Chapter Text
After Alec had been on mission with Lydia and they’d shared dinner together, alongside Isabelle and Jace, Alec had made his way back to his own room. Grateful for the peace of being alone again.
His phone dinged as he got ready for bed, and he moved quickly to grab it off of his bedside table.
[19:42 - Magnus]
Hi Alexander😉
Updates will be with you tomorrow, I’ll get to you for 09:30
Alec grinned dumbly at his phone, he couldn’t stop his face from configuring itself that way when Magnus messaged.
[19:43 - Alec]
Perfect, I’ll see you then🙂
He sent it and then stared at it blankly, he felt like that was going to end the conversation and for some reason, that was the last thing he wanted.
[19:43 - Alec]
Institute food didn’t quite hit the same spot as what you got for us yesterday haha
[19:45 - Magnus]
Is that so?😉
[19:46 - Alec]
Absolutely, the food we had yesterday was so good
[19:49 - Magnus]
Enjoy, Alexander😉
I’ll see you tomorrow x
Alec frowned at his phone, enjoy what? He didn’t take too long to wonder because then he kept staring at the little ‘x’ at the end of the message. Had Magnus meant to send that? Surely it was an accident, he wouldn’t send a kiss to a mission partner. Alec’s hair stood up on his arms at the thought of the word ‘ kiss ’.
A woosh and a small clatter of a fork made him leap from his bedside, and then he saw a small slice of chocolate cake with cream, and a steaming cup of hot cocoa on the side. A small note said, “From Paris” in cursive letters. His face hurt from the goofy grin that spread out, hurting his cheeks as he reached for his phone again.
[19:53 - Alec]
For me? From you?
[19:54 - Magnus]
Unless someone else is in your room😉
Alec laughed and picked up the plate, enjoying each bite of cake, it was the best cakes he had ever tasted. When he had finished the last sip of cocoa, he placed it down on the table and suddenly with a blue mist, they had gone. He stared at the spot where they’d been for longer than he would care to admit, but what did remain was the small note, which he stashed deep away into his second drawer.
***
The next morning, Alec awoke early, he was pleased for a few minutes of peace before he started his day. His mind was flooded with the thought of Magnus almost immediately, the thought of his magic that so delicately placed his food down and caressed it into a swirling wind that took it away again once he’d finished. Magic was so beautiful, he’d never noticed that before.
He felt his cock twinge at the thought of Magnus’ magic touching him, god what was he thinking. One slip and falling back into the hedge maze that was his own imagination. Visions of Magnus in this room of the institute with him, kneeling on the bed over him and gently running his magic over Alec’s body.
Alec couldn’t help but arch his back into the nonexistent touch, desperate to feel what he longed for, what he couldn’t pry from his thoughts. He slowly removed his own clothing, thoughts of Magnus’ magic doing that for him, or Magnus’ hands even, it made him shudder with anticipation.
He grabbed a hold of his length and gave long, teasing strokes as he thought of the warlock swirling his magic around to create this feeling. That made him speed up, he felt insatiable when it came to the desire for Magnus to touch him. He was already so close.
Giving way to laboured breath , Alec’s thighs shook in the build up, the images of Magnus’ mouth on his cock were divine.
“By the angel, he’s taking all of me” he whispered in a low growl to himself and out of his fantasy he jerked himself to completion. His body falling limply back on the bed.
Alec blinked away the sensual haze that had encapsulated him, and he huffed out his breath. He truly couldn’t stop himself, the urge to touch himself over Magnus didn’t seem to be going away. He wondered how he would feel if Magnus actually did touch him. Would he like it?
Ignoring his own thoughts, he went about getting ready for the day and set off to go meet Magnus. A small spring in his step, that he tried to ignore.
Magnus was already there and was once again speaking with Izzy, Alec couldn’t resist the eye roll at the thought that Izzy was trying to steal his warlock. He stumbled over the thought. Well, not his per se, but his warlock for the mission.
Alec cleared his throat on approach, “Izzy, have you got nothing better to do than bother the High Warlock of Brooklyn?”
He stood close to her, his hands tightly held behind his back, his shoulders squared as he stared down his sister.
Izzy spun and smirked at her brother, “You need to learn how to share big brother. Magnus isn’t a toy for you to keep to yourself”
Alec spluttered at that, a garbled mess of words coming out of his mouth that weren’t coherent.
“Oh dear, jealous are we Alexander? Don’t worry I think you’re the prettiest” Magnus said with a wink. A wink that distinctively did not work to resolve the red vines of embarrassment that threatened to weave across his whole body.
“Whatever. I don’t need you two teaming up against me” Alec muttered, walking to the board that Izzy and Magnus had been talking next to, “Have you got the report?”
“So authoritative, I like that” Magnus chuckled and handed Alec the report.
Alec took it, well more like snatched it, and pushed it at Izzy, “Take this to Mom, tell her I’ll give an official update tomorrow, we’ll be busy today”
“No worries” she said, a little tighter than before, Isabelle smiled politely at Magnus, “I’ll see you soon!”
“Goodbye, doll!” Magnus cooed after her before spinning back to Alec, “Gosh your sister is such a delight, Alexander”
“Indeed” he grumbled, "So what’s the plan for today?”
“Well…” Magnus started, now slightly worried about Alec’s temper this morning, “Based on my time analysing the patterns in the magic yesterday, it isn’t any of the New York warlocks. Which is good news for me, but delays our case a tad. I want to go to the Spiral Labyrinth for a second opinion, see if in anyone recognises the traces of energy”
“Great” Alec chimed, perking up now. “Let’s get going then” he said, walking to the weapons rack and smiling back at Magnus, “Oh and that cake? Perfection”
Magnus smiled faintly back, “I’m so glad you like it’s from my favourite little bakery, just down the road from my apartment”
“Oh I thought it was French”
“It is, I have an apartment in France too”
Alec nodded with an impressed look, “Nice”
“There’s just one thing, Alexander” Magnus ventured, now finally getting the courage to inform Alec of today’s plan, “There are no Shadowhunters allowed, so I will need to go alone today. I promise I will be back tomorrow with a proper lead. Then we can focus on that together for our next steps”
Magnus watched as Alec deflated a little, “Oh, o-okay, yeah, of course, you wouldn’t want a Shadowhunter getting in the way” he nodded at his own words and began putting his weapons back where he had just taken them from, “I’ll get some training in, that way I’m fully ready for tomorrow, see you then”
Alec had spoken with smiles, but Magnus could sense the underlying feelings of rejection that seemed to be etched on Alec’s face, “Alexander, it’s not because you would be in the way, you must know that. It’s just the rules. You of all people should understand, the law is the law and all that” Magnus said with a tsk and a flick of the wrist.
“Why me specifically of all people?” Alec said, now turning defensive. He wasn’t sure where he was going, but he couldn’t hold himself back from the way he was talking to Magnus.
“A Shadowhunter?” Magnus explained, confused what else Alec would think he was referring to.
Alec made a small noise of understanding, “Okay well ring me if you need anything, and text me about tomorrow. I’ll see you later, Magnus” he said, starting to walk away.
Magnus watched him go for a moment, mainly in shock at how bizarrely Alec was reacting to being told he wasn’t going to be dragged along to the Spiral Labyrinth. Then, without too much further thought for the Shadowhunter, Magnus took himself through his portal to go follow up with his other warlock contacts.
***
Alec had spent his time moping around the institute, his attitude towards everyone getting more snide and abrupt throughout the day. Eventually, Jace walked over to where Alec was training, “What’s going on, brother?”
Alec looked up at Jace, “Nothing just training. Why? What’s going on with you?”
“Everyone is avoiding you today because you’re on a rampage through the institute” Jace said, a slow whistle coming from his mouth after he spoke, “You seem a little tense”
“Maybe a little” Alec said with a shrug of his shoulders, as he turned to face Jace. He stretched the muscles out that ached from his relentless day of training.
“Come for a drink with me tonight, just us two, it will do you some good” Jace saw Alec hesitate so added, “For me?”
Alec scowled at Jace but agreed, “Sure, if you want to go for drinks, we can go for drinks”
“Hunter’s Moon, 18:00. We’ll have food out”
Alec nodded at Jace and resumed hitting the punching bag in front of him, unable to slow his tireless pace.
***
Later that night, after he’d showered off the layers of sweat from his training onslaught, Alec entered the Hunter’s Moon, eyes immediately falling on Jace. He smiled, relieved to see him already waiting for him at a a table. Alec made his way over, “Hey” he said, taking a seat next to Jace at the table.
“I got you a beer” Jace said, sliding it to Alec, who took it gratefully, taking a large swig. Jace’s eyes went wide, “Not the best approach when you’ve not drank before” he chuckled.
“I’ll be fine” Alec waved him off, and continued to drink.
Jace had been tapping his fingers against the table since they’d ordered their wings and fries 30 minutes ago, “Do you want to tell me what’s bothering you?” Jace asked finally.
“What do you mean?” Alec asked back, in a way that Jace assumed was an attempt at nonchalance.
As Jace went to speak, Maia dropped the food down on the table, “There you go Shadowhunters” her voice was laced with a slight playful sarcasm.
“Thanks wolfy” Jace teased back before she walked away chuckling to herself, Alec gave Jace a look of disbelief. How had he found the time to start this back and forth with the werewolf?
“Now, back to you. You’ve been moping all day, Lydia has been asking for you, and Izzy said you were acting weird this morning. So spill” Jace said, his tone turning more serious.
“My mission, the one Mom gave directly to me, has been commandeered by an eclectic warlock”
“As in, Magnus Bane?”
“Yes! Exactly! He’s just gone wandering off without me, leaving me with nothing to do. It’s all very annoying” Alec huffed.
Jace furrowed his brows and made a small noise of agreement, “Maybe another drink then?” He asked.
“Whisky neat” Alec said, “A double” he’d heard from Underhill that it was a good drink and he thought he might as well give it a try.
Jace went and got the drinks, placing them in front of their seats. He watched as Alec took a long drink of his whisky, “Maybe slow down” Jace offered.
“Don’t you worry about me!” Alec chirped, downing the glass of whisky, not realising that those were his last coherent words before he blacked out.
Many drinks later, Jace was laughing at Alec, who was propping himself up on the pool table with one hand, and trying to shoot a ball with the cue with his other.
“And another thing, why is Magnus so sparkly?” Alec slurred.
Jace laughed harder, “He’s eccentric. I think it’s part of his charm”
“Pfft” Alec said, “He’s too hot for his own good” he muttered, before sinking a ball in one of the pockets. Jace would have been impressed by his drunken aim if not for the words that had just left Alec’s lips.
“Hot?” Jace clarified.
“Hot and pretty. Have you seen how beautiful his magic is?” Alec pondered and then let out a giggle.
“Oh my god, you have a crush on Magnus Bane!” Jace exclaimed, feeling as if he had experienced a eureka moment.
“Who wouldn’t?” Alec offered as an explanation.
Jace chuckled at that, “I don’t”
“You should, he’s quite magical” Alec pointed out matter of factly, as if being interested in Magnus Bane was the only logical choice. Jace had quickly messaged Izzy for back up, he felt out of his depths with a drunk Alec confessing his feelings.
When Izzy arrived a short time later, Alec flung himself at his sister, “You came! Because you love us”
Izzy giggled, “That’s the one big brother, I hear you’ve drank quite a lot”
Alec nodded triumphantly, “I have indeed. Too much according to Jace but I’m feeling good”
Isabell smiled at her brother and patted his arms, “So why weren’t you out on mission today?”
“Magnus said I couldn’t go to the Spiral Labyrinth, so he left me behind” he pouted, but then continued his thoughts, “He’s coming back for me tomorrow though. Did I tell you he got me cake from Paris?” Alec giggled again.
“Okay, I’m seeing what you mean now, Jace” Izzy said with a look of concern at Jace. She took a deep breath and turned back to Alec, “But you’re okay, right?”
“If I can see Magnus tomorrow, then yeah” Alec replied with a shrug, turning back to the pool table.
“Of course you are, he’s got to report back about the mission and you need to plan next steps” Izzy noted.
Alec turned around then and looked from side to side like he was in an old fashioned cartoon, before he pulled Jace and Izzy closer to him, “Do you want to know a secret?” Before they had a chance to say anything, Alec continued speaking, “ We’ve already done it in my head ” and then he fell into a fit of giggles and pulled a faux shocked face at both of them.
They stood for a minute, bewildered by Alec’s confession. Then Izzy ventured a guess, “You and Magnus? You’ve done it?”
“No! Shh” Alec said, pressing his finger to his lips with his eyes darting around the room, “Only in my mind”
Alec’s siblings gasped in front of him, Jace wrinkled his nose, “We don’t need to know what you think about when you do… do that!” Jace said waving his hand in the general direction of Alec’s crotch.
Alec shrugged, “Stop interrogating me then” and with that he spun as if to go back to the pool table, but slipped on a drink he’d spilled earlier. His face smashed into the floor and then he was being pulled to his feet by Izzy and Jace.
“Time to head home, big bro” Isabelle said, patting him lightly on the chest, while Jace drew an iratze rune to heal the nose injury and the growing bruises on Alec’s face.
They managed to get Alec back to his room, and as Izzy got him into bed, Jace stood at the doorway, keeping an eye out for anyone passing. Alec groaned in frustration, “Will you get Magnus to come tuck me in?”
Isabelle shushed her brother soothingly, stroking the hair out of his face lightly, “I think Magnus is a little busy right now”
Alec made a slight whining noise before passing out, which made Izzy shake her head and laugh at him, “What are we going to do with you?” she asked, a tinge of sadness to her voice now as she looked back towards Jace.
They left the room, gently shutting the door on a softly snoring Alec, and shared a meaningful glance, “He didn’t mention Lydia once tonight, when I brought her up, he told me not to bring the mood down. I don’t want him to be getting married just because he thinks he can’t have what he wants” Jace said, a frown creasing his face.
***
Alec’s drunken dreams had him feverish; he was on his knees in front of Magnus, his eyes gazing up at him. While the Shadowhunters werent necesssrily religious, his infatuation with warlock was starting to feel sinful. He couldn’t help but want to worship at the altar of Magnus Bane and bask in all his glory.
Alec awoke from his dream and immediately took hold of himself at the thought of having Magnus’ in his mouth. Alec’s bedsheets are ablaze as he grips the covers as tight as his grip on his shaft, and as he came, he moaned out Magnus’ name.
After a few shallow breaths, he shook his head, “God, I've screamed his name, again”
He checked his phone, 06:30, there was no point going back to sleep now. Then he saw a missed call from Magnus and 3 new messages on his phone.
[22:02 - Magnus]
Hi Alexander😉
Are you awake for a call? I just want to go over my plan for tomorrow!
Then another one…
[23:05 - Magnus]
I don’t know if I’ve upset you by not inviting you along today. I want you to know I would have happily had you along if the Spiral Labyrinth had allowed.
[23:56 - Magnus]
Hopefully you’ve just fallen asleep - I’ll come for 08:30
Alec sighed, he couldn’t believe he’d passed out and missed Magnus’ call, he quickly replied.
[06:34 - Alec]
Hey! I’m so sorry, I was spending some time with Jace and Izzy last night and then went straight to sleep when I got to my room.
Looking forward to hearing your update today!
He put his phone down on the bedside table and headed to the bathroom for a shower, until his phone started ringing and he ran back to pick it up.
“Hello? Magnus?” He said panting.
“Alexander, I wasn’t expecting to have you panting so easily” Magnus responded, stunning Alec into silence and making his cheeks blush. When he didn’t reply, Magnus continued, “I can just imagine your flushed cheeks right now. I got you, didn’t I?”
“Possibly” Alec muttered, “Anyway, what’s up?”
“Just wanted to see if I could come sooner? It would be good to talk before we’re preparing to head out. But I need your word that you won’t tell anyone what I am going to tell you”
“Why? How bad is it?” Alec said.
“Not bad, just complicated, shall I come now?”
“Uh, yeah sure”
The phone call disconnected and Alec sighed, he was glad this case was picking up, but he could feel the hangover stinging in his head. As he went to go back to the bathroom, a whirling noise came from the hallway and there was a knock. He frowned, it was early for anyone to be visiting his room.
He slowly opened the door a crack, his head craning around the door and saw Magnus standing waiting, his jaw dropped. Magnus was stood in a purple, leaf print suit, with plum coloured doc martins and a dark purple cravat. His hair was in its classic mohawk and his eye makeup was a dark black today, and, Alec thought his lips seemed glossy.
“Well don’t just stand there, let me in” Magnus said, pushing the door open and causing Alec to stumble backwards.
It was Magnus’ turn to be shocked, he quickly shut the door behind him, staring at Alec.
“Oh god, I just realised I’m only wearing my underwear”
“I think… uhm, Alexander I think the main concern is what has happened within your underwear” Magnus stuttered out. Alec didn’t think he’d heard Magnus stumble over his words before.
Alec glanced down and realised what Magnus had seen, in the centre of his underwear was a cum stain from his early morning touching, “Raziel!” Alec screamed, covering himself, “Oh by the angel, give me a minute” Alec said running into the bathroom.
Once he was showered, he came out in a towel, and strangely he didn’t care about Magnus seeing him that way, especially after what Magnus had just witnessed. A red hue spread along his cheeks and the bridge of his nose as he thought about it.
“I am so sorry, Magnus. That was the last thing you needed this morning”
“I wouldn’t say the last, although it is disappointing to see the spoils of a city as opposed to the erection of monuments” Magnus said, a flirtatious smirk danced on his lips.
Alec sat on the bed and put his head in his hands, clearly not handling this as well as Magnus was.
“I feel like you make these remarks to make me feel better, but I just - it’s confusing me” as Alec spoke, he felt the bed dip next to him.
“What do you mean, Alexander?” Magnus whispered, Alec could sense Magnus’ hand was hovering, unsure where to place itself.
“The flirting is having an impact”
“That’s the point of flirting though” Magnus pointed out.
“But I have a fiancée” Alec said, sitting upright to look at Magnus, “and I’m a Shadowhunter… and I’m a man”
There was something more steadfast in Alec’s eyes now and he rose from the bed to gather his clothes and go into the bathroom. The door shut behind him.
Magnus brow furrowed as the door closed, he wasn’t sure what to say, he had never been stunned into silence. Normally he couldn’t stop speaking, so this was a bizarre turn of events.
Alec finally came out of the bathroom, now fully dressed in tight black jeans and a short sleeved dark blue top. His face seemed to have become stuck in stoicism, and Magnus struggled to imagine the man who was falling apart next to him only a few minutes ago.
“So what update do you have for me?” Alec asked, an air of professionalism now surrounded him.
Magnus decided not to push the young Shadowhunter to explain what he had meant before, “We found a trace of the energy, but I don’t believe it’s true, but unfortunately I can’t reach who it is either”
“Who is it?” Alec said.
“Alexander, are you sure I can trust you?” Magnus asked trying to keep eye contact with Alec.
Alec levelled his eyes on Magnus now, and Alec hoped he hadn’t made the warlock doubt him.
“Of course, during this case I will protect you with my life and you can trust me implicitly, it’s my duty” Alec responded, his gaze hot on Magnus’ now.
“That’s a big claim”
“It’s a big duty”
They stared at each other for a heartbeat longer, and Magnus took a deep breath in, “Okay, the energy of the magic could be tracked to Tessa Gray, one of my dearest friends, one of the most wonderful women and warlocks I’ve ever met. She would never” and Magnus’ voice was fierce with passion and conviction.
“Okay…” Alec said, thoughtful now as he paced in front of the bed where Magnus was sat, “So how do we find her?”
Magnus was in shock, “You believe me?”
“I trust you, I can’t explain it Magnus, but I trust you. Now, what do we do to exonerate your friend?”
“You’re right, we need to find her first and then figure out the issue. I tried a tracking spell but I can’t find her, so I’m hoping she’s somewhere over waters”
“What’s the next step then?” Alec asked, his eyes intense as he was strategising in his head.
“We’ll figure out what she was doing in the lead up to her being untraceable. I think we go to Ragnar Fell first, see if he’s heard from her recently”
“Okay, let’s go”
“I think we should have some back-up, just in case. Are any other Shadowhunters free do you think?”
“I’m sure Mom can spare Jace for a day” Alec told him, “Shall we go get him? Then we can gear up to go”
“Perfect, I believe Ragnor is currently in his English cottage”
Alec smiled at Magnus then and headed for the door, before he got there Magnus grabbed his wrist tightly, stopping him. The Shadowhunter turned, looking directly into Magnus’ eyes, “Thank you Alexander… Truly.” The skin on Alec’s arm tingled until the warlock let him go. With a small nod, Alec led them out of the room and down the corridor to Jace’s room.
He knocked on the door briefly, and they waited. Jace came to the door, “Hey brother, how are you after your wild nig-“ Jace stopped in his tracks at the sight of Magnus behind him.
“Wild night, huh?” Magnus asked, turning his gaze to Alec, “I assumed it was more of a family night”
Jace laughed, “Drunk family night, some more than others” Jace said, jerking his head towards Alec.
Magnus laughed then, “I cannot imagine the stoic solider himself being drunk”
“I couldn’t till last night” Jace said with a shrug.
“Enough, we’re not here to discuss me being drunk. We’re here about Magnus’ friend who we believe is being framed or her magical is being used against her will. We need you to come with us today, Jace”
“Of course, you can count on me. Let’s go gear up” Jace said, slapping Alec on the arm as they made their way to the main operations centre. Magnus stood looking at some of the case file papers while Jace and Alec selected their weapons.
“I don’t know how you’ve been standing so close to Magnus without getting flustered, you normally can’t speak”
“What are you on about?” Alec asks, frustrated with confusion.
“When you are in front of someone you respect, you usually start blabbering. So surely, someone like Magnus would do the same to you”
“I respect him for the mission, but he is not exactly an envoy from the Clave” Alec explained with an eye roll.
“Okay, to put it more bluntly, given you’re not getting it, I’m amazed you can stand in front of the warlock you’ve had sexual fantasies about” Jace’s said in a snarled whisper.
Alec blushed, a blush that only turned redder with the next words, “You’ve had what?” Magnus asked in shock. Despite their enhanced Shadowhunter sense, their conversation had distracted them from their surroundings, and Magnus was directly behind them.
“Uh, I - I didn’t mean to?” Alec offered, unsure what he actually meant by that.
“I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse” Magnus laughed, “Moving on from that awkward moment, shall we get to Ragnor’s? I may have been paid for joining you on this, it doesn’t mean I have to spend hours watching you two get off to seraph blades” Magnus rolled his eyes and summoned a portal.
Alec looked at the floor, unable to comprehend the complexities of emotions that seemed to be coming from Magnus, and his own emotions that flooded him. Jace gently touched his forearm, “Let’s go then” he said, his voice was gentle, for the sake of his parabatai .
Magnus held out both of his hands to the pair, “Drama queens, come on” a levity had returned to his voice now, which eased a knot in Alec’s stomach.
They each took a hand of the warlock, Alec noticed the crackle of desire under the firm grip of Magnus. He looked sidelong at Magnus, trying to figure out why the feelings he felt were so strong over a simple touch, in comparison to the tepid thumping of his heart when he kissed Lydia. Oh, how I long for our trysts, Alec thought, blushing slightly. Magnus caught his eyes, a moment of understanding passed his face before they stepped into the portal.