Chapter Text
Alec pulled his scarf up so that he could tuck his nose into it as another cool wind whipped past. It had been a Christmas gift from Izzy, who was still steadfastly trying to improve Alec’s wardrobe one accessory at a time. Not that Izzy necessarily disapproved of his fashion sense, but she had called it boring on multiple occasions. It was worse now that she and Magnus had teamed up, though Magnus was usually the gentler push into broadening his fashion horizons.
Considering he was the one standing out here with all his bags packed and ready to go, Magnus could probably make his fashion decisions a little less broad, at least for this excursion.
Tucking his hands back into his pockets, Alec gazed out at the icy grounds of the manor. Snow still covered every surface, and Alec smiled at the sight of a couple snow people lining the front of the yard. It wasn’t that long ago that he had approached this house with a sense of trepidation. That manor had loomed above him like lofty prison walls. Now he could only look at it with a touch of fondness. He’d met Magnus here and they’d celebrated Christmas here with their friends.
Maryse and Robert hadn’t joined them, but Alec, Izzy, Jace and Max had spent the morning at the Lightwood house with their parents. They were slowly coming around, or at least Maryse was, their father was still distant. Alex suspected there was something going on between the two of them, but their relationship with him was fragile enough that Alec didn’t want to go poking anymore holes just this moment.
Warm arms wrapped around his shoulders and pulled him backwards and nearly off balance. Alec twisted until he could see his sister grinning at him.
“You could have knocked us both over” Alec’s voice was low and scolding, but the smile on his lips betrayed him.
“But I didn’t” Izzy pointed out, taking a step back to appraise him, “Waiting on Magnus?”
“Yeah. He said he’d take ten minutes” Alec sighed, looking toward the door, where Magnus still hadn’t shown.
“How long ago did he say that?” Izzy grinned, tucking her hands into her jacket pockets.
“About fifteen minutes ago” He admitted, laughing, “Doesn’t matter, it’s not like time is a huge issue.”
“You’re so gone on him” Izzy teased, moving to stand next to him and bumping his arm with her shoulder.
“I am” Alec wasn’t even going to bother to deny it. He was in love with Magnus Bane and every day just confirmed that more for him. Every smile, every laugh, every moment shared just made him realize just how in love with him he was.
“Gross” A teasing voice said from his other shoulder, and Jace’s hand rested on Alec’s shoulder.
“You’re just jealous” Izzy leaned around Alec to smirk at Jace.
Jace opened his mouth to retort, but Magnus had finally made his appearance at the ornate front door of the manor. A bag was trailing behind him, but Simon was it his side carrying another. Which meant that he’d definitely overpacked for their journey, but Alec couldn’t even feel irritated about it right now. Max was trailing along beside him, chattering a mile a minute. Alec had left him in the kitchen with Jocelyn, but he should have figured that he’d eventually find Magnus. They’d become fast friends, mainly because Magnus seemed to never get tired of telling stories and answering all of Max’s questions. Especially that he was able to answer questions that none of his siblings would even dream about having the answers to.
Raphael trailed after Simon, and Alec could swear he saw him put a hand out to keep Simon steady after he almost slipped on the ice for the second time. Maia and Clary followed shortly after, clearly having gotten the news that Magnus was finally out the door and he’d be leaving soon.
When they got to the gates of the grounds, leading out to where Alec and his siblings were standing, Magnus paused.
It made Alec’s chest ache a little. Even though Magnus knew he could leave, he had done it before. There was still a certain amount of wariness to him. He’d lived with the curse for so long. Alec knew that he was still afraid to use too much magic, even though it seemed like he never tired from using it now. But he’d still use it as efficiently as possible. It was going to take a while, before Magnus would get used to not having to worry about it.
Watching Magnus straighten his shoulders and brush off the pause like it was nothing, strolling through those gates with confidence was beautiful and made Alec smile. They’d get there.
“So nice of you to join us” Alec teased, leaning down so he could give Magnus a kiss.
“As if you would leave without me” Magnus teased right back, arms slipping around Alec’s waist.
“I might, if I could actually leave without you. Portal travel isn’t something I can do by myself. So, I guess I just have to wait for my devastatingly handsome warlock boyfriend to finish packing” Alec grins, leaning his forehead against Magnus’.
“Your devastatingly handsome warlock boyfriend thanks you” Magnus tilts his head so their lips connect again.
“Are we just going to keep watching until they start making out? Or are we getting this show on the road?” Maia asked, arms wrapped around herself to keep out the chill.
Magnus pulled away with a grin and another quick kiss to Alec’s cheek, “If we must” He sighed, throwing a wink Maia’s way.
“You’ll have plenty of time to make out with each other later. Not when we’re all freezing out here because someone took ages packing” Jace grumbled, rubbing his hands together.
“Jocelyn and Luke are good inside?” Alec asked Magnus more quietly, ignoring Jace’s complaint entirely.
The two of them had graciously agreed to stay at the manor and help watch over it while Alec and Magnus were away. Raphael was still going to be going in and out, and Ragnor promised to stop in to check on the plants every now and then, which Max was overjoyed about, but Jocelyn and Luke would stay there and look after everything. Catarina also said that she would stop by from time to time as she bumped her hip against Magnus’, teasing him about how she thought he’d finally be the one visiting her for once.
Valentine had disappeared after Alec had left him bleeding from multiple punctures, and had taken his son with him. It made Alec nervous, sure that he was going to pop out of the woodwork at any moment, but the rest of their friends didn’t seem nearly as concerned. Even Clary said that her father being gone was the only reason she felt comfortable enough spending more time in town taking art classes, and she was fairly convinced he wasn’t going to be coming back anytime soon.
“They’re fine Alexander” Magnus murmured warmly brushing his hand against Alec’s.
Turning, the two of them took time to embrace all of their friends, say their temporary goodbyes.
It was amazing to think about that too, that suddenly they were their friends. Actually, it had been a little stunning how fast that had happened. Jace and Clary had already begun seeing each other, and Alec still wasn’t entirely sure if that was romantic or not. But Clary and Izzy had also hit it off, Izzy had been the one to suggest she try university. Izzy and Simon worked well together, and Izzy and Raphael got along surprisingly well. Maia and Jace had sort of a love/hate relationship. Everyone loved Max, that had been inevitable.
Seeing them all standing there together after he and Magnus pulled away made him smile.
Some people talked about traveling like you were running away from your life. Admittedly, traveling used to be something that Alec thought about like an escape. But standing here in front of his friends and family, he knew he wasn’t running away from anything, not anymore. He was already looking forward to the moment that he could come back and share stories with his friends. To celebrate all the moments with them.
Max broke free of the others and wrapped his arms around Alec’s waist.
“You’re going to come home and tell me everything right? About meeting Ragnor and all the magical stuff?” Max questioned into Alec’s torso, making it very hard to understand him. His obsession with the Fell Chronicles hadn’t lessened any. His favorite Christmas gift had been a letter from the man himself courtesy of one Magnus Bane.
“Yes, Max, I promise.” Alec laughed, ruffling his little brother’s hair. He was doing so much better now. The potion had cleared up most of the issues, and the rest had just been up to Max to gain his strength back. He hardly looked like the little boy that Alec had to carry around because he could barely walk. Though that wasn’t to say that he didn’t still make Alec carry him around.
Very gently Alec pried Max’s arms off him, kneeling down so he could give him a more proper hug before ushering him off to stand with Izzy and Jace. Alec turned back toward Magnus, watching as he started the process.
Magnus’ hands lit up with warm light centered on his fingertips as he drew intricate patterns in the air. A circular pool of magic formed in the air, just like the one Alec remembered from the night he’d thought he was going to die. This time at least, there were far less dire circumstances.
Stepping back, Magnus slipped his hand into Alec’s, the other clutching hold of his luggage. Izzy stepped forward to hand Alec his own bag, far smaller than the ones Magnus was bringing.
“Well, where do you want to go Alexander?” Magnus asked.
“Let’s start with somewhere warm” Alec suggested, squeezing Magnus’ hand.
“Somewhere warm it is. Ready to see the world?” Magnus smiled, leaning over to kiss Alec again.
“I’m ready to see the world with you” Alec whispered against his lips.
The two of them turned to get one last look at their friends before they turned back to the glowing portal and stepped through it. Off on a new adventure.