his room.

If Terry decided to talk, they were absolutely ruined.

Chapter Text

"What do you mean he saw you coming out of my room? Shit, shit, we're fucked! Really fucked!!!" said Alec as he paced back and forth in his office.

The morning had passed quickly and by the time the next director of the Institute had a chance to talk to Magnus again, the news wasn't the best.

"Just as you hear it, I just, I was on my way out ok...I didn't even see him until I had him in front of me" Magnus explained once again.

"What exactly did he say to you?"

"Not much, just that I should be more careful next time...and that he was glad you were better."

"He's glad I'm better? What the hell am I supposed to think about that? We don't even like each other, he barely even addresses me with a word or any disparaging looks" Alec complained, running his hands through his hair once more.

Magnus watched him and approached him slowly, took his hand in his and made him stop in front of him.

He caressed his face and stroked a lock of hair over his forehead *Raziel, he doesn't even imagine it* Magnus said and a small smile tugged at his lips.

"Mags!!! This is no time for you to be laughing at me, this is really serious, love, we could be in big trouble!!!".

"Baby, you really have no idea, do you?" he asked softly before kissing his boyfriend on the corner of his mouth. He watched him again and smiled even wider at Lightwood's puzzled face.

"What are you talking about, Mags?"

"Alec, I think Terry's been in love with you since he came to this Institute over five years ago, sweetheart," Magnus explained.

"What? What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about how you don't have the slightest idea how others see you, what you provoke in them" said Bane still smirking.

"Magnus, he barely looks at me, I think the only times we communicated he wished he could rip my head off!".

The other Shadowhunter shook his head still smiling, and leaned against the desk, as he thought about how to explain the situation to his boyfriend.

"Baby, I think that's his way of protecting himself in front of you. I've seen the way he looks at you when you don't notice. One of my greatest fears since he came here, is that he would be able to win you over before I could confess my feelings to you, that you might notice him before you notice me."

"There is no one but you, love" Alec promised standing in front of him, with both hands on either side of the other Nephilim's body.

Magnus smiled, and grabbed him by the back of the neck, pulling him close to his face.

"I know, I know now. But it was a fear I had for a long time," he said before kissing him quickly. "I don't think he'll give us away. I, I have a feeling he wouldn't want to hurt you."

"Mags, I really doubt you're right about this and we can't trust him, not with this, our lives are at stake."

"Well maybe, we could talk to him..."

"Do you think he'll be willing? I mean-"

"Maybe it's better if I try to talk to him," Magnus offered.

"No, if he knows about us, we'd both better confront him" Alec said.

Magnus just nodded "it could be tonight, he has training just before us, I saw it on the itinerary this morning, we could get there a few minutes before our shift."

"Good, that will be our chance" Alec agreed.

"Love, I think we should talk to our team as well, let them know about our situation and about our plan..."

"That sounds much more pleasant, although I have to admit I'm a little nervous about it."

"I know what you're talking about, but they love us and I know they always want the best for us, we just have to try not to let our situation put them at risk as well" Magnus told him as he headed for the door.

"Fine, we'll find the best way, we won't let them be at risk."

"That's the plan, tonight, after our talk with Terry. Now I must return to the operations center, Underhill is waiting for me for a review of the Institute's internal security system" Magnus announced and after Alec's nod immediately to complete the rest of his tasks for the day.

Magnus finished with the rest of his duties and headed immediately towards the locker room, they could feel the nerves for what was about to happen, but they had to do this, they had to know what Terry's position was regarding them. He was almost totally sure that it wouldn't be a problem, but the reality was that they couldn't risk some rumor putting them in a more difficult situation than they were already in. He changed into his usual training clothes, but this time he opted for a t-shirt with sleeves instead of his usual and quite revealing muscle shirts, once he was ready, he sighed deeply, looked at the time and left to head towards the training room, Alec was probably heading there as well.

When he arrived there was still no sign of Alec, but he could see Terry standing next to the sandbag, hitting it so hard that his hands would probably feel it for days to come.

"Hello,Terry" Magnus greeted cautiously, slowly approaching the other Shadowhunter as he went about stretching his muscles.

Terry simply turned and nodded his head, then turned his attention back to the punching bag in front of him.

Magnus headed towards the center of the room, taking a Bō in his stride to begin his training as he waited for Alec's arrival.

"Hey, do you want us to practice a little?" suddenly asked Terry.

Magnus was surprised and hesitated before answering.

"Oh surely, you're waiting for Alec, right?" wanted to know the other Nephilim seeing the doubt written on Magnus' face.

"W-well. Actually I am, but I appreciate your offer" replied Bane still somewhat surprised by the other man's sudden kindness. "Look, Terry I really wanted to-"

"If it's about this morning, Bane, you have nothing to worry about, okay?" said Terry immediately, stopping in front of Magnus.

"Thanks? I mean I know it's kind of hard to understand but-"

"It's not" Terry interrupted him once again.

At that moment Alec entered the room hurriedly.

"Oh I'm-I'm sorry, I'm sorry to interrupt" apologized the young Lightwood.

Terry's eyes were fixed on the floor immediately. As soon as Alec stopped in front of them he asked, "Everything in order?" directing a meaningful look at Magnus.

"Perfectly" answered his boyfriend.

Terry then looked at him, nodded and started to walk away, only before he reached the front door, he turned and looked back at the couple behind him, "You're a lucky man, Magnus" and walked out the door without looking back.

"What the hell was that?"

"Confirmation of what I suspected, he's in love with you, Alec" Magnus explained, with a funny feeling in his stomach. Damn, what a difficult situation for Terry.

"What the fuck are you talking about? He told you?" asked Alec unable to believe his ears.

"Baby, he doesn't plan on ratting us out. He assured me and I take his word for it."

"That's good, right? One less worry."

"It is, I just feel terrible for him now, I wouldn't want to be in his position," Magnus said almost in a whisper.

"Mags, you're the only one for me, you know that, right?"

"I know, it's just-I'm very lucky."

"We both are," Alec said with a small smile.

"Well now, it's training time, do you think you're ready for this? It's just going to be something light, ok?".

"I'm so good that probably, I could kick your ass right now" said Alec winking at his boyfriend.

"Cocky! I think you're spending too much time with Jace" Magnus joked.

 "Oh really?" said Alec smirking as he walked over to one of the walls to grab another of the Bō and start circling his boyfriend with the clear intention of beginning his training.

They looked at each other intensely for a moment and it was Magnus who landed the first blow, Alec blocking it immediately still with a smile on his lips. They exchanged a few more blows, several of which landed on his arms, lower back, and thighs.

The tension between the two increased with each demonstration of their Shadowhunter skills, even without activating runes, the constant training together made them move with speed and agility.

Soon they found themselves fighting hand to hand. Blow by blow they continued almost without speaking, only watching each other with intent. Until they ended up tangled on the floor, Alec's legs wrapped around Magnus' left arm, locking him in a headlock while waiting for him to surrender. But the Bane boy was extremely competitive and tried everything to get out of his boyfriend's grip, though he ended up once again under the pressure of his boyfriend's grip, which was now on his back, keeping his chest pressed against the floor.

"Are you ready to go along with this plan?" asked Alec then, gluing his mouth to Magnus' ear.

"Of course, are you?" the other Nephilim replied, looking sideways at his boyfriend, a big smile on his face.

"By you? Or rather with you? That's all I want," said the young Lightwood in the raspy voice, pressing himself further into Magnus' back without loosening his grip on his arm, as he slid his hand firmly down the other Shadowhunter's side.

A shiver ran through Magnus' body and he had to bite his lips to keep a guttural moan from escaping him.

"Mags," Alec said almost in a gasp, sticking closer to his boyfriend's back, moving his hips almost without thinking against his boyfriend's ass, his breathing quickening immediately, as he took his boyfriend's lobe between his teeth.

"Alexander-"moaned the other Nephilim, arching his back as he felt his boyfriend's movement over his body.

"Shit," Alec groaned. Suddenly very aware of where they were and what it could mean to be found in this situation.

He quickly loosened his grip on his boyfriend and rolled to the side, landing on his back, trying to control his breathing and his body's strong reaction to his beloved's nearness.

"Fuck, this is getting harder and harder" Magnus commented once he also rolled over to lie on his back. Both of them looking up at the gym ceiling.

"Sorry, I-" the archer tried to apologize.

"No! Don't apologize, it's difficult for me too" immediately replied the other hunter.

"Difficult? Did you even look in a mirror? You're so damn beautiful and sexy. I just- I still can't believe you want to be mine, Mags" confessed the younger one quickly.

Magnus blushed helplessly, there was something in Alec's words that made him feel like the most special being on earth, Raziel, he loved Alexander madly.

"I love you, you idiot" Bane simply said something that made Alec laugh heartily.

"And I love you, Mags" said Alec leaning on his elbow to look into his boyfriend's beautiful dark eyes.

After that small talk, the training was forgotten and the young men decided it was time to face their family and friends.

They decided that the best place to have this conversation would be the library, the place that had always been their favorite escape from the rest of the Institute.

After a relaxing (and freezing) shower, they quickly changed to meet their friends.

Clary and Jace were already there, chatting animatedly about the morning patrol.

As soon as the pair saw Magnus and Alec, they waved animatedly, happy to see their partner so recovered.

"Alec, it really is amazing that you're back on your feet so quickly!" remarked Jace, "Tessa must really be an excellent healer."

Alec's throat closed suddenly, at the mention of Tessa but that was a subject they would have to face later. Luckily Clary interrupted the moment by greeting him with a warm hug.

"I'm happy to see you well once again, my brother," the redhead greeted.

Magnus and Alec smiled and went to sit on the couch opposite where Jace was.

"Where's Izz?" asked Magnus.

"She was meeting with mom, but I'm sure she's on her way" Jace replied, as if she had been summoned, Isabelle opened the door at that moment, closing it immediately behind her.

"Izzy, are you okay?" asked Alec quickly as he saw his sister's worried face.

"It's just-that" the brunette tried to speak and went straight to sit next to Magnus.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" the Nephilim then asked.

All eyes focused on Isabelle as she tried to find the words to explain what was happening.

Magnus took her by the hand and she clung to his grip, still not directing her gaze to her friend, everyone remained silent, hoping that the young woman could find the moment to tell what it was that she had put this way.

After a long, tense and silent moment, Isabelle looked up at her brother who was sitting next to Magnus, his eyes filled with tears. She passed her gaze to the young Bane and then spoke almost in a whisper.

"Mom received a letter from the Clave authorities..." he began to say, but his throat seemed to be full of sand and speaking was very difficult for her.

"What is it about Izz? It's about my departure, isn't it?" questioned Magnus.

She looked back at him, and at her brother once more.

"Isabelle, you're driving me crazy here, please talk" Jace begged her, unable to stand the tension.

Alec stood there, motionless, mute, one hand on Magnus' thigh not knowing when he had made the move to place his hand there. Immediately he felt Magnus' grip and felt himself breathe again.

"Isabelle?" the young Bane then asked, seeking the brunette's gaze.

"Magnus, they- they chose your wife" she explained with a thread of a voice. Magnus' hand on Alec's tightly clenched and he could feel his heart racing immediately from the fear that flooded him.

The room fell into stony silence, all eyes and Isabelle, as she tried to control the tears flooding her dark eyes.

"Wh-who?" tried to ask Alec his voice was barely a whisper, but it seemed to echo in the room.

Magnus sighed deeply, looked at Alec and then once more at Isabelle, nodding for her to continue.

"Magnus, they, they want US to get married before your birthday…”

Chapter Text

Silent tears began to fall down Magnus's face, his hand still firmly holding Alec's.

Until a sob seemed to break the fragile atmosphere of the room.

Alec jerked to his feet, clutching his head in his hands, repeating over and over the same phrase "this can't be, it can't be true" as he paced back and forth in front of the fireplace.

Everyone else continued in silence, barely raising their eyes to watch him.

Magnus closed his eyes tightly, trying to wake up from this bad dream.

How the hell could things be twisted this way? How could the Clave be playing with his life, his future, his happiness like this? And Isabelle's? Why Isabelle? Why did they just have to choose the sister of the man he loved the most?

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted when he heard a deafening blow.

Alec had smashed his fist through one of the glass cabinets next to the fireplace. His fist bloodied, as he continued to strike every surface nearby, until he fell to his knees in front of his friends who watched in bewilderment.

Magnus immediately stood up, approaching him, kneeling in front of the man of his life.

He drew his stele and drew a healing rune over his wound, then grabbed his boyfriend's face, pressing their foreheads together. Alec's sobs, uncontrollable until that moment.

"That won't happen, my love" Magnus whispered to him, both of them with their eyes closed and trying to control their broken sobs, "I won't let them do this to us. We will follow our plan, we will succeed" Magnus promised his beloved over and over again.

Until he wiped the Lightwood boy's tears with his thumbs, looked into his eyes and kissed him passionately.

"You are mine and I will only be yours, always" promised the elder to the archer.

They held each other tightly, their hands clinging to each other's clothing, as if they feared they would be separated at any instant.

Nothing mattered, they would not let someone else decide for them, they would act fast. They still had a couple of months ahead of them, they would seek the necessary support.

"I love you" Alec said firmly, once they were a little apart and he could look into the other Shadowhunter's eyes.

"As I love you" Magnus replied before bringing their mouths together again.

"Damn they are so cute" Isabelle said her voice sharp with emotion.

In that instant the two young people remembered where they were and who was around them.

This was definitely not the way they had planned to tell their closest friends about their relationship.

But life is seldom as one plans it, is it?

Bringing their foreheads back together before they sighed and nodded towards each other before standing up and turning their gaze towards their friends and family.

"I knew they were meant for each other! I always knew it!" said Clary excitedly as she walked over to hug them.

Isabelle joined them immediately and Alec looked up to study Jace's gesture.

The blond was smiling towards them and when Alec raised his hand in invitation towards him, Jace joined in the hug.

Raziel, these were the best friends they could have wished for.

Neither Magnus nor Alec could remember why they had been so worried about this.

But now they had other, rather more pressing things to think about.

"What the hell shall we do now?" asked Isabelle when they finally broke the embrace.

"We'll fight!" was Alec's reply, as he took Magnus' hand in his and looked at him with a small smile on his face.

The young Bane nodded immediately.

"How are we supposed to do that?" asked Jace then.

And his friends looked at him with surprised eyes. That was all the statement they needed. Jace was willing to fight for them, without even hesitating.

This was the kind of friends they had. Loyal, faithful, strong and determined. Willing to stand by them in any situation that arose.

Magnus squeezed his boyfriend's hand and rested his face on his shoulder.

He couldn't believe how lucky they were.

"Hey, Mags?" called Clary, putting a hand on his shoulder, "we'll always be here for you, we'll do whatever it takes" the redhead assured him.

Magnus looked at her and smiled, the emotion clear on his face, "thanks, biscuit."

"We're your family, man, it couldn't be any other way. But if you so much as hurt my friend, you're dead!" said Jace giving him a little smack in the side, "warning goes for you too, dummy" he added turning to Alec, who was grinning eagerly now.

"Good, now we need to know their plan and how we can help with it" said Izz smiling towards her brother and his boyfriend.

They spent the next hour telling their friends what they could find out so far, including the talk with Tessa and Jem, but avoiding mentioning the story about Jace's parents.

They had promised to tell their friend at the right time, so that both he and Tessa would have a chance to get to know each other.

Then there was the fact that their worst enemy, had turned out to be Jace's grandmother. The situation couldn't be more complicated, but the couple opted to tell the part of the story that left out the origin of their friend. Focusing mostly on Jem's own story, who was the one who really knew the whole background of the deception that the Clave had been carrying out so many years ago.

Once they finished the talk with their friends and as they had no patrol that night they decided to have dinner all together in the Institute's dining room.

Terry was in his usual place along with Carlos and Joel, it was evident that they were the last group to have dinner, and when they saw Alec enter together with his group of friends, they began to murmur immediately.

Magnus and Alec were used to ignoring the stupid insinuations of their colleagues, as it was a habit for them to try to make fun of them for any absurd situation. Especially when it came to Magnus, since they considered him an outsider among them, even though the young Bane had been at the Institute longer than two of them.

The only one whose parents had served in NY for his entire life was Joel, but that didn't even give him a little bit of a right to behave like a jerk. Even his parents had been noticeably nicer to Magnus than he was, before they moved to Idris, they used to handle some of the boys' training, but when they left the Institute their son started acting like a jerk right away.

"Do you think we should talk to Terry? You know, about our plan?" Magnus asked his boyfriend.

"Magnus, are you out of your mind, bro? He's one of those assholes!". Jace pointed out, looking with a blank look on his face in the direction of the other three Shadowhunters.

Alec exchanged a glance with Magnus, they didn't want to expose Terry unnecessarily about his feelings for the next director of the Institute.

The archer shot a fleeting glance, towards the Nephilim and when his eyes met Terry's, the other man immediately turned looking in the opposite direction.

"I know it may seem impossible," Magnus then said, "but Terry isn't as much of a jerk as we thought."

"What makes you think that?" asked Clary, looking towards the man in question.

"Well he may have seen a situation a little com-" Alec was immediately interrupted by Jace.

"Shit, don't tell me he found u two fuc-"

"Jace! Of course not, asshole!!!" cut him off quickly  Magnus.

"So?" the blond asked with a doubtful gesture.

"He just saw me coming out of Alec's room this morning" clarified Magnus.

Isabelle and Clary, exchanged a complicit glance and smiled, causing Magnus and Alec's cheeks to flare hopelessly.

"Anyway, he, he's proven that he doesn't wish to harm us all right? Otherwise, we'd be being taken to the Gard this instant, only to be locked up in the darkest of Idris' dungeons" Alec said.

"Shit, Alec, don't even say that as a joke did you hear? We'll do everything to prevent it!" promised Isabelle.

"Thanks Izzy" said Magnus taking the brunette's hand.

"Wow Bane, looks like you finally fooled us all eh? But tell me who will wear the pants in that marriage hu?" shouted Carlos from the other table.

"If you need help with the beautiful, Isabelle, I mean if you don't know what to do with a woman like her, we could give you a hand, Bane!" added Joel.

That made Alec stand up immediately as did Jace.

"That's my sister you're talking about asshole! Watch your words" warned Alec.

"You fucking idiot, watch your mouth or I'll destroy you!" growled Jace, and as he was about to move forward to leave the table, Clary grabbed his arm forcefully.

"We don't need this now, Jace, get a grip!" begged the redhead.

"Ya idiots, we better go, I don't want any trouble now" said Terry as he got up from the table.

The other two looked at him somewhat puzzled but heeded his command. Alec nodded towards him and the Nephilim immediately blushed averting his gaze and heading for the door behind the other two.

"How the hell did those imbeciles find out?" asked Isabelle irritably, "Mom was very careful."

"I think news travels too fast. Joel's parents are part of the council after all" said Clary frowning.

"This is a nightmare!" then said Magnus, covering his face with both hands.

"Thanks for my share, brother-in-law" said Isabelle trying to lighten the mood between them.

"Fuck, Izz-I" Magnus tried to apologize.

"Hey! No need, Magnus, I know you love my brother, and you know how happy I am to know that" explained the brunette quickly.

Alec smiled at his sister and walked over to Magnus, he was dying to hug him, kiss him at that moment, but they couldn't risk it, not now.

"Well then, we will start with our research tomorrow, we can contact different people, I know Aline, will be very interested in this" Alec then said.

"This could even help with her situation with Helen! But we have to make sure we keep a very low profile" commented Magnus.

"We have Tessa's help, we will cover our patrols and contact the different Institutes and then she will transport us there" explained the archer.

"We know where to start, Alec you should contact Aline, I know several of Helen's friends at the Los Angeles Institute, I'll start with them" reviewed Izz.

"Well I'll talk to my mother, she definitely has connections at several Institutes, she should be able to point me to the right people" commented Clary.

"Ok then, we have a plan. We'll get started right away!" said Jace rubbing his hands together, happy to have something to start with.

"We'll talk to Jem again, we need to know when we can get in touch with the person who will help us with the most important part of the plan."

"We'll do that right away tomorrow Mags, we don't have time to waste" added Alec.

The group left the cafeteria chatting animatedly about the plans they had for the next few days.

It felt good, to have a clear goal, to feel like they were back in control.

"Time to rest now, we have busy days ahead of us!" remarked Isabelle, before hugging her brother and heading towards her room.

"Have a good night" said Clary, taking Jace's hand to pull him into the room.

"You heard my girl, see you tomorrow" greeted Jace, winking at his friends.

"Good night" greeted Alec and Magnus at the same time.

As they headed down the opposite hallway towards their rooms.

"We have a good plan, Alexander" said Magnus convinced that this could turn out as they hoped.

"I can't wait to see how it turns out" Alec replied, looking around before stealing a small kiss from his boyfriend.

"Are you crazy?We could be seen here, honey!" chided Magnus, but he couldn't wipe the smile off his face at his boyfriend's affectionate gesture.

"I couldn't help it, okay? You're so beautiful, I just want to kiss you all the time" explained Alec, making Magnus smile wider.

"You're so cheesy, who knew?" joked the other Nephilim.

"You think that worries me? I could be the cheesiest guy in the world as long as it's about you!".

"You don't have to try to win me over you know? I'm already in love with you! I have been for a long time, Alexander."

"I heard that-relationships, they um... take effort."

"I´m all for effort" Magnus replied immediately, smiling at his boyfriend and bringing a hand to his face to caress his cheek but stopping immediately as he remembered where they were.

"I don't think I can go one more night without you by my side" Alec confessed.

"Shit, Alec- I don't want to, go another night without you by my side."

"Who's the corny one now?" replied Alec smiling, as he took his boyfriend's hand in his, "stay with me, please?".

"Alexander-"

"Please?" again the young Lightwood insisted and it was impossible for Magnus to resist that look. Raziel how much he loved this man, he would do anything for him.

"Alright, just let me go get some clothes to sleep in, ok?"

"Who said you're going to need it?" said Alec grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, as he opened the door to the room and slipped in with Magnus behind him.

Once he closed the door behind them, he began tugging at Magnus's shirt, reaching his hands behind the young Bane's back. A shiver ran down Magnus' spine. That feeling that only Alec could awaken in him.

The archer smiled at his boyfriend's reaction and began to kiss his neck. Magnus' hands immediately went to his jaw and the back of his neck.

"Alexander..." he gasped. Magnus felt very nervous about this kind of situation, something even he didn't fully understand, he was sure of his feelings for Alec and hell yes he did enjoy the closeness of his boyfriend and these intimate moments. He just couldn't help but feel this way.

"Love, you don't have to feel nervous" Alec whispered to him and a small strangled laugh escaped between the older man's lips.

"How the hell do you know that?" asked Magnus looking into his boyfriend's eyes.

"I know you better than I know myself, Mags" Alec replied with a mischievous grin.

"It's not you, Alexander, it's just that-"

"You're scared to give yourself away like that, aren't you?" the younger man then asked, and Magnus simply nodded. Alec smiled again and nuzzling his boyfriend's neck he spoke again "it scares me too, I have no idea what I'm doing ninety percent of the time, but I just want to make you feel good, I want to give you everything Mags, all of me."

"Raziel, you really are cheesy!!!" laughed Magnus in an attempt to break the tension that was building between them.

"We'll see if you think this is cheesy too" said Alec with a sly grin as he pushed Magnus towards the bed. The older man's breathing immediately quickened and his hands grabbed Alec's wrists quickly.

When Alec moved them to the waistband of his pants, Magnus' eyes widened. After a meaningful glance at his boyfriend, he finally nodded.

The archer unzipped his boyfriend's pants, and pulled them down to his knees, then had him sit on the edge of his bed and knelt between his legs.

Before anything else, he looks at Magnus and said "May I?", when the other Nephilim nodded, he took his dick between his hands and started massaging it.

But something wasn't working as it should, he could tell it didn't feel right, *ah, of course, I know what I need* thought the archer and then opened the drawer of his bedside table and took out a lube. He put some in his hands, with Magnus's attentive gaze following his every move, the older one was silent, simply watching his boyfriend.

Alec took it in his hands again, spreading the liquid, from tip to base, Magnus' legs tightened around the other Shadowhunter's body instinctively and Alec looked at him biting his lips.

"It's okay if I?" the young Lightwood asked and Magnus held his breath for a moment before nodding once more.

Alec bent down a little more carefully, first giving the head of Magnus' cock a little lick, feeling some of his taste mixed with the lube for the first time.

*Fuck, this feels so good* Alec thought, carefully licking again.

Magnus' hands tightened on the bedspread, and his legs trembled a little at the sensation.

Alec looked up, searching for his boyfriend's eyes, and when Magnus finally opened them again and looked at him, Alec took him in his mouth.

Another hiss escaped between Magnus' tight lips and Alec groaned as he heard it.

"Fuck, Alexander," the Shadowhunter said hoarsely.

Alec pulled away and looked at his boyfriend, this was so fascinating, to be able to disarm his lover like this, to feel him this way for the first time, just for him. That feeling alone gave Alec more courage, who despite hiding it was also extremely nervous. After all, this was another first time for both of them.

"You can-emmm-if you want, you can take me by the hair, Mags," the young man said before taking his boyfriend in his mouth again.

He began very slowly to push him in deeper, trying to control his breathing, careful not to graze him with his teeth for fear of hurting him.

Magnus' back arched, as his cock touched almost the bottom of his beloved's throat.

"Sssssss-aaahhh- Alec" he gasped, grabbing the young man's hair and inadvertently pushing further against him.

And Alec was grateful that he had no gag reflex.

He moaned and gulped around his boyfriend's thick cock, bobbing his head up and down, encouraged by the sounds Magnus was making without even noticing.

He moved one of his hands to the base of Magnus' dick and began to move it in sync with his head, as he couldn't take its full length in his mouth and with the other hand, he massaged his balls, feeling them begin to rise.

Magnus was close, so close, he couldn't help but arch his back and tighten his grip on his boyfriend's hair.

"Alec- Alec I'm going to come-you should" the older man tried to warn.

But Alec simply continued in the same manner, and neither knew if it was seconds or a few minutes later, but Alec felt his boyfriend's release sliding down his throat and continued sucking until he felt Magnus shudder around him.

Raziel, this was indeed a new experience. When Alec finally pulled away, wiping his mouth with the cuff of his sweater, Magnus grabbed his neck to reach his lips and kiss him desperately.

He could taste himself inside his boyfriend's mouth and that was really exciting for some reason he didn't even understand.

When they broke apart a moment later, they looked into each other's eyes, Magnus absolutely overwhelmed by what he had just experienced and Alec looking absolutely proud of himself.

"That was-" Magnus tried to explain but words failed him, he really didn't know how to qualify what he had just experienced.

"I know" Alec said smiling wider.

They kissed again and a moment later Alec slipped into the bathroom, returned alone in his pits, took his boyfriend's hand and they settled on the bed. Discarding  the pants, and the rest of Magnus' clothes leaving only his underwear.

"We'd better rest now, love" Alec said smiling, clearly proud.

"But what about you?You're not? You know" said Magnus looking at his boyfriend's crotch.

A little flushed Alec looked at his boyfriend, "d-don't worry about it, I think I came as soon as I felt your release in my mouth" he confessed, biting his lips.

And Magnus understood why he had gone to the bathroom right away.

They both smiled, still blushing, and hugged each other, covering themselves with the blankets, before kissing each other one more time and wishing the other good night.

This was undoubtedly dangerous behavior, they shouldn't allow such things now, not yet. But their feelings and desires were uncontrollable, the more time they spent together, the stronger their want and needs for each other became.

They had to carry out their plan as soon as possible, before everything could be ruined beyond repair.

Chapter Text

This time there was no way Magnus wouldn't remember to sneak out of his boyfriend's room with the first rays of morning.

His day was to start bright and early. With Alec just returning to duty after being wounded in battle, Magnus was to leave everything organized for him.

Maryse was expecting him first thing in the morning and the news was not the best that could be expected, their times were getting dangerously short.

"Magnus, how are you? I've been thinking about talking to you but I thought it would be better if it was Isabelle who-well, you know..." asked Maryse as soon as the Nephilim entered the office to start with the reports.

He just nodded towards the woman who had been his only family all this time.

"Talk to me, Magnus, you know what you mean to us."

"Maryse...I-" the young man said giving a heavy sigh.

It was difficult trying to be honest with her. He knew that she loved him, and that one way or another she was on his side regarding his relationship with Alec, at least it had seemed that way to him during these last few days, but he still found it difficult to be able to express his feelings openly.

It wasn't what was expected of him, it wasn't the way Shadowhunters did things.

Their entire existence was based on duty and honor. On following the rules without question. They were warriors, that was their life's purpose.

Nobody prepared them to face their own rules, to defend what they loved, to try to be happy...

Unable to help himself Magnus blushed and began to clench his fists in a typical nervous gesture.

"You don't have to hide with me, Magnus, I-" the woman hesitated for a moment before continuing to speak openly, "I've always known it, Alec loves you and you love him" the young man let out a big sigh at those words and Maryse smiled before continuing "I wish I could do more for you, I know the order regarding Isabelle was a hard blow, I'm really sorry, they didn't listen to my opinion regarding that" apologized the current headmistress of the Institute.

"No. Maryse, you don't have to apologize, I still can't even believe what you just told me, I appreciate your understanding" he said taking a big breath of air before continuing, "I want you to know that I will fight, I won't let them separate us, nor let them ruin my life and Isabelle's" said the young man firmly.

A big smile immediately appeared on the Shadowhunter's face and she got up from her chair, walked around the desk to stop in front of the young man, took his hand and looking him in the eyes she said "Thank you for loving my boy! And for wanting to protect my little girl too. You are part of my family honey, always were and always will be! I'm proud of you."

Magnus smiled towards her and gave her a big hug.

"You must hurry, Tessa and Jem are the right people, I wish I could do more for both of you" she whispered in his ear.

"We could tell you the details?" he asked as they pulled apart.

"Honey, the less I know, the better! You must watch your backs, the walls have ears here, act fast, without hesitation. If you really love each other, you must fight."

"We will!" he assured her.

"Magnus, Robert will leave next month and... as soon as he is settled, Max and I will leave. Alec will be left in charge. Everything will be more complicated, all eyes will be on him."

"Shit! We thought we'd still have some more time!" the Nephilim grumbled.

"I know, but the Clave seems very interested in advancing the processes, too many things are happening" commented the woman with a worried gesture.

"What do you mean?"

"The Downworlders, they want to renew the accords, but with new conditions, that's not something the Clave likes" explained Maryse.

"But that, might even be good for us..." commented the young man.

"Magnus, you should focus on whatever it is you are planning, as soon as Alec is in charge, a representative of the Clave will come to follow up on his work."

"Very soon, you will have updates before leaving" the Nephilim promised.

She nodded and returned to her place behind the desk.

They continued with the routine until Underhill joined them with the latest news on patrols and updates on reports that needed to be sent out.

When Alec joined them, they simply continued with routine tasks.

Before leaving the office for his inspection of the recruits who had arrived a few days ago from Idris, Magnus gave Alec a meaningful look and as soon as Underhill stepped out in front of him he went over to whisper to his boyfriend.

"I got a message from Tessa, tonight" Magnus said. The archer simply nodded and went back to his desk to finish up the latest reports.

That afternoon when they gathered for their routine training along with their team, they all shared the day's news.

Clary had managed to contact her mother and had several places to go over the next few days.

Isabelle contacted Helen's friends in LA, they were all extremely upset about what had happened to her, and absolutely willing to do anything to improve her situation.

For his part, Alec contacted Aline and his heart almost broke into pieces when he learned the state his friend was in.

The guilt, pain and heartbreak of being torn from her beloved's side had Aline in despair. Practically cut off from the world, as her mother was trying to keep her situation from becoming known.

The council had agreed to keep secret what had happened between them, even changing the cause for which Helen had ended up practically exiled.

This was what infuriated Aline the most, they weren't even willing to acknowledge all the work Helen had put in throughout her life, simply for falling in love with her, for wanting to live their love freely.

She would do whatever it took, she had immediately agreed to take advantage of her position in Idris, trying to find a way to access the Codex that was so jealously guarded.

They needed access, to study it and find out if what they had been telling them for so many years was true or if they had actually been manipulating sacred law to make their subordinates respond as they wished.

They knew it would not be an easy task, Aline was risking too much, but she would not take a step back. If this worked, it could even mean overturning Helen's sentence at least she had to try, even if it meant ending up in a worse situation than the current one.

Magnus, for his part, told them about Tessa's message and they all agreed to cover for them that night so they could attend without suspicion.

When they arrived at Jem's house, he was already waiting for them at the entrance, his gesture impassive, but friendly.

"Welcome! We have good news for you!" the man greeted immediately and his smile widened as he watched the young men walk forward holding hands.

"Jem, thank you for having us once again" Magnus greeted, Alec nodded and the two followed him inside.

"Where's Tessa?" asked Alec once they were settled on the living room couch.

"Here I am Alexander" the witch greeted with a smile.

"It's good to see you again" greeted the archer returning the smile with ease.

"Same here, there is someone who would like to see you" the witch then said, gesturing to let someone in.

There in the doorway stood Steven Wayland, for all practical purposes, Jace's father.

The surprise was evident on the faces of both young men and when the Nephilim gave them a big smile, they both tried to return one as sincere as possible.

Magnus' hand grasped Alec's tightly at once, both thinking of their friend at that moment. On how from this that was happening with them, they could change the lives of many, including one of their best friends.

"Guys, it's good to see you again" Steven greeted them, taking a seat on the couch at the other end.

Steven had been in virtual seclusion at the London Institute for years. After Valentine's uprising, and the dismissal and imprisonment of many Shadowhunters, those who had fought, had the possibility to decide what to do during their next years, Steven had chosen to become a fighting instructor in that place, as soon as Jace was old enough to decide where he wanted to continue his training and he had chosen to stay in NY.

They maintained a very close relationship, Steven was a great man, always very supportive and without a doubt he was the pillar of his friend's life.

What would it be like when Jace discovered that this man, whom he admired and treasured so much, was not really his father?

That was one of the questions that haunted both Alec and Magnus, though they also felt that Jace deserved to know his true identity. But once again, this was not the right time for that.

"Steven how come you're here?" asked Alec.

"Tessa contacted me, she told me about your situation, besides, Jace-he asked me for help with this as well and of course I would never refuse a request from my son" the man told them.

"He's-he's an amazing person" Magnus said with a big smile.

"He is, I'm very proud of him."

"I decided to contact Steven because I think his testimony could be very important, he will do what is necessary when the time comes" Tessa informed them.

"Look, Steven, we don't want to put you on the spot, we understand if this is difficult for you" said the archer immediately.

"Besides, Jace..." added Magnus.

Steven smiled, shaking his head.

"Guys, Jace knows his own background perfectly well and he is willing to get his story out there to help you" explained the man.

"What? What do you mean Jace knows everything-he never-" Alec tried to say.

"He chose to remain silent to protect me. Jace didn't want his father's sacrifice and his mother's death to be in vain" added Steven.

"Jace, we never-we knew absolutely nothing about this" said Magnus.

"When he was old enough, I, I gave him some letters, that his parents left for him, they- they explained what happened and Jace decided to leave things as they were, at least until now."

"It was during his sixteenth birthday, wasn't it?" asked Alec then.

He remembered that moment perfectly, Jace had gone to spend his birthday with his father and when he returned, something in him had changed.

Jace had matured all at once. He was never again the shallow, selfish boy he had been up to that moment.

Now Alec understood him. He had known about his parents' sacrifice, and about the unconditional love of the man who had accepted him as his own. That should change anyone.

But why had he never told them?

Well it certainly wasn't something that could be easily told. But they were his brothers, his best friends?

"Yes, Alec. He thought about telling you, he really did, but he didn't want to risk Imogen finding out."

"But if you help us now, she-" Magnus said with concern.

"Jace already made his decision, you guys mean a lot to him, he's willing to have his story and mine come out."

"No-I-" Alec began to say before looking towards Magnus who nodded immediately "we can't let him expose himself, not if he really doesn't want to" the archer sentenced, tightening his grip on his boyfriend's hand.

"Guys, he made his decision, just as I made mine, when the time comes, we'll be there for you!" assured Steven.

Neither Magnus nor Alec could believe what they were hearing, they were all willing to put themselves at risk for them. Including Tessa and Jem, whom they barely knew.

Could they make their plan work?

"We'll do this the best way.Jem is in the final details, we just need to know if you guys are sure about this" Tessa questioned.

The young men looked at the people around them, willing to give them all the help they needed, they thought of their friends as willing as they were.

They both nodded without hesitation.

"We are quite sure, we will do it" replied Alec.

"Very well then, you must make sure you can be at this place in three days" said Jem, coming forward to give them a piece of paper with an address on it.

Magnus took it and looked at it immediately.

"We will be there to accompany to u the whole time" said Tessa smiling.

The young men looked at the people around them, willing to give them all the help they needed, they thought of their friends as willing as they were.

They both nodded without hesitation.

"We are quite sure, we will," replied Alec.

"Very well then, you must make sure you can be at this place in three days" said Jem, coming forward to give them a piece of paper with an address on it.

Magnus took it and looked at it immediately.

"We will be there to accompany them the whole time" said Tessa smiling.

"You should make sure it's your night off, I don't think that will be a problem right?" consulted Jem.

"Well I'm in charge of patrol for now and I can make sure of that" Magnus replied.

"We'll take the necessary precautions" added Alec.

"Right, in three days" Tessa repeated to them.

"In three days" said Alec getting up from the couch and offering his hand to Magnus, who took it with a big smile.

They still had a long way to go, but their plan, at last, was in motion.

That night they returned to the Institute being very careful not to let anyone see them, Isabelle had arranged a way to leave the rooftop entrance door open for them.

They managed to reach the dormitory wing without anyone seeing them, but the hard part was getting away from each other.

They both felt that every moment they could stay by each other's side was priceless, every new experience or new discovery of the person they loved so much was like a treasure for both of them.

If things did not go as they planned, if even a small aspect failed, it could mean exile or death, but most of all an inevitable farewell.

If they failed, they would never see each other again, they could never again feel, kiss, caress, or simply hold hands.

They would never again be able to look at each other's face, hear each other's laughter, or even the sound of each other's voice, much less continue to discover this love that they had repressed for so long.

With anxiety and these thoughts in his mind, Alec slipped out of his room, barely an hour after arriving. He couldn't bear the thought of being away from Magnus, not for the slightest of moments. He knew it was irrational, foolish, even dangerous, but he couldn't help but feel this way.

So careful not to be spotted by some Shadowhunter returning from his patrol shift or something, the archer slipped into his boyfriend's room.

He opened the door carefully, slipping into the dimly lit room.

Magnus was lying with the blankets covering his hips but with his chest bare and several runes in plain view.

His face looked smooth, serene without his usual fierce dark eyeliner.

As soon as Alec took a step closer to his boyfriend, Magnus smiled and held out his hand even with his eyes closed.

"I knew you wouldn't resist" he whispered to the taller one.

The other Nephilim smiled broadly and took his boyfriend's hand, sliding into bed as Magnus made room for him beside him, pulling up the covers.

"I can't stay away from you" Alec confessed, sinking his face into his boyfriend's neck and sighing deeply.

"Neither can I, love" replied Magnus, slipping his arm underneath his boyfriend to wrap his arms around  and pull him closer to him.

"Mags?" asked Alec with barely a whisper of a voice.

"Yes?" said Magnus as he kissed his boyfriend's forehead and rested his hand on the archer's hip.

"Do you think it's worth it?"

Magnus searched his gaze with a confused expression.

Alec swallowed noisily and spoke again after a moment, avoiding the older man's gaze, "Do you think I'm really worth it?" he said sighing before he began to speak quickly his words practically running over as they left his mouth "I don't know if I'm really worth it, Mags! I mean, you're an amazing Shadowhunter, you have a great future, plus you're the most amazing man I've ever met, everyone looks up to you, even if they try to deny it and I know of at least three women in this very Institute who would kill to be with you, plus the suspicions I have of several men,  but that's not the most important thing right now" he said with a small laugh as he took a breath to continue "Mags, you are amazing, intelligent, skilled, a born warrior, very smart and damn sexy plus the most beautiful person I've ever seen, you really want to risk everything for someone like me? ".

Magnus gently grabbed his boyfriend's jaw, making their gazes meet before he began to speak and Alec placed his hand over his beloved's heart.

When he saw his boyfriend blush, his hazel eyes barely containing his emotions...he could only smile, running his hand slowly along the young man's jaw, tracing his features slowly, until he gently caressed his lower lip, he slowly moved closer, leaning in to join their mouths in a deep, soft, slow kiss...one in which he poured all the love he felt for this man in his arms.

When they broke apart Alec's heart was racing, the same way he could feel his boyfriend's under the palm of his hand.

"You, Alexander, are all I ever want in this life, I LOVE YOU like I could never love anyone else and you deserve any risk, sacrifice or punishment, if that is what awaits me. Never doubt that, never doubt me, much less who you are or your worth, okay?" Magnus finally said, hoping his words were enough to reaffirm to Alec how sure he was about their relationship.

The archer, nodded, kissing his boyfriend again before settling better on his chest, Magnus tightened his grip on him and without another word, they fell asleep.

Chapter Text

It turned out that a span of three days could be either too short or a veritable eternity, depending on how you looked at it.

For Magnus and Alec, this little period was proving to be the slowest of tortures... the hours never seemed to pass and no matter how busy they were, nothing seemed to take their minds off the constant thoughts of what they were waiting for.

They were both terribly anxious.

They had had this whole thing swirling around in their heads for several weeks and finally having a deadline to do something concrete was really getting to them more than they expected.

It wasn't that they weren't sure about the step they had decided to take, it was certainly something they were very excited about, it was about the risks they felt they were putting their loved ones in.

And what had proved most difficult over the past three days was trying to stay away, well not away per se, but at least under control.

Which was very difficult when you were on the verge of a major change in your life.

The next few days could either give them what they had always wanted or plunge them both into the worst of misfortune.

So how to behave in this scenario?

Both Shadowhunters tried to keep their sanity, to continue with their tasks, training, patrolling... but it was impossible for them to be close to each other without wanting to melt into the arms of their beloved.

Furtive caresses, stolen kisses, little touches at times when others around them would not notice.

Alec and Magnus seemed hungry for each other. Their gazes all the time searching for each other, their hearts racing as they found each other close.

Three days could pass in the blink of an eye, or be a small eternity....

Upon hearing about the new deadline Jem had given the boys, both Isabelle and Clary set in motion their meetings with the Shadowhunters they knew could be of support to their friends.

Tessa was in charge of transporting Isabelle to Los Angeles on the afternoon of the first day before the deadline, where her patrol was covered by Clary and Jace.

Hellen was extremely well liked at home, many of her peers believed it was unfair the price she had had to pay for simply falling in love with the wrong person.

They were all willing to testify on her behalf and support the new proposals that Alec, as Head of the NY Institute, was going to present as soon as the renewal of the Downworlder Accords was proposed. At least ten of the members of this Institute would speak in his favor.

This was undoubtedly very good news, to which was added Tessa's own news that she had decided to meet with several of her warlock acquaintances in LA, including the High Warlock himself, Lorenzo Rey, who could be somewhat insufferable at times, but who had good intentions and always sought the welfare of his people and the Downworld in general.

Through him, Tessa learned about Maggie's history.She was a witch, who had arrived in this city two years ago, and who a few months ago had crossed paths with a Shadowhunter who simply stole her heart. Of course this relationship was impossible, absolutely forbidden in the eyes of the Clave, so both of them, that is to say both Maggie and Lucas, the Shadowhunter she loved, remained separated, trying to avoid crossing paths at all costs.

It was a horrible situation, which Lorenzo had not hesitated to share with Tessa as soon as she told him about the plans of the next Director, young Lightwood.

So almost without intending to, Tessa and Isabelle returned to NY with great news, not only would they have the support of several Shadowhunters but also the Los Angeles Warlock community as well.

As for Clary, it was Catarina, the one who had saved Magnus so many years ago and who against all odds kept in touch with the young man, being one of her great friends, who offered to transport her to various Institutes indicated by her mother.

Clary and Cat had started in Madrid during the second day of the term, where her mother had been based for several years before returning to NY. There they were able to contact Claudia and Luis, both instructors at the Institute, determined to end the suffering that was often inflicted simply to comply with the law.

It turned out that Aline and Hellen's story had not been the only one in recent years, even they had met with a fate that was sadly not the same for a couple who had lived at this Institute a few years earlier.

Clary was horrified to hear the details of that trial and how those two boys had ended up in exile, stripped of their runes and inevitably pursued by demons without being able to defend themselves.

The redhead held her breath when she learned that as soon as the Clave discovered the relationship of years that these Shadowhunters had had, they had decided to condemn them immediately, they were not even given the right to defend themselves, the trial was simply a formality, a public statement to read their sentence and warn others about the consequences of these acts, impure, incorrect, aberrant in the eyes of the Angel, according to the leaders of the Nephilim, a show before an audience that watched in horror as they proceeded without even contemplating a defense for the couple.

How is it that nobody spoke about this? Why did no one dare question these proceedings? Clary didn't understand until she and Cat arrived at the London Institute, where they were met by Steven Wayland.

No doubt he was well aware of these situations, but he made no comment regarding his situation, of which Clary knew nothing yet, but Cat knew perfectly well. He led them through the Institute to a room where there were at least five other Shadowhunters, of different ages and ranks within the Institute, all willing to support the young Lightwood's proposal for reform.

Once the meeting was over, Steven accompanied them to a park near the Institute and finally explained to Clary why so far no one dared to question these judgments, or more clearly speaking, these sentences that the Clave imposed on Codex violations, "Every time someone dared to question them, there was an unfortunate accident, or unexpected demonic attack" Steven had said, Clary did not have to ask more questions to understand what he meant.

No doubt their trip was productive and they could at least think that their plan had some chance of succeeding.

But everything depended on the next step... and that was for Aline to gain access to the Codex.

They needed to be able to analyze the laws written by the Angel, to discover how Imogen and the boards before her had been manipulating them at will, imposing their own desires on the welfare of an entire community.

Would the Codex really condemn unions with Downworlders? Would there be any clarification of the kind of relationships that had hitherto been considered impure? Unworthy?

They had no way of knowing for sure yet.

But on the evening of the second day of the deadline, with Tessa's help once again, Alec and Magnus were transported to the outskirts of Idris, where Aline would be waiting for them.

But the young woman never arrived and this had made both of them extremely worried.

They had no way of contacting her, she had answered their messages up to a few hours before, but now nothing...

They waited there on the shore of Lyn Lake for a few hours, but there was no news from her.

"Alexander?" called Magnus slowly, his boyfriend pacing back and forth, his stele in his hand, praying to the Angel that nothing bad had happened to his old friend.

"Alec?!" Magnus tried again, as soon as Alec looked at him, he walked over to him, taking him by the hand, "we must go, love, we can't keep waiting, it's too risky" practically begged the older one.

"I know, Mags but-what if something happened to her? What if she got found out?" he said with his voice cracking.

"Hey, there's nothing we can do now, I'm sure she'll be fine! We should go, now!".

"Yeah-it´s, you're right" agreed the archer reluctantly.

A few seconds after activating a spell to let Tessa know they were ready to return and that she should open the portal, they were both back in NY, at Tessa´s house.

"So, guys?" asked the witch seeing their expressions.

"She didn't make it!" replied Magnus, taking his boyfriend's hand firmly in his.

"Well, maybe it's not something we should worry about, she could have had a simple mishap, okay? We'll find out soon enough!".

"Tessa, thank you for all your help, seriously! It's amazing what you guys are doing for us" Alec said smiling towards Tessa and Jem who had just joined them in the garden of the house.

"Tomorrow, remember to be on time, we will be there the whole time" Jem told them with a big smile.

"We can't wait for the time...it's going to be a long night" Magnus said, moving closer to Alec's body almost without realizing it. The archer smiled and kissed his temple tenderly.

"We have to go, there's not much time, we should be on our way back from patrol by now" the young Lightwood then said.

They walked back to the Institute in silence, both thinking the same thing without even having to comment on it.They had to know that Aline was okay, but they had no real reason to talk to her officially and her communications were limited, they should find an excuse soon.

"I don't want to be away from You, ever again" whispered Alec, as they reached the corridor to their rooms, taking Magnus' hand in his.

"That won't be necessary anymore, not after tomorrow" said the shorter one with a big smile.

"Stay with me" Alec requested.

"Always" replied Magnus, opening the door to the archer's room, after making sure no one was around. Without letting go of his boyfriend's hand, he walked to the bed, carefully undressed his beloved, running his eyes over his body, trying to contain the sighs that threatened to escape between his lips. He made his Alexander lie down and then began the same process with his own clothes, without taking his eyes off the man he loved.

Alec watched him without a word, his eyes shining in the dim light of the room.

This was the man of his life, beautiful, sincere, sincere, thoughtful, caring, loving, intelligent, a true warrior and he was his, somehow they belonged together, and Alec would do anything, absolutely anything to continue by his side, no matter what.

When Magnus was left alone in his dark boxers, Alec reached out to his boyfriend and made him lie down next to him.

"I can't believe it's only a few hours away" whispered the young archer.

Magnus smiled, running his thumb across Alec's lips, and smiling even more when the young Lightwood kissed his finger tenderly.

"Just a few hours..." replied Magnus, leaning in to kiss him on the lips.

They stood there, their hands entwined, looking at each other for a long while, daydreaming of what this new step they would take together could mean, feeling that this was the right path, one that could help change the fate of many of their colleagues, even if it didn't turn out as they had hoped for them. They were opening up a possibility for the future, an alternative where before there had only been rejection and condemnation.They had friends who supported them, they even had the support of some Downworlders, and some really important testimonies, they would be able to start a new stage, one in which the Shadowhunters could begin to live more freely, without so much prejudice, without having to live in fear of reprisals.

They continued kissing and cuddling until they fell asleep.

The next day was the chosen one, after this they would begin to move the pieces on their board, they would face The Clave and with that their own destiny.

Chapter Text

Alec's figure was silhouetted against the light filtering through the white curtains of the room.

Magnus let out a great sigh before moving closer to the other Nephilim, wrapping both hands around his waist and resting his chin on the archer's shoulder, before kissing that same spot softly and then continuing his way with small kisses to the younger one's neck.

Alec moved his head to the side to give his beloved more access and Magnus took advantage of it without hesitation.

His hands moved to Alec's hips, moving up Alec's chest, pulling him in until he was glued completely to his body, every inch of his back and ass glued to Magnus's chest and pelvis.

Alec let out a small gasp and one of his hands immediately went to the older man's ass, pulling Magnus against him as he rolled his hips to feel him more firmly, his other hand came to rest on Magnus' resting on his heart that was pounding hard at the feel of his proximity. He turned to face him and kissed his lover tenderly.

Alec was nervous, but he had no doubt about what he wanted. He had waited for this moment for a long time.

"Magnus?" called the archer feeling the other Nephilim's teeth graze the skin of his neck just above his pulse tracing the lines of his blocking rune.

"Mmmmhummm?" replied Magnus unable to stop his attentions towards the young Lightwood.

"I want you to make love to me" whispered Alec, holding his breath as he waited for Magnus' response.

"It will be a true pleasure...my beautiful husband" Magnus replied, smiling against his love's ear.

A few hours earlier...

It was barely five minutes before the appointed time when Alec and Magnus arrived at St. Thomas Church.

As promised, Tessa and her husband Jem were waiting for them at the door, as well as Isabelle, Clary with her friend Simon and Jace, all with big smiles as they saw the happy couple arrive.

This was the long awaited moment, Brother Enoch was waiting for them inside to perform the ceremony.

As soon as they were inside the church and with a quick snap of the fingers, Tessa had the young men ready. Both wearing the traditional Shadowhunter blue.

Magnus with a sleek gold-colored bow tie, as well as his subtle and sophisticated eyeliner of the same color, highlighting his beautiful brown eyes. His hair arranged in a mohak with small blue highlights, just as they had discussed with Tessa the day before.

For Alec he had opted for a narrow, black tie of a soft, somewhat shiny fabric, to give him just the right touch, matched perfectly with his sleek leather shoes. His hair, though stripped, looked a bit more groomed than usual.

Everything just as they had planned.

Their friends and siblings stood near the altar, along with Jem who was chatting animatedly, if u could define it that way, with Brother Enoch.

As soon as she was satisfied with her work, Tessa walked over to the others, motioning for them to take their places.

Magnus gave a great sigh and held out his hand to Alec, who smiled and took it immediately.

As the soft music that Tessa had conjured up began to fill the room, the young men began to walk down the aisle slowly. Admiring the decorations their friends had prepared for them.

The aisle was lit by white candles, from the end to the altar, where there were some white roses.

Small floating lights completed the view, while some petals of the same flowers marked the exact spot where the couple should stop.

Isabelle's eyes clouded over with held back tears and Simon took her hand immediately smiling towards her, Clary moved closer to Jace taking his arm gently.

As they reached the altar, the young men let out a big sigh before facing each other to pronounce their vows, full of hope and promises they hoped they could keep despite the circumstances they would surely have to face very soon.

Brother Enoch pronounced the expected words, traditional in a Shadowhunter wedding and when he indicated to proceed to exchange runes, the grooms smiled and got down to the task immediately.

Alec took the stele that his sister offered him, while Magnus opened his shirt to offer the exact spot to his husband, Alec nodded and traced the wedding rune over Magnus' heart, holding back tears to complete his task quickly.

Jace then offered a stele for Magnus, who lovingly took Alec's hand, placing a kiss on the back of it, before detaching his husband's shirt and drawing the rune on his right wrist.

"What the Angel has united, there will be no force that will separate it" concluded the silent brother, nodding towards the grooms, who immediately melted in a passionate kiss.

Their friends, along with Tessa and Jem, applauded and celebrated with them.

After a long time of hugs and shared smiles, they finally decided to end the event, thinking that they should be back soon so as not to raise suspicions among their colleagues.

But when they were about to retire to go back to the Institute together with their siblings, Tessa stopped them, asking for a minute to talk, while winking at Isabelle.

"There's one more surprise we have ready for you guys" the witch announced.

"Tessa, we can't take any more! You guys made everything perfect. We are truly grateful" Alec said with his husband's hand firmly in his, Magnus smiled and nodded towards the archer.

"Your siblings made the necessary arrangements with your mother, you have this night to yourselves. I will just transport you there" she told them with a big smile.

When they looked around, their friends had already vanished, clearly wanting to prevent the brand new husbands from trying to refuse this offer.

Tessa opened a portal immediately and motioned for them to follow, "I will open a portal for you in the morning, enjoy" she said winking at them and closing the portal immediately.

The young men looked around.

They were in a huge room, clearly in some luxurious hotel.

They looked around, the place was amazing, a huge bed was located in front of them, a dresser, bedside tables with warm lighting and a huge armchair decorated the room. The huge window to their right seemed to lead to a large balcony where a romantic dinner for two was ready.

"This is amazing...perfect," Magnus said taking in everything around him.

"Far more than I would have dared to dream" replied Alec, pulling Magnus to step out onto the balcony.

They looked at the view from there. They were facing Central Park.

"I can't believe they did this for us" said the archer leaning over the railing to admire the scenery.

"It's amazing, I still feel like this is just a dream, one that I never want to wake up from" confessed Magnus, stopping next to his husband.

"It's a dream we shared then, love! Nothing can break our union anymore" assured the archer.

"We will do everything to continue together, but you know that The Clave will try to separate us, condemn us for what we just did."

"Our marriage is official. We are married under the laws of the Angel, by a silent brother and in front of several witnesses. They will have to accept it! The law is hard but it is the law."

"Alexander-"

"Shhh, honey, I don't want to think about it now! It's our wedding night, let's enjoy it, okay?" requested the younger Lightwood giving Magnus a quick kiss on the lips.

The elder nodded and smiled towards his husband.

"You're right, let's enjoy this moment! Let's get dinner, yes?"

Alec nodded and they went to sit at the table.

Dinner passed between complicit glances and blushing cheeks.

They were both nervous about what was to come, they were inexperienced but they wouldn't wish it any other way.

This was really important to both of them and despite the times he had taken the initiative regarding sex with Magnus, the archer was really hoping it would be his husband who would take the reins tonight.

Once they finished dinner, Alec headed to the bathroom to try to relax before he faced Magnus again.

He took a quick bath, and sighed in front of the mirror trying to give himself the courage to return to the bedroom.

Magnus wasn't much better off than Alec in this regard, he had had a little talk with Jace about it and the blond had taken it upon himself to get some "necessary" items for tonight, something that had been tremendously embarrassing for Magnus but for which he was really grateful.

He looked through the box his friend had left for them while Alec was still in the bathroom, and couldn't help but blush with every item he saw: of course there were condoms of various sizes, *fuck, Jace* thought the Nephilim unable to help but smile at his friend's detail, there were also several tubes of lube, even some flavored icized ones, which made Magnus giggle helplessly, even the blond had included a refreshing massage gel, along with a pair of black silk pajamas as a wedding gift for both of them.

"These must have come from Isabelle" whispered the young man smiling.

He took one of the pajamas and made his way to the bathroom, knocked and opened the door a little, just barely to get the clothes through, but when he caught Alec's gaze and he nodded he finally went in to talk to him.

"We have a little gift from our friends, babe" he announced, leaving them on the dresser by the door.

Alec was drying his hair and wearing the white hotel robe, he smiled towards his husband.

"Hey!" called Magnus, seeing his lover's obvious nervousness.

"Yes?" replied Alec somewhat distractedly trying to fix his hair in front of the mirror.

"Alexander, nothing has to happen that you don't want today, okay?" assured Magnus stroking his forearm.

"I know, love" replied the young man with a smile approaching the other Nephilim. Magnus nodded and pointed towards the shower and moving away a little he started to take off his clothes, "I'll let you shower, I'll be waiting for you outside" said Alec giving him a little kiss on the cheek, he took his new pajamas and went out.

Alec had no idea what he was supposed to do now! Should he get dressed? Would that give Magnus the wrong impression? What if he just waited for him lying in bed? Would that be too much?

The minutes passed and the young man's nerves were increasing, finally he decided to put on only his pants, leaving his torso naked, he opted to walk around the room, trying to calm down, while caressing the wedding rune on his wrist.

Why was he so nervous? It was only Magnus! His best friend, his confidant, the love of his life, his husband...there was no reason to feel this way.

He stopped in front of the window admiring the distant lights of the city...this was the night he had waited for so long, with the man he loved, he just had to follow his instincts and trust Magnus once again as he always would.

Now...

Magnus kissed him again, slowly slipping his tongue into Alec's mouth as he caressed his chest. He pulled away to look into his greenish eyes, when the archer nodded, the other Nephilim kissed him once more, then kissed the edge of his mouth, his cheek, ran along his jaw slowly, down his neck, giving him little kisses here and there, while whispering to him about how beautiful he was, how much he loved him and the times he had dreamed of this very moment.

Alec's chest seemed about to burst with joy and love for this incredible man who had become his life partner, who was willing to risk everything for his love.

Between smiles and kisses, Magnus got rid of the robe he was wearing, to then take care of his beloved's pants, biting his lips at how hard he already was with just a few caresses and his kisses, knowing that he was the one who provoked that reaction in the archer.

"Magnus-I-I really don't know-" Alec said softly as he sat gingerly on the edge of the bed.

They had explored a few things together since they had declared, but this was completely different ground.

Neither he nor Magnus had had sex yet and despite how sure they were of each other, it was impossible for them not to feel anxious and a little scared.

Magnus stopped in front of him, stroking his hair tenderly, moving his face to make the younger man look him in the eye.

"Neither am I, but we'll figure it out together, ok?" he told him bending down to kiss his lips.

Alec smiled and let out a big sigh. He caressed his husband's thighs, slowly moving up to his hips, continuing down his sides, making Magnus smile between his lips at the tickle that ran through him as the young man brushed his ribs gently.

Alec began to move backwards on the bed, reaching for the pillows so he could lie more comfortably, all the while Magnus accompanied his every move, holding onto him like magnets that couldn't help the pulling force.

When Alec finally stopped in the position he wanted, he spread his legs to accommodate his husband between them.

Smiling, Magnus kissed him again. Sticking every possible inch of his body to his husband's. Their chests pressed together, feeling each other's erratic heartbeats, Alec's hands immediately caressing the older man's back. When Magnus finally aligned his hips with Alec's and their cocks brushed for the first time, they both gasped into each other's mouths.

The sensation was new, sexy, hot, incredible. They began to move, seeking the friction they needed at that moment, their breaths heaving as they tried to continue kissing.

Alec's hands frantic over every inch of his husband he could reach, even reaching his ass to pull it harder against him and tangling his legs around the other Shadowhunter's waist.

"Mags" moaned the archer, begging without knowing what he was really asking for. He wanted more, but at the same time he didn't want to stop what they were doing. His cock was incredibly hard and the tip wet with arousal, exactly like Magnus, who was now moving his hips a little faster to feel it more intensely against him.

"Alexander...I don't think I can and if we continue like this" the Nephilim tried to explain.

"I know" the younger man said huskily, "I want-I need you" he asked close to his husband's ear, biting his lobe sensually, making the man tremble on top of him.

"Whatever it is, it will be yours, my love" Magnus promised.

"Take me, please make love to me, Magnus."

The Shadowhunter nodded immediately before returning to kiss his husband desperately.

A moment later he got up from the bed to take the rest of Jace's gifts from the box (still blushing at the memory of the conversation with the blond).

He returned with the lube and condoms, climbing carefully onto the bed beside Alec, who was looking at him wide-eyed, his breathing quickened by excitement.

"This-well you want?" stammered Magnus, his gaze still on the products in his hands.

Alec gave a big sigh and grabbed his husband's hand where the condoms were, taking them and leaving them on the dresser beside the bed, "I don't think we'll need that, we're both healthy and this is the first time we'll be doing this, I want to feel you in every way possible" Alec explained and was proud of the firmness he had been able to imprint in his voice at this moment, he was sure of what he wanted and how he wanted it at least he could give Magnus that assurance.

"Well, I'm okay with that, love" Magnus smiled looking into the other Nephilim's eyes, "you want me to be the one?" he then said raising an eyebrow as he blushed even more.

Alec was the same as him, his cheeks and neck red, his heart racing with anticipation, he simply nodded his head and moved closer to Magnus, he took the lube, opened the lid and took his husband's hand, smeared a good amount and did the same with his own.

Then he took Magnus' dick, spreading the liquid from the tip to the base, massaging it gently but firmly, making Magnus bite his lip. Then he lay back once more, spreading his legs to give his husband access, and took a deep breath as he waited for Magnus to begin preparing him.

Magnus' heart felt like it was about to burst out of his chest, Raziel, this was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.

His Alexander lying on the bed, his body bathed in the dim light that filtered through the open curtains, his beautiful eyes fixed on him....

This was the moment, it was really going to happen. Magnus moved closer, positioning himself between his legs, rubbed his hands carefully spreading the lubricant, warming it between his palms, then began to kiss the inside of Alec's thigh, gently, carefully, moving up very slowly, as his hands found their target. With his left, he cupped Alec's member, moistening it to make the friction more pleasurable for his beloved, with his right he began to stroke his ass, until he reached his entrance. He could feel Alec's legs trembling around his body. He stopped immediately and moved over his husband so that he could be as close as possible, kissed him, pressed their foreheads together for a long moment and asked, "Are you sure about this, Alexander?"

"Very sure, Mags" whispered the younger one.

Magnus smiled and kissed him again, the archer responded to the kiss immediately and plunged his hands into his husband's hair.

The older man's hands moved over his beloved's body again, he went back to the most intimate part of his Alexander, feeling it vibrate at his touch, slowly he caressed his entrance, making sure it was wet and then he introduced his finger very carefully, very slowly, while he watched every gesture that crossed Alec's face.

He stayed as close as possible to his beloved as he continued with the process, using more lubricant, he continued carefully, one finger, then two, by the time he introduced the third, both were sweating, their cocks hard, reddened with desire, but Magnus did not want to risk hurting the most precious thing in his life. So he continued, slow, gentle, until he felt Alec relax and moan in desperation, knew he had found that spot inside his husband that would drive him crazy. He smiled between kisses as he continued to rub Alec's prostate until the younger man, bit his lip hard and between gasps said "I'm ready, Mags, do it."

Magnus smiled and nodded, pulling his fingers out slowly, Alec's legs tightened around his waist, as Magnus took his own cock, spreading some more lube, just in case, before lining it up with Alec's entrance.

This felt so intense, they had shared several experiences together since their first kiss, but this was absolutely different.

Alec felt the first brush of Mags' dick and shuddered, but nodded towards his husband to continue. Very slowly the older one began to thrust into him, and the sensation was too much for Alec, "wait Mags, gimme-give me a moment, ok?".

"Are you okay? Do you want me to stop?"

"No just, give me a moment."

Magnus used all his self-control, keeping as still as possible, the pressure on the head of his cock almost making him lose his mind from the need to continue thrusting into Alec, to push against him until he exploded.

But just when he thought he could no longer hold back, Alec's legs began to press harder into him.

"Let's keep going, I'm fine, I want you to keep going," Alec told him.

"Okay, I'll try to go slow" Magnus promised.

He continued to push himself into his husband, feeling his walls clench around him. By Angel, he was so tight, the pressure so exquisite on his dick that Magnus doubted he could hold out for more than a minute before he came.

But this felt so good, so distinct and intense.

Once he was fully inside Alec, he paused, to give him time to get used to the intrusion, as he kissed his face, his lips, his eyes, his nose, his jaw, his neck...until he took his hand and kissed the rune on his wrist, the one that had brought them together as they so desired.

"I Love you, Alexander," he said between kisses.

"And I Love you, you, Mags" the archer replied, moving his hips to feel isr husband move inside him.

A moan escaped between Magnus' lips and he began to move, withdrawing until he was almost completely out of Alec's interior to slowly push himself back inside him.

The rhythm was slow, steady, precise, while Magnus was able to control himself enough, trying to reach Alec's prostate with each thrust. But their bodies were asking for more, more friction, more force, more speed.

He began to move faster, thrusting against Alec as the other young man accompanied his every move, and hugged him tightly pulling him to him.

The sound of skin against skin invaded the room along with their panting, giving an account of the fast and desperate pace with which they were making love now.

"Oh, Alec" gasped Magnus, "I'm close love."

"So am I," said the archer, taking his cock and beginning to stroke it fast and hard.

Magnus buried his face in Alec's neck, kissing, licking, grazing with his teeth where his husband's neck and shoulder met. The archer squeezed his legs tighter around Magnus and could no longer hold back, he came with a power like never before, wetting his hand, his own abdomen and Magnus' with his sticky semen.

"Fuck" Magnus said as he felt him shudder in his arms and around him from the force of his orgasm and no longer tried to hold back.

With a few more thrusts, he too climaxed, feeling his member pulsing inside Alec as he stayed glued to him as much as possible.

Alec could feel the warmth of Magnus' seed inside him and moaned contentedly, lifting his head to reach that spot on Magnus' chest where a few hours ago he had placed the wedding union rune, kissing it tenderly. Then he lay back down again, more relaxed now, welcoming Magnus more firmly into his arms once the older man could no longer hold onto him and lay back against his body. Giving him small kisses on his chest and neck, while Alec stroked his back.

They snuggled against each other as much as possible without taking their eyes off each other until they fell asleep.

This was incredible, so intimate, special.

They had joined their lives together in every possible way. They were married in the eyes of the Angel and the laws of the Clave.

They had given themselves to each other body and soul.

They would face the consequences when the time came, for now, they would just continue to enjoy this first night of the rest of their lives.

Chapter Text

Alec awoke to the feel of soft brush of lips on his shoulder as the arms around him tightened around his body.

"Good morning, Mr. Lightwood-Bane" Magnus whispered, his warm voice full of love for the man in his arms.

Alec smiled before even attempting to open his eyes. Memories of the night before fresh in his mind caused him to sigh deeply before turning his face in search of his beloved's lips.

"Good morning, my husband" he replied brushing the other Nephilim's lips. His joy invading his chest, he felt so happy, excited, safe in Magnus' arms.

They stayed there for a few more minutes, enjoying each other's warmth, Magnus with his face pressed against the back of Alec's neck as he caressed them tenderly.

"There's something I want to give you" the older one said after a while in a very low voice.

"Do you have a surprise for me?" said the archer, smiling and turning to face his husband.

Magnus smiled wider, as he watched the face of the young man in front of him and arranged the matted hair that fell over Alec's forehead.

"I know it's not much, that it doesn't even have the importance or the hierarchy that your family represents, but I would like you to wear it now that we are married" Magnus said somewhat flushed, as he took the ring he always carried with him. The Bane family ring, his most precious reminder of his parents and the inheritance of his own.

Alec's eyes widened like saucers. He was very clear on the meaning it held for Magnus.

"Mags, it's-it really would be an honor to wear it, you-are you sure? It's the only thing you have left of your family," Alec said, his voice strangled with emotion.

"You're my family now. I don't have much to offer you, but this, it represents everything I am...I want you to have it, even if you can't wear it yet-"

Magnus couldn't continue speaking, Alec took his face and kissed him passionately.

*Raziel this wonderful man is my husband* thought Alec as he smiled into the kiss. He had never imagined that he could feel so much happiness, so much pride in the person next to him, to be able to call him his own, to be the companion of someone so special.

"Magnus you offered me your heart, your love, your friendship, there is nothing else in this world that I could wish for!!!! You are everything I ever dreamed of, it will be an honor to wear it, love, and I will not deprive myself of this privilege" Alec replied very close to Magnus' face, then gave him a quicker and softer kiss before sitting down on the bed and stretching his right hand towards the other Shadowhunter.

Magnus smiled and seemed to light up all around him. He sat up carefully, the excitement clear in his eyes as he took Alec's hand and put the ring in place.

Alec couldn't stop smiling, as he admired the silver ring with an elegant "B" engraved on it.

They both smiled rapt in the emotion of the moment and joined their foreheads together as they intertwined their fingers.

"What are we going to do now? How are we going to move forward?" whispered Alec.

"We'll try to contact Aline, access the Codex and be able to analyze it accordingly, maybe we'll have some time before they discover our new situation."

"Do you think she made it? I just hope she's okay" Alec replied looking into Magnus' eyes.

"She's very astute, I know she's fine! If there was bad news, we would have known days ago" Magnus assured him.

"That's true, we just have to wait for her to contact us" he said giving a big sigh.

At that moment Magnus' phone started ringing. Staggering to get out of bed, he looked around for it, until he found it in his clothes from the night before.

"Bane."

"Magnus, I hope you enjoyed your evening" said Jace's voice from the other end of the line, "Tessa will open a portal for you in half an hour, hurry up" concluded the blond.

"Sure, thanks Jace, see you in a bit".

"We'll be waiting for you!" and with that Jace cut the communication.

"Time to go, right?" asked Alec, getting up from the bed to approach his husband.

"Yes, time to get back to reality."

Almost as soon as Magnus finished speaking, a bag appeared on the sofa in the room.

"Tessa?" asked the archer smiling and heading over to inspect what it contained. He smiled eagerly as he saw the contents, they really had thought of everything.

"What is it?" asked Magnus coming up beside his husband.

"Everything needed for a patrol" he said smiling.

Magnus smiled back and together they pulled out all the contents.

After a quick shower, they stowed their suits and elegant shoes in the bag, dressed in the practical and typical clothes for a patrol night and headed to the balcony.

Holding hands they waited for the portal to open for them.

Tessa dropped them off just a few blocks from the Institute and as sure as they were of each other, they couldn't help but feel a little nervous about returning.

It would probably take a few days for the Clave and even their own colleagues to know about their marriage, but for them everything felt completely different now.

The ring on Alec's finger felt so important, it didn't cross the archer's mind that no one would notice it right away.

When they entered the Institute, they went immediately to the Head's office.

They knocked and waited for permission to enter. It was strange that neither Isabelle nor Jace had been waiting for them at the door of the Institute.

"Mother, good morning," greeted Alec.

"My boys!" said Maryse with a big smile, getting up from the desk to head towards them.

They closed the door and the still director, put up a  silence rune immediately to prevent them from being overheard.

Before turning and approaching the young men, hugging them tightly.

"I'm so happy for you, my boys" she whispered to them with her voice charged with emotion, "you don't know how much I would have wanted to be there, together with you".

"Maryse" Magnus said trying to contain his emotion, "thank you, I will be eternally grateful to you and I promise I will always take care of Alexander, even with my own life" the young man promised, his hand joining with his husband's immediately as soon as they separated from the woman.

"I know you will my boy, as Alec will with you. I couldn't be happier about your choice, sweetheart" Maryse assured him, and Alec couldn't help but feel very proud of the woman in front of them.

"Thank you, Mom, for accepting us, for accepting me and always being there for me."

"You're my little boy, you always will be, I just want to see you happy!".

The talk continued for a few minutes, the young men describing the details of the ceremony that although simple was absolutely perfect for them.

As they were about to leave the office to begin their daily tasks, a fire message arrived directly towards Alec, the young man grinned from ear to ear as he began to read it.

"Alexander? What is it about?" asked Magnus anxiously.

"It's Aline! She's fine, she just suffered some complications, she has the Codex and will come to the Institute as soon as she can!" he announced holding his husband's hand tightly.

"Well it looks like everything is finally going as we hope."

"Just, be careful. We must stay alert and not make any mistakes now" Maryse warned them. "Now, go about your duties, you will have patrol tonight along with Jace and Isabelle."

"Good, we'll be ready for when we have to leave!" assured Magnus and they left the office in opposite directions to begin their duties for the day.

Patrols used to be boring...lots of walking, the occasional minor disturbance warning. Tonight on the other hand, the battle had been heavy.

The group of Shadowhunters had encountered a large nest of rapacious demons. Taking them out was relatively easy, but terribly exhausting.Their runes had been active and fortunately, despite some tense moments and liters and liters of ichor in their surroundings, the fight had been able to end quickly.

Waiting for the group in charge of cleaning up after this kind of episodes, Alec, let his friends and Izz return to the Institute as soon as possible, of course, Magnus refused to leave his husband's side.

By the time they returned and despite Magnus' attempts to get Alec to call it a night, the young archer stayed behind trying to finish his unfinished business, even before taking a shower to get rid of the residue of the battle.

But he did not even finish writing the preliminary report that he should undoubtedly send to the Clave as soon as possible.

It was late in the morning and the adrenaline of the fight was still present in his body. He needed his husband, he wanted Magnus and could only think of being with him.

So he headed towards the dormitories, passing quickly through his room to grab a towel and clean clothes, checking if Magnus was already in his own room, but there was no trace of him there.

The institute was quiet, silent.

The backup patrol had left a few hours ago and the rest were already resting to face the next day.

He entered the showers, still with the smell of ichor permeating his clothes, undressed slowly, listening to the sound of running water in one of the cubicles at the end of the hallway.

"Mags?" the archer called.

"Alexander? I'll be out in a moment" replied his husband.

Alec didn't hesitate, he made his way to where he heard Magnus' voice, shed his clothes and slipped into the cubicle next to him.

"Alec, are you crazy? This is too dangerous" Magnus scolded him.

"I know, but I want you, I need you now. I want to fuck you, love" Alec said fervently.

Magnus bit his lips at Alec's words, trying to hold back a moan.

"It's too dangerous, baby" he said then, his hands pressed on the younger man's chest, who had taken a step towards him, grabbing him by the waist.

"Almost everyone is asleep already, the minimum guard is in the operations center, no one will come to shower at three in the morning, Mags, please" he told him as he moved closer, running his tongue over the lips of his husband who gasped helplessly as he felt his husband's hand on his already half-hard member.

"Alexander" tried to protest but let the archer take control anyway.

The other Nephilim kissed him passionately, fucking his tongue into his mouth quickly, as if desperate to taste him. Without ceasing to move his hand over Magnus' cock, Alec took a step closer to him, pressing his body as close as possible, wetting himself under the shower head as well, rubbing his erection with Magnus' unabashedly.

The other Shadowhunter, responded immediately, returning the kiss with gusto, his hands tightening on the other Nephilim's hips.

"Alexander!" he gasped. But the young man didn't give him time to say anything else, he pulled away from his mouth, his gaze darkening with desire, he ran down Magnus' chest, tracing some of his runes almost without realizing what he was doing, until he reached the older man's hips, grabbed them and spun him around quickly.

Magnus' breath came out in quick gasps now, he expected to feel Alec's hands on his ass, but instead, the young man grabbed him by the shoulders, making him lean toward the shower wall, then traced the line of his spine with kisses, some soft and chaste, others open-mouthed and with small bites until he reached the curve of his ass.

It was then that Magnus realized that Alec was kneeling behind him. And fuck that was something he wasn't prepared for.

Almost without thinking he slowed the flow of water, letting just a few warm drops run over them.

He risked a glance from his side and the image made him almost come in that instant.

Alec was kneeling behind him, massaging his own erection as he brought his face close to his husband's ass.

"Alexander," Magnus said once again, his voice trembling.

"I just-I need to taste you Mags, I'll be careful" promised the young man and Magnus' hand that wasn't supporting his weight against the shower wall flew to his husband's soaked hair.

Alec released his dick and used both his hands to open his husband's cheeks, exposing his rim for him. He licked his lips to moisten them, feeling them suddenly dry.

Then he leaned down and licked over Magnus' entrance, eliciting a loud moan from the older man. This seemed to give more courage to the archer who repeated the movement with more conviction.

It was the first time he had tried something like this, it felt kind of dirty but extremely exciting at the same time and strangely addictive.

Magnus tasted so good, he wanted to devour him completely, he wanted him to cum with just his mouth on his ass, but at the same time he was dying to fuck him for the first time.

Trying to control his erratic thoughts, Alec concentrated on the task, first licking several times over his husband's hole, then he began to thrust with the tip of his tongue, testing the resistance of Magnus' rim. It felt so tight, firm. He continued to lick and suck with devotion, feeling his own cock getting wet from how aroused he was.

He continued to thrust with his tongue, going as deep as he could, guided by the sounds Magnus was emitting without being able to contain them and by how hard he was pressing his hand into his hair, pushing it further toward his entrance or trying to push it away when it seemed like it was too much to bear.

Then he began to insert a finger, then another along with his tongue, the water running from the shower was really helping, and Alec took full advantage of it.

He pulled away so he could watch Magnus, without removing the fingers he had inserted into his husband he asked "Mags? Are you okay, love?"

"Perfect, I just- I need you, I need more" replied the older man between gasps and little jolts at the movements of the young man's fingers inside him, which were now rubbing against his prostate, making him practically melt around them, his legs trembling from the effort of standing.

Alec kissed one of Magnus' ass cheeks and removed his fingers, standing up.

"Could you, uh, pass me the bath gel?" the archer asked.

Magnus immediately reached for it, sticking his forehead against the shower wall as he waited for Alexander to position himself to take him.

Alec opened the bottle of the gel and took a good amount, massaging his erection from head to base, then running his hand between Magnus' cheeks to moisten his entrance as well, while biting his lips, trying to restrain himself so this wouldn't end before it had even begun.

Magnus waited arching his back a little more towards Alec, still with his forehead pressed against the cold shower wall. But instead of feeling Alec slide inside him as he imagined would happen, Alec grabbed him by the hips and turned him on himself, facing him for a kiss. Invading his mouth with his tongue in an instant, as he bent down slightly to grab his ass and lift him into the air, pinning his back to the cold wall, making Magnus hiss with surprise and the feel of the tile against his skin.

Magnus wrapped his legs around his husband quickly, and Alec moved one of his hands to grab his own cock, giving himself a few strokes, as he pulled back a little to look straight into Magnus' eyes, at the same time brushing his entrance in anticipation of what was to come.

"I love you," he said huskily.

"And I love you, Alexander" Magnus replied immediately and bit his lower lip once more as he felt the tip of Alec's cock at his entrance.

He tightened his grip on the younger man's shoulders, moving his hips instinctively to drive it further into him.

Shit, Alec was big, Magnus was aware of his size but feeling him was totally different. He was thick and taking it inside him was not as simple as he expected.

"Go, slowly love, it's- kind of overwhelming" Magnus told him.

Alec went very slowly, despite the urge he felt to push against his husband until he couldn't anymore.

He felt Magnus' heat envelop him, so tight, so luscious, so damn sexy.

When he finally bottomed out, his breathing was ragged, his mouth on the angelic rune on Magnus's shoulder, his husband's face pressed against his neck. He felt Magnus nod as he kissed his jaw and began to move.

Raziel this felt so good.

"Mags, baby. Fuck you're so tight, love" repeated the young Nephilim over and over again as he picked up more confidence and speed.

Magnus could only moan, no thought that crossed his mind managed to be expressed properly.

He could feel Alec sliding inside him, reaching deep inside, brushing against that place that seemed to make his blood boil. The coldness of the wall against his back was strangely centering.

He began to move his hips, accompanying his husband's onslaught, as he sought his mouth once more.

The rhythm began to increase, faster and faster, deeper and deeper with more force. The sound of skin against skin ringing in their ears.

Their hearts racing, as they continued without pause.

Magnus' cock pressed between his abdomen and Alec's, the friction exquisite.

"Mags, I'm so close" Alec warned him.

"So am I love" Magnus replied, moving to increase the friction on his dick, feeling his balls begin to contract, his orgasm about to burst, as he could feel Alec thrusting against him, so deep, so perfect, so hot.

"Do you want-do you want me to-" Alec tried to ask, but Magnus grabbed his neck to bring their mouths together once more and pressed against the younger man's lips he said "I want you to fill me, finish inside me, deep inside me, love" practically purred Magnus.

That seemed to unhinge Alec, making him move even faster, not even feeling the strain of holding his husband against the wall for so long.

He continued thrusting, kissing, biting, felt the heat of Magnus' release between their bodies and with a few more thrusts, he followed, cumming deep inside him.

His legs trembled from the force of his orgasm, but he held firm, until he came back to his senses.

Sliding gently from inside his husband, he carefully lowered him down, pressing his chest to Magnus' as he made sure his legs were firmly on the floor.

Magnus hugged him and stroked his back absently.

"That was amazing, Alexander" whispered the older man, smiling against the younger man's neck.

"It really was" Alec replied, kissing the other Shadwhunter's shoulder.

"We should-you know, shower and get out of here" Magnus proposed.

Alec kissed him and nodded, taking a moment longer enjoying Magnus' warmth before pulling away from him.

They emerged from the showers at least twenty minutes later, happy, relaxed, in their own private world.

What they didn't notice was the gaze of someone down the hall, who watched with interest as the young couple made their way to the next Head's room holding hands.

Chapter Text

The next morning began like any other at the Institute, Alec and Magnus decided to get up early to train before facing the mountain of paperwork they would have to complete for the imminent change of Director.

They were just finishing with their sword training when they heard the door close behind them.

"I toldu two that should be more careful" said in an irritated tone Terry, as he approached them at a brisk pace.

"What are you talking about?" asked Alec, instinctively moving closer to Magnus and slipping his hand into his husband's.

Terry stopped in his tracks, took a few steps back and then fixed his gaze on Magnus.

"The showers at the Institute? Really?" he complained.

"Oh, shit, shit!" grumbled Magnus, bringing his free hand to his hair in a clearly nervous gesture.

"Terry, who are you referring to? Someone- eeergg saw us?" asked Alec.

Terry walked his gaze around the training room before he was able to fix it on Alec, his cheeks slightly flushed as he addressed the future director.

"Joel- he says, well he's sure he caught u."

"What was it he told you?" the archer insisted.

"Look, he just saw when u guys come out of the bathroom, holding hands and walk into your room...together."

"Well-that, well-dammit!" complained Alec.

"Alexander," Magnus called him then, stroking his face gently and giving him a soft kiss on the lips, causing Terry to look away immediately.

"It's my fault. You warned me and I just, I got carried away" Alec apologized.

"No, love, it's not! It's both of our fault, but we knew something like this could happen, we just have to-"

"Hey wait! I'm not done talking yet!" interrupted Terry.

"Fuck, I'm sorry, Terry," apologized Magnus, taking a step backwards away from his husband.

"Look, he really thinks about reporting you, but I convinced him to wait, I told him that soon Alec would be our new director and that to make such an accusation, he had to have proof..." explained the other man.

"Shit, Terry that's a lot more than we could ask of you-me, I appreciate it" said Alec giving him a small smile that made Terry sigh before he spoke again.

"I don't think that will stop him, though I'll try to keep him quiet and as far away as possible, at least that might buy them some time."

"You're right, we should be prepared, we'll just have to be more careful" assured Magnus, "Terry, I have no words to express what this means to us" he then told him, reaching out to shake the other Shadowhunter's hand.

Terry took it with a small smile, when Alec repeated his husband's gesture, the other man's eyes widened in surprise. His eyes fixed on the hand of the future director. He took it carefully without taking his eyes off the ring.

"That- that's wow. I congratulaions" he said as soon as he let go of Alec's hand, his voice very low, barely audible because of the lump that had formed in his throat.

"Look, Terry, I-" Alec started to say but the other man just held up his hand, made a small attempt at a smile towards the archer and walked over to Magnus.

"I really hope you know how lucky you are, I wish u the greatest happiness" he told him as firmly as he could.

Magnus nodded towards him, he really regretted the pain he could see on the other Nephilim's face.

"Thank you, Terry, really, we owe you one" Magnus replied.

"I'll do my best, I'll keep you informed" added the young man before quickly leaving the room.

As soon as they heard about Aline's arrival, both young men immediately headed for the head's office.

Alec barely knocked on the door before entering, going quickly to his friend's side. As soon as she stood up, they melted into an embrace.

"You don't know how happy I am to have you here, Aline," said the young archer.

"My friend, I'm so happy for you" was the girl's reply, who smiled and winked at Magnus as she met his gaze.

"Honey, it's really good to have you here!" said Magnus by way of greeting, as he hugged her as well.

"Well I'll let you to chat, don't forget to be cautious. Aline you don't have much time, but I'll do my best to have you with us soon" Maryse told her before walking out the door.

Aline nodded towards her, and sat down in front of the armchair in the center of the room.

"It's amazing that my old friend is already a married man" the girl said after Magnus traced several protection, silence and blocking runes on the office door.

"Well, you know I'm a very traditional man" Alec joked, sitting down on the couch and offering his hand to Magnus to do the same next to him.

"Magnus, you are a very lucky man."

"People keep repeating that to me as if I don't know it," he said, smiling.

"I think that's just because we can't help but feel protective of little Alec" she replied smiling fondly towards Alec.

"Hey!!!! I'm not a little boy anymore, I'm a married man now, future director of the NY Institute" complained Alec trying to look offended without being able to wipe the smile off his face, but blushing anyway.

"I wish I could keep embarrassing you in front of your husband, but I don't think we have enough time" the girl then said and got up to walk over to the desk.

"I wish you could stay with us" Magnus confessed with a warm smile.

"Maryse will try to make my transfer possible, we'll see how that turns out, at least if we manage to do it before your situation becomes public knowledge."

"We'll do our best" Alec assured him.

"I know, buddy! Now, let's get down to business!" proposed the young woman flatly changing the subject.

"Did it work?" asked Magnus somewhat anxiously.

"Tessa is really good, the spell seemed quite simple, but as soon as I put it into action, it worked perfectly" Aline told them.

"Does that mean we finally have the copy?" wanted to know Alec, still a bit nervous.

"Don't you know me at all?" joked the girl.

"I'm sorry, I'm a little nervous about this" said Alec rolling his eyes.

"I know my friend, I just find it hard to resist the urge to joke with you."

"You're hilarious" Alec replied sarcastically.

"I'm sorry, it's just that this means a lot to me too, I could save Helen-"

"Hey, we know! You don't have to explain, dear" interrupted Magnus seeing the young Shadowhunter's nervousness.

"Well, let's cut to the chase, I've been reading a few paragraphs, looking for the information Jem told you about...he's right Alec!" assured the girl.

Magnus and Alec, gave a big sigh of relief at the same time and instantly looked at each other, joining their mouths in a quick but deep kiss.

Aline smiled at the gesture, feeling her chest compress at the thought of her girlfriend, unjustly exiled.

"So, what does that mean?" asked Magnus, once he turned his attention back to Aline.

"The law is clear about respecting unions that have been carried out under Codex laws, but there are no specifications as to genders or races" the Nephilim explained to them.

"Well that could be taken as a technicality, but if the words are not explicitly written, we will take it as something positive" Magnus analyzed.

"What does it say about other races? About the rest of the Shadoworld?" wanted to know Alec.

"Talk about equality, Alec. The law proclaims that we Shadowhunters must protect mundanes as well as all beings who will need us" she said smiling.

"So that includes Downworlders!" added the archer with a big grin.

"Exactly. Alec this changes the scenario, even about the Accords!" insisted Aline.

"Okay, this is great news. I have a new proposal ready regarding the Accords, even to include a cabinet of meetings with Downworld leaders" said the next director enthusiastically.

"Easy my love! We have to prepare for this, the Clave high command has been imposing their own laws for generations, twisting the sacred law of the Angel, they are not going to accept it lightly" Magnus interjected.

"Of course they won't, that would mean great punishment for them, probably death, considering the number of lives they have ruined for so long" said Aline.

"We will have to be smarter then, look for the right way to expose them" concluded Alec.

"We will find the way, but it must be fast, before the negotiation of the new Agreements and if possible, before they discover your marriage" commented the girl.

"About that, I think it is very likely that they will find out quickly" said Alec, blushing a little.

"Damn it Alec! Just keep sword away from Magnus for a few days! We can't risk it."

Magnus began to laugh helplessly as he saw the horrified look on his husband's face when he heard those words from his friend.

"Honey, you have nothing to be ashamed of," he told him taking his hand in his, caressing the initial on the ring he had given him.

"Okay, I understand how you feel, I won't ask you to stay away, just be careful."

"We'll try, Aline!" assured Magnus.

A few days after the talk with Aline and after going to a distress call about a wandering vampire attack, Magnus and Alec were on their way to the Institute along with the small team that accompanied them, they hadn't needed much to take care of this but both the next director and the current head of security really needed to get into action to clear their heads a bit of everything that was to come and keep a certain hanging watched in the meantime.

So off they went along with Terry and Joel, to handle this situation.

The task had turned out to be quite simple but certainly neither Magnus nor Alec had enjoyed having to kill that vampire, they just hadn't found another solution and he had several wounded mundanes in his way.

The mood was not the best at the end of the night so when they heard Joel start muttering behind their backs Alec couldn't stand it.

"Is there something you wish to say Joel? This is your moment!" challenged Alec.

"No, sir" he replied with a small mocking laugh.

Alec stopped in his tracks and went quickly to stand in front of him, Magnus grabbed his arm trying to get him to calm down but then Joel spoke again.

"Going soft on a filthy vampire is not the best example for your recruits, that's not counting other things.. ." he said sarcastically.

"Joel, stop it now!" said Terry stepping between him and Alec.

"What the hell do you mean by that?" demanded Alec his voice tight and anger clearly reflected on his face.

"Come on Lightwood, you know exactly what I mean" pressed Joel.

"You should shut the fuck up now, you idiot" interjected Magnus.

"Clearly you need your little sex toy to stand up for you eh?" replied Joel still addressing Alec, and then looked at Magnus "you pussies, you're so pathetic!!!".

"You fucking idiot!!!" growled Alec in a fit of rage, lunging at Terry in an attempt to get at Joel, unable to do so in the face of Terry's grip, who whispered in his ear "Alec, this is not the time. Don't give him what he's looking for."

This surprised him and when he felt Magnus' hand on his shoulder, he tried to control himself and took a step back.

"That's right, listen to your little boyfriend, Lightwood, you're not man enough to stand up to me! You know what's in store for u right? I just need you to make one more misstep and it'll be all over for you!" threatened Joel.

"You idiot, what the hell are you saying? You'll regret this!" replied Alec trying to keep himself in control.

"Just one slip up, one mistake and it will be all" Joel repeated again and then it was Terry who grabbed him by the lapel of his jacket.

"You forget I know all your dirty secrets, "brother"? Better forget what you thought you saw and keep your mouth shut" he said in a firm tone, using his height to frighten the other Shadowhunter.

"Why the hell are you taking his side? I thought we were friends!" complained Joel.

Then Alec put his hand on Terry's shoulder and Terry couldn't help but close his eyes and let out a small sigh.

"Terry, it's not necessary" said Alec in a low voice.

"Oh shit!!! I can't believe it!" laughed Joel.

"Shut your fucking mouth!" yelled Terry.

"Is it because of Lightwood? Are you really in love with him?" site talking Joel.

"I said shut the fuck up!" growled Terry giving him a shove.

"I can't believe it! Are you in love with him or are you just horny for his good boy face? Do you think Magnus would let you try it? Maybe a one night hook up in the hay to ensure your loyalty! Or you could be his whore from time to time." he continued with pure sarcasm.

"You're an asshole!" interjected Magnus.

"If I were you I'd keep my mouth shut, Joel! I won't hesitate to send you to the back corner of the goddamn planet if you ever insinuate anything like what you just said again. Stay out of it or you're going to regret it" hissed Alec.

"I know what's good for me, that's why I haven't reported u yet, but I know u'll make a misstep and I'll be there as soon as it happens" was Joel's reply and pushing Terry, he continued on his way to the Institute.

"Terry,I -" Alec started to say but the other only raised his hand and shook his head.

"Please, don't apologize, don't thank me either, let's just go" and started walking ahead of them.

Magnus took Alec's hand, giving it a little squeeze and the two continued on their way to the institute.

This was getting more complicated than it needed to be and they still needed to keep a low profile until the discussion about the new Accords and changing the law.

"We'll make it, love, just don't lose your patience now," Magnus said very quietly.

"I, I know, it's just..."

"Terry?"

"I feel terrible for him, Mags."

"Hey, he doesn't expect anything from you love, he just wants to protect you and I'm very grateful to him for that" Magnus explained.

Alec smiled and looked forward again at the other man's back.

"I know, I know you're right, but it's just- Magnus I feel terrible" without crossing any more words they continued on their way.

 "Don't, you don't have to feel that way.Just be a good friend to him, he's proven himself to be someone you can trust, just let him decide how to handle his feelings, okay?"

Alec nodded and they both continued the rest of the ride in silence. The next few days would be hard no matter what and they had to be prepared for that.

Chapter Text

Less than a week before the start of the debate on the new Accords, a new surprise from the Clave....

Suspiciously they had accepted Maryse's request for Aline's immediate transfer to the New York Institute, of course with a great influence from Jia, who intended to keep her daughter away from all talk and some new scandal that she could no longer handle knowing that the eyes of the Council were on her, rumor had it that this was a new strategy.

Knowing about the excellent relationship between the Penhallo and the Lightwood family and how the request had come from Maryse herself, there was talk of an agreement between these families (something that was not true at all, but that apparently the Council looked favorably on despite what happened with Aline), the rumor about an engagement between the next Director of the Institute,young, coveted and with one of the most influential surnames of recent times, Alec Lightwood and the Penhallo girl, whose family was well recognized, desperate to get out of the bad step she had taken, was just what they needed to restore their "honor" and make sure that the look on the new Director of such an influential Institute is the right one.

Of course these rumors had absolutely no basis in fact, but neither was it at all pleasant when they began to echo within the walls of the Institute itself.

First there was the upcoming engagement of Magnus, to none other than Isabelle herself, now there was talk of the arrival of the lovely bride-to-be with a somewhat torrid history of Alec himself.

Because of this, the Institute was in absolute turmoil. By the time Aline set foot outside the portal from Idris, each and every one of the New York Shadowhunters were awaiting her welcome and practically introduction as Alec's future wife.

A situation that had Magnus, definitely on the edge of his tolerance. He knew better than anyone that those rumors were completely unfounded, but he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as he heard over and over again, the compliments and happy comments for Alec's lovely, exceptional and perfect future wife.

He was trying to restrain himself, not contort his face into a grimace of disgust or even worse loathing at hearing her called "future wife" but it was incredibly difficult...after all it was HIS HUSBAND they were referring to and something almost primal inside Magnus was practically growling at him for claiming him as such.

His mind was restless, on edge, he had spent three days trying to stay on his axis, trying not to make a false step, knowing all that was at stake, not only for them but for many others who were trusting that they could bring about a change that would benefit both Shadowhunters and Downworlders, but it was becoming extremely difficult, even more so considering that after Joel's threats, both he and Alec had tried to stay as far away as possible.

He felt tense at every turn, as if any small altercation could make him lose his mind.

Which was exactly what happened when during practice with some of the new recruits, he snapped at a student who was talking about how lucky Lightwood would be to get his hands on Aline, since according to the boy, the young Penhallo girl was quite a delicacy.

That was how he ended up in a long rest in the garden, after miraculously having managed to fulfill all his obligations for the day and once the night patrols left to fulfill their tasks, and after a long time of practically grumbling in solitude, while hitting the concrete wall in front of him over and over again, Magnus finally decided to go and talk to his husband. He knew it was irrational, and above all unfounded, but his jealousy had taken away any logic he might have had.

He went resolutely into the Institute, with his mind set on the goal of laying everything bare, of revealing his situation once and for all, of putting an end to all these intrigues and stupid rumors.

Alec was his, his husband, the love of his life and the Clave could go to hell if that didn't seem right.

He walked purposefully into Alec's office, placing several protective runes around the room, before planting himself in front of his husband's desk who looked at him with a confused look on his face when he saw the expression he wore.

"Mags? Is something wrong?"

"That's all, Alexander, that's all I can take" he declared in an irritated tone, pacing back and forth across the room running his hands through his hair, pressing the back of his neck in an attempt to relax and continue talking.

"Magnus, I don't understand what you are referring to, explain it to me please?" asked Alec, immediate concern reflected on his face, as he laid some papers he was working on on his desk.

"What don't you understand? Are you fucking with me Alec? Did you not hear the rumors these past few days? Because I had to bite my tongue and swallow my pride along with the bile that invaded my throat every time I heard the comments about what a beautiful couple you and Aline would make!" said Magnus almost shouting, choking on his own words as he tugged on his hair once again.

"Shit. So that's what this is about? Mags, listen-"

"Don't try to minimize it, Alec! You're not the one who has to listen to everyone rejoice at the good news for their future Director, you're not the one who has to bite your tongue to keep from responding when I hear today how lucky Lightwood is, or what an amazing, explosive couple he and Aline are, or even the sexual adventures they already imagine they're having every time they see her enter this very office!" interrupted Magnus, his face red from the pent-up anger of the past few days.

Alec froze, watching wide-eyed at his husband's fit of jealousy, processing the words he was hearing from him, feeling terrible for what these last few days were provoking in the man he loves.

"Mags-" he tried to speak again but was interrupted once more by the other Nephilim, who approached him in stride, resolve written all over his face. His expression fierce, furious.

"You are mine!" he said taking his face in his hands, kissing it fiercely, and as he pulled away his dark eyes glittered with the fury that flooded him, "you are mine, mine alone! My husband, my man!" practically growled Magnus, pushing the armchair away from the desk, climbing into the younger man's lap, kissing him hard once more, rough, desperate, all teeth and tongue.

The separation of the last few days, taking the last of Magnus's patience, making his desire explode, his mind cloud over and unable to think of anything but the man in front of him. Of how much he missed him, how much he needed him, how much he needed what was his.

It was a totally irrational thought, but Magnus was lost in it.

Alec's hands moved to the other Shadowhunter's waist immediately, despite the surprise and rudeness with which Magnus was behaving. He couldn't help himself. He would always react to Magnus this way. He would always try to give him what he wanted, everything he could, everything he was.

Magnus began to move on Alec, rubbing his ass over his beloved's crotch, smiling as he felt his husband's quick response. Feeling proud of that, as if it was something that reaffirmed his irrational desire to possess Alec and be possessed by him.

He continued to kiss him fiercely, biting the young man's lower lip each time he tore a moan from his movements over his now very evident erection and pressing his own against Alec's abdomen.

"Mags" Alec tried to speak but Magnus silenced him again with another desperate kiss, as his hands practically tore off the shirt the archer was wearing out of Magnus' urge to feel some of his husband's skin, then continued his way to the belt of the jeans, nimbly detaching it to move immediately to the button and zipper afterwards, slipping his hand quickly into Alec's underwear, hungry to feel his beloved's desire for him.

"Ah, shit, Mags," Alec began to say between gasps as Magnus' mouth slid from his down his jaw, to his neck, his husband's favorite spot, biting, sucking hard, leaving a trail of bright red skin in its wake.

"Mine!" Magnus growled again as he took Alec's cock in his hand giving it a few hard, tight, possessive strokes.

"Fuck," Alec's mind was still blank, but his body responded without hesitation to his beloved, desire sweeping through his insides with all the restraints he had put on himself these past few days to try to keep things under control, the fire of desire inside him burning every little will to be careful, to do the right thing, his hands tightening on Magnus' ass, feeling his husband's smile as he felt him squeeze it to pull him closer to him.

Standing up abruptly, Magnus looked at him and ordered "pull them down now!" pointing towards Alec's pants, "lube?" he asked as he unfastened his belt and quickly shed his pants and underwear, kicking off the boots he was wearing so he could remove them completely in one swift movement.

"Mags, I don't know if this-" Alec began to question but Magnus looked at him immediately, pulling his boxers to the side and bringing his hand quickly to his own dick, hard, shiny and red from arousal and the way he had been rubbing himself against Alec even with his clothes on.

"Don't you want me, Alexander?" he asked then, moving closer to his husband, taking his erection in his hand once more, "I think this" he said clenching the head of his cock tightly in his fist "gives you away" he finished as he leaned down to bite his husband's jaw.

"Shit, Mags, you're killing me! Of course I want you, Love, always!" said Alec his voice hoarse and he opened the last desk drawer pulling out the lube Magnus himself had kept there a few days before and opening the lid to spread some of the liquid over his hand, but the other Nephilim snatched it from him, took his hand and gathered some in his own hands, spreading it over Alec's erection and then climbing back on his lap before bringing one of his hands to his own entrance.

"Let me get you ready, love" Alec requested as he leaned forward to kiss Magnus' jaw and neck.

"Of course not, it will be quick and I want to feel you in me for days after this" Magnus said, his voice low, but firm and determined, as he slipped two fingers inside himself.

"Mags, I could hurt you, we must do this carefully" Alec said still kissing his neck and over the hollow in his collarbone.

"I don't want to be careful, I want MY HUSBAND, NOW" Magnus complained, pushing Alec against the back of the couch, leaning him back a little as he settled in to take his cock in his hand once more.

"Magnus-" but another angry kiss silenced Alec's protests.

The other Nephilim began to rub his lover's dick across his entrance, barely inserting the tip and removing it again several times until his body relaxed and he was able to push it more firmly inside him.

He grunted as he felt the burning, mixed with a share of pain and pleasure. Feeling as if he was reclaiming what belonged to him, what no one else could have from his Alexander.

"Fuck, Magnus! You're so tight, love, go slow" Alec tried to warn him as he felt the resistance of his husband's muscles and how rigid he was on top of him.

But Magnus ignored and as soon as he could, he descended on Alec in one motion, impaling himself on his cock, feeling his balls clinging to his buttocks, grunting from the pain and pleasure of having it the way he wanted it. Holding himself there as he devoured his Alexander's mouth, gripping a handful of his hair tightly, making Alec hiss from the roughness.

"You're mine, only mine," he told him as he pulled apart enough to look into his eyes, while accentuating each word with a lick over Alec's mouth that gasped from the movement of Magnus' hips as he seemed to bury him deeper inside him.

Alec's hands went to Magnus' ass, spreading his buttocks to give himself more room to bury his cock deeper.

Magnus began to move, fast, without pause, hard, making the room flood with the sound produced by the clash of their bodies.

It was brutal, primal, almost as if he wanted to mark Alexander and mark himself, to prove that they belonged together.

He continued without pause, until his legs began to tremble, then he moaned "Alexander" and his husband had no doubt what he was asking for, planted his feet more firmly, and began to thrust upward, with the same rhythm Magnus had been carrying.

The hand in Alec's hair squeezed tighter, causing his head to lift giving Magnus room to return to sucking and licking as his neck, while the other hand moved over his chest, over his nipples and then back up again, sinking his nails into the young man's shoulder as he felt a particularly strong thrust.

"Alexander" Magnus gasped again as each of his husband's lunges went straight for his prostate.

Alec knew immediately that Magnus was about to come, so he moved one of his hands to grab the other Nephilim's cock, but Magnus stopped him, "I want to cum just with you inside me" hissed his husband, and Alec groaned at those words. It was so damn sexy, hot, he grabbed his ass again and continued his movements.

"I'm going to fill you, Magnus, I'm going to fill you with me, so you'll never forget that I belong to you, as you belong to me" Alec promised and Magnus smiled with his eyes dark of desire.

"Do it, love, fill me, give it all to me" gasped the older man, as he came all over his husband's abdomen, his body tensing from the force of his orgasm, his entrance sinking around Alec's cock, causing him to come at that moment as well. The archer continued to move, trying to bring his release deep inside Magnus.

They kissed, hard at first, then with small touches, only to deepen the kiss again a moment later.

When they parted their mouths, they pressed their foreheads together, trying to control their breaths, with Alec still inside Magnus.

"That was..." said Alec, trying to find a qualifier but failing immediately.

"I know, just what I needed" Magnus added.

"Shit, Mags."

"I don't know what happened to me, but I'm not sorry either" he said with a small smile, kissing his husband once more as he began to carefully get up as his legs felt like jelly.

"I wouldn't be sorry in a hundred years, love" Alec told, helping him to his feet, then stretching to hand Magnus some tissues and try to clean up before they could get dressed.

Magnus just smiled at him and leaned against the desk trying to compose himself.

Alec walked over to him and standing very close said "you know that no matter what others say, I was, am and always will be yours my love. I know it's hard to hear the idiocies of others, but never doubt me, or what I feel for you" he said giving him a tender kiss.

"I would never doubt you."

"We'll let them know about our marriage as soon as the debate for the new arrangements begins" Alec sentenced.

"But we had decided to wait for its completion" Magnus tried to protest.

"I think it's time, love, we'll face the consequences anyway! It will be in two days" said the next director of the Institute.

Magnus smiled and hugged his beloved tightly.

"Two days" he said looking him in the eyes once again.

"Two days" repeated Alec before kissing him passionately.

Chapter Text

Pain coursed through every inch of Alec's body, making him jerk uncontrollably. Each of his limbs throbbed from the stabs of pain that shot through him.

His arms were raised with his wrists cuffed to a chain hanging from the ceiling. His knees against the cold floor of the cell, he could feel his own hot blood running down the side of his face, as well as the exact moment one of his ribs fractured as he was punched again hard, unable to defend himself in any way.

But that wasn't the most painful thing, it wasn't even close to being painful.

The most painful thing for Alec was hearing his husband's screams coming from the cell across the hall from his. The guards had made sure that the two young men were in cells across from each other, so that they could watch as their partner was tortured over and over again, so that the screams of the other would be etched in their minds. So that this pain would serve to break the young men's clear will to defend their situation, their relationship against the members of La Clave who were trying them for a crime that did not really exist.

Seeing Magnus' face, contorted by pain, covered in blood, his torso full of bruises, made Alec's suffering rise ten times higher than his physical pain. Watching him try to continue breathing with great difficulty.

"Leave him alone already! You idiots. You're fucking cowards!" shouted Alec, despite every blow he received in an attempt to silence him.

"You're going to talk to us about bravery? A fucking faggot? A homosexual who went against the most sacred laws so he could be with his bitch?" retorted Joel, taking one more swipe at him, clearly enjoying the position he had been granted as soon as he offered to testify against the pair of Shadowhunters he was subordinate to.

"You're such a fucking idiot! You can't even understand what's going on around you!!!! You have no idea what you are defending" Alec told him.

"I understand that this will be the end of you! And of your brand new husband Lightwood! The trial is just a pretext, you alone dug your graves" Joel said with a big smile before delivering another blow to Alec, one that should have knocked him out but didn't. The young archer kept his head up and his gaze defiant as the two Shadowhunters who had been beating him for what had seemed like an eternity retreated.

And then he fixed his gaze on Magnus, trying to find out what state his husband was in.

"Mags?" called Alec but there was no answer, Magnus remained motionless and the archer's despair grew with each passing second....

That morning

The settlement hall was bursting at the seams.

Row after row of Shadowhunters from the different Institutes around the world occupied every seat in front of the lectern placed in front of the large figure of the Angel in the center of the place.

A small section to the left of the room was reserved for the Downworld representatives, although probably no more than thirty of them had been admitted.

The discussion of the arrangements had gone just as the young husbands had predicted when they had drawn up their plan with Tessa the night before. The Council members had added very little to what had already been established and certainly none of the points that were really expected to be discussed after almost fifty years of the same petty and backward rules.

So when the time came to start listening to the proposals of the various speakers, the mood in the room was not the most enthusiastic on the part of the Downworlders.

They heard several proposals, many of which did not represent any of the concerns of the Downworlder communities at all, since most of them referred to payments and services that the Shadowhunters expected from the other members of the Shadow World, which produced a strong discontent among the attendees.

When it was Alec's turn to present his new proposals, he approached the lectern with stiff shoulders and trying to relax his breathing to control his nerves.

This was the moment, at last they would expose their proposals and he would finally announce his personal situation openly.

With his gaze fixed on his husband, Alec began to speak.

First he referred with great enthusiasm to his idea of holding weekly meetings with the representatives of the communities of each city, putting a strong emphasis on the need to start working side by side against the threats and situations that could arise in each city.

This simple project made the members of the Clave Council look at him with absolute suspicion and stiffen in their seats.

When Alec referred to the rights of Downworlders, murmurs erupted in the great hall.

"We are part of this world just as they are. We depend on collaboration between our societies in order to keep us safe. The Shadowhunters could not fulfill their purpose without the integral help of the Downworld. Whether it is the Warlocks with their input on portals or safeguards, or the expertise of the Wolves in tracking different threats within their territories, as well as the Children of the Night community in reporting and often helping us to control members of their community who refuse to respond to our authority. We also rely on the expertise of the Seelie Realm, to contain threats that would otherwise be uncontrollable to us.

That is why I believe, we believe, that both Shadowhunters and Downworlders should have equal rights under the laws of the Angel.

Our Codex implies that we must protect this world. Every being that needs us.

There are no distinctions there.

That is why I believe that their rights should be equal as well.

They should be able to voice their concerns, have a defense in case they are accused of a crime, receive the necessary support in emergency situations, and even be respected in terms of their traditions and beliefs.

It is our hope that they will also be able to relate to our community in a more open way. Including relationships of all kinds."

"I'm going to stop you right there, Mr. Lightwood" interrupted Imogen, "this wish you are expressing reached its limits."

"This is not just a wish, Mrs. Herondale, the draft was presented to Consul Penhallo, it is available for analysis, and subsequent vote, and how much with the support of several leaders of our Institutes around the world, as well as the leaders of the Downworlders."

"You suggest that we approve equal treatment for Downworlders? Accepting even relations between our community and yours?" she inquired sarcastically.

"Why is that so hard to believe? Our community and theirs have been related since ancient times, we even know of many cases of children born of these relationships, even if you refuse to accept them as such."

"Big mistakes Mr. Lightwood! There is a reason to keep away from them like that. Their perversions would corrupt the sacred laws of the Angel, our community would succumb to their impure, depraved practices."

"That is absolutely incorrect, madam" Alec complained helplessly, "what you call "perversions" are simply free expressions, expressions that were denied within our community for centuries. Even the mundanes have made progress in this regard. Their laws include many of the rights we are proposing for our society."

"Are you implying that the mundanes are more advanced than we are? We the descendants of Raziel himself?" said the woman in a bitter tone and with a displeased expression.

"I am saying that times change ma'am, and we change with them" replied Alec in a firm tone.

"Our society is the most respected within the Shadow World. We have managed to maintain the purity of our warriors. Their steadfast purpose for centuries and you Mr. Lightwood suggest that we are what? A society of backwards?" she asked rising from her chair.

"I am saying that our laws exist for a purpose, that our task is clear, but that perhaps they have not been interpreted as they should in recent years. I had the opportunity to access the Codex and it is clear our purpose, although it is also expressed right there, that both we and the Downworlders must fight for justice and love in this world, and if the Angel himself states it that way, who could dare to judge the feelings of others? How can a love be right or wrong? Who can establish that one feeling is acceptable and another is not?".

"Mr. Lightwood, our rules exist to protect the purpose of the Nephilim, to keep us from distractions and associations that could destroy the society we have managed to build."

"How could the union of our peoples destroy our purpose?".

"The Downworlders have practices unacceptable to our own, the mixing of races would lead us to lose the lineage of our people. The legacy of the Angel in our blood" Imogen insisted.

"Madam, accepting diversity among our people does not mean the end of our legacy. We will not all follow the same paths, we will simply accept the differences. Our society is wise and will always protect its purpose, but it is also ready to evolve. To welcome a new era. To begin to accept the new realities that surround us. We cannot remain blind to them. Around the world, many of our colleagues are waiting for the acceptance of The Clave, the moment to be able to express themselves freely, to live the life they have always longed for without having to hide it. To have the same rights as the rest of us."

"And what do you mean by these new realities in particular? What acceptance are we talking about?" challenged Imogen.

"I'm talking about interracial couples, I'm talking about the next generations that have Nephilim blood but also Downworlder, generations that want to be recognized and accepted. I speak of our community accepting different sexual choices as well as their rights to express it, I speak of people like Helen Blackthorne, who was forced to hide her Seelie heritage, who was condemned for loving another Shadowhunter, I speak of Karl Clearwater banished for deciding to start a family with a Daughter of the Night, despite being one of our best trainers in recent years, I speak of the rights I hope my husband and I can have within our marriage or any of our colleagues who decide to follow in our footsteps."

At this last mention, murmurs erupted in the room. Applause from Downworlders and Institute leaders in support of Alec echoed around the room.

"YOUR HUSBAND?" echoed Imogen Herondale's voice in the hall, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY YOUR HUSBAND?" demanded to know the Council leader.

"Yes Mrs. Herondale, my husband, Magnus Bane. We are married under the laws of the Angel and intend to enforce our union as such. We have studied the laws of our people and-" but the woman interrupted him immediately, slamming a blow on the table in front of her.

"That marriage is not legitimate. It could never have taken place under the Angel Laws, you are making a mockery of our traditions, of our most sacred unions and you will be punished for your actions immediately!" declared the woman to the stunned gaze of those present in the room.

"Our marriage is absolutely valid, Mrs. Herondale, it was officiated by a silent brother, under the necessary conditions, we have witnesses and even the relevant documentation" intervened Magnus, taking his place next to Alec, not being able to bear any longer the exposure of his husband in front of what was happening.

He took his hand and interlaced their fingers.

A great burst of applause resounded in the room.

But this did not seem to matter to the woman who was clearly furious at the defiance resulting from the young men's statements.

"That's impossible! You will answer to The Clave and this Council for your actions, you will remain in custody until your trial is conducted. The law is hard but it is the law, and you are openly defying it!" the woman said, instructing her guards to take the youths into custody immediately.

Protests were soon heard, but with the Council being the highest authority in the Clave, not even Consul Penhallo or the new Inquisitor himself, Robert Lightwood had the strength to prevent their arrest.

As they expected, the processes of the Clave should be respected.

Things happened within moments. Imogen Herondale's personal guards seized the young men immediately, taking them to the Gard's cells.

The protests were soon heard, but this was to be expected, they knew what they would have to face and they were willing to face anything to achieve the change they longed for.

And now they were here, under the custody of the Council waiting to be judged for their alleged crimes against the Shadowhunters Laws, waiting for the moment in which they would be judged for the simple fact of proposing a change, for the desire to fight for their rights, for daring to fight for their happiness and that of so many others in their same situation, about to be judged for the fact of loving each other freely.

Three days, the trial would be carried out in only three days...

Chapter Text

Magnus awoke to the familiar burning on his skin. The tracing of runes always felt like a small burn before the force of angelic power began to course through his body.

He opened his eyes slowly. He had no idea how much time had passed, he only remembered not being able to bear the pain of the blows of the guards sent by Imogen.

His memory of that pain disappeared immediately as soon as a face came to his mind, "Alexander" thought Magnus even without saying a single word.

He tried to sit up but his movements were restricted. Then he noticed he was tied to some chains by his wrists. He looked around and knew it was the same cell he had been in before he lost consciousness.

"Look what we have here! At last sleeping beauty decides to wake up!" said an unfamiliar voice.

Magnus raised his head to look at whoever was speaking but he didn't really recognize the Shadowhunter in front of him and did it matter? This was another one of Imogen's henchmen without a doubt. What the hell did they want with him now? Where was his husband? What had they done with him?

"Well pretty boy, it's time for you to start talking" the guy announced, moving to Magnus' back, placing one hand on his shoulder and the other under his chin to direct his gaze straight ahead. "I want to know who helped you and your little slut to carry out this supposed union under the Angel's laws, I want to know who the witnesses were and how many other people know about this! Start talking or your lovely husband will pay the consequences" the man threatened.

Magnus' eyes were fixed on Alexander now, sitting across from him, clearly also tied to a chair.

Magnus would have liked to close his eyes, scream or start crying at the top of his lungs at the image of his beloved in front of him.

Alec was unconscious, Joel was holding his head up, holding his hair tightly, his beautiful face was bruised, swollen and he had cuts on his cheekbones, his lips, his right eye hurt to the point that Magnus was sure he couldn't even open it if he tried.

He was kept tied up, his torso naked, covered in blood that made it hard for Magnus to tell what his wounds were.

The Shadowhunter wished to destroy those who did this to his Alexander, but he had to stand his ground. They had a plan and they had to follow it.

He had to keep quiet, he had to endure until the trial against them.

Imogen could not kill them, their exposure had been too public for her to deal with them that way. The entire Shadow World would turn against the Clave Council if anything happened to them in her custody.

They just had to hold on, they would try to break them but at the end of the day, as they had just done with him until now, they would have to use Iratzes and try to keep them as presentable as possible, so that there would be no suspicion of how they had been treated, that their sayings had not been coerced in any way.

They had to be strong, Magnus knew that and yet his heart was breaking to see his husband like this.

"Alexander" he called in a strangled voice.

"He's still alive, those are the orders, but it will be so much fun healing him to start the fun once again" Joel said running his hand over Alec's bloodied face.

"You're an asshole, you always have been. Just a fucking brainless pawn!" shouted Magnus at him, as a heavy blow caused blood to flood his mouth. But the young man raised his face again and spat to the side.

"You faggots think you're so brave! This idiot had that same attitude, but look how it turned out?" said Joel with a malicious grin.

"You'll pay for this Joel, this time things will be different" said Magnus with a wry smile.

"Do you idiots really think you'll be able to bend the Council? A mere pair of pussies who dared to raise their voices? Hahaha that I want to see" replied the guy next to Joel whom Magnus didn't recognize, surely some of Imogen's personal guards.

"We'll let you admire our work for a while longer, then your slut will have the privilege of watching as we devote our full attention to you once again" said Joel letting go of Alec's hair and heading for the door followed by the other subject, leaving the two young men alone in the cell.

As soon as Magnus heard them walk away down the hallway, he began to squirm in his bonds, stretching the chains that bound him to the far wall to get closer to Alec.

"Alexander? Love?" whispered Magnus and then gave a great sigh, "Babe, talk to me!" he said almost sobbing, as he rested his forehead on Alec's knee, it was as close as his bonds would allow him to get.

He felt Alec's leg move, a small whimper, and then his husband began to cough loudly.

"Love, oh Alexander" sobbed Magnus once more, resting his face on the other young man's leg.

"Mags" said the archer finally.

"For a moment you really scared me" Magnus said trying to control his crying.

"I'm here, I'm not going anywhere, love" he replied trying to show a small smile.

"Of course you're not! You're not going to leave me, you won't get rid of me, did you hear me? We'll be together, always" Magnus assured him, giving him a kiss on his knee.

"Always, Mags! Just like we've done all our lives! We will get through this. We count on our friends, they will present the evidence, we have witnesses. We just have to endure, stand firm!".

"I know! They won't abandon us, we just have to resist" he repeated more to himself than to the young archer.

"They can't kill us, the Iratzes give them some advantage but they can't go beyond this point either, we'll make it!" assured Alec.

Magnus nodded towards his husband and tried to smile despite the pain it caused him to see his beloved like this, his eyes glazed over as he tried to hold back tears.

"Hey, Magnus! That ring on my finger" he said pointing to his hand cuffed to the armrest of the chair he was in, as he waggled his finger where the Bane family legacy rested, "this symbol, us, is all that matters, we'll make it!" he assured his husband.

Magnus couldn't help but smile at those words and nodded once more, placing another kiss on his Alexander's knee.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Calm moments like that were not repeated for the next two days.

Imogen's people returned again and again every couple of hours. They repeated the same actions over and over: interrogation, torture, healing, and starting over.

The last night, before finally facing the Council and one of the most decisive moments of their lives, after being healed once again, they received a new visit.

Imogen Herondale herself appeared before them around midnight, impeccably dressed, her face stern, her gaze cold on the young men in front of her.

With only a dismissive wave of her hand, she dismissed the guards, who left the room reluctantly.

The woman took a chair and placed it in front of the young men. She pulled out her stele and admired it for a long moment, still without saying a word.

Alec and Magnus looked at each other furtively, trying to gain some courage. The last few days had been an absolute nightmare, but here they were, together and ready to move on.

"I spent the last few days waiting" the woman began to say, her gaze flicking from one young man to the other and back to the stele in her hands, "waiting is one of the things I hate most in this life" she added after a long pause. Then she stood up and walked around her chair, peering through the cell door and then fixing her gaze on them again.

Neither of the young men said a word, they kept their gaze steady, trying to prepare for anything that might happen.

"Waiting and not getting what I want" she said after a moment and to emphasize the phrase she clicked her tongue, "well, that's definitely unacceptable" she finished saying, as she started to approach the husbands.

"You know what a Rune of Agony is, don't you?" she asked sarcastically, and brushed her stele across Magnus' cheek.

"We know, we even know that the mark is impossible to erase and that its use has been forbidden for several decades" said Alec, breaking the silence for the first time.

"I see you are very well informed Mr. Lightwood" was the woman's reply.

"Lightwood-Bane, Ma'am" Alec challenged her.

Imogen made another sound of disgust, one that made her sound like a snake about to strike.

"Everyone here knows that's not possible! It never will be!" she screamed.

"It's already a reality, Ma'am, whether you want to accept it or not," Magnus interjected.

"I've had to sacrifice a lot over the years, more than you could ever imagine, I won't let two brats ruin our legacy, what separates us from the Downwolrder scum! Let them leave our reputation, the purity we stand for, we the Childs of the Angel!!!" the woman shouted.

"Reputation? Purity? You sacrificed your own son's happiness for a whim? How could you be capable of that?" claimed Magnus, unable to help himself.

"You don't know what I have sacrificed! My son was sick, he didn't know what he was doing, his mind was corrupted" she complained, slapping Magnus in the face.

"No, Mrs. Herondale! Your son was not sick, he was not corrupted, he was in love! And your pressures drove him to suicide! You ended your own son's life!!!" replied Alec and his words hit the woman hard, angry tears running down her cheeks.

"He was confused, I only did what was best for his future, our family, his career..."

"And what good did it do? He killed himself! And dragged Celine into his pain, you destroyed three lives with one stupid decision!" interrupted Alec.

"You don't understand, how could you understand?"

"We understand that the differences between Downworlders and Shadowhunters are the ones we created ourselves! I understand that love cannot be forbidden, neither can it be denied!!!" added the archer and Magnus couldn't help but smile, even in this situation, the pride he felt for his beloved flooding his chest.

"You're just a deluded boy. How do you think other Shadowhunters will view you two now that your relationship has been made public? Do you think everyone will accept your relationship? just like that? What will happen to your legacy?” she said looking at Magnus, “Do you know that your decision Magnus, will end Bane genetics? Your family's legacy?" the woman tried to explain, wiping her face, trying to recompose her face into a hard mask.

"My family's legacy continues in me. My parents always wished for me to be happy and Alexander is my happiness" Magnus replied in a firm voice.

"Things aren't that simple boy" reneged Imogen.

She walked back to the chair in front of them and watched them for quite a while.

Finally she got up and headed for the door once more, but before leaving she turned to them and said "you really remind me of Stephen...and even he broke before my strength" with that sentence she left the room.

A while later the guards returned, and that last night in the Gard was the worst of their lives.

Imogen tried to find out who the couple's allies were, what kind of support they might have, who had been the Silent Brother who had dared to bless their union, and how it had been possible for these boys, barely advanced in their careers, to gain access to the Codex that she had so jealously kept out of the reach of every Shadowhunter who was not part of the Council.

Despite their attempts, both young men had stood their ground. They had not answered a single one of that questions, even the guards in charge of the cruelest actions seemed surprised by the young couple's resistance. So much so that in the early morning of the trial, they had finally reappeared in the room to trace the Iratzes on their skins and leave clean clothes for the next day.

A few more hours and they would finally be able to put an end to a decades-long deception, only a few hours separated them from the changes they had fought so hard for.

Chapter Text

Alec didn't even hear the door open. He felt so tired, absolutely exhausted, his energy drained by the tortures both he and Magnus had endured over the past few days. 

His eyes fluttered open as he felt hands on his wrists, an stele deactivating the runes on the handcuffs that held him to the chair loosening.

He managed to look up in time to see Magnus being led out of the room at a slow pace by a guard he had not seen until now.

The time for the first hearing of their trial must have come.

The tortures were over. They had to face the Council now, all the representatives of The Clave! If all went as they hoped, they would be able to present their case, call the witnesses who supported them, present the evidence necessary to expose Imogen's trickery once and for all.

"Magnus" whispered Alec, his voice raspy from exhaustion and the dryness in his throat. They had barely had any water these past three days and the thought of food made his stomach growl.

"He'll be fine! Sam is a good Shadowhunter!" said a strangely familiar voice, which Alec couldn't place immediately.

Alec struggled with exhaustion and his somewhat confused mind, until he finally managed to place who it was and sketched a faint smile.

"I can't believe you're here! But wait- does that mean? Are you on Imogen's side?" tried to growl Alec.

"Of course I'm not!!! But pretending that I was allowed me to make sure that you-that you guys were okay!" the man replied.

"Terry don't try to trick me, please" Alec begged in a breathless whisper.

"Never! She wouldn't let me get close but at least I was able to keep your family informed, Isabelle was about to break into the Gard! She would have ended up imprisoned too!".

"Typical Izz" replied the archer sketching a small smile as Terry helped him to his feet.

Fucking hell, he really felt weak, as soon as he tried to get up everything around him started spinning and Terry had to help him stand.

"Where did they take Magnus? Why did they separate us?" 

"They just pretend that you guys get cleaned up, wear the clean clothes they left you and eat something, the hearing is in a few hours, Imogen doesn't want anyone to suspect what happened during these days" informed Terry as he helped Alec walk down a small hallway.

They stopped at a door a few meters further back and Terry opened it carefully, helping the young Lightwood to enter.

This one unlike the cells they had spent the last few days in, looked much more like a Inatitute´s room, there was a chest of drawers, a small armchair, a bed and to the right a door that would probably be a small bathroom.

"Okay, I'll leave this here so you can change on your way out, just call me if you need anything else, I'll make sure Magnus is okay" Terry told him with a kind smile.

Alec was barely holding himself upright leaning against the dresser almost next to the door as he watched the other man lay the clothes he hadn't even noticed he was carrying in his hands on the bed.

The Iratzes had removed the most visible traces of the abuse he had received easily but the last interrogation had been particularly brutal for Alec and despite the repeated activation of the healing rune, his ribs and right arm were still not quite right.

When Terry turned to look at him, Alec had his head down and barely mumbled a few words, if he had had the strength, he probably would have blushed at what he was asking but he was so exhausted that even that wouldn't happen.

"Lightwood, what did you say?" asked Terry approaching him once more.

"Could you help me take my shirt off?" repeated Alec with his voice a little firmer, looking at Terry with an apologetic expression.

The other Shadowhunter froze for a minute, but quickly moved closer to help him.

Very carefully he began to undo the buttons of the somewhat bloody shirt they had re-dressed the young leader in, the same one he had worn three days ago when all this started, Alec could feel his fingers trembling a bit and hated himself for having to put Terry through this. Damn this was really uncomfortable, but what else could he do? His arm hurt too much, his ribs were still throbbing with pain.

"Shit!" exclaimed Terry as soon as he pulled the shirt off, the look on his face was one of pain as if he couldn't stand to see what was in front of him, "those sons of bitches, how could they do this to you!!!".

"It looks worse than it feels" replied Alec trying to show bravery.

"Don't try to cheat me Lightwood, wait" he said leading him over to the couch to sit down for a moment, "here, let me activate them again" he explained, pulling out his stele to reactivate the Iratzes as he knelt down in front of Alec.

"I'll be fine, the bath will help, please Terry, go with Magnus, don't let anything happen to him" Alec almost begged looking into his eyes.

Terry sighed deeply and finished what he was doing before standing up once more.

"I'll go right now. They won't let you guys see each other again until the hearing, but I'll make sure he's okay" he promised as he helped Alec up and led him towards the bathroom door.

"Thank you Terry, it's-it means a lot to me that you're doing this for us" the archer said giving him a thank you squeeze on the arm.

Terry just nodded and quickly left the room.

The bath had really helped, Alec was feeling much better. He started to get dressed slowly, trying not to make too sudden movements. But every little task seemed to leave him exhausted.

When Terry returned he found him lying on the bed, he had managed to get dressed and his face looked better.

As soon as he heard the door, Alec opened his eyes and tried to sit up.

"Hey, it's okay, you can rest a little more" Terry said quickly approaching him, he seemed to hesitate for a moment but finally sat down at the foot of the bed, "Magnus is fine. It looks like his wounds healed quickly but I applied some Iratzes on him too anyway, just to make sure."

"Thanks, Terry, you're a great friend."

The man nodded and after a sigh continued speaking, "well then, the hearing will begin in an hour, despite Imogen's attempts, it will be a public hearing! There are many Heads of Institutes determined to attend, even the representatives of the NY Downworlders demanded to be present, they support you and Magnus, they want to witness all the progress that has been made since you two are practically at the helm of the Institute. Consul Penhallo gave her approval, and I know of several Council members who are beginning to try to detach themselves from Imogen. After all, apparently not all of them were aware of her manipulations, but at least half of the Council members gave her their unconditional support during all these years" explained Terry.

"I wish we could have done something sooner. How many lives could have been saved if only we had raised our voices earlier" lamented Alec, thinking especially of the parents of one of his best friends, Imogen's own son.

"Alec- I mean-Lightwood-" 

"You can call me Alec, there's no need for such formality, Terry" rushed the archer to assure him.

Terry blushed slightly and fixed his gaze on his own hands, then looked at his Chief and continued "Alec, not many would have the bravery that you and Magnus are demonstrating, even very few would get the support that you guys achieved" he told him smiling. 

"We are very amazed and extremely grateful about it, we just want to live up to it."

"They definitely are, we are confident that we will make a change, it's time!" replied Terry with a smile.

~~~~

Magnus had felt his heart beating normally again after Terry's visit. He had almost gone crazy thinking about what would be happening with Alec, being separated was the worst torture, especially after the last few days where his husband had received the worst punishments in front of his eyes.

But the simple fact of seeing a small smile on Terry's face had told Magnus that Alec was fine.

His own jailer during these hours had treated him remarkably better than he could have imagined. Even now in informing him that the time had finally come, the young guard let Magnus take a moment to take in all that was to follow.

This would not be easy, they would try to confuse them, even prove that their marriage was a sham. He and Alec had to be strong, to trust the people who were supporting them. Their family would never abandon them and they had to try to continue with the plan they had defended so much until this day.

When he came out of the room where he had been waiting he could see Alec a few meters ahead with Terry right behind him.

He started walking almost without thinking, his hands were cuffed just like his husband's but anyway as he reached where Alec stood, Magnus buried his face in his beloved's chest, feeling Alec's face descend into his hair immediately, giving him a tender kiss.

"I'm fine, love! Everything is fine" Alec assured him.

Magnus nodded trying to keep the tears from escaping his eyes and took a small step back to look into his husband's eyes, holding himself as close to Alec's body as possible.

"I love you" he told him in a very low voice, almost a whisper.

Both guards almost unconsciously took a step to the side of the couple, as if they were afraid of invading this very intimate moment that the young couple were sharing almost without thinking about it in the middle of the place that had been their worst nightmare for the last few days, as if they didn't even remember where they were just by being in each other's presence once again.

"And I love you, Mags. More than my own life" Alec replied bringing their foreheads together before he began to place small kisses on the other Shadowhunter's face, on his cheekbone, on his nose, on his cheek, on his chin and seeing the smile on Magnus' face he finally kissed him on the lips, softly but deeply, until he heard a throat clearing behind them.

"I'm sorry, but it's time to go" Sam, the guard who had been in charge of Magnus' security for the past few hours, said apologetically.

They both nodded to themselves, and after another small kiss they pulled away from each other.

The rest of the way out of the detention area they were in they walked in silence, simply following Terry's directions.

The hearing was to be held in the main hall where the Council's public meetings were usually held, due to the large number of people who had requested to attend.

They entered the room through a door located just across the main entrance, to avoid entering in the middle of the crowd that was already beginning to take their seats.

Robert and Jia were waiting for them in the room before the great hall, without much time for big talk, they simply tried to make sure they were both well.

"We are here for you, we will do everything in our power, we will not let you be taken from us! We are your family and we love you, you guys just have to tell the truth" Robert said with a hand on each young man's shoulders.

Alec knew that his father only wanted their happiness, he had always suspected that his father was aware of his feelings for Magnus but they had never spoken about it and to hear him say those words to both him and his husband was truly heartwarming.

"Dad, I'm sorry I didn't tell you before- it's- we-" Alec tried to explain quickly.

"U two had nothing to explain to me son, I just want for noth of u to be happy."

"Thank you, Robert" Magnus added.

But there was no time for more, the room was ready. 

The Council members taking position and both Jia and Robert were to leave immediately.

The last minutes of waiting seemed endless...when the guards finally announced that they were ready for them to enter, the young men only looked at each other for a moment longer and after a mutual nod, they walked through the doors behind which their fates would be decided.

Chapter Text

The silence in the room was eerie. The gazes of everyone in attendance fixed on the young pair of Shadowhunters as they moved forward to take their places in front of the dais.

Both Magnus and Alec wished they could have held hands, felt each other's warmth comforting them but that was not an option in this instance.

The guards escorted them to where the man in charge of their defense stood, and it was none other than the High Warlock of London, Ragnor Fell.

Ragnor had been in contact with the young couple since Tessa entered their lives, being one of their oldest friends as well as Catarina, who felt a deep affection for both Magnus' parents and himself, being the one who helped the young Nephilim in the worst moment of his life.

It was Catarina who interceded for the elusive High Warlock to be the one to carry out this defense.

Of course the council had questioned this decision immediately, but this time they could not back it up by any law, since it had not even been thought to exclude Downworlders in a case like the present one, as some time ago it would have been ridiculous to think that a Shadowhunter could turn to a Warlock for help.

Ragnor's presence not only assured them of absolute support from the Downworld, but also the fact that they had by their side someone who had experienced firsthand the dealings of the Council and had even witnessed on more than one occasion how both Imogen's father, Conrad Herondale and his father before him, Edward Herondale, had begun to use the Codex at their whim.

That is assuming that these manipulations had begun with the rise to power of this family. Most likely it had begun even earlier, but trying to trace the beginning would not help much at this point.

They just needed to prove the manipulation of the last few years. Even if they managed to clear up Steven's case, it would be a definite blow to the current head of the Council.

The tension was palpable when it was time to start listening to the testimonies.

"They always put their duty first."

"The New York Institute has never worked as well as it has so far."

"Loving, should never be considered a mistake."

"Alec and Magnus are a couple blessed by Raziel himself."

"No one could say that a love like theirs is not pure and real."

"The Nephilim love only once in their lives, intensely from the depths of their souls, how could their love be wrong then?".

"The Law is hard but it is the Law and their marriage is absolutely legitimate before our most sacred laws and the Angel himself."

"A love, so pure and unconditional could not be a perversion in any way."

"Love is love, in all its forms and expressions! It is time we began to accept it instead of trying to destroy it."

One after one, the testimonies began to follow one after the other in the great hall.

Magnus' heart seemed about to leap out of his chest as he heard his friends, colleagues, peers and family, and even several of the local Downworld leaders refer to them in such a pure, sincere and selfless manner. Enduring each and every attack that followed their phrases of support.

For every "How could loving someone of the same sex influence their work as Shadowhunters?" uttered by one of their witnesses had come an unconscionable attack from the Clave representative, Victor Aldertree with phrases like, "Would you trust your life to someone who disobeys the most sacred commands, the natural laws?", "Would you put the education of the next generations of our people in the hands of depraved people? "What kind of leaders break the laws that are the cornerstone of a true Nephilim's life?", "What would separate us from the impure practices of the Downworlders?" followed by blatant threats, such as bringing the full weight of the Law down on those who helped bring about this dishonor, or that punishment for cover-up could land them straight in the Gard.

It was a frightening scenario for the young couple, Magnus could see the worry he himself felt reflected in his husband's face.

Was it possible that The Council could get away with it once again? What could happen to their loved ones?

Magnus' eyes began to cloud over with tears that he was desperately trying to keep at bay. This was too much, if their cause led to the doom of those who had decided to help them, he could not bear it.

Then his gaze met Alec's.

His husband looked at him for a long moment, his eyes full of love and the same fear Magnus was feeling. But there was something else there, a special glow, a light of hope that he had to cling to.

Then Alec nodded toward him and Magnus knew exactly what his beloved had meant.

That simple nod gave Magnus courage again and the assurance that no matter how things turned out, he had begun to change and there would be no turning back.

When Aline's time to give her testimony finally came, the young woman took the stand with great determination. She looked at the couple with a smile on her lips and took her place to begin speaking.

"Aline, could you explain to us why you are on the stand today?" was the first question from Ragnor who smiled at the young woman with complicity to yield the floor to her.

"I am here to prevent injustice from being done again. I am here so that we can finally know the truth that they have been denying us for so long" answered the Nephilim firmly.

"Please explain what you mean" Ragnor requested.

"I am referring to the manipulations that the Council has been keeping on our people for so many years now."

"What kind of manipulation do you think we are dealing with here?".

"One of the worst kind. The manipulation of our most sacred Law in pursuit of protecting the prestige and privilege of certain 'pure bloodline' families within our society and of the blatant use of Downworlders for the benefit of a few" Aline said directing her gaze directly at Imogen, who returned it to her with a gesture of bitterness, before raising her head and continuing to stare straight ahead as if refusing to notice her presence.

"Explain yourself, Aline, please" Ragnor requested taking a step to the side to let the audience be able to look directly towards the young woman.

"Of course. I am referring to the manipulation of the Shadowhunter´s Codex by several members of the Council!".

At that statement murmurs began to be heard among those present in the great hall and Alec took a step almost unnoticed to move closer to Magnus.

"Some generations ago, the Codex has been of exclusive access only for members of the Council, this is because the laws described therein are not as they have been passed down to us for a long time" the young woman began to explain.

"Those are stupid slanders, from a young woman who is resentful of a decision this Council made regarding some deplorable actions on the part of this woman" Imogen immediately interrupted.

"Deplorable actions? We just wanted to be able to love each other freely!" protested Aline, "but that's not even the point today. Today we are talking about Alec and Magnus, about their love, about their marriage, about the suffering I'm sure they were subjected to before they came to this day, about the tortures the Council has been imposing all these years on anyone who dared to question them, whether Nephilim or Downworlder" said the Consul's daughter firmly.

Magnus' heart seemed to be leaping out of his chest, pride and fear intermingled. It was incredible how fiercely Aline was defending them, the assurance and eloquence of her every word echoing through the compound.

Alec was nodding towards her, with each new piece of information the young woman was exposing.

The last names of the Council members who had decided to take the laws into their own hands.

The way they had manipulated the Codex over and over again "for the good of the Nephilim legacy," the impositions they made on the members who refused at the beginning....

Before the astonished gaze of many of those present, Aline presented the evidence of the Nephilim killed over the years for their associations with Downworlders, for their "challenges to the law", for their rebellion that endangered an entire race in the eyes of these hypocrites.

Thus, Aline gave way to one of the most revealing testimonies so far, one that would demonstrate the total impunity with which the Council was conducting itself.

Catarina took the stand and began to speak of her experiences over the years, of her discoveries about the torture of members of the Downworlder community in different Institutes around the world... of the request for help from Shadowhunters tired of having to keep quiet about it.

Magnus could not help the wince that came over his face at the mention of the case of the Indonesian Institute, where as a child he lost the life he knew, everything he adored, friends, colleagues, his parents.... in what had hitherto been believed to be a chance attack by demons, but which, in the face of new evidence of the extent of the Council's crimes, appeared to have been orchestrated by Imogen Herondale herself, as she discovered the Bane's links to Steven Wayland and some well known warlocks, willing to expose the Council for crimes committed against their own.

It was a suspicion that had begun to grow in his mind after the first talks they had with Tessa, but hearing the confirmation from the mouth of Catarina herself, who had been a great friend of his parents and the person who had rescued him from the very hell unleashed in his home, was devastating.

Magnus' gaze met Cat's and as she finished her testimony in tears she simply nodded to him before stepping down from the stand.

Regardless of the protests and disapproving looks from the Council and some of the more conservative Shadowhunters present, Alec moved closer to his husband, his hands were cuffed, but he reached for Magnus' shoulder with his face, he had his head down and his breathing slightly ragged, Alec whispered "I'm so sorry, love" and kissed him tenderly.

Murmurs were soon heard in the room, and the guard standing next to them cleared his throat before asking them to separate. Not without Magnus taking the moment to kiss Alec's temple and smiling something like a smile despite the pain that filled his heart.

One after another the stories of the Institutes around the world were added, stories in which innocent people had been condemned, both Nephilim and Downworlders, stories of children separated from their parents, of torture to unthinkable limits (as had happened with the young husbands during the last few days), of families separated, destroyed, decimated by the simple fact of keeping up appearances. Because of the ambition to keep power in the hands of a few, who intended to use the weaknesses of others as weapons for their own benefit.

"They are diverting the focus of this trial, attempting to sully the reputation not only of this honorable Council, but also of the families that have sustained the Shadowhunter society above all and foremost for so many years" Imogen attempted to defend herself.

"That is just the point, their persecution of Alec and Magnus only demonstrates some of the actions they have been taking for centuries! This trial is no longer about two boys in love who decided to fight for their happines, it's about what kind of society we wish to tolerate, whether we are willing to change, to accept each other for who we are, Downworlders, Nephilim or Mundanes, regardless of our differences but accepting our similarities and the fact that we need each other to create a more just and free society" Ragnor interjected, drawing a deafening applause from almost everyone present.

This was the way forward, Magnus and Alec could feel it, they needed to put the focus on what really mattered, they needed to take the opportunity to create real and permanent change!

They looked at each other with pride and pure love, feeling without even having to say it, that the suffering and fear of the last few days, had been worth it. They were finally moving forward and they were part of it.

This had simply been the first day...there were still very important testimonies to come, including Steven's, as well as Magnus and Alec's, but they were finally on the right path, this was the direction to follow.

Hope was beginning to grow for a new future.

At the end of the first day, Ragnor tried to keep the couple together, waiting for the next hearing in freedom, but the influence of the Council still had a strong weight among the Nephilim and despite the attempts of both him and Robert, Jia had to accept that the young people continued in the Gard, but this time under the strict surveillance of the Consul's chosen guards, a circumstance that at least brought some peace of mind to Isabelle, Jace, Maryse and those close to the young couple.

The way to the rooms that had been assigned to them for the waiting (the same ones in which they had prepared themselves before the trial began) was silent.

When they arrived at their respective doors, Terry dismissed the second guard, instructing him to guard the entrance to this wing of the detention area and observing his colleagues, he told them to enter the room designated for Alec, uncuffed them and slowly stepped back.

"We still don't know how this whole trial thing might turn out, but at least I can give u guys tonight"said the somewhat flushed Nephilim in barely a whisper before he left, closing the door behind him.

Magnus immediately sank into Alec's arms, dropping all the weight of the last few days, all the terror, all the suffering and his frustration after hearing that his parents had been ambushed by those who were supposed to support them and watch their backs.

"I'm so sorry, love" Alec repeated with his lips pressed to his husband's forehead.

"They are going to pay for what they did, for each of the betrayals, for each of the lives they took" Magnus answered firmly, looking his beloved in the eyes, before tears overflowed him.

"They will pay for it, this time they won't get away with it" Alec assured and took Magnus' face in his hands, kissing him tenderly.

There were not many more words at that moment, they simply snuggled in bed, one in the arms of the other, feeling the warmth, the affection, the love radiating between them, with soft kisses and sweet caresses, they succumbed to tiredness, knowing that the next day would bring another wave of great emotions, that once again they would face together.

Chapter Text

Alec's and Magnus' gazes remained fixed for almost the entirety of Steven's statement on the pain-contorted face of their friend, colleague, brother, great confidant.

Jace denoted a note of disgust and tremendous sadness with every word out of Steven's mouth, but nodded to him at every turn, giving him the courage to keep talking.

"I wish I hadn't had to expose Will" Steven had begun, lifting his chin to direct his gaze at Imogen and as he suppressed a sob, "Not having to expose us. Our history, our pain...My pain since I lost him" he said with eyes flooded with tears.

The room was completely silent, Steven hadn't said the last name of the person he was referring to, but every Shadowhunter who knew who he was, or the Banes or the Lightwoods, surely knew he was referring to Will Herondale.

"Don't you dare!!!" suddenly shouted Imogen, rising from her seat and lashing out with a force that seemed unlikely in a woman of her age, "you are not going to do this, you are not going to talk about my son like that!" almost snarled the woman to the surprise of many in the room. Her eyes flooded with an animalistic fury, fixed on Steven, her fists almost white from the violence with which she held them clenched.

"Imogen" called Jia, "the witness will say what he has to say, do not interrupt again or you will leave the courtroom at that very moment." The warning was clear and the older woman's face seemed about to explode, but she lifted her chin and resumed her place.

Jia nodded toward Ragnor and he turned to the witness once more, "Please continue, Steven."

"Our story was not unlike that of Alec and Magnus" the blond continued, with a small smile as he watched the young couple, "but I certainly hope the ending for them is another, completely different" he said swallowing hard as he looked at Jace.

"Will and I grew up together, we trained side by side, we went through our first missions alongside each other, watching each other's backs, being an excellent duo, inseparable" he recalled with a small smile, "time only made us continue to grow closer.... I- well it pains me to say it, but I was afraid for a long time" he agreed shaking his head, as if that was impossible for him to conceive now, "I was so confused, afraid of what might happen, but Will wasn't" said with a big sigh "he always knew, he was always sure of his feelings, even when he thought we couldn't make it, that we could never live it the way we wanted to".

"How is this story supposed to be related at all to the utter disobedience and disregard for our most sacred laws demonstrated by Lightwood and Bane? I don't see the point regarding it and I think this particular testimony is absolute-"interrupted Aldertree petulantly addressing only Jia, clearly intending to ignore Ragnor as representative of the judged pair.

"The point" quickly interjected Ragnor, without even letting him finish his contemptuous sentence, "is that the persecution of Mrs. Imogen Herondale, is not exclusively against Alec and Magnus, but it is a systematic behavior, and that it comes from long before she was in charge" explained the Warlock also addressing directly to the Consul, who nodded towards him, allowing the testimony to continue.

"The point is, it continues to happen, the point is to prevent further loss of life, of LOVED ones" remarked Steven. "The point is, people like Mrs. Herondale and most of her entourage have been manipulating us for too long, and it's time to say enough!" declared the man with his voice somewhat cracked. "She knew, she knew that Will and I loved each other! And she did everything to keep us apart. Even sending me on suicide missions, but Will was always by my side, ready to protect me against everything and everyone! And when that plan failed her, she forced him to get married! To cheat on a sweet, tender, honest, loyal woman, which ended up bringing Will to his end!".

"Shut up!!! You don't have any right, you can't talk about him like that!" shouted Imogen!

"I warned you, Imogen" said Jia pointing to one of her guards to get her out of the room.

"No! Please, ma'am, I need her to listen to this! I need her to know what she herself caused" pleaded Steven to the Consul! She nodded towards her guard who returned to his post immediately.

"Please, continue" requested Ragnor nodding towards Steven.

"Imogen, his own mother, coerced him" said the blond wiping with his sleeve the tears that wouldn't stop falling, "she forced him to get married, to lie about who he really was, to give up his longings, his dreams, his feelings" explained Steven, then sighed to try to focus and continue talking "that's exactly what she's trying to do with these young people! Forcing them to follow a mandate, an obligation they invented, a duty that doesn't really exist and that will end up destroying them as it did with Will! Hell she even engaged Magnus to Alec's sister! How could she be capable of something like that? That kind of torture? Even knowing what that kind of actions did to her own son! That destroyed Will little by little inside, he couldn't bear that weight, that lie he was dragged to live! Not even-" he started to say but stopped short, looking at Jace with his eyes to ask for his approval, to make sure he agreed with what he was going to say, when Jace nodded he continued, "not even the fact of knowing that he would have a son could prevent his end".

The room fell completely silent, the air seemed like it could be cut with a razor because of the tension that could be felt throughout the room. Everyone's eyes turned to Imogen, who seemed stunned to hear the words of the man she hated so much.

It was Aldertree who then spoke, "That is absolute blasphemy! Celine never had a child, she would have shared it with Mrs. Herondale, she would have told her family about it! Her family would have found out! She would never have withheld that information."

"Celine was an amazing woman! Sweet, honest, she loved Will...but she knew the truth! And yet she continued to love him! When a few months after getting married she found out the real relationship that had existed between Will and I, she was supportive! That's when she found out she was pregnant and all three of us knew that once that information was made public, we could never change things!".

"Shut up! That's impossible, Will knew how much I wanted an heir! What that meant to me" Imogen said between sobs.

"And that's what doomed him! He didn't want his son to grow up with an influence like yours! He decided to sacrifice himself for him, for Celine, for me...he ended his life, so that we would be free! Because he knew that if it were any other way, you would never leave us alone. He made us promise that you would never know unless it was necessary..."

"Celine died in duty, a few months after Will's death, how dare you-".

"Celine died giving birth, we, we reported her death that way to cover our tracks. That was the great secret the Bane took to the grave. Will's big secret that you fought to uncover for so long, why you orchestrated that attack, ending the lives of all those innocent Shadowhunters! Ruining Magnus' life forever."

Imogen was silent, her face contracted, her gesture of defeat evident....

That was why the Bane were so suspiciously protective of Steven's location.

Will had turned to them just days before his death and despite all of Imogen's attempts, they who were the last to see him alive, had never said a word to him about it, not a single mention of what they knew. That's why she was never able to reach him. They had prevented her from carrying out her revenge on the one guilty of her son's death. and now she knew that on top of everything those fuckers had denied her grandson.

"And they deserved it!" the woman finally shouted, slamming down hard on the dais in front of her. "Those fuckers deserved it!!!!. I'd do it again, I'd send them to hell one more time if I could!" confessed the furious woman.

"Ma'am I don't think you should-" interjected Aldertree, clearly troubled by the woman's indiscretion.

"They got what they deserved!" repeated the woman, turning her gaze to Magnus, smiling as she saw the tears sliding down the young man's cheeks, "and I'm sorry I didn't finish them off completely" she added with her gaze fixed on the young Bane.

At those words murmurs began to break out in the room. Until there was a sepulchral silence at the Consul's request.

Then he looked back at Steven and saw him gesture to where Magnus and Alec were sitting, and then to the side, to the front row of the courtroom, where those closest to the couple on trial were sitting...and she seemed to finally fit the pieces together.

She looked at the blond sitting next to the young Fray. That exemplary soldier who had been Steven's protégé since he was just a baby. It was him, it had to be. How come she had never noticed that look, so identical to his mother's. Or that golden hair just like his father's. Or that rebelliousness... it had to be him, he had to be a Herondale.

"Jonathan..." she said then, her voice trembling.

Alec's eyes moved from Magnus to Jace to end up fixed on the woman who wished to destroy them. She seemed unhinged for the first time since Alec could remember.

This strong, unstoppable, absolutely ferocious woman had a deep pain etched on her face. One that she would never be able to heal, and she seemed to understand it clearly.

Alec turned his gaze back to Jace and saw that his friend was focused on Magnus, as he seemed to repeat over and over again in his direction "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry", just before he stood up and left the room with Clary.

Then the archer's attention returned to the room and he saw Jia accepting a folder Steven was offering her.

"Consul, we would like you to accept this letter as part of the evidence. We know that Steven and Will's relationship is not on trial here, but young Herondale, made several of the points we are dealing with in this trial very clear in his last letter to Mr. Wayland."

"Well, we can proceed to read it then..." announced Jia, handing the letter back to Steven.

He gave a big sigh and then after Ragnor's affirmative gesture began to read:

"My Love, I know that farewell letters have never been necessary between us, because despite everything, I will always be with you. I regret that I have not been able to continue fighting for our love. 

You are my greatest longing and my heart will always belong to you, but I cannot allow my son to be born part of a lie.

I will not let my mother impose the same deceptions on him that she imposed on me, on us! Shit, it's not even that simple, I can't let her impose on him the same absurd laws that his ancestors have twisted in their own favor for so long, laws that are not even true, that they simply twisted to impose a supremacy that never existed!

The Codex has been manipulated from its very core by my own ancestors, we could never defeat them! Not without the necessary support and unfortunately, we are not strong enough now.

I have left in the care of our friends, the Bane, the most faithful copy of our laws, the one I was never supposed to have access to, ask them for it, hide it well, do not let anyone get hold of it, I know that when the time comes my son will honor my deepest wish, I know that it will be by his hand that they will manage to unmask a deception that has lasted centuries, I know that they will be able to unite the Shadow World in the way the Angel has arranged it. Without distinctions of races, without eternal wars, or capricious impositions.

I have faith in you, my love, do not leave Celine alone, take care of my little one as if he were your own, my heart is with him and he can only belong by your side!

I am sorry I did not have the strength to stay with you, I will always love you Steven.

                                                                                                            Will."

The room was completely silent for a long while. Only the sobs of Steven could be heard as he pressed his beloved's letter against his chest.

Magnus' heart seemed about to burst out of his chest, he took a step towards Alec and sank his face into his shoulder, immediately feeling Alec's touch on his hair.

How much longer could the Council sustain such a deception? How much longer would they try to impose their will on the will of so many others.

Magnus' questions might be answered sooner than expected.

Jace returned to the hall, a writing in his hands. Imogen's face contorted again at the sight of it, but her expression turned furious when she noticed what he held in his hands.

Jace had the copy of the original Codex with him and was heading straight for Jia to hand it to her.

"As my father once wished, this day will be the end of the deception! After today, there will be no evidence or arguments that threaten to convict two of my dearest friends!" announced Jace firmly.

Jia took the writing in her hands and began to read it, Imogen knew that her end, had come at the hands of her own grandson.

Chapter Text

The hearing had been in recess for almost three hours. Jia along with Robert and several members of the Council along with  Downworld representatives had decided to jointly analyze the copy of the Codex that Jace had handed over as evidence.

The general feeling was that this farce of a trial was about to come to an end! You could see on the faces of those closest to the young Shadowhunter couple the relief and smiles beginning to multiply.

The husbands were taken to the break room to await the decisions that would follow. This had to be the last day! They wanted so badly to return home, to continue working at the Institute, to strengthen the relationships they had been starting with the different leaders of NY´s Downworld  over the last while.

There was so much they had planned, but above all things, they wanted to be able to enjoy openly, without deception or the need to hide from this love they had fought so hard for.

Terry had remained by their side since they left the room and another guard was on the other side of the door.

The three were chatting animatedly, about the return to NY, the new recruits who were eager to take command of the leaders they had heard so much about, when they heard a commotion outside.

Then the door burst open, Terry was immediately alert but barely had time to react. Raj fought him fiercely, when Terry finally had him on his back on the floor, another Shadowhunter suddenly entered and hit Terry violently, throwing him against the wall, leaving him unconscious, with blood gushing from his forehead.

"You thought you would live happily ever after? After what you provoked?" boomed Imogen's voice in the small room.

"What the hell do you think you're doing now?" shouted Alec, stepping in front of Magnus at once.

"This has got to stop! How long are you going to go on with this madness?" asked Magnus.

"Maybe after today everything will change, I'm no longer interested in what's in store for me. But if this is the end, at least I will finish what I started so many years ago" replied the woman with an icy gaze on Magnus.

"Your parents denied me the future of my caste, my legacy...theirs will not continue either" the woman sentenced.

"Don't you even dare look at him that way" Alec threatened.

"Well I'd say you memorize his face, because it's the last time you'll ever see him" replied the woman pointing to her other guards advancing on Alec.

"Alexander!" shouted Magnus, two of the guards, including Raj held Alec by the arms while another punched him in the stomach mercilessly.

In turn, two more of Imogen's escorts pulled Magnus aside and tied his hands. They were barely out the door behind the woman when the young Nephilim heard a grunt and the unmistakable sound of a seraph sword being wielded.

"Alexander!!!" Magnus shouted again.

Inside the room Alec remained trapped. These cowards would not even give him a chance to fight, to defend himself, to end this honorably.

When the oldest of the men activated his seraph sword, Alec simply closed his eyes and thought of his husband.

*Magnus, I'm so sorry! I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough for both of us, my love*.

He felt the brush of the sword against his jaw. The heat of the blood beginning to run down his throat. Was this the end?

He waited, resigned, with the image of his beloved in his mind, of his eyes that he loved so much, of the smile that gladdened his soul for almost all his life.

But the blow did not come. Instead he felt the grip of his captors leaving him, he opened his eyes and it took him a few seconds to focus on the scene in front of him.

Terry was once again on his feet, his side bloodied, his blades covered in blood and two of his attackers, lying on the floor.

The third one was rushing towards him and it was clear that Terry could no longer continue standing.

Alec acted quickly, grabbed the sword of the dead man in front of him and gave an accurate thrust, ending his life in an instant.

He moved towards Terry as fast as he could, keeping him from hitting the ground.

"Magnus, they, they're going to kill him, you have to hurry, Alec" Terry stammered.

"I'll send help, as soon as I can, you'll be fine, you're going to recover!" he promised Terry as he searched through his clothes for his stele. As soon as he found it, he traced an Iratze over his side, making sure the bleeding stopped.

He did the same over his skin and picked up the swords in front of him.

He dashed off down the hallway, not even sure where he was going.

*I'm coming for you, love! Hang on, just hang on!* he thought as he ran towards the exit he thought Imogen might have used to escape.

"What the hell have we done to you! Why do you insist on punishing us?" asked Magnus as he was dragged towards the exit of the enclosure.

"Can't you see? They took away my greatest wish, my legacy! Your families made an attempt on mine, now I will take away what you have left," replied the woman almost contemptuously.

"Do you really believe in what you are saying?" practically growled a man behind them.

Those words left the woman petrified where she stood. She turned to look at the man who had spoken and her face broke down when she saw the young blond man in front of her.

Jace glared at her in fury, his knuckles white from the force with which he held his sword against the throat of the guard who was carrying Magnus on his own grandmother's orders.

"Tell me, Imogen, do you really think so?" the young man asked again. Slashing the guard's throat, freeing Magnus and causing him to shield himself behind him.

"They took you away from me, denied you in your true identity!" protested the woman when she was finally able to speak again, her gaze shifting from Jace to Magnus and her fury again evident. "It is only fair that they pay for what they have done to us! What right do the Bane or the Lightwoods have to have their heirs when it was they who denied me mine."

"They protected me! They were true to their promise to my father!!!! They gave me a real family!" replied Jace and it was like a stab at the woman.

"They told you lies! They told you a story that was never true, your father..."

"YOU CONDEMNED MY FATHER!" cried Jace with his voice somewhat strangled. "You condemned him, you chose appearances over the happiness of your only son."

The woman froze, time around her seemed to stand still.

"Magnus, Jace!" cried Alec, running towards them.

The soldiers who had accompanied Jace pushed Imogen's accomplices aside and let Alec approach.

He took Magnus in his arms, held him tightly, then watched him, kissed every inch of his face, until he brought their lips together in a desperate kiss.

He rested his forehead on his husband's and smiled as he felt Magnus' grip on his shirt, pulling him closer to him.

"Thank you, brother! Thank you!" he then said turning to Jace who was watching him with a half smile.

He simply nodded and turned to Imogen.

"You will never ruin the lives of the people I love again! It's over Imogen Herondale!" proclaimed the Shadowhunter.

"How can you turn your back on your own blood, on your family?" he asked the woman.

"What I do is protect my family! I am a Herondale, always have been, always knew it, but they are the family I choose, my father's true legacy is the love I was raised with, the acceptance and understanding, that goes beyond a family name" declared Jace and after that, Imogen never opened her mouth again.

In fact the woman did not open her mouth again, not when she was brought in front of the Council, not when she was imprisoned. Not even when the news of Alec and Magnus' acquittal reached her.

She would spend the rest of her days in the deepest of silences, haunted by the ghosts she herself had created.

When the husbands returned to NY it was quite an event.

Every one of their subordinates was present, their friends, their family, even Downworld representatives came to the Institute to greet them.

They were both a bit overwhelmed. It seemed incredible to still be back here, to have overcome what seemed to be a direct death sentence and all that it meant. They had done it, they had ended one of the biggest hoaxes of recent times. Many lives had been lost over the years because of this, but now they knew that would not happen again. They were even arranging for a review of all such sanctions in recent times, which included Helen's exodus plus several convictions for associations with Downworlders.

Things would eventually change and it was largely because of them.

The young people, along with Jace and Aline herself, were seen as heroes, the future of the Shadow World (as contradictory as it sounded) now looked much brighter.

The celebration lasted until the wee hours and although they were happy to be able to share this moment with their loved ones, both Magnus and Alec were desperate to have a moment alone.

The last few days had been completely crazy, had it not been for Terry, who was recovering from his injuries, the young men were sure they would have lost their minds.

This was the first night back, away from the torture, away from the fear of tomorrow. They were finally back home and now they could begin to enjoy themselves.

Magnus would not have to leave, they would never be separated again. Their marriage had been recognized under the Angel's blessing.

They would run the Institute together, as they had always dreamed. Even this was a little hard to believe.

So as soon as they could slip away from the rest of the people around them, they hurried to their room.

They would occupy the main room, the one that corresponded to the Head of the Institute. Only now they would be the bosses, together, side by side.

They walked through the corridors hurriedly with their hands linked, stopping at times to kiss and whisper their love for each other and promises of a future they were now sure they could share together.

They entered the room between kisses, tugging at each other's clothes and stumbling as they laughed at their own actions.

When they turned on the light, they were stunned.

The room had been remodeled. It was clearly meant for them.

"Isabelle," Magnus said smiling, as he hugged Alec around the waist and they paused to observe the details.

The room was now painted a deep blue, the curtains were white, something that gave a beautiful luminosity to the whole place, and when they closed them the burgundy color stood out inside, making the perfect ambiance for the night, contrasting perfectly with the color inside. They had added a large closet to one side, elegant and spacious enough for all their belongings, and to the side of the door was a dresser with a large mirror and Magnus' favorite make-up on it. Which made him grin from ear to ear.

In the center was a very nice sized bed, covered with a golden comforter and a pile of pillows that made Magnus sigh, how well his sister-in-law knew him.

He tightened his grip around Alec's waist and kissed his shoulder as his husband kissed his temple tenderly.

"It still seems so much like just a dream, doesn't it?" whispered Alec, his voice warm, full of restrained emotion.

"Our dream come true, my love" replied Magnus moving over his husband's shoulder with small kisses until he reached his neck, as he slipped his hands under Alec's shirt to caress his abdomen. Alec's hands immediately went to the nape of his beloved's neck and he turned his head searching for the lips that were driving him crazy.

Magnus kissed him passionately, as if he was hungry and needed him to stay alive.

He asked for entrance between his husband's lips and as soon as Alec gave in he invaded his mouth quickly, exploring him slowly, taking the archer's breath away.

When they pulled away their breaths were ragged, Magnus glued to Alec's back, pressing him against his body as he pushed him to the bed.

Words were not necessary between them.Just by looking at each other they could understand what they wanted, Magnus made Alec turn and fixed his gaze on his beloved's eyes. He removed his shirt in one swift movement and immediately went to the waistband of his pants, quickly undoing the belt, followed by the boot and zipper. By the time the back of Alec's knees hit the bed, Magnus was already kneeling in front of him, grabbing the waistband of his dark jeans to slip his hands up the backside, squeezing his ass in a way that was both sweet and passionate at the same time. Bringing his face closer to the other Shadowhunters abdomen, licking his belly button as he began to move his hands down, sliding Alec's pants and underwear off in one go, caressing his thighs and calves in the process. When he reached his ankles he motioned for him to sit up and the young Lightwood did so immediately, Magnus smiled looking up at him between his lashes as he kissed his thighs, very close to where Alec most wanted him to put his mouth. When he finally removed his jeans and dark colored underwear completely, Magnus moved his hands from the other Nephilim's skin slowly, all the way up those seemingly endless legs to the top, caressing Alec's hip bones, which made his husband bite his lips. Then he continued with his task, he moved his hands to Alec's front and with just the first contact with his cock, already half hard, the archer closed his eyes and trembled as he felt his beloved's hand begin to stroke him, until he was completely hard, then licking the entire side of his erection following the line of the vein that was marked from the base to the head, slow, soft, until he reached the tip and pressed his tongue on the slit, tasting him eagarly, as if it was the first time. Alec's legs trembled and as soon as Magnus finally took him in his mouth the archer grabbed him by the hair, pulling to make Magnus take him deeper as he hissed between gasps.

"Fuck, Mags, you're going to make me come this instant" he warned and saw the smile on his husband's face even with his lips pressed tightly over his dick Then he tugged Magnus' hair further until he pulled him back and placing his other hand on his jaw, made him look into his eyes before telling him "you're such a menace" and bending down to kiss him desperately, as he motioned for him to stand up, while he stayed sitting on the bed.

Their mouths had to part before Magnus could finally get to his feet and Alec pulled to get him closer, grabbing him by the belt loops of his pants.

It was offensive to see Magnus still fully clothed, so he quickly got rid of his tight pants, a task that made Magnus grin as he watched him grumble at how hard it was to slide them down to his ankles.

"You think that's funny, huh?" said Alec in a threatening tone.

"Love..." replied Magnus arranging the hair that had fallen across his husband's forehead.

"Shhhh" was Alec's reply as he began to trace the line of his beloved's erection with his tongue, over his underwear as he pulled him towards him grabbing his thighs. He took his time torturing Magnus in this way, knowing how much the other would want to feel him on his skin, tasting even through the fabric of the boxers how wet Magnus already was with his attentions.

"You're a bastard!" said Magnus to him trying to sound annoyed but with more affection than I could ever describe, removing his shirt in record time despite having to unbutton it.

Then he grabbed Alec by the face and leaned down to kiss him, taking advantage of the movement to remove his underwear, he began to push Alec towards the center of the bed, crawling between his legs, making his husband's heart race even faster.

When he had him in the position he wanted, grabbed him by the calves and settled him on his thighs, not even wanting to waste time looking for lube, he spit on Alec's entrance running his fingers over his hole.

"Oh baby, so tight" he commented licking his lips as he tested his husband's resistance.

Cursing under his breath, he had to pull away from Alec, practically jumping off the bed to go in search of his belongings, knowing that at this instant he didn't have the patience to prepare his husband without a little help. He returned a few minutes later to find Alec slowly stroking himself, sinking his thumb into the tip of his cock.

"Shit, Alexander, you're so fucking sexy, you have no idea" he told him climbing back onto the bed and resuming his position between Alec's legs.

He poured a good amount of lube directly over Alec's entrance, smiling as he watched him shudder from the sensation of the cool liquid on his most intimate part.

"Idiot!" protested Alec but as soon as Magnus' fingers were on him all protest died between his lips.

Magnus prepared him carefully, one, two, three fingers, with soft, gentle movements...making Alec's desperation grow.

When the archer leaned up to kiss him and show him the state he was in without saying a word Magnus knew he was ready.

He took some more lube and spread it on himself, giving himself firm, quicks pulls.

Alec tightened his arms around Magnus' neck, pressing himself closer to his body, and his husband understood that he wanted to be taken this way, their bodies maintaining as much contact as possible, their torsos pressed against each other, Alec's legs tightening around Magnus' thighs, his mouth on Magnus'.

Magnus brushed his cock against Alec's entrance and they both shuddered, hell, even after everything they'd been through together this felt otherworldly. He began to carefully insert his cock, head first resisting the urge to push straight in as deep as he could, when Alec rested his forehead on his breathing heavily, Magnus knew it was time to continue and sank deeper into him.He tightened his grip on Alec's ass after letting him get used to it for a moment and spread him, pushing even further onto his member, feeling Alec's ass hit his thighs.

"Mags, fuck, Mags" Alec crooned, tightening his grip on the other Nephilim and began to move on his husband, while biting his shoulder.

The graze of his husband's teeth on his skin seemed to be the trigger for Magnus who began to thrust upward with a fast and deep rhythm. Moans from both of them began to flood the room.

As soon as the rhythm began to slow down and it seemed they would finally reach orgasm, they kissed passionately and another wave of pure lust came over them again. They continued in this position for a long while until Magnus felt his legs practically go numb from the most delicious exertion he had ever made in his life.

Then he let himself fall back on the pillows and stretched his legs out, allowing Alec to grab the back of the bed and continue bouncing up and down on top of him. They stayed as close as possible, their bodies in contact at every point they could, Magnus kissing his husband's chest, neck, shoulders, cheeks, everything he could as they increased the rhythm again, the sound of skin colliding against skin and the wetness inside Alec, ringing in his ears.

Neither had any idea how much time had passed, but by the time they climaxed they were both covered in sweat. Magnus took in his fingers some of his husband's cum that was spreading over his chest just to taste it as he looked into his eyes.

Alec bit his lips at this action and kissed Magnus once more, tasting himself in the other's mouth.

After a long while of kissing and caressing, Alec finally climbed off his husband's lap, and after a quick shower they cuddled between the blankets to finally rest after all that had happened.

This was their paradise, their own universe, where they belonged to each other no matter what. They had made it and now they would enjoy it to the fullest.

Chapter Text

Five years have passed since the trial that completely changed the lives of both Shadowhunters and Downworlders.

The relationships established since then are much deeper, much closer...many of the trials that had been so common for at least two centuries among the Nephilim were now a thing of the past.

Magnus and Alec were leading the NY Institute effectively and to this day continued to be at the forefront, setting the example for so many others who were beginning to adapt to these new times. They had even been a great influence on the current director of the Seattle Institute, which was now led by Isabelle and her husband, Simon, the first Institute to be led by a Shadowhunter and Downworlder couple. 

The possibilities that had been opened with this single fact were still unpredictable, but the truth is that around all the institutes the relations with the local Downworld had been improved, there were cabinets to deal together with different types of conflicts, even a protection program for vulnerable Downworlders had been created, establishing a joint network with the Nephilim to prevent neophyte vampires, new Werewolves and even abandoned Warlocks to go through situations that put their lives at risk.

Jace and Clary were in charge of this task for the NY Institute and they took matters related to the most vulnerable very seriously. Especially after becoming parents three years ago.

Now it was common for different types of Downworlders to come to the Institute for help, but certainly neither Magnus nor Alec expected what happened on the night of the Anniversary of the End of the Farce, as they commonly called the end of the trial of the most respected directors in the Shadow World.

The husbands were enjoying the silence after the party that took place, walking hand in hand through the gardens of the Institute under the starlight, when they heard the first cry.

"Love, did you hear that? Is that?-" Magnus asked.

"Yes, I think it's coming from the door facing the avenue, let's have a look."

They walked quickly to the area where the hidden door was that only those closest to the institute knew about and the sound became clearer with each step.

There was no doubt it was a baby, a little one crying at the front door.

Magnus opened it and froze, there on the floor in a nest of purple blankets lay a baby with rounded cheeks and brown hair. Their little face contorted with the effort their were making, crying at the top of their tiny lungs.

The image made the husbands throat close immediately.

"Honey," Magnus whispered, bending down to take the baby in his arms.

The little one stopped crying immediately, Alec moved closer to his husband wrapping his arms around him and peeping over his shoulder.

Beautiful honey-colored eyes wandered between their faces and a big yawn escaped from between their full little lips, forming a big O that crinkled the little face in an adorable way.

This was a little angel.

Both Shadowhunters' hearts melted at that image and Magnus pulled the baby closer to his chest to protect them from the NY autumn breeze.

"We should get them inside right away. One of the doctors could check them out!" proposed Alec.

"No, let's take them to Isabelle, she must still be awake" Magnus thought quickly.

"Sounds like an excellent idea" replied his husband and they both hurried to take the little one inside the Institute.

After a great surprise Isabelle set about the task of checking the little one, the husbands were anxiously beside her, as soon as Magnus had passed the baby to his sister-in-law, the little one had burst into tears. Both Alec's and Magnus' hearts were wrung with grief.

“So, Izz, how is he?” asked Alec.

"Well the first thing I'll say is that it's not a he, it's a she! And she's perfectly healthy" Izzy announced after the first examination and placed the little girl in Magnus' arms once again. 

Alec stroked her cheek tenderly and the little girl stopped crying instantly.

The little honey-colored eyes once again roamed the faces in front of her.

They both seemed spellbound by the look in this little one's eyes.

"I don't think she's more than three months old, she might even be less, it's hard to say" Isabelle continued explaining smiling to see them so enthusiastic about the little one.

"And where do you think she comes from? Could she be a Seelie? Warlock?" asked Alec letting the baby take his finger in her little fist and grinning like a goofball at the little girl.

"Guys, she's a mundane..." announced Isabelle and both men were shocked. 

"How- I mean- it's weird, right? How could she end up here? Magnus stammered, returning his gaze to the little girl.

"Perhaps a mundane with “the sight” left her here, believing we were a safe option...after all, word has spread of our work with the little ones and the social aid we bring...and we've been able to help them..." said Isabelle.

"This- it's really amazing" whispered Alec still holding a finger through the baby's little hand.

"Well, I could help you find the right place for her, social services will take care of finding her a home right away" offered Simon.

"No!" protested Magnus quickly.

Alec looked at his husband but there was no surprise in his eyes at the reaction of his beloved. 

"I think we will take care of her tonight, we have what we need, tomorrow we can decide the best thing to do" Alec interfered putting an arm around Magnus and the baby as he turned to Simon.

Magnus looked at him with eyes full of excitement and nodded as he clung to his side.

"Sure-I-I'll have the necessary information as soon as you need it" Simon assured them looking at them curiously.

They decided to call it a night and after Clary helped them with some clothes, the basic necessities and brought one of the bassinets from the infirmary, the couple took the little girl to their room to take care of her together. 

Magnus took care of preparing the crib, while Alec changed the little one's diaper, leaving her ready for a night's rest, dressing her in a light green onesie, while whispering tender words about how well they would take care of her and how beautiful she was.

Magnus smiled as he listened, moving closer to him and hugging him around the waist once Alec took the little girl in his arms once again. 

They laid the child down in the crib, making sure she was warm and comfortable, together they watched until the little girl yawned and finally succumbed to sleep. 

Alec stroked her hair gently and Magnus gave her a kiss on one of her pink cheeks.

They went to get ready for bed as well, both quietly, trying to make as little noise as possible so as not to disturb their little guest.

When they were finally in bed, they moved closer looking at each other before Alec leaned on Magnus' shoulder and Magnus pulled him closer to his body.

"What do you think would be best for the little one?" whispered Magnus. As he waited for the answer he felt Alec let out a big sigh.

"I think taking her away from this world would be a good decision..." said Alec thoughtfully.

"But?" insisted Magnus.

Alec sat up a little on his arm to look Magnus in the eyes, feeling his husband caress his back affectionately, giving him courage to continue speaking.

"But-she came to our door! She was left here for some strange reason and I think it's our responsibility" Alec began to say quickly, running over his words.

"I know, honey" Magnus replied.

"I know the Shadow World isn't the safest place for a mundane, our life is complete madness if we think from the mundane perspective, maybe it will be impossible for her to adapt..." tried to explain Alec and Magnus smiled listening to him.

"You want us to take care of her?" interrupted Magnus and Alec fell silent, his gaze shifting to where the baby was. He bit his lip and continued to do so as he looked back at his husband with an unfamiliar emotion in his gaze.

"I know it's not what we talked about but" he tried to explain but Magnus stopped him with a firm kiss on his lips.

When he pulled away Alec's excitement was reflected in his own eyes.

"We've been wishing we could adopt for a long time and I think it's no coincidence that she's here now..." replied Magnus and Alec only kissed him hard again.

Even after this time together it was amazing to them how easily they understood each other, how often they shared the same opinions, how in tune they could find each other even on the most diverse matters.

"Do you think it would be selfish? To drag her into this life?" asked Alec softly, stroking Magnus' jaw with his thumb.

"I think we could be a family to her, we can take care of her, give her a home, love her unconditionally."

"And when she's older, the rest would be her decision, right?  She could try to ascend and we'd support her with that, or just study some mundane career and have a life like anyone else's" Alec thought aloud.

"She could have "the sight" and we both know that if you see them, they see you" Magnus added.

"I know that and I'm also aware of the risks it could have if she stayed with us!" replied Alec hugging the other Shadowhunter tighter as he laid his head on his husband's chest again, "and I'd really like her to stay...is that too selfish?" he asked quietly.

"Then we both are..." said Magnus and smiled when Alec looked at him again with surprised eyes, "we are both selfish" clarified Magnus, Alec smiled back and planted a kiss on his chest, right over his heart.

Isabelle and Clary didn't seem at all surprised when a few days later the directors announced their decision to adopt the baby.

"I knew it! I knew there was something in your eyes, I'm so happy for you guys!" almost shouted Clary giving them a euphoric hug careful not to disturb the baby who was now in Alec's arms, sleeping peacefully.

"How could you know? Even we weren't sure until now!" protested Magnus.

"Please! You knew from the first moment!" added Izzy with a big smile, reaching up to kiss her niece's cheek, "there was a connection, Magnus' face spoke for itself and that first night, when you took them both in your arms, i knew it, Hermano!".

Alec's cheeks immediately lit up and Magnus watching him couldn't do more than kiss him.

"So, you guys really thought about it, I mean I know you'll be amazing parents, I have no doubt, but she's- you really think the best option is for her to stay and live here?" asked Jace somewhat hesitantly.

"We gave it a lot of thought, I don't think it's a fluke that she came to us, she's mundane but so what? We will love her the same way we would if she were a Shadowhunter, we will let her decide when she has the maturity and we will support her in whatever decision she makes" explained Magnus.

"We will be with her no matter what" added Alec, stroking the little girl's cheek.

"Well they're already talking like real parents, I guess she couldn't be luckier!" said Clary with a big smile.

"There's just one other thing that really worries me about my niece..." said Izzy with a very worried look on her face.

"What is it about Izz?" asked Magnus with great curiosity, taking Alec's hand and intertwining their fingers.

"Well it's something really important, I can't believe that so far no one has asked! What name will you choose for her?" he said smiling as he watched the little girl stretch out on his brother's arm and slowly open her tender little eyes.

"Oh that! It's been settled from the first moment we saw her!" Magnus told them with a smile, stroking his daughter's cheek.

"There was no doubt about it, she's our little Angel" agreed Alec.

"Well then could you tell us because the intrigue is killing me!" said Simon and they all burst out laughing, "what? you guys don't?" he asked the others next to him somewhat indignantly.

"Of course, honey!" exclaimed Izzy.

"So, what's the name you chose?" asked Jace.

Magnus took the little girl in his arms and Alec settled next to him resting his chin on his beloved's shoulder, their gazes fixed on the baby in front of them who opened her eyes to look at them and smiled somewhat sleepily still.

They decided to name her Aldara, which means winged gift, for them the little one was an angel that came into their lives to fulfill one of their greatest wishes, now thanks to Aldara they were a family, the Lightwood-Bane family.