Chapter 15

"You know you want to," Alec teased, his blue eyes shining in the dim lighting, sparkling with mischief.

"Of course I want to," Magnus admitted. "That's the problem."

"I promise to be on my best behaviour," Alec assured.

"Wish I could say the same," said Magnus. "Simply being in the same room with you is temptation enough. Imagine being in the same bed... Now that's just asking for trouble."

"Well maybe I am asking for trouble," Alec returned, a flirtatious little smile curving at his lips.

"Oh my sweet, Alexander," Magnus drawled sweetly. "I fear I'm becoming a bit of a bad influence on you."

"Perhaps," Alec agreed. The omega sighed as he adjusted his head against the pillows resting at his back, all playfulness now gone. "I miss you, Magnus." His voice came out a bit more whiny than he would have liked, but at this point he didn't really care. He missed his mate.

Alec was laying in bed, propping himself up with his pillows against the headboard. He wore a pair of black and gray plaid pajama pants, most of it hidden underneath thick, quilted, olive green satin sheets. A simple gray tank top was paired with it, leaving delicate pale skin, made even more beautiful by the intricate swirls of runes, bare for Magnus' eyes to feast on.

Magnus himself wore a pair of matching blue pajama pants and a long silk robe, decorated with what looked like spindly black tree branches. His robe was left opened to reveal a black and silver beaded necklace, the only piece of jewelry he had on Alec noted,

resting against beautiful honey toned skin that seemed to shimmer in the dim light of his bedroom. Though the warlock was free of his usual makeup, Alec could make out a few specs of glitter here and there, and thought the alpha looked absolutely delicious. Magnus too was laying in bed, leaned back against the headboard, a red cushioned headboard of what Alec could tell was a far too large bed, and very much different from the one he'd seen when Magnus had given him a VIP tour of his apartment on their first date. Blue quilted silk sheets, that suspiciously resembled the color of Alec's eyes, layed pooled around the alpha's waist.

Magnus smiled at Alec's confession, his omega's words warming his heart. "Not as much as I have missed you my love," he returned softly.

"Then why aren't you here with me?" Alec challenged.

"Because it is late my dear shadowhunter. And I do not think that your parents would appreciate you sneaking boys into your bedroom at this late hour."

Alec scoffed, rolling his eyes at Magnus' teasing. "Well, you're hardly a boy."

Magnus gasped, placing a hand to his chest in feigned indignation. "Alexander, are you calling me old? Why, I'll have you know I don't look a day over nineteen."

Alec couldn't help but chuckle. Magnus couldn't go a minute without making some kind of witty or sarcastic remark, Alec had come discover. The alpha seemed to have this unique ability to inject humor into just about any situation. It was one of the things he found that he loved the most about Magnus...as well as everything else of course.

The past week and a half have been nothing but wonderful...scarily so. After Alec's talk with his parents, Jonathan had gone back to Idris with much fanfare, and things have pretty much gone back to normal. Well, normal for them anyway.

Magnus was embracing his new position as the high warlock of Brooklyn, doing his best to balance spending time with his mate, and tending to the needs of his people. However, admittedly, he has not been able to fully relax or let his guard down, not with what his father told him constantly echoing at the back of his mind. He was still yet to tell Alec, and keeping such a secret from his mate was taking it's toll on him. He didn't like keeping secrets from Alec. However, Magnus didn't want to worry Alec, not so soon after the the whole Jonathon debacle, not with Alec finally relaxing. Magnus wanted them to enjoy their time together as much as possible before dropping such a massive bomb on their relationship. It was for this reason why he'd traveled to Edom. He needed to speak with his father again, assess the situation for himself.

And unfortunately, he'd confirmed what his father had told him; Lilith was indeed planning something. Demons were disappearing, and not just low level demons. There were whispers of an impending war, a takeover, spreading throughout the darkest corners of the downworld. Luckily, so far the shadowhunters didn't seem to have any inkling of what was going on. Magnus could almost feel the tension weighing heavily in the air, like the feeling you got before it rained; the calm before the storm. The balance which governed the universe, was definitely off. The only question now was whether to wait for the demon herself to make a move, or strike first...a preamtive attack. One that could hopefully quelch the kindlings, before the fire truly got started.

The warlock had just gotten back from his trip not more than an hour ago. After a needed hot shower, he'd gotten dressed and immediately phoned his mate to inform him of his return. Even though it had been only two days, Magnus couldn't wait to see his sweet omega. He'd missed Alec. That face, those eyes, and that glacier melting smile.

Deciding to try a tactic, that though made him feel silly, always seemed to work where Magnus was concerned, Alec wore his best pout. He batted his long dark eye lashes directly into the phone's camera. "Please..." he pleaded, dragging the word.

"Alexander, you are not playing fair," said Magnus, groaning as he watched Alec on the screen of his phone. He wanted so badly to kiss that pout away. Ever since Alec realized that he simply had to wear a cute little pout to get Magnus to do whatever he wanted, the crafty omega had been taking full advantage of this new super power of his. Although if Magnus was being completely honest with himself, pout or no pout, he simply had a hard time saying no to his sweet mate. The shadowhunter had him wrapped around his fingers. Not to mention how much he love watching Alec beg. He couldn't help but fantasize about other much more salacious situations where he could tease the shadowhunter and have him begging in a similar, perhaps much more sexy manner.

"Come on Magnus, I haven't seen you in almost fourty eight hours," said Alec, cutting through Magnus' bawdy thoughts. He had become so used to seeing Magnus on a daily basis, that simply one day apart, had him craving the alpha's presence, his touch, and that oh so intoxicating scent. "I don't think I can wait until tomorrow to see you in person. Besides, technically, it's only a half an hour till tomorrow anyway. Please." Alec drawled, pouting even more comically at the camera and doing his best, but failing miserably, to not break out in a fit of laughter at his own silliness.

"Alright, alright." Magnus relented with a mock exaggerated sigh, then smiling broadly. As if anything could keep him away from his mate, he thought smugly. Already heat was spreading throughout his body in anticipation at kissing those sweet pouty lips. "I'm on my way," he said. "You never give up do you shadowhunter?"

"Nope," said Alec, popping the P. "I do not." His smile was like that of a child in those mundane movies, who had gotten exactly what they wanted for Christmas.

"I'll be there in less than a minute." Magnus threw the blankets back as he pulled himself out of bed.

"I'll be waiting," Alec sanged before ending the call. He leaned over and placed his phone on the bedside table next to a small gold, touch reading lamp. Izzy had given it to him for one of his birthdays. He couldn't help but smile as he leaned back against his pillows, admiring the lamp. The glass shade was colorfully decorated with a variety of small flowers, vines, and leaves which casted shadows on the walls whenever the lamp was turned on.

Alec's mind flashed back over some of the week's events. Everything seemed so different now. He and Magnus were a lot more comfortable with each other. They've gotten to know each a lot better. They understood each other's rhythms better, and have slipped into a comfortable routine. He'd learnt that the warlock was just as powerful and eccentric as he was famed to be; whisking him off from one part of the globe to the other. All in the name of dates. From Paris to Egypt, Magnus has been spoiling him rotten. And Alec wasn't ashamed to say that he was enjoying every moment of it. He's already had to make room in his closet and on his dressor, for all of the little trinkets and other gifts that Magnus had insisted on getting him. One of his favorites, a long blue cashmere scarf, hung from a metal coat rack across the room, standing out as one of the only few peices of color in his bedroom.

Magnus had portal them to Rome one early afternoon, simply to have lunch. They'd taken a stroll through some of the famous shopping districts afterwards; Via dei Condotti. Even stopping to pick up a few souvenirs. They were passing one such store, when Magnus spotted the scarf in the window, draped around a dapper looking mannequin. The warlock had decided that the color matched his eyes almost perfectly, and therefore he just had to have it.

It was weird for him whenever he was with Magnus, having everything at the snap of a finger, or just a portal trip away. Sure, there was a portal in the Institute, but it was only used for sanctioned trips, not for one's own private getaways. He was getting used to it though... This new bit of freedom.

Even his parents have been surprisingly supportive. Well, maybe supportive was too strong a word. There were certainly no 'meet the parents dinner' invite as of yet, but they didn't seem to be plotting anything...at least he hoped not. Finding out what they had, about Jonathan, a person whom, especially his mother, had held in the highest esteem, seemed to have affected them greatly. Whenever he'd spend time with either of them, they'd never fail to ask him of Magnus, or how things were getting along between the two of them.

Even demon activity in the city had gone down somewhat.

Alec was under no illusion though, he knew his parents still hadn't accepted Magnus, most shadowhunters who knew of their relationship hadn't and probably never would. Still, Alec was happy that they seemed to have decided not to further get in his and Magnus' way. At least for now.

They'd both been so shocked when he'd told them about Jonathan's attack. Alec couldn't forget their reactions. A part of him had even felt guilty somewhat. He'd felt like he was ruining the life long friendship between the two families. Which was obviously stupid. It was Jonathan who had wronged him, not his father or Clary, so there was absolutely no reason for those friendships to end. Valentine had always treated him like a son, and Clary was like a sister to him. He would simply continue has he had been. And that was to simply ignore Jonathan's existence completely.

And the rest of his family had agreed to do the same...

~ooOoo~

"Tell me you're joking," Maryse said when Alec finished relating the incident to them, making sure to leave out the more embarrassing details.

"I can assure you that I'm not," said Alec, folding his arms against his chest, his hands white knuckled fists as he stood rigid before his parents.

They had been sitting at their desk when Alec entered. The office was fairly large, decorated mostly in neutral and dark tones. The large brown antique desk was the centerpiece of the room, sitting in front of beautifully stained glass windows with colorful images of the angels carved into them. Shelves filled with books and scrolls lined the walls, and a couch and coffee table combination made up a cozy little sitting area. His parents had lifted their gazes immediately from the papers that were strewn about in front of them to meet him. He had asked them to remain seated, to remain quiet, and not to interrupt him while he said what he needed to.

Maryse looked like she wanted to throw up. There was a look of absolute disgust mix with disbelief painting her features. Robert looked equally mortifide and disgusted. Except for the incident with Jonathan itself, Alec had never felt more vulnerable in his life than he did in that moment. Not even when he'd told Magnus or when Izzy had confronted him, had he felt like this. He felt naked as he stood there in front of his parents, awaiting their judgement, shielding himself as best he could. He didn't know how he managed to look so calm and collected on the outside, but inside, he was whirl wind of emotions.

"Why didn't you tell us son?" Robert asked, his brows knitting together in confusion.

"I just..." Alec swallowed the lump in his throat. "I didn't want you guys to make a big thing out of it. My life is complicated enough as it."

"How can we not make a big thing out of this." Robert's voice rose in anger. "You were attacked Alexander... Almost...raped. And by someone we all trusted." Alec flinched at that. He had avoided using such words himself. It just made everything seem worse than it was...worse than he wanted it to be.

"Jonathan..." Robert continued softly in disbelief, his eyes suddenly widening in horror, in stark realization. Jonathan was like family, like a son to him.

Maryse was leaned forward, her head resting in her palms. There was a moment of pregnant silence before she leaned back, pushing away from the desk. She turned in her chair and stood up, approaching Alec carefully, as if afraid of how he would react. Robert stood up as well, following right on her heels.

Alec didn't know what to expect, standing stark still.

Suddenly he was being pulled into a tight embrace, catching Alec completely off guard. It had been a while since his mother had hugged him like this, so fiercely. He could feel her trembling lightly against him.

"Mom?" Alec questioned lowly in confusion, cocking his head as he looked at his father over her shoulder. He wasn't really sure how to react, so he simply dropped his hands at his sides and allowed his mother to hug him, soaking in that warm fuzzy, safe feeling the action always gave him. Robert moved to their side, placing a hand on both Alec's and Maryse's shoulder, joining the embrace as well.

Alec felt a wave of relief rush through him. Why had he ever doubted his parents? Why did he even for a moment thought that they wouldn't believe him?

"He's going to pay for what he did," Robert said after a few few beats when he pulled away, his eyes locking with Maryse's momentarily. The movement was so quick, however, Alec caught it. For a moment he wasn't sure if saw what he thought he had; some kind of a secret message passing between his parents. They were hiding something.

His father moved quickly back to his desk, grabbing a pen and a note pad, ripping off a piece of paper before quickly scribbling down something, and sending off the fire message. He then reached for the black telephone which was used specifically for contacting Idris.

"What are you doing?" Alec asked urgently, pulling away from his mother.

"What do you think I'm doing?" Said Robert.

"I don't want the Clave involved," Alec rushed out. "All I want is for you to send Jonathan back to Idris. I don't want to be dragged in front of the entire clave like some kind of freak show in a circus. I just want all of this to go away. Please. I just want him gone. That is all. If you truly care about my happiness..." Alec paused, looking between his parents. "You will respect my wishes."

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Alec remembered being so scared that his parents weren't going to listen to him. His father had always been a very by the book shadowhunter. He did his best to uphold the law, no matter the difficulty. 'The law is hard, but it is the law.' He'd been so relieved when they'd eventually agreed. But not before he'd found out, which as it would turn out Izzy had also suspected, that it was infact his parents who had asked Jonathan to come to the New York Institute in first place. Alec had been furious...

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"Alexander," Robert started. "How can you ask us to just let him get away with what he did to you..."

"Dad," Alec attempted to interrupt, but Robert continued on.

"...and for him to agree to come here... knowing what he did," said Robert, drawing a nervous look from Maryse who shook her head, indicating that he not speak any further.

Alec narrowed his eyes on both of them suspiciously, his brows furrowing momentarily in confusion. "Wait. What?" His eyes widen in realization. "It was you?" Alec looked back and forth between his parents. "You asked him to come here didn't you? Why? Why would you suddenly ask him come here?"

Maryse glared pointedly at Robert, shaking her head as she approached Alec, who took a step back. "You two have always been so close, Alexander. I thought he could talk some sense into you where the warlock was concerned. No one else seem to be able to get through to you."

"First, his name is Magnus, mom. And second, You have no right. Magnus is my choice..." Alec shook his head. "No. You know what, there is no choice. He's my mate and you guys need to respect that. It's Magnus or no one." Alec saw something flickering in his mother's eyes. Was it panic? Fear? She wasn't telling him full story. It suddenly hit him like a boot to the face and Alec gasped in shock. "By the angel! You brought him here to be my mate didn't you?" It wasn't a question. And the look of guilt on his mother's face told him all that he needed to know.

"Dad?" Alec turned to look at his father, surprised when he the same look of guilt. "You knew about this...and you went along with it?" Alec was at a lost for words. This was not his father. His father was not a schemer. This had his mother written all over it, and she had somehow dragged his father along.

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Alec had stormed out of his parents office, slamming the door behind him, but not before making his resolve clear. He didn't want the Clave involved, he simply wanted Jonathan sent back to Idris, where the shadowhunter should endeavor to stay as far away from him as possible. And if his parents wanted to remain in his life, if they ever wanted to see him again, then they should stay the hell out of his and Magnus' relationship.

He had met back up with Magnus outside of their office. The fire message his father had sent in his presence, had been to Jonathan, asking the shadowhunter to report immediately to his office. So with Jonathan headed in their direction, Alec wanted them to get out of there as quickly as possible.

He'd had enough drama for one day. And something told him that were Magnus and Jonathan to come face to face, Magnus wouldn't have left the shadowhunter completely unscathed, despite promising that he would. So, he and Magnus had quickly made their way to the elevator intent on heading up to his bedroom which was located on the third floor.

However, they'd been just a few seconds too slow. Just as Alec pressed the button for the correct floor, before the elevator door closed, they'd caught sight of a severely bruised and battered looking Jonathan. The shadowhunter looked like he'd just taken on an entire nest of Iblis demons by himself and had barely made it out alive.