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“There are always going to be changes in books adaptations, but do they really have to change the character’s entire redemption arc just to fit the narrative better?” Simon groans. “Okay, make your own story - make it your own - but you’re going to change the character's entire personality? What’s the point? It’s a disservice to take the story’s name.”
Izzy smiles, and she shakes her head in amusement. “Maybe you should write your own pilot and turn into a world famous actor. Buy me pretty clothes, shoes, and a giant house. I’ll kiss you in front of everyone - claim you as mine.”
“I’d love to play Spider-man,” Simon says. He taps on the table and points. “Oh! I could do that now. I could fight criminals and protect the elderly. I’ll be Quicksilver or the Flash!”
Izzy puts her chin on her palm, eyes shining like sparklers. “My very own superhero. How exciting.”
“Can you two pay attention?” a gruff voice interrupts.
Izzy aims her beaming smile at her disgruntled brother. Alec folds his arms and narrows his eyes at her in thick disapproval. He taps a pen on the screen, marking another potential route to the abandoned building. The building where a vampire coven was calling their home. They were kidnapping mundanes from the streets, strategically taking those who wouldn’t be missed. It’s almost terrifying to know they might be doing research on them to see which one's disappearance won’t be noticed right away. They’ve managed to hunt for two months before Luke caught wind.
Alec has tried several times to set up a meeting with the coven leader, but he was denied every time. Luke tried too, and both leaders got hostile responses. Lily showed up at the front door with Raphael, and she announced how all vampires in New York are expected to listen to her. They ignored her at every turn.
“Jace and I will come from the southwest corner,” Alec explains. “We can barricade the streets to keep mundanes out. The area is full of shops and restaurants, and we can have Luke call in the police. He can blame a gas leak or something.”
“Clary and I will take the northeast corner,” Izzy says. “Simon and Raphael will go through the tunnels. Get in the building through there.”
“Lily and the others will stay put and wait for your signal,” Simon says. “If they decide to start a fight, Lily is more than happy to get her hands dirty.”
Alec rolls his eyes, barely holding back an amused smile behind his hand. He swiftly reverts back to neutrality, and he studies the map again for any openings he’s forgetting. Izzy loves seeing her brother like this - a born leader ready to fix a problem. He fit the role seamlessly.
“I’m sure she’s itching to-“ Alec stops suddenly. He digs his phone out of his phone. “Dammit.”
Izzy sits up straight, alarmed. “What’s wrong, big brother?”
“Magnus,” Alec grunts, as if that alone was an answer enough. Izzy and Simon look at each other. “He thinks he’s doing us a favor when he’s not.”
“What?” Izzy asks, lost, and he looks around. “Is he here?”
Alec dials his phone. His authoritative voice comes out strong. “Magnus. Did you just change your plan to stay on the roof three buildings down? You’re supposed to be back-up, in case they start a fight.”
“Luke informed me they have attacked five vampires asking for help on separate occasions,” Magnus argues. “Simon and Raphael surprising them in the tunnels isn’t going to end well. They need me. I can protect them.”
Alec pinches the bridge of his nose, scowling in frustration. “We don’t know how many of them are in there. If Luke is right, then we need to make a new plan.”
“Don’t worry, I-“
“Catarina and Ragnor need to both be there to protect you and them-“
“They’re with me right now, and they will also be-“
Alec is already adding two points on the screen before Magnus can name the crossroads. Ragnor’s location two streets down and Catarina in the same group as Luke. “Ragnor better have a phone on him this time-“
Before Alec can finish his sentence, Magnus cuts in with a laugh. “I gifted him a smart phone, instead of that useless flip phone that can’t get a good picture or signal-“
“You need to put your phone on vibrate, not silent, or you’re not going to hear my calls-“
“You’re going to work yourself into a headache if you frown for so long, darling,” Magnus says soothingly. Alec inhales sharply and runs a hand down his face. Izzy bites back a laugh at her brother’s annoyance. “Give your poor, perfect eyebrows a break.”
“You’re the one doing complex spells right before a fight,” Alec complains. “I’m-“
“Frowning and staring at a map and driving yourself crazy,” Magnus finishes knowingly. Alec turns from the map to face the table like a child caught with his hand in a cookie jar.
“I’d rather have a headache than a serious injury.“
“Maybe I want you to bring me that tea you know I love,” Magnus purrs. “It rejuvenates my magic like no other.”
Alec blushes and avoids Izzy’s delighted smile. “Do not get there before I do. I can see you getting ready to leave right now-“
“Maybe I’m just excited to see a certain Shadowhunter, and I know how much you like being the first one to-”
“Punctuality is a trait for a responsible leader,” Alec says easily with a thread of fond teasing.
Then he hangs up and puts his phone away. Izzy crosses her arms. “How did you know he was going to be somewhere else?”
“Was any of that english?” Simon asks.
“I know how he thinks, where he’s going, and how he moves, which makes this more convenient…” Alec trails off, shrugging. “You two know what the plan is. Grab your weapons. We need to get going. Magnus already left for the Hotel Dumort because of course he did.”
“Wait,” Izzy says, stopping him. “How do you know that?”
Alec ignores the question and marches to the weapons room. Izzy glances at Simon, who’s as shocked as her.
“Do you think they know?” Simon asks.
“My brother doesn’t believe in that stuff,” Izzy sighs. “He’s always doubted the whole soulmate thing. No one in our family or anyone at the Institute have found their soulmate, since finding each other is very rare. Unless he can touch it, he’s not going to believe it.”
Simon’s eyebrows move up and down as he whispers. “I’m sure he’d love to touch Magnus.”
Izzy lets out a surprised laugh and kisses Simon’s cheek. “You are funny sometimes, you know?”
Simon smiles crookedly. “Spider-man is hilarious.”
——————
“What are these?”
Magnus doesn’t look away from his task. “Vampire teeth. They’re for potency.”
“Oh.” Clary points to another jar. “What’s this?”
Magnus gives her a long look. “Mermaid scales. They’re for… motivation. Are you going to ask about everything I have?”
Clary smiles sheepishly. “I’m nervous. Is there anything I can do?”
Magnus tilts his chin. “I’ll take a sample of your blood if you’re offering. Your angel blood should enhance the vaccine’s effects against the virus.”
Clary does as she’s told. She grabs the syringe and needles, and she stands still as Magnus takes his sample to add to his potion. “I can’t believe someone is using biological warfare to wipe out Shadowhunters. Has anyone done this before?”
“Are you calling me old?” Magnus clicks his tongue. He adds three droplets of her blood in the cauldron. A trail of smoke floats from the bowl.
“What? No!”
Magnus huffs a laugh. “No, this is not the first time disease has been used to take out Shadowhunters. It’s extraordinarily helpful that you have pure angel blood. It should nullify the virus’s effects.”
Clary watches him work, taking note of the easy, flaunting gestures Magnus makes. Serious Magnus is the exact opposite of his regular persona. He’s the perfect mix between carefree at Pandemonium with a drink in his hand and solemn in occasions that require his knowledge and strength.
Magnus works with a special amount of flair and practiced routine. He entertains Clary with small tasks that he could no doubt do himself. Clary appreciates it, considering she’s buzzing with urgency to get back to the Institute. Three Shadowhunters are sick, and they are worsening by the hour.
They’re forced to take a few breaks to let the potion settle. Magnus leans on the counter. “Do you still draw?”
“Of course,” Clary says. Her hands fidget to reach for the nearest pen and paper to get rid of this extra stress. “I wish I had more time to draw though.”
“You should submit one or two to festivals,” Magnus suggests kindly. “You’re a terrific artist. There’s no reason to deprive the world of your talent.”
“Thank you,” Clary says sadly. “Being a Shadowhunter makes it hard to be anything else.”
Magnus scowls. “You don’t work all the hours of the day. The Clave can’t control your hobbies. I know you, Clary. You can do anything you put your mind to-“
Magnus stops speaking. His eyes twitch as he looks ahead, and he winces. He holds his right arm to his chest, scrutinizing it curiously, like it wasn’t his.
“Magnus?” Clary asks worriedly.
“Interesting,” Magnus whispers. He creates a portal and walks straight through.
Clary follows close behind, and she finds Magnus led them into an alley. She doesn’t see what’s going on right away, but then he hears Jace cry out Alec’s name.
Magnus goes right to Alec, who’s on the cold ground grasping his arm. His arm is bent at an unnatural angle, and he has many bruises and cuts caused by the demon Jace is fighting off several meters away.
“How did you know?” Clary asks, amazed.
Magnus gingerly holds Alec’s arm. Blue magic sparks and lingers at his fingertips, drawn to Alec’s skin and sinking inside to begin the healing process. Alec gasps in pain, and Magnus shushes him. He cups Alec’s sweaty cheek.
“You’re okay, darling. I’m here. Clary, go help Jason.”
Clary grimaces when she feels a sharp hit to her side, and she peeks over her shoulder to find Jace has been thrown into the wall. Without another word, she grabs her seraph blade and takes off to help her soulmate.
Clary doesn’t think much of it until after they kill the demon. Jace kisses her with a goofy smile. “My queen in shining armor. Is Alec alright?”
Clary looks over at the other two. Alec is leaning heavily into Magnus’s side, and they walk together through a portal back to the warlock’s apartment. Magnus is careful with where he touches the Shadowhunter, and he says something funny. Alec chuckles, grimaces, and shakes his head in exasperation.
“Something tells me he’s more than alright,” Clary concludes.
She’s proven right when Alec comes back to the Institute the next morning, fully rested and healed. He doesn’t meet her eye.
——————
Jace is proud of his level-headed, patient, and sensible parabatai. There’s nobody else he’d want in charge of the Institute. He is kind and charitable, and one of his first acts was to create the Downworlder Alliance. He wanted to strengthen the relationship between Shadowhunters and Downworlders, because there was no reason why they can’t work together to protect mundanes and the Shadow World.
His brother went through a lot of stuff - repressed his true self from their parents and everyone. Jace wished he did more to provide support and be there for him, but Alec had so many walls fortified around him. He wanted to make their parents proud, even when his instincts differed from his decisions. The Clave wanted to drive the wedge between them and Downworlders, and for a while, Alec did as he was told.
It wasn’t long before Alec went against his parents once he became Head. There wasn’t anything holding him back, and he took charge. He worked with Downworlders, rather than against, and Jace was extremely proud of him.
Which is why Jace is confused when Alec and him find an injured warlock, and Alec refuses to share magic.
Alec swallows, clearly uncomfortable, and he stares down the warlock’s outstretched hand. “I’m… not sure that’s a good idea. Is there something else I can do for you?”
The warlock awkwardly takes her hand back. “Oh, that’s okay. I just need a little strength to portal back.”
“It’s a little too intimate,” Alec says honestly. He fidgets with his ear. Jace gives him a strange look. It’s usually warlocks who are testy over sharing magic. “We’re happy to help you home, or I can call someone else.”
The warlock woman glances at the deflect rune on Alec’s neck. “Were you raised by warlocks? Or-“
“I can do it,” Jace offers, holding out his hand. The warlock gratefully takes it, and he feels the slight pull of his magic.
Alec looks away to give them privacy, and Jace is left more confused.
The next time he sees Clary, he says, “Alec doesn’t like touching warlocks.”
Clary frowns. “I mean, is that surprising? He’s not very tactile.”
Jace could argue with that, but parabatai don’t have a habit of avoiding each other’s embrace. Alec isn’t a fan of others touching him. “Yeah, but he looked more uncomfortable than normal. He looked nauseous.”
“Right,” Clary says. She purses her lips, and he gets distracted by them momentarily. He pecks her lips, getting a smile in return. “You know, Magnus isn’t a fan of touching. I’ve seen him dodge out of the way in crowds.”
“You’re still on this insane idea?” Jace asks fondly. “I think I’d know if my parabatai found his soulmate. Alec and Magnus would know too.”
Clary shrugs. “Maybe not. It’s not like we knew right away.”
They only figured it out when only Clary could locate Jace, who was kidnapped on Valentine’s boat. There was no other explanation when Clary also grew bruises and aches from when Valentine hurt Jace over and over.
Finding your soulmate is rare, and most of the time it’s hard to recognize it. It’s only when two people are together for a long enough time for the bond to strengthen to the point where it’s impossible for an explanation to be anything else. Soulmates also share emotions, which is the final clue that links the two together. Jace is thankful for it, since Clary helps him stay calm.
Alec is stubborn, and Magnus is hundreds of years old. It’s not too much of a shock for an old warlock to lose hope in finding the person meant for them. He’s probably given up on the idea, or he doesn’t see the point of one if they’re going to die.
“We’ll wait a little longer,” Clary says. He can see on her face that she definitely doesn’t want to wait. They both know how incredibly wonderful it was to meet the person you’re destined to be with, especially after so many horrors. It made everything they went through worth it. “We need to make sure.”
Jace can tell Clary is very sure.
——————
“How does the tracking rune even work?” Simon asks Clary one afternoon. They’re at his and Jordan’s apartment with Jace, Alec, and Izzy. Jace is shouting at the screen, angrily pressing buttons, battling Alec’s character. Alec is doing the same, though he’s far more focused and silent. It took a lot of pleading and goading to get Alec to join, but now it’s clear he is as competitive as Jace.
Clary looks up from her deck of cards. “You use something that belongs to the person you’re searching for. DNA is the most powerful tool to use.”
“Why?” Izzy asks curiously.
Simon’s eyes flicker to Alec, and he winks at them both. “I haven’t heard from Magnus in awhile, and I need his help for something.”
Izzy’s mouth twitches into a mischievous grin. “I haven’t either. We don’t have anything that belongs to him though. Does anyone else know where he might be?”
“He’s with Catarina buying herbs in Arizona,” Alec answers under his breath, focused on the game.
Clary’s brows jump to her forehead, and she turns to Jace. Simon fights a laugh. “Why there?”
Alec doesn’t respond right away. His gaze turns faraway, searching for an answer he shouldn’t know. Simon wonders if it’s like a supernatural compass - pushing Alec in the direction of Magnus. How far does he root around in the warlock’s head? “There’s a specific cactus plant he needs for a spell.”
“Did he tell you that?” Jace asks between rounds. Simon can’t blame him for being a skeptic. He was a skeptic when Clary said Jace was her soulmate.
Alec frowns. “He probably did.”
For a week straight, the group of them ask Alec and Magnus where the other is. It’s entertaining by how fast they’re able to answer without even really thinking. Their link acts as some sort of tracking device tied in their bones, detecting the other’s soul as easy as breathing.
“Where’s Magnus?” Izzy asks on patrol.
“At Pandemonium.”
“Where’s Alec?” Simon asks during Magnus’s visit with Raphael.
“Watching a movie with Jace and Isabelle.”
“Where’s Magnus?” Jace asks during a meeting.
“Visiting a friend in Paris.”
“Where’s Alec?” Clary asks at Magnus’s home.
“Right outside,” Magnus says casually, followed by a knock on his front door.
Simon nudges Izzy’s arm with a wicked grin. “Where’s Magnus?”
Alec hesitates for only a second, and his cheeks darken with a shade of pink. “The bathroom.”
“How did you know that, hermano?” Izzy teases.
“H-He went in the direction of the bathroom,” Alec stammers. He blushes harder when Magnus comes back, and he makes some excuse to leave the room. Magnus’s eyes follow him.
“Oh, Alec,” Izzy sighs.
“What’s wrong with Alexander?” Magnus asks, instantly tense.
Simon snorts. “Oh, Magnus.”
——————
Luke has gotten into the habit of reading others in ways he hadn’t before Valentine. Any sort of anger or stress makes Luke tense and careful. He’s learned to read the room, calculate the emotions other people are experiencing. It’s a tactic to keep the peace - the same one he had to use constantly in the Circle as Valentine’s parabatai.
He notices the smallest of changes in someone, and right now there’s two people who aren’t acting like themselves.
The Clave wants to put trackers on all Downworlders, which is the main topic in this week’s meeting. Alec has made it clear he will not be doing such a thing, and he’s currently working to fight against the Clave. He’ll be writing his argument to which he will be presenting in Idris in two weeks.
“I’ve spoken to other Institutes, and over half of them are also fully against the order,” Alec explains. Raphael grumbles under his breath. “I’m serious. There are good Shadowhunters in charge, and they’re going to fight along with me. The Clave is democratic to a degree, and they’ll back off if they are met with enough opposition.”
“The Circle started off small and supposedly the opposite of what the Clave stood for,” Meliorn argues.
“The Clave does not want the Circle to come back,” Alec reassures. “They’re not going to want to repeat anything Valentine might’ve done, and I will point that out to them.”
Luke is used to Alec fidgeting. A lot of people fidget, and normally Alec has the habit of picking at his skin or roughly squeezing his fingers. It’s how he punishes himself. Here, though, Luke watches as Alec fidgets with his ear. He spots the second Alec realizes there’s nothing there, as if he was expecting a piercing of some sort to pick.
“The Clave is focused on saving face,” Magnus says. “We can use that to our advantage. They’re selfish and cowardly, but that just means they’re not going to want to appear hostile. There are Downworlder Alliances across the world thanks to Alexander.”
“Institutes will resist,” Alec declares. “I speak to the Heads almost daily, and they’re fully against this vile decree. They’re not going to follow it.”
Meliorn and Alec go back and forth to no surprise. Seelies are always testing the waters and seeing how far they can push. They’re suspicious and cunning, and Alec meets every argument with patience and sober clarity on his promise to fight the Clave should they push this matter farther.
Afterwards, Meliorn, Alec, Raphael, and Magnus stand off to the side to talk strategy. Alec is frowning, composed and nodding with Raphael. He keeps picking at his earlobe, looking more confused each time.
Magnus stands at Alec’s side with his hands behind his back. His posture is straight, and his shoulders tense and release. A direct mirror to Alec’s usual habit of standing at attention, including the way he’s squeezing his fingers and palm.
Meliorn and Raphael walk away to talk, leaving Magnus and Alec alone. They say nothing, sharing pure silence and each other’s fidgeting habits.
Alec goes to the coffee machine and comes back to Magnus with two cups of coffee. Magnus takes it with a smile. They go quiet again - a peaceful silence in a chaotic room. Alec’s gaze lands on Magnus’s earcuff, and he goes pale. Magnus brings his hands to his sides.
“I can do that,” Magnus says suddenly, an answer to a question Luke doesn’t recall hearing. He smiles reassuringly. “I’ll go with you.”
Alec’s face softens, and a smile breaks through the tension built in his shoulders. “I need you too, Magnus.”
Luke hears the longing in the way he looks at the warlock, and the gentle way he speaks to him. He’s noticed the growing yearning between the two. The way Alec seeks Magnus out in a crowded room, and how Magnus offers himself to Alec at every turn. His friendship, magic, anything Alec needs.
He recognizes the intensity of it and knows what it all means. He’s seen and felt it with his own soulmate. However, he wasn’t nearly as stubborn as these two.
Luke pulls Magnus to the side after the meeting. He doesn’t know what to say or how to bring up this delicate issue.
He lamely goes with, “Alec is one of the good ones, huh.”
Magnus would look at Alec if he wasn’t already. Vulnerable wariness colors his face in splotches of pink. “He is,” he murmurs.
Luke searches his face. “You know.”
“It took me a while,” Magnus says honestly. He swallows thickly, and he fidgets with his hands. He must recognize those are Alec’s movements, because he stops. “I didn’t realize, and when I did, I refused to believe the universe actually gave me a soulmate.”
“You better believe it,” Luke jokes. “Your Shadowhunter is watching me with fire in his twitching eyes. He might be searching for a silver bullet as we speak.”
“My Alexander is beautiful,” Magnus says, ignoring Alec’s threatening glare. “Sometimes I swear he is gravity holding my feet to the ground. He is everything to me, and it’s terrifying. After all this time, I don’t think I deserve him. He’s too…pure and good.”
“Of course you deserve him, man,” Luke soothes. He claps Magnus’s shoulder, and he can practically hear Alec’s muscles twitch and tense. “You two were created for each other. He’s going to love every part of you. He’d take on the world for you, and I know you’d do the same for him.”
“He makes me want to be good,” Magnus admits, voice shaky. “Fight for what I want. I haven’t wanted to do that in a decade. It’s like stumbling into the light after being trapped in the dark for so long.”
Luke nods as the words seep in. “Trust me, I felt the same way. I went through the same thing. Jocelyn brings out my best qualities. It’s what she deserves, and I would go to the end of the world to give her what she wants. I’d serve my heart on a silver platter if she asked.”
“I’d voluntarily let myself be in all the Shadowhunter drama.”
Luke snorts. “Now that’s true love.”
——————
Alec is eating breakfast with his siblings, Clary, and Simon when he clears his throat. They all look at him.
“I think Magnus is my soulmate.”
All of them go quiet. Clary and Jace share glances. Izzy and Simon look at each other. Simon covers his mouth, and Clary wipes her face with a napkin. It takes a moment to realize she’s smothering her laughter.
Alec gapes at them. “You knew?”
“Yes, we knew!” Simon laughs irritably loud and obnoxious. “It was so obvious, dude.”
“Don’t call me dude,” Alec snaps. His shoulders rise. “It wasn’t obvious. If it was, I would’ve known.”
“But you didn’t,” Izzy giggles. “You lived these past few months blind, hermano.”
“What? No, I didn’t,” Alec denies.
“You definitely did,” Clary teases. “You looked at him like he had all the answers. You bumped into so many walls and doors because you were too busy staring at him. One time, he was bent over picking something up, and you choked on your coffee and tripped.”
“Oh my god,” Alec groans. He puts his face in his hands, wondering what he did to deserve their relentless teasing.
“I made this game where we asked both of you where the other was,” Simon reveals with a wide, proud smile. “It was hilarious. We made a bet on who could get one of you to refuse to answer. Jace won.”
Alec looks at his parabatai, unable to believe his parabatai would betray him with a silly bet. Jace doesn’t bother to hide his mischief. “I went to Pandemonium to talk to him, and I asked late in the night where you were. I guess you were having fun in your room because he got all pale and tightlipped on your whereabouts. I’ve never seen that warlock so stressed.”
Alec stares. “I’m breaking this parabatai bond,” he declares. “I’m having it nullified.”
“Sure you will.”
“I’m also an only child,” he says to Izzy. “I have no sister. I don’t like any of you.”
“Of course,” Izzy agrees, fighting a smile. “Great decision. Until then, I am happy for you.”
“Me too,” Clary pipes in. Simon nods to her left. “You deserve someone who loves you for who you are. Magnus has told me how much you’ve changed him. You inspire him.”
Alec busies himself by eating his meal and refusing to meet her eye. His heated cheeks give him away, but Clary is nice enough not to say anything.
“Where is Magnus, anyway?” Simon asks casually between bites.
Alec sips his coffee while he reads something on his phone. “In my bed.”
Clary’s jaw drops, Jace chokes on his bacon, Izzy covers her mouth to hide her laughter, and Simon’s eyes widen in shock.
Alec smiles smugly at them all and leaves the table. “Patrol is in an hour. I might be a little late. Start without me.”