Chapter Text
Alec walks into the prison with his head held high. He tries to ignore the sweat on his palms as he pushes a cart of books in front of him, one of the wheels squeaking with every step. Two guards accompany him, one on each side—for his own protection, the warden had assured him.
The guards direct Alec to a room that looks normal enough, if you ignore the sparse decorations, metal walls, and barred windows. There’s a television on one wall, but the twenty-five foldable seats that have been brought out are angled towards the front of the room. Only about thirteen are taken, a smaller turnout than the library had hoped for, but, hey, the program is new. They have time.
Alec studies the prisoners as discreetly as he can manage until his gaze lands on one in the front row, and he nearly trips over his own feet.
The man is beautiful. He has intelligent brown eyes and dark hair falling across his forehead, and he somehow manages to make even the orange jumpsuit look fashionable. Alec recognizes him right away. Magnus Bane, a notorious gang leader—AKA ‘the High Warlock of Brooklyn’—whose face has been plastered over every news channel and paper for the past six months.
Looking away quickly, in hopes he can save himself a bit of embarrassment and avoid anyone noticing his momentary distraction, Alec settles at the front of the room with his cart of books.
“Well, well, who is this pretty boy?”
The voice is soft and musical and Alec can guess who’s speaking without needing to look. He peeks anyways, and, sure enough, Magnus is eyeing him meaningfully. He slouches in his chair, looking entirely at ease, but his gaze is heavy.
“Quiet, Bane,” one of the guards barks out.
Magnus side-eyes them, seeming more annoyed than remorseful.
Alec shifts awkwardly. “It’s okay. Uh. Hello everyone, I’m Alec Lightwood. I work at the New York City Library. We recently decided to partner with the prison to bring in more books for inmates; I’ve heard the selection here leave something to be desired.”
That gets a few mumbles of agreement, some nods, and a smirk from Magnus who adds, “I’d say there’s plenty to be desired here.”
Alec does his best not to blush, looking away from Magnus and focusing on the books he’s brought. “All of the books have been donated, but donations are ongoing and we have slips to fill out if there’s any specific books you’re interested in. We’ll do our best to acquire them.”
He goes over the basics of his program, as well as mentioning the sponsors, and answering the couple of questions he gets. Then, with all the boring stuff out of the way, he steps back to let the convicts look through the books. Magnus, however, doesn’t look twice at the cart. He chooses, instead, to approach Alec.
Alec’s heart thuds a little faster, and he notices one of the guards stepping closer, clearly worried Magnus is about to try something.
“Hello there, darling, I’m Magnus Bane.” He introduces himself as though Alec wouldn’t have recognized him instantly; as if he hasn’t been all anyone could talk about lately.
Alec shakes Magnus’ offered hand, holding a bit too long because Magnus’ palm is soft and warm against his, before letting his hands fall back to his sides.
“Do you enjoy reading, Magnus?” He asks after a moment of terse silence.
Magnus’ smiles like he’s amused by the question. “Of course. In a place like this, reading can be such an… escape.”
Thinking back to his school days where he’d buried himself in books to avoid his classmates and parents, Alec can’t help but agree. “I know what you mean.”
“Mind if I get one of those book request slips?”
Alec turns toward the cart to retrieve one, and a pen, and holds both out to Magnus.
He takes them before looking Alec up and down. When Magnus twirls a finger, indicating for Alec to turn, he hesitates for a moment before giving in. It’s undoubtedly a bad idea to turn his back on a dangerous criminal, but there’s something about Magnus that Alec can’t resist.
A second later, he feels a light pressure on his back as Magnus uses it as a surface to write on. Alec’s whole body tingles, and he bites hard on his lower lip to keep his face neutral. He can feel the guard beside him staring.
“All done,” Magnus announces, and Alec turns around to accept the filled-out slip and paper, trying not to fixate on Magnus’ fingers brushing against his.
Alec glances down at the form and Magnus’ elegant handwriting. “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?”
“What can I say? I’m feeling nostalgic.”
“Right… Well, I’m sure I can get this for you, people love donating popular books like this.”
Magnus smiles widely at him, and Alec swears the room feels a little warmer, a little brighter.
Alec continues visiting the prison, and Magnus continues requesting Harry Potter books. Alec has given him the first two by now, as Magnus claims he wants to reread the entire series.
Today, Alec can’t stop glancing at Magnus, even as he explains the book system to the prisoners who are new to the program. It seems to be getting popular, more people show up every time Alec visits. He’s delighted by the turnout, but he’s more delighted to see Magnus.
Magnus looks especially beautiful today. His hair is styled up into a mohawk, dark kohl rims his eyes, and his nails are painted a shiny black. Alec knows prisoners aren’t supposed to look like that, or have access to makeup and nail polish and hair gel, but it’s all so perfect on Magnus. It suits him.
After Alec finishes answering questions, he plucks the third Harry Potter book from the cart and moves toward Magnus, who is already approaching him.
“Here,” Alec holds out the novel, thrilled at the sparks he feels when Magnus’ hand touches his. It’s all he gets, little touches and sweet smiles, but he soaks it up.
“You’re a blessing, Alexander,” Magnus practically purrs, his eyes dark and intense. He holds the book to his chest. “What would I do without you?”
“Probably be very bored. Maybe become illiterate?”
Magnus rolls his eyes, but his smile makes Alec’s breath catch. It isn’t fair that someone so beautiful is locked away in here.
It isn’t long before Alec delivers the seventh Harry Potter book to Magnus. The guards that still accompany him have seemingly realized Magnus isn’t going to hurt him because they give him more breathing room now.
Magnus looks immaculate again. The eyeliner and nail polish have become constants, at least on the days Alec visits.
“The last book in the series.” Magnus sighs a little wistfully.
“I hope it’s as good as you remember.”
“I’ve enjoyed everything you’ve bought me, darling.”
“This one, though… This one’s my favorite,” Alec reaches out to tap the cover. “The surprises, uh, the plot twists, in there, are really something.”
Magnus hums, lips twitching like he’s fighting a smile. “It’s been a while since I read this, I can’t wait to see what’s in store.”
“I think you’ll enjoy it.”
“I’m sure I will… I didn’t take you for a JK Rowling fan.”
“I’m not,” Alec answers without thinking. Magnus raises an eyebrow, and Alec adds, “But I like what’s in that book.”
“Well, thank you. And I believe congratulations are in order?”
Alec glances around the room, but no one is paying them much attention. “What?”
“Your wedding ring; this is the first time you’ve worn it here.”
He follows Magnus’ gaze down to his own left hand, where he’s been absentmindedly fiddling with the band on his finger. “We’ve been married a while, but we’re very private.”
“So why today?”
“It seemed fitting. My husband can’t usually wear his ring, but today… well, I thought I should wear mine.”
Something glints in Magnus’ eyes and, wedding ring and prison jumpsuit aside, it’s really hard not to lean down and kiss him. Alec leans away instead before he can be tempted.
"Your husband is a very lucky man, Alexander.”
“Not as lucky as I am.”
That night, Alec sits outside the prison in a stolen car with the headlights off, tapping the steering wheel impatiently as he searches the lawns.
A figure appears seemingly out of nowhere; shadow materializing into something real.
The passenger door opens and Magnus slides in. There’s just enough light for Alec to see that he’s not wearing a jumpsuit, but a prison guard outfit. It doesn’t suit him at all, but Alec doesn’t hesitate to grab the shirt material and tug Magnus halfway across the console to slam their lips together.
Magnus kisses fast and passionate, a hand coming up to curl in Alec’s hair, making Alec moan into the kiss. He’s missed this.
For the first time in months, he feels whole again.
If only the stupid console weren’t between them. He wants to have Magnus pressed against him, to re-memorize Magnus’ body and reacquaint himself with Magnus’ taste.
Magnus breaks the kiss too soon, panting against Alec’s lips, “As much as I’m enjoying this, we should probably get out of here.”
Right. The prison break. Alec has a laser focus that can be incredibly helpful at times, but mostly just serves to distract him whenever Magnus is around. He reluctantly lets go of Magnus to shift the car into drive and pull out of the parking lot, lights still off.
Unable, and unwilling, to stop himself, he reaches across the console to catch Magnus’ hand in his and thread their fingers together. He smiles when he feels Magnus’ wedding ring again his skin. “You got my gift.”
Magnus laughs a little breathlessly as Alec speeds towards the highway. He’s going well over the posted speed limit, but he doesn’t plan on getting caught.
“I got all of your gifts—we didn’t discuss half of those.”
Alec raises their entwined hands to his lips and presses a kiss to the back of Magnus’ knuckles, and then one directly to the ring. Magnus’ primary love language is gift-giving and while Alec is more acts of service and quality time, he’d been happy to indulge Magnus. Especially when some of his gifts meant getting Magnus out of that prison and back into his arms. “Did you like them?”
“I loved them. I’m still amazed your plan worked, no one insisted on checking the books?”
“They looked through the first batch, ran a background check on everyone involved with the program, and the warden was easy to win over.”
“Ugh, Warden Penhallow.”
“Her negligence is why you’re not in a cell right now,” Alec reminds his husband. He finally turns on his headlights as he merges onto the highway, “And we can finally go on our honeymoon.”
They’ve been married for a year, in a little ceremony with only their closest friends so as to keep the whole thing quiet, but between running the gang and Magnus’ arrest, there had been no time for a honeymoon. Until now.
“Did you have somewhere in mind?”
“We have a five AM flight to Mexico and a hotel reservation on the beach for two weeks. I figured we could start there.”
“The beach sounds perfect, although you’ll have a hard time convincing me to leave our room once I get you undressed.”
A shiver makes its way down Alec’s spine. “It is our honeymoon. I’m fine spending it in a nice hotel room.”
“I’ve missed you. Prison was quite unenjoyable… It would’ve been nice to have something to read to pass the time, but someone kept carving out the pages of my books to slip me contraband.”
“A Magnus without eyeliner is like a tiger without stripes.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Did you really not mind destroying those books though? You love books.”
Alec changes lanes and spares a glance at Magnus. He hates that it’s too dark to see him properly, but soon they’ll be in Mexico and Alec will be able to stare and touch all he wants. Which is going to be quite a lot. “I’d do anything for you. And it was JK Rowling; I kind of enjoyed destroying them.”
“That was my gift to you. There was only so much I could do from behind bars.”
“Magnus, you somehow made sure I got flowers every Tuesday.” It would’ve been a little excessive if it wasn’t so damned sweet, and if Alec hadn’t missed Magnus so much.
“I planned ahead. I still intend on spoiling you in Mexico—which airport are we flying out of?”
“Bradley International. We’ll have to drive a while tonight, but I figured we should get as far as possible.”
“Smart. Besides, I get to spend the time with you, what more could I ask for?”
At that, Alec’s next words come tumbling out of his mouth, “I don’t want to hide our relationship anymore... I know why we had to, and it worked out, but I want everyone to know you’re mine, and that I’m yours.”
Alec fiddles nervously with the ring on Magnus’ finger as he drives, nearly down to the speed limit now.
“You really want to be known as the husband of a crime boss?”
“I want to be known as your husband.” Even the words send a thrill through him. It had been hell having to pretend like they were strangers. Alec had wanted nothing more than to kiss Magnus, to slide the ring he always carried on a chain around his neck back onto Magnus’ finger where it belonged, and steal him away. He’d had to bide his time so no one suspected anything, but now they’re back together. He doesn’t intend on letting anyone separate them again.
“If that’s what you truly want, then of course I have no complaints. But I refuse to be a Lightwood.”
Alec rolls his eyes. As if he’d want to keep his father’s surname. “Banes then?”
“I do love the sound of Alexander Bane… So Banes from here on out?”
“Except at the airport; our tickets and passports are under the names Gideon and James Trueblood. Aside from that, though? Magnus and Alec Bane.”
“I can’t imagine anything I’d like more than that.”