Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Should’ve known better than to trust Mr. The Law is the Law,” Magnus said, jerkily opening the bottle of bourbon, pouring a glass and spilling a bit onto the bar cart.

Catarina watches this with raised eyebrows but doesn’t say anything. There isn’t much she can say.

Magnus turns back to her, glass raised in question. She shakes her head and takes a seat.

“I think I need to be sober for this,” she confesses. Because she’s well and truly worried.

Magnus shrugs, downs the whole thing before pouring another. He grabs the bottle and glass before joining her on the couch. Cat stays silent and waits.

“It was just one kiss, but I truly thought for a man like him that meant something.”

There’s a long silence. Catarina always chooses her words carefully, it’s part of what makes her so good at her job.

“We don’t know if Lorenzo’s intel is accurate,” she settles on, but Magnus knows by the look on her face she’s just placating him.

Lorenzo wouldn’t darken his door for anything less than one-hundred percent certainty.

There’s a tingle at the back of his neck and Magnus downs his glass. “It’s time for you to go.”

Catarina’s eyes glisten and he knows she’s conflicted. He gets up and kisses her cheek before stepping away to form a portal.

“There are many more people who need you more than I,” he says, unable to meet her gaze.

Wordlessly she does as requested, and then his door is knocked off its hinges. Magnus smirks as if he’s not terrified.

“Well, it took you long enough.”

Magnus is in lock-up for three days before he’s allowed any visitors. His first is no surprise but a bit of a disappointment.

“Dearest Isabelle,” Magnus greets softly. He’s in a drab navy-blue prison jumpsuit. He has managed to style his hair though despite the slim resources.

“You look divine my darling,” he says as she nears the glass. She makes as if to open the door but pauses, eyes narrowed into a glare.

“I’d give you a hug, but my access has been restricted,” she practically growls.

Magnus quite enjoys her righteous streak. She looks as if she wanted, she could melt the door into a mere puddle.

“I take it all Lightwoods are under the same restrictions?” Magnus stupidly tries and hopes.

The glare fades but to her credit, Isabelle looks into his eyes as she tells him the truth.

“Just me and Jace,” she confesses. “Magnus, I’m so-,”

“Please my dear, don’t say sorry. I hate apologizes on other’s behalf and pity in any form.”

She nods. Her hair is in a tight ponytail, and it moves as she does. He has rarely ever seen her with her hair not meticulously styled. Another admirable trait of hers.

“May I ask how Alexander is faring? You’re my first visitor so I have very little information on much of anything, including my own case.”

Isabelle frowns, sliding down to sit and Magnus does the same. He hadn’t realized how tensely he’d been standing until he feels his legs relax and stretch out before him.

“I wouldn’t know, we’re not speaking.” Magnus raises his eyebrows. “Well I’m not speaking to him, neither is Jace. I’d really thought,” she stops herself. “You probably don’t want to hear this.”

Magnus swallows thickly. “I don’t want to, but I certainly need to.”

“I’d just really thought after he kissed you, it was him turning his back on all of this. Jace did too. His agreeing not to interfere changed all that, and I don’t know why. I yelled at him like I haven’t since he took my throwing daggers when we were kids.”

Magnus manages a small smile. In another lifetime he thinks, he’d here this story from Alec’s point of view.

“The point is, I don’t know what they said to convince him to stay out of the way. But I know there shouldn’t be anything in the world that would make him do it.”

“There’s you,” Magnus acquiesces though it pains him. “And the rest of your family. There’s nothing more important to him.”

“I’ve thought about that, but it wouldn’t make sense. It’s not like with the cup, we haven’t been breaking any hard laws recently. No, I think . . . Magnus I think they offered him the Head position. On his own. Lydia transferred after the news.”

Magnus hearts shatters and drops into his stomach.

“And Alexander is Head now?”

She shakes her head. “No, there’s nothing official but Jace and I are basically persona not grata around here so we won’t know until it’s announced. But he’s been in all these meetings while Jace and I are treated like basic foot soldiers. I’m the best damn pathologist of any Institute and they won’t let me touch this case.”

It’s the most he has, thought it’s barely a morsel of what he’s been accused of. He knows it’s linked to Valentine and deigning to be a warlock.

“Any idea on what the case is?”

Isabelle looks horrified.

“They haven’t even told you?”

Magnus shakes his head.

“Valentine has a warlock or warlocks at his disposal. I don’t know much but it involves the warding of wherever he’s hiding. Possibly more but they think from the warding strength alone it must be a high-powered warlock and you’re one of the most powerful in the world.”

Magnus doesn’t say that a mundane with enough knowledge could create some damn strong wards. It’s more your recourses than your power. Of course there could be more that Isabelle simply doesn’t know about.

“And Alexander just accepted this?”

Isabelle doesn’t respond but Magnus doesn’t really give her a chance to.

“Thank you, Isabelle, for the information and your incomparable company but I think I could do with some solitude at the moment.”

She looks as if she wants to protest but Magnus turns and stands, laying himself across the bed that is barely more than a cot. He hears the click of her heels and finally lets the tears fall.

His next visitor arrives the next day. And is again, not the Lightwood he wants to see. Jace wastes no time with pleasantries because they were never really the type anyways.

“I tried talking some sense into Alec,” Jace begins before Magnus has even managed to stand up.

Magnus scrambles to attention. Jace was never his favorite person but the man would certainly make enough noise to get some intel.

He startles when he sees his black eye.

Jace just shrugs off Magnus’ startled reaction. “Okay, more like picked a fight with him, but there were a few words exchanged.”

“And you didn’t heal yourself?”

“Nah, Alec looked guilty as hell afterwards and I kind of enjoyed that.”

Magnus wonders if Alexander feels any guilt for what he’s putting him through.

“Any words that might be of use to me?”

Sadly, shakes his head. “Pretty much that I just don’t understand, same old Alec bullshit.”

Magnus heart squeezes at the thought of Alec again being alone against his siblings. Damn that man for getting under his walls. Even being so betrayed, Magnus hurts for him.

“Fortunately though Lindsey was very forthcoming.”

The name brings no face to mind and his confusion must show.

“Girl with lot of ambition but very little talent. Isabelle despises her, Alec probably forgets she exists, but she finds me charming.”

Jace smiles at this.

“And Clarissa was okay with this?”

“Okay with it? She suggested it. She’s not even allowed down here she’s made such a fuss.”

“Atta girl,” Magnus says with a smile.

“Unfortunately that’s as good as the news gets. She knows about as much as we do. It’s related to Valentine but not how or what. Only thing new she knows . . . is that they plan to bring you to Idris tomorrow.”

“With no trial? No information?”

Jace looks guilty and Magnus hates it.

“They plan to bring to let you know of the official charges when you’re there. With your power and connections they don’t want to risk anything. Idris is they only place you don’t have any connections to get you out.”

“Lot of luck that’s done me here,” Magnus mutters, gesturing to his confines.

“I’m sorry it’s not better news Magnus and I’m sorry about Alec.”

Magnus shakes his head, “please none of that. Both are good to know.”

Jace’s sullen expression is as bad as Isabelle’s. No wonder Alexander let them get away with so much.

“If you don’t mind, I just need some time.”

For the second time, Magnus doesn’t watch his guest leave, unable to bear the sight.

His third visitor comes at an unspeakable hour and Magnus knows it can only mean one thing.

“I have on these ridiculous magic depleting cuffs, no need to catch a man in the middle of his beauty sleep.”

Magnus stands to face his cowardly accusers only to have his breath taken away.

“Alexander,” Magnus gasps.

He wonders stupidly how his hair looks.

“Magnus,” Alec replies, voice barely a whisper.

“I’m surprised to see you here. I’ve been Jace and Isabelle already.”

The words have their intended affect and Alec takes them like a blow, squeezing his eyes shut.

“I deserve that,” Ale admits.

“And more. I know it was just a kiss, but”

Alec cuts him off, “it was more than that to me Magnus.”

Magnus exaggeratedly gestures to his cell.

“They couldn’t know Magnus,” Alec explains. “I’ve been working on your defense since The Clave called me up.”

Still feeling petty, Magnus can’t help his next words.

“Yet here I am in a cell and due to be transferred to Idris in a few hours.”

Alec shakes his head. “That’s what I told Lindsey to tell Jace. They have no evidence Magnus; they’re hoping you’d just confess or something. That’s what they’ve let you alone, they have nothing and were hoping you’d just break. Sending you to Idris on nothing? It’d be a war they can’t afford. This is already pushing it; they just have the fear of Valentine’s name holding everyone back.”

“So, what are you doing here Alec? Why are you playing the Clave’s lap dog again?”

“Because it was the only way I knew to protect you!” Alec responds voice raising to a level he didn’t intend if his wince is anything to go by.

“Magnus, I’ve been working on proving you innocent since they mentioned they thought you were guilty. How do you think it got to Lorenzo Rey of all people? Andrew! If I made a scene like Izzy and Jace I’d be under twenty-four seven surveillance. I wouldn’t be able to do anything for you.”

“And this is you doing something for me? I’ve been in a cell for almost a week, charged with an unknown crime and left thinking that, that you. . .”

Magnus can’t finish the sentence. He’s not quite sure what he thought. That he was hurt yes. But betrayed? They haven’t even discussed what they are officially.

“I know, Magnus and I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry, but I had to think on my feet. They informed me of the rest and it was a decision of be on your side outright or be on your side secretly. The latter gave us more time. I have all the evidence I think I need, I just need to present it. Then I won’t care if they know I’m on your side once you’re safe, for good. After all of this The Clave won’t bother you for centuries to come, I have no doubt.”

Magnus takes the information in and lets it simmer.

“It’d have been nice to know all this the first night,” he states, still sore about all the time he’s been left sad and wondering.

“This is the only night both Linsey and Underhill are on security. They’re the only two who I knew I could trust.”

“Not even your own siblings?”

Alec laughs but it’s tinged with sadness. “I love them both but they’re two of the worst liars in the world. I’ve never had a true surprise dinner or party in my life.”

Magnus lets out a small laugh with him, and watches as Alec’s eyes brighten a smidge. Hopeful and lovely. He knows he could fall irrevocably in love with this man and that’s more terrifying than anything The Clave has to offer.

“It’s been a hard week Alexander,” Magnus admits.

“I know. I’m sorry I was a part of it.”

Because he doesn’t no quite how he feels, Magnus says the only thing he knows to be true.

“I am too.”

Alec looks so sad and Magnus thinks he could snap off these cuffs and magic aways the wall separating them with all the emotion that fills him.

“I don’t know if I did the right thing Magnus, but please know I did what I thought was right. For you. I convinced myself it’s for Downworld relations and all these pure things but it was just for you. Even if it ruined everything else I’d do what I could to protect you. I’m sorry that in doing that I hurt you, but I thought I was protecting you from worse.”

Magnus can’t speak and he can tell Alec has very little energy to say much else.

“In another lifetime Magnus, I’d love to have seen how things could have been.”

Magnus watches him leave.

Hours later, Magnus is released with his expected full pardon and an unexpected apology form Imogen Herondale herself. He doesn’t know what it is Alexander found but it must have been something amazing to have The Clave cowering this way.

Catarina is waiting at his loft when he arrives. She pulls him into a much needed hug and it takes all he has not to break down in her arms. They’ve been friends for centuries, but he can’t have even her see him break down the way he needs.

Because she knows him better than anyone, she knows he needs his space and probably a good shower and rest and leave quickly. She makes him promise to call her when within the next two days so she knows he’s safe.

After she leaves he takes a long, hot bath. He sears a steak to perfect and because he knows he can’t sleep with this still on his mind, he calls Alexander.

He arrives within minutes.

“Well, that was certainly quicker than expected,” Magnus comments when he opens the door to a sweaty haired Alec.

“I uh, was in the area.”

“Let me guess, some rogue Shadowhunter contemplating retaliation?”

Alexander shakes. “No, I’m not really worried about that. Just more concerned about you in general.”

Not knowing how to respond, Magnus simply doesn’t and gestures to Alec to sit on the couch. After a moment of contemplation, Magnus sits down next to him.

“Alexander, I know you did what you felt was right. And I know you had a short amount of time to make a huge decision. So, I don’t blame you for any of that. It hurt, yes but you were backed into a corner and did everything you could. I am grateful for that.”

Alec just looks as if he’s waiting for a blow. It’s not until now, under the much better light of his apartment that he notices a cut on his cheek likely from the fight with Jace. Unthinkingly he brushes his hand across his cheek and heals it. His grateful smile is devastatingly beautiful and Magnus hand lingers there.

Still, Alexander has the grace to say nothing.

“So please understand that a lot what I’m feeling is only partially related to what happened with you. It’s past relationships with both The Clave and personal. It’s hard to move past a lot of it. But I want to,” with hand still on his cheek Magnus feels Alec’s exertion of breath.

Alexander’s hand moves to cover his own. “I’d really like that too.”

Magnus tangles their fingers and guides both their hands to his lap.

“We’ll need to talk, a lot. But first I really need sleep and I’d love for it to be with you.”

“I haven’t slept a wink since everything,” Alec confesses.

“Then let’s take care of that immediately,” Magnus whispers, and guides him to the bedroom where he gets his most peaceful sleep in years.