Chapter Text
Alec was tired, the kind of tired that ran deep into his bones. It had been a long day at the Institute. He needed a long hot shower and sleep, preferably cuddled next to his boyfriend.
As he made his way into his and Magnus’ loft, Magnus greeted him right away, which wasn’t uncommon; however, it was late, and normally he would be in bed, even if he wasn’t sleeping he would at least be in bed reading or on his phone. Magnus always said he wasn't waiting up but Alec knew better. When he ran late Magnus always seemed to be catching up on reading or checking things on his phone.
“Alexander…”
Alec raised his eyebrows in concern because Magnus was still in his clothes from this morning, makeup and hair still done. He hadn’t even been to bed yet. Something was wrong.
“Now, don’t freak out…” Mangus warned. Alec noticed his hands were up in a defensive gesture, as if trying to calm him down before he even started freaking out yet. How was he not supposed to worry now? That sentence only made people freak out more, it never prevented anyone from not freaking out...ever.
“Wha--?” Alec started. Before Alec could finish his question, Alec Number Two came walking out of the kitchen munching on what looked like Alec’s peanut butter MnM’s. The next thing Alec noticed was Alec Number Two was wearing tan skinny jeans and a honest to God canary yellow polo, and before he could process anything else Alec Number Two started talking.
“Oh my god, this place is amazing, Magnus!” Alec Number Two’s face lit up with excitement, looking around in awe, “and the view, I could get lost in the view...damn,” he whistled, making his way over to the balcony to look out.
Alec had been staring the whole time, mouth agap, no words coming out. Just as he was about to say something, another person came into view.
“Alec no!” Magnus yelled, “Don’t shoot him with your bow!” Using his magic he sent his bow flying to his right and safely to the ground.
“Sorry about him, he gets over excited sometimes…” Magnus Number Two said, as he made his way into the living room. He was nervous, looking from Alec to Magnus then back at Alec Number Two, then down at his feet shyly.
Alec was having a hard time getting past what he was seeing, bow forgotten on the floor. Magnus Number Two had made his way over to stand next to his Magnus, both of which looked like the same person, but so different, whereas his Magnus still had his clothes on from this morning, a pale purple and blue button up shirt, tight jeans, with a chain belt buckle, his new haircut in a mohawk with blue streaks and his makeup flawless. And Magnus Number Two was wearing a white t-shirt, light loose fitted jeans, hair parted to the side, and makeup free. Both handsome, both vastly different and contrast when standing next to each other.
“What the fuck?” Alec asked, dumbfounded.
“Oh, we’ve got a dirty mouth in both dimensions, I see,” Alec Number Two said, winking at everyone as he made his way over to the couch, taking seat, legs crossed leisurely, making himself a home.
Alec turned and glared at his annoying clone.
Magnus interrupted, “These two are apparently us in another dimension, Alexander.”
“Awe,” Alec Number Two muled, “I like that, dear, will you start calling me that?” Alec Number Two had gotten up, making his way over to Magnus Number Two, into his personal space. His eyes raking over him in adoration.
Magnus Number Two’s cheeks turned pink, “I...Um, but...we’re not even together, officially…”
Alec Number Two huffed…”And who’s fault’s that?” He asked bitterly.
Magnus cleared his throat, “Anyway...so as I was saying, they’re here because apparently Simon, in their dimension has come down with some kind of sickness and they’re afraid he’s not going to make it, and they remembered from when Clary went to their dimension, she told them about ours, and they thought we might be able to help…” Magnus looked at them as he finished, making sure he had everything right.
They both shook their heads yes in unison.
“Listen, I don’t know why you think this has anything to do with us…” Alec was annoyed, all he wanted to do was go to bed after a long day. Of course he didn’t want Simon to be sick, but he was in another dimension, and if they messed with this kind of thing, who knows the repercussions this could have.
Alec Number Two made his way over to Alec, standing right in front of him. Alec shifted uneasily. It was unsettling staring at a version of himself that was so unlike him, like looking at his total opposite in some ways, but at the same time not so opposite, which confused Alec.
Alec Number Two picked a piece of non existent lint off his shirt then looked straight at Alec, “You’re the head of some sort of Institute, right?”
Alec nodded.
“You’re job is to protect people?”
Alec nodded again. “Your point?”
“And they call me dramatic” he mumbled under his breath, “My point is you have a duty to try and help the innocent, and guess what, as much as it pains me to admit...Simon is innocent!”
Alec sighed before looking at Magnus, because this wasn’t just about him, they made decisions together.
Magnus gave him a nod.
Alec gave his own nod of agreement, both on the same page.
Alec Number Two gave a knowing smirk, like he knew Alec would say yes, and maybe he did because even though he was different than this Alec in a lot of ways, it was like looking at a two-way mirror, their hearts and values still the same. “I’m so glad you feel that way, Alexander... because dear old Simon is our sister’s fiance, and your future brother-in-law in our dimension.”
And Alec didn’t think it was possible to be shocked anymore than he already was today, his mouth was hanging open, no words coming out as he processed those words and how the hell Izzy and Simon end up together in any dimention.
***
“I’ve been missing out on so much.” Magnus Number Two stated longingly as they put the final ingredient in the potion. “I always knew I was missing something...but this, this is something else.”
Magnus hummed in agreement. He looked over at himself...or his other self, contemplating how different he was, in a plain white t-shirt and jeans, and shy exterior. Magnus couldn't fathom any dimension he would wear such a thing, but he supposed anything was possible.
“Stop touching everything!”
Both Magnus's turned to see what the commotion was.
Alec Number Two had picked up a picture of him and Alec that was sitting on his desk. They were in Paris. Alec was smiling his goofy side smile, and Magnus was kissing Alec on the cheek, snapping a quick picture, Eiffel Tower in the background, cliche and all.
“Goodness, baby” Alec Number Two said as he looked over his shoulder at Magnus Number Two, setting the picture down carefully, “I’m so glad I’m not this uptight in our dimension.
Magnus laughed, coughing quickly to try and cover it up as he capped the bottle of potion tightly.
Alec glared, “I just want this over with so you can go back and we don’t have any issues in our dimension!"
“I get why you’re upset...we’re almost finished.” Magnus Number Two reassured Alec.
Alec stared at the Magnus clone, who looked so much like his Magnus, yet was nothing like his Magnus. He was unsettled. He needed things to go back to normal, but he didn’t want to be mean, so he nodded his thanks.
“Okay, finished!” Magnus declared.
“Great!” Alec practically shouted. “What's next?”
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re in a hurry to get rid of us?” Alec Number Two accused, smirking.
“You’d be right.”
Magnus chuckled, his Shadowhunter always so blunt.
“Is he always so….?”
Magnus looked over at his other dimension self, “charming?” He finished.
Magnus Number Two laughed awkwardly. “I was going to say...straightforward.”
“Now, no need to be an ass!” Alec Number Two pouted, chastising Alec for being rude.
“Hard not to be when I’m talking to one!” Alec growled back.
Magnus felt like he was watching some sort of reality TV show, and not the good kind, the kind you knew was a trainwreck, but couldn't look away from.
“Nope, sometimes he’s grumpy,” he said and gave his other self a wink before making his way over to both Alec’s.
“Children! As much as I’m enjoying watching the two of you, it’s time to wrap this up!” Both Alec’s had the decency to look embarrassed at their behavior, and their expressions were so similar Magnus was starting to get creeped out. It was time to send Alec Number Two back, and get things back to normal.
Magnus made his way over to his bookshelf. He started chanting, a spell he knew well. His bookshelf parted for him, and he was able to retrieve his spellbook. “Okay, I can make a portal, but I need to make sure you get sent back to the right dimension, and I’m not sure how to do that yet. If I can’t find it here, I might have to call Clary and have her draw a ruin for it.” Magnus said wearily.
Alec shot Magnus a warning look, as if to tell him that was the last thing they should do. Involving the others was not a good idea.
“Why can’t we go back the same way we came?” Magnus Number Two question, confused.
Magnus sighed...“I may be the High Warlock of Brooklyn, but even my magic has limits. That stone is not designed for these kinds of things. The fact you were able to get here in the first place is pretty amazing and rare. My guess is it’s because it used to belong to me, and about three centuries ago I lost it…” Magnus waved his hands at the three questioning faces, “It’s a long story, and I’m guessing it was able to get you here because it sensed the connection to me. It will not be able to get you back home, however.”
Alec Number Two whistled, irritating Alec even more than he already was, “So High Warlock of Brooklyn, you’re telling me we’re stuck here?”
Magnus shut his spellbook, fingers banishing it back to the bookshelf.
"Amazing," whispered Magnus Number Two in awe.
“For now…” Magnus said.
“Well...since we are stuck here for the foreseeable future," Alec Number Two started, making his way out of the study but stopping in front of Magnus, “I really like sleeping on Egyptian Cotton...feels good on my bare skin when I sleep naked,” he said as he turned, facing Magnus Number Two, causing a blush to form on his cheeks then he turned back to Magnus. “And you’re going to need to stock up on peanut butter MnM’s. And we are definitely going to have to talk about clothes because I can tell you right now black, black, and more black is not going on this body, thank you very much!" And he turned to give Alec an accusing glare before making his way out of the study, not glancing back as he did so.
And Magnus grabbed his side, laughing so hard he couldn't breathe. “Oh my god, Alexander! Your another dimension self is your complete opposite! This is amazing!”
Alec huffed in irritation; he couldn't believe this was happening. “Magnus!”
“This isn’t my fault, Alexander!”
“I’m just going to….” Magnus Number Two stuttered, awkwardly making his way out of the room to give them privacy.
Alec watched him go as he blew out a long breath before burying his head in his hands dramatically. “Don’t say it, Magnus.” He knew what Magnus was going to say next. They were going to have to call in reinforcements, the Clary, Jace, and Izzy kind of reinforcements...and he knew when they all got involved, things never ran smoothly. This was all guaranteed to go very, very badly.