Chapter Text
Chapter 1
“Yes, Sir!” Alec shouted along with the other 10 recruits as he faced forward, his arms up in salute.
Alec was 21, and today was his first day at the Top Gun Academy. Graduating at the top of his class, he and his best friend Jace made it to Top Gun. It was the highest honour anyone in the Aviation Academy could get - to train with the world’s top pilots.
The sun was beating down hard as they stood in line, waiting for others. He looked over at Jace from the corner of his eye. The two became fast friends during their first year at Aviation school and had been inseparable ever since. Jace was quick-witted and confident, while Alec was calm and a perfectionist. The two complimented each other so well that they were considered the top one and two pilots in the entire academy.
“At ease!” All the recruits relaxed their shoulders while an older man in his early 40’s barked orders.
“Your squad leader, Lieutenant Magnus Bane will be by shortly to give you your sleeping arrangements.” He said as he crossed the field, leaving the recruits to speak quietly amongst themselves.
“Oh no,” a shorter brown-haired man groaned, “I heard Magnus Bane is the strictest squad leader. He’s failed so many recruits and he hates people. I worked so hard to get here, I can’t be sent home now.”
“I heard the same thing,” another young man pitched in, “his last roommate left in tears and never returned to Top Gun, suffering from severe PTSD. Because of him!”
“Attention!” A sharp voice called out and the group quieted, silently saluting.
“Does At Ease mean that you can talk amongst yourselves?” A tall, slim Asian man dressed in a pristine white aviator uniform appeared. His face was neutral, but there was something very cold and distant about the man.
Magnus scanned the crowd, his intense gaze landing on Alec’s. Alec swallowed hard, his hands cold and clammy. “My name is Magnus Bane. But you will not call me by that name. I will only be addressed as Sir or Lieutenant. You are all here to be the best. And I expect nothing less. If you were at the top of your class in your previous academies, here you are nothing. If you gave 110% to be here, you will have to give 150% to stay here.”
The recruits all kept silent. Alec kept his gaze forward, listening intently. He and Jace had worked their entire life to be here, and Magnus Bane was no laughing matter. It seemed like the rumours rang true.
“We will now do sleeping arrangements," Magnus continued, "your rooms shall be kept tidy at all times. Schedules will be posted in your rooms. If you are late for any classes, don’t bother going and just pack your bags and leave.” He flipped a piece of paper on his clipboard and frowned before picking up the radio attached to his belt.
“Ragnor, what is the meaning of this sleeping arrangement?” Magnus’s gritted his teeth as he spoke into the radio, “I strictly made it clear that I will not have a roommate.”
“Director’s orders, Magnus. This is above my pay grade,” Ragnor’s voice crackled through the radio.
“I need to speak to her now.” Magnus was seething.
“She told me it is final. Believe me, I’ve already tried to persuade her many times.”
Magnus took a deep breath. His eyes were blazing as he gripped the edge of the paper, scrunching it tight. He fired off the names on the list, then stalked off when he was done, heading straight to the director’s office. Alec stood in shock. Jace reciprocated his exact emotions.
“There’s gotta be a mistake, Alec. How could they separate us?”
Alec swallowed, speechless. “Let’s go to the director's office. We’re partners, we can’t fly with just anyone. Come on, let’s go.” Jace said as he dragged Alec off the field. Alec stumbled behind Jace as they made their way back to base camp.
Jace was about to knock on the door when they heard Magnus’s voice flow out. Jace whipped his hand back, frozen.
“How dare you do this, Catarina? What game are you playing?” Magnus yelled at the lady sitting behind the desk. Catarina was a strong and independent woman who made her way up the ranks with hard work and strong will. She defied the gender bias that was evident in such a masculine environment, earning respect from all the top aviators.
Catarina did not even blink at Magnus’s outburst. “That’s Captain to you, Lieutenant Bane.”
“Catarina,” Magnus’s hands tightened into fists. “I am not rooming with anyone. You better get this fixed right this instant.”
Magnus and Catarina were best friends. He was also the only person that dared to speak his mind to her. Catarina was far from a pushover, but she always had a soft spot for Magnus. She knew his entire life story, and she cared a lot for the younger man. Magnus was not just a best friend or a subordinate; he was family.
“Magnus, it’s been five years already. I can’t play favourites. There are rumours going around already that you get special treatment. It won’t be long until the board puts me under review. If that happens you know they will send you away.”
“But-"
“The decision is final, Lieutenant Bane. You will have a roommate for the entire duration of the trainee’s time here.”
“I thought Lieutenants and recruits are not allowed to be in the same room, for fear of favouritism?” Magnus shot back.
“Your roommate has an exceptional record and I picked him myself. He will shadow under you and you will train him to become a Lieutenant, and also provide updated reports to me on a weekly basis.”
Magnus opened and closed his mouth, speechless. Catarina looked at him. “You’re dismissed, Lieutenant Bane.” Magnus spun on his heel, ripped the door open, and slammed it shut behind him. Alec and Jace stiffened up and saluted as Magnus came out of the office. Magnus did not even glance at them as he briskly stalked away. Jace gave Alec a pitiful look as he knocked quietly on the director’s door.
“I’ve been expecting you two,” Catarina said as they walked in. Alec took a discreet look around the office. It was small, clean, and it reminded Alec of the principal’s office in school.
“Captain Catarina, permission to speak, Madam.” Jace saluted.
“At Ease, recruits. Have a seat. I don’t bite.” Jace and Alec gingerly sat down, unsure.
“Jonathan ‘Jace’ Wayland and Alexander ‘Alec’ Lightwood.” She read off a piece of paper on the desk.
“Yes, Madam.” Alec and Jace responded in unison.
“You two must be wondering why I split you up.” She eyed the two of them. They nodded.
“You come highly recommended from Brooklyn. I’ve read through your reports and achievements. They are quite impressive,” Catarina flipped through a stack of papers. “Though here at Top Gun, we are here to make you better. All that you’ve learned in your academies are nothing compared to what you will learn here.”
Alec and Jace nodded without a word.
"Alec, you are a calm and collected intelligent soldier. You struggle with confidence, but would do best as a strategist and I see a strong future for you as a Lieutenant.”She looked over at Jace. “Jace, you are brave and have an impeccable ability to think quickly on your feet. This makes you a formidable soldier, but you are hot-headed. We need to break that bad habit of yours or it will become your downfall.”
Jace opened his mouth. “Madam, we complement each other and have been partners since the first day at the academy. What I lack, Alec makes up for, and vice versa. Permission to stay together, Captain.”
Catarina nodded. “I understand, but in order to fully bring out both of your potentials, we have carefully planned and selected how and who you will be training with. If you have separation anxiety, you are both free to pack your bags and leave now. You are both dismissed.”
Jace’s shoulders slumped in defeat as they stood up and saluted.
“That is not fair, man,” Jace grumbled as soon as they were out of earshot.
“She’s right, though. We’ll just have to suck it up. We’ve both got to grow up. Maybe it’ll be a good thing, I’ll finally be able to get rid of you.” Alec snickered.
Jace feigned a look of hurt. “You? You’ll be crying for me after the first night.” Jace pushed Alec playfully on the shoulder.
“Well, this is me, I guess,” Jace’s shoulder slumped as he reached out to knock on his dorm room door. “Good luck buddy, see you at breakfast tomorrow.”
Alec just smiled and continued down the hall. He reached his room, looking at the sign on the metal door. Lt. Magnus Bane. He took a deep breath and knocked.