Chapter Text
Alec walks through the loft, letting out a sigh of relief at finally being home. All he wants to do is park his ass onto the sofa, snuggle up with his husband, and eat take out. If he’s lucky, he’ll have a few drinks and fall asleep pleasantly buzzed.
Alec feels his lips curl up, his belly filling with warmth as he hears Magnus humming in the other room. He follows the sound through the loft, finding Magnus in his apothecary. Alec has been fascinated by Magnus’ work room since the first day he’d entered it. And can you blame him? It’s filled with interesting jars and pretty artifacts. Not to mention, Alec’s pretty sure there’s something new every time he steps inside.
“Alexander,” Magnus greets with a wide smile, beckoning him in. Alec steps forward, dipping his head down to kiss Magnus hello. Magnus’ hand pets his cheek, making him smile against Magnus’ lips. “How was your day?”
Alec lets out a long breath. “Long. I’m happy to finally be home.”
“Hmm,” Magnus hums. “I just have to finish this potion and then I’ll summon us some food. Whatever you like.”
“Sounds good,” Alec says, dipping down to steal one more kiss before stepping back and letting Magnus get back to work.
Alec debates taking a shower while Magnus works but instead he takes a moment to lean against the wall, just watching as Magnus carefully adds things to the bubbling pot, stirring it slowly. His face is set in a line of concentration as he bites his bottom lip. Alec thinks he’s beautiful.
Looking away, something catches Alec’s eye. He steps over to one of Magnus’ many shelves, finding a golden cat statue. Alec gets closer, looking it over. “Hey, Magnus? What’s this?”
Magnus looks up in question. “Oh. That’s the kitty of fertility.”
Alec freezes, his hand stopping in mid air. “I’m sorry. The what now?”
Magnus snorts. “I’m sorry. I’m teasing you, darling. That’s a statue I picked up from an old friend of mine. Said something about cats being natural tricksters.”
“Right,” Alec says with a slow nod. He shrugs before running a finger over the cat’s head, mimicking petting it.
Golden magic surges over him in an instant, stealing his breath, and making everything go black.
~~~
Alec comes back to himself all at once. With one breath, he’s standing in front of that damn golden cat, and the next he’s somewhere completely different. It’s worse than any portal whiplash he’s ever felt. He sucks in a deep breath, the aroma of coffee hitting his senses. Looking around, Alec realizes with a start that he’s at a coffee shop. Or rather, behind the counter of a coffee shop.
“You okay?” Jace asks him from the counter, running his fingers through his blonde hair. They’re wearing matching blue aprons and when Alec looks at the cup in his hand, he realizes with a start that the shop is called ‘Java Jace’.
“Yeah,” Alec says with a nod, trying to play everything off. “Just zoned out for a minute. No big deal.”
Jace nods, going back to taking orders. Alec looks down at the cup in one hand, the tin filled with frothy milk in the other. Somehow he just knows exactly what he needs to do. Carefully, he pours in the milk, watching as it pools perfectly against the black coffee. He even finishes it off with a little leaf design.
“Here you go,” he says, sliding the cup over the counter to a woman who gives him a wide smile.
He leans back, his hips against the counter. How the hell did he know how to do that? Alec has never in his life made a latte like that. Never learned to make freaking latte art . And how the hell did he get here ? Where even is here ?
“Hey, man,” Jace murmurs, checking his hip against Alec’s. “Let’s switch. Your regular’s gonna be here any second.”
“My regular?”
Jace rolls his eyes playfully. “Yeah. The guy you’re working up the nerves to give your phone number to. Izzy and I have a pool going so honestly sooner would be better,” Jace explains with a wide smile. “Better yet, do it today and I’ll split the pool with you.”
Alec’s mouth opens and closes a few times before he groans. “You guys are the worst, you know that right?”
“Just trying to make a buck over your pain.” Jace shrugs. “Basically just our average Tuesday.”
Jace looks like he’s gonna say more but he just gets a glint in his eyes before nodding towards the register. Alec turns, his belly erupting into butterflies when he finds Magnus there, waiting for him. Alec walks over, his eyes never leaving Magnus’. Now this? This is familiar.
“Alexander,” Magnus greets, his lips curling up into a flirtatious smile. “Lovely to see you today.”
Alec smiles back, tapping his fingers against the counter. There’s some nerves playing in his belly and he wonders if those nerves belong to him or coffee shop him. Either way, he knows Magnus like the back of his hand. “The pleasure’s all mine,” he says playfully. Magnus seems to be taken aback by that before his face breaks out into a wide smile. “What can I get for you today?”
Magnus leans forward. “I’ll try the white chocolate latte.”
“Coming right up,” Jace says, already getting to work making it.
Magnus swipes his card and Alec takes a moment to take him in. He’s so much like his Magnus that it makes his chest ache. He has no idea why he’s here but already he misses Magnus, wishes he was back home.
When Jace slides the cup over, Alec intercepts it, wanting to help out his coffee shop counterpart. Picking up a sharpie, Alec gives Magnus a wink and writes his number on the cup. “Text me later and we’ll set up a date.”
Magnus runs his thumb over the number and nods. “I’ve been flirting with you for months, darling.” He pauses, looking up into Alec’s eyes. “What changed?”
Alec shrugs. “I just realized what I was missing out on. I don’t wanna miss anymore time, Magnus.”
That’s answer enough for Magnus because he smiles, giving them both a wave before walking out the door. He only has a moment of joy before everything goes black again.
~~~
When Alec opens his eyes again, he’s still not home. There are bright lights all around him, his body sore and tacky with sweat. Something hits him full force in the jaw and the entire left side of his face radiates with pain. It only takes him a moment to look down at his hands, finding them taped up. He’s in a ring, a crowd all around him screaming and yelling, cheering him on.
Alec gets into a fighting stance, letting his Shadowhunter training mix with the natural feel of this Alec’s body. This Alec is apparently an MMA fighter and Alec is lucky enough to drop in during his big fight. Great.
Alec takes another hit to the face as he’s getting his bearings. But once he does, it’s game on!
Even without his runes, Alec is strong, he’s fast. He waits for his opponent to strike again before blocking and relatiating. Hit after hit reigns down on the other man. He tries to block but Alec is faster, laying in with a flurry of fists. To the ribs, to the jaw, to the stomach. Over and over and over. Alec’s filled with adrenaline, his heart beating in time with the crowd. His breathing is harsh and straining in his ears.
It doesn’t take long before the man opposite him is on the ground, the ref calling out a knock out. Alec raises his hands in the air more out of muscle memory than his own decision. This body knows when it’s won, knows how it needs to celebrate. He smiles wide, spitting out his mouthguard.
Magnus is there, stepping into the ring and hugging Alec despite how sweaty and bloody he is. And Alec can’t take it. His heart is soaring, the crowd chanting ‘Lightwood! Lightwood! Lightwood!’ He takes Magnus face between his palms and kisses him, right there in front of everyone.
There are reporters taking pictures, cameras shining bright but Alec only has eyes for one.
“Alexander,” Magnus says gently, his face a mask of shock. “We always talked about going public when you won this fight. But I wasn’t sure if you meant it or not.”
“Of course I meant it,” Alec says, feeling the way his chest longs for Magnus, the way this Alec’s heart breaks at keeping him a secret for so long. “Just let them try to come for us now. I’m a title holder, you’re the best trainer in the country. And if anyone says anything I’ll just knock them out too,” he adds with a wide smile that’s beginning to make his cheeks grow sore with how wide it is. “I love you.”
Magnus’ smile back makes Alec’s belly break out in butterflies. “I love you, too.” This time when they kiss, it’s not spontaneous and reckless. It’s perfect. And that’s when everything goes black.
~~~
Alec opens his eyes, letting out a wide yawn, stretching his entire body out. An unfamiliar noise leaves his mouth but he doesn’t focus on it, not when he’s laid out in the sun, his body relaxed and comfortable. There’s a warm body pressed up against his and instinctively, Alec knows it’s Magnus.
Magnus licks at his ear and that’s when Alec’s eyes widen. He turns his head, finding a cat there. Alec stands up, realizing in horror that he’s on four legs instead of two. He looks down at himself. Oh god, he’s a freaking cat!
Magnus makes a questioning meow, his eyes watching Alec’s every movement. Those eyes are so familiar, so like Magnus’ warlock eyes. It makes something inside Alec’s chest loosen. In every world, even as cats , they end up together.
Alec leans down, bumping his head against Magnus’ and Magnus makes a happy little chirping noise.
“Hello, little ones,” a voice says, coming into the house. Alec looks up, finding a man that makes his chest go warm with fondness. This person is their owner and cat Alec loves them, trusts them. “How’re my boys today?”
Magnus meows, running over to greet their owner, weaving between his legs and demanding attention. If Alec could smile in this form he would be grinning from ear to ear. Their owner, who happens to be Ragnor, though he’s missing his horns and green skin, telling Alec that he’s human rather than warlock, comes and sits on the couch, opening his arms so both Alec and Magnus can sit in his lap and get pets.
Ragnor tells them both about his day as he slowly pets over their backs. Alec closes his eyes, enjoying the closeness, feeling loved. His chest begins to vibrate without his permission. Ragnor makes a happy noise in return, cooing at him. Alec isn’t sure if he’s fallen asleep or if it’s just time for another jump but he’s happy to know in a different universe, he’s happy and content and taken care of like this.
~~~
This time when Alec opens his eyes, he’s back in the loft. He looks around, his heart hammering in his chest. Is he back home?
There’s a knock on the door and Alec raises his brow, wondering who the hell could be here. As he walks, he begins taking things in. It’s messier than usual, books and blankets thrown about. Somehow, the place feels different . He reaches out to open the door only to freeze. His arms are blank. Not a rune in sight.
Opening the door, Alec’s breath stutters in his chest. Standing before him is Magnus. Who, in this universe, is apparently a Shadowhunter, complete with runes. Alec suddenly realizes the kink that Magnus has developed with his own runes back home. They are very attractive and Alec’s mouth waters with the desire to lick and kiss them on Magnus’ body.
“Alexander,” Magnus greets with a smile, stepping in.
“Magnus,” Alec says back, floundering on what to say. If Magnus is a Shadowhunter then is Alec--?
Alec raises his hands, startling further when orange magic flickers between his finger tips. “Holy shit,” he murmurs to himself, closing his eyes and savoring the feeling of magic in his body. It makes him feel powerful in a way that reminds him of his runes, only a different brand of power.
“Alexander? Are you alright?”
Alec opens his eyes, smiling over at Magnus who’s leaning against the wall watching him. He’s dressed to impress, just as always. His black pants tight, tucked into his combat boots. His undershirt is plain with a bright coat over the top. He’s wearing a fucking thigh holster and Alec feels himself growing hard in his pants. Why is that so hot ?
He’s so at ease in the loft that Alec can only conclude that they’re together in this universe. Or Magnus is very, very cocky. Either way, Alec can’t stop himself. He steps forward, taking Magnus’ face between his palms and kissing him. A jolt of pleasure slides down his spine before he’s pulling back.
“Fuck,” he hisses out. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Nonsense,” Magnus says straight away, his face breaking out into a wide smile. “You shouldn’t have stopped .”
Alec puts a hand on Magnus’ chest, stopping him. “You don’t understand. I’m not your Alec.”
“What?”
“Would you believe me if I said I’m actually a different Alec who touched a stupid golden cat and is now jumping from dimension to dimension?”
Magnus raises his eyebrow. “What’s your normal universe like?”
Alec snorts. “I’m actually a Shadowhunter. And you’re a Warlock?”
Magnus pulls out a little blade, twirling it between his fingers as they talk. Alec can’t pull his eyes away. All that fluid motion that Alec is used to from Magnus working his magic is present in the Shadowhunter version as well. “I bet you look sexy in runes, darling.”
“And you look incredible in them now.”
Magnus looks him over for a moment before his face turns serious. “Do you by chance have this one back home?” he asks, unbuttoning his shirt. The look on Magnus’ face tells him this is serious. Too bad the universe decides now is the time to jump Alec to another universe. Bastard.
~~~
Alec is so tired of this already. How many universes is he gonna have to deal with before he’s back home?
This time when he opens his eyes, he lets out a groan of displeasure. His entire body is sore and overly heated. He’s sweating bullets. Alec tries to roll over but freezes. His cock is hard and throbbing so intensely it’s almost painful. And his ass is. Well. It’s wet ?
He turns around, finding Magnus laying beside him. Without his conscious decision, Alec buries his face against Magnus’ throat. By the fucking Angel. He smells divine . Like everything Alec’s ever wanted in life, like he holds every answer. His ass gets even wetter and he lets out a whimper.
“Oh, my omega,” Magnus murmurs as he’s stirred awake. “Is your heat hitting again? Need me to knot you?”
Alec’s body breaks out in goosebumps, his stomach flipping. He has no idea what knotting means but his body knows that’s what he needs. And he needs it bad, more than he needs air.
Alec whimpers again. His right hand digs into Magnus’ peck. This feeling is all consuming, so freaking intense. It has him swinging his leg over Magnus’ waist, straddling his lap. It makes him grind down against Magnus’ cock, moaning in pleasure at the feeling.
“Oh god,” he gasps out. What the actual fuck is happening to him? Why is his butt all wet? Why does Magnus have a fucking bite mark on his throat? Why are his eyes turning blood red? Why is Alec hot and sweaty and fucking horny ?
This time when Alec is jumped to a different dimension he’s fucking happy about it.
~~~
As much as Alec is glad to be out of whatever the hell that universe was all about, he can’t say he’s happy to be where he is now. He’s mostly confused, to be honest. He tries touching the wall, only to have his hand go through it.
“Hello?”
“Shh,” someone shushes him. “Wait for it.”
Alec’s eyes widen, recognizing Magnus’ voice. So he waits silently. He can hear someone walk into the house, the floors creaking as the person walks through the house. Two people seem to be whispering to each other and Alec can tell they wield a flashlight.
“Quiet, Clary,” Simon says. “I think I heard something.”
What the hell are Clary and Simon doing here?
“It was nothing, Simon. Ghosts aren’t real!”
“They so are!”
After another moment, the two of them walk into the room Alec is in. They stare at him with wide eyes, the color draining from their faces. After another moment, the door slams behind them and Magnus comes out, screaming at the top of his lungs.
Clary and Simon scream right along with him before they’re scrambling out of the room, right out the front door.
Magnus laughs and laughs and laughs. He laughs so long and so hard that Alec can’t help but join in, laughing right along with him. Is this their life in this universe? Scaring dumb teenagers for fun?
“That was amazing, darling. Did you see their faces?”
“Were you an actor in another life?” Alec says, his voice joking.
Magnus looks at him with fondness, turning and walking through the wall. It’s creepy to see. But Alec follows behind, unsurprised when he goes through the wall as well. They sit in the living room together, content to just enjoy each other’s company until their next victim comes along.
This time when Alec jumps, it’s with a fond smile playing at his lips, his ghost hand resting on top of Magnus’ unfeeling.
~~~
Alec’s chest is filled with fondness and contentedness. He feels at peace. His hand is running through soft hair and when he looks down, he smiles when he finds Magnus’ head resting in his lap. To his right is a small boy who leans against him, cuddled against Alec’s chest. Max is brain supplies. His son .
Alec looks forward, finding them watching the latest superhero movie, one of Max’s favorites.
Alec wonders if there’s a Max in his universe. Maybe a little warlock who needs a family. Resolve thrums through his veins. He’s going to look into it when he gets back home.
The picture here is near perfect. He’s got a family. His eyes dart to his hand, finding a simple silver band around his ring finger. There are pictures of them on the walls.
Max looks up. “Are you paying attention?” he whispers, his brows wrinkled in pretend seriousness.
“Of course.”
“So you weren’t just daydreaming about Papa again?”
Alec rolls his eyes as Magnus lets out an amused snort from his place against Alec’s thigh.
“Are you paying attention?”
“Not really,” Max admits. “I’m really tired. And I’m too excited for tomorrow. First day of school and all.”
“You’ll do great,” Alec says, running his fingers through Max’s curly hair. “And you have all the same classmates from last year,” he tells his son, somehow knowing it’s the truth.
“I know. Just jittery.”
Magnus sits up, stretching his arms over his head before leaning over and kissing Max’s temple. “Tomorrow night we’ll have whatever you want for dinner. How’s that sound?”
Max’s face breaks out into a wide smile. “What if I want ice cream?”
Magnus’ eyes narrow. “You did say anything ,” Alec teases.
“You’re both the worst. I don’t know why I put up with you.”
“Because we’re both really cute,” Max says with a laugh.
This time when Alec is pulled away, he’s a little sad. He’s going to miss Max until they meet in his world.
~~~
Before Alec even opens his eyes, he knows he’s back home in the right dimension. He blinks slowly, sitting up from the couch. Turning to the left, he finds Magnus, looking at him with cautious eyes.
Alec sinks further against the couch, smiling. “Guess I’m finally back home.”
“Alexander? My Alexander?”
Alec nods before getting a lapful of warlock. They wrap their arms around each other, content to just hold each other now that they’re reunited. “I really have to stop touching stuff in your apothecary.”
Magnus slaps his chest. “Yes. Your insistent touching and sniffing is going to get us into trouble one of these days!”
Alec’s hand run up Magnus’ back as he leans away only enough for Alec to kiss Magnus’ lips. “I’ll always come home.”
Magnus runs his hand over Alec’s face, caressing his cheek. “I met some very interesting Alec’s today. One of them was even a warlock.” His eyes search Alec’s before he adds, “and he gave me a very interesting rune.”
“Warlock Alec gave you a rune?”
“Mhmm,” Magnus hums. “A very, very important rune.”
Alec’s hands tighten around Magnus’ hips. “Alright. Did he draw it for you?”
Magnus nods but just then, Alec phone pings with a new message. His brows furrow, his heart picks up speed. “By the Angel,” Alec hisses out, excitement taking root. “Magnus. We have to go right now. The rune can wait.”
“What is it, Alec?”
“There’s a child at the Institute, dropped off with a note.”
“Oh, that’s awful.”
Alec nods as he picks up his coat. “It is. The baby’s a warlock.” Alec takes Magnus’ hand in his own. “Magnus. His name is Max.”
Magnus puts on his own jacket before opening a portal. Without any more explanation, Alec already knows Magnus is on the same wavelength, already on board. “Tell me everything.”