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ONE Magnus
Magnus sighs while walking out of his portal and making his way to the front of the line to his club Pandemonium. He waves at Charlie, the bouncer for the night, and slips inside unimpeded.
After twelve annoying customers, he is in need of a drink and a strong one at that. He scrunches up his nose when the mixed and overwhelming wave of scents berate his nose. Magnus could usually shrug it off and continue with his night. Today was not one of those nights. The smells are strong and with so many clients constantly trying to woo someone it made it almost impossible to even separate omegas’ scents from alpha ones.
Magnus rolls his shoulders back and makes his way up the stairs to his throne. Once there he waves his hand and dismisses his usual posse. He finally settles on his couch and once again raises his hand to catch his personal server’s attention.
“Yes, sir?” Jenna asks as she walks up to him.
“Get me the usual and ask Oscar to make it stronger. I’ve had a day,” Magnus requests.
“Right away, also,” Jenna lingers with a troubled look on her face.
“What is it? Who messed up because I am not in a lenient mood tonight,” Magnus pushes forward with a sigh.
“No one, sir,” Jenna quickly assures before continuing, “It’s just the bouncers informed us that some Shadowhunters have entered the club.”
“As long as they follow the rules and keep their swords in their pants I don’t care what they do,” he brushes away while rubbing his brow. He definitely does not have enough mental strength to deal with the Angels’ beloved. “Get Tez to keep an eye on them and let me know if they even misstep once.”
“Of course. I will be back with your drink quickly,” Jenna nods as she quickly went away to the bar.
Magnus leans deeper into his couch and allows his eyes to rake through the crowd. He wants to make himself believe that he isn’t searching for something but when his eyes stop on a raven-haired man with runes littering his body he knows what his subconscious is doing.
He doesn’t know what the Nephilim are doing in his club and honestly, with the surfacing headache from the mixed scents, he doesn’t want to find out. He meant what he told his waitress. He doesn’t care as long as they cause no problems.
Soon his drink arrives and Magnus allows the bitter taste of the drink to wash over him. Even though he keeps trying to relax, his focus keeps narrowing back to the roaming Shadowhunters. He doesn’t know why, since he has spent centuries ignoring their kind but now he can’t seem to keep his gaze from them.
Magnus drains the last of his drink and instead of calling the waitress he just waves his hand and proudly smirks to himself as the glass refills. He takes another sip hoping the soft buzz from the alcohol will finally allow him to tear his eyes away from Shadowhunters. Still once again when he puts his drink to the side; his attention draws back on the Nephilim.
Accepting his fate Magnus watches as the raven-haired Shadowhunter looks upset as he drags a blonde Shadowhunter behind him.
He watches the Shadowhunter stop and look around before meeting his own gaze. Magnus smirks and raises an eyebrow at the Nephilim. He is met with what he is sure is a slight curse before the Shadowhunter starts to shove the blonde faster out the club’s door.
TWO Alec
“God damn it, Jace,” Alec murmurs, staring at his front in horror. “You did that on purpose!”
Izzy lets out a giggle, covering her face with her mouth as she stares at the mess absolutely covering Alec. He narrows his eyes at her but doesn’t say anything more, deciding it’s better to just start his way back home.
He needs a shower. Yes, the demons were taken care of but at what cost? Alec is covered in thick, black, stinky ichor. It’s in his hair, covering his clothes, and he’s positive he can even feel it sloshing around inside his boots.
Alec quickens his steps, already dreaming about his reunion with his shower. Warm water, soap, and getting this stench off of his skin sounds like literal heaven. He can barely pick up any scent, the acidic stench of the ichor too overwhelming.
He’s so focused on getting back to the Institute that Alec almost runs right into someone. He dodged at the last moment, thankful the other person was paying more attention than he was.
“Sorry about that,” the other man says and Alec freezes.
No. This cannot be happening. Absolutely not. Alec refuses to believe that the universe has just bumped him into Magnus Bane, the High Warlock of Brooklyn and owner of Pandemonium, while he’s completely covered in Ichor.
And yet two stunning golden eyes blink up at him, taking him in. Fuck. This is the same man from Pandemonium, the one his attention kept jumping to over and over despite the way he was supposed to be focused on a mission. Fuck.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
“In a hurry, dear?”
Alec wants to run his fingers through his hair or rub at his eyes but stops himself, knowing that wouldn’t be the best idea in this circumstance. Instead, he crosses his arms over his chest, trying to keep the multitude of butterflies flitting about inside his belly at bay.
There’s just something about the alpha before him that draws him in, like a moth drawn to the flame. Which makes matters even worse that they’re meeting once again while Alec looks like this. To make matters worse, Alec sucks in a sharp breath, praying for a chance at catching Magnus’ scent, and is instead assaulted with the acidic burn of ichor through his nose.
This is the worst. Nothing could possibly make this night worse than this.
“Just on my way home from patrol,” Alec explains sheepishly. “I was hoping for a hot shower before running into anyone.”
Magnus’ pupils dilate at Alec’s words, his eyes running over Alec’s chest before snapping back up to Alec’s eyes. He barely keeps himself from puffing out his chest and preening.
Magnus clears his throat. “Well, darling, I don’t wanna keep you from your…. Shower. If you’re ever looking for something that’ll cut through the ichor, come see me at my loft.”
Those butterflies in Alec’s belly come back tenfold, threatening to bring him to his knees at Magnus’ words. Using shampoo or soap from the warlock makes his inner omega whine happily. He really needs to have a word with his inner omega who seems to be getting out of hand lately whenever they’re around Magnus.
“Sounds good,” Alec says, nodding his head. He sticks his thumb out, gesturing over his shoulder. “I should probably?”
“Right,” Magnus murmurs, looking as disappointed as Alec feels that they’re departing. Could there be a chance that magus is feeling the same pull? That his inner alpha is crying out the same way Alec’s inner omega is? “It was lovely to see you, Alexander.”
Without looking back, Alec finishes his walk back to the Institute and pointedly does not think about Magnus or the fact that he actually knows Alec’s name as he showers the ichor from his skin.
THREE Magnus
Magnus’ magic quickly makes its way around to every window, releasing the latches to allow the cursed scent of the failed potion out.
He waves his hands around trying to help fan the smell out quickly but he knows by the fact he isn’t feeling sick that the potion’s purpose is activated.
Magnus sighs and accepts his fate. He groans as he thinks of Catarina’s constant warnings about messing with something that already worked. He looks over to his notes and crosses some of the new additions out. He is trying to concentrate the suppressant potion so the side effects could be milder. But so far every attempt has blown up quite literally on the last one.
He startles when he starts to feel something between his legs only to be met with a hungry cat looking up at him.
“Is it lunchtime?” Magnus smiles, walking to the kitchen to get a can for Chairman. “With you around, Chairman, I will never forget what time it is.”
Chairman is following, still weaving between his legs with every step.
“Alright settle down.” Magnus laughs and reaches for Chairman’s bowl and opens a can with magic. He doesn’t feel like bothering with mundane trinkets this time. Curiosity gets the best of him and Magnus chances a tiny whiff of the cat food. He groans for the first time, disappointed at not being able to smell the strong fish smell. Magnus sighs and continues with his task before Chairman decides to use him as a jungle gym again.
“Here you are, my pretty boy.” Magnus sets the bowl down and snaps his fingers to clean and refill the water dish out. “Eat up, Chairman.”
Magnus welcomes the distraction as the reality that he may have suppressed more than just his scent with the mishap. The potion normally dulled the scent of the user. Never has he heard of it also taking the user’s sense of smell away with it.
He wants to call Catarina and ask her but he also isn’t looking forward to the ‘I told you so’ he might receive.
‘Beep. Beep.’
Magnus takes a deep breath and finally pulls the phone from his pocket looking at the message from the Institute phone. He is happy he finally talked them into stopping fire messages and just text him instead. So he had to make sure he had a boring ring tone to match the caller or sender of it. The Institute only ever contacted him for work anyway.
‘I hope this is a good time. The Infirmary needs more potions. Isabelle said she sent you a picture of the list. I was wondering when we could expect it.
-Alec’
Magnus knows about the order and sends thanks to his past self for once doing the responsible thing. He had finished all his orders, this one included, before he started his experiments.
‘I can portal in now.’
He moves to his supply closet and starts looking for the case of potions he had sorted for the Institute. Magnus pulls the order and looks at his phone and the three moving dots. He smiles at the thought of Alec waiting for him.
‘Now is good. I can meet you to pick them up and give the payment.’
‘See you in 2 minutes, pretty boy.’
Magnus hopes no one will question his pet name usage. On the other hand, it makes Magnus’ inner alpha content and happy to shower Alec with cute names.
He waves and thinks of the big Institute door. With one last check around and a quick snap to shut his windows, Magnus steps through the portal and smiles at the Shadowhunter smiling at him.
His inner alpha whines softly at the thought of not being able to catch a whiff of the Nephilim. He curses past him now for messing up the potion just before he met Alec. His mind keeps on wandering to fantasies of what Alec could smell like.
“Thank you for dropping them off so fast,” Alec’s voice breaks through Magnus’ thoughts.
“Anything for you,” Magnus replies and smiles while noticing the way Alec’s nose keeps twitching.” Sorry about the chemical smell. I had a bit of an accident with a recent experiment.”
“Are you okay?” Alec asks, sounding worried all of a sudden.
“Oh this is just temporary,” Magnus waves it off quickly, following his instinct to comfort the other.” It might last a bit but I assure you it’s not permanent.”
“If you’re sure.” Alec nods.
“I am.” Magnus smiles and pushes the potion order to Alec. “These should be all of them.”
“Oh! Yes, thank you.” Alec takes the box and returns the smile. “We really wouldn’t get things done without you around. Thank you, Magnus.”
His inner alpha once again melts at the easy praise Alec showers them in. Magnus isn’t sure if Alec even realizes what he was doing.
“Anyti-,” Magnus stops as he feels his phone start to ring and sighs as he recognizes Catarina’s number.
He is sure she must’ve found out he messed up somehow.
“It seems others need me as well,” Magnus jokes as he tries to play off his slip. “Don’t hesitate to call if you need something more.”
“Good luck and be careful,” Alec replies as he stays on the steps.
Magnus smiles one last time before he snaps his fingers, opening a portal home. He hopes that Catarina is only calling to complain and not to inquire about the experiments.
FOUR Alec
Achoo!
Alec winces as he walks out of his office, pulling a tissue from his pocket. “Here, Izzy,” he murmurs, handing it over. She takes it gratefully, wiping at her nose with a wince, her nose bright red from how much she’s been rubbing it.
He can relate. His sinuses are clogged and irritated, his chest burning from how much he’s been coughing, and his body aching with fever. Some sort of cold has been going around all the Shadowhunters in this Institute and Alec’s had the misfortune of catching it.
All Alec truly wants right now is to finish up for the day and spend the rest of the night in his bed sleeping this off. Too bad there’s a council meeting tonight that he can’t miss. It wouldn’t do for the acting Head of the Institute to be missing.
“You gonna be okay?”
Alec looks at Izzy and nods. “Always am.”
Izzy pats him on the back as she heads down the hall opposite him towards the bedrooms as he makes his way towards the entrance, preparing to greet the council as they arrive.
Alec does his best not to look completely miserable as he greets people and shakes hands. Luke, Raphael, and Meliorn have all arrived, sitting down in the meeting room. They’re just waiting for--
“Magnus,” Alec says with a bright smile. His chest, which has been bothering him all day seems to lighten as the alpha enters the building, looking amazing in a red jacket and black skinny jeans that fit him just right. He’s about to say more before a cough cuts off his words.
“Oh, dear,” Magnus murmurs, stepping up into Alec’s space. Alec wishes he could smell Magnus. He bets the alpha smells amazing but this damn cold is preventing even the strongest scent into his nose. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Alec waves him off, not wanting Magnus to worry. “Just a cold. It’s been going around.”
Magnus hums to himself, nodding in understanding and that’s when Alec notices the way Magnus’ nose is just as pink as his own. His face lights up with an idea before Magnus is waving his hands in a circle. Alec watches transfixed as sparks of blue magic light up Magnus’ hands, a moment later a small bottle of purple liquid fits in Magnus’ palm. “If you trust me, I’ve got something to help you feel just a little bit better.”
Alec takes the bottle without a second thought, drinking the contents in just one gulp. His eyes meet Magnus’. “I do,” he whispers under his breath. “Trust you, that is.”
Magnus’ face breaks out into a wide smile and Alec feels like he’s answered correctly. He’d say so much and more if it meant keeping that smile on the alpha’s face. As they stand there, looking at each other, Alec feels his headache begin to ease. He can feel whatever was in that bottle working, making the fog of this cold slowly recede from his head. He still can’t smell anything but at least he doesn’t feel like he’s going to pass out anytime soon.
“Thank you,” he says softly, reaching out and touching Magnus’ upper arm, ignoring the way sparks seem to crawl up his arm at the simple touch.
“Any time, darling,” Magnus says back before stepping into the meeting room and leaving Alec feeling completely off-centered in the best possible way. He clenches his hand, wishing he could have touched Magnus longer. But for now, he switches gears and prepares to lead this meeting.
FIVE Magnus
Magnus pulls his jacket closer as he keeps ignoring Ragnor’s apologetic defense. The overwhelming sweet smell was still clouding all of Magnus’ senses. He swears he could even taste it.
“Come on, my friend, when have you ever been this vengeful about a prank,” Ragnor pleads between suppressed giggles.
“Well sorry I don’t like being drenched in Lorenzo’s latest wooing cologne,” Magnus bites back with another groan. “I mean do you really think I like smelling like anything that’s been near that brick of a man?”
“It can’t be that bad,” Ragnor continues. “A good shower and it should come off.”
“I don’t know how he thinks this scent compliments his natural one,” Magnus mumbles. “I swear the people he is with must be nose blind or going to be soon. I won’t be able to be near pastry shops for a while.”
“Come on, let’s get you home,” Ragnor offers as he summons a portal for them both. “Why are your wards so strong? At least arrange them to allow me in next time you maintenance them. The closest I could get us is an alley close by.”
“Oh yes let me go ahead and allow the jerk who dropped a ballon full of cologne on me, unmonitored access to my home,” Magnus grumbles as he walks through the portal. “Yeah not gonna happen.”
“Does Catarina have access?” Ragnor questioned while following his friend.
“Of course she does,” Magnus scoffs. “We both know she would curse either of us if we didn’t have her keyed to her visits.”
“Fair poi-”
“Magnus?” a voice bursts through the dark alley.
Magnus prays to anyone listening that it isn’t Alec. He knows that voice so well now but still, he hopes it isn’t the Shadowhunter.
“Don’t worry Shadowhunter,” Ragnor answers. “I’m just escorting my friend back home.”
“Magnus are you okay?” Alec persists, ignoring Ragnor’s dismissal.
“Yes, Alexander,” Magnus finally answers, internally cursing all the high beings for allowing the Shadowhunter to meet him in his current state. “Just a wild warlock prank and the culprit is so kind to walk me home.”
“You make it sound like I committed a crime!” Ragnor huffs with an eye roll.
“The courts are still out on that and won’t return till I can stop smelling sugar cookies,” Magnus grumbles with a sigh. “I promise I am well, just a bit covered.”
“I’ll be patrolling all night,” Alec cuts in, “if you need anything you can just send me a fire message.”
“I wouldn’t want to pull you away from across the city,” Magnus replies with a smile.
“I’m doing the patrol that covers your street,” Alec readily assures him. “I me-mean it wouldn’t be too much of an issue.”
“If you say so,” Magnus hums as he notices the way Alec’s nose twitches. “Sorry about the scent again. Trust me I am going to have a talk with Ragnor about it.”
“Have a good night, Magnus.” Alec smiles and waves before running up to the roofs through the side ladders in the alley.
“So that’s him?” Ragnor interrupts Magnus’ moment. “Catarina said you had a new suitor.”
“Catarina and you need to stop gossiping about my love life.” Magnus pouts and tugs at Ragnor to move. He wants to be home now, deep in a very strong and cleansing bath. “But did she tell you about the new doctor that just transferred to her Emergency room?”
“You mean Callen?” Ragnor follows and eagerly switches topics.
They both make their way down the street, talking avidly about if the new doctor would woo their friend.
PLUS ONE Alec
Sweat drips from Alec’s temple. His breathing is tight and controlled, his muscles beginning to burn from exertion. Demons continue to pour from the rift. He’s not sure how long they can keep this up.
Alec’s fingers are bloodied from using his bow for so long and his runes are starting to run out, his stamina and energy waning. The Shadowhunter’s fighting at his sides look about the same and for the first time since this fight started, Alec feels fear.
He doesn’t let the feeling slow him down but it’s there, burning a hole into his stomach. He doesn’t even have time to reactivate his runes. Fuck.
“Alec! Watch out,” Jace cries, forcing Alec to duck, a demon just barely missing Alec’s shoulder. That was too close.
Before Alec can call everyone back, needing to get out of here before anyone goes down, there’s the sound of a portal opening up. Alec’s eyes snap over to the noise, his chest filling with hope.
Alec’s not sure he’s ever been more thankful to see Magnus in his life which is saying something because he’s developed quite the crush on the alpha over all this time. Magnus glances his way, their eyes meeting before he’s focusing on the battle going on around them.
Sandalwood. Home. Mate.
Alec’s body goes tense, his inner omega standing up as instincts surge through him. His mate. His true mate is here. Magnus’ eyes stare holes into Alec, his eyes, which Alec has seen many times turn the most beautiful shade of gold while using his magic, fade into a stark alpha red color. Alec feels his eyes change to omega gold in response.
“Oh,” Alec breathes, overcome with emotion as he realizes exactly what’s happening. Magnus’ fist lights up with blue magic before he’s shooting a beam right past Alec’s shoulder, slamming into a demon that was coming straight for Alec. It’s enough to shake him back into his skin, forcing him to focus on the swarm around him.
“I’ll take care of the rift,” Magnus finally says and Alec can feel everyone rallying around him, their resolve hardening once more. “Keep them off me!”
Alec lets loose arrow after arrow, fending off every demon that dares try to strike towards his mate, a second wind surging through him now that Magnus is here. Now that he knows Magnus is his .
With a final blast of magic, the rift seals closed. Everyone works together, finishing the last few demons until a calmness comes over the area.
“We did it,” Jace murmurs, running his fingers through his sweaty hair, the fight leaving him all at once just like everyone else around them.
“Thanks for keeping them off me,” Magnus says as he walks over to them, somehow looking impeccable despite the battle that was just raging a few moments before.
Instead of answering, Alec listens to his instincts and does the one thing he can think to do. He steps into Magnus’ face, wraps his hands around the front of his shirt, and pulls him into a kiss. Magnus makes a noise of surprise but almost instantly sinks into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Alec’s waist. A rightness that Alec’s never felt before sinks under his skin, wiggling its way inside and warming him completely.
When they pull back, neither of them go far, their foreheads resting against each other. “Wow,” Alec whispers, overcome with awe.
“You stole the word right from my mouth.”
Jace snorts beside them. “Literally.”
Alec feels his face warm. He pulls back, rubbing at his face as his parabatai snickers and walks away.
“So,” Alec whispers.
“So,” Magnus says back, his face breaking out inside a gentle smile. “Can I take you out for a proper date, Alexander?”
“I’d like that,” he says, not even needing to think about his answer. “But maybe that can wait until after we take care of this bond.”
Magnus’ eyes light up, like he can barely believe Alec wants that. He takes Alec’s hand, opening a portal before them. “I would love nothing more, Alexander.” Without a second glance, they both step through.