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Chapter Text

After Maryse Lightwood, now Maryse Trueblood, got divorced and exiled, everything changed for the Lightwood siblings. Maryse used to be a stern and hard to please mother, concerned on what people might say and how best to prepare her children for a world that had no tolerance for anything that didn’t fit to the norm they set as normal. Marrying in her 17’s, as was custom at the time, she was lucky enough to choose her prospects. And she chose Robert Lightwood, full of poise and distinction, dark hair, a pale complexion and a strong body. Coming from an influential family and having black hair, dark eyes, light dark skin and as attractive as her manners were impeccable, she was one of the few that could choose her husband, but she never expected that the rules she was taught to leave her totally unprepared for the chaotic life of being a mother. Being quickly overwhelmed with caring for her children, and trying desperately to fit her children into the very strict mold that society and her husband demanded. She bore 3 children, her first born, always eager to please, but who always left her frustrated as he usually just barely reached perfection, giving her problems in her very unstable marriage. Alexander, with his pale skin, dark hair and luminescent hazel eyes, always tried to do everything she ordered, but was never able to reach success. 

Her second one two years later, Isabelle, almost a copy of herself physically, seeming to realize the constant failures of her brother, just put in enough effort to be mediocre at everything, never surpassing anyone’s expectation. And in the beginning, Maryse thought that when Alec and Izzy’s education finally got separated, she could work harder on her daughter, while her son would finally be under the responsibility of his father. But soon enough life would prove her wrong on all her misconceptions.

And with Max… well, when her little redheaded brown eyed baby turned out 7 years later, Maryse was exhausted. After two children that couldn’t and wouldn’t reach her expectations, she didn’t have much hope for the last one, so he usually stayed under the care of her eldest.

As she was young, fantasizing about her future, she never expected she would realize her failures so abruptly, or for the way that revelation would come to her.

Alec can still remember when right after his 14 th birthday his mother took him aside to have, what would be, the last conversation they shared. 

The last 2 years had made Alec’s relationship with his mother very confusing. Gone was the overly strict and unyielding woman he was raised by. The efficient and utterly loyal subject of King Morgenstern now pushed for changes, and questioned orders. And the change had been so jarring, that Alec didn’t know anymore what the rules of being a good son were. He was supposed to become obedient, unyielding and resilient, always. And that paired with ‘the law is hard, but it is the law’, made him feel as though his mother was relentlessly removing his very foundations. 

Sticking to habit, especially now that he wasn’t sure on how he should behave, Alec stands at parade rest in front of her mother’s desk. 

Maryse smiles sadly at her son and says, “Alec, why don’t you sit down? I’m afraid this won’t be an easy conversation.” It’s only after Alec sits down, that she continues. “My love, I know you must be very confused about many things, and I was hoping to give you the time to come to me under your own terms, but sadly time has run out for me. Let me start with 2 truths that have been the reason for every decision, good and bad, that I’ve made since I knew I was pregnant with you. First, I’ve always wanted to make you able to survive the world around you and, later, do the same for your siblings. And second, I will always love you and your siblings unconditionally, no matter who you are, or what you decide to do. Even if I don’t agree with something you do, my love for you is never in question, and I’m so sorry that I ever thought it was better that you would believe otherwise.”

Alec feels dread sitting in the pit of his stomach, and unsuccessfully trying to appear calm, he asks, “Mother, what’s going on? Why does it sound like you’re saying goodbye?”

“Because in a way, I am. I came to an agreement with your father, which means I won’t have the protection of the Lightwood name anymore”, she answers, folding her hands and looking defeated.

“What would you need protection from?”, asks Alec, now adding protectiveness to his confusion.

“I’ve been too forward with the changes I wanted to accomplish, too impatient, but I’ve run out of time”, she sighs, trying to find the right words to make this easier, but so far failing once more.

“Out of time for what?”, asks Alec, unable to hide his worry this time.

“To protect you from sacrificing parts of yourself. I wish I had more time to answer all the questions you probably have, but I need you to listen carefully to me. And I leave under your discretion what you share with your siblings afterwards.”, she says as she leans forward, reaching across her desks for Alec, but stopping half way.

“Wait, you won’t talk with them before you go?”, asks Alec, feeling confusion enhance his worry.

“There’s no time, and there are some things that they’re too young to understand now. You’re barely old enough, but I can’t wait anymore”, she says as she stands up and takes the chair next to Alec.

Seeing his mother so distressed stunned him, but he managed to say, “Ok Mom, tell me what I need to know”

Maryse smile was once again tinted with sadness, but she straightens up her spine and continues, “There’s a law, a very old one that stays to this day, where it states that, under the approval of a guardian, parents can marry off their children from the age of 14 until they turn 18, before they are declared adults. If one of the parents doesn’t agree, the decision that prevails is that of the paterfamilias, which in this case would be your father. But I’ve made an agreement with him that I’ll give up the Lightwood name, give him the cleanest divorce possible, if he agrees to never marry any of you off. I’ve allowed the possibility of an engagement, and only engagement, from ages 16 to 18, but only with your consent. If any proof of coercion is presented, then the engagement is null. And I added something specific for your case Alec.”

“This is because I just turned 14, right? Was dad marrying me off?”, asks Alec, his shoulders slumping in his guilt. It was his fault that his mother had to leave.

Maryse reaches for her son’s hands, holds them in hers, and says, “There have been some conversations and rumors, but nothing set in stone yet. Alec, this next part is very important, and I know you’ll probably hate me for this. I wanted this to be under your terms, but be assured that your father can’t talk about this agreement to anyone, there’s powerful magic that prevents it.”

“Magic? Who have you been talking to?”, asks Alec, scared of what his mother might have gotten herself into. He has heard about deals and wishes, and most of the stories told didn’t end in a happily ever after.

“I rather not tell you”, she hesitates, and seeing Alec’s hurt expression, she hurries to add, “Not because I don’t trust you, but because I fear that if your father knows that you know, he’ll use any means necessary to get the name out of you, and search the person to force them to take off the spell. And they don0t like us very much to start with.”

“Ok, but what price did you have to pay?”, asks Alec, unable to stop his worry from increasing.

“Doesn’t matter now, but I promise I’ll make it up to you.”, she replies, looking guilty and conflicted. 

“What do you mean make it up to me? Did you use the Family money to pay?”, asks Alec, not so much concerned about himself, but about his siblings' future.

“No my dear, people that wield magic place very little value in material things, they get paid in pending potential, possibilities and other immaterial thing”, answers Maryse, and seeing Alec’s still confused look, she tightens her hold on her son’s hands and adds, “Alec, please, this next part is important.”

Alec stays silent and nods.

“The part that’s specific to you, and I’m hoping you can ensure it’s not needed for your siblings in case they might need it, is that you can’t be allowed to marry a woman.”, says Maryse, softening her words as much as she can.

“What?! Why? How?”, asks a panicking Alec. He’d been so careful.

“I figured it out when you were 12. It was nothing obvious, but I had my doubts. I confirmed it when I heard you talking with Jace.”, she admits. Poor Jace , she thinks briefly, thinking of how her recently adopted son had so little time with two parents, before he had to lose one of them again. At least now the golden haired and golden eyed boy would be left with siblings and a father.

“You heard when I was telling him why I couldn’t be his parabatai. Why I couldn’t share a piece of my soul with him, as is tradition for warriors. It was when he refused to take no for an answer”, says Alec, understanding falling on him like a bag of bricks.

“Yes. I’ll admit that my first thoughts about it weren’t the best, but Jace’s reaction to your confession stunned me. That he reassured you and told you it changed nothing? It challenged every preconceived notion I had. Those were some rough months for me, I had to reevaluate everything I’ve done and believed in. I also realized that I have some pending apologies that I’m not sure I’ll be able to make. I’m sorry I became even more distant at that time.”, she tries to explain, regretting all the time lost, every second of it.

“So you know, and now Dad knows.”, says Alec, feeling a void opening in his stomach. He was just unwillingly outed as gay to his very conservative parents. And his soul-bond with Jace put the blond in immediate danger.

“I didn’t go into specifics, but forbidding engagements with women kind of gave it away”, she says, looking apologetic. She wished there had been another way, but she knew that if she didn’t specify, Robert would take advantage of it, especially without her present.

“That’s why this last week he’s been so disgusted by me. This means he’ll kill any chance I get for any higher position, I don’t have a future anymore”, says Alec, devastated. So much meticulously hiding and preparing for taking over Head of the Lightwoods at some point was for nothing.

“No! Alec, it’ll be hard at the beginning, but he’s not as powerful as he makes himself out  to be.”, she tries to reassure him.

“It is when he’s still my guardian. Why did you do this? I could have dealt with marrying a woman, you didn’t have to take my future away from me”, says Alec, unable to stop the bitterness from spreading in him.

“Love, this is exactly why I had to do it. You don’t value your heart as much as you should. And I know it’s my fault, but I’m doing everything I can to fix it”, she says firmly, hoping with all her heart that he later remembers her words, and finds a way to really understand them.

Sadly, they couldn’t continue their conversation, leaving so much unsaid, because Robert stormed in and threw Maryse out of the house in less than an hour. Alec had to explain the situation to his siblings, well he explained that their parents were divorcing. One week later they learned, thanks to the newspaper, how their father decided to make the divorce very public, by announcing everywhere that Maryse got banished. 

After that Alec was relegated to house duties only, while Izzy started her training as the future Interim Head of the Lightwood name, at least until Max was old enough to be trained. This gained his father many compliments for his open-mindedness and progressive ideals. He did get some hate from the more conservative parties, but since it would only be temporary, there was usually more pity involved in their hate than fury. Besides, it wasn’t like he had an older son that he was willing to train, as he liked to tell everyone who would hear how his oldest would be a disgrace to the family if he decided to continue training him. And while Jace was still legally adopted after his parents death, and was a part of their family, the fact that he was the last Wayland demanded that he continued that bloodline.

Alec wanted to make sure that Izzy knew he didn’t resent her, but he never told her the reason for their father’s change. It was better that she could benefit from it, for as long as she could, rather than doom them both. Besides, she just lost her mother, he couldn’t rob her of her father too by telling her the whole truth.

He just never expected for them to get so distanced. He was just trying to protect her, keep her happy, and he didn’t think that would have been possible if she knew why she was getting doted on by their father. She would have felt undeserving of the attention and opportunities the situation provided, and Izzy deserved everything that was good in the world. If that meant he had to go along with the trash his father said about him, then the only hurt party was him. And he had no problem dealing with hurt, if it meant a better life for those he loved. 

He couldn’t really blame her when what their father said started to take roots. It’s not like he was disputing it. Especially when she spent most of her time with their father due to her training, while also taking into account that she was just 12 years old. It was Alec’s own fault really, for being the way he was. 

Jace didn’t notice the changes until a year after their mother had to leave. Alec tried to make him see that there was no reason for him to feel guilty. His training as future Head of the Wayland family had nothing to do with Robert Lightwood, so he couldn’t really have noticed anything during the day. It made sense that the few free hours he had, he spent with friends and the occasional girlfriend. Or that Alec had his hands full with running the house, and could never join them. Looking back Alec thinks the conflicting love and betrayal his mother left him to deal with, kept him from taking refuge, to look for safety in his brother, but whatever it was Alec was glad it gave Jace extra time to feel unburdened from him.

Alec did sometimes wonder why the household staff suddenly left, but it was a good thing he now had the time to take care of those chores and could keep taking care of a 6 years old Max. Luckily his father didn’t deem him too filthy to be Max’s babysitter, at least until he turned 12 and started being useful to him. He decided not to dwell too much on that and just make the most of the time he had time before that time.

He did regret the distance the situation forced between Izzy and Jace, but with time they all settled into their new roles. Besides it was around that time that their father’s new wife, Annamarie Highsmith with her classically beautiful blond hair, blue eyes and pale skin, and her 12 year old daughter Regina, perfect copy of her mother, moved in. 

Alec was finishing some baking when Izzy, and whom he assumed to be Regina, entered the Kitchen.

“And this is the Kitchen” says Izzy.

“You only have one servant?” asks Regina, curling her mouth in disdain.

“That’s Alec, he’s the cook, does the cleaning and is Max’s nanny”, says Izzy, in a detached informative way.

“He looks younger than the servants I usually see, and we used to have many at my old place, so I know about having servants.”, says Regina, haughtily.

“Yeah, we’ve had to make due with Alec. My dad says it’s because Maryse took too much when she left, and since Alec didn’t have any of the minimum requirements to be the Lightwood Head, he makes himself useful with the household chores.”, replies Izzy, clearly uncomfortable.

“Wait, he’s your brother?”, asks Regina, in shock.

“Yes”, says Izzy. And her embarrassment over being siblings shouldn’t still cut Alec so deep, but his stubborn heart cracks a bit more.

“He must be really stupid to be a male firstborn and only be useful for household duties”, says Regina thoughtfully, and seeming to come to a decision adds, “But it’s better this way, we’ll both be bad-asses as Heads of our family.”

“For me it’s only until my little brother takes over”, says Izzy, feeling hopeful and embarrassed at the same time.

“Don’t worry, you can totally be my Deputy when that happens.” Regina says, as they leave the kitchen.

Izzy and Regina took to each other fast, and in no time became inseparable. It helped that they were close to the same age, and as the last living born Highland, it was decided that Regina was also under Robert’s training. Alec wondered if the reason Jace’s training wasn’t also under Robert’s was because the man had no power over who Jace would marry in the future.

Everyone adjusted once more, and the years went by.

“Alec, you're 18 now, it’s your chance to get out of here. I could go with you, if you want”, says Jace, while forcing Alec to accept his birthday present, a bow and quiver.

“Why would I want you to give up your life? Besides, Max’s is not old enough for me to leave”, says Alec, still trying to refuse the gift. Jace shouldn’t waste such expensive equipment on him, it’s not like he’s going to use it, especially since his only experience with it is when Jace allows him to train with him.

“Alec, he’s 10. He’s starting training with Robert in 2 years, and then he won’t need you as much. Can we agree that you’ll leave when he’s 12?”, Jace tries again, trying to look for a compromise.

“I need to stay until he’s 18”, replies Alec firmly.

“You want to wait until you’re 26?”, asks a shocked Jace. Especially in a warrior society like theirs, 26 is way past any possible option for any higher command or leadership position.

“Jace, I have to”, says Alec, not giving an inch.

“But why! You keep saying you have your reasons, but I really wished you would just tell me, because I don’t understand!”, exclaims Jace, exasperated. And he knows it annoys Alec that he keeps asking, but he’s determined not to stop.

“I think it’s better if you don’t know”, replies Alec calmly. Jace already burdens himself by being there for him, well as much as he lets him. Alec doesn’t want to add guilt to that by him having to know that Mom found out because of the discussion they had about the parabatai thing.

“Whatever weight you’ve been carrying out since forever, I want to help. We’re parabatai, we’re always there for each other, please let me be your parabatai”, begs Jace.

“Parabatai is only for fighting, and I’m not allowed to”, says Alec, but seeing Jace’s crushed expression, he asks, “Would you be ok if you helped me, without having to know the whole thing?” And he knows he shouldn’t involve his brother, but he can’t keep looking at his disappointed and hurt face anymore.

“I mean, I’d rather know, but I can deal with it if you let me help”, says Jace, accepting the compromise.

“Ok, I need to learn what you know. Strategy, fighting, politics, everything. I’ll need the skills when I leave at 26, right?”, says Alec, finally accepting the bow and quiver. Alec doesn’t really have much hope for after he’s 26, but knowing what Izzy and Max need to learn can help him understand better what Robert is using to influence his siblings and what is actually normal training. And making Jace happier is a great bonus.

“I’ll teach you everything I know and more”, says a beaming Jace.

“I’ll totally need the ‘and more’!”, says Alec, smiling widely.

“Oh shut up! First lesson, respect for your teacher”, says Jace, lightly punching his shoulder.

In his 20 years, Alec has become a master at multitasking. So while he does the laundry, he keeps up with Jace’s Lessons. This one is about how for the Seelie Realm, gender has never been recognized as binary, and the main reason his own culture does otherwise, is similar to the notion that same-sex marriage is not allowed.

“… even leaving aside that gender is something else altogether, people don’t usually know what their own chromosomes even are. It’s not like with blood type, when you know in case you need a blood transfusion. I could be XXY, does that make me woman and man?  Besides it says right here ‘ In the human, the SRY protein is detected at an early age of gonadal differentiation in XY embryos, where it induces Sertoli cell differentiation. In the human adult, it is present in both Sertoli and germ cells. In embryonic and fetal life, the evidence suggests that the  SRY  gene product regulates gene expression in a cell-autonomous manner.’ And here’s the important bit ‘The precise molecular mechanisms by which  SRY  triggers testis development are unknown, nor is it yet known how  SRY  is regulated. ’ So how can people even assume how it determinates a person’s sex when…”, Jace trails off, both Alec and him being startled by loud noises in the kitchen.

When they enter the Kitchen, they can see Isabelle taking out pots from the shelfs, while the sound of them clanging together resonates across the room. And since neither Alec nor Jace has ever seen her even warm water, they could only watch in shock and silence.

“Hello Jace, are you just going to just stand around, or are you going to help me”, says Isabelle, without even turning around.

“First, say hello to your other brother too”, replies Jace.

Isabelle mumbles a “Hello Alec” without looking up, while Alec grabs Jace’s shoulder and shakes his head. Alec gets that Jace is always trying to make Isabelle respect him, and not treat him as basically lower than a servant, but Alec would rather that Jace and Isabelle have a better relationship. Besides, with Robert’s, Annamarie’s and Regina’s constant vitriol against him, Isabelle respecting him would just make her life harder.

“So, what do you need help with”, asks Jace, giving an exasperated look towards Alec.

“I need to make Prince Jonathan his favorite dish”, says Isabelle, “and I need to have it done in 2 hours”, says a clearly frustrated Isabelle.

“What? Why? Doesn’t he have a whole cooking team for that?” asks Jace, while Alec takes a look at the recipe Isabelle left on the table and starts gathering what’s needed.

“The royals were saying that if I was raised to be a wife instead of Interim House Head, I’d have an offer of marriage already, instead of almost being 18 and still being eternally single. The Prince said that he believed I had more value than that, and that I could prove it. So he gave me the recipe for his favorite dish, so I could prove myself to everyone”, says Isabelle.

“And he gave you a deadline?”, asked Jace, feeling suspicious about the whole situation.

“Yeah, to make sure that everyone who doubted me would be present”, answers Isabelle.

“Izzy, I’m sorry, but it sounds like he’s manipulating you. Besides, not being married yet is a good thing, it means no one can force you to marry someone you don’t want to”, says Alec tentatively.

“Don’t call me that!”, says Isabelle, “And I didn’t ask for your wrong opinion!”

“Isabelle, I agree with Alec. Besides, Robert has some weird dealings going on with King Valentine”, interrupts Jace.

“This again! Dad is not the devil! I’ve never understood why you can’t get along with him, he’s always treated you like his own son”, says Isabelle, highly defensive.

“Clearly he hasn’t”, says Jace, nodding towards Alec, who doesn’t see the gesture, since he’s reading the recipe. 

“That’s different. And I don’t have the time to get into this with you again. I still need to get ready for the dance and Dad needs to talk with me before I leave.”, says Isabelle, clearly frustrated.

“I’ll take care of this”, says Alec, pointing to the ingredient on the counter, “You go prepare for the ball, and I’ll have this ready for when you need to leave”

“Thank you”, says Isabelle quietly, and taking a step in Alec’s direction, says, “I only wish… ejem… aren’t you going to the ball as well?”

The question shocks Alec. Not because he wanted to go, since he had zero interest in going, but because she was including him. In an event where the whole family was included, but only the family, and she was including him.

The moment was broken by Regina storming in, with Max right behind her, with a frog in his hands.

“Isabelle, here you are! Please let’s go get ready for the ball, and away from that warts inducing menace”, says Regina, not waiting for an answer, but just grabbing Isabelle’s hand and dragging her out of the kitchen.

“Hey buddy, what do you have there?”, asks Alec, grabbing a big glass jar and putting it on the counter. As if in a choreographed dance, Jace puts a bit of well water in the jar and Max puts the frog gently inside.

“I heard you complaining about there being too many flies around, so I brought Hilberto here to help”, says Max with a bright smile, “and if I can make my evil step-sister cranky, that’s even better”

“Max, don’t antagonize Regina. And just because she is our step-sister, it doesn’t make her evil. Jace is not related to us by blood either, but you love him the same as me”, says Alec.

“Nope, she’s evil because she always says bad things about you. And I love you more than Jace, because you make me cookies”, answers Max.

Jace shrugs and says “Fair enough, Alec’s cookies could accomplish world peace”

“Shut up, they’re just cookies”, says Alec blushing. “Now shoo, I have some royal cooking to do”

Chapter Text

Alec just manages to finish packaging Isabelle’s dish when she enters the Kitchen.

“Right on time, I just finished”, says Alec, not daring to look at Izzy to see her reaction. And as he finished packing the dishes, he added softly, “I know you don’t want my opinion on this, but I think you should know that I just barely managed to finish this on time, and I have a lot more practice cooking than women being trained to be a good wife have.”

“Thanks”, says Isabelle, and then just stands there, in silence, staring blankly at nothing.

“Isabelle, is everything alright?”, says Alec, approaching her cautiously.

It’s only when he’s standing in front of her that she starts to mumble “I know I was complaining earlier, but by now it’s almost automatic, you know? It seems I only mean like 60% of the things I say, and it’s around 10% regarding you”, she takes a deep breath, and says, “I thought I had more time. I wanted to know what falling in love felt like”. Her words stop when the tears start and Alec pulls her into his arms. At the sound of someone approaching, Isabelle freezes. By the time they can see Jace entering, they’re already a meter apart.

“Hey guys”, greets a surprised Jace, since it’s not usual to see Isabelle and Alec alone. “Is everything…”

“Thank you for the dish Alec”, interrupts Isabelle, “and you never told me if you were coming to the ball or not, but I managed to find you some sort of appropriate clothes. They’re mostly old ones from Dad, from when he was younger, so you should pair this with boots, because the pants are probably shorter.”

“Thank you, that’s very kind of you”, says Alec, astonished. He never even considered going to the Prince’s Ball, even if everyone in the Kingdom was invited, but Isabelle’s concern is more than he’s received from her in a very long time.

“Not really. I’ve realized that I have let myself be influenced by … people. I’ve taken the easier way out, and I’ve never really known how to approach you, but now that I’ve run out of time…” The return of her tears interrupts her. This time Jace holds her, ignoring her performative complaints that she was fine, and just gathers her in his arms.

“What’s going on?” asks Jace after a few moments of silence, but instead of prompting an answer, the words snap Isabelle back into her usual façade.

“Nothing out of the ordinary, don’t worry. Just needed a few seconds for emotions, but I’m fine now. I need to go to the ball now, otherwise I’ll be late.”, says Isabelle, while delicately wiping her tears.

“Jace, you look decent enough, why don’t you go with Isabelle to the ball? I’ll see if I can manage to join you guys later?”, asks Alec, looking pleadingly at Jace, not wanting Isabelle to be left alone in the uncharacteristically emotional state she’s in.

Both siblings look at him shocked, but Jace manages to recover first. “Sounds perfect, I was planning on checking it out anyways”

Alec gives Isabelle a hug and a kiss, and when he goes to hug Jace, he whispers, “If Robert even hints at an engagement or marriage, tell him to remember mom’s agreement.” And before Jace can question him, he continues louder, “You guys better get going, so the carriage has time to come back to pick up the others” He gives them the dish and sees them out.

It’s a while later that Alec re-enters the Kitchen, dressed with the clothes Isabelle picked up for him and his recently cleaned boots. What he didn’t expect was to see Regina pacing.

“Where’s Isabelle?”, demands Regina when she sees him.

“She left for the ball with Jace. The carriage must probably be back by now, if you need it.”, replies Alec calmly.

“You’re a moron! In her moment of emotional breakdown, you let her go with Jace? What, next time you’ll leave her with the next random stranger that’s walking by?!”, yells Regina, releasing all her frustrations on Alec.

“Jace is not a stranger, he’s her brother”, he answers, more firmly than usual, but still keeping to the soft tones that has proven to be less insulting in his actual servant station.

“He’s her fighting instructor at most, I’m her sibling. You really are only useful for house work”, throws Regina dismissively at him, resuming her pacing.

Oh, it shouldn’t hurt. He’s heard it a thousand times before, and most days it doesn’t really hurt anymore. But she’s saying that he’s hurting Isabelle, reminding him that he’s the reason his siblings don’t have the relationship they should have. If it was only him, he can take it, but it hurts knowing that he’s the one to blame for his loved ones being hurt.

“What’s all this screaming Regina? And why are you not with Isabelle?”, asks Robert, while Annemarie and him enter the room.

“Because this idiot over here told her to go to the ball with Jace.”, says Regina, pointing to Alec.

“Why are you sticking your nose in our family? You know what, don’t answer that. And what are you wearing? Are you planning on going to the ball? With those ancient rags?”, asks Annemarie, looking at him with disgust.

“Are those my old clothes?”, asks Robert, managing to mix his shock with disdain.

“The Lightwoods were invited, and I’m a Lightwood, so I can go too”, replies Alec with a soft and calm tone.

“Pfft! Those clothes are basically falling apart! If you go dressed like that, and with your lack of manners, you’ll only bring shame to our name. I have no idea where this delusion of grandeur came from, but this stops now”, says Robert as he approaches Alec. And is with one hard yank to his sleeve that he rips the seams of Alec’s jacket. “Pathetic”, continues Robert, grabbing a handful of the shirt “that you still believe you are anything more than servant-worthy”, he finishes with another hard yank that ends up thoroughly ripping the fabric.

Before he can let go, Alec grabs the hand holding the shredded fabric and says, trying to make his voice sound as firm as he can manage, while also trying to ignore the onslaught of anxiety that any form of confrontation provokes in him, “I don’t care what you think of me, but you’re scheming something, and if I find out you’re involving Izzy…” Alec doesn’t get to finish, because Robert punches him in the stomach, hard enough that it leaves him breathless.

“Don’t you dare try to tell me how to raise my daughter! I’m done with your disgusting self for now”, says Robert and spits at him. “Let’s go.” he orders Regina and Annemarie, who follow him in silence, both by now familiar on how a rage infused Robert can lash out at anyone who approaches and questions him.

After a few slammed doors, there’s finally complete silence in the house. He fears that there’s something going on at the ball, but then again, it could just be Robert’s usual spiteful self. He always got more violent when Alec talked back. And he knows Jace will protect Isabelle if it gets to that. Besides, for all his faults, Robert does love Isabelle, and would want what’s best for her, right? 

So with that in mind, he decides to forget about his attempt at autonomy, about being actually useful to Izzy and get to know what it feels like to spend one night with both his siblings, one night as someone who still has options and possibilities for his future. But no, it’s better if he stays, and decides he can at least have something for his siblings for when they come back. So he starts to mindlessly make embers tortillas (descriptio in the notes), before he has to fully start the fire at the fireplace again. And for the next blissful hour of quiet he has, it’s just Alec in his own little corner waiting for the tortillas to cook, in his own little chair with a book in his cinder covered hands. 

After the tortillas were done, he took them out and rekindled the fire. And it was there, kneeling by the fireplace, covered in ashes and in shredded clothes, that the simmering anxiety he had tried to push down hit him full-force. Robert was up to something, wasn’t he? And it definitely involved Isabelle. What had she meant when she said she had run out of time? Robert loved her, so the chances of her being in physical harm were low. It sounded more like doing something she didn’t agree with, something she didn’t want. 

“I wish I could go to the ball”, says Alec quietly to himself, wanting for once in his life to be able to protect his siblings, to not just be a distraction from their father’s scheming and ill-temper, but to be able to shield them. To keep them safe. What he didn’t expect was for the glittery golden explosion that followed his declaration. Or the gorgeous equally glittery man that materialized right in front of him. Golden-brown skin, black hair, beautiful face with almond shaped golden eyes, full lips, amazing arms, and more grace and poise he ever thought it was possible for someone to have.

“Yes! A wish! Finally!”, booms a voice echoing around the formerly quiet Kitchen, “Years waiting to be able to take matters into my own hands! But no! No wish, no access! Blocked from the whole situation, like eternal constipation. Not even an ‘I wish it was sunny’. I almost thought you didn’t even know that word existed.”

Alec stands up in less than a second, looking stunned at a man standing in the middle of the Kitchen, facing opposite him. Remembering that he was the only person left on the ground floor, and that Max was upstairs sleeping and unprotected, he started to move silently to the door. But just as he reached the threshold, the man finished looking around the Kitchen and focused fully on him. And it must be some kind of magic, because he’s pinned in place just by golden eyes, being able to focus only on him in return. Sure, the man looks like all his fantasies put together and then some, and the whole unexpected situation has him more shock-prone than he normally would, but he should be able to take in full breaths, right?

A few moments of silence pass, during which the man is probably strategizing the best plan of attack. For a while they just stare at each other. It’s only after the man blinks a few times that he continues. “You can grunge yourself up all you want darling, but the gorgeous still spills all over.”

“W-what the … I must have hit my head. This is not real.”, says Alec, reassuring himself. 

“I guess calling me unreal could be considered a compliment?”, says Magnus, taking a step in Alec’s direction, only for him to take a step back. Feeling the very physical and real threshold behind him, convinces Alec that this is indeed actually happening. 

Straightening his spine Alec asks, “Are you here to hurt my family?”

The man’s eyes widen slightly in surprise, and then calmly replies, “No, I am not. I’m not here to hurt you either.”

“I’m crazy, I shouldn’t trust anything a suddenly appearing sparkly man says, but ok”, says Alec, feeling extremely confused that he actually believes in this stranger, and in a lack of anything else to add, he asks, “Would you like some tea? Something to eat?”

“Sure”, replies the man, bewildered, “This is totally not the kind of welcome I usually get”

“Why? What do you usually get?”, asks Alec, starting the fireplace and hanging the teapot over it, focusing fully on what he can do, and not the unbelievable and extraordinary things happening in his kitchen. Because he is fully aware of the existence of supernatural people, especially with King Morgenstern’s fear of them, but having one in his home is a completely different thing.

“Basically how many wishes they get, and if they can wish for more wishes”, says the man, waiting for Alec to catch on, and start making those kinds of questions.

“You’ve been mentioning wishes a lot, but I still don’t even know who you are”, replies Alec, focusing on the tea and putting some cookies on a plate.

For a moment the man looks surprised, more used to being treated as a what rather than a who, but he quickly composes himself and asks, lifting an eyebrow , “What? Was the golden glitter spectacle not clear enough?”

“Clear enough for what? Are you a door to door glitter salesman?”, asks Alec, a little frustrated, while he places two mugs on the Kitchen counter.

“Wouldn’t that be an interesting job! Do you think it would be more popular for kid’s birthdays or grown up parties?”, wonders the man out loud, delighting in Alec’s interesting inputs to the conversation.

“Not the point”, answers Alec, trying to shake the mental images this man is evoking in him, “Look, I’ll start. I’m Alexander Lightwood, but everyone calls me Alec, and I live here”, says Alec, gesturing for Magnus to take a seat.

“Since I’m not everyone, I hope it’s ok if I call you Alexander?”, asks the still unnamed stranger as he sits down.

“Sure, if you want to”, says Alec, unable to stop a blush from reaching his cheeks. And really, it shouldn’t be hearing his full name the thing that affects him the most, considering everything else that’s been going on.

“Well, Alexander, I’m Magnus Bane. During the day I’m the High Warlock that oversees Edom”, gestures Magnus, somehow managing to give an elegant and impressive bow while sitting down.

“And during the night you like to do some breaking and entering? I would have guessed that someone in such a high position wouldn’t have the need”, says Alec placing a container with tea leaves on the counter.

“Alexander, nothing I do at night is for monetary gain”, says Magnus, finishing with a wink that makes Alec’s blush reappear. The teapot whistling gives Alec the perfect opportunity to turn around and regain his footing. He knows he’s not socially talented, but Magnus puts him in a whole new level of inadequacy. 

As he’s filling their mugs with hot water Magnus continues. “My dealings with wishes is more of a calling than a job, per se. When, for example, princesses have a need regarding emotional gain, realization or needing emotional growth, I’m allowed to intervene in their lives. All very consensual, I assure you.”

“So, you’re what? A Fairy Godfather?”, asks Alec, still confused, as he adds tea leaf infusers to the mugs.

“Gods no! That would be an awful job to have. I’m a Fairy Godmother. People sometimes get confused, and it’s totally understandable, especially since it’s such an antiquated notion that fathers can’t be as nurturing and loving as mothers. Sadly, the Fairy Godparents Council are still stuck in the endless discussion of what to name the different jobs. But anyways, I didn’t come here to talk politics, I’m here to get you to the ball and find you your true love.”

“Does it have to be in that order?”, asks Alec without really thinking, because this man has made him react like no one before has been able to. Not that he has much experience interacting with people, but something tells him that no one could ever compare to Magnus. Maybe he’s just touch-starved, and unsettlingly needy, and still dazzled by all the golden sparks.

“What? You don’t want to go to the ball? Wasn’t that what you were wishing for just now?”, asks Magnus

“Yes, it’s been my dream, forever and ever. I sing about it every morning as birds help me with my morning routine”, deadpans Alec.

Magnus shrugs, opting to completely ignore his tone of voice and stoic expression, and replies, “Well, you know what they say, a dream is a wish your heart makes”

“And who are ‘they’?”, asks Alec, unimpressed.

“You know, people”, replies Magnus with a vague hand gesture, but then turns serious and asks, “You really don’t want to go? To have at least one night when you can just be, and enjoy? Not having to deal with any of your current worries? Have at least for a moment, a reprieve from all of the responsibilities that burden you? One moment of relaxation, peace and safety?”

“Not really. I mean, I thought about it, but balls are not really my scene. And besides it’s not like if I went I could solve anything”, answers Alec, because now that he thinks it over, now that he has the very real option of  going, he can’t really see how he could have influenced things for the better, especially considering Robert’s insecurities with public displays.

“You don’t want to go to the ball?”, questions Magnus, utterly shocked.

“I don’t want to go to the ball. Actually, I was kind of relieved when they told me I couldn’t go”, confesses Alec, and still feeling conflicted he starts laughing softly. Sure, ripping clothes is a way of telling, since it definitely gets the message across.

“Oh… then the outfit I had planned … and it would have looked wonderful on you”, replies a devastated Magnus. And it’s not like he had the outfit planned before he saw Alec, but once he got to see him in the flesh, he felt the urgent need to dress him in all the finest things he could. “And I wouldn’t be able to accomplish the calling. It’ll say on my records that I left a wish unfulfilled.”

Seeing Magnus' defeated expression makes Alec start to cave, and prompts him to say, still a bit unsure, “Well, I guess I could go for a bit. But not after midnight, otherwise I won’t be able to finish the baked goods for tomorrow.” 

Baked goods have always been Alec’s fail-proof method of lifting his sibling’s spirits, and as devastated as Isabelle looked, she’ll need something good. Besides, now he can be physically present, and if she actually meant what she said, then she wants him to be there. This realization has Alec smiling. And if he goes, that means he gets to spend more time with Magnus, which makes his smile a bit wider. Maybe having a night for himself is not such a bad idea, especially if it means he gets to steal a few more hours with this magical man.

“You mean you need to give time for the yeast to fuck?”, asks Magnus, finding himself delighted by this man’s smile and trying to keep him smiling.

“For the dough to rise, but well … not really wrong … but don’t.”, answers Alec, trying not to giggle, or blush again.

Magnus shrugs, and with a mischievous smile says, “Not a problem, it’s enough time to get you a dance with the princess, and maybe we can get your dough to rise too.”

“Don’t”, pleads Alec. Not so much for the innuendo, but for the addition of the princess in the sentence.

“Sorry, I just lust for crust”, shrugs Magnus unapologetically.

I wouldn’t mind you lusting for my crust , thinks Alec, but manages to stop himself from voicing those thoughts and instead says, “Nope”

“I’m a beast for your yeast?”, winks Magnus, which does gain Magnus his coveted blush.

“Stop, please”, says Alec, lowering his face to hide his red cheeks, and hold back the giggles that want to escape him.

“Ok, I’m done… for now. Now let’s get started”, says Magnus, not wanting Alec to feel uncomfortable, or to change his mind.

“You’ll stay with me? At the ball?”, asks Alec, suddenly insecure now that Magnus is making him stand up to see his outfit, now that this starts to feel more real.

“No worries, I’ll be around to supervise that everything works out. We’ll get you your princess and I’ll stay with you until that’s accomplished”, says Magnus, now fishing for a clearer reaction, with no innuendos to interfere. But if there was one, Magnus misses it, since Alec chooses that moment to pick up their mugs. 

With a flick of his hands, he makes the mugs in Alec’s hands clean, wanting to get Alexander’s attention focused back on him. With a shocked look, Alec puts them away, turns to Magnus and says, “Thank you. Magic seems to be very convenient”

“Speaking of, it’s time to make you ball ready. Not that you don’t look delightful all rumpled up, but I was thinking something more formal”, says Magnus, and he can’t help but smile as Alec turns a lovely shade of red, while trying to hide his own small pleased smile. “No worries, I’ll pick the perfect color to make sure you’re irresistible”, says Magnus, thinking that he’s pretty irresistible already, but with a quick shake of his hands he remains himself that he needs to refocus on his goal.

“I don’t think a different color scheme can be that miraculous”, answers Alec.

“You would be surprised by how much colors can enhance. And you already are a miracle darling, you would look gorgeous even if you were dressed in Pantone 488 C”, declares Magnus, and at Alec confused expression, he adds, “Don’t worry about it, just trust me and stand near the light so I can enhance your already breathtaking beauty”

Alec can’t find words to refute him, especially since his previous attempt ended in even more compliments. So, with a blush, he goes to the most illuminated part of the kitchen, which happens to be closer to the magical man.

Magus trails his hands softly over his shoulders and his hair, and Alec doesn’t know how he manages to remain impassive, when his heart is beating three times faster.

“Blue and silver”, says Magnus, and before Alec tries to come up with an answer to that, he continues, “Will look gorgeous on you”

Alec doesn’t think that anything could have prepared him for what it feels like to have Magnus’s magic dance over his skin. And true, other than Jace and Max, no one touches him with affection, but the sparks moving through his clothes feel warm and somehow caring. He cannot help closing his eyes and letting himself be immersed in the feeling. It’s when he feels the brush of a hand against his own that he realizes the magic stopped, and slowly opening his eyes, he sees Magnus, watching him with an expression he’s not able to define.

After a few moments of silence, where they just look at each other, mesmerized with each other, they're startled by the cracking of the fireplace. Magnus' expression changes instantly back to his carefree playful attitude of before.

“Well, this has to be one of my better works, what do you think?”, asks Magnus, making a full length mirror appear with a gesture of his hand.

With some effort, Alec turns away from Magnus and looks at his reflection, only to be stunned at what he finds. Gone are the ripped clothes he had, and unlike all the outfits he owns, this one fits him perfectly. Enhancing his body in ways he didn’t think possible. He looks elegant, powerful, tall and overall, really, really good. He looks like what he hoped he would become, when he still thought he could become the Head of the Lightwoods.

At Alec’s silence, Magnus starts to feel a little unsure, and placing a hand on Alec’s shoulder, he asks, “Do you like it? We can change it to something else if you want”

“No, thank you… this is…”, and as Alec searches for the ever elusive words to tell Magnus how much this means to him, a flash of light distracts him. Focusing on the source, he realizes that the cuffs of his sleeves have something sparkling on it. Bringing a hand closer, he sees it’s some kind of crystal, and asks, “Are these glass buttons?”

“Crystal cufflinks”, answers Magnus, “It’s a very stylish mundane invention. And well, why not crystal? You need something to compliment the shine of those pretty eyes of yours”

Alec can’t keep his blush at bay, and trying to calm himself, he asks, “And how are we getting to the Ball? I don’t think my father would send the carriage back here. But then again, we can always walk, it’s only an hour away”

Magnus gasps and says, “And ruin your outfit? I can’t allow that! If you really rather go by carriage, I can fix something up with some transfiguration. It’s said that a Fairy Godmother once transfigured some vermin into horses and coachmen. I don’t really like the moral ambiguity of that, to be honest, especially when they have to return to their original forms at some point, and the change of consciousness from animal to human and back again is kind of psychologically damaging to them… But I can make for a very decent coachman, and you can always open the door by yourself. Now the horses…”

Alec interrupts him, “It doesn’t have to be a carriage. As long as we get there, I’m perfectly ok. I trust you’ll find the best way, no need to go all morally gray for me, much less for a carriage”

Magnus takes a deep breath, relieved, “That’s perfect. Then, if you don’t mind my magic, I can portal us there”

“I like your magic”, says immediately Alec, without thinking much about it, but Magnus looks at him as if stunned, making him doubt himself “I mean, it feels nice, warm, and it’s yours, and I trust you, you’re all magical and shiny… and I’ll shut up now”, finished Alec, feeling his formerly fading blush return full force.

“Thank you darling”, answers Magnus softly, and forcibly reminds himself that he needs to try to find Alec’s true love, to help him find stability and safety, and not think of ways to keep him. So he abruptly cuts off the moment they’re having and he adds, “Then we have all we need to go to the ball”

Suddenly Alec turns around, facing the kitchen's doors, and says, “Wait, I can’t go. I can’t leave Max alone”

“My dear, that’s easily fixed”, says Magnus, while he removes one of his rings. “I’ll link this ring to your brother, so that if he’s safe and calm it’ll stay blue, if he wakes up it’ll turn light blue and if he is in distress it’ll turn red. It also sends a low electric pulse, so you don’t have to be looking at the ring the whole night. And the second it changes color, you tell me, and I’ll portal you right back.”

“Well, that’s very useful, and extremely convenient”, says Alec.

“Yep, the advantages of magic. Speaking of, it’s time to get you to the ball, we wouldn’t want people to miss their chance of getting dazzled by you”, says Magnus, and he can’t help but smile as Alec turns a lovely shade of red once more, while trying to hide his own small pleased smile.

Chapter Text

He really wishes Magnus wouldn’t ask him to do this, but it’s just so hard to tell him no when he asks him for something, or when he speaks to him, or when he looks his way. So in the end, it’s kind of inevitable that he’s now standing in line waiting to dance with the princess. 

When it’s his turn, Alec approaches Princess Clarissa for his turn to dance with her, trying to keep himself from frowning. He just really doesn’t want to dance with her, because not only is he not interested in her at all, but all the eyes that suddenly focus on the Princess' new dancing partner are unnerving and make his skin itch. So before he even has time to prepare himself, he finds himself taking position as the music starts, and they begin to move to the music.

The silence is terribly awkward, and deafening, despite the music surrounding them. 

“You know, this wouldn’t be so horrible if your mere attitude wasn’t sucking the joy out of everything. You need to relax and enjoy life, otherwise you’ll be grumpy and miserable forever”, says the princess, not being able to stand the silence any longer.

Alec for his part, feels completely irked by the princess's condescension. So, struggling to keep his voice calm in this already stressful situation, he says, “And maybe, your highness, you could realize that the rest of the world doesn’t have the luxury of relaxing and enjoying life. You shouldn’t be so egocentric if you want to one day serve your people.” 

“I’m giving you priceless good advice, in what world am I making this about me!”, demands Clary.

Just saying what he thinks to royalty is a risk, doing it in a disrespecting tone would be an unnecessary one. He should really just agree with her, get through this dance and go. But his eyes catch on a golden sparkle just outside the dance floor, and being momentarily distracted by Magnus, he can’t focus enough to hold himself back from saying, “You don’t know anything about me, who I am, whatever problems I’m facing, or what my life is like. You assume that how you perceive reality is how reality is. You’re making a whole lot of assumptions about me, and deciding that what you think about those assumptions is the only truth, and you couldn’t be more mistaken.”

“I’m a great judge of character, and I’m still focused on you, not me”, says Clary, stopping the dance and crossing her arms in front of her. And while everyone stopping around them goes unperceived by her, Alec can feel the pressure of the whole situation rising.

Despite it all he doesn’t feel like doing what he usually does, just shut up and agree to whatever the person in front of him says, to focus on survival and manage any collateral his siblings may face. Maybe because his new magical clothes make him feel somehow more confident, knowing Magnus is near if he needs help, the hope he feels in his relationship with Izzy, or a combination of all, but he finally feels like someone, someone whose opinion matters and whose needs are not worthless. 

So trying to control the exhilaration these realizations give him, he takes a few deep breaths and tries to make his voice as emotionless and unthreatening as he can, to make up for the words he can’t seem to contain, “No, you’re not. Your focus is on you being right, this has nothing to do with me. It’s all about your own self-satisfaction at being right, getting a self-congratulatory pat on your back, and a misguided attempt at improving an awkward situation you’re stuck in”, taking another deep breath and a step back from the princess, he briefly checks that the surrounding guards still don’t see him as a threat. Deciding not to risk more, he says, “I, for one, have a better solution. I’m leaving and improving my situation by finding my yeast beast.” He turns around and walks away, leaving behind an infuriated and confused princess.

“What the … I’m not that self-involved, am I? And what the fuck is a yeast beast?”, says Clary to herself, still not noticing the uncertain silence that now surrounds her.

Magnus is confused as he sees Alec approach him, especially since it’s only been a few minutes since he left him with the princess, but the abruptly stopping song is hard to ignore.

“What are you doing here?”, asks Magnus, “You’re supposed to keep dancing and fall in love with the princess. Or at least wait for the song to end when it should”

“With her? Yuck!”, replies Alec, claiming Magnus drink for himself and almost coughing out a lung after trying to chug it. He’s still feeling the rush of just saying what he thinks, to royalty no less, and Magnus’ drink is not helping at all in making him regain control.

Rubbing Alec’s back to help him breathe again, not realizing he’s making things even more difficult for Alec breathing wise, Magnus asks, “Why not? Biscuit is adorable. Met her once when she lost a golden ball in a lake. Maybe a bit too trusting, and ok, a bit self-absorbed, but not even close to some of the other princesses I’ve met. Unless there are other reasons why you’re not attracted to her?”

Alec scoffs, a little jealous now that he knows that even the annoying princess has a rapport with Magnus, “She’s loud in a bad way, entitled, way too impulsive and very self-centered.”

“Well, she’s a princess, of course she’s going to be a bit self-involved”, replies Magnus, watching closely at Alec’s reactions. He really doesn’t want to bring this up, he’s still hoping Alec will want to tell him of his own volition. Besides, maybe with time he discovered he’s bi, or pan, he could also be ace. It’s not like Maryse had much to go on when she went looking for his help, and at the time she was just learning that something other than straight existed. 

“And she’s ugly”, says Alec, almost pouting, which Magnus can’t help but find endearing.

“First, that’s a bit shallow of you. And second, you might not be into petite redheaded spitfires, but that doesn’t make her ugly”, says Magnus, and looking around he adds, “See, Blondie over there can’t keep his eyes from her”

And maybe is the Martini he basically just chugged, or seeing Jace being allowed to be open with his attraction, or the rush of confronting the princess, but Alec ends up saying, “You can’t expect me to see anyone as something other than mediocre right after I met you.”

“What?”, asks Magnus, a bit stunned by the unexpected blunt response.

“And, maybe I should have said this before, but I’m not into women. Like, at all. Sorry, I know I should’ve said something before, but I didn’t want you to leave”, confesses Alec, internally admitting that he’s a total lightweight when it comes to drinking, and Magnus’ presence. It’s like now that the damm cracked, there’s no containing himself.

“I wouldn’t have left you stranded just because you wanted a prince instead of a princess”, reassures Magnus. And the Fairy Godmother suddenly realizes that he’s been so concerned with helping Alec feel safe with his own self and come to terms with his sexuality, that he never even considered matching him up with a man. And he’s even more surprised by the rush of displeasure that overcomes him at just the thought of leading Alec into someone else’s arms, someone that Alec can truly feel attracted to. But he’s quick to reaffirm his resolve, because he can’t let his own desires come in the way of finding someone for Alec, because despite the mess they’re stuck into, doing what’s best for Alec is his priority, “There’s a Prince right over there. Come on.”

And as Magnus takes his hand to drag him across the ballroom, Alec thinks to himself, But I don’t want a prince, I want my Fairy Godmother .

While Magnus is busy dragging Alec towards the Prince, Jace approaches Clary for a second dance. The first one they shared they didn’t get to talk much, since they were both too mesmerized with each other. But this time he needed to focus, because Alec being at the ball and not going directly to him was already strange enough, but he going to dance with the princess had him really curious, especially knowing he was gay. 

“Princess, would you please allow me this dance?”, asks Jace, bowing and offering his hand.

Clary smiles, and trying to be coy, says, “Sure, why not. At least you’re cute to look at.”

“Thanks?”, asks Jace, unsure how to react. It’s true that their first interaction was very non-verbal, but surely, they connected deeper than that? 

 “You’re very welcome”, answers Clary, keeping her smile.

‘So that pull from before was diminished quickly’, thinks Jace, not feeling very comfortable at being objectified that much, especially since he was hoping for something more meaningful. But with a quick shake of his head, he thinks to himself, ‘let’s just focus on the important part’, and as he starts his dance with Clary, he asks, “So, that tall guy you were dancing with before?”

Clary huffs, not expecting Jace to bring up the guy that unsettled so many of her preconceived notions, “That grumpy insolent baker?”

“Baker?”, asks Jace, even more confused now. 

“Well, I assume, he’s not part of the royal families and he smelled like baked goods. And a house servant wouldn’t be able to afford those clothes. Also he left mumbling something about finding his yeast beast”, answers Clary, trying to sound aloof and not like she has been trying to figure out the man since he left.

Ok , thinks Jace, maybe it wasn’t Alec whom I saw . It’s true that he has never owned such expensive looking clothes, no matter how much Jace tried to gift some to him, but he also never had a yeast beast, whatever that was.

The silence that follows feels uncomfortable, to both of them, and while normally Clary would be the epitome of poise in such a public event, she’s feeling shaken enough that she can’t keep her insecurity to herself, “Do you think I’m self-involved?”

 “I’m sorry?”, asks a, once again, confused Jace.

“I know we’ve only danced once before, and it was fun attraction-wise. And I probably should be asking someone that knows me better”, finishes Clary in a mumble.

“Hey, it’s okay. I think most of us are a bit self-involved once in a while”, says Jace, feeling himself endeared to her, because if she’s concerned about this, it means she does care about others, and maybe she just lacks the tools for it, “I know I can be egocentric too, as my brother likes to remind me. The important thing is realizing if that self-involvement is making you dismiss or ignore someone else or not. Or at least have people you trust nearby to let you know you can improve”, says Jace, giving her a soft smile.

 “Maybe”, answers Clary, suddenly seeing Jace in a new light. She thought he was just hot and fun, but maybe she did need to focus more on other people and not just on her own perceptions of other people. And since she would probably never see that baker again, no one had to know she was actually considering taking his advice.

“Magnus, wait, things are not as progressive as you seem to think they are”, says Alec, as loud as he dares, while Magnus continues to drag him through the crowd.

“Then why is that Fairy Godfather dancing with that knight over there?”, asks Magnus, gesturing towards a corner where a blond knight is dancing with a taller and almost gaudy looking man.

“What?”, manages to say Alec, surprised by what he’s seeing.

“Well, if he’s any good at his job, he’ll probably be a general soon”, adds Magnus with a shrug, not giving the situation any more of his attention, focusing completely on getting Alec to the Prince before his resolve weakens again.

And because important things never seem to happen one at a time, when he looks towards the Prince again, he can see he’s now surrounded by people. And from what Alec just said about things not being as progresive, more people won’t lead to a good opportunity for romantic potential between Alec and the Prince.

Magnus stops before reaching the group, not even wanting to think about how he hasn’t let go of Alexander’s hand, and says, “Oh no! We took too long, now the Prince seems to be talking business with those people. Don’t worry darling, we still have a bit of time before midnight”

But Alec doesn’t register anything he says, because talking with the Prince are his father and Izzy. And before he’s aware, one second he is looking at his father’s self-satisfied smile, the Prince’s hungry look and Izzy’s scared and defensive posture, and the next he’s dragging a surprised and confused Magnus towards the group.

The moment Alec reaches them, and even though he wants nothing more than keep on holding Magnus’s hand, he lets him go, and shielding all his insecurities in his protectiveness for her sister, he says as confidently as he can, “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“What are you doing here?”, says Robert, surprised not only at Alec’s presence, but at the expensive clothes he’s wearing too.

“What are you doing?” asks Alec, not taking his eyes from Robert.

“Excuse me, who are you? Why are you interrupting my meeting with my fiancé?”, says the Prince, assuming Alec was a scorned lover. A very attractive scorned lover that seemed to be keeping very interesting company.

Robert, for his part, looks extremely uncomfortable, taking a painful looking hold of Izzy’s hand, and palling a bit more every time he looks towards the Prince. And Alec, seeing his reaction, is almost convinced that Robert is attempting to do the one thing he’s not allowed to. So, turning towards Izzy, and completely ignoring the Prince, he asks her bluntly “Isabelle, do you want this?” 

Izzy is at first shocked at the question, but it only takes a second for her posture to slump in resignation as she asks, “Does it matter?”

Trying to keep his anger under control, and ignoring his loudly beating heart, that keeps reminding him how unprepared he feels to confront his father, he says turning to face Robert, “Well, that confirms it. I repeat, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“Hey gorgeous”, says the Prince, trying again to get his attention, clearly not being used to not being the center of attention, “If you’re jealous, I can always open up a few nights for you”, and as he takes a step closer towards him, Alec takes a step back towards Magnus.

“First off, this doesn’t concern you”, replies Alec, with a frown and only slightly shaking hands, “And second, yuck.”

Magnus has been trying to not call attention to himself, to not intervene unless strictly necessary, but he can’t keep a chuckle from escaping him, “Alexander, seriously? I see there are more important things going on right now, but your standard for beauty is way too high”

“Your fault”, mumbles Alec, and somehow that small interaction lends him enough determination to direct all his accumulated fury at his father. “You piece of shit, you were trying to do this behind my back, didn’t you? You thought I wouldn’t notice you’re coercing her. You were, what? Cementing the engagement before she was 18? To convince her she didn’t have a choice, and then enforce it after she was of age to make sure the marriage stuck? So you would have enough time to groom her?”

Robert looks uncharacteristically uncertain as he says, “There is no coercion, she’s just a little shy. She agreed before.”

Alec huffs and replies, “Sure, when she didn’t know refusing was an option. And we both know she doesn’t have a shy bone in her body”, and standing somehow taller, he adds in a much more formal tone, “With my proof being the witnesses surrounding us, I declare this engagement null”

That seems to shake Robert off whatever doubt and shock he had, and taking a menacing step towards Alec, he says, “Really? And are they willing to testify? Because I won’t, Isabelle will do as I say and I’m sure, his highness?” he looks towards the Prince, trying to cover up his uncertainty. 

Through all the rage Alec is feeling, a part of him is shaken as his focus is directed to the Prince once more, but this time taking the weight that he is actually in front of royalty. And not just any royal, but the Crowned Prince. And did he really just say ‘yuck’ to a Prince? People get killed for less, people have been killed just for refusing! But this dread doesn’t manage to get past the backburner, because he has a magical binding contract to use to protect his sister, and royalty taking revenge on him in the future doesn’t seem like a priority at the moment.

“Yeah, as a personal rule I’m not a witness to anything. But I could be persuaded if you prove to me you’re as wonderful as you seem”, says the Prince, smiling at Alec’s look of realization, and sends him a wink.

“You were completely right Alexander, yuck. I make it a point not to judge anyone by their parents’ deeds, but you’re proving yourself just fine. I’ll bare witness, and I can honestly declare that no one, except this man over here” points to Robert “wants to willingly enter any sort of relationship with your royal ass”, says Magnus, placing a hand on Alec’s shoulder, to show where he stands, but also to give him the support he deserves. And Alec is extremely grateful when he doesn’t even acknowledge the small tremors going through his body.

“Your word is worthless”, says Robert, looking confused and fearful towards Magnus, while the Prince’s expression looks deceitfully blank.

“Ha! Try me”, says Magnus with a grin.

Isabelle, looking extremely confused at everything that’s happened,barely manages to gather herself when Alec looks her way once more. Ignoring the heavy silence surrounding them, she pulls Alec’s arm towards her to make him face her, and says “Alec, what are you doing? You have no authority to declare this null. And if I’m kicked out of the family, I’m done for.”

In the midst of all the heavy looks being exchanged between the Prince, Magnus and Robert, Alec takes advantage that nobody is paying them much attention, so he feels free to answer quietly, “He can’t. I know it doesn’t make much sense now, but he can’t force you into any marriage that you don’t want, whatever your reasons. He’s bonded to that agreement.” And raising his voice to be heard by the rest of the group, “He’s not as powerful as he makes himself to be, isn’t that right father?”

“What are you talking about?”, answers Robert, still stunned that his son, the one that complies with everything, the one that’s as meek as a mouse, is standing up to him. In the worst moment possible.

“It’s all very explicit in the contract”, says Alec, gaining confidence with Magnus' hand on his shoulder and Izzy’s hand on his arm.

“How? You can’t access the vault!”, he replies, stunned.

“Spring-cleaning, after my 18 th birthday, I discovered the wards recognized me as an adult. I read the whole agreement, even the parts that Mom couldn’t tell me before you kicked her out. Long story short, he can’t kick us out until Max is of age, to ensure none of us gets married off without our consent, and there’s always one of us around as witness. Otherwise he would have kicked me out when Mom got kicked out.”

“If you were so secure in your position, why did you do everything he wanted?”, asks Isabelle, unable to stop looking at him.

“I found out 2 years ago, and after that, I didn’t want to mess up your life. You love father, and I thought he loved you enough not to use you like this.”, answers Alec, feeling as this new failure weighs him down, knowing he failed Izzy again by making the wrong decision. 

“Of course I love her. Being with the future King is the best position she could aspire to”, says Robert, indignant.

“You never told me. So many years, living so many lies”, mumbles Izzy to Alec, ignoring her father for the moment, unable to deal with all of it together.

“I didn’t want to ruin your chance at a happy life”, says Alec, placing his hand on top of hers.

Overwhelmed, Izzy takes a few steps back, until she loses contact with Alec, and says, “I need to … not be here”

Alec can do nothing but watch her leave for a moment, with Magnus keeping his hand on his shoulder, giving him the comfort he needed to remain standing. And maybe it’s because he’s so distracted that he doesn’t notice his father leaving, or the Prince suddenly approaching him. And maybe that’s why he doesn’t notice how even if the Prince’s words are directed his ways, his focus is on Magnus.

“So, now that we’re finally alone, how about…”, starts the Prince, stopping only to grab Alec’s wrist and thumb at his cufflink, “what do you say we go somewhere more private, and you show me if you’re as wonderful as you seem?”

And for all the bravado that Alec has found in himself tonight, dealing with a Prince flirting with him, that seconds ago was about to be engaged to his sister, and who offered him a position as basically his concubine, it’s too much for him. And all he manages to do is pale and gape at him, unable to say a word.

Magnus, clearly seeing Alec’s distress, besides feeling the shoulder under his hand shaking, glares at the Prince, and feeling a rush of protectiveness, says in the most insincere voice he can muster, “Your Highness, it’s been a pleasure, but we have a curfew to respect, and…”, with a quick flick of his fingers the clocks suddenly struck midnight, “that’s sadly our cue.”

As Alec is still mute, and the Prince has yet to let go of Alec’s wrist, Magnus lets his protectiveness become a barrier between the Prince and Alec, so when the crystal cufflinks spark, it is with a yelp that the Prince finally lets go. And Magnus, not letting the opportunity to go by, drags Alec to the nearest corner to portal them back to the Lightwood household.

Unfortunately before Magnus can move one of his fingers, a blond man takes hold of Alec’s other hand, making Magnus let go of Alexander to avoid hurting him.

“Alec! What was going on over there? Robert looked furious and Izzy devastates, and was that the Prince?”, and stopping for a quick breath to look at Alec’s uncharacteristic outfit, but not enough for either Magnus or Alec to say anything, Jace adds, “It was you, you’re the baker! Man, you look smocking hot! Who would’ve guessed!”

“Anyone with eyes”, manages to mumble Magnus, waking up Alec from his shock and finally giving him his words back.

“Jace, I have no idea what you’re talking about'', says Alec, and when he sees Jace is about to start explaining, he adds, “Not that I care right now. What I need to know is, can Isabelle stay with you at the Wayland Estate? At least for a while?”

“Sure”, replies Jace automatically, “But can you tell me what’s going on?”

“Later”, dismisses Alec, but before he can turn around to face Magnus once more, Jace halts him grabbing his shoulder.

“Ok”, says Jace, “But only if it’s really later, and not that thing you do when you take all the burdens and say nothing to no one. And just so your prepared, I’ll ask about your yeast beast too”

Alec stops for a second, shocked and confused at Jace knowing about that, and olimpically avoiding both Jace and Magnus on the subject, he says, “Come by the house when Isabelle feels ready for it, and I’ll explain everything. I promise.”

And without one more word, Alec turns around and grabs Magnus’ hand, and as if in a choreographed dance, Magnus summons a portal with an elegant hand movement and swiftly guides himself and Alec through the magically opened door.

Jace can’t help staring at the now empty space for a few moments, before he wakes himself up and goes to look for Izzy in the royal gardens. This ball definitely didn’t go how he expected, and at the moment he’s not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing.