Affection | bowstrung

bowstrung

“It’s not that big of a deal, Magnus. You get used to it in my line of work. That’s why I don’t wear my nicer things during missions.” And the jackets, well…that was truly unfortunate, but he wasn’t complaining. “I’ll still get a new one.” Alec’s hand drifted up to Magnus’s cheek as he kissed him back, mouth moving gently to suck on his lower lip as he often liked to do. He hummed against him and nudged his nose against the warlocks. “You better,” Alec teased with a soft smile. “You know, that’s a little worrying. There should be some limit to that.” He reached out a hand to tug Magnus down toward him. “However, the same goes for me with you. I’d go to the ends of the earth for you, hell and back, yada yada. All of that romantic stuff that people seem to eat up.” And if he was honest, he did to. “I do love you, you know. So much.”

“It’s a big deal to me, Alexander.” Magnus replied, but he was smiling as he set the torn jacket on a nearby chair. “Get a new one if you want, but I’ll still fix this one.” he countered, giving a low hum as Alec sucked on his lip. IT was a weakness Magnus had forgotten he even had until Alec had come into his life. He laughed quietly, reachign up a hand to rest it at the side of Alec’s neck. “Maybe worrying, but it’s true. I’ve waited centuries to find you, there’s not much I wouldn’t do to keep you coming home.” he answered, grinning at the words Alec chose. “You rather enjoy that romantic notion yourself, you know.” he teased, letting Alec pull him in and settling into his boyfriend’s side with ease. Cuddling Alec was very high on Magnus’ list of favorite things to do, after all. “I love you, too, Alexander. Never doubt that.”

Pour Me Another | bowstrung

bowstrung

A small blush could be seen on Alec’s cheeks and he ducked his head a little. He knew what he was saying in that, that he’d been looking at him and not the others. “Thank you,” he murmured to him. “I think I’ve had enough heartbreak to last a lifetime.” Not to say the guy would break his heart, but he didn’t trust anyone right now where his heart was concerned. “You’re sweet. And don’t worry, I won’t drive. Not like this. I walked here anyway. Need to clear my head.” The walk hadn’t helped much either, not that it mattered. He knew he’d probably feel like this for awhile. “You say that like you’ve been through it before. I’m sorry if you have. It really sucks.” He almost wished Jace was hurting too, but then that wasn’t really nice and Alec knew he wouldn’t want Jace to hurt no matter how much he’d hurt him. He’d let himself get too caught up in Jace though. It hadn’t helped that he’d dreamed about them getting married and adopting a bunch of little ones. Alec took another gulp of the alcohol as he tried yet again to get rid of such thoughts.

He shrugged before he said, “Pizza sounds good. I’ll take a couple slices of that. Give me your favorite order, please.” He lifted a brow, surprised that he’d seen worse than him. Then again, Alec had seen worse as well and that was just people watching when he’d been here. A small chuckle escaped his mouth and he nodded. “Uh, yeah. It’s a weird situation. And a long story.” Chances are Magnus would call him a freak if he knew about Jace, anyone would. “What? No no…I…couldn’t intrude like that. I’m a stranger.” Technically, though it seemed like Magnus had truly been keeping an eye on him longer than he thought. “Cats, huh? I like cats. I suppose that wouldn’t be so bad. If they think I’m bad, then I’ll go.” Not that he was bad, but he trusted an animal’s judgement more than his own right now. “Thank you. I”ll owe you big time. Really. You’ve been….,” his words slurred even more at this last bit, “Really really nice to me. You shoulda been my boyfriend. Not Jace. Jace is an ass.” He reached for his glass only to find that it was empty. “Can I get some water with that pizza, please?” He was already planning on leaving a big tip too, Magnus deserved it.

Magnus knew that his comment had been decoded when Alec blushed, and he smiled at him. He hummed and nodded. “Believe me, I understand that sentiment very well.” he assured, drying a glass and putting it back on the rack. He nodded a little, listening to the other. “I have. Although to be fair, the relationship I got free of was abusive.” he mused, shrugging. “I’ve been single for six years.” And doing a lot of PTSD therapy, but that wasn’t something he needed to talk about. “Sometimes you need to find some kind of hobby to get your mind off of it.” he replied.

Magnus nodded and ordered a fresh pizza to be made, glad that he wasn’t the only one behind the bar. He smiled and brought a couple of slices back, setting the plate down and getting a tall glass of water. “Trust me, if it helps you get over your ex, I don’t mind at all. You shouldn’t be upset like this.” he explained. “I have another hour before my replacement gets here, if you want to eat and relax?” he offered. He seemed a little taken back by the comment, blinking for a moment. “As flattering as that is, Alexander, you should really get some rest tonight.”

Different Place in Time | bowstrung

bowstrung

“He sounds like a good man. And they really do mean well, so don’t ever forget that, okay?” Alec knew that his siblings appreciated that he looked out for them, even if he could be snappy from time to time. Nodding, he said, “Yeah. Isabelle Lightwood. I’m guessing you’ve heard of her, huh? She’s known for her talent with the whip and she’s good at getting information.” Sometimes he didn’t approve of her methods, but she still always got the information they needed. “Follow me. She’s in the weapons room. Maybe if you ask really nicely, she’ll show you a trick or two with her whip.” And if she really wanted to see it, he’d show his bow as well. Alec stood up and gestured for her to follow him. “This way.”

“Daddy and Papa both are. I don’t know what I’d do without them.” Ana said, missing her world a little more. She gave a grin and nodded. “I’ve heard stories. She’s a force on her own.” It was a fact she knew well, but she needed to keep a tighter hold on her words. She didn’t know how anyone would react to her accidentally being outed as Alec and Magnus’ daughter. The last thing she wanted was another stint in the holding cell in the basement of the Institute, once as a kid was enough. She smiled and moved to follow after him, enjoying the fact that even in this world, her father still cared about everyone. “So Izzy is the whip person, Jace is the best with basic seraph blades, and you’re the one with the bow, right?” she asked, moving to walk beside him. “Archers are rare in our line of work. What made you pick a bow?”

Resting | bowstrung

bowstrung

“Aku cinta kamu,” Alec murmured back. Now that he knew what the words meant, he said them around Magnus sometimes when he didn’t want to use them in English. This way they felt like they had a little more meaning than the others. Though both he said often. “Yeah yeah, I’ll sleep. You and Izzy both get on me about working.” And maybe it was true that he was a workaholic, but he couldn’t help it. He felt like he had to keep busy. He brushed his fingers soothingly through Magnus’s hair and the motion made himself close his eyes a little. “I suppose an hour of sleep wouldn’t hurt.”

Magnus chuckled sleepily, holding Alec close. “We don’t want you to overwork yourself, Alexander.” he explained. “You need to take time to relax, you can’t just keep going and going.” He yawned again and pressed closer, relaxing further as he got closer to sleep. “Just…stay…with me….a while.”

Keep My Heart | bowstrung

bowstrung

Alec knew that he’d end up taking Magnus up on that offer. The idea of walking with him sounded absolutely delightful. “That would be amazing. I’ll suggest it to her. Actually, maybe you should somehow word it so that you’re showing her some special recipe or something. If she thinks you’re trying to teach her, she may be less likely to accept.” Alec remembered the one time he’d gotten her a recipe book and she’d looked at him suspiciously. However, he’d told her there were recipe’s in there that he thought she’d like to try so that eased her suspicions. As Magnus pulled out a chair for him, his cheeks flushed a little, but he accepted the seat and sat down. “Thank you, Magnus,” Alec said with a smile. He’d never had anyone pull out a chair for him before and even though it was a small move, it felt significant to him. He got his napkin and placed it on his lap before turning his attention to his fiance. “What do you like to get here? Is there anything you’d like to recommend? I’m not picky, by the way.” He could eat anything, which was nice considering they had a whole city of food to try.

Magnus hummed as he watched Alec quietly. He really did wnjoy the time they’d been spending together. He’d certainly been gushing about Alec to Catarina and Ragnor, to which Catarina was amused and Ragnor was affectionately annoyed. He laughed softly. “If I can con Ragnor into any situation for fun, I can convince your sister to try a recipe instead of saying she can’t cook. The girl is a paragon for beauty and utility. I’ve seen those dagger heels of hers.” he mused. He really liked what he’d seen of the Lightwoods and adopted son Jace, and he hoped that what he’d seen would translate later on. He hummed appreciatively. “Of course,” he assured as Alec sat down, moving to sit across from him. HE crossed his legs and sat back a little. “I would say white wine, but you don’t look like a drinker.” he teased. “So try the tea. I usually skip appetizers.” he explained. “My favorite entree is definitely the filet mignon. But a very close second would be sea bass and chili.”

Second Home

bowstrung

“I’m not…I mean…I don’t know if…,” Alec trailed off and shuffled on his feet. He didn’t know if he would become Head of the Institute, but it was who he’d been raised to be. “I try. Thank you for noticing.” He worried that this marriage would change his plans for the future, but he hoped that it wouldn’t. If anything, them getting married was supposed to make things better for everyone. Alec shrugged. “He’s a bit of a troublemaker, sure, but he’s my parabatai and I’d do anything for him.” Jace was a soulmate in a way that who he fell in love with wouldn’t be. Alec wondered if it was possible he’d ever feel like Magnus was a soulmate since they’d been arranged to wed, but he wasn’t going to think about that too much. He nodded understandingly and then said, “I appreciate that, Magnus. We can take care of each other.” That was what marriage was, wasn’t it? He didn’t see it much with his parents, but he didn’t want to be like his parents.

“Oh I trust you. Anything except for perhaps the pizza here is better anywhere else.” He, Jace and Isabelle often went out and tried a bunch of different food when they weren’t on mission. Pizza was one of his favorites. “Yeah?” Alec said, eyes lighting up more with interest. “That’ll make honeymoon travel so much easier, huh?” He didn’t know if they were going to go on a honeymoon, but he hoped that they would. Alec took Magnus’s hand and once they portaled there, he stepped onto the ground feet a little wobbly as he did so. “Sorry,” Alec said with flushed cheeks. “I’ve not portaled much. I guess it’ll take some getting used to.” He noticed that Magnus had no problem with the portal, but holding onto his hand had helped. And then Alec was looking around and he looked around, complete awe showed on his face. “Woah, it looks like something out of a book.”

Magnus smiled softly. “Alexander, you will be Head of the Institute. IT’s a job the Clave gives to few families. The Lightwoods have done well, there’s no need to think they would suddenly change their mind.” He explained. And he knew the Clave. What better way to ensure a peace than having the High Warlock married to the Head of the Institute? Magnus would be able to stand as a much more neutral third party if the Shadow world cabinet were to be created again. He would be allowed to speak on behalf of all the warlocks as well as ease tensions, which the seelies were good at. He chuckled a little. :He’s a good soldier, if a little reckless. It reminds me of a few shadowhunters I once new.” Seeing Alec relax at least a little made Magnus move a little closer, and he ran a hand through Alec’s hair. “I think that’s a good place to start next. We’ve gotten along just fine the last few weeks.” And Magnus would not admit to wondering how the wedding would go; he couldn’t take on a wedded union rune, unless they found a way to make it happen, which made Magnus a little lightheaded with giddiness at the thought. What was it that drew him in to Alec so powerfully?

“Oh no, my love. Authentic Italian pizza, stone cooked and fresh, with some red wine or champagne? Nothing beats that.” Magnus teased. He smiled at the word honeymoon. “If they allow you more than a day or two, we’ll travel all over. Except Peru; I’m unfortunately banned from there for life.” he laughed a little. “Anywhere else, and we’ll go and take as man pictures and see as many sites as possible.” he promised. He held onto Alec’s hand a little tighter, chuckling. “It does take some time. But don’t worry, I get the feeling you’ll do fine. Most getting insanely ill, but you’re still standing pretty well on your own.” He grinned at him, squeezing his hand a little. He looked around and nodded. “Mmm, yes. Books and pictures do it enough justice to get an idea, but wait until you can see it all in person. And the restaurant has a beautiful view of the tower.”

Drink by Drink | bowstrung

bowstrung

“You’ll find that I’m not like most people and I do mean it.” He wanted to see him be happier like he used to be, however he knew that heartbreak could hurt. Alec had one been broken hearted and it was why he didn’t open his heart up so easily anymore. He’d been a fool back then and that would never happen again. The club kept him busy from his thoughts though. The guy that had hired him had been pretty nice to him, had even been rather understanding of his situation, which he had been grateful for. Alec in turn knew when to help someone out who was having a tough time.

“You’re welcome,” Alec replied with an easy going smile. “You think I’m pretty?” He tilted his head, almost surprised by the comment. That wouldn’t be the first time he’d been called pretty. The club owner had a couple of times, he was pretty sure he’d been flirting with him too, but Alec hadn’t fallen for it. “And you’re more than you seem as well,” he replied gently. “Do let me know if you need anything else, okay? I’ll be around here, tending to the bar and the people.” Alec resisted the urge to reach out his hand. A piece of blonde hair stuck out on Jace’s forehead and he wanted to tuck it back behind his ear. Instead, he passed Jace over some water to balance out the alcohol and flickered off to tend to his other customers. Two hours later, it was time for his shift to end and the guy was still there and looking nowhere near sober. Alec joined him at the bar and said, “How was the food?” And if he needed it, he still intended to give Jace a ride home.

Jace watched the other for a moment, feeling caught off guard. After his parents, his grandmother had grieved by diving into nonstop work, leaving a twelve year old Jace to fend for himself most of the time since the babysitters spent their time talking on their phones. He was used to being alone, and maybe it was the alcohol in his system, but something made him feel like with Alec in that moment, he wasn’t as alone as he’d felt for so long. He managed a quiet little smile. “Thank you, Alec.” he said as he took another drink of his water.

“I mean, you’re not just pretty. You’re like….angelic.” Jace slurred, smiling at him drunkenly. “I’m not entirely sure you’re real.” he joked, leaning forward on the bar some more. He nodded as Alec spoke before nodding weakly and eating. Somehow he managed to eat it all, and the food and the water did help some, but not enough. He looked up as he heard a voice, blonde hair a tousled mess atop his head. “It was good.” he said, clearly in no condition to walk. “IS, uh….is that ride still a thing?”

bowstrung

“Do you even have to ask?” Alec continued a slow trail along Jace’s neck. If he could mark him he would, but then he knew that Jace wouldn’t really like having to cover up those spots. He supposed Jace could say he was with someone else, but then Alec wouldn’t like hearing that, so that would get them nowhere. “You locked the door, right?” He asked as he parted enough to look at him. Jace’s hands on his thighs had him itching to get closer to him, but he wanted to make sure that the chance of being caught together was slim. If anyone came by, they would likely think Jace wasn’t there or asleep. “Because we might do something indecent and I doubt anyone would want to walk in on this.”

Jace smiled and leaned up to kiss Alec. “I don’t have to, but I will anyway.” he answered. He always wanted to make sure it was what Alec wanted, something that eased the usual self doubt he hid from everyone but his parabatai. “Of course I locked the door, just in case you wanted to stay tonight. The last few days have been rough.” he explained, giving a grin. “How do you want me, baby?” he asked, one hand dipping between Alec’s legs to brush his fingers along his length.

Drink by Drink | bowstrung

bowstrung

Alec had a feeling that there was no talking him out of his sadness. At least not right now. He didn’t expect him to open up about his family either and Alec’s face softened. “I am so sorry that you’ve had to go through that. If you need a friend and I know that we don’t really know each other, know that I’m here for you okay?” He hoped that wasn’t weird, but Alec did want to make sure that he was okay. It was just who he was to take care of people and to see that Jace was going through so much made him want to keep him safe from the rest of the world.

When Alec did return from finishing out some drinks and orders, he spotted where Jace had landed on the menu and said, “The chili cheese fries and nachos, huh? They’re some of our best selling items. I can get you one of each if you can’t decide.” He knew that he was probably being a bit much, but he was trying to help in whatever way he could. Once Jace gave him his order, Alec filled out a slip and said, “I’ll be right back.” And with that, he sent the order to the kitchen before returning with everything. Everyone else was entertained with their drinks and friends and food and he’d only had to stop once on the way there for make a refill. “Here you are. One of our most popular items too, I hope that you enjoy them.” And maybe the food would cheer him up, at least a little bit anyway. Eating ones feelings wasn’t good like drinking either, but Alec could admit that he’d done that himself before he he wasn’t going to complain to anyone.

Jace looked up at the words, watching the dark haired man. He’d noticed Alec a few times – always a sucker for blue or green eyes – but he hadn’t offered much in terms of communication or flirting because of his relationship. But even as he admired the other’s beauty, he noted the actual tone to Alec’s words. “Y’know, lotta people say that, but most of ‘em don’ really mean it.” He slurred. “A friend would be good. Haven’t really had a lot of them.” He admitted.

One of each? This guy had to be too good to be true. “Sure, one of each is fine.” He replied, sipping what little was left of his drink. He waited patiently until Alec returned, watching him work, even if it seemed Alec was paying particular attention to him. Jace was happy to have someone looking out for him, even if he didn’t say it. He smiled as he took a bite of the fries, humming softly as he ate, enjoying the flavors as he people watched. When Alec returned he nodded. “Thanks, by the way.” he mused. “You’re more than a pretty face around here. It’s good to know.”