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Chapter Text

The lights of the hall sparkled, giving the whole space a glowing, golden-white feel to it. One that seemed so at odds with a people who lived their life in darkness and shadows. Alec Lightwood had always wondered about that. If maybe it was because they spent so much of their time living and fighting demons in the dark that all their ceremonies seemed to be made up of white and fire and gold.

He doubted the halls of the Edinburgh Institute had ever been lit up quite so bright.

Early morning sun lit up the stained-glass windows high on the stone walls of the old church where the shadowhunters here made their home. Images of Raziel, of the other angels, looked down from their great height as if watching over them all. Whether they approved of what they saw or not, Alec didn’t know. He couldn’t help but think to himself that there wasn’t anything here for them to approve of. Not anymore.

Hundreds of shadowhunters milled about the room. A band sat at one end, their music playing softly through the air, carrying across the walls with the musical hymns of their people. Everything about the space seemed to scream angelic. It made those that weren’t only stand out all the more.

Institutes so very rarely allowed anyone who wasn’t nephilim within their walls. There were very old laws and rules guarding them against mundanes. New ones, too, that were more rules and less actual laws, that guarded against Downworlders, too. Nothing that outright forbid them from coming or anything like that. But ones that had grown over the last century to make any visit a downworlder might give be more likely to spell trouble than joy – and not for the shadowhunter.

Yet as Alec stood on the side of the room, shoulders propped up against the wall and a drink in hand, he watched as shadowhunters and warlocks mingled together cautiously, hesitantly. So many of them clearly unsure about what they were doing here or how safe it might be. But all of them too aware of the old laws and rituals that called them out here tonight.

Off in the distance Isabelle tipped her head back, dark hair spilling free down her back as she laughed at something a young female warlock was telling her.

Everyone else might be there for the old rules. Alec, however, was here to watch over his siblings. Something which seemed to have become his lot in life anymore.

Isabelle looked stunning tonight. Then again, she looked stunning most all the time. Though he might be a little bit biased on that. But tonight she’d come dressed to impress in a long dress that trailed on the floor and seemed to shift between red and gold with each step she took. The top of it barely covered her chest, and left quite a bit of cleavage on display, something their mother would hate, and was done up in gold thread that glittered in the lights.

Some people wore their looks as a statement, a showing off of wealth or status. Isabelle wore hers for herself first, and everyone else second. “You have to dress for you, not them,” she told Alec all the time. “Otherwise, what’s the point?”

The warlock in front of her looked a little stunned by Isabelle’s laugh. Alec buried his snort against his glass. He’d seen that stunned look on plenty of faces when he’d gone out to the clubs to watch over Jace and Isabelle. Few people knew what to do with his sister when she turned on her charm.

A few other people were watching them as well, a fact that Alec took note of. He watched their faces and logged away the ones who had the more blatantly angry or disgusted looks. They’d be people he’d have to keep an eye on.

Despite the fact that this was a Clave hosted event, one that couldn’t happen without Downworlders, there were far too many who believed they shouldn’t be doing this. That the warlocks were not their allies.

They were wrong. Wrong and stupid, honestly. Everything about this event required participation on both sides. Besides, shadowhunters couldn’t afford to lose their alliance with the Downworlders. Hadn’t Valentine taught them that? Hadn’t their own histories?

Raziel himself had tasked them with working together with the warlocks. No matter how many might want to argue it – and oh, had they tried, claiming a mistranslation, or a change in times – those early decrees granted to them by the angel who had made them were clear. They were to guard the world from the threat of demons. And they weren’t to do it alone.

From the moment there’d been shadowhunters, there had been the Guardians. Those willing to go above and beyond their people, their Institutes. Ones willing to bind themselves through magic and rune with a warlock. To pledge their lives to one another, and to the fight against the hordes of hell.

These days the Guardians weren’t nearly so common. It was rare for a warlock to be able to find a shadowhunter who would willingly do the oath with them. Even if some thought it a great honor in the beginning. that had clearly changed. Now, the only time Alec saw any hint of the peace that was said to once exist between the denizens of the shadow world was at events like these. One week, every five years, where all parties gathered together in a ritual as old as their race.

Four nights – four meetings, spread out over a week. One, to meet and connect. Two more, to help that connection grow. And a fourth, final meeting to declare themselves.

Alec had been interested, once, until he realized what it would mean. Giving up his life, his Institute, his family? A Guardian had to be prepared to let all of that go. Their life became the whim of their bonded and the War. Where their bonded went, they went. And with a lot of the new rules against Downworlders, that meant that there would be so many places a shadowhunter gave up ever seeing again. He couldn’t abandon his people like that.

“You’ll never find yourself a match standing here brooding on the sidelines.”

The familiar sound of his parabatai’s voice jolted Alec out of his thoughts. He looked over and found Jace slipping up beside him with his own drink in hand. His blond hair was slicked back and his black jacket fit him well. There was a grin on his lips, the one he always got when he was about to start trouble.

Smothering down a sigh, Alec raised one eyebrow and gave Jace his driest expression. The one he used on the new recruits who thought that just because they were no longer a trainee meant they were suddenly top dog. It worked wonders on them. On his parabatai? Not so much. Jace grinned.

Alec rolled his eyes. “You’re an idiot.”

“And you’re the one who agreed to bond with me – what’s that say about you?”

“That I was young and stupid,” Alec shot back easily.

The affronted look on Jace’s face was ruined by the twitch of his lips and the humor in his eyes. “You’re feeling a little extra asshole-ish today.”

Somehow, Alec kept from pointing out that ‘asshole-ish’ wasn’t exactly a word. Lifting his glass, he drained half its contents before letting his eyes sweep over the party once more. “You know me,” he said dryly. “I love a party.”

The snort Jace let out at that was loud enough to draw the attention of quite a few people around them. They both knew just how little Alec liked parties of any sort.

Oh, sure, he understood the merit of some of them. He’d been raised to be a leader, after all, and his mother had made sure that he knew what kind of opportunity a situation like this was. Alec had already done his rounds with quite a few shadowhunters and downworlders alike in an attempt to reaffirm old ties and connections and try to make some new ones. Alec knew how to politic with the best of them. He didn’t like it, and he didn’t always choose to do it when his own preference for bluntness won out, but he knew how.

Before Jace could respond, another voice cut in. “Now who doesn’t love a good party?”

The two parabatai turned together toward the sound of that voice. Only for Alec to freeze as soon as he caught sight of the man who’d come to stand at his side. He had no idea who he was, but, angel, he was gorgeous. Alec couldn’t help but stare.

This new guy was the sort of gorgeous that only existed in those dreams and fantasies Alec didn’t let himself indulge in during the light of day. Black hair swept up on top and streaked through with pink, the sides shaved short, and bold makeup done in shimmering pink and dark black lines that only heightened an already gorgeous face. His skin was tanned and carried a faint shimmer in the light, and his clothes... dark, tight pants, with a waistcoat hanging open and loose and a silky looking pink-gold shirt that seemed to catch the light no matter what angle he moved at.

He was, quite simply, the most beautiful person Alec had ever seen.

The man smiled at him, and Alec felt helpless to do anything but smile back.

Jace, however, had no problem answering him. He leaned in against Alec’s side and laughed. “My brother doesn’t really do parties. Or anything that might be fun…” He cut off with a grunt when Alec elbowed him hard enough to knock him away. It didn’t wipe away his grin, though.

The warlock – because no shadowhunter would be caught dead looking quite like that, and there wasn’t a rune in sight on him anyway – was watching them with something that looked like amusement.

One eyebrow arched as he turned his gaze back towards Alec. The way his eyes swept from head to toe and back again had Alec wanting to shiver. “I don’t know. Sometimes people simply have a... different definition of fun.” He packed enough innuendo into that that even Alec caught it. Whatever look it gave him had the man smiling even more. “What would you prefer to be doing right now? For fun, that is.”

The man shifted in a little closer as he spoke, adjusting so that his shoulder was propped up against the wall Alec leaned against. Alec didn’t notice how it shut Jace out of the conversation; he simply turned with the man, instinctively following him while he tried to come up with an answer. Because of that, he missed the amused look Jace shot him before he slipped away.

“I don’t know,” Alec answered honestly. At the moment he wasn’t sure he could’ve named a single thing he’d rather be doing. “What, um… what would you be doing?”

The wicked grin that lit the man’s face made it clear Alec shouldn’t have asked that.

Before he could say anything, Alec quickly held a hand up. “Don’t answer that. Please.”

The man laughed outright at that. Though, it didn’t sound mean the way it sometimes did when people laughed at Alec. Less like he was making fun of him, and more like they were sharing a joke. “Are you sure, darling?” he asked, grinning. “I’d love to see how much darker that blush of yours could go.”

By the angel. Alec dropped his gaze down and away, though he knew even as he did that his blush was already darkening. He cast around for something, anything, that might distract him from this, only for his eyes to land on his sister once more in his scan around the room.

At some point Isabelle had moved on from the last woman she’d been talking to and was now talking to someone else. A beautifully blue-skinned woman with white hair piled up on her head. The two seemed to be in an animated conversation, too. Not just the fake kind that Alec had seen Isabelle do time and time again with people she was entertaining. No, this looked a whole lot more real, with the honest smile she usually showed only family, and a light on her face like she was really into whatever she was saying.

“You know,” his companion drawled, pulling Alec’s attention back his way. He found the other man watching him, glass lifted loosely in front of him. His eyes were right on Alec. “A man might get jealous, watching you smile at another like that. Normally I’d guess partner, but something tells me… friend?”

A corner of Alec’s mouth quirked up. “Sister, actually.”

All at once everything in the other man’s expression changed. It wasn’t the first time Alec had seen it, though that did nothing to help the way his stomach dropped. Nor would it be the last.

The warlock made a low sound that seemed part surprise, and part disgust. “Ah, a Lightwood. With those cheekbones, I should’ve figured.”

Alec wished he could’ve argued against the scorn in the name Lightwood. Once, he might have. Back before he’d learned what Lightwood really meant to those in the Downworld. He’d been so ignorant back then, up until a couple months ago when he’d gotten into an argument with Raphael Santiago of all beings, and the man had laid it all out for him. Every reprehensible crime his parents had committed all in the name of purity.

He’d also been there a few nights later when Alec had gotten himself completely and utterly drunk on a random rooftop, far away from the Institute where no one would hear his anger, or his pain. And he’d stayed there until Alec had sobered up enough to go back home.

The memory, and all the other memories it invoked, left Alec pulling on a mask he knew came off as cold.

“What?” the man asked, a sneer on his lips. He’d clearly clocked the change on Alec’s face and interpreted it as something else. Gone were any signs of his own friendliness or even the flirtation that’d been there a moment ago. In their place was something sharper and so much more dangerous. “Need to make sure a big bad warlock doesn’t corrupt your precious little sister? What a shame that would be. A truly dark mark on the Lightwood family legacy.”

Alec’s quick and sharp “No!” seemed to surprise the other man. As well as a few people around them. Alec lowered his voice, but, though he lost the sharpness, he didn’t quite lose all the edge. “That’s not why I’m here.”

“Is that so?” The man’s lip curled up a little more, his sneer more pronounced. Reclining back against the wall in a slouch that should’ve in no way looked as good as it did, he looked Alec over. Judging him in some way that Alec couldn’t begin to understand. Then he tilted his head a little. “Then tell me, shadowhunter, what are you here for?”

Gone was the flirtatious little darling, apparently.

“I’m here to keep an eye on my siblings, that’s it,” Alec said flatly. He wanted to defend himself – though he didn’t know why it mattered so much, only that the idea of this man thinking the worst of him left a sour taste in his mouth. But he’d worked damn hard to try and make peace with the Downworld in his city and he wasn’t going to have some sharp-tongued asshole come in and try to ruin that. No matter how pretty he was.

“Ah, I see. Gotta pick just the right partner, one that won’t bring too much shame to your name.”

Alec let out a harsh breath that was almost a scoff. “I don’t care who my sister chooses to partner with. I never have. She knows how to handle herself. What I care about is whether or not someone actually gives a damn about her, or if they only care about her name. Seeing as how that’s apparently still more important to some people than who someone actually is.”

With those last, parting words, Alec drew back a step and gave a mockery of a bow, his mother’s lessons on manners ingrained in him. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. My parabatai is waiting for me.”

He didn’t give the warlock time to say anything. Or to recover from the slightly gobsmacked look on his face. Pivoting on his heel, Alec turned and marched off through the crowd, forcing himself not to look back.

Hours later annoyance still burned underneath Alec’s skin. Try as he might, he couldn’t seem to shake it.

He and his siblings were back in their Institute, having taken the portal back once the party was over. It left them with enough time to get some sleep and be up again in time for dinner and evening patrols to start. That was likely what a lot of the party-goers were doing now. The few others from his Institute who’d come along were no doubt already in their beds.

Yet somehow Alec found himself lying flat on his back in his bed, with Jace propped up against the headboard next to him, while Isabelle paced around the room and talked animatedly about all the various people she’d met.

Normally this was something Alec didn’t mind. He was more than happy to let Isabelle chatter away all she wanted, happy that she’d had fun at the party and willing to let her get it all out of her system. Sometimes he and Jace would poke fun at her. Other times Jace would be just as animated, talking about the people he’d met.

Six months ago, that would’ve had Alec retreating into himself. Now, he rolled his eyes at Jace just as much as they both did at Isabelle.

Only, tonight his head wasn’t quite in the game.

Despite his best efforts, his thoughts kept circling back to that warlock. Alec had tried to put him out of his head as he had everyone else there that night, but it was hard. The man had just... gotten under his skin. And he shouldn’t have let him – he knew better! Reacting like that wasn’t going to get him anywhere in downworlder-relations. But, Lilith-be-damned, he’d managed to hit all the right buttons. The ones that were still a little too tender, The knowledge behind them too fresh.

A hand tugging at his hair drew Alec’s thoughts out of his memories and back to the present. He tipped his head up to find his brother grinning down at him. “Someone’s a little lost in thought,” Jace teased him.

“Could it have something to do with that gorgeous warlock I saw you talking to?” Isabelle asked.

Neither one of them were as slick as they thought they were. Alec had known from the minute he’d started talking to the man that he’d end up here. Alec’s inability to talk to people (to pretty men) was something he was slightly notorious for. Though they’d never talked about it, never openly come out and said anything, the truth about Alec’s feelings lay between them all in that strange sort of ‘known but not’ space. No one actually used the word gay. But it hung between them in moments like this.

Of course, not saying it outright didn’t mean they wouldn’t happily try to nudge him forward.

“What did he say to you?” Jace asked, giving his hair another tug. Alec contemplated swatting his hand away and growling at him, only Jace shifted the tug into a sort of petting motion a lot like what he did for them after nightmares, and it felt too good to stop.

Sighing, Alec sank down into the bed. “Nothing. We talked, we argued, that’s it.”

Isabelle gave up on pacing the floor to come shove at their feet until they made enough space for her to drop down on the bed between them. She laid over Alec’s legs, briefly tangling her own with Jace’s. Something which would’ve devolved into a full-fledged kick-fight if Alec hadn’t given a droll “Children” that drew both their attention back to him.

All that saved him from retaliation was their nosiness. “Come on,” Isabelle prodded, draping herself over his thighs. She laid her arm across them and then propped her head up on her hand so she could better see his face. “What’d he have to say that pissed you off so much?”

“It was nothing,” Alec tried again. At the looks that got him, he sighed. “It was. He realized who I was and wasn’t happy about it, that’s it.”

Above him, Jace sighed. “Makes sense, I guess. If there’s anyone who’s gonna have a problem with Maryse and Robert, it’d be him.”

“What’re you talking about?”

Alec turned his head to look up at Jace only to find his parabatai staring down at him in surprise. All at once Jace seemed to catch on that Alec had no idea what he was talking about. His eyes shot up to Isabelle, who, when Alec looked her way, seemed just as stunned as Jace was. “Seriously?” Jace asked, echoed at almost the same time by Isabelle saying “Are you kidding me?”

“What?” Alec demanded. He was a little tired of feeling like he was missing a huge chunk of this conversation.

Isabelle gave him an annoyed look before rolling her eyes in a gesture that was so reminiscent of the little girl she’d once been it made Alec’s stomach twist just a little. “How is it that you’ve done your level best to make contact with this man for the past year, and when you finally meet him you have no idea who he actually is?”

Oh no. No, no, no, no, no. A sick feeling washed through Alec, and he knew all at once he wasn’t going to like whatever it was they were about to tell him. Because there was only one person, one Downworlder, he could think of that he’d been trying to arrange a meeting with. The only downworlder-leader who hadn’t responded to his messages to try and talk about establishing a Cabinet for their city. Somewhere that all the leaders of all the various factions could get together and share their issues openly and fairly.

“By the Angel,” Alec groaned. He laid his head back and glared up at the ceiling, doing his level best not to groan. Or whine. “Tell me that wasn’t Magnus Bane.”

Jace’s hand gave a little scratch against his scalp, and what Alec could see of his expression held a hint of pity to it. At the same time, Isabell reached up to pat Alec’s hip. “Sorry, hermano,” she said, somehow managing to sound actually sorry and yet not at all at the same time. “If it makes you feel any better, it sounds like he didn’t know who you were, either. Not at first.”

“Ugh.” This time Alec did let out a groan, and he rubbed both hands over his face as if he could wipe away his embarrassment. “Wonderful.” This was really going to help him get his Cabinet going. Pissing off the one person who was likely the single most important Downworlder in all of New York. How the hell was he going to fix something like this? He couldn’t afford to alienate the High Warlock of Brooklyn.

“Uh oh,” Jace murmured, the hand in Alec’s hair slowing a bit. “Alec’s making that face.”

“What face?” Isabelle asked.

A finger poked at Alec’s forehead just between his eyes. “That ‘I’ve got to plan’ face.”

Opening his eyes, Alec glared up at his parabatai. “It’s the ‘you two need to go to bed’ face,” he corrected, shoving Jace’s hands away. He lifted his legs as well, jostling his sister until she tumbled toward the foot of the bed. “Go to your own beds and leave me alone.”

Jace pushed back, because of course he did, and in the process he managed to somehow kick Isabelle, who retaliated by shoving at him. For the next ten minutes everything else faded away under a wrestling match that left Alec red-faced and grinning by the time they were done.

He’d managed to keep his bed, thankfully. Though only just barely. Jace was on the floor in a tangle of blankets, and Isabelle stood at the foot of the bed with a pillow under her arm and her hair in a mess all around her. She and Jace were both grinning as well, and for a moment it was like they were kids again. Before responsibilities, and heartache, and things they couldn’t fix no matter how hard they tried.

“Make sure you get some sleep too,” Isabelle said, tossing him his pillow.

Alec caught it and slid it behind his head. “I will.”

“And try not to stress too much over that warlock,” Jace advised him as he rolled to his feet, gathering up the blanket as he did. He dropped it down on the bed near Alec’s feet. “I’m sure you’ll get a chance to talk to him at the next party and clear everything up.”

Yeah, right.

Long after the two of them left him alone in there Alec found himself still lying there staring up at the ceiling. He went over their conversation in his mind again and again, coming up with all the ways he should’ve handled it yet hadn’t. Cursing himself all the while for not keeping his temper in check. He’d be lucky if the High Warlock would ever speak with him again.

But through it all, his mind kept straying back to that gorgeous smile. Even now he felt a faint smile of his own growing on his lips at the thought of it. It had been... it’d been nice. To have someone see him like that. To want to talk to him. Even with Jace standing at his side.

Too nice, Alec told himself sternly. And definitely not something he should be focusing on.

Rolling over onto his side, he stared at the wall instead of the ceiling and turned his thoughts away from what had already been said and toward what he could say. Magnus Bane might not want to talk to him, or he might want to come find him and yell at him again – if he even came to the next meeting at all. But whatever the case, Alec would be ready for him with an apology and as many arguments as he could come up with to convince him that his Cabinet was worth his time.

Chapter Text

The full day that passed between the last event and the next helped Alec feel like he might’ve finally found his feet once more. Being able to go out on a couple patrols with his siblings helped, as did some of the monotony that came from being Institute Head. He sent emails, dealt with Clave missives, handled a personnel dispute as well as two transfers (unrelated to the dispute, thankfully), and even had time to reach out to his Downworlder contacts. Some professionally, some less-than-so.

Raphael’s ‘glad you’re not dead’ missives always had Jace rolling his eyes, Isabelle laughing, and Alec smiling despite himself. The man was an asshole, but he was a friend. One that Alec surprisingly enjoyed.

But eventually it came time to head to the next event and Alec couldn’t put aside his worries anymore.

He wasn’t surprised that his sister wanted to go back. Some people dropped out after the first, he knew. The second meeting was a bit more of a formal getting-to-know. It signified a willingness that the people were there for more than just the formality of attending. She had a few potentials on the line that she swore she a “really good feeling about, Alec.”

If Izzy was going, that meant Alec would go, even if just as some sort of old-fashioned chaperone. He could hide it under their parents’ demand, which it had been. But they both knew he would’ve gone anyway.

Still, having good reason to be there didn’t stop Alec from worrying. He’d gone over and over in his head all the things he’d say to Magnus if he happened to run into him again – which he wasn’t convinced he would. The man was known for attending the first mixer and no more than that.

“Calm down,” Isabelle scolded him as the two made their way down the hall from the Edinburgh Institute’s portal room. There were a few shadowhunters here and there along the way – gawkers, mostly. Clearly there to catch an eyeful of whatever shadowhunters showed up.

Isabelle gave them a show worth looking at. While Alec was dressed in his usual jeans and leathers, his sister had once more gone all out, though a bit less formal.

While the first meeting was like a ball, the second was more like what Isabelle called “Lunch in Alicante” style. Formal, yes, but moveable. Her black skirt and shimmering red top were sewn together and twisted into a knot over her bellybutton, and then held up by a single strap around her neck, leaving her sides and all of her back exposed. She’d drawn her hair up on top her head with a couple chopsticks that he knew for a fact she could turn into a weapon, and silver-red pins she’d had him help her put on.

With the high, strappy heels she’d finished it with, she drew the eye of pretty much everyone they passed. Just the way she liked.

“You don’t even know if he’s gonna be here or not,” Isabelle murmured, her smile still in place while her voice pitched low enough no one else but Alec could hear her. A skill she was far better at than he was. Though often that was simply because Alec didn’t care who heard him.

Alec shot her a sharp look from the corner of his eye. “Enough, Iz.”

She listened to the warning in his tone about as well as she always did. Meaning, not much at all. “Knowing you, you’ve already rehearsed your apology a hundred times. If you see him, you can say it. If not, you can find a different way to try and reach out to him later. Either way, there’s no point in worrying about it now.”

That was easier said than done. Worrying was sort of what Alec did. Side effect of being a big brother as well as the leader to one of the largest Institutes. He had to worry about all sorts of things every single day. Meanwhile, Isabelle had never met a problem she couldn’t figure out some sort of way to tackle it head on. Even her ‘information gathering’ with Meliorn was far more above-board and up front than most ‘spies’ would be.

Bless his little sister and her desire to support him. But she didn’t understand the game of politics Alec had to play. Neither she nor Jace did. It didn’t make sense to them. Not when there were so many other ways for them to get what they wanted. Ways that had always worked for them in the past.

Not for the first time Alec found himself wondering how much damage he’d done, protecting them all these years.

Now wasn’t the time to think about that, though. Focus. He needed to focus.

The two of them had made it out into the foyer that would lead toward the rest of the Institute, and it was just in time for them to step off to the side and out of the way as another party came in in through the doors.

Isabelle perked up a little at the sight of all the other people. She stood taller, her walk switching to something with an extra sway to it. She smiled at a few of the shadowhunters that she passed – a few even smiled back – and waved at someone who clearly recognized her. A shadowhunter girl with bright, copper-colored hair who appeared to be one of the few female guard members this Institute had.

There wasn’t any time for proper greetings. Nothing more than a quick “Hello” and waves as they were all ushered down the hall toward the same large room they’d used the last time. Though it looked quite a bit different today. Instead of large open spaces and a few tables on the sides, the room had been set up with multiple circular tables in two lines – one row down the left, and the other down the right. It only took a second for Alec to realize why. When he did, he couldn’t help but grimace.

All the tables on the left were where shadowhunters were being led to. The right, warlocks.

Even in the middle of one of their oldest traditions, the Clave still found a way to be a racist as possible in a way no one could outright argue against.

“I’m starting to wonder why they even bother having these events,” Alec said lowly, unable to keep from muttering the words under his breath. He knew there was likely an answer to that question, but it was hard to find it at that moment when every single thing around him was screaming discrimination and prejudice.

Isabelle made a low humming noise of agreement. “I suppose there’s always hope.”

“And they’re counting on people not noticing how segregated we all are,” Alec added in an even lower voice. He let out a frustrated sigh before finally managing to tear his gaze away from the set-up. Getting frustrated about it right now wouldn’t do any good for anyone. This wasn’t his Institute; he couldn’t force them to change.

He could, however, do something else.

When Alec turned them toward the warlock side of the room, he felt his sister press in a bit more against where she held his arm, and he knew without even looking that she was smiling proudly at him. “Anyone who tries saying you’re not as much of a troublemaker as Jace clearly doesn’t know you,” she teased him quietly.

Alec rolled his eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Mm hm. I’m sure you don’t.”

The room hadn’t quite filled up yet. Just a few of the tables here and there on both sides had any people at them, and none of them seemed to realize at first what the two newcomers were doing. They didn’t pay any attention beyond their own conversations. Not until Alec and Isabelle reached a table right in the center of the right side of the room. One that hadn’t been filled yet.

There, the two sank down into their seats. Alec pulled the chair out for his sister first, and then took his own seat across from her, leaving quite a bit of room at the table for others to join them. Their spacing at the table made a statement just as much as the table itself.

Isabelle settled in comfortably, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “Jace will be furious he missed this.”

“It’s his own fault for staying behind,” Alec said, shrugging one shoulder as he did. Still, he let his lips curve a little. Jace would be pissed off about it. Not only did he like causing trouble, he liked it even more when Alec was the one causing the trouble.

Movement at the edge of his vision had Alec turning his head a little to watch as more people trickled in through the door and spread out to their tables. A couple looked their way. Some were curious, some amused, but mostly there seemed to be a consensus of surprise mixed in with far too much disgust.

Alec didn’t bother hiding his own disgust. Not as he took in the way staff moved from table to table on the shadowhunter side, serving drinks. More still were setting up long banquet tables at the far end of the hall where food would clearly go. Yet not a single one of them walked the warlock side of the room.

Which might not normally stop the warlocks in question from having drinks if they wanted them, of course. All they had to do was conjure or summon or whatever it was to describe pulling a drink from thin air. But magic inside an Institute was frowned upon unless requested by the Institute Head. In some places, Alec knew it was even forbidden without explicit permission.

Alec had done away with so many of those rules in his own Institute. But he couldn’t change the rules here.

However, that didn’t mean he couldn’t do something about the situation to fix it.

He met Isabelle’s eyes across the table and saw the same knowledge, and the same frustration that he felt. A slow smile curved his lips. “Want to help me cause a little more trouble?”

Her answering smile was bright. “Do you even need to ask?”

Not an eye in the room missed it when the two Lightwoods made their way over to the bar where drinks were being made. Most of the serving staff were bringing their trays there to get refills. What they were serving, Alec wasn’t sure. He wasn’t exactly big on drinking to begin with. They looked like some kind of bubbly orange juice.

It was easy enough to get a couple trays and load themselves up with drinks. Though carrying it took a special skill that Alec almost completely missed for the first few feet of carrying it. A little bit splashed over the edges of a glass or two, but he managed to steady his steps and carry the tray right by the time they reached the other side of the room.

Isabelle had no issues at all, of course. It wasn’t the least bit surprising to watch her glide over toward the table at the far end of the hall, never missing a step or spilling a drop. She met people along the way with a bright smile and a cheerful greeting, serving a drink or two while she went, before she reached the end table and started to slowly work her way inward.

While she went from that direction, Alec started at his end, offering drinks at each table.

More than a few of the warlocks present gave them surprised looks. A couple were rude enough to outright refuse the drinks. Others took it with a quirked eyebrow that told Alec they were well aware that they were not at all supposed to be there. And then there were the ones who surprised him with their wide grins and kind words in thanks for the drinks.

One, the blue-skinned woman Alec had seen talking with his sister last time, took two of the drinks and practically beamed at him. “Thank you,” she said in a voice that seemed honestly warm. Humor made a sharper edge to her voice that had Alec wanting to smile back at her. “I can’t say I ever expected to see a shadowhunter out here serving warlocks drinks. Much less one that I’ve heard so much about.”

Alec arched an eyebrow at that last bit. He didn’t let his curiosity show too much, though. “We’re all guests here,” he said instead.

Another voice joined them, and Alec almost toppled the rest of his drinks, tray and all, when he heard it.

“Some of us a bit more than others, it seems. Guests don’t usually serve the drinks,” Magnus Bane said as he stepped up to their table, one hand already reaching out for the glass the woman extended his way, giving a low “Thank you, Catarina,” as he took it. However, his eyes stayed locked on Alec. “Good to see you again, Lightwood. So glad you could make it to such a lovely event.”

Oh, hell. While Magnus’ words didn’t hold the sharpness of last time – and he didn’t look angry – his words carried a challenging edge to them. One Alec wasn’t quite sure how to answer. “It’s good to see you, too, High Warlock,” he settled on, the words far more proper and formal than anything he’d said last time.

Magnus’ eyebrows shot up toward his hairline. Red streaks marked his hair this time, to go with the red of his mostly undone shirt. It made him look a little more dangerous than last time. Or maybe that was simply Alec’s knowledge of who the man was this time around. Magnus Bane had one hell of a reputation, after all. The Clave considered him one of the most dangerous warlocks out there.

“I see someone’s learned a few things since we last met,” he said dryly. A faint hint of humor curled around the edges of his words, though, taking some of the sharper edge off them.

Alec recognized a lifeline when he saw one, as well as an opportunity, and he grabbed at it gratefully. “It’s amazing what you learn when you try asking someone instead of shouting.”

That earned him a snort from Magnus and a laugh from the other woman – Catarina?

The way Magnus smiled seemed a little softer, now, the humor even more prevalent.

Before either of them could say anything more, Alec saw a few people move toward the next table, and he was abruptly reminded of his original plan. Which didn’t include standing around bandying words with the High Warlock of Brooklyn. “It was nice seeing you again,” Alec said politely, surprised to find that he meant it. He’d been so nervous, but so far, things seemed to be going fine. “I hope we get a chance to speak again later, High Warlock. For now, if you’ll excuse me...”

He hefted the tray a little, making his meaning clear, and the two waved him off. Though Alec felt their eyes on him as he continued down his path.

It didn’t take long to make sure everyone had a drink. Nor for Alec to find himself once more back at his table, though this time without his sister’s presence. He wasn’t surprised to find she’d abandoned her tray at some point and was caught up in conversation with an older woman with bright orange hair and a younger shadowhunter boy. Both of whom seemed completely enamored with her. She wasn’t eating yet, though that didn’t stop her from leaning in and flirtatiously stealing a bit of something from the woman’s plate. It earned her a laugh and a grin from her companions.

Alec settled back into his seat and tried not to grimace as he took a sip off his own glass. He’d served everyone and then snagged one for himself in the hopes of making this whole event a little less painless. Originally, he’d planned on going to talk to a few different people, but the looks other shadowhunters were sending his way made it clear he might want to sit this out for a little while.

He hated politics sometimes.

No one came over to bother him for a while. Though he was conscious of the countless different eyes that passed over him time and time again. He knew he was being whispered about. He also knew it wouldn’t take long for those whispers to reach his family. Word spread fast amongst nephilim. By the time Alec went home today, his parents would already have word about what he’d done. It might even be enough to bring them back from Idris for a visit just to yell at him for the shame he’d brought them today.

Alec shook his head and lifted his glass for another drink. While it didn’t taste the best, it at least gave him something to do other than awkwardly sit there. He was beginning to think maybe his sister was right, and playing chaperone was a bit of a stupid idea. Isabelle knew how to handle herself.  She didn’t need him hovering. Maybe if he excused himself and slipped away, no one would even notice him leave?

He’d just lowered his glass once more when his stomach gave a little flip as someone slid into the seat directly across from him.

He couldn’t say he was surprised when he looked up to find Magnus sitting there. Though the plate the man slid across the table toward him was a surprise.

“You looked like you could use some company, and maybe a bite to eat,” Magnus said, his voice far warmer than Alec had honestly expected it to be. One corner of his mouth quirked upwards with a smirk that only felt slightly mocking. “Seeing as how your own people aren’t likely to bring you anything, what with you sitting on the side of the big, bad warlocks.”

Alec snorted before he could stop himself. As if going for an afternoon without food was any sort of hardship. Still, the thought was appreciated, and he said “Thank you,” as he drew the plate toward himself. It was piled high with plenty of little finger foods. Fruits, crackers, some meats. Better fare than he’d honestly expected for the event.

A look up showed that Magnus had a plate of his own as well. He’d sat back in his seat in a move that showed he was clearly there to stay, and he plucked up a grape, popping it into his mouth while he watched Alec with a sort of what are you going to do look on his face.

Did he think Alec wouldn’t eat the food? Even if Alec had still felt as pissed off as last time, he wasn’t stupid enough to not realize just how politically charged this moment was. Serving drinks to the warlocks had made one hell of a statement, but this? Sitting here at a table in the center of all of this with the High Warlock of Brooklyn seated with him, food brought and served to him by the man’s own hand, every eye in the room was on them. Even ones that should’ve been more focused on their prospective partners.

Calmly and deliberately, Alec reached out to his plate and picked up a piece of meat and a slice of cheese, rolling them together.

“I’m surprised you were willing to come sit with me,” he said, his voice just as calm as his hands. Then he let his lips quirk and threw Magnus’ words back at him. “One of the big, bad Lightwoods.”

The words were a calculated guess – Magnus could either be offended by them or not. But they weren’t going to be able to go forward if they weren’t willing to address the issues between them. A negotiation tactic he’d picked up in dealing with Raphael, Meliorn, Luke, even the few dealings he’d had with the High Warlock of Manhattan, Lorenzo Rey. Though that last one preferred a more flowery approach to things.

Something told him Magnus would appreciate something a bit more forward.

Sure enough, the other man didn’t look offended at all. In fact, his mocking look melted away into a grin bright enough Alec almost choked on his food. By the angel, did the man have to be so pretty?

Magnus let out a little laugh and leaned forward in his seat, the look on his face changing once more. Now he looked almost playful as he reached for his drink and took a quick sip from it. “Touché, my dear. I guess we’ll both be rebels together, then.”

He lifted his glass in a cheers gesture that had Alec rolling his eyes. Still, when Magnus continued to hold his glass in the air, that sparkle clear in his eyes, Alec did the only thing he could. He reached his own glass up and let Magnus clink them together.

Out of the corner of his eye he caught Isabelle giving him a not-so-subtle thumbs up.

“So,” Magnus said as he lowered his glass, watching Alec with that same smile still on his lips. “Shall we have a proper introduction this time?” He held his hand out across the table in a gesture that Alec didn’t even think about questioning. He reached out and clasped Magnus’ hand in his own and gave a quick shake. “Magnus Bane, High Warlock of Brooklyn.”

Alec couldn’t help the way his lips twitched upward. “Alexander Lightwood, Acting Head of the New York Institute.”

The two men shared a smile as their hands broke apart once more. “Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself, Alexander Lightwood of the New York Institute. I’ve heard quite a bit about you the past few days.”

Uh oh. That had the potential to be very good or very bad. “That’s not exactly reassuring.”

His blunt words drew another laugh from Magnus. “I won’t lie and pretend they were all good. But a few people I know and trust spoke rather highly of you, and their opinions matter more. You seem to have made quite the impression in the New York Downworld.”

Alec didn’t know what to say to that. Thankfully, he didn’t have to, because Magnus wasn’t done talking.

“Which reminds me, I have to ask,” Magnus said, that teasing note coming back into his voice. “Is it true you punched another shadowhunter to defend Raphael’s tattered honor?”

A surprised laugh bubbled up from Alec’s chest. He didn’t try and fight it, letting it roll through him. He missed the way it drew more than a few eyes their way. All of his focus was on Magnus, whose grin was wide enough to crinkle the corners of his eyes. He looked quite proud of himself at making Alec laugh.

“I don’t think Raphael would agree with you on that version of events,” Alec finally said, his grin still in place.

Magnus’ eyes danced with amusement. “Yes, well, Raphael doesn’t agree with me on quite a few things. It’s never stopped me from enjoying myself anyway. So...?”

He let the sentence trail off and lifted his eyebrows, clearly prompting Alec for the story, and Alec couldn’t find it in himself to deny the man. Especially not when Magnus looked like he was enjoying himself quite a bit. “Raphael’s honor had nothing to do with it,” Alec answered, not bothering to hide his own amusement. “Though his embarrassment might. We were at the Hunter’s Moon to talk about a few things...”

Alec’s stomach hurt from laughing. Somehow, throughout the entire meal, the two of them had spent nearly every moment together. Magnus’ stories were both amusing and enlightening – he knew more about Alec’s shadowhunter life than Alec would’ve expected – and Alec found himself sharing more than he’d expected.

They didn’t touch on the Shadow Cabinet even once the entire time they talked. Yet, Alec didn’t regret it. He had a surprisingly good afternoon in the other man’s company, and was sad to see it come to an end.

The chime of Magnus’ phone had him cutting off mid-sentence to pull it out and check it, and then he made a face that was reminiscent of Jace whenever Alec tried to force him into doing something he didn’t want to do. A few quick taps on the screen and then Magnus pocketed his phone once more and looked up at Alec with an apologetic expression already in place. “I’m so sorry, darling, but I’ve actually got to run. There’s an emergency – one that, unfortunately, can’t wait.”

Even as he spoke he was already setting his drink aside and pushing up from his chair. He honestly looked sorry about having to go.

Alec sat back in his own seat and tried not to let his disappointment show. He knew first hand how horrible emergencies were; they always seemed to happen at the worst possible moment, too. “I get it, don’t worry about it. I hope everything works out okay.”

Magnus flashed him a smile. “Thank you, Alexander. But I have a feeling things will be just fine.” He put his hand out once more, and this time when Alec took it, Magnus turned it over and brought it up to his lips in a gesture that had heat burning in Alec’s cheeks. “Until next time, shadowhunter.”

The warmth of his kiss lingered on Alec’s skin long after he’d gone.

When Isabelle found him just a few minutes later amidst the crowd of people all making their way to the portal room to head back home, she had a grin on her face and a look that made it clear she’d seen everything. Alec didn’t give her a chance to say a word. As soon as she opened her mouth, holding tight to his arm and pushing up on her toes a little in eagerness, he shot her a flat look and said, “Don’t.”

“Looks like you and Magnus worked out your issues,” she said, ignoring his warning entirely.

“Izzy...”

She smiled innocently up at him. “What? I was just saying. It looks like maybe the High Warlock wasn’t as upset as you were worried about. Which is good! For, you know, your Cabinet idea.”

Alec snorted and tugged her over toward the line forming at the portal room. He ignored the looks some of the other shadowhunters were sending their way. “I’m sure that’s your concern here.”

“Hey!” Isabelle huffed and smacked his arm with one perfectly manicured hand. “I care about you. And your happiness.” She paused briefly to give him a little hug against her side, and Alec willingly accepted it. “If this Cabinet makes you happy, I’ll support it every step of the way. I’ll always support anything that makes you happy, hermano.”

Despite her attempts, Isabelle wasn’t anywhere near as subtle as she thought she was. The inflections on her words made it clear what she meant. Though Alec knew she meant this, too.

Sighing, he reached up to press his free hand against where both of hers still held his other arm. “I know, Iz.”

Neither one of them said anything else until they’d made it through the portal and back to the safety of their own Institute. Not that Alec had to be any less alert of himself and his words here. But he at least knew there were some people within these walls he could trust, and who trusted him, and he knew how to handle the situations that cropped up where people might push their luck. He wouldn’t put up with the looks here that he’d been getting back in that portal room.

Isabelle, however, clearly felt a whole lot more comfortable. She waited until they were in the hallway and no one was around, at least, before she asked the question that had clearly been burning in her. “Are you thinking about becoming a Guardian?”

“No!” The word came out sharper than Alec wanted, and he shook his head as he gave her a side eye, lowering his voice a little so no one would overhear. “I can’t be a Guardian, Izzy. You know that.”

“Says who?” she fired back. “Being a Guardian is a choice, Alec, and no one can make that choice for you.”

The innocence behind that statement had Alec shaking his head. She didn’t understand. How could she not understand? Very few things in Alec’s life were a choice. What choices he did make he had to fight tooth and nail over. And he’d never be able to get them if he didn’t have the power and position that he had right now. “It’s not one I can make.”

His office came into view and Alec broke away from his sister’s hold, hoping she’d take the hint and not bother following him. Of course, she did anyway. Isabelle was nothing if not stubborn. It was the Trueblood in them both; their mothers genes making them just as stubborn as she was. When Isabelle got something between her teeth she wasn’t likely to just let it go.

“Why not?” she demanded, following in after him. She ignored his secretary, Benji, who was in the middle of laying out a few things on Alec’s desk for him. “Because Mom and Dad won’t like it? They haven’t liked half the stuff you’ve done over the last couple years.”

“Gee, thanks for the reminder,” Alec said flatly. He did his best to ignore her while he went to his desk. Benji had stepped back a little as soon as they came in. He gave Alec a brief smile of commiseration when Alec got close, hidden so that Isabelle wouldn’t see. The man was angel-sent, Alec swore. He knew how to be polite, how to be kind, how to be discreet, and best of all, seemed to care not only about the job but about Alec as well. If he could call any subordinate a friend, he was pretty sure Benji was it.

He heard his sister huff behind him. “If you want this, if you feel the Call, you shouldn’t let their opinions stop you!” Though her voice was sharp, and the words hurt, Alec could hear the worry and love underneath them. Just as he always could. “Why do you let them do this to you? Why do you let them take away anything that might make you happy?”

“Because that’s not how this works!” Alec finally snapped out, whirling back around to face his sister once more. He saw Benji slip away out of the corner of his eye, not wanting to interrupt the Lightwood fight about to go down. Alec waited until the door shut behind him before he went on. “I can’t just do whatever I want, Izzy. Life doesn’t work that way!”

“Why not?” she snapped right back at him. She was one of the few people who was never put off by his temper. Hands on her hips, she glared right back at him, entirely unafraid.

Alec’s scowl darkened. “You know why not!”

“Pretend I’m stupid, then. Explain it to me, Alec, because I don’t get it. I just want to see you happy! If this is what you want, if you feel the Call for it, then you should be able to do it.”

In the back of his mind Alec could hear their mother’s voice. Life is not about what you want to do, it is about what must be done. No part of his life had ever been about what he wanted. Why didn’t his siblings ever seem to understand that?

“Not all of us can go around doing whatever we want,” he told her, voice sharper than he normally took with his little sister. But something in his chest was aching. A piece of him that he hadn’t even allowed him to think about that wanted what she was offering with an ache so strong it almost stole his breath away. A piece that had been Calling for so long he’d forgotten what it was like to go through life without the ache of it there, constantly. “I have responsibilities that come before personal wants.”

“So that means you can’t have anything?” Isabelle asked. Her eyes were bright and pleading as she stepped toward him again, one hand reaching out like she wanted to grab his arm. Only, something in his body language had her stopping, fingers curling inward.

“I have my duty. To this job, to the people in this Institute. To our city. If I run away, who’s going to step in and take care of all that? You? Jace?” As if their brother would ever want to do this job. Being a leader wasn’t something Jace wanted. He liked the action far too much. And Izzy... they both knew at the end of this week she wasn’t going to be coming back to them. Isabelle had always wanted to be a Guardian. That or an Iron Sister. Her parents hadn’t allowed the last, but she was old enough now to choose this for herself, and Alec had seen enough in these past two visits to know just how desperately Isabelle wanted this.

While he was happy for her, he wished she wasn’t here trying to rub it in his face. Not everyone got the privileges she got.

“If not you two, then this place falls back into the hands of our parents. Or someone the Clave elects instead. Is that really what you want for our people here?” he asked. After all the hard work he’d done trying to repair relations with the Downworld – his parents, or anyone else the Clave sent, would be able to undo it all within a day if they were in charge here.

Isabelle looked like she had no idea what to say to him, and that was fine. He didn’t expect her to say anything. Alec’s fate was – it was something he’d come to terms with a long time ago. And getting something he wanted had never factored into it.

Sighing, he rubbed his hands over his face, suddenly so tired. “You should go get some rest, Iz. You’ve got patrols later.”

“Alec...”

“No,” he cut her off before she could finish whatever it was she was going to say. He couldn’t talk about this anymore. Not with her. Not when he was pretty sure what papers would be crossing his desk this Saturday.

He didn’t begrudge her her choices. He wanted her happy, and being a Guardian would make her happy. He just wished things were different.

Isabelle seemed to sense the end of this fight just as much as Alec did. She’d always been good about knowing when Alec could be pushed on something and when it was best to let it go. “Okay,” she said quietly. “Just promise me that you’ll think about this.”

“Sure,” Alec agreed easily. Though neither of them believed he would.

She sighed, and he hated hearing the sadness in it. “Goodnight, Alec.”

Alec couldn’t find it in himself to say it back.

Chapter Text

By the time Thursday rolled around, and the last event before the final Choosing, Alec had talked himself in and out of so many different things. He’d spent countless hours – and plenty of stamina runes – going over things in his mind instead of sleeping. What he kept coming back to were the same things over and over again. He wanted his people safe – he’d always wanted that. That was part of the reason he’d accepted this job in the first place. It was why he did things that the Clave looked down on and that made his parents so angry with him. If he wanted to continue to keep them safe, well, there wasn’t really a choice was there?

Besides, it wasn’t as if he’d have had any chance at things anyways. Despite how Isabelle had made it sound, he and Magnus – they’d just talked. That’s all.

(Talked for hours, laughing and sharing stories, at a mixer meant for two people to bond at, for them to get close enough to decide if they were compatible. And Magnus had chosen him – him! – to talk to)

Alec stayed in his office for most of Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. He’d turned away pretty much everyone who tried to come talk to him. His sister had tried multiple times, as had Jace. They’d been turned away each and every time. The only people he let in were Benji and Andrew. Anyone else that he needed to speak with could be handled through messages that Benji had no problem delivering for him.

He’d planned on doing the same for most of Thursday as well. He was well aware he was hiding. From others, from his family, from himself. Still, that didn’t stop him from glancing up at the clock when it came time for Isabelle to leave. He stared at it for five long minutes, watching the seconds tick away. Each one felt a little heavier than the last. Eventually he tore his gaze away and forced it back down to the paper in front of him. This was the right thing to do.

He had a duty to his people. An obligation.

This was the right thing to do.

He just wished the right thing didn’t have to hurt so much.

Three hours later Alec was still seated at his desk. His mountain of paperwork that had been accruing while he was at the event was almost completely gone. Emails, reports, things that he’d put off lately were finally taken care of. Thankfully, there were always more where that came from. Running one of the largest Institutes out there – and doing it without a partner the way most did – meant that there was never an ending to paperwork.

He was working on checking through patrol reports, a plate of food gone cold at his elbow and a cup of coffee mostly empty, when there came a rap on the door.

“Come in,” Alec called absently, flipping through yet another report, this one from a patrol team. They were a younger pair of girls who Alec had been putting off assigning to a new lead. He needed to see how they did first to find out who they might work best with. The two were good. Quiet, but good. He was pretty sure they were together, too, which likely was part of why they worked so well together. It’d also be something their team lead would have to look out for. And be something they wouldn’t be judged for.

The sound of his door opening drew his attention half-upwards. He wasn’t surprised to see Benji there. He knew the man had stayed outside this whole time to make sure no one bothered Alec. “What is it, Benji?”

“There’s someone here to see you, sir,” Benji said. Something in his voice had Alec looking up a little more, pulling his attention away from the paper to better focus. What he saw had his brow furrowing. Benji looked... nervous. No, not nervous. Worried. Then he opened his mouth and Alec forgot about everything else. “The High Warlock of Brooklyn is here. He says you requested a meeting with him?”

There was just enough of an inflection on those last words to make them a subtle question. One others might not hear, but Alec would. At least, he might have if he’d been thinking clearer. As it was, Alec couldn’t do anything but stare at Benji. Magnus Bane was here? Here? Months of reaching out to the man, with letter after fire message being ignored, and now he was here?

The papers he’d been working on were all but forgotten as Alec sat himself up straighter. “Send him in.”

Benji dipped his head. “Of course, sir.”

Training had Alec rising to his feet before he even thought about it. Thankfully. Otherwise, he might have just sat there and stared as Magnus came strolling into his office like he’d done it a thousand times before, looking just as gorgeous as the last time Alec saw him.

“High Warlock Bane,” Alec greeted him. He kept his tone polite, professional, and was proud of himself for how steady it came out. Inside, his stomach was twisting and turning with nerves. Why was Magnus here? Why had he come to visit now, when he should be at the third event along with everyone else?

Magnus smirked at him as he came to a stop on the other side of the desk. “Commander Lightwood. My apologies for dropping in on you so unexpectedly. I’ve just got back from a recent out-of-town trip, and I was hoping to discuss some of your recent letters.”

“Of course.” Alec gestured toward the chairs Magnus was standing next to. “Please, have a seat.”

Another gesture, this one toward Benji, let his secretary know that he had everything in hand. He didn’t bother telling Benji to make sure they weren’t disturbed in here. The other man knew how to do his job, and he was good at it. He’d make sure nobody disturbed them without Alec ever having to ask for it.

The door slipped quietly shut behind him as he left.

With Benji gone, the two men settled into their own seats across from one another. It felt so strange to look across the desk and see Magnus sitting there. Especially when Alec hadn’t been expecting to see anything. To see him. He’d thought that his day would be quiet and filled with paperwork and shadowhunter issues. He hadn’t… he wasn’t prepared for this. Whatever this was.

Still, Alec had been trained to do his job no matter what was going on inside himself. Emotions were a weakness a leader couldn’t afford. “What can I do for you, High Warlock?” Alec asked. He was proud that his voice came out strong and steady.

The smirk Magnus wore when he came in softened just a little into the smile Alec had seen during their conversation yesterday. One that left him feeling warm deep down inside in all those places Alec liked to pretend didn’t exist. Magnus folded one leg over the other and settled comfortably into his seat. He looked almost like this was his office, not Alec’s, a sensation that was a little disconcerting. But his smile stayed soft, though there was a hint of something sharper in his eyes that left Alec feeling like he was being analyzed.

Then he spoke, and he continued to throw Alec off balance. “I was surprised not to see you at the garden party today.”

Alec lifted his eyebrows. He’d expected Magnus to bring up their letters, or maybe the Shadow Cabinet, or even something related to an event here in the city. But he hadn’t expected this. Had he… had Magnus been there, and… come here, when he realized Alec wasn’t there? The thought brought a flush to his cheeks and a warmth to his stomach that Alec couldn’t quite chase away.

“I had a lot of work I needed to catch up on,” Alec said, proud that he somehow made his voice steady.

Magnus’ eyes drifted down toward Alec’s desk and its distinct lack of paperwork, save the single file he’d been reading, and then back up toward his face. His smile grew a little more. “Mm, I see that.”

It was unfair just how pretty the man managed to look even when he was so clearly mocking Alec.

Until Magnus, Alec hadn’t ever really thought of a man as pretty. He’d done his best not to think of them as hot, either. But deep inside where no one could see he’d admired men before. Thought them handsome, or good looking. Magnus was the only person Alec had ever met who managed to fit all those titles – pretty included.

He wasn’t sure what to do with his thoughts, or the emotions Magnus was stirring up in him. Alec shifted in his seat a little and fought back the urge to clear his throat. “Is that what you really came by to ask me about? Why I’m not at the party?” The words were defensive, he knew, yet he didn’t try to take them back.

“A little,” Magnus admitted, far easier than Alec had expected him to. He’d expected the other man to deny it, really. But he admitted to it without hesitation or flinching, and smiled at Alec as he did. “I actually would like to speak with you about your letters. I find myself interested in what you’re trying to do for our city. But I also wanted to see you again.”

Any hope of playing it cool or trying to regain any sense of composure was lost in that moment. “Oh.” Color flooded his cheeks and he ducked his head. “Why?”

Magnus let out a curious little noise and tilted his head to the side. Never once did his eyes leave Alec’s face. “Do I need to have a reason to talk to a pretty boy?” He leaned forward in his seat a little, brushing right past Alec’s stuttering reaction to being called ‘pretty’ by Magnus Bane of all people. “You caught my interest, Alexander Lightwood, in a way no one else at any of these parties ever has.”

“Magnus…” Alec’s voice cut out before he could think of what the hell to say next. What did he even say to something like that? He hadn’t prepared himself for a conversation like this. He hadn’t even entertained the thought that Magnus might want any of what he was hinting at here.

“I never wanted a Guardian, you know,” Magnus said, his voice low and yet still so loud in the silence of Alec’s office. “In the hundreds of years that I’ve been on this earth, I’ve never met a single shadowhunter I wanted to tie my life to. No one who ever called to me.”

No one? The idea seemed impossible. There were so many… so many better people out there. “I’m not anything special,” Alec said quietly. He wasn’t.

Magnus smiled again. “They say shadowhunter Guardians feel the Call. I’ve heard your people use that term – Calling.”

“It’s said Raziel gifted our people with that. So we’d… so we’d know that we were destined for something greater.”

Though Magnus no doubt could hear the faint waver to Alec’s words, he said nothing on it. He just nodded. “It makes sense. Being a Guardian isn’t an easy job. Nor does just anyone have the strength to do it. To guard, yes, of course. Anyone who chooses can help to guard a warlock. There are countless bonds like that out there. Even with shadowhunters. But a true Guardian bond? It transcends everything.”

Alec felt like something inside of him was breaking. He hated it – hated himself for sitting here, for letting Magnus talk to him about this, and he hated Magnus a little for pushing it. For making him want even more desperately for the thing he couldn’t have.

Uncrossing his legs, Magnus leaned forward, one hand braced on the desk. But he didn’t rise. Didn’t push himself any closer. He stayed where he was and watched Alec with that sharp look that saw far too much. “For centuries I’ve kept myself locked away. People can’t hurt you that way, you see. But you’ve unlocked something in me. You called to me, the way no one ever has.”

There was no way Alec could move. All he could do was stare at Magnus as the other man spoke. At the smile on his lips that softened each word he said, at the crinkles around his eyes, and at the way the light gleamed on his makeup and the gold around his eyes. The other man looked so... so hopeful.

He’d taken such a huge risk in coming here. In laying himself out bare like this in front of a shadowhunter he’d had two whole conversations with. It was one of the things Alec hated about this whole process – the small amount of time they allowed the two parties to get to know one another before making this commitment. Just a couple meetings couldn’t give enough of a basic for this sort of bond. At least, he’d always thought that.

Alec wanted to point that out, to remind him that they barely knew one another and there was no way he should be putting this much trust in Alec. Not like this. Not here, in the heart of Alec’s territory where he could legally get away with so much and the Clave would likely back him easily on it. They would probably celebrate what they saw as him finally acting like a shadowhunter was supposed to.

But... he couldn’t.

Not only would it go against everything he was to do anything to hurt Magnus simply for daring to speak his mind, but he also couldn’t argue against what he felt. Not when Alec felt the very same Call deep down inside of him. Like the flutter of angel wings trying to push their way out from the bonds he’d been wrapping around them since he was very young and had first realized that what he wanted and what he had to do would never match.

“Do you know what happens when a shadowhunter puts in their paperwork declaring themselves a Guardian?” he asked instead.

A hint of a shadow flashed over Magnus’ eyes. “No.” If he was surprised at the direction Alec went here, he didn’t show it. But his tone turned a bit less open and a bit more cautious.

Alec took a deep breath before he tried to swallow back the lump that had grown in his throat. It made his voice a little flatter than he’d meant it to be. “It’s the same as if the shadowhunter dies in battle. The paperwork is submitted declaring their death. Colors are hung around the Institute to mark the loss of one of their own, and a service is held for all their friends and family to attend. The shadowhunter is stripped of their name, their family. Any positions or titles they hold are passed to the next, the same as if they truly had died. All their money, all the possessions they have that they don’t take with them, go to their family.”

It had happened twice in the New York Institute. Once before Alec had taken over for his parents, and one after. And it would happen again this Saturday, he knew. He was going to have to go through this whole process for his sister. Something that made his heart ache a little to think about.

There was no mistaking the shock in Magnus’ eyes, or the horror that grew with each word Alec said. Whatever he’d been expecting Alec to say, this clearly wasn’t it.

“It’s not a banishment,” Alec went on, the words slightly less steady than before. “We can still speak with them. They’re still allowed to go anywhere shadowhunters can go. But they truly become the responsibility of their warlock. It’s said that Raziel warned us when he first granted us our powers that pledging as a Guardian meant tying yourself to a life outside your own. Committing yourself fully and wholly to your partner, and to the War. These rites, they’re meant to honor those who make the choice.”

The horror was only growing on Magnus’ face. “It sounds more like a punishment.”

“Sometimes.” Alec shrugged one shoulder, his eyes dropping down to his hands which were twisting together atop his desk. He forced them to stop. “My sister... she’s going to submit her paperwork this weekend with whoever she’s made her choice with. If I did the same...” Here, Alec had to pause, had to force down the lump that tried to build in his throat as he attempted to put to words the thoughts that had been plaguing him for days now. “My parents would step back in control of this Institute.”

And they would undo everything Alec had been striving toward since he’d first become Acting Head.

Alec’s eyes rose again to meet Magnus’. He didn’t have to finish that thought; he knew Magnus understood as soon as he saw the ache in the other man’s eyes. The pained way that he watched Alec now. They both knew what things would be like if Maryse and Robert took full control of the New York Institute once more.

How was it that this man had come to mean so much to him over just a couple days? Just a couple conversations? Their first one hadn’t even been kind! They’d argued with one another and Alec had stormed away. But, there’d been that sense of connection between them. And then that second meeting… Alec had never talked so long with someone about things that weren’t work related. Nor had as good of a time as he had while doing it.

The warm, fluttering feeling in his chest he’d been doing his level best to ignore tried to push forward and make itself known, only for Alec to resolutely shove it back down.

He’d always wondered to himself how it was possible for someone to find their One during just a week. How it was possible for some people to feel that pull so strongly when they barely had a chance to get to know the other person. Now, sitting here across from Magnus, staring into his eyes, Alec finally understood. He understood it far better than he wanted to.

“I’m sorry,” Alec said quietly.

Something shifted in Magnus’ eyes at that. He opened his mouth as if to say something, though the words never came. Then his lips pressed together and his whole body seemed to sigh as he nodded. “As am I.” He sounded like he meant it, too. The fact that he did, that he seemed both sorry and also like he understood, should’ve made Alec feel better.

It didn’t.

Magnus closed his eyes for a moment and visibly seemed to gather himself. When he opened them once more some of that serious look was gone, shuttered behind masks that Alec hadn’t realized had faded so much while they’d been talking. Yet he didn’t get up and leave. He didn’t politely excuse himself and put them both out of their misery. Instead, he settled himself back in his seat once more and, though it seemed a little less warm than before, he smiled. “Well. Should we get down to business, then?” he asked. “I’ve spoken with most of the other Downworlders about this Cabinet of yours, and I’ve read the letters you sent. But I find I have a few questions of my own.”

Alec nodded immediately. It was so easy to fall into this side of things, into the professional mask that had been hammered into him since childhood. He was used to hiding everything he had behind it so that he could focus on getting the job done. Whatever that job may be. “Of course. Whatever I can answer, I will.”

The two men settled into conversation about the Cabinet, about the things Alec wanted to achieve with it and about the details on how things might work out. He answered every question Magnus sent his way – each one so clearly and carefully thought out with the best interest of his people in mind. The respect Alec had for Magnus as a leader only grew with each one.

Though it didn’t stop him from feeling an ache when Magnus eventually rose to his feet with a polite smile and murmured that he needed to be going.

“I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me,” Magnus said, holding one hand out Alec’s way. “It’s refreshing to see a shadowhunter so truly geared toward peace amongst our people.”

Alec shook his hand and tried not to blush once more. “I’m just doing my job.”

The smile on Magnus’ face softened a little more. “The fact that you mean that is part of why I believe this might work.” He twisted his hand a little as he drew it back, letting his thumb stroke along Alec’s pulse point before letting go. “I look forward to working with you, Alexander.”

“Likewise.” Alec tried not to miss the warmth of Magnus’ hand against his. Tried not to wish for it back. Or for other touches in its place.

Magnus went toward the door and reached for the handle, then paused once more. He turned back to face Alec, and this time his smile had a hint of that softness that had been in his eyes a few minutes ago. “Oh, and Alexander? Feel free to reach out to me sometime. About anything.”

A little flutter of sparks on Alec’s desk had his attention drawn downward. In the time it took him to take in the glittering business card that now sat on his desktop, Magnus slipped out the door and was gone.

Alec found himself reaching out for the card even as the door clicked shut. He lifted it up and let his fingers stroke over it lightly. The edge was rounded, and when he flipped it over he saw an elegantly drawn cell phone number there in silvery script. Under it were the words: Call me.

The card went down beside Alec’s computer, right where he could see it clearly no matter what file he was working on. He stared at it for a long time, until the memory of Magnus’ touch had faded from his palm and the scent of him was nothing but a ghost in the air around him. Even then, Alec stared at it a little longer, his thoughts racing.

He stared at it still as he reached out and pressed the button on the edge of his desk that was connected to Benji’s desk right outside his office.

It only took a second for the door to open and Benji to poke his head in. “Yes?”

“Have Jace sent in here, will you?” he asked, never taking his eyes away from that card. “And Iz, when she gets back.”

“Of course, sir.”

The door closed once more behind him and Alec’s hand finally shifted over, snagging up the card and holding it in front of himself. He sat back in his seat and let himself stare a little more at the row of numbers. Call me.

A few minutes later the door to his office opened once more and Jace came hurrying in. Worry painted clear lines on his face. No doubt he was picking up on quite a lot from Alec – likely had been for the past couple days. Having Benji fetch him after so long of Alec staying hidden away in here had probably sent Jace’s protective instincts into overdrive. He hurried right up to Alec’s desk, Benji lingering in the doorway. A gesture from Alec had him joining as well.

“What is it?” Jace demanded before he’d even made it halfway across the room. “What’s wrong?”

Alec licked his lips and carefully laid the business card down on the desk. When he looked up, he knew his expression was a serious one that no doubt only sent Jace’s worry higher. “I need your help.”

“Anything.”

The immediate reply drew a faint smile to Alec’s lips. In moments like this Alec was reminded why this man was not only his parabatai but one of his best friends. No matter what might be going on between the two of them, whatever fights they had – and they’d had some bad ones over the years – never once had Jace hesitated when Alec truly needed him. Not once.

“I have two days to find a way to become a Guardian that doesn’t mean giving up my Institute,” Alec said bluntly, looking from one man to the other. He squared his shoulders a little, chin up in a pose he knew was defensive. Yet his tone was firm and resolute. He knew what he wanted; there was no sense in hiding from it now. “And I’m going to need your help to do it.”

Jace blinked at him a couple times, shock stealing his words away for a moment. A second later it was replaced by a swell of pride so strong it lit up their parabatai bond. “Whatever you need me to do, brother.”

“I’ll gather together what books we have on Guardian laws,” Benji said quickly, his ever-present tablet already in hand. He tapped away at something on the screen, shifting as he did to stand at Jace’s side. “I can get a few others to help with it. Cameron might have some information already, and I know that Micole has some connections in Alicante who might be able to access some of their older books and scan us over copies.”

“I’ll help you grab the books,” Jace offered immediately.

A slow grin lit up Alec’s face as the two in front of him quickly and efficiently divided up tasks between themselves without any sign of hesitation. The warm feeling in his chest wasn’t quite strong enough to chase away the fear or nerves – but it certainly helped to strengthen him a little more against those feelings.

Their task still seemed huge. No one had ever challenged this before. But just because someone hadn’t challenged it didn’t mean it wasn’t possible. If there was something to find, they were going to find it.

That flutter of something in Alec’s chest grew just a little bit stronger.

Chapter Text

Most of the next two days passed in a blur of books, facts, and information. Alec hadn’t delved this hard down a research trail since his days at the Academy. He’d thrown his everything into learning the laws back then, soaking up every single law book, every piece of the Accords, every book on military tactics and angelic battle and lore. He’d read his way through as much as he could until he swore his eyes would bleed from it all. But it’d ended with him getting top marks in all his classes. It was one of the only times Alec could honestly remember his parents being proud of him.

He wasn’t quite sure they’d be proud of this work. But this research meant far more to him than anything he’d learned at the Academy.

Isabelle had joined them just a few hours after they got started. She’d come tearing into the office, clearly already aware of what was going on – no doubt a text or two from Jace had alerted her. She’d hit the office running, literally. Alec had just enough time to look up from his book before she was on him, tackling him back against the couch with a hug and an excited “I’m so happy for you, Alec!”

“Could you be a little less happy?” he’d asked her, pushing her off. Her jump had pinned the open book between them so that it was jabbing him in the ribs.

Still, he hadn’t been able to help his smile, especially when Isabelle laughed and dropped down next to him, essentially shoving Jace out of her way to make space. “All right – where do you need me?” she’d asked.

And just like that, their little study group grew. They worked hard, reading everything they could read together, bouncing ideas off one another. They hit countless different roadblocks along the way. Information that they thought might work only to find out that it wouldn’t. And they discovered the shocking lack of information where Guardian bonds were concerned. But little by little, piece by piece, they put together just enough facts that Alec felt real, honest hope for the very first time.

"Come on, Alec, let’s go!”

Isabelle tightened her grip on Alec’s arm and tugged him forward a little faster, practically dragging him into the portal room. With every step they took, it was like a weight settled more firmly down on his shoulders, on his chest, making it harder and harder to breathe. By the time they reached the center of the room, Alec’s stomach was in knots, and he was swallowing back a wave of nausea. Was he doing the right thing here? Would this even work?

The firm press of his parabatai’s hand on the back of his shoulder offered some comfort. A little. “You got this, brother,” Jace murmured reassuringly. Then he shoved, and Alec stumbled his way through the portal and out the other side, cursing and stumbling as he went. His sister’s laughter echoed around him, followed by Jace’s deeper laugh just a second later. A few of the people already in the portal room were chuckling a little as well.

Alec turned his head to scowl at his brother, who beamed brightly at him. “You’re welcome.”

“You’re a dick,” Alec fired back.

If anything, it only made Jace’s grin even wider. “Oh, I see how it is. I slave away for hours with you, and you insult me. See if I help you again.”

“You’re both idiots,” Isabelle said before Alec could come up with any sort of retort. “Now can we quit bickering and get inside?” Nudging her way between them, she once more took Alec’s arm and firmly began to lead him forward. “I’ve got a warlock to look for, and I’m pretty sure you do, too, hermano.”

Without missing a beat, Jace scrambled to go to Alec’s other side, falling smoothly into step with him. Though that didn’t stop him from leaning forward a little to look around him to Isabelle. “Does that mean we finally get to find out who you picked?”

So far Isabelle had been pretty close-lipped about who she wanted to guard. She hadn’t been shy about saying that she’d found someone – and they’d had a bittersweet moment or two to celebrate that with just the three of them, between all their research – but she’d refrained from saying who she’d chosen. Though, Alec was pretty sure he had a good idea.

Isabelle rolled her eyes; that wasn’t the first, fifth, or even twentieth time that Jace had asked that question. “You’ll find out when everybody else does.”

Jace whined playfully about that for a few steps, bickering with Isabelle as he did, and Alec tuned them both out the way he’d learned to do a long time ago. It left him free to focus on the space around them.

The walk from the portal room had become a familiar one. But this time they didn’t head to any sort of ballroom or garden area or meeting place. Their path led them through the Institute into Edinburgh’s Ceremonial Hall.

Each Institute had a variety of different rooms and spaces. Some were the same in each one, such as the mess hall and the infirmary, while others were unique to each Institute. New York didn’t have the lush gardens that Edinburgh had, or the amazing rooftop features of the Paris Institute. But each and every single Institute out there had a Ceremonial Hall. A great big space where they could hold important events like weddings, funerals, celebrate their holidays, swear in new Institute Heads. Shadowhunters were big on ceremony for almost all events and milestones out there.

Even this – something which some of them didn’t believe should be celebrated anymore – was still considered important enough to celebrate here.

Edinburg’s Ceremonial Hall was big, though not as big as New York’s. With high, vaulted ceilings and smooth marble floors, it was a stunning room that could comfortably hold anywhere from two hundred people on up, depending on how crowded the space needed to be. That meant it was the perfect space for an event such as this one. A singular painting of Raziel stood up on one wall, lit up by a row of windows looking out into the gardens on the other wall.

The whole space was bright and beautiful, and Alec felt like it was missing so much. Maybe that was because he was used to the dark stone of the New York Institute and its beautiful stained glass. Their Institute had been built with the true religion of the nephilim in mind – the belief that all angels were worth worship, not just Raziel as some had come to believe. Alec had grown up learning the names of all the angels they knew, and all of his ceremonies had been performed under the stained-glass eyes of the archangels that lined the Ceremonial Hall.

Not that anyone else seemed to be paying any attention to the way the space looked.

So many eyes were on the dais underneath Raziel’s picture. The Inquisitor stood there with four higher ranking members of the Clave spread out on either side of her, and two Silent Brothers. They stood calmly and quietly together while shadowhunter after shadowhunter filled the room.

Just because some didn’t agree with this or didn’t want it for themselves, it wouldn’t stop them from being here to watch. Plus, family of those making their choice often came with them to witness it. Hence why both Alec and Jace were there. At least, in the eyes of everyone else.

The reminder of why he was here and what he planned on doing had a little spark of excitement and thrill both running down Alec’s spine.

Everyone spread out, quietly murmuring to themselves while they took up stance in rows in front of the Inquisitor. Something about her gaze demanded silence. Or maybe that was just the space itself giving them all a sense of quiet. Whatever it was, voices were low, barely audible.

Alec was snapped from his thoughts when he felt Isabelle’s hand on his arm give a small quiver. When he looked down, suddenly worried that maybe she’d changed her mind, he found her smiling and almost bouncing on her toes.

She wasn’t afraid. She was excited.

Caught up in his own worry and excitement and nerves, Alec hadn’t really had the space (or allowed himself the space, honestly) to focus on his little sister. Not beyond thinking about the fact that she wasn’t going to be with them anymore. But he hadn’t really taken the time to think about just how excited she must really be. This was something she’d wanted ever since she was a little girl and she first heard the stories. Stories that he’d told her, his own excitement infecting his voice as he did.

The both of them had always been captivated by the idea of being a Guardian. Isabelle had just refused to let anyone dissuade her from it. Today, his little sister would get what she wanted, with someone Alec could already tell she cared so very much for.

A swell of grief, joy, and pride rose up in Alec. Tugging on the arm his sister held, he drew her in enough to bend down and press a kiss against her forehead. “You ready for this?” he murmured when she lifted her eyes to him.

The way she lit up answered that question clearly. “Yeah,” she said. “Are you?”

Alec did his best to ignore the nervous swirl in his gut as he nodded. “Yeah.”

They were as ready as they were going to be. Both of them. From this point forward there was no turning back. They’d committed themselves to it. And, with a grin shared between them, he knew that they were both just as excited as they were scared for it.

A whisper slid over the crowd. Alec turned to see what the commotion was about, only to freeze as he realized what was happening.

The warlocks had arrived.

They came in one large group. Alec wasn’t sure if they’d come together accidentally or on purpose. The latter, most likely. He highly doubted any of them wanted to be alone in an Institute. Let alone one where the Inquisitor waited for them. There was safety in numbers, and in that moment, they definitely had numbers.

A small part of Alec couldn’t help but fall back on the training that had been drilled into him from birth. One that had him counting and analyzing the amount of warlocks present. Even one singular warlock could cause a lot of trouble. When they gathered in numbers like this they were infinitely more dangerous. The Clave rarely allowed a gathering of more than five inside their Institutes. Except for rare circumstances, such as this week’s events. Then, there’d been anywhere from ten to twenty-five warlocks who’d shown up.

There were at least three times that now.

Alec pushed back the thoughts of threat assessment that held no place here and focused instead on searching the crowd for that one specific face. It only took him a second to find it.

He wasn’t surprised to find that Magnus stood toward the front of the group. The warlocks were all spreading themselves out on the left side of the room, closest to the door, a loosely assembled group in bright colors that only made them contrast all the more to the rigid lines and somber colors of the shadowhunters. At their front stood Magnus, closest to the Inquisitor. A barrier between her and his people, no doubt. One who had clearly dressed to draw the eye toward him. And most likely to make some form of a statement considering what it was he’d chosen.

Colors held a specific meaning for nephilim society. Alec wasn’t sure if Magnus had chosen his colors intentionally with that in mind, or if he even knew the significance of them. Something told them he did. There was no way his color choice was accidental.

His shirt was bright red and looked silky smooth. He’d left it mostly undone so that glimpses of his chest peeked through jewelry that didn’t look like the silver he’d worn the last few times Alec had seen him. It looked more bronze. All that paired with the white silk belt, it, well, it definitely made a statement.

Black for hunting through the night

For death and mourning, the color’s white.

Gold for a bride in her wedding gown,

And red to call enchantment down.

White silk when our bodies burn,

Blue banners when the lost return.

Flame for the birth of a Nephilim,

And to wash away our sins.

Gray for knowledge best untold,

Bone for those who don’t grow old.

Saffron lights the victory march,

Green will mend our broken hearts.

Silver for the demon towers,

And bronze to summon wicked powers.

The colors Magnus had chosen to wear had to be deliberate. Alec found himself rolling his eyes and smiling at the same time.

Their eyes caught across the room. Alec didn’t let himself shy away from the look, but he didn’t say or do anything. Not yet. It’s not time yet. Whatever it was on his face had Magnus’ brows furrowing down for a moment. Then someone next to him spoke and he slowly turned away, watching Alec until the very last second.

A sudden hush fell over the room around them, true silence without a single whisper. Alec looked back toward the front of the room to find that Imogen had raised a single hand in a bid for silence. Everyone shifted a little so that they could face her. Isabelle let go of Alec’s arm and straightened up beside him, her hands smoothing over the front of the simple white gown she’d chosen to wear today.  They’d all worn white, all three of them, as was traditional. Isabelle, to signify her death in this life and her rebirth into the life of a Guardian, and her siblings in honor of her death.

“Greetings, children of Raziel.” Imogen spoke loudly and clearly so that everyone could hear her, so that everyone was aware that the ceremony was beginning. Silence fell over the room. Imogen straightened up and spoke again, her voice softer yet still firm, echoing to each corner of the room. “We have gathered here today to celebrate the passing of old bonds and the birth of new ones in one of our oldest rites.”

Alec looked around the room, watching the faces of others as she spoke. Some of them were drawn in by her words. Others didn’t seem to be enjoying it as much. He even caught sight of one person rolling their eyes.

Imogen paused just long enough for her words to sink in and for the last whispers to die. Then she went on, her words carrying that edge of something rote. A speech prewritten and practiced. “The Guardians have been an integral part of our culture since Raziel first came to us and gave us his blessing. Over the centuries they have played a role in a great many battles, often turning the tide in the war against demonkind. We are here today to welcome the next generation of Guardians into our fold. To bring forth those who would stand as the first and last line of defense between our world and the hordes of hell.”

Though Alec had heard these words before, they felt different this year. As a kid, he’d thought about the great honor that they spoke of. The promise to be something greater. Now, that feeling deep down inside of him hadn’t changed, but his understanding of her words had. Or, his understanding of her belief in them. Because it was clear as day to Alec that Imogen didn’t believe a single word she was saying. She didn’t believe in the honor of a Guardian. Nor in the sanctity of their commitment.

She was going through the motions here. Nothing more.

“Though the number of Guardians has dwindled over the past couple decades,” Imogen said, her eyes sweeping over the group in front of her, pointedly ignoring the warlocks. “That only makes our need for them greater, and the sacrifice they make all the more meaningful. Those of you who have submitted your names – though you leave us today, it won’t be in disgrace. Your name will be recorded in the book of Guardians and announced at every Institute around the world. May the blessing of Raziel be upon you, and may the angels favor your quest.”

No one said a word as Imogen straightened herself up, and the Silent Brothers moved forward to stand directly beside her. Yet an energy could clearly be felt in the crowd. This was it. It was time.

The energy in the room seemed to shift and change now that they’d gotten past Imogen’s speech. Her words didn’t really matter, not to any of them. Those that were here to watch were excited to see what was about to happen. Those that were here for the bond were ready.

“Enalia Blackblossom.”

People parted not too far ahead to make room for a tall, dark-skinned woman. She stepped away from a group of five others that Alec guessed were her family. They brushed their hands over her arms and shoulders before letting her go, and they smiled brightly at her as she walked proudly toward the front of the room. Her chin was lifted, dark hair tied back with a single white ribbon, and her dress was floor-length white silk.

When she reached the front of the room, it was easier to see the gap between the people and the dais on which Imogen stood. Enalia came to a stop just a foot in front of her and folded her hands behind her. Chin up, shoulders back, she met Imogen with a grace that said quite a lot about her.

Imogen tilted her head and looked down at Enalia, her expression blank. “Enalia Blackblossom, you come before us today to make the request to stand as Guardian between our world and all the demons of hell. Do you stand ready?”

“I do,” Enalia answered easily, her voice loud.

“Are you willing to swear the oaths of the Guardians, and pledge your life to your cause?”

There wasn’t a drop of hesitation in Enalia’s reply. “I am.”

“Then lay down your weapons, Enalia Blackblossom, and name your companion so that, together, you may speak your vows.”

Everyone watched as Enalia sank down to one knee and unhooked the seraph blade from her waist. She laid it on the ground in front of her, followed by two daggers, a short blade, and a silver necklace that shimmered and moved a lot like Isabelle’s whip. Once those were laid on the ground, Enalia didn’t rise. Instead, she smoothly slipped down to both knees, leaving Alec shifting so that he could still see her.

Though Alec couldn’t see Enalia’s face like this, he could easily hear her smile. “Allesandra Quinn.”

From the warlock side of the room came a sudden cheer. Where shadowhunters met things with quiet and reserve, the warlocks were the exact opposite. Allesandra wasn’t bussed toward them in silence. They sent her along with stomps and claps and cheering that echoed every step of a small woman who looked barely older than sixteen as she almost skipped her way forward. Her smile was bright, and it brightened even more as soon as she was in view of Enalia.

The shadowhunters watching on made a few soft sounds, some scoffs, at the loud display the warlocks shared. Yet Alec couldn’t help but smile. There was a joy to their reaction that felt so much more real. For them, this was a celebration.

Allesandra came to join Enalia in front of the Inquisitor. They caught hands together, and for a second Alec could see the way Allesandra tried to sink down and join her on the ground. The only thing that stopped her was a small headshake from Enalia.

It took only a moment longer before Imogen continued once more.

This time, when she spoke, it was directed at Allesandra. She eyed the girl, and no one was surprised at how dismissive her tone sounded when she said, “Allesandra Quinn, Enalia comes to you under the angel today to swear her life to your care and to the protection of our worlds. Do you accept her vows?”

A faint twitch tugged at the corner of Allesandra’s lips. “I do.”

Imogen nodded. “Then Enalia, as is custom, give voice to your oaths.”

The two Silent Brothers moved away from Imogen to come step off the dais. They moved to stand behind and beside Enalia, placing a hand on her shoulder. In their other hand they held their steles, ready and waiting to draw the runes that would bind Enalia to her oaths and, in doing so, to her companion.

Enalia didn’t flinch at their touch. She straightened up, seeming so tall all of a sudden despite being on her knees. “I swear to stand Guard between our world and the forces that seek to destroy it.”

The Silent Brother on her left stretched down, drawing a rune on her left arm. One that glowed faintly gold before settling down into her skin. Enalia didn’t flinch, didn’t stutter. She spoke again and let her words ring around the room with the strength of her conviction. “I swear to fight against evil, and to raise no hand or weapon to those that mean no harm to me or to my Chosen.”

Another rune was drawn on her right arm this time, glowing the same golden color before sinking down into her skin and disappearing completely.

Alec closed his eyes so that he could focus on her voice as she spoke her oaths. He didn’t need to see the runes drawn over her heart. In his head he could hear his own words from when he’d dreamed them years ago. The same words that all Guardians say.

“I swear to uphold the honor of my cause and protect the lives of all in need of it.”

With a soundless prayer to Raziel, Alec opened his eyes and focused on Enalia just in time to see her drawing in a deep breath for the final oath. The one that would bind the two of them together. Allessandra twisted their hands so that hers clasped around Enalia’s wrists loosely, leaving Enalia’s palms up and empty between them. Enalia smiled up at her while the two Silent brothers stepped back and, together, place their steles against the space right at the bottom of her neck. “I swear to Guard and protect my Chosen with every beat of my heart, until my body lies cold in the ground, and the last embrace of the angels takes me home.”

At her words, both Silent Brothers pressed their steles down into her skin, drawing a rune that had never been documented outside of a Guardian’s skin, while magic flared around Allessandra’s hands.

A second later both Silent Brothers and Allessandra drew back, showing the rune that now marked Enalia’s back and labeled her as a Guardian, and the faintly glowing lines around her wrists that marked her as Allessandra’s.

No two warlocks shared the same marks. Whatever they put on their bonded was unique to each of them. Alec had seen a couple over the years. Allessandra’s seemed to be settling into something dark blue, with twists and twirls that reminded him slightly of flames.

“Gather your weapons, Enalia, Guardian of Allessandra, and step into your new life,” Imogen said.

Together the two women rose to their feet, and Allessandra helped her gather up all her weapons. Once they had everything, they joined hands once more and looked back at Imogen.

Imogen gestured with one hand toward the door on the other side of the room. “Go – and the grace of Raziel be with you.”

Enalia nodded her head, then turned away and led Allessandra out of the room with her, both of them beaming proudly.

Once they were gone, the door shut firmly behind them, Imogen faced the crowd once more and called out the next name. “Justin Stillmore.”

And so it went, bond after bond, as shadowhunters swore themselves as Guardians. It was the highest number Alec could remember seeing or reading about in at least, angel, fifty years? Something which didn’t bode well for their future. Twelve shadowhunters knelt on the stone floor in front of Imogen and swore their vows to their Chosen. And there were more still to come. If this many shadowhunters suddenly felt the call, after years and years in which there’d never been more than a handful…

When Isabelle’s name was called, Alec and Jace held and hugged her one last time, the very last time they’d do things as just them, just the three of them. Isabelle offered them a smile that was wide and bright, with only the faintest sheen of tears at the edges. One that faded away as she turned and happily made her way up to the front of the room.

Alec didn’t think he’d ever felt such pride in his sister as she unarmed herself and knelt there on the ground. Nor was he the least bit surprised when she called out in a loud, clear voice, “Catarina Loss.”

He and Jace stood there together and watched Isabelle make her vows without hesitation or doubt. She swore herself to her cause, and to her Chosen, and she did it all with a smile on her face matched only by the one Catarina wore as she looked down at her. That smile told Alec as clear as day that this woman would take care of his sister. Far better than the people who should’ve taken care of her up until now, whose absence was so expected Isabelle hadn’t even seemed to notice.

When Catarina’s hands drew away from Isabelle’s wrists, they left behind marks that, from here, looked like water flowing over her skin. Or like the lines of a snake, reminiscent of the whip she usually carried there.

Alec drew in a breath as the two straightened up together and began their walk to the far side of the room. He knew what was coming next and he felt a frisson of fear that was mostly overwhelmed by something so much stronger – excitement. Jace seemed to echo that sensation, their bond almost vibrating with it.

“Alexander Lightwood.”

A hush fell over the whole room. Not just on the shadowhunter side, but on the warlock side as well. Alec swore he could feel as everyone’s gazes shifted over to land on him. With one last, deep breath, and a final squeeze of his shoulder from Jace, he straightened himself up and began the walk up to the dais.

He’d been so worried as they’d done all their research. On the fence about whether he was doing the right thing here. What if it didn’t work? What if it did? Countless fears had plagued him over the past few days. Yet as Alec came to a stop in front of Imogen, he found those fears quiet for the first time.

Up close like this, it was easier for Alec to read the surprise on Imogen’s face. The twist at the edge of her lips, the hint of a furrow in her brow. She hadn’t expected this from him. Yet he held himself tall and proud and stared back at her without flinching. Without backing down. He knew his duty to his people. He knew what it meant to be a Guardian. And he was damn well going to fight for it, no matter what she thought by the time he was through.

“Alexander Lightwood,” Imogen said. “You come before us today to make the request to stand as Guardian between our world and all the demons of hell. Do you stand ready?”

This is it. No turning back now. Keeping his eyes forward, Alec nodded. “I do.”

“Are you willing to swear the oaths of the Guardians, and pledge your life to your cause?”

“I am.”

“Then lay down your weapons, Alexander Lightwood, and name your companion so that, together, you may speak your vows.”

As the others had before him, Alec sank down to one knee and very carefully and very deliberately unarmed himself, though he was a little more deliberate with where he laid his weapons than the others had. They’d all knelt in front of Imogen and laid theirs on the ground between her and them. Alec laid his on the ground to his left.

His bow and quiver, his seraph blade – both the long sword and short – and ten different daggers. Every weapon that he owned, those that he’d made his own and those that had been gifted to him, he’d worn in a silent, ceremonial promise that dated back to the earliest records they’d found on Guardians. Ones that spoke of those weapons as a sign of the strength the Guardian brought to their bond. Alec wanted no doubt about what strength he brought with him, and what he was promising.

Once he laid those all on the ground, he looked up at Imogen once more. Then, he slowly turned to the left, sinking down to both knees as he went, and he settled his hands calmly on his thighs. For the first time since his name had been called he let himself look over at the warlocks. Or, at one in particular.

If Alec had held any doubts about what Magnus wanted, they vanished as soon as he met the other man’s eyes. Magnus was beaming at him with a smile brighter than anything Alec had seen so far.

The flutter in his chest where the Calling had sat ignored for so long grew even stronger the instant their eyes met, and then slowly began to settle as if in understanding that what it wanted was about to happen.

Smiling, Alec lifted his voice and made his decision. “Magnus Bane.”

If he’d thought the cheers for the other warlocks had been loud it was nothing compared to how they reacted for Magnus. Every single warlock cried out for him. They stomped their feet and raised their voices in a cacophony of sound that was filled with so much joy.

Magnus walked away from them with pride and dignity showing through in every single step he took. He stared right at Alec the whole way.

The two of them ignored everyone else watching on. If they’d been shocked to see Alec come up here before, they were even more so at who he’d Called, who he was about to claim.

Magnus held his hands out before he’d fully reached Alec, so that as soon as they were close enough to reach they could clasp them together. The feel of his warm palms offset by the cold metal of his rings settled something deep down inside Alec. Somehow, the next breath he drew felt impossibly easier than the last.

For a moment, Alec forgot entirely about the crowd around them and the people watching on. It wasn’t until Imogen spoke that he snapped back to the present moment.

“Magnus Bane,” Imogen said, and she paused for a second here, hesitating so slightly Alec almost missed it, before she continued on with the ceremony. “Alexander comes to you under the angel today to swear his life to your care and to the protection of our worlds. Do you accept his vows?”

“I do,” Magnus said, his smile never wavering. He squeezed lightly at Alec’s hands.

“Then Alexander, as is custom, give voice to your oaths.”

Alec was aware of the two Silent Brothers who came to stand in place on either side of him. He felt their hands settle onto his shoulder, and something else settled with it. The first oath came easily after that. “I swear to stand Guard between our world and the forces that seek to destroy it.”

Though he didn’t look, Alec felt the shifting of the Silent Brother, and the press of the stele to his left arm. It burned, as all runes did when applied, but at the same time it brought a warmth with it. Like the light of the angels slowly filling him.

“I swear to fight against evil, and to raise no hand or weapon to those that mean no harm to me or to my Chosen.”

That light grew with the next rune. Alec felt it filling him more and more, and he welcomed it. However this turned out, it was right. Of that he no longer had any doubt.

“I swear to uphold the honor of my cause and protect the lives of all in need of it.”

The next rune on his chest burned hotter still, until that light felt almost over-powering. Alec swore he could feel it reaching down to his soul, twisting and twining with it. Not like the parabatai bond, no. That had taken his and Jace’s souls and broken off pieces, sharing them with the other. This felt like something binding him. Wrapping him up in the strongest of silks he didn’t even try to fight his way free from.

Magnus gave one last squeeze to Alec’s hands before he let his own slide down, curling them around Alec’s wrists in a hold that promised to never let him go. He held on and kept steady as Alec said the final words that would bind them together. “I swear to Guard and protect my Chosen with every beat of my heart, until my body lies cold in the ground, and the last embrace of the angels takes me home.”

The last press of the stele against his back felt pale in comparison to the sudden wash of magic that came tearing through him.

It felt like nothing he’d ever known before and yet like everything he’d never known he wanted. Warmth and comfort and promise all wrapped up in a sensation of home that spread through every inch of him, chasing down every little piece that made up Alec until there was nothing it hadn’t touched. Then, slowly, carefully, it drew back, settling down in both his head and his heart. A warm bundle of Magnus that he knew he would always be able to feel now, and would always be able to find.

The thought was more comforting than Alec could’ve imagined.

As was the sudden weight of his runes. He felt his new ones, now, with the magic no longer coursing in his veins. He could feel the heaviness that powerful runes carried, which would fade with time. Alec vowed to look at them later, just as he would look at the lines Magnus had marked him with. For now, there was one last thing he had to do and he couldn’t let himself be swayed from it. He had to speak up before Imogen did.

It’d taken them so long to find these words. Almost up to the very last moment. Even then, they’d had to hold on to them, to check and make sure that these were truly the words to say.

Kneeling here looking up at Magnus, Alec could feel the rightness of them.

He twisted his hands without breaking free so that he could grasp at Magnus’ wrists as well. So that the two of them held one another. There, holding Magnus as firmly as Magnus held him, Alec spoke his final oath. One they’d found hand-written in a small, old book, one that had clearly belonged to a Guardian many centuries ago. One who had led his Institute proudly – with his warlock at his side.

“I offer you every weapon in my possession, every blade and arrow,” Alec said softly. “Every ounce of strength I have is yours to command. Under the angel, I swear to honor that, and to honor the covenant placed upon me, if you so accept.”

A low murmur ran over the room. They didn’t know the words that Alec said, and just as clearly didn’t understand them. Nor did Magnus, it seemed, though he didn’t let it show. The only thing that gave it away was the questioning sensation in their bond. Alec tried to send back reassurance and a silent plea of trust me. Whatever Magnus felt or saw on Alec, he barely hesitated before nodding. “I do.”

Out of the corner of his eye he could see Imogen opening her mouth, fury written all over her face, and he knew that she understood, even if their audience didn’t. Not yet, at least. They would soon enough.

Before she could speak, however, the Silent Brothers moved again as one. Only this time they didn’t place their runes on Alec’s back but moved to place them on the backs of his hands. Magnus twitched a little as the stele came close to him. Yet he held on tight to Alec and let him cling as the runes were drawn, and he braced him up as the power that slammed through him hit hard enough to almost send them both toppling down.

Through the sound of his own heartbeat in his ears, Alec heard Imogen’s voice. “Gather your weapons, Magnus Bane, Chosen of Alexander, and together, step into your new life.”

The murmurs around them grew louder at those changed words. More so when Magnus sank down to one knee, slowly releasing Alec’s hands only when he could be sure Alec wouldn’t fall over. Amidst the whispers and murmurs, he lowered his voice so that Alec alone could hear him, and he murmured “When we’re out of here you’re going to explain to me what it is you’ve just done, Guardian.”

Alec smiled slightly and stayed perfectly still as Magnus gathered up his weapons and rearmed him. Magnus’ words promised trouble, and yet Alec couldn’t bring himself to feel anything but joy and a sort of exhaustion from all that power. It left his voice soft and without any of his usual walls. “As you wish, Chosen.”

That earned him a piercing look from eyes suddenly gone gold and sharp. Magnus didn’t feel angry, though, something which Alec held on to as he was rearmed and then carefully drawn up to his feet. Together, the two made their way to the doors on the far side of the room.

Chapter Text

It was only once they were in the hallway with the door firmly shut behind them that Alec let himself breathe easy. Not for long, though. Almost as soon as he did, someone let out a whoop that made both him and Magnus jump. That was all the warning they had before Isabelle came tearing toward them and practically tackled Alec against the nearest wall.

“You did it!” she cried out, right next to his ear. Alec winced even as he curled an arm around her and held her against him, his other hand still held tight in Magnus’. Isabelle didn’t seem to care. She drew back and gripped his shoulders, her whole expression bright and eager when she looked up at his face. “Did it work?”

Alec opened his mouth to reply – only to have the words cut off by another shout coming from behind Isabelle. This one he recognized immediately. He looked up just as Jace came running through the crowd with the brightest grin. He actually ducked under a pair who were holding hands, and then jumped over another sitting on the ground, only to almost slam into them the same way Isabelle had. Alec couldn’t hold on to Magnus any longer; he had to let go to be able to brace the three of them up against the wall as they became a tangle of limbs and laughter.

“You did it!” Jace shouted brightly. “Holy shit, Alec, you did it!”

Another shriek from Isabelle and Alec found himself once more being hugged between them.

When they finally drew back, Alec felt his cheeks heat up with a blush when he saw Magnus and Catarina standing in front of them watching the trio with smiles that were so very clearly fond. They weren’t the only ones watching, either. All the pairs who were still waiting around for things to finish were watching them as well, though they looked more curious than anything.

“Is someone going to explain what exactly is going on here?” Catarina asked dryly, though she hadn’t stopped smiling.

“That’s what I’d like to know.”

The sound of the door opening had been missed in the chaos of their excitement. But Alec heard Imogen’s voice loud and clear. He turned to look at her and instinctively shifted to put his siblings behind him. Jace and Isabelle let him, though they used that move to try and put themselves between Imogen and Catarina and Magnus. Not that Magnus allowed it. He slipped around Jace and came to stand firmly at Alec’s side.

“Madame Inquisitor,” Alec greeted her formally.

She scowled at him. Heels clicking sharply at the floor, she marched right up to Alec with the four other Clave officials coming up behind her, and the Silent Brothers bringing up the rear. “Where did you find those words?” she demanded without preamble.

Alec folded his hands behind his back and let his body settle into the familiar parade rest. He wouldn’t let her intimidate him. It was too late to take it back, now. She was going to have to learn to live with it. “In the journal of one of the earliest Guardians.”

“To what purpose?” one of the Clave officials asked. Forestrun, he was pretty sure the man’s surname was. He had the look of them. Wide eyes that were currently narrowed down on him, the uptick at the end of his nose, the thick neck and broad shoulders most of their family seemed to share. “What exactly were you trying to do with those vows? I’ve never heard them before.”

While those with her might not understand what had just happened, the Silent Brothers had, and it was clear Imogen as well. And he wasn’t going to let her try to take her words back and hide them in the hopes of covering this up.

With that in mind, Alec didn’t try lowering his voice or hiding what he was saying. He made damn sure the whole hall could hear him. “I was making sure my city and my people are safe,” he said bluntly. “Those words came from a time when becoming a Guardian didn’t mean being forced from our homes. When it was still recognized as the honor it is to bind yourself to someone and pledge yourself to the war. I offered my Chosen all of my strength, and every weapon at my disposal – not just the ones I wear, but the ones I own. The ones I lead.”

He felt the surprise hit Magnus. He must’ve caught on to where Alec was going with that.

The others didn’t look like they understood. Not entirely, not yet. Imogen, however, looked furious. “You can’t pledge the New York Institute to the control of a warlock!”

Behind them, the others watching were clearly whispering, their voices rising and falling with their shock.

Alec schooled his expression into the calm mask he’d learned from his mother. “The New York Institute was mine – their care and protection mine to oversee. When I offered Magnus my weapons, I offered all of them to him, and he accepted. The Silent Brothers accepted.” Lifting both hands, Alec held them out so that the backs were clearly visible for Imogen and the others to see. It’d been a long time since those runes had been displayed on any leader. Yet Alec knew what they were. “The Silent Brothers accepted my pledge and runed me as the fully vested Head of the New York Institute.”

Which meant that, barring death, derunement, or a crime proven before a court of no less than twelve other Institute Heads, no one could take his Institute away from him.

By right of his Guardian-bond, it also meant that Magnus was also the fully vested co-Head of the New York Institute. Something he hoped the other man was ready for.

Imogen’s face tightened into something dangerous enough that Alec actually shifted his weight, putting himself slightly closer to Magnus – ready to draw the other man behind him in an instant if need be. While he didn’t think the High Inquisitor would actually attack him, the look on her face…

“Do you really think your people will follow you?” she demanded.

“I have faith in my people, ma’am.”

For a long moment Alec wasn’t sure if Imogen would back down. She glared at him with a ferocity he’d never seen from her before. Then, without saying another word, she spun around and marched away.

Alec didn’t relax until she was out of sight. Only then did he turn his attention to the others gathered in the room. They were all staring at him with varying looks of surprise, shock, and something else on their faces that he couldn’t quite name. Or just didn’t want to. Magnus’ emotions were a tangle in the back of his mind he didn’t know yet how to decipher. There were too many at once for him to clearly pick one out from the other.

“We should probably get out of here,” Jace said, speaking up before anyone could. He cast a look around and then turned back to Alec, his smile hiding his worry. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready to go somewhere a little less exciting.”

Alec looked over at Magnus, who met his gaze with an arched eyebrow and a hint of sharpness. “Why don’t we go to our Institute, hm? Maybe we’ll be able to find a bit of privacy there.”

Something told Alec he might not end up enjoying that privacy all that much. Magnus’ tone was polite, but the bond and the look in his eyes promised Alec a whole lot of trouble once they were alone.

They made it back to the New York Institute easily enough. No one seemed to want to stop them. All the warlocks and most of the shadowhunters had already left. Those that remained only watched but said nothing as they went passed.

When they stepped out of the portal back to their Institute, Isabelle grabbed Jace and Catarina both and, with just a quick “I’ll bring by my paperwork later!” she took off with them. The traitors.

That left Alec to silently guide his Chosen to his office, alone. Which was probably for the better anyway. Alec didn’t exactly want an audience for the very first time his bonded yelled at him.

Benji sat at his desk outside Alec’s office when they got there. Bless the angel, he didn’t say anything to stop them, nor did he look surprised to see who stood beside Alec. He’d been a part of their team trying to uncover things, after all, and no doubt he’d already heard from some of his mysterious contacts about the whole ceremony. That is, if he hadn’t gone himself. Alec wouldn’t put it past him to have snuck over to watch.

For now, he said nothing. Simply watched them go in, giving Alec a faint nod when their eyes caught. One that let Alec know no one would disturb them. Then the door was open and Alec gestured Magnus inside, following in after him a second later.

His door clicked shut with a quiet snick behind them, and for a brief second Alec let himself lean against it, basking in the feel of Magnus near him, of his presence inside of him and around him and right there for him to reach out and touch if he so chose. Though he had a feeling that trying to touch right now might not be the best of ideas. Now that they were alone, the temper buried in their bond grew a little brighter.

Alec responded to it instinctively. “I’m sorry,” he blurted out.

“Are you?” Magnus asked, arching a brow at him once more. He’d stopped halfway in the room, close to Alec’s desk, and he twisted now to be able to look over at Alec. Every part of him screamed tightly controlled power. The sharp, regal tilt to his head, the arched eyebrow, the loosely crossed arms. “For what, exactly, Alexander?”

Oh, he wasn’t going to make this easy on him, was he? Magnus clearly wanted answers here, and he wasn’t going to let Alec get away with not giving them. Whether he liked it or not.

Drawing in a breath, Alec squared his shoulders once more and tried to find the strength he’d used to face down Imogen and the rest of the Clave. If it could get him through all that, it could get him through this. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you ahead of time about what I planned.”

“A warning would’ve been nice, seeing as how you’ve apparently set me up as what I’m assuming is co-Head to the New York Institute.”

Alec grimaced. “Yeah. I...” Pausing, he cut off the excuses he’d been about to make. They didn’t matter. “I should’ve talked to you beforehand. I’m sorry. I just... focused on doing what I could to save my people. Our people. But you don’t... you don’t have to do anything here, Magnus. The Institute, the people, you don’t have to do anything with that. This was just a way to make sure the Institute stayed within my control and out of anyone else’s hands.”

That eyebrow climbed a little higher. “So you swore your weapons to me and now you’re taking them back?”

“No!” The protest came faster than Alec could’ve stopped it. The vehemence with which he said it clearly surprised the both of them. Taking a deep breath, Alec forced his voice calm. “I honor my oaths, Magnus. If you want, the Institute is yours just as much as I am. I just wanted you to know that I don’t expect you to do anything.”

The silence between them felt deafening. It gave Alec too much room for all his thoughts and fears to scream at him in ways that they hadn’t while they were busy focusing on Imogen and her reactions. Did – was Magnus going to regret this? Now that he knew the implications of everything he’d accepted would he still want Alec?

All at once Magnus sighed and the bond went soft. “We’re going to need to discuss what this means for the both of us.,” he said firmly.

Alec nodded. He could do that. He could absolutely do that. “Of course.”

“This is a partnership and I expect us both to treat it as such.”

Another nod, because yes, yes, of course. “Absolutely.”

“But...” Slowly, some of that frustration in Magnus seemed to be melting away. He moved forward, closer and closer, drifting right up into Alec’s personal space. He hesitated only for a moment, eyes locked on Alec’s in search of something, and then he pressed in even closer until Alec could feel the heat of him just bare inches away. Lifting one hand, Magnus brushed a bit of Alec’s hair away from his forehead, and his face softened into that smile that had so charmed Alec over their long lunch together. “For now, I would really like the chance to celebrate the fact that I’ve somehow managed to bond myself the smartest, prettiest Guardian one could ever ask for.”

All at once the worry in Alec fizzled out. In its place was something a bit more… he wasn’t quite sure what. Only that it left a fluttering feeling behind that he didn’t quite know what to do with. “Oh,” Alec breathed out, hardly daring to move lest he do something that would shatter this moment, though he couldn’t stop the way he blushed all over again. How did Magnus always know what to say to get that reaction out of him?

The bond filled with something warm and fizzy, like the bubbles of the soda Izzy used to love to sneak when they went out. Amusement was clear in the curve of Magnus’ lips and the crinkles around his eyes. “You are going to bring me all sorts of trouble, aren’t you, shadowhunter?”

Almost against his will, Alec found his head tipping a little in the faintest nuzzle against the hand Magnus had yet to drop. “You like it,” he murmured, confident in the words and what he could feel in the bond with them.

Magnus chuckled at him. Then he drew his fingers down over Alec’s temple, his cheek, along the line of his jaw to stop at his chin with his thumb brushing just along the line of Alec’s bottom lip. “Oh, sweetheart – you have no idea,” he murmured. Alec felt the faintest press of that thumb on his lip before Magnus drew it and himself back a full step away from him. He left Alec leaning against the door with his heart beating a little too fast and the desperate desire to close the gap between them again.

Shaking that feeling off was a struggle that Alec wasn’t quite sure he managed. Especially when Magnus winked at him.

“How long do you need to check in with your Institute?” he asked casually. If not for the bond, Alec wouldn’t have known he was affected by anything at all. It still carried some heat, at least, even if the rest of Magnus seemed calm.

It took a second for Alec to swallow back his own need and find some semblance of calm himself. When he was sure he could speak without making a fool of himself, he said, “Not long. I set up most everything I could beforehand, just in case.”

Magnus’ smile was unbearably fond, and the bundle of him in Alec’s head felt just as fond. “Of course you did. In that case, why don’t you go ahead and take care of what you need to while I reach out to a few different people, hm? I wasn’t anticipating being busy tonight.”

“You can still go do whatever it was you planned,” Alec offered. Just because they were bonded didn’t mean they had to glue themselves to one another. If anything, being apart might not feel good but it wouldn’t stop them from keeping an eye on each other. No matter how far away they got their bond would make sure they always knew where the other was, and if they were alive or injured.

The thought was more than a little comforting.

Not that Alec intended on letting Magnus out of his sight. How could he protect him, after all, if he wasn’t there? Once things were taken care of here Alec would happily follow after Magnus through whatever it was the other man had had planned for the night.

Even before Alec finished his offer Magnus was already shaking his head. He pulled his phone from his pocket and turned to walk over to the couch, sinking down onto it with a grace that Alec found a little enviable. How the hell did this man make everything he did look so good? “No, no, it’s fine,” Magnus reassured him without even looking up from his phone. “I have something far more interesting to attend to than drinks with old friends. Those can wait a few days.” Pausing, he flashed his eyes up toward Alec, and for a brief moment Alec caught a glimpse of gold. Then he winked.

Thankfully, he looked back down at his phone once more, meaning he didn’t see it as Alec blushed. Though the amusement and pleasure in the bond made it clear he’d probably felt it.

Pushing off from his spot by the door, Alec walked over toward his desk, trying his best to ignore his Chosen. He only had a few things to attend to here, really. He’d done his best to get as much prepared as possible, and he knew he could trust a few other things to Benji, and some even to his parabatai. And the sooner he got this done... well, Alec didn’t really know what exactly came next for them. Their situation was more than a little unique.

Alec was a Guardian now, but he wasn’t a typical one. He didn’t have to leave behind his Institute or his people or any of the work that lay ahead of him. He wasn’t going to be forced to leave and make himself at home with Magnus, though the idea of that still held great appeal. This wasn’t going to be a partnership where Alec had to give up everything to be with him. Instead, they were going to be true partners. The first in who knew how many centuries.

This was going to be an adventure, and it was one Alec was more than ready to throw himself into.