Work Text:
Somewhere in Time
For Lady Matt
Mayfield College
May 2012
“Alec, that was great!”
“Man, what an awesome play! Congrats Alec!”
He heard all the different shouts as he moved through the backstage crowd, a smile stretched across his face and his current boyfriend clinging to his arm. His closest friends moved around him, protecting him in a circle from all the people who suddenly came out the woodwork wanting to know him, touch him, be close to him. Alec Lightwood was a shining star at the Liberal Arts college. His plays, winning the small college awards and making the papers.
“Guess what?” He said with a shit-eating grin at his nearest and dearest. At the expectations on all their faces, his smirk grew. “A producer was in the audience tonight and he said this play is good enough to be on Broadway right now.” He laughed at the shrieks, cheers, and hands that reached for him.
Most of the leftover crowd were the students still celebrating alone on the stage, with all but one lone audience member who remained seated in the dim theater, his eyes trained, his gaze unmoved from the play writer. Indeed, he had never been able to take his eyes off Alexander Lightwood, from the moment their eyes first met. Slowly, as old age was making itself known, the elderly extremely well-dressed gentleman rose and made his way to the stage. The crowd, perhaps sensing the otherworldliness of him, or perhaps that every inch of him screamed well-bred, dignified, rich, moved aside silently as he made his way to the man with his broad back to him. Eyes welling with heartache and tears, he tapped upon one broad shoulder.
He stared into questioning hazel eyes, his own growing damp at the lack of recognition in that beloved face. Gently, he reached out and took one young hand into his own wrinkled ones, pressing something small and round firmly into that youthful hand, he whispered, “Come back to me, Alexander.” One last lounging look, his eyes searching; have been always searching, before he turned away and made his way from his Alexander’s side.
Alec frowned, watching the elderly gentlemen walk away, something nagged at him … those eyes. Where, how did he know those eyes? Uncurling his hand, he looked down. A golden, pristine pocket watch lay in his hand. “Who was that Alec?” his boyfriend asked, Alec only shook his head. “I have no idea.” He opened the watch, its craftsmanship superb, condition, despite its age, pristine. Engraved on the inside were the words, even time cannot keep us apart.”
8 Years later
New York
Alec stared out at the New York skyline, at the people below enjoying this last late warm autumn day, stuck inside himself, stuck inside his own mind. Letting out a sigh, he moved back to his desk, back to the blank screen of his laptop, at that little cursor that seemed to mock him. The many awards and newspaper articles, all framed along his apartment walls, seemed to mock him. He was three weeks overdue to deliver his latest play and he had not managed to write a word, oh well except for “Act One.” Typing for several seconds, he furiously hit delete, pounding the keys and letting out a harsh frustrated ‘fuck!’ into the empty air around him.
Bags packed, Alec pressed the down button on the elevator, the doors opening to the sight of his kid sister, his manager, Isabelle glaring at him. She didn’t say anything as he got into the elevator; she waited until the doors closed. “What’s going on Alec, is the play done?”
“Nope,” he answered, ignoring her glares, and focusing on the descending numbers, so close.
“Then what are you doing?” She demanded. “Where are you going?”
“I don’t know,” he said, rushing out when the doors opened, suitcase banging against his legs. “I don’t care, but I will know when I get there!”
“Alec!” He ignored his sister’s calls and jumped into his car, the open road calling him unlike the blank computer screen he had been staring at for months now.
New York state truly was beautiful during the fall, the leaves rustling, the wind carrying that scent of fall. Alec already felt better, the persistent tension that had taken up residence in his neck and shoulders easing. He drove aimlessly, top down on his convertible, the wind rustling his hair. He didn’t know the road he was on, didn’t even know where he was, close to the coast he knew cause the air carried the scent of salt in it.
On his right, a long tree lined drive captured his attention, he slowed and turned into the road bearing an elegant old sign that read, ‘The Grand Hotel.’ Hum, the date said est. 1857. He had never heard of this place, curiosity, and something deeper inside had him driving up to the distinguished old hotel. It had large white columns, wide red carpet covered steps and a porch that stretched along the entire building, wrapping around to the sea he could see off in the distance. Pulling up, he handed off his keys to a formally dressed valet, taking the ticket without moving his eyes from the view of the ocean in the distance.
His feet guided him inside, looking around in amazement at all the history this place dripped in its furnishings, art; its very atmosphere brought one back to that old world elegance. It was like stepping back into time. Tasteful carpets, heavy silk drapes, and oak grand staircases greeted guests. He approached the long grand front desk, where a suited gentleman greeted him with a ‘Sir, good day, welcome to the Grand Hotel.’ He gave an absent smile, eyes still roaming around and taking in everything the hotel had to offer. Finally, turning back to the desk clerk with a smile, “Wow, this place is gorgeous! I never knew this was here.”
His comment drew a genuine smile from the clerk. “Yes Sir, we are very proud of our hotel, will you be staying with us?”
Unable to resist, Alec forked over his credit card. “Alfred?” The desk clerk called, and an older white-haired employee approached, taking the key card from the desk clerk, Alfred guided Alec, ‘“his way sir.” Room 416 was as elegant as the lobby of the hotel, all the modern conveniences not taking away from the feel of age. Absently, Alec tipped the bellhop, gaze already enjoying the view of the water his room provided. He felt eyes on him and turned to see the employee looking at him with a slight frown, “yes?” Alec said with a lifted brow.
The bellhop shook his head and then gave a professional smile before asking, “Have you stayed with us before Sir?”
“Nope, first time here, why?” Alec asked.
The employee titled his head to the side, a small, confused frown reappearing. “Oh you just look very familiar Sir, my mistake.” The bellhop departed, closing the door quietly behind him.
Alec unpacked the little he brought with him and his growling stomach had him leaving the room in search of the dining room. He rubbed his complaining stomach as he was turned away, a 45 minute wait! Wandering around the lobby, he peeked into the shops, raised a brow at the high-end fashions displayed, ‘not so backwoods at all,’ he thought. The next room was a library that looked like something straight out of a Dickens novel, dark wood, rich carpets, and shelf after shelf of leather-bound books … impressive. He looked up at the sign of the next room, ‘Hotel History.’
Display case after case was filled with priceless antiques from a century ago. Thanks to Izzy’s teachings, Alec knew a little about what he was looking at and it was a fortune in priceless pieces. The old black and white photos of fashion long ago were a trip. Everything from ladies in full length gowns to flapper attire of the 1930’s. The men dressed in tails and tall hats and then in high waisted pin-stripped suits. Those paints did not look comfortable Alec winched in sympathy at the tightly drawn cloth covering the men’s crotches. How did they breathe in that?
It was a light that caught his attention out of the corner of his eye, his gaze following a lone spotlight that was focused on a single photograph, displayed alone, in a place of prominence. His eyes followed those beams of light, only to stop mesmerized by the black and white photograph displayed in a gilded gold frame. His feet moved without his conscious thought, eyes never moving from the photograph. His gaze moved greedily over the image, taking in every detail, everything else in the room faded into the background. He was the most beautiful thing Alec had ever seen.
The young man in the old black and white photograph was stunning. Alec’s heart was beating so fast it felt like he was having a heart attack, his pulse racing. The man was staring straight into the camera, a small almost secretive smile gracing his lips. His skin seemed to glow from within, he radiated a silent contentment as if he was gazing upon something that he loved, that brought him peace. Alec was captivated. The eyes and hair were dark, but with a black and white photo it was difficult to guess their real color. He stood as close as possible to the photo, slowly he reached out a hand, fingers trembling, he brushed a finger gently against the face of a man who had his heart after one glance.
Time passed, Alec gave it no thought, unaware of how long he stood gazing completely mesmerized in front of the old black and white photograph, hour after hour. Through dinner, which he rushed, long passed the call for sleep, Alec returned again to the man highlighted by one lone spotlight. Even when Alec finally returned to his room, he tossed and turned all night, his mind refusing to let him leave the image that had now taken up residence in his heart. He returned before dawn, mind spinning furiously with questions. Who was he, what was his story, why couldn’t Alec look away, or stay away? He had to find some answers, his mind immediately launching onto that old Bellhop who had stated he worked here for so long, surely, he would know who the man was, what his story was?
Alec rushed through the hotel, eyes searching everywhere for Alfred. He finally went outside, with a determined gaze searching up and down the front of the hotel, across its massive grounds and even leading down to the water. His eyes zeroed in on a white-haired attendant at the end of a row of cars, his feet rushing down the steps as he called, ‘Alfred!’ maybe a little too eagerly as the old guy gave a start before turning to him, polite smile in place. “Yes, Mr. Lightwood, you need assistance?”
“The man!” He gushed out, his voice a little too loud. “In the history room, the man in the photograph along the back wall, who is he?” Alec demanded.
Alfred to his credit didn’t remark on Alec’s obviously unhinged behavior, instead only smiling somewhat eagerly as if the topic was one of his favorites. “Oh, that’s Magnus Bane!”
“Magnus Bane,” Alec whispered with reverence.
“Yes,” Alfred said eagerly. “He was a great stage actor, very famous and very mysterious.”
“Mysterious? Why?” Alec pressed, wanting to know absolutely everything about the man who had taken up permanent presences in his heart and mind.
Alfred shook his head before responding. “No one really knows why but after his performance here he never smiled again, he seemed to carry around a sense of profound loss. His manager he had at the time who had been with him since his debut left after their stay and Magnus Bane became a loner and a recluse later in life.”
Alec’s mind spun, his gaze drifting away to the water. “Is there a library in town, Alfred?” At the bellhop’s nod, Alec rushed off a ‘“thank you,” offered back over his shoulder as he headed towards his car.
The small-town library surprisingly was very well organized and had a lot of materials. Alec poured through every reference book he could find on stage actors from the last century. The writer in him had Alec taking very detailed notes on everything he could find mentioning Magnus Bane. His origins, Indonesian, migrated with his parents when he was three years old. His parents passed away in a house fire. Magnus was raised by an Aunt who herself was an actress. He immersed himself into Magnus' life, his early career, his awards, and news writeups, pouring through every scrap the old books and newspaper clips provided. He even had the librarian pull out old dusty magazines. It was the last picture that had the air leaving Alec’s lungs, his heart rate rushing so fast it was all he could hear.
It was him! The old man from Alec’s college play, the one who had given him the pocket watch and said those words that haunted him to this day, ‘come back to me, Alexander.’ “Magnus,” he whispered, staring down at the photograph. “What were you trying to tell me?”
The following days found Alec back in front of Magnus’s photograph, mind whirling with all he had learned about the man, who now occupied Alec’s entire being. How can one fall in love with a photograph he wondered, how does one man a century ago capture the sole focus on someone out of their time? There was one burning question, a thought that haunted Alec day and night, why was Magnus Bane so familiar, why did Alec feel like he knew this man inside and out, why did the idea burn itself so firmly in his heart that he believed it absolutely, that he Alexander Lightwood held this man’s heart, that the smile that graced those oh-so-lovely lips was for Alec alone? That obsession alone had him turning up at Alfred’s cottage late one night, banging on the door and waking the older man.
The fixation continued with a midnight raid of the Hotel’s attic, and the pouring through of dusty old file cabinets that finally uncovered a treasure; the guest books from 1912! By only the flashlight, Alec’s fingers ran down name after name, finally his breath catching as his finger stopped on one name, Magnus Bane. His eyes caressed the handwriting tenderly, and Alec held his breath as his fingers moved down the page, quickly turning them, seeking one more name. There! Time stopped, for in this book dated July 1912 in his own distinct handwriting was Alexander Lightwood, July 12, 1912, 9:15 am room 416. He had been there! How? Alec swallowed, shutting the book gently and placing it back where he had found it. His feet carried him back through the silent hotel, where everyone else was in bed. The photograph still called to him with its pure white light that highlighted Magnus’s face.
Alec returned to his room late in the night. He could not shake the feeling that time was running out, that he should be someplace else. Ever since he had seen Magnus’s photograph, he felt like he was out of time. Alec had never felt like he didn’t belong, in his life, in his place, in this world, but now he did. His mind spun furiously with ideas. The things that a sane, normal person would never consider, like time travel. He was silly, stupid, not normal thinking at all, but Alec couldn’t let go of the thought that Magnus was waiting for him, waiting in this very hotel in 1912!
It was the memory, hazy though it was, that sent him back to his old college and one particular professor, a professor they had all called a crackpot. Because this old teacher of Alec’s had published a book, called Out of time, and the power of the mind to time travel. His head was spinning as he left, the professor’s tale of being in the 1500’s, leaving him skeptical and hopeful at the same time. He needed some prep. The little town around the hotel was almost as old as the facility itself would be perfect for what he was seeking. If the shopkeepers thought he was nuts, Alec ignored them. Returning to the hotel, hands full of bags, Alec set about putting his insane plan into reality. He ignored the voice in the back of his head that mocked him and questioned his mental health. This would work, it had to!
He stripped his hotel room of every modern convenience, placing anything reminding him of the century he was currently in out of sight. He downed the suit he had picked up in town, cut his hair based upon 1912 photographs, then got out his phone and recorded a message. It was surely madness that gripped him, but Alec was driven by desperation, he didn’t belong here, now, he belonged wherever Magnus Bane was. His voice on the recording repeated the same words, ‘it’s 1912 July 12th and it's 9:15 am at The Grand Hotel, over and over again he played it. Alec lay stretched out on his bed, hands folded across his chest, mind willing itself back. Hours went by, his phone running out of battery, his desperation growing. Why wasn’t it working!?!
Another night passed, his failures driving him once again to the history room and Magnus’s image. Fighting tears, Alec tried again and again. More hours laying and listening to his own voice trying to convince himself he was in a different time, the same place as Magnus, until with a scream he sat up, fighting the urge to throw his phone across the room. Hand drawn back, phone gripped tightly, he froze, eyes narrowing in on the phone! The twenty-first century device in his hand! Damnit he was so stupid! Springing up, he turned off the device and put it into the closet with the rest of his life. Laying back down, Alec fought to clear his mind.
“It’s 1912, it’s 1912,” Alec whispered softly to himself, repeating this over and over until his eyelids grew heavy and he drifted away.
It was the bright sun across his eyes and face that pulled Alec awake. He blinked heavy, hazel eyes at the light coming in. His gaze, heavy, slowly drifted around the room, his heart rate increasing at what he was seeing. Gone was the stripped bare room. In its place were rich fabrics covering furnishings not seen for a century. His breath sped up, Alec sat up slowly and reached down and pinched his own leg, hard. Nope wasn’t dreaming. His eyes continued to travel over his room, coming to stop at the curtains that were covering his view of the water. His legs trembled under him as he rose, his muscles feeling like he had just run a marathon. He stumbled, grasping the curtains to pull them back, giving a choked off cry at the sight below him. Men and women strolled the grounds, in fashions he had seen in the magazines of the period. Where cars once lined the driveway in front of the hotel, now horse-drawn carriages waited for guests.
This was surreal! “He did it,” Alec whispered, he was really back in time. Somewhere in this very hotel was Magnus. He had to find him, checking his room one more time, head shaking in disbelief and a smile on his face, Alec headed to find his dream man, literally! The first place he tried was the room Magnus had been registered in, or was registered in? Man, was this going to take some getting used to. His knock going unanswered, Alec next moved on to the theatre inside the hotel. He entered rehearsals with actors across the stage but none were Magnus. Spotting two men seated down front, Alec headed in their direction, feet shifting restlessly. He didn’t wait for a polite break in conversation. Instead clearing his throat loudly and when they looked at him in annoyance, he all but demanded. “I’m looking for Magnus Bane.”
The heavier-set man glared but responded. “He is not here mate, not due for a couple more hours. Look elsewhere.”
Alec just nodded his thanks, already turning and rushing back out. He looked everywhere, the dining room, the lobby, the lounges, nothing, no Magnus! Alec cursed, he didn’t come all this way, crossing time even, damnit, not to find Magnus. Hell, he even practiced his introduction as he was rushing around. “Hi, you don’t know me, but you will.” Ugh! Too cheesy, Alec. “Hello Mr. Bane, my name is Alexander Lightwood and I’ve been dreaming about you every second since seeing your picture a century from now.” Yep, Alec, that will get you committed! How did one introduce themselves to a man for the first time, and not tell him, first that you are a time traveler, and second, that you wish to marry him? How does one tell a man who you have journeyed hundreds of years in the past to meet that you are already in love with him? Sprinting down the front hotel steps, Alec stopped an attendant holding the reins of a pair of horses. “Magnus Bane?” He asked.
The guy looked at Alec funny but pointed down by the water. “He was taking a stroll on the grounds last I saw him.”
Alec gave him a huge smile and ran across the path separating him from the lush gardens in front of the shoreline. His eyes ran up and down the space, searching every person, Alec moved quickly among the tall trees, searching desperately for the one face he had only viewed in an old photograph. Finally, his breath caught in his chest, and his pulse jumped, for moving out of the trees was Magnus, real and in color! He was even more breathtaking in person. The old photograph had failed to reveal the deep richness of his skin, the warm glow of the sunlight making him glow like a warm candle. He wore the height of fashion, but there were touches that Magnus was a rebel of his times. The waistcoat, tie, and matching handkerchief were in a rich colorful silk. Magnus’s black hair, so dark it appeared to have deep blue highlights, was slightly wavy, with little curls over his brow and along his elegant ears. He was tall, though not at Alec’s 6’3” but also much more muscular than Alec himself. Magnus had arms that strained his suit, biceps that made Alec’s mouth water. He was PERFECTION.
All his earlier rushing, the eagerness faded, now Alec almost shyly started walking towards Magnus, eyes zeroed in and not moving from the other man. He felt it, actually had a psychical reaction when Magnus’s eyes landed on his own; the pull magnetic, moving his body forward without any further urging from Alec’s mind. Their eyes remained locked together as Alec moved closer, standing now just a small step away.
“Are you the one?” Magnus whispered.
Alec smiled and stepped an inch closer. “I’m Alec, Alec Lightwood.” He reached and took one of Magnus’s hands gently, “It’s nice to meet you.” His heart was jackrabbiting.
Magnus cocked his head to the side, a small frown on his face. “Have we met Sir?”
“Not until now, but I know you Magnus Bane.” Alec said, not releasing the hand he held, even though Magnus gave a slight tug of release.
“I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure Sir, Alec?” He questioned; Magnus did stop trying to free his hand.
“Alexander,” Alec said, remembering what an older Magnus had called him. “Will you take a walk with me, Magnus?” Alec asked, more bold than he had ever been in his life, but he was liberally working against time here.
Magnus gave a laugh that was like music to Alec’s ears. He smiled and Alec fell even more deeper if possible. “Sir,” at Alec’s frown, he corrected himself. “Mr. Lightwood-.”
Not much better Alec thought, “Alexander,” he corrected.
Magnus laughed once more. “Mr. Lightwood, as charming as you appear to be and quite good looking, I must admit, you are after all a stranger and I am not in the habit of wandering off with strange men, rumors to the contrary.” This time, Magnus freed his captured hand.
“Magnus?” A voice at Alec’s back called. Turning he saw a tall Hispanic man, dressed very formally, frowning at them and especially at how close Alec stood to Magnus.
“Lorenzo,” Magnus answered, already moving away from Alec and towards the other man.
Alec knew who the man was now, Magnus’s manager Lorenzo Rey. “It’s time for rest before rehearsal Magnus, come.” Rey said in almost a command. Magnus moved to join him, despite Alec’s noise of protest.
“Wait,” he called out, turning to follow Magnus, but Rey held up a hand stopping him from following.
“Go on ahead I will be right in,” Rey said to Magnus, who shot Alec a strange glance before nodding and heading inside the hotel. Rey waited until Magnus had moved out of hearing range before confronting Alec. “Sir, what business do you have with Mr. Bane?” he demanded.
Alec frowned at the almost possessive tone Rey had speaking about Magnus. He didn’t recall any mention in the history books about romantic gossip about Rey. “It’s personal.” He shot back.
Rey observed him from head to toe for several long moments before responding. “Personal, you say?” He straightened up to his full height, still much shorter than Alec’s own. “Well, I must advise you to stay away from my client, or I’ll have you thrown out of this hotel.” Rey warned before turning and stalking after Magnus.
Unbeknownst to Alec, Magnus had stopped and hid around a column and listened in. He waited until Rey reached him before stepping out and looking at his manager. “Is he the one Lorenzo?”
Rey just shook his head at first and grasped Magnus’s arm escorting him inside the hotel. “I don’t know Magnus,” he finally answered.
Alec stared after the pair, what did Magnus mean when he asked “are you the one?” He watched until they were no longer in sight before moving to one of the benches with a view of the water. Alec needed to sit down before his weak knees gave out. Magnus had stolen all his senses. His presence was so real, so alive that Alec felt faint, something he never attributed to himself. No other person had ever affected him like Magnus did. What was once a fantasy, a dream that seemed so out of reach now was real, live, a flesh and blood reality that Alec wasn’t so sure he could deal with, and not stay sane. He put a shaky hand on his chest right over his furiously beating heart. ‘Get a grip Lightwood,’ he ordered himself. He needed to plan his next move carefully and somehow convince Magnus to spend time with him.
Alec entered the dining room, bypassing the hostess standing where the man was asking about reservations. Looking around, he smoothed a nervous hand down his suit, he was a little undressed for dinner it seemed. Weaving through the tables, he searched for his target. He was just about to give up then he saw him, elegantly dancing with a lady. Magnus looked stunning in a black tuxedo with tails and white gloves. Alec moved among the dancers and came up behind the unsuspecting woman, tapping her on the shoulder, he said, “Excuse me but I believe this is my dance.” The women gave a gleeful laugh and turned into Alec’s arms. Startled, he blurted out, “I meant with Magnus, I wanted to dance with him.” The women stiffened and let out a little gasp of horror, Alec could see Magnus’s face pale as he stared at Alec in shock. ‘Oh shit,’ Alec thought, stomach sinking. He had forgotten where he was, what time he was in.
Shooting Magnus, a desperate apology with his eyes, Alec let out a laugh before spinning the women away in dance. “Ha, I gotcha, of course it’s you my lovely lady!” Hoping his act was enough and letting out a sigh of relief when the women laughed with him and preened under his compliment. After two dances, and avoiding wandering hands, Alec was finally able to make his escape. Stepping out onto the balcony, he took a deep breath of clean air, void of the heavy perfume the woman had been wearing.
He didn’t resist as his arm was grabbed tightly and he was pulled away from the open door and any curious eyes. Spun around he was face to face with a heavily frowning Magnus. “Just what were you thinking, Alexander?” Magnus demanded, forgetting his avoidance of using Alec’s first name in his anger.
“Magnus, I am so sorry no excuse, but I forgot where I was for a moment, it won’t happen again I swear. I’ll be discreet!” Alec promised.
Magnus let go of Alec’s arm. “I do not know where you are from, that is so accepting of what the rest of society would stone one for, but that was reckless. Why I might be known for my extragenic, and eccentric ways even I have to be mindful of what is seen in public.”
Alec felt like a fool, how could he have forgotten 1912 wasn’t ready to raise the Pride flag and let it fly. As an out and proud gay man, Alec had never had to deal with the very real threat of discovery like gay men of this period. It was dangerous to be even perceived as homosexual in these times. “I am sorry, Magnus. It won’t happen again.” Not one to give up such an opportunity, Alec tried again. “How about a friendly stroll? Just two guys getting to know each other, as friends!”
Magnus looked at him in shock for a second, before a reluctant smile stretched across his lips. “Alright, Alexander, one stroll, but that’s it and keep a respectful distance!” Magnus warned.
Before they could step out and leave, Magnus’s manager’s voice sounded from behind them. “That guy, Alec internally swore, he always has to interrupt them! “Magnus, where are you going?” Rey asked.
“Just for a walk, Lorenzo. I will meet back at the rooms in a little while.” Magnus answered almost defiantly, already grabbing Alec’s arm and escorting him away.
“Magnus,” Rey said, in some tone that had Magnus freezing and looking at the other man. “You need to rest; the performance is in a few hours.” Magnus let go of Alec’s arm and moved to Lorenzo’s side. Rey patted Magnus gently on the back. “Go on inside, I’ll just be a moment.”
“Lorenzo,” Magnus said, pleading softly in his voice. Rey only gently nudged him inside. “It will be okay Magnus, run along now.” He ordered, waiting until Magnus looked once more at Alec, now his gaze filled with apology.
Rey turned back to look at Alec as Magnus moved away. “I warned you Mr. Lightwood, it appears you don’t like to listen.” Lorenzo moved to two hotel staff members waiting at the door and bent down to whisper something to them.
Alec found himself escorted down the hotel steps and warned not to return unless he had a reservation. Of course, he didn’t stay away, but only waited until those two employees disappeared before taking himself to the front desk and getting a room. Of course, he had a mild heart attack when at first it seemed he would get room 416, but luckily or was that prewritten, he was once again back in his room. Alec only stopped inside his room for a moment before once again making his way to Magnus’s room.
Rey showed no great shock at Alec’s appearance when he opened the door to Magnus’s room. Alec made sure to give him a full smirk before asking if Magnus was in. Rey shook his head and started to close the door in Alec’s face, but Magnus’s voice rang out.
“Wait.” Magnus brushed past Rey, ignoring his manager calling his name in warning, shutting the hotel room door behind himself and in Rey’s face.
Alec smiled down at Magnus. “We never did get to go on that stroll.”
Magnus honestly did look regretful. “I am sorry Alexander, but I do need to rest before my performance tonight.”
Alec couldn’t not touch, so he once more took Magnus’s hand. “Come on Magnus, just a short while, come out with me please.”
Magnus searched his face, Alec knew he could see the desire there, the sheer desperate need he had to spend time in Magnus’s orbit. Whatever he saw must have convinced him because Magnus nodded and pulled his hand free, opening the door he turned back with a ‘wait here for a moment, I shall not be long.’ Alec could have thrown his fist up in victory, but he resisted, barely. Magnus had left the door cracked so he clearly heard the all too brief argument and Rey’s failure at deterring Magnus. He did give a fist pump when Magnus said, ‘Lorenzo, you are not my father nor my lover, kindly remember that. You are my manager, so manage my career, not my personal life.’ Magnus graciously ignored Alec’s antics as he rejoined him in the hall and Alec gallantly offered an arm, earning a huff of laughter and a smile from Magnus.
The following few short hours he got to spend with Magnus were the best of Alec’s life. They did not run out of things to share, Magnus had Alec laughing more than anyone had ever. His outlandish storytelling had Alec trying to match him with his own tales of mischief he and his siblings had gotten up to. Magnus asked Alec about his work, eagerly asking about his plays. Wanting to know every detail of plot, how Alec came up with the characters, all his thought process, and being a stage actor, Magnus had such amazing insights into the world they both loved and shared in common.
The connection was so real and tangible between them, Alec swore every time their hands or arms brushed, electricity sparked. It wasn’t just Magnus’s beauty, his mind was amazing, and despite the time stretched between them, he and Alec had so much in common. Alec didn’t hold back, not like he had with every relationship, every date, every man he had been with before. No, he opened up with Magnus like never before, sharing everything, not mindful of looking cool or appearing as something he was not. His soul laid bare, and the most amazing part was that in Magnus’s eyes Alec was enough. In turn, Magnus told him about his early life, being an orphan at such a young age. His struggles as a non-white man, the prejudices he faced, obstacles. He spoke lovingly of his aunt who took him in and raised him as single women, unheard of in these times.
Magnus spoke of how his aunt shared her love of the stage with him, how he studied and studied and how he worked saving every penny for classes and going to see performances in the cheap seats. Alec tried to listen objectively when Magnus spoke about meeting Lorenzo Rey and how much he helped, guided, and protected Magnus. He nodded when Magnus implored him to understand that Magnus was once very reckless, and it was only Rey’s guidance that helped him reach this point in his career. Alec quickly moved their conversations along, not wanting to dwell on Magnus’s possessive manager. He wanted to know everything there was to know about Magnus, which led to hilarious exchanges of everything from favorite color, food, to side of the bed they both preferred. Which then had Alec fighting the roll of arousal that went through him at the mental image of Magnus in his bed.
All too soon time went by, Magnus regrettably saying he did have to return and prepare for tonight’s performance. They both were silent as they walked back to the hotel and Magnus’s room. Standing before the door, Alec was loathed to let Magnus out of his sight, time was not their friend. “Can I see you tonight, after the performance?” he whispered.
Magnus nodded, eyes not looking away from Alec’s own. “Yes, and come see it, the performance, I will leave a ticket for you at the door.” Alec nodded. “Yes?” Magnus asked, “You’ll be there?”
Alec’s eyes drifted down to Magnus’s lips. “Yes,” he whispered in reply. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything.” He so badly wanted to kiss Magnus, but they were standing out in the open, in a time and place that would judge them so harshly for such desires.
Magnus gave Alec a small, sad smile, as if he could read Alec’s thoughts and share his desires, knowing this wasn’t their time. He backed into his room, eyes still held in Alec’s gaze, only the slow closing door finally breaking their connection.
The seat Magnus arranged for Alec was perfect. Third-row, stage right. Only someone like Alec who knew the stage would understand that the actor could see the audience where Alec was seated just passed the stage lights. The play opened to the typical plot device of the times, arranged marriage. Magnus, playing a young man fighting with his father who wants him to marry some business associate’s daughter. Alec paid the other actors no attention, didn’t even listen to their dialog, his eyes from the moment Magnus entered stage left were fixed upon Magnus. Alec found himself laughing at Magnus witty comebacks for his on-stage overbearing father. Then, Alec’s heart stopped as Magnus rose from the dressing table on stage and seemed to almost be talking directly to Alec.
“I want to marry someone I love,” Magnus’s character said, eyes locked upon Alec. “I want that great love story, the one where your heart beats faster, your palms sweat, and if they stand close enough, you can feel their breath upon your skin. I want a love like that.” Magnus seemed almost to shake himself, smile slipping back upon his face just like the character he was playing. The play might have gone on, but for Alec there was only that moment in time, when Magnus’s eyes locked on his own and he spoke everything Alec was feeling.
Alec moved out of the theater with the rest of the audience only after the standing ovation that they all gave Magnus. He moved out onto the grounds, needing some fresh air and a chance to catch his breath. His heart was overwhelmed with everything Magnus said, his skin tingled, and he felt like he could run a marathon! Alec knew he had never felt this way before and would never again. This was it, his love of a lifetime. He couldn’t wait to meet with Magnus. The wait for the other man to finish and join him, was causing his spine to tingle. So distracted was he, he didn’t notice Rey until the man called his name. “Mr. Lightwood?”
He turned to face Lorenzo, not really surprised after the performance Magnus put on to find his manager here, now. “Mr. Rey.” He said more politely than the other man deserved.
“I know who you are, Mr. Lightwood.” Rey said.
“And who am I, Mr. Rey?” Alec replied almost mockingly.
Rey just shook his head like he was disappointed in Alec. “You are his destruction Mr. Lightwood, the one thing that will bring about his downfall.”
Alec stepped closer; fist clenched. “I would never harm Magnus!” He hissed, furiously.
Rey now gave him a look filled with pity. “You can’t truly believe a relationship between you is possible, how do you see this whole thing going?” Rey asked.
Alec fought for control, he really wanted to punch this guy. “I’ll stand by his side, forever if he lets me, no one will support Magnus like me. No one will love Magnus like I do.” Shaking his head at Rey he accused. “You sound like a jealous lover, what are you afraid of, me replacing you?”
Rey laughed, actually laughed in Alec’s face. “You think that’s what this is about, a bed warmer? I can find one of those at the drop of a hat, but a talent like Magnus Bane! That comes along once in a lifetime. I’ve nurtured him, protected him from men like you!” Rey almost shouted.
Alec had enough, turning away he walked away from Rey. “Well not anymore, now he has me to protect him, whether you like it or not.” He didn’t see Rey nod at someone in the shadows, didn’t notice until the two men grabbed him, and another delivered a punch to his stomach, causing Alec to gasp and bend over. He tried fighting them, but three against one was not good odds. After delivering their beating, they tied Alec up, gagging him and laying him unconscious in the stables, hidden from eyes in a stall.
Magnus eagerly stepped inside his dressing room. He’d known he was rushing through the admires, probably brushing off someone important, but he didn’t give a damn. Alexander was waiting for him. “Quickly Franklin, help me change.” He ordered his attendant. Before he could disrobe, the door opened, and Lorenzo came inside. Magnus gave him a frown at the rudeness, Since when could Lorenzo just barge in. He said nothing though because Lorenzo was pale and looked grave. “What’s wrong?” Magnus demanded.
“He is not coming, Magnus.” Lorenzo said, seating himself heavily in a chair and looking down at the floor.
Magnus’s heart froze. “What do you mean, what did you do Lorenzo?” Magnus harshly spat. “Where’s Alexander?”
“He is gone Magnus, left the hotel, left you, he is not coming.” Rey repeated.
Magnus threw his tie into the floor and moved to the door. “I don’t believe you.” He moved to leave only pausing briefly at Lorenzo’s parting words. “We leave in an hour.”
Alec was awoken once again by the sun dancing across his face and eyes. Groaning, he attempted to raise a hand to cover his eyes, the realization that he couldn’t move caused his eyes to shoot open and a gasp to leave his gagged lips. Struggling, he blinked around him, the tall horse looking down at him in judgement telling him where he was. He screamed behind the gag; it was morning! Magnus had been waiting for him the night before! Alec rolled across the stall, scouting himself furiously across the straw and hitting the stall wall. Above him hung a glass lantern. Thrusting his body up, he knocked it free, the shattered glass providing the means to free himself.
Alec banged on Magnus’s door, shouting his name with desperation. He fought with himself, refusing to give into the tears that threatened. Turning, he started to rush off, he had to find him. The hotel employee looked at him like a mad man when Alec accosted him. “Magnus Bane, do you know where he is?” Alec demanded, hair in disarray, clothes rumpled and covered in straw. He knew he had a busted lip and a black eye. If Alec was lucky, the hotel wouldn’t call the police on him, but he didn’t care he had to find Magnus.
“The words the hotel employee delivered felt like a death announcement. “They're gone Sir. The performance has moved onto Denver.” Alec bit his lips to hold back the sob. His feet carrying him without will outside and finally resting against one the tall stately white hotel columns. The tears won, they dripped down his face and he made no effort to stop or hide them. Magnus gone? He cannot be once more out of Alec’s reach!
It took precious seconds, but finally, a beloved voice crying out his name drew Alec out his dark thoughts. “Alexander!” he heard, and he knew that voice, it was the one from his dreams. Turning he saw him, Magnus running towards him across the grounds, face as desperate as Alec had felt.
They entered Magnus’s hotel room silently, hands not held but so close that they could brush a finger gently against the others without anyone noticing. The early afternoon sun danced through the curtains, giving the room a warm but not too bright glow. Turning to face each other, Alec cupped that beloved face in his hands and finally did something he had wanted to do for so long now, he kissed Magnus. Afternoon and night passed without the room’s occupants noticing. They were only aware of warm soft skin, touching that brought such new feelings and such joy. Of hands that could not let go, and breaths that mingled so perfectly that their hearts beat in time. Alec had sex before, thought he had even loved one or two of his partners before, but nothing prepared him for making love with Magnus. Not only did their bodies join, but Alec felt he left his very soul inside Magnus.
Food had them moving from the bed to a picnic on the floor, Magnus spoiling Alec with champagne and lots of goodies from the kitchen, a healthy tip ensuring them substance despite the late hour. Magnus held Alec’s pocket watch in his hands, turning it over and admiring it. “This is lovely Alexander, where did you get it?” Alec smiled gently, “It was a gift, Magnus.” He suddenly jumped up and grabbed his suit jacket, at Magnus’s laughter he pouted. “What’s wrong with my suit?” he whined.
Magnus cracked up. “Nothing darling if you don’t mind fashion from 20 years ago. That’s what I’ll do!” Magnus said with enthusiasm.
“What?” Alec said absently, picking through his suit pockets.
“Buy you a new suit. Tell me again about your plays Alexander, are there many parts for me?” Magnus said, seated so beautiful, only clad in a hotel robe, warm skin showing so enticingly as the robe slipped down one bare shoulder.
Alec’s breath caught, and he couldn’t stay away even if it was only a few feet separating them. Magnus’s warm dark eyes showed so much love as he gazed upon Alec. He was enchanting and Alec paid no attention to the object in his hand, not until he was almost to Magnus. Then he opened the palm of his hand and looked down. His eyes not at first understanding what he was looking at, but as his gaze zeroed in on the numbers on the coin in his hand, his throat was gripped by horror, 2012 the penny said.
Alec’s eyes shot up at Magnus' cry of his name, “Alexander!” Magnus’s voice was filled with fear, and he held out a hand in desperation. Alec couldn’t move! The light grew dimmer, Magnus’s cries fainter, and his beloved face fading, growing so dim, until Alec knew only darkness.
The last thing he heard before it claimed him, took him away was one heartbreaking shout of his name, “Alexander!”
It wasn’t bright warm light that woke him, but desolation. Alec knew, even before opening his eyes that he was back, that he had left Magnus in the past. Rolling over, he gave into the torment, screaming into the pillow, sobs shaking the whole bed. He could still smell Magnus upon his skin, still feel the now ghost-like touch of their hands and lips meeting. The cries were muffled, but if anyone had heard they would have heard the sounds of a broken man, a man who now had nothing worth living for.
His destroyed heart kept screaming NO! Rolling over, eyes glued shut with tears, Alec whispered in a voice broken, “It’s 1912, it’s 1912, take me back, take me back please!” he begged over and over again, time passing and still he called out ‘return me to him!’ It wasn’t working, why wasn’t it working! He tried again and again, not paying any attention to the hour, the day, the passage of time, not in this lifetime. Hour upon hour he prayed, days passing without food, without water, just a desperate man laying upon a bed begging for a time long ago.
When his mind broke to match his heart, Alec moved from the bed to a chair in front of the window with a view of the water and the shoreline he and Magnus had strolled on. Was it just yesterday or a century ago? The shell of Alexander Lightwood would never be able to answer that again. More time passed, but for Alec it had no meaning, he gave nothing any notice, only sat staring at the water.
He did not notice the banging on his hotel door, the frantic calling of his name. The rush by hotel staff to get the keys to his room, the door opening and men rushing in. He couldn’t have answered them anyway, Alec was gone, back in a past he had no desire to ever leave. He had no idea of the hands that carefully lifted his broken body placing it upon the bed, of the desperate calls to 911. Instead in Alec’s world, there was bright sunlight and the sparkle of a dark pair of eyes. In his world, a beloved voice called his name teasingly, called his name in passion and with love. He danced under the moonlight with a siren who’s grip he never wanted to get out of. Alec knew nothing of the emergency CPR the bellhop Alfred was performing on his body, the helplessness the hotel staff felt as he stopped breathing, his heart finally breaking. His heart breaking free to join the one it longed for.
Alexander Lightwood squinted at the bright light, barely able to make out a figure out in front of him. Gradually his vision became adjusted. The first thing he noticed was a hand, a familiar hand, held out waiting for him to take. He looked up into those dark eyes, eyes filled with love and an eagerness to reunite. “Magnus,” he whispered, stepping further into the light, and gladly taking that beloved hand.
“Welcome home Alexander.” Magnus said, leading him forward to their future, or was it their past?
The end…