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Chapter Text

***

It was a beautiful sunny morning. He had woken up early because he had not yet got over the London time zone, as he had only moved his loft to New York yesterday. He had come to fill the position of High Warlock, left vacant after the death of his predecessor.

Since it was early, he decided to walk to the Institute and had crossed the Brooklyn Bridge then passed through Chinatown and continued on Fifth Street, stopping to look in the shop windows full of bright clothes. Finally, he skirted Central Park to arrive in front of the Institute. He was happy to be there, he loved the hectic atmosphere of the Big Apple.

The Institute was located in an apparently abandoned Gothic style church. The door had opened at his approach and the Shadowhunter at the entrance had let him through immediately. He was now in the operations center, a square room, full of computers and computerized tables that contrasted with the stone walls, columns and stained-glass windows of the church it was. A beautiful brunette girl with very long hair, dressed completely in black with tight pants, stiletto heel boots and a low-cut shirt, approached him saying:

“Good morning Mr. Bane! I'm Isabel Lightwood, I'll take you on a tour of the Institute and explain what your duties are. "

“Call me Magnus! And I know it, I collaborated with the Institute during the time of the Circle, besides from all this technology I don't think that much has changed. "

"I can't be sure, but yes, I think little has changed" and approaching a screen she opened the map of the Institute, showing it to him.

After analyzing it, the Warlock remarked: "As I had foreseen, only a little more technology and I believe that my duties here consist of controlling the wards, collaborating in investigations when required and making sure that a Warlock is always present in the Institute."

"Exactly, then I think I’ve told you everything ..."

At that moment, a blond Shadowhunter who had come down the stairs at the back of the room approached Isabel, angrily:

"Aldertree has ordered us to go to the meeting at the Istanbul Institute tonight so again, we can't go to Alicante to Alec. Since he got married, we’ve only seen him twice. I have to..."

Isabel interrupted him "Jace, this is Magnus Bane, the new High Warlock of New York. He collaborates with the Institute now, and you know it ... orders cannot be discussed."

"Yes, that's right ... sorry I was hoping to have a free evening" he said with a false smile "Mr. Bane since my sister and I can't go and Aldertree said to give our invitations to whoever we wanted, why don't you go? "

"But there will certainly be people closer to you that could ..."

"No, there aren't ..." Isabel replied.

Magnus remembering the situation they were in replied:

"Then it will be my honor to go to the party and greet your brother for you."

***

Magnus had planned to go to his club, Pandemonium, to celebrate his first night in New York and instead he was at a boring party in Alicante, a town that he hated, but it would be rude to refuse any longer, given what Lightwood was going through. It was the first-year anniversary party between the Consul and Alexander Lightwood now Alexander Marknight.

He had seen the Consul's husband at a party in London about a year and a half before. Even though they never met he remembered him as really handsome, very long legs, expressive hazel eyes and a smile that lit up his face. Then the sudden marriage soon after the arrest and the trial of Alec's parents. Magnus was drinking a cocktail near the orchestra, when the Marknights and a bunch of lackeys stood beside them and he heard the Consul said "I know that a year ago our sudden decision must have surprised you, it was a bit like the mundanes running away to Las Vegas. But I wanted Alec to have stability after what he'd been through, and I didn't want him to be considered an easy man. Some things must be done when you're married. Right honey?" Alec nodded with a tight smile that did not reach his eyes. Magnus noticed how much he had changed; he was thin, far too thin and had dull eyes. Sure, the situation with his parents could explain his mood, but he was also a newlywed, married to one of the most important personalities in the Downworlder shadow world.

"But then when you have such an uninhibited boyfriend, you can't resist ..." the Consul continued as he stroked Alec’s waist in a possessive way. Alec grimaced in pain, then said "Sorry Odoard I wanted to have a cocktail. Do you mind?" "No honey, you know you can do whatever you want, this is your home ..." Alec walked away and the Consul continued "And then you knew how lucky I am, my Alec would always be bent at ninety degrees, he's insatiable, then you know, I'm remarkable but he doesn't care he wants me to fuck him hard and who am I to deny myself that piece of meat? " The people around the Consul laughed as he continued to discuss his sexual performance.

Magnus felt sick from listening and he walked away. As he walked around the room, he saw Alec go onto the terrace and joined him. Alec had his hands clasped on the balustrade, when he neared him, he saw that he was crying. Magnus walked over to him and as soon as Alec realized it, he wiped away his tears and said:

"It's not what it looks like."

"And what would it look like?"

"The fact is that every marriage has its problems and ... we have ours, all normal things God forbid, it's just that tonight I would have preferred ... then I don't like when he talks about ... us. He did it, after I moved away?" Magnus nodded a little and Alec continued "I just think certain things should remain private ... but after all there is no virgin damsel among us so what's wrong?"

The last sentence, perhaps meant to be a joke, came out decidedly sour.

Magnus didn’t know what to say and remained silent beside that beautiful, but downright unhappy Shadowhunter.

"I have to go back to my husband, he must be wondering where I am," Alec said but as he turned to go back to the living room he stumbled and lost his balance.  Magnus caught him around his waist to keep him from falling. A grimace of pain crossed Alec's face and terrified he explained "I'm clumsy, I took a hit ..."

"There’s no need to lie to me, I can see that you’re in an abusive relationship."

"You can't tell anyone, swear please if I do something wrong, he could convert my parents' sentence into death penalty and if… I died he said he would take my sister. I have to protect them."

"What do you mean that he would take your sister ... okay I won’t tell anyone but only on one condition. I’m the new High Warlock of New York and tomorrow I will start collaborating with the Institute. You’ll come as soon as possible and tell me everything."

"But I can't leave the house except with him."

"I can try to find a solution. Can I heal you?"

"No ..." and looking down he added "he likes to see the bruises and the damage it causes me, he would wonder ..."

"So, I'll make the pain go away?"

"Yes thanks."

Magnus raised his hands and emitted a blue light that enveloped the Shadowhunter.

"Thank you" Alec repeated again with tears in his eyes before composing himself and then turning and walking away.

And the warlock whispered to himself "I swear he will never touch you again."

Chapter Text

Magnus had remained motionless staring at the French doors through which Alec had returned to the living room, when he realized that he had a residual sensation in the hand that he had placed on Alec's back, a real but indefinable sensation, which made him restless and made him feel even more the urgency to help him. He began by considering all the people he knew and in particular who owed him a favor. He immediately excluded his father, he would not even understand Alec's situation and he never respected the agreements. His warlocks’ friends were no more useful than him in this situation. Only a few Shadowhunters near the Consul could help him, and it occurred to him that perhaps he had glimpsed someone as soon as he arrived, so he went back into the hall. He looked first for Alec, who was chatting with Jia Penhallow, and then he had seen that she was still there but first he had to keep his promise to Alec. He approached the Consul, waited for a waiter to pass by and magically he tripped and dropped the tray with the cocktails on him. In the confusion the Warlock cast a spell on him.

He reached his second goal and told her:

“Hi Lydia, you looked like you! Feels like a lifetime since I saw you! How is your family?"

"Hi Magnus, my grandfather is fine," replied Lydia Branwell, the Consul's secretary.

They had met when Lydia was little more than a child, her grandfather had had a rare angelic blood disease, treatable only with a demonic blood transfusion. Nobody knew because the treatment was forbidden, but to the Branwell family the purity of the blood had always seemed silly.

"Glad to know" he said than he magically isolated them acoustically continuing: "I need a rather huge favour and we can't talk about it here."

“At my house just after the party? Do you still have the same telephone number? “The Warlock nodded "I'll send you a message with the address."

Magnus ended the sound insulation before anyone noticed them and greeted Lydia.

***

The last guest had left, and Alec turned to the Consul and said:

"Good night, I'm going to sleep."

"You’ll come to my room tonight."

"Please it's very late."

"So what if you don't do anything all day? Your task is to satisfy my needs."

"It’s you who prevents me from being a Shadowhunter, certainly not my fault," Alec replied in a tone.

"Do you want me to send that file to the Inquisitor so your parents’ life imprisonment will be commuted to the death penalty?"

"No, it's okay."

"I don't understand."

"Sorry, I apologize."

He hated all of this, but what choice did he have? Let his parents die? He could only hope that Magnus Bane would keep his word and help him.

He followed him into his room in resignation, but as soon as he passed the door, the Consul lay down on the bed and fell asleep soundly. Alec was relieved and surprised. He stood there for a few minutes and then went to his room.

The only logical explanation was that Magnus had done something. He remembered the first time he had seen him at a party in London, just before the world collapsed on him. He had observed him without being noticed and without having the courage to come forward and thought that if he had known him then maybe ... but the past does not change and instead thought about how he had approached him on the balcony a few hours earlier, at his thoughtful gaze, at the promise that he would help him, now he could hope again.

***

Lydia had kept her word, had sent him the address of her home there in Alicante shortly after they parted. Magnus had been on the sidelines watching the guests and Alec. He had seen so many horrendous things in his long life, but it was unbearable to even think about what that boy was going through. The phone vibrated, it was Lydia who warned him that she was at home and was waiting for him. He left the Consul's villa and with a portal he arrived in front of Lydia's house. The house in front of him was two floors of red brick and vaguely reminded him of London houses. He walked over and knocked; the Shadowhunter opened it and led him to sit in the living room. The house was decorated in a modern style, with black sofa and dark furniture against white walls with amaranth trimmings.

They sat across from each other and Magnus began:

"I'll be straight, I need information about the Consul. Confidential information that you shouldn't give to anyone, but I assure you it's to protect someone."

"Is this about Alec Lightwood?"

Magnus looked at her surprised and said, "I can't tell you anything."

"Then I'll talk. They’d been married a few weeks when Alec showed up at the Consul's office, I didn't hear what Alec said, just Marknight's answers, as he was screaming. He told him Alec would just be a good wife and that he would not have any task and then ... Well ... I heard some ... noises ... I immediately understood what was happening. When Alec came out, he looked down, it seemed that he had cried, I never had the chance to talk about it with anyone, I even thought about going to the Inquisitor, but to tell her what? I still feel bad Magnus for not doing anything. But now I will do everything to help him. What do you need to know? "

"First of all, whenever he's busy in the office."

Lydia opened her tablet "Tomorrow morning he is expected to be in the office as usual around 9:00 am, and I will notify you when I see him enter, but especially in the afternoon at 3:00 pm he has a portal for the New Delhi Institute to solve problems with local Downworlders."

"But will he be back in Alicante in the evening?"

"No, he will be hosted by the Institute."

"Will Alec go too?"

"I clearly requested a double, but Alec never goes with him ... also because he makes me book a room in a mundane hotel under a false name, and he doesn't do it to have private business meetings but rather for reasons ... let's say he’s not exactly a faithful husband”

Chapter Text

He needed strong coffee this morning, he had definitely slept badly. Alec's frightened sad eyes, the thought of what he had suffered haunted his sleep. Arriving in the kitchen, he had just conjured a coffee when he received a message from Lydia on his mobile phone. As promised, she had warned him that the Consul was in the office. Magnus then sent Alec a fire message to make sure he was okay.

"Hi Alec, it’s Magnus."

"Hi… but isn't it dangerous for you to contact me? If he had been at home, it would have been a problem."

"I knew he wasn't there, don't worry I wouldn't put you in danger."

"Sorry if I doubted."

"You don't have to apologize, there's no problem."

"So how do you do it? Did you place a spell on him with which you track him down?"

"No, that wouldn’t be wise. The Warlock who works in Alicante would have noticed immediately… a more normal thing, I have a source."

"But isn't that a risk? He only surrounds himself with trusted people. Are you sure they won't betray you?"

"I'm pretty sure. I've known her since she was born."

"May I ask who it is?"

The answer did not come immediately, but after a few minutes.

"Sorry I had to ask her permission, it's his secretary Lydia Branwell. I helped her grandfather several years ago."

"But ... did you tell her?"

"No, I would never betray your confidences but she understood it herself when I asked for information about the Consul. My request was practically enough to confirm her suspicions. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry."

"But why are you answering below my messages?"

"So that I don’t destroy them instead, you can keep them for me ..."

"I'll keep them safe."

"Thank you"

"How are you?"

"Better, I think I have you to thank, the Consul fell asleep like a stone yesterday and ... he left me in peace."

"It was nothing."

"No, that's a lot for me. Thanks."

"I wish I had the power to change the past."

"I would like that too."

"Can I ask you something?"

"…Yup"

"I know the ceremony was private, but you have the marriage rune, right? Generally, it’s in a visible place, but I haven't seen it on either of you."

"Only I have it, on my back just below the waist, but it's not exactly like the marriage rune. It’s slightly different."

"Could you send me a copy?"

"I could take a picture by looking at myself in a mirror and then draw it in a fire message."

"Perfect. How do you spend all day?"

"I read."

"What are you reading?"

"A mundane’s book, Ken Follet's The Third Twin."

"Where are you up to?"

"I'm at the beginning but… is it like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?"

"Read, read, then find out or do you want some sneak peeks?"

"No, no, don't tell me anything."

"But ... how are you, really ..."

"I'm afraid of being close to breaking point, I don't think I can hold out much longer. I've been trying to strengthen myself especially since you came but I don't know how long I can go on."

The handwriting was messier, and the paper was wet with his tears. Magnus wanted to go to Alicante and kill the Consul with his hands, but he had to calm down, he had to be rational.

"Is there any situation where he would let you come to the New York Institute?"

"Maybe only if Izzy or Jace were dying. So, no."

"Maybe ... I could magically induce one of the two, the symptoms of the angel's disease clearly without making them sick."

"Could you really? But he'd probably come with me."

"Give me five minutes."

Alec didn't want to hope too much. He had stretched out in the bed and thought about how Magnus without thinking twice had turned against the Consul for him. Now he had a little hope. His eyes filled with tears. He had to do it, had to be fine.

He was wiping his tears when the message he was expecting came "The Consul is in a meeting before leaving for New Delhi, if I induce symptoms in one of them it will be difficult for him to reach you. Let's try?"

"Let's try."

***

Magnus wasted no time; he opened a portal to the Institute and went directly to the operations center, greeted Isabelle and then went to the Warlock on duty, Telica, and asked her:

"Is everything fine here?"

"Yes, no problem."

"Well, I'm going to check the wards, thanks."

Passing close to Isabelle he sent the magic to her, went up the stairs then turned right and went to a perimeter wall.  He begin to scan the wards, shortly after he saw Izzy fall unconscious, magically transported by the Warlock Telica, Magnus followed them and waited for the Warlock to come out of the infirmary to ask her:

"What happened?"

"She fainted suddenly, it looks like the angel's illness, those marks that appeared on his skin are quite clear."

"Mortality is high, the family should be warned, in particular the Consul's husband, her brother."

"I'll take care of it," replied the Warlock who, before sending a fire message, asked for Aldertree's permission.

Magnus was restless, he just wanted him to come right away but he knew Alec would have to contact the Consul to come, and he was worried in case there was trouble. But after few minutes a portal opened right in the corridor of the infirmary from which Alec emerged alone. The distress he was feeling was evident on his face, easily confused with real concern for Izzy. Alec entered the infirmary, approached his sister and the doctors, after few moments invited him to leave to let them work.

Alec put up a bit of resistance before leaving the room, as he would if he were really worried. When he went out, he found Magnus waiting for him who, opening the door in front of the infirmary, said "Let's go here. Telica will warn us if anything changes, right?" The Warlock limited herself to a nod.

It was a small office, a desk and a sofa, where they sat.

"How are you?" Magnus asks him

"Goo ..." Alec started to answer automatically, then paused to realize that he could open up to start telling the truth and continued "I don't know how I am, I think ... that I will never be able to have a normal life again and even if the Consul died now, I think a part of me is dead, I think I'll never be able to love someone." His eyes were shining as he spoke and the warlock went to caress his face. Alec let that hand support his face and the tears he had been holding back for over a year began to fall.

Magnus took him in his arms, Alec let himself go, allowing himself to be supported physically and emotionally.

They stayed like this until he calmed down and began to tell:

"I can't understand how I managed to be so stupid, the Consul often came here to the Institute I thought he was interested in my ideas on how to make life easier for LGBT Shadowhunters instead ... then why me? I'm nothing so ... "

Magnus remained silent even though he wanted to reassure him by telling him that he was a beautiful man, but he didn’t know how he would take that in this context.

Alec continued "He also made some veiled advances that I didn't take seriously ... and then ... to get rid of him I know I'll have to tell everything, everyone will know."

"It’s not your fault."

"Rationally I understand that but a part of me blames myself for not having seen the signs that were there. I just want to forget, I wish nobody knew."

"Alec, you are stronger than you think and anyway, one step at a time. We will face everything together. Okay?" Alec nodded and Magnus continued:

"First of all, in a few hours the Consul will go to the New Delhi Institute, Lydia told me that he’ll not return this evening so we will have a few days to talk and see what to do."

"Good."

"Could you give me your cell phone?"

"He checks it, I don't know how but every time I text my sister, he asked me if I had heard from them."

"He most certainly does it with mundane software. I can install an application that was developed by me and Simon Lewis, a vampire friend of Clary, Jace's girlfriend. It’s a program that is only used by Downworlders that’s undetectable because it's magical." Alec handed him the mobile phone and Magnus magically installed it on the screen. It appeared among the applications like a notepad, the Warlock invited him to put his index finger on the screen which, recognizing the fingerprint, opened the application. Now he could text and make phone calls. Magnus' number was already saved.

"But why did you create it, it’s not forbidden for Downworlders to use their mobile phones."

"It was Simon's idea, he just recently became a vampire and when he went to visit his family, his mother read a message referring to blood and he thought about creating this application so that similar incidents could not happen again."

"And how did he do it with his mother?"

"The leader of the Vampire Clan Raphael gave her a malia."

"So can we talk?" Alec said with a small smile.

"Of course, yes!"

"Thanks," Alec said as he checked the new application, he unconsciously turned towards the Warlock to ask him something but the words died on his lips, they were very close. A desire that he believed dead made its way into him and as if moved by an irresistible force he placed his lips on those of the Warlock, for a sweet kiss, just a light touch of lips. It had been few moments but they lit a hope in Alec for a different life.

He knew his eyes were bright, this time lit with hope and raised them showing them to the Warlock, trusting him.

He met two golden cat eyes, his mark, which, more than demonic power, showed infinite tenderness.

"Sorry ... maybe," Alec began.

"Sorry about what? That we kissed? You have nothing to apologize for."

"But maybe you don't ... I know you would never hurt me so maybe you just gave into ..."

"To make you happy? No Alexander, I wanted it, we wanted it."

A tender smile made its way onto his face along with a very sweet blush "Thank you?"

"Don’t mention it."

At that moment the door opened, and a clearly healthy Izzy walked in followed by Jace and asked:

"Now explain to me what is happening"

Chapter Text

"Now explain to me what is happening"

At Isabelle's words, Magnus looked at Alec, who replied to the Warlock's unspoken question:

"They are my family, I can do it."

Magnus magically moved the two chairs from in front of and behind the desk and placed them in front of them inviting Jace and Izzy to sit down.

Alec sighed heavily at Magnus and the Warlock took his hand in his.

"A little over a year ago, as you know, I went to dinner with the Consul, because after he had changed the sentence from death to life in prison for mom and dad, I could not refuse. What I never told you is that I remember little of that evening, I remember having drunk an aperitif and some snacks then everything is confused in my mind and then ... I found myself married."

"I'll kill him," Jace said, understanding everything.

Alec looked him in the eye:

"You cannot."

"Do you defend him?"

"No! I'm not defending him, he's a lousy pig, don't you think that if I could I would have killed him with my own hands?"

"But why…?

"I can't kill him."

"But isn't there a knife in that house?"

"Jace, you don't understand, I can't, I tried, but when I go to do it, it's like a force is preventing me."

"Well, you can't, but I can."

Magnus then intervened "No, you can't! Because we must understand what happened before we act. First of all, Alec has a marriage rune with a variant. My father told me that not all runes were blessed, as there were some that violated the will of the Shadowhunter. I honestly never gave it too much weight, given who my father is, but, at this point, there may be some truth and it is worth investigating. "

"But will you leave him and report him?" Jace insisted.

"I can't, he would commute life imprisonment to the death penalty for mom and dad."

"But…"

"Alexander is safe for now, we have a few days to see how to proceed," replied the Warlock.

"What do you mean he's safe?"

"In a few hours the Consul will leave for a business trip and will not return home for several days and we will have time to understand and study a strategy."

"So, my illness was just a cover for him to come here, since I'm fine?"

"You’re right, it's my fault, I needed an expedient," said the Warlock.

"But why didn't you ask us for help earlier?" Isabelle asked.

"He checks me at every step and then with the threat to kill mom and dad, he threatened me, I would have put you in danger too. But Magnus has understood everything and now I see a glimmer."

Izzy got up to hug her brother, while Jace put a hand on his shoulder, while Magnus continued to hold his hand tightly. He was no longer alone.

***

In the end he had to go home, or rather to his prison, he really hoped that Magnus together with Jace and Izzy could figure out what he had done to him and how he had managed to frame his parents to have in hand. He went to his room and lay down in bed when the phone rang, it was Magnus, a "Hi Alexander ..." greeted him and Alec's mind went to those soft lips he had kissed a few hours before and to the tender look when they parted.

"Alec, Alexander? Are you there? Did the line go down? I just wanted to try the app."

"No, I’m here, sorry I was distracted."

"By what? What could be more important than me?"

"In fact, I was thinking of you ..." Magnus could feel his smile as he said this.

"I want the details."

"I was thinking of your lips, of our kiss, my first kiss."

"Have you never kissed anyone?"

"It never happened, and he didn't ..."

"I'm sorry, since you tried the top, I would say you have two choices: for the next ones you will have to settle, or you could kiss me again."

"I'd say I prefer the second option."

***

He was on his way to the kitchen to ask for some lunch to be made for him when he saw the Consul come into the house through a portal. He was surprised, he thought he understood that he would be leaving directly for New Delhi without coming home and asked him:

"How is your sister?"

"Well, it was a false alarm fortunately."

"Who did you see?"

"My sister, then Magnus Bane the Warlock on duty at the Institute kept me company while I waited and Jace."

"Show me the parabatai rune, if you have come close to him and the rune shows it, you know you will be punished."

Alec shivered at the thought of the agony rune that he placed on him every time he "made a mistake", made him relive the violence he suffered and made him feel unworthy, useless and mocked for his weakness by his own family.

Alec lifted his shirt, and the rune was barely visible, exactly as before and mentally thanked Magnus for the glamor he had put into it.

"Well then no rune of agony, I just fuck you, how about getting over the part where you reject me and oppose it, so I know you like it."

Alec replied with a firm "No."

"Well then I will force you, it is always a satisfaction to force you. You are my husband, you are not allowed to say no to me."

He approached Alec who was terrified, but he was not going to make it easy for him.

"I was thinking your sister would be perfect as my friend Sergej's wife, but if you are good, I could leave her alone."

He knew Magnus could protect her and repeated "I don't want you" and turned and headed for his room.

The Consul took his hand and, with a Stele, drew a rune that made him suddenly weak, the rune resembled the resistance but the two lines in the center that cross were broken. The Consul then turned it over, folding it over the arm of the sofa, saying "Now you will understand the consequences of your refusal. You will regret that no."

***

Magnus was looking at the image of the rune that Alec had sent him, it was almost identical to the marriage rune, except for just one particular. In the point where the central vertical line rested on what looked like a "C", there was a knot and that was the only difference. He had searched his entire library and then also in the one of the Institute, but he had not found anything. It was probably one of the ancient forbidden runes because it was clear that the material impossibility of killing the Consul must have been due to the presence of that variant, also because Alec had assured him the only other rune he had given him was that of agony and that the rest were all those he had done on himself before marriage.

He had to ask Brother Zachariah, so he copied it and sent it. He absolutely had to find out what it was.

Just at that moment a notification arrived on the mobile phone with a message from Lydia: "The Consul went away alone, the protocol only provided that he would return home for his luggage accompanied by the escort instead he went alone, I'm worried about Alec"

He would not let it happen again he had to find a solution and fast.

Chapter Text

The Consul was fumbling with his pants, while Alec was terrified, he could not, he did not want it to happen again. He wanted to scream but his words were stuck in his throat, he wanted to be brave, but his tears flowed uncontrollably. He had hoped it would not happen to him anymore, he did not want to feel that pain anymore, to be treated like an object, feeling nothing when he was lucky or pain when he was not. A gesture that shows love degraded to this. When a huge explosion and smoke rose from their garden.

The Consul knew the security procedure, knew they would find him, and a portal would open next to him, he had to get away from Alec immediately. The rune he had made was forbidden and no one can see it.

He left him folded over the armrest and went to go to his room to get the bags, knowing that in a few minutes the rune and its consequences would be gone.

As soon as Lydia informed him that the Consul had been reached by her security department, Magnus located Alec via the app on his cell phone and went to him. He found him sitting on the ground half leaning against the armrest in an awkward position as if he had slipped off the armrest, he had his eyes closed, his face streaked with tears, his pants were pulled down, he immediately dressed him and then noticed the rune on his wrist, he picked up the phone and took a picture.

Magnus magically lifted Alec and laid him down on the sofa, checked his health. There was nothing to worry about, just rune-induced fatigue and a state of shock. Magnus took a chair and sat next to him waiting for him to recover.

In the meantime, the rune he had taken the picture of had vanished, so he copied it from his cell phone and sent it in a fire message to Brother Zachariah.

Magnus was thinking about what he could do, he needed time to get clear answers to be able to denounce the Consul to the Clave. The trip to New Delhi was difficult to cancel, Lydia assured him, but he could return in the evening to finish what he had started. He absolutely had to avoid it.

Magnus moved a tuft of hair that had fallen on the Shadowhunter's forehead and Alec opened his eyes for a moment, they were confused and frightened, then seeing Magnus, obvious relief passed over Alec's face and said:

"…Thank you."

Alec's mind went back to those moments, and he began to tremble, breathing hard.

Magnus took his face in his hands and softly and said, "breathe I'm with you and I swear I'll stay here until you and your parents are safe." Alec began to breathe slowly in time with Magnus, until he relaxed. His eyes filled with tears, he tried to hold them back, but Magnus hugged him tightly, pulling his face to rest in the hollow of his neck. Alec let himself go with a desperate cry as the Warlock stroked his hair. It was heartbreaking to see a good soul reduced to this and Magnus swore to himself that he would give him his life back at any cost. As soon as he calmed down, he wiped his face with the back of his hand and looking down whispered to him:

"Forgive me, I should be stronger."

Magnus lifted his face and looking into his eyes said:

"Being strong doesn't mean hiding our emotions, showing them requires more courage than concealing them."

"You think?"

"Between you and me I am the old and wise one."

Alec smiled at that and then becoming serious said:

"Thank you, Magnus, for everything and above all for going against the Consul. But ... I don't understand how you can be here in Alicante without an invitation, and how did you know?"

"Lydia informed me that the Consul had unexpectedly left the office and I instantly became worried about you. I called Izzy who, using the block rune, came here glamorized as a guard and used a potion to simulate an explosion. So, with a fake attack the security procedures would be activated and his guards would reach him and you would be safe. Jace got me an invitation from Imogen to come to Alicante, officially for a consultation on a case. "

"I would like to forget everything, to run away."

"I'll take you away from here I swear. But now what do you need?"

“A safe place, I wish I could escape these walls, I wish I could sleep without nightmares."

"Now I can't take you away since I would put your family at risk, but I can do something." Magnus raised his hands and enveloped the room in a blue light that changed before his eyes. Alec found himself lying on a bed with golden sheets and said with a small smile "Is it your room?"

"Yes, but maybe your room at the Institute would be better ..."

"You are a gentleman and I feel safe in your room."

At that moment he received a message from Lydia warning them that the Consul had left for New Delhi. After reading the message, the Warlock said:

"Are you hungry?"

"Maybe something hot"

A table set with two plates of soup appeared and they sat facing each other. In quiet silence they began to eat, Alec ate less than half and said:

"I'm sorry, my stomach is closed."

"Don't apologize, you just have to do what you feel like."

"I don't know what I feel."

Magnus magically made the table and leftovers disappear and when he turned, he saw Alec yawn and Magnus said:

"Alexander, would you like to go to your room? You look tired."

"I am ... but you will have commitments and I am invading your life."

"I promised you that I will not leave you alone until you are safe and I want to keep my word. All my possible commitments can wait. Now it is only you that matters, tell me what I can do for you, tell me what you need."

"I think I want to take a shower and no I don't want to go to my room, because what I have here is only a place where I sleep, it's not my room."

"Then I’ll create the bathroom that would be there," said the Warlock pointing to a door and sending a spell on it.

"Yes, thank you and then ..." he broke off, looking down embarrassed.

"You know you can ask me anything," Magnus said inviting him to continue.

"I would like to sleep here in your bed with you next to me. You make me feel safe."

"It will be an honor," he replied before Alec walked into the bathroom.

***

Magnus was half lying on the bed in very chaste silk pajamas. He was trying to read, but his mind always came back to Alec, to his desperate weeping and those big, expressive hazel eyes. Alec had shown that he had an uncommon strength, only one opportunity was enough for him to try to take back his life. He admired him and it was not the only feeling he felt, the truth was that he liked him a lot.

He knew he was risking a lot, but not so much because he was going against the Consul, which was an insignificant detail for him. The thing that should have worried him was the feelings he was starting to feel. Alexander was an extremely good person, he would never hurt him, at least not knowingly. But what he had experienced was a deep trauma that would take time to overcome, it was not the waiting that worried him, but the fact that feelings never give certainty, even in more normal situations. Although Alec had shown trust in him and not just that, he could not be sure of how he felt. And now the Warlock was in danger that he would break his heart in the future by flying away. But it was useless to think about it because he would never abandon him just for fear of future pain. Still, it would be worth it, Alec deserved it.

Footsteps in the room interrupted his thoughts, he turned around, it was Alec, his hair was wet, he was barefoot and, of the pajamas he had left him, he had put on the red ones with many small teddy bears. He smiled at him, a small, embarrassed, sweet smile.

"Do you want me to dry your hair?"

"Yes, thanks"

With a wave of his hand, he sent a trail of light towards the Shadowhunter's hair that was instantly dry.

Alec crawled into bed then turned to Magnus:

"You told me to tell you what I need."

Magnus just nodded and Alec continued:

"I would like to sleep in your arms, but if ..."

Magnus magically placed the book he had in his hands on the bedside table and lay down completely. Then he opened his arm on Alec's side, the shadowhunter did not let himself be asked and rested his head on the Warlock's heart embracing him and after a few minutes he was sleeping peacefully.

Chapter Text

He woke up like he fell asleep, hugged to Magnus, who was gently stroking his hair.

"How did you sleep?"

"Well, after a long time, well."

Alec turned to the Warlock saying: "But all night like this, did I put your arm to sleep?"

"It’s no problem Alexander, you know ... I’m magic, a snap of my fingers is enough for a numb arm."

Alec smiled and, when he got up to get off his torso, he found himself close to his face, his eyes falling to his mouth. He had no make-up on, he was still beautiful, and he approached his lips, leaning in and, for a moment, they moved gently together.

Alec pulled away, looked into his eyes and then plunged back onto his mouth, with his lips now parted, the Warlock welcomed him. The scent of his skin, the taste of his soft lips made an indescribable emotion grow in Alec. When they broke apart, they were out of breath and Alec leaned back on his torso. Magnus wanted to ask him if he was okay, but the answer was already on his face, serene, happy.

"How about we have breakfast and as soon as it’s morning in New York we call Jace and Izzy so I can ask them to come here and see if we can find a solution."

"All right."

Alec went to the bathroom, where he found everything he needed, including a clean change. When he returned to the room, he found Magnus fully dressed sitting at the table where there was a plentiful breakfast that he had obviously conjured.

They ate quietly, while Magnus told him funny anecdotes about his ancestors, and then spent the morning lying on the bed reading and chatting. Just before lunch, as it was finally morning in New York, Magnus sent two fire messages to Izzy and Jace, who responded almost immediately. Magnus restored the room to its original form and then opened a portal from which the two Shadowhunters arrived.

Izzy immediately went to hug her brother, while Jace put his hand on his shoulder.

With a spell, Magnus conjured lunch for him and Alec and breakfast for the others, onto the sitting room coffee table. As soon as they sat down Magnus began:

"Yesterday we avoided the worst, but Alec can’t stay here. I have a house in Australia, practically in a mundane area. He could go there, but first we have several problems to solve, one of which is understanding what the marriage rune entails, as a variation on the traditional one. "

"Which variant?" Izzy asked.

Before Alec was asked to show it, Magnus drew it, pointing out the knot at the bottom of the rune, continuing to explain:

"It's just that I don't know what this entails although it is clear that it prevents Alec from killing him, but what if it serves to locate him?"

"No, he can't locate me with that," and he lowered the collar of his shirt to show that the blocking rune he had on his neck had been rendered useless by erasing the hidden part under his clothing.

"I want to kill him with my own hands," Jace said furiously.

"Now we arrive at the bigger problem. Protecting your parents. The death penalty has been commuted to life imprisonment only due to the pardon the Consul ordered but it would be all too easy for him to invent other evidence and have them executed."

"Is this how he kept you 'quiet', by threatening you?" Izzy said.

Alec limited himself to a nod.

Jace interjected "We need my grandmother's help, only she could find a solution."

Magnus looked at Alec who was starting to feel short of breath, hyperventilating, and gently took his face in his hands and Alec following the Warlock’s breaths calmed down and then said "You don't need to explain everything to her, just tell her, that you got married to have your parents pardoned but now you want your freedom back without risking revenge."

"But she'll probably understand," Alec replied.

"Maybe, I don't know, but Alexander it isn't your fault."

"But…"

"There are no buts, he drugged you, used banned runes, threatened your family and controlled you. It’s his fault alone."

"Thank you ..." he took a deep breath and said "Call her"

***

Jace sent a fire message, and the answer came in a few moments and, as he read it, he turned to Magnus saying, "Can you open a portal from Imogen's office?"

The Warlock limited himself to a nod as he opened it. Imogen entered saying "Good morning, everyone" and then took a chair, sat at the table and continued:

"What brings me here? My nephew was pretty cryptic."

Jace began: "Alec has ..."

"I can do it Jace" Alec said interrupting him "She's here because I need some help."

"But isn’t your husband the Consul?" said the Inquisitor.

"He's the problem" he said, lowering his gaze for a moment and then looking into her eyes again "My marriage is a ... farce. I want to get out of it but he threatens to revoke my parents’ pardon."

Imogen clearly understood that there was much more to those few words and she knew that the best solution was to go with the practicalities and appear as cold and detached as always.

"I was unable to follow your parents' trial due to the bond they have with Jace, so as required by law it was the Consul who assigned the case to a person in my office and designated it to one very close to the Consul himself. Several things were strange in this procedure; the speed, and the fact, that I know from a certain source, that because of your parents’ testimony, all the members of the circle were arrested. So, this trial has always made me suspicious but I wasn’t able to investigate because the file that was to be delivered to me after the sentence never arrived. "

"Do you think they were framed?" Jace asked.

"Probably. But now it is clear that it was. I gather from this informal meeting that you haven’t any evidence to get the trial reviewed."

"Indeed," Izzy replied.

"I think the only option is for them to escape," Imogen said.

"We could do better, I have a potion if taken, at a superficial check, they would appear dead." observed Magnus.

"Someone has to take it to them, I could go myself, after all it's also my job to check how the inmates are treated," Imogen said.

"But don't we risk being too conspicuous?" remarked Izzy.

"Grandma, why don't you send me?"

"No, none of us can go, there would be a record of your visit and just before their death it would be too suspicious," Alec observed.

"So, one of us glamoured?" Izzy said.

"Jace could go glamoured as a guard, in the evening a guard always makes a last round on both the male and female sides for a check and to deliver books, food or whatever they requested," Imogen said.

"And what do we do with the guard?"

"I could make sure he doesn't show up for work by putting him to sleep in his bed."

"But he could remember that he didn't go to work." Jace observed.

"Our aim is to secure Alec and your parents and make sure that the Consul cannot accuse you or Izzy. Even if there are suspicions, it doesn't matter, a person who always does the same rounds every evening might be confused enough to believe he did it when he wakes up in bed like every morning" observed the Warlock.

"There is another aspect to consider, as soon as he knows that something has happened to Maryse and Robert, the Consul may come back since they will certainly warn him."

"There is only one way to block it, to get the security barriers around the Institute, in that case not even the Consul could walk away," Imogen said.

"What do you think Magnus? Could I go and, what do I know, let's pretend a large-scale attack with a series of smoke potions like Izzy used here yesterday, so the protocol will be applied, and we will block him in the Institute?"

"It seems like a good idea and then Izzy, glamoured, can come here to Alicante and sign your parents' death certificates so that you can officially take them away and then, by cremating them there will be nothing left to investigate" Imogen said.

"There's just one more problem. I don't think either Maryse or Robert would take a potion they didn't ask for delivered by a guard," Magnus observed.

"You have to make him understand that it's you," Imogen said.

Alec cast a knowing look to Izzy with an amused smile said:

"We need Puppy."

"No, please don't," Jace said, looking down embarrassed.

"It's the best option," Izzy said.

"Ok fine. Puppy it is," Jace said resignedly.

"Now I'm curious someone explain to me?" Imogen asked.

"Ok I'll do it" Izzy said immediately smiling "When Jace came to us he was certainly a perfect soldier even then but he was still a kid and in the evening he couldn't sleep, mum and dad didn't know how to help him, because they still didn't know him well but they realized that he took the cushions off the sofa in the living room to hug them when he slept, so one evening they took him to a mundane shop where he found a dragon puppet and he slept with this huge Dragon that we called Puppy."

"Honestly, the best kept secret of the Lightwood family," Alec said with a smile.

Chapter Text

The plan had started. Magnus, using a portal, had gone to the guard's house to magically get him back to sleep so he would not show up to work, Jace, glamoured, replaced him. Alec was, like always, in the house in Alicante but he was not alone, Imogen was with him. Alec was restless, pacing back and forth in the room, he felt relieved when he saw Magnus come back:

"He was at home as you told me Imogen, I just magically induced him to sleep, I put back the pajamas he had on the chair in his room and put him in bed, he won't get up until tomorrow morning."

"I’ll warn Jace!" she said sending a fire message and then, turning to Alec, "Jace told me to give you a Stele" and handed him one from the bag.

Alec took it and whispered a "thank you". It was over a year since he had had one, he went to a mirror and uncovering his neck he used the Stele to redraw the missing part of the blocking rune, but his hand was shaking, he closed his eyes and sighed at the point that his hand traced the missing part. A first step towards normality.

Alec then sat on the sofa next to Magnus, while Imogen, seated at the small table, worked on her tablet. Magnus tried to offer them both something to eat, but they refused, Imogen had already had dinner, Alec’s stomach was closed.

Magnus was worried about Alec who was much too restless, he was checking the time on his phone all the time, so he brought up a chessboard, "You need to relax."

Alec agreed and, even though he couldn’t be very attentive, playing helped him to pass the time.

At one point a fire message arrived for Imogen and she said "Jace delivered the potions, tonight everything was fine, we'll update tomorrow for the second part of the plan."

"Thanks for everything" Alec told her, offering his hand, she took it with both hands and said "it was nothing."

Magnus opened a portal for Imogen, who returned to her house and then transformed the hall back into his bedroom. While Alec, in the bathroom was getting ready for night, Magnus made him a soothing herbal tea placed on the bedside table and thanks to that and his closeness, the Shadowhunter slept, agitated, but at least he did not spend a sleepless night.

They woke up early in the morning, Alec had only had a coffee, when through a fire message he was informed of his parents’ deaths. He, Jace and Izzy were officially summoned by Imogen. Meanwhile, the plan to block the Consul had gone as agreed and he would not be able to leave the New Delhi Institute for twenty-four hours.

Alec removed the sim from his mobile phone so he couldn’t be tracked and activated the blocking rune, and then walked with Magnus to the front door. Arriving in front of it they were facing each other, looking at each other motionless, it was clear that they did not know how to greet each other, Magnus began:

"So ..." but Alec cut him off with a light kiss on the lips, telling him with a sweet smile, "See you later," then Magnus opened the portal to New York as Alec reached Imogen.

Magnus arrived in front of the Institute and entered through the main door, joining Jace and Izzy who were in the operations center, offered them condolences and then opened a portal to the Imogen office in Alicante. When they arrived, they found Alec there waiting for them. The Inquisitor gave him the news explaining that they would have an autopsy and that afterwards they could take them away. Izzy and Magnus headed to the morgue. Magnus stood guard in front of the room where the real pathologist was busy in her office updating reports, while Izzy, glamoured like her, went to the archive to deliver the signed autopsies of her parents.

Izzy then returned to Imogen’s office where her brothers were waiting for her with the documents authorizing them to take away the corpses, while Magnus with a portal from the morgue transported the two spouses to his loft in New York, leaving two stools in their place transfigured as the two bodies.

Exiting the portal he widened the sofa, lowering the back, leaning Maryse and Robert on it. After a while, observing them, he realized that they would recover soon. Their skin color started to return to normal and they were starting to move. Since it would probably be better for their children to be there when they woke up, he sent a message to Alec asking him when he expected to arrive. Alec replied that the funeral ceremony was over and they were taking the two urns to the cemetery and that he would warn him where and when to open the portal.

Magnus sat down on the armchair, Maryse had turned and was now sleeping hugging the pillow she had under her head and Robert had also moved to one side, now it was clear that they were two people asleep. The phone vibrated, it was Alec, he saw the message and opened a portal in front of the Institute and Alec, Izzy and Jace entered. The noise of their arrival woke the couple who, after opening their eyes, sat down on the sofa.

The first to speak was Maryse "Where am I? And why did you send me that potion yesterday? Did you do the same with Robert?" she added seeing him next to her.

Alec sat down next to her and took her hand in his, he was searching for the words and she continued "But has there been a revision of the sentence? I know that your father and I have kept our past about the Circle secret from you, but I swear that when… "

"We know you're innocent, Mom," Isabel said.

"They framed you and we rescued you" Jace added.

"But why ... are we wanted now?" Robert said approaching Maryse to grip her waist.

"No, you're officially dead, no one will look for you," Jace explained.

"But why? A review of the trial would be enough?" Maryse then looked at Alec, her hands in his, his low gaze, she noticed that he had lost weight. She lifted his face and put her hand on his chin and she saw his bright, sad eyes that kept escaping her gaze, "Alec what happened to you?"

"It's just ..." he didn’t know where to start, what to say. He tried to hold back the pain, but it was useless and started to cry, Maryse took him in her arms and Alec let himself be comforted. Maryse looked at Robert, they were visibly worried. Then after calming down, he broke away from her mother and after wiping his face began:

"You spent this year in hell because of me."

Magnus interjected "Alexander it's not your fault, but ..." and broke off.

Alec resumed "If I had been paying attention maybe ..."

"Alec please explain, your mother and I don't understand," Robert said.

"You ended up in jail because the Consul set you up, because he laid his eye on me. When he transformed the death penalty into life in prison he invited me to his house, I went there and there he forced me to marry him, to get rid of him I had to make you safe. "

"Forced?"

"There was a ceremony, and he gave me the marriage rune."

Maryse understood what he was not telling them and realized that if she had been in prison, she was still treated with dignity while her son had been in hell, she turned to look at Robert and found the same pain she felt.

She took her son's face in her hands to kiss him on her forehead and then say "Now take care of yourself and I swear he will pay ..."

A fire message arriving for Jace interrupted them, after reading it he said, "We have to go" and looking at Alec added "the barrier around the New Delhi institute was deactivated earlier. Maryse, Robert, you must glamour yourself like these two people," he said showing them on his cell phone and handing them two Steles. Maryse and Robert drew the rune transforming in front of their eyes and then went to say farewell to Izzy and Alec, Jace would go with them to Imogen.

They were about to go through the portal to Imogen who would send them to the Johannesburg Institute in South Africa, when Maryse turned to Magnus and said, "You will take care of him won't you?" Magnus just nodded before he saw them disappear.

Isabelle spoke to her brother before walking to the door to return to the Institute and Magnus opened a portal to Australia.

Chapter Text

Magnus's house was in New South Wales, exactly in Tallew Beach and from the harsh New York winter, Alec and Magnus had arrived at dawn on a summer day in Australia, it was a few steps from the sea and to the mundanes it looked like an old club abandoned, surrounded by dense vegetation that induced the mundane to go by easier paths.

The portal had led them into the living room, from whose window, which occupied the entire wall overlooking the beach, you could see the sun starting to rise from the sea. The pink orange light illuminated the room making the atmosphere magical.

Alec felt like he was in heaven, his worried eyes turned incredulous as he looked around. The house was in shades of white with glass tables and blue and silver finishes.

"It's a wonderful place Magnus," he said.

Magnus took him by the hand and magically opened the window and they arrived on the beach. It was early in the morning, but it was very hot and their winter clothes were out of place. Magnus asked him:

"Maybe it’s better if we change? Magically I mean?"

"What if we put on a swimsuit and swim? I've never been to the sea."

"Sounds like a great idea to me."

Magically he changed both into two shorts and they went running into the sea. The water was cold, they dived, they splashed, smiling like crazy, and then they sat on the shore to watch the sun rise from the sea.

Magnus was watching Alec, he was really handsome, he had the face of an angel and even though he was thin, he was physically very attractive. But the thing that made him truly gorgeous today was his happy open smile.

Alec turned and took the Warlock's face in his hands and looking at him said:

"I have known you for a few days and you have completely changed my life I will never be able to thank you properly. I know that everything I’ve been through will require commitment and that it will be painful to face everything. But now I don't want to think about it, today I just want to have a nice day with you." Alec's gaze went from his eyes to his mouth where they stayed. He pulled his face close to meet his lips. A sweet touch first, then they opened and became passionate. Alec's hands caressed his torso, Magnus his hair. The emotion became a physical reaction, a reaction that he thought was dead and his shorts tightened. He broke away because he was out of breath. He was feeling so much and was irrationally upset by it.

Magnus noticing the expression on his face asked him:

"Is everything fine?"

"Yes ... it's just that it's all so new, it's as if you gave me hope for a normal life and I'm afraid of it, I know it doesn't make much sense."

"Feelings are not rational and have no logic. Do what you feel right and don't be afraid to tell me anything, I'm here for you.”

"Thanks," Alec replied, rubbing his eyes

"Maybe it's time to go to sleep since it would be evening for us now."

"Yes, let’s go."

* * *

The bedroom was on the top floor of the house and accessed from the living room by a spiral staircase. They had gone to bed right after they got back from the beach, just enough time for a spell to get them ready for rest.

Alec woke up, because he felt his face caressed, opened his eyes, it was Magnus "You were whining ..."

"Sorry ..." and as he said it he realized that his face was streaked with tears.

"Alec, you don't have to apologize."

"I was dreaming I was trying to escape but I was standing, and he was going to ... Magnus how am I going to get some semblance of life back? How am I going to get through all this? I don't think I have the strength. Before my only problem was finding the right person and building something with him, now I'm useless."

"Alec you are not useless, you have so much to give."

"But ... I don't know if I'll ever be able to ... well you get it"

"Yes and I won’t lie to you saying that it will be easy, it won’t be and it has already changed you, you will never be who you were before but this doesn’t mean that you will not be able to get your life back, that you will not be able to get everything back, it will depend on you and I know that you are strong enough to face it."

"But if I can't even go to the Silent Brothers for help, how ..."

"The Silent Brothers help soldiers in need, I don't think they would be really useful to you, I think mundane psychologists would be more effective in your case."

"But what should I tell them? They don't know the Shadow world ..."

"I searched, in San Francisco there is Dr. Vinson who is a psychologist specializing in domestic violence, his daughter has become a werewolf, he knows about the Downworld, warlocks, the Seelie, Shadowhunters and what we do."

"You say he could help me?"

"I think so."

"But ... I'm married to the Consul, it's like I'm the husband of the President of the United States, how can I explain it to him?"

"I don't think it will be necessary. Just tell him that he is a very influential person and in any case, he is bound by professional secrecy, he can’t reveal anything to anyone."

"You think?"

"Yes, I'll send you his phone number, if he wants to know how you got it you can say that I gave it to you, that I'm Luke Garroway's Warlock friend."

* * *

The Consul had just arrived at his home in Alicante and was looking for Alec, he knew that something had happened, the death of the Lightwoods and the fact that he could not locate Alec from the application on the phone meant that he had either turned it off or that he had removed the SIM. The guards were now always with him due to the double attack and he was also forced to play the part of the worried husband. He had gone around the house, room by room, but there was nothing, in the end in the living room he had found a SIM on the table, Alec had escaped. He opened a portal to the operations center and asked the highest ranking Shadowhunter present, Lucas Highcherry, to track down his husband. Once the application was opened, a computer began the search, after a few minutes he told him that he could not locate it because he must have activated the blocking rune. At that point the Consul became furious.

"I want Jace Herondale and Isabelle Lightwood here right now. I know they kidnapped my husband and who knows what they put in his head," he ordered screaming.

Lucas sent a fire message to the head of the New York Institute, requesting their immediate presence. A portal opened and Jace and Isabelle arrived, the Consul bluntly:

"Tell me where Alec is! I know it was you who turned him against me, otherwise I'll have you arrested."

Isabelle came forward, "What do you mean asking us where Alec is, do you mean he's gone? You should send an alert to all the Institutes in the world, don't blame us" and Jace added "and how could we turn him against you since from when he got married we’ve only seen him for maybe two hours in a year. "

"Arrest them!"

At that moment Imogen entered the room "Could you explain what's going on?"

"Alec is missing and they're guilty, don't get in the way I'm the Consul."

"They kidnapped him, where is the evidence?"

"I know it was them, I will make them speak, give me the Soul Sword."

"Consul! If you don't calm down, I'll ask for an emergency meeting of the Clave and you’ll be suspended. You are not a dictator, you cannot do as you please."

"Jace, do you feel Alec's presence?" Imogen asked.

"The connection is very mild since we've been apart for too long, but I would know if he was dead."

"To me he was fed up with you and your heart problems don't concern us, come with me, I'll send you back to New York," Imogen said.

Chapter Text

Three months had passed since his arrival in Australia, now it was autumn, and the temperatures were more pleasant than the summer heat, he liked walking along the shore especially now that the beach was practically deserted. By now he had his habits, he would go for a run on the beach in the morning. If the weather didn’t permit him, he would train in the lounge, read mundane books and Magnus would bring him letters from Jace and Izzy. He went to the psychologist three times a week, using a portal that Magnus opened for him. For now he had only talked to him about himself, he had not even come close to talking about his "marriage", Dr. Vinson was a middle-aged man, white hair, eyeglasses, always impeccably dressed, he made him feel at home, at ease, it was not yet clear how speaking would help him, but he trusted him.

Every day he saw Magnus twice, once when Alec had lunch, although for Magnus it was technically dinner, given the time difference and the other at the time Alec went to bed, he only came to keep him company until he fell asleep.

Sometimes Magnus would bring Jace and Isabelle with him when they could get away without arousing suspicion and today was one of those days.

They had eaten the grilled chicken with baked potatoes that Magnus had conjured. As Magnus cleared the table Jace said to Alec:

"Look, I brought the derunizer with me, I'd like to try it on your marriage rune, although it's unlikely to work, as it doesn't work with either the parabatai or the normal marriage rune, but it's still worth a try."

Alec just nodded and went to lie down on the sofa lifting his shirt. Jace turned on the device and started to pass it over the rune. The pain was very intense but Alec didn’t even let out a groan. But nothing changed, the rune was still there.

"I'm sorry Alec," Jace said.

"It doesn't matter!"

"It was worth an attempt."

“How about if we go somewhere to dance? Magnus told me there's a nice nightclub near here, "Izzy said.

"I'd like that. What do you think Alec? " Magnus asked.

Alec looked at his parabatai and together they made a gesture of assent.

They walked the short distance to reach the club, entered, sat down at a table near the dance floor and ordered two martinis for Magnus and Izzy, a beer for Jace and a non-alcoholic cocktail for Alec.

“I don't understand why I always get convinced, but these places aren't for me… too much confusion,” Jace said as he drank his beer.

Izzy replied “You know what news! You and Alec are wallflowers when you get to have fun," then turning to Magnus she told him" A couple of years ago we went to a party organized by the Paris Institute and a girl who was watching Alec, took courage and asked him if he wanted to dance with her and he made a desperate face, you should have seen him. "

"I can't dance, then with a girl," Alec replied.

"In the end he eased the embarrassment by saying that his leg hurt from an unhealed wound, suggesting that Jace was better, at that point Jace looked at me with a face and I saved him from the embarrassment by dancing with her."

"Well done Izzy, I really like to dance to anything but if I have to choose I love slow dancing, especially with those who are special to me."

Alec looked at him interested and Magnus changed the music that was being played from a dance to a slow one and reached out his hand towards him, Alec took it in his and they went on the dance floor. Magnus put his arms around his neck as Alec wrapped around his waist. They barely moved, Magnus looked at him as if he were the most precious being in the world, Alec laid his cheek on him. He felt him so close and not only for the physical aspect, but it was also as if he understood what he needed, even before he knew it himself. He hid his face in the crook of his neck. He smelled the scent of his skin, his solid torso. His body was reacting, it was getting aroused, but he was not afraid he knew he was safe. His eyes were bright again but with happiness.

Jace and Izzy could not take their eyes off Magnus and Alec who were dancing.

"I've never felt Alec so happy," Jace said.

"What I don't understand is how Alec could have hidden what he was going through from you since your parabatai bond."

"I don't think he ever knowingly hid it from me, I think, as a form of defense, he hid it from himself, as if it wasn't true, as if it wasn't real."

"I can't even think about how much he suffered, but he will make it," Izzy said.

Alec wished the evening would never end, but Magnus, Izzy and Jace had a meeting at the Institute and they  accompanied Alec home before returning to New York via a portal.

***

Alec got ready for the night unhurriedly, he took the book he had on his bedside table but he couldn’t concentrate, he couldn’t help but think of the two of them on the dance floor close, the smell of his skin, his hands caressing his hair. Those same hands that he would now have wanted on himself, like his lips on his neck and he began to caress himself a little fearfully on top of his pajamas, when a video call interrupted him and, in the excitement, answering he framed his hand on his groin.

Magnus immediately said: "Maybe it's better that I call you later ..." he was disconnecting the call, when Alec answered him:

"No, stay. It's just that I was thinking about us on the dance floor and ... I didn't think I could feel again ... I thought he had me ... that I was no longer capable ... help me I'm scared ..."

"I'm here with you. Close your eyes, you are in my room in my bed, with golden silk sheets and you are caressing yourself, I arrive and I see you, I lie down next to you and I kiss your neck where you have the block rune. "

Alec stroked over his pants and Magnus continued:

"Now you put your hands in, you turn your face towards me and I place my lips on yours. Now you release it and you caress yourself," Alec's shortness of breath became a moan.

"I'm kissing your neck again, now I surround yours with my hand, and we move them together." The moans become a single litany.

“Let go Alexander.” Alec let out a very long moan.

For a while he only heard Alec's labored breathing who then said "Thank you ..."

"It was a pleasure."

"You have no idea how important this is to me, you know ..."

"I’m glad I called you at the right time."

Chapter Text

Nowadays the winter was almost over here in Australia and he had made progress with the psychologist.   Today had been a difficult date, Alec was on the sofa and thought about his remarks.

They had never talked directly about the violence suffered, but rather about what he felt thinking about it or trying not to think about it. He had told him the road was long. In their encounters it was as if they had no direction, as if they spoke without a line, but ultimately thoughts are never linear; therefore, Alec found a logical illogicality in it. Today they had come to talk about what he hoped for the future.

"What would you like to have from life now?"

"What I wanted before, nothing more, nothing less, but I don't know if ... Who could want me?"

"Why are you saying this?"

"Who would want to wait for me to be 'healed' when there are so many people available?"

"Why do you think there isn’t such a person?"

"Maybe yes, but I don't think I'm worth it."

"What does a relationship mean for you?"

"Many things: love, trust, respect, but also sex. And I ... I don't know what it means to love in that sense. I only know violence."

"But who is to decide if you’re worth it?"

"I don't know, certainly not me."

"How about Magnus Bane?"

"Magnus held out his hand to me and pulled me out of hell. I like him and I think ... I mean, I don't see him just as a friend. He let himself be kissed twice and we called each other ..." he said gesturing with his hands.

The eyebrows that appeared over the glasses and the slight smile made it clear that the psychologist had perfectly understood what the call had been.

Alec continued:

"He's always available to me and he told me that, well, he likes me, but part of me can't help but think he's nice just because ... He feels sorry for me."

"Did he tell you that or hint?"

"No, he would never do that."

"So how can you know his feelings about you?"

"I don't know, he would never hurt me, but I'm the one who started it, maybe he'll let me do it ..."

"Don't you think there can be a valid reason why he leaves the initiative to you?"

"What?" he said confused, then his face relaxed in understanding.

"Lets me do what I feel is right because he respects me."

"And how do you think you would know what his real feelings for you are?"

It was here that he thought about it and had the answer, his gestures and Magnus’, what did they tell him?

Magnus was attentive and it was clear that he had asked, he made him find his favorite foods, the kind of books he liked best. His hands were a source of support whenever he was in trouble. From the first time on the terrace of the house in Alicante, when he saved him from a fall, not to mention later, whenever he had to face problems, they were ready to support him by letting him know that he was there for him. And his eyes when they arrived here and plunged into the sea together? They were always on him, with obvious appreciation. And when he woke up in his arms? Tender, sweet, protective. Sometimes he had caught his gaze on him, intense with the glamour down, there was so much in his eyes. Something he had not seen in anyone else, something that maybe he had just for him.

***

A portal opened and Magnus's arrival interrupted his brooding.

"Am I disturbing you?"

"No, no …"

"You look thoughtful, difficult session?" He said sitting down next to him.

"It wasn't exactly difficult, but it left me some questions I need to answer."

Magnus put his hand on his knee in a gesture that he now knew was supportive and again that look without his glamour and then Magnus began to explain:

"I came because I found out what that variant marriage rune is, a Silent brother I know well and to whom I sent a copy without telling him about you, just sent me a fire message, he says he had a hard time finding out what it was."

"Tell me, I'm ready."

"Okay, this is the indissoluble bond rune, it was used in central Europe in medieval times. Who invented it isn’t known but it’s certainly not a rune blessed by Raziel. One of the runes that were banned in the nineteenth century, they were deleted from all books and only the highest-ranking Silent Brothers are aware of it and have copies of it in a classified archive. The rune is placed after a marriage ceremony, generally a forced marriage that is sealed by sexual intercourse. The bond is indissoluble and is truly to the death. The person on whom the rune is placed cannot kill the husband / wife and if they cheat on them, they die. The betrayal is defined by the actions done after the marriage. In the end, he advised me that if it is about a real person, I have to report him to the Clave and the Consul. "

At those words a bitter smile appeared on Alec's lips, Magnus continued:

"The other one he put on you before leaving for New Delhi is always forbidden because it not only makes a person weak and defenseless but can lead to death from a heart attack. What I cannot understand is that we kissed which is certainly betrayal how is it possible ..."

"That I'm alive? He never kissed me that evening or any other time, you were my first kiss."

"I had no idea, sor ..."

"You don't have to, I wanted it," Alec said looking into his eyes.

"But then…"

"He raped me ... behind ... nothing else," Alec said, looking down.

Magnus put his hand on his cheekbone raising his face and looking into his eyes he said, "It's his fault, not yours ..." and moved to kiss him on the cheek, but Alec moved his face and kissed him on his mouth. It was sweet at first, but Alec pushed his way past his lips and it became deep, passionate.

* * *

Alec felt his body react, he completely trusted the Warlock, and he knew that he would respect him, guide, and protect him. There were so many things he was not ready for and he had no idea if he would ever be, but he knew what he wanted now, to come safely into his arms. When the kiss ended, they were still very close and Alec took his hand, which was still on his face and trembling brought it to his groin. Magnus closed his eyes for a second, on contact with him, feeling and knowing the trust he had in him took his breath away. Alec whispered, "Do you remember the call?" Magnus just nodded.

Together their hands began to caress him, as Magnus moved to kiss his neck right over the block rune. Alec was short of breath and was holding back his moans. Magnus with a wave of his hand darkened the window overlooking the sea and candles appeared in the room, he said "Let go" Alec let the moans begin to come out of his lips. Alec opened his pants and brought their hands inside. It was the first time that another hand had touched him. He was so excited. The scent of Magnus, his lips on his neck and their joined hands caressing him. They released him and began to move together. Alec's breath was getting shorter and shorter. Magnus returned to his lips to kiss him deeply. A moan interrupted it and their hands and their torsos were flooded with the pleasure that had overwhelmed Alec.

Magnus magically cleaned them and Alec threw himself on his torso making himself small, as if to hide in his arms, while Magnus conjured a blanket to lay over them.

Chapter Text

It had been a prolific but difficult day, in the morning Magnus had come for a moment to bring him the documents relating to the evidence against the Consul, he had arranged them and had begun to prepare a report on what he had been through during the 'marriage', but he had to quit, it was too painful. He had also called Magnus who had not answered, now he was on the terrace of his room and was reading when he heard a portal open, he stood up smiling, but as he got started he realized that there was something strange, Magnus always called him as soon as he arrived and instinctively he took the stele that was on his bedside table.

When he come down, he found himself facing Odoard the Consul, his husband:

"I finally found you, it wasn't easy but a few weeks ago, on an intuition, I checked the guest list of our party and only one name was out of place. Magnus Bane."

Alec clutched the stele and was ready to defend himself.

The Consul continued “It wasn’t easy to place an app on his phone to track him, but with the excuse of some illegal recordings made at some confidential meetings, at the first opportunity we made him leave the phone and we installed it. A few hours ago, I saw that he had come here, then I had the satellites check this house and when you went out on the terrace, I recognized you. So now you’re coming home and everything will be fine. "

"What did you do to Magnus?"

"He was arrested for your kidnapping, of course."

Alec looking him in the eye:

"He didn't kidnap me, he saved me from you. We know that the rune on my back is a forbidden rune, I’ll call Imogen and I'll sue you and then let's see who ends up in jail."

"I see that you have become arrogant, you know that will be enough of a message and I will make sure that your sister is married to Sergej in a few hours."

"My sister knows the truth, she will never go to a meeting alone with any of your henchmen."

"Do you know what will happen if you report me? Are you sure you want to face a trial? You do know that my lawyer will ask you about the details of our relationship and all the times you have bent to ninety degrees for me and what you have felt if you liked it or how compliant you’ve been? "

"Yes, I'm ready, it's not me who should be ashamed but you, " he answered him in a cold tone.

"That's enough, come home with me since the rune makes the bond indissoluble so why fight the inevitable ..."

"No!" and began to write a fire message with the stele in his hand. When the Consul approached to stop him, Alec pushed him back with his left hand as he continued to write. The Consul took a step back and, losing his balance, fell back on the glass table, banging his head, the thud, the blood. His eyes wide open, he was dead.

Alec felt a tremendous pain in the spot where the unbreakable bond rune was and fell to the ground.

***

Jace had gone to the jail at the Gard with Izzy and Imogen and since the documentation relating to Magnus's arrest was incomplete, Imogen had freed him. As soon as he was released, Jace felt a tremendous pain in his parabatai rune and said, "We have to go to Alec right away, something has happened."

Imogen replied "Go, I'll stay here, I have to fill out and sign the documentation for Magnus's release."

With a portal they immediately arrived at Magnus' house in Australia where they found Alec lying on the ground and the Consul dead in a pool of blood, fallen against the crystal table.

Magnus immediately ran to Alec and checked his heartbeat and with a nod he made it clear to Jace and Izzy that he was alive, magically laid him down on the sofa and did a quick check, he had a rapid heart rate and a very high fever. He sent a fire message and in a few moments, Brother Zachariah arrived, and Magnus explained:

"Alec has the indissoluble bond rune."

"Placed by the Consul?" the Silent Brother answered in horror.

"Exactly."

"He must come with me to the City of Bones, only there do we have the information and the proper care to help him."

Jace took the stele, activated the rune of resistance, and picked up Alec as Magnus opened a portal.

As soon as the portal that had brought Alec to the City of Bones closed, another one opened, it was Inquisitor Herondale who asked, as soon as she arrived:

"What happened here?" Magnus began to explain:

"Since he escaped from Alicante Alec has taken refuge in one of my houses. The Consul found him today and as you know he arrested me for his kidnapping. When we arrived Alec and the Consul were arguing and I magically divided them but the Consul lost his balance and fell dead. "

Izzy looked at him in bewilderment and Magnus waved his hand to shut up. He did not have a clue how Alec was but he would protect him.

"But where are Alec and Jace now?"

"They're both in the City of Bones because Alec, I think he had a shock."

"Mr. Bane you know that I have to arrest you and that you will have to face a trial and given my connection with Jace, I will not be able to follow it. Get a good lawyer, the Consul is dead and whoever is assigned the case will seek justice or perhaps better to say, revenge.  I'll see what I can do to help you, but I won't be able to do much, my hands are tied. "

"I understand."

"I'm not arresting you now, I'm waiting for you to surrender."

Magnus just nodded and when Imogen returned to Alicante the Warlock sat down on the couch. He was worried about Alec and it was painful not to be with him but he would do one thing he could, protect him.

Chapter Text

He had turned himself in and now they were taking him to the trial room in Alicante. The trial had been set up in a few days. The handcuffs contained his magic so he had not been able to put on his make-up or fix his hair and he had one of Jace’s suits that Izzy had brought him since she was not able to access Magnus's loft, but he had his face raised and a determined look. He knew he was doing the right thing, he wanted to protect Alec's privacy especially now that he could not decide for himself. Izzy had found him a lawyer Michael Headwolf, to whom he had told the same story he had told Imogen, it was clear that he had not believed him, but had told him that he would respect his will and still defend him to the best of his ability, but that he seriously risked the death penalty.

He was sitting next to his own lawyer when Inquisitor Daniel Grayway gave the floor to the prosecution who said:

"Thank you, Inquisitor, Mr. Bane is on trial for causing the death of our beloved Consul and the reason for this is the Warlock's obsession for Alexander Marknight. The Consul's spouse and defendant met at the party for the wedding anniversary. Not accepting no for an answer, he kidnapped him and then magically confused his mind, keeping him under his control. The Consul had never given up on the disappearance of his beloved husband and eventually found Alec confined in a house owned by the accused in Australia. The Consul had him arrested but for a bureaucratic mistake he was released, and the accused joined them just when the two lovers were finally reunited, killing the Consul and sending Alexander into a coma who is still in serious condition and hospitalized in the City of Bones. "

The prosecutor brought all the Consul's friends who were obviously exempt from the use of the Soul Sword due to their rank and talked about the love of the Marknight spouses and the Consul's desperation when they took him away.

Magnus was incredulous or perhaps he should have expected such superficiality on the part of the prosecutor, after all it would not take too much to understand who the Consul was, because in truth he had not hidden it at all, but it was clear that they did not care for the truth, he was a Downworlder and the Consul was dead, the reality of the facts did not matter.

For Magnus, Imogen had to testify but she strangely had not shown up and since Jace was in the City of Bones with Alec, he had only Izzy left.

The Shadowhunter showed up on time and went to the right of the Inquisitor where the Soul Sword was positioned, she put her hands on it and the Inquisitor began:

"Tell me about your brother's wedding."

"After he got married to the Consul, with whom he’d never had any relationship, other than professional, Alec disappeared from our life. In the year he got married, Jace and I saw him for a maximum of two hours.  I don't think he was happy.”

"But are you certain or are they just impressions?"

"We talked about it together when he came to the New York Institute a couple of days after the anniversary. He wasn't happy at all. He decided to leave."

"When did Alexander Marknight meet Magnus Bane?"

"At the wedding anniversary party, I gave him my invitation as I had a business engagement."

"So, you weren’t there when they met and don't know what happened?"

"No, I wasn't there, but Alec then explained it to me."

"Did you know the defendant well when you gave him your invitation?"

"No, I had just met him personally, but Magnus Bane's professionalism is known."

"Thanks, you can go."

The Inquisitor stood up to pronounce the sentence:

"Given the confession of the accused who declared that his magic hit the Consul killing him, given the countless testimonies of the Clave's personalities who declared the happiness of the marriage and despite the testimony of Isabelle Lightwood in favor of the accused, who certainly told the truth as reported to her by Alexander himself. But since Mr. Marknight was under the demonic influence of Mr. Bane, I cannot believe his words to be reliable. For all these reasons I pronounce the accused guilty of both Alexander's kidnapping and Consul Marknight's death and sentence him to death."

The inquisitor stopped because a portal had opened at the back of the room.

***

The whole room turned to the sound of the portal opening and Alec, Jace, Brother Zachariah and Imogen arrived.

Alec was thin and pale, it was clear that he was not completely healed yet. He had on the same clothes as he had when he, passed out, left home in Australia to be treated in the City of Bones.

The Inquisitor "Mr. Alexander Marknight should not have bothered. Justice is about to be served even if it will not be able to return your husband Odoard."

"My name is Alexander Lightwood, and I am here to testify on the Soul Sword."

"But you don’t need the Soul Sword as widower of our Consul, we believe you and in any case, we don't need it we have already ..."

"No, you don't know anything, you were ready to pronounce the death sentence against Magnus, without even considering Isabelle's testimony or waiting for me to recover, since I know you knew I was starting to get better. But now I request the Soul Sword. "

At that point, the Inquisitor replied "Okay, step down" Alec went to the post and put his hands on the sword.

Then the Inquisitor began "Who killed Consul Odoard Marknight?"

"It was me," he answered firmly, looking the Inquisitor in the eye.

"Why?"

"He wanted to take the stele with which I was writing to Inquisitor Herondale and in the fight he fell on the crystal table and died."

"Why did you want to call Inquisitor Herondale?"

"To denounce the Consul."

"And what did you want to report?"

"On the night of the wedding I had gone just out of courtesy to thank him for the pardon given to my parents, but he drugged me and then put an illegal marriage rune on my skin and then raped me."

In the hall the faces present were horrified at Alec's words. Magnus wanted to hug him to protect him.

"And what rune did he place on you?"

"At first I didn't even know what it was, we later discovered that it was the Indissoluble Bond rune. I think Brother Zachariah could explain better what it is."

The Silent Brother took a step forward and began:

"It is a rune that was used in the Middle Ages mainly for forced marriages, the rune binds the two spouses indissolubly until death. With regards to Alec, he couldn’t kill the Consul, who in fact died due to a push but there was no murderous will in his gesture. Besides, the rune obligated him to be faithful. "

"And what would have happened if he had betrayed him?"

"He would have died."

"But did the rune obligate him to follow the Consul's will?"

"No, not that rune.  There is another one that was placed together with the indissoluble bond to make the spouse docile."

Alec interjected "I have no idea if he knew but he would never have put it on me because he liked to bend my will by threatening to revoke my parents’ pardon or if I had missed marrying my sister or having some of his friends marry her."

"And how did Magnus Bane get involved?"

"On the night of the party, Magnus immediately realized what situation I was in. He helped me by protecting me and sending me to his home in Australia."

"Mr. Lightwood there is no need for you to continue your deposition with the sword, leave it and sit down. The Inquisitor continued "I want to offer my condolences and apologies for your parents’ deaths due to the Consul's criminal behavior."

Before Alec could speak Imogen stepped forward:

"They are not dead. We let them escape to protect them from the Consul's revenge. Evidence of the Lightwoods' innocence is in a file that I will deliver to the Clave for examination." Then she walked over to Magnus and said, "I'm sorry I'm late, but Jace had warned me that Alec wanted to come and I reached them to get him a portal to get them right here."

At that point, the Inquisitor stood up and said:

"Having regard to the testimony of Alexander Lightwood, I pronounce the accused Magnus Bane innocent."

The guard approached the Warlock and removed his handcuffs and, as Alec walked towards him, Magnus magically dressed. Black jacket, tight leather pants and a semi-sheer shirt that hid little of the muscular body. Finally, with a finishing touch, he put on his makeup and rearranged his hair.

Alec put his hands on his waist and whispered in his ear "You are beautiful. But how do you expect me to hold back."

"You don't have to ..." he replied smiling.

Alec lowered his face and their lips touched, his intention was to be lightly sweet, but his desires took over. He put his hands on the Warlock's waist, while Magnus stroked his neck, his hair. His lips, his body close to him, his scent, the taste of him in his mouth. Their crotches brushed and feeling him against him, made him gasp by breaking the kiss. He rested his forehead on him and whispered "I don't know if I'll ever be able to let you make love to me, but if you want me so imperfect ..."

“You are perfect just as you are...” and he opened a portal directly to his room.

Arriving in the intimacy of the room, they resumed kissing while they undressed in disorder, their shoes kicked near the door, their shirts and pants at the bottom of the bed.

Alec looked down embarrassed by his near nakedness and Magnus said:

"You're beautiful."

"I'm just ... banal."

"There is nothing banal about you, in your deep eyes, in your broad shoulders, in your perfect body, but above all in the courage you have shown. You are perfect."

Alec smiled at the words and then moved to those lips kissing him again as he lay down taking the Warlock with him. Their hands wandered over their bodies, the Warlock's lips on his neck as Alec bit his lip to stifle a groan. Magnus stopped to caress his face and said:

"There’s no rush Alexander if you need time take it, I'm not going anywhere."

"I'm sure! Teach me to love you."

Magnus then went down for a sweet, slow kiss. Detaching himself, looking into his eyes, he said "Do you want me ..." indicating the underwear they were wearing. Alec nodded and the Warlock magically made them disappear. Now they were skin to skin. Alec moaned at feeling him so barrier-free, solid against him, he wanted to get into that body, he wanted him so much he felt ill. But it was all new to him, he didn’t know what to do, he was afraid.

The Warlock read the doubt in his face and said to him:

"It's going to be okay, you'll make me feel good, we'll be okay."

"But I only knew ..."

“Here we are you and me, it is our feelings that become gestures. We need to feel close. You need me, to know my body, to enter in me. I want you, you want me. Now let our desires take over. "

Then he came down on his lips for a long kiss as he reversed their positions and then said to him:

"Alexander take care of me."

They resumed kissing as they found themselves caressing each other, without haste. And their moans became more and more intense as those hands wandered over their bodies.

Magnus opened up to him and with Alec found his fingers slick with magic. He began to open him slowly, looking him intently in the eye. A stronger push of the fingers made Magnus moan intensely and he said:

"I want you."

Alec was trembling with tension and Magnus took his face in his hands and said "I want you, don't be afraid"

Alec positioned himself and Magnus looking at him said "I'm already yours, now my body will be too."

Alec just pushed himself, then stopped.

"I'm so excited Magnus I'm afraid, but I want you so much that I instinctively want to push myself into you with all the strength I have."

"It's normal, it's the passion that drives you. But you stopped because for you, I count more than yourself. Push yourself into me, don't be afraid."

Alec pushed himself into that body slowly, until he was completely his.

He closed his eyes, he was totally inside the man he loved, he felt him so close in every conceivable way. Not only was he naked, but he was also exposing what he felt, they felt.

"Breathe Alec and when you're ready start moving, follow your instincts they will guide you."

He began to push into him slowly as he searched for his lips, the kiss then became indecent and his thrusts became deeper, faster. Alec let himself go, they were both on the edge. Magnus for how obscenely he spread his legs welcoming him, Alec for how incessantly he invaded him. Alec followed his instinct guided by the moans of his Warlock increasing the strength and pace. Until the pleasure overwhelmed them. Alec leaned exhausted on his Warlock and hugged him, his breathless breathing slowly quietened. Magnus could feel his smile on his lips resting on his torso.

Magnus magically covered their bodies as he lifted Alec's face for a tender kiss.

Alec had found the one who was everything to him, the one who had protected him, who had taught him to love. The man who was born for him.

Chapter Text

Three years later

He was here, his hands in his in front of brother Zachariah. He just had to say his promises, the ones he had carefully prepared in the previous weeks, but now he was empty. He turned around, he was surrounded by all the people he loved, Jace beside him, his suggenes. Isabelle and their parents, who had been reinstated as heads of the Institute and were in the front row and looked at him proudly, but above all Magnus. He loved him so much, in a way that he did not believe possible, that he did not believe he was capable of.

Magnus showed him his real eyes, his emotion having made him drop the glamour.

And everything was clear to him, Alec first began by addressing the guests:

"It won’t be short so make yourself comfortable, I have so much to say to the one I will soon call husband" then returning to look at Magnus he continued:

"I was alone, hopeless, the only feelings I knew were pain and humiliation. I had pushed away all the people I loved for fear of taking them also into my hell or worse. But you saw me and understood.

Not only did you get me out of there. But you took me by the hand teaching me to love and to make love to me."

Alec looked down, blushing slightly and Magnus brought one of his hands to his cheek, stroking him, knowing that their minds had gone together to last night.

When Alec came back saying:

"I don't want to spend the night away from you, I don't care if it's the tradition and ... Magnus I'm ready, I thought I wanted to wait for tomorrow after the ceremony, but I don't want to, I don't ..."

Magnus had walked over to him and put a finger on his lips, no words needed.

They began to kiss as they undressed and caressed each other. The caresses were moans and shortness of breath on their lips. Finally, without barriers, they laid down in their bed. Magnus continued to kiss him slowly as he started to open him. All it took for Magnus to realize he was ready was an intense deep moan from Alec. He approached looking into his eyes to read any doubts but there were none and began to make him his slowly.

Alec could read an infinite love in his true eyes and felt his body open for the love for him. Until it was his. Completely.

Alec was overwhelmed by his emotions, Magnus descended on his lips, kissing him, as he began to move inside him. He continued to kiss his neck as his thrusts became more decisive and Alec's moans became more intense. Alec, letting himself be guided by pleasure, began to move against his Warlock. He felt he was so close. Then intense pleasure spread throughout his body and then exploded between them, as Magnus found his climax within him.

Alec's face was streaked with tears but Magnus knew it was for casting out the last demons, the last fears.

Alec continued his promise:

"There are no words to explain what unites us, you have shown it to me many times, putting my well-being before yours. Like when we stayed apart for six months, without seeing you, without feeling you because I needed to find myself to understand if you were the man born for me or if what bound me to you was gratitude. Being away from you was the hardest thing in my life. But now I know that I will no longer be alone."

Magnus began:

"All these years it was like I've always been looking for you. I was always missing something indefinable when you came into my life, I knew it was you. You understand me without having to speak. You support me without having to ask. You make me feel loved and as safe as I have ever been. And no, there are no words to explain what unites us."

From their left little fingers appeared a red thread that united them. Soulmates. It was really true that all the legends were true.