Chapter Text
“I can’t believe this! Camille replaced the real book with a copy and we didn’t even notice!”
Clary let out a sigh and sat down on the steps of the room where they were all gathered, her shoulders slouched while she forced back tears. Magnus gave her a sympathetic smile and took a step back from the Jocelyn’s hovering body, still fast asleep.
“I guess she saw the chance and took it without hesitation. I’m sorry,” he said with a soft voice, trying to soothe Clary.
He was still holding the frustratingly useless book in his hands and stroked the pages absently. He should have noticed right away, as he was seeing all the discrepancies clearly now.
He shook his head and cursed himself. How could he not have noticed?
The book wasn’t even a good copy. In fact, the spells were hardly worth anything. It looked as if Camille had been in a hurry faking it and he should have noticed from the start, he was the High Warlock of Brooklyn, after all!
Magnus let out a sigh, feeling uncomfortable to admit he had been too distracted to notice.
His gaze wandered over to the young Shadowhunter standing in the back.
Alec.
Magnus felt a familiar ache in his chest just by looking at him, his mind telling him to step closer, touch him and assure him the last 24 hours weren’t just a figment of imagination.
Had it really happened? Had Alec truly walked toward him at his own wedding, in front of all the important representatives of the Clave, and kissed him?
The thought made a shiver run down his spine and a pleasant heat washed over him. Could anyone blame him for being absent-minded?
His thoughts were interrupted when Clary suddenly let out a sob next to him. She buried her face in her hands, tears in the corners of her eyes.
“I feel like we’ll never be able to wake her up,” she said with so much sadness in her voice. Magnus couldn’t do anything but feel deeply sorry for her. She had been through a lot lately.
First, it had been Jace who left with his father, and now the failed attempt to wake up her mother was throwing them back to square one again. Camille had quite successfully ruined their perfect plan.
Alec was still standing in the back, his arms crossed and his face drawn into a gut-wrenching frown. His intense gaze was focused on Clary, his lips pressed together tight into a tight line.
Magnus acknolwedged that Alec’s day hadn’t been the easiest either; and that the angry waves pouring off of him was actually empathy for Clary.
After all, it had been Alec who lost his Parabatai, and his ex-fiance was still recovering from being badly injured by a traitorous Shadowhunter. This was probably one of the worst days of his life.
And to top it all off, Alec had been forced to watch Camille despicably use her manipulative ways to kiss Magnus.
The Warlock had used the earliest moment to clarify the situation with Alec, and the nonexistent jealousy from the Shadowhunter had surprised him a bit. Alec had simply shrugged it off. Though deep inside, Magnus worried that Camille’s stinging words had planted her evil seed, and would eventually cause Alec to doubt their future.
It all boiled down to two simple facts. Magnus was immortal. Alec was not.
After a few minutes of silence, Clary looked up to Magnus with a desperate look in her eyes.
“Do you have any idea how to find Camille and get the real book back?”
“You’ve known her such a long time and how she really thinks and acts,” she added, her words in no way an accusation but Magnus noticed how Alec flinched slightly by the mention of Camille.
It stung Magnus’ heart and he cursed Camille’s very existence and her evil methods to play with people's feelings like they meant nothing. He knew all too well; to her, it all was nothing but a game. Why did it have to be so complicated for Alec and him? They hadn’t even had their first date yet.
Magnus forced a sad smile.
“If I’d known how to find her, I would already be on my way, Biscuit. Camille is particularly sly and I doubt we will be able to find her.” His gaze wandered to Alec’s once again, but the other one’s face remained steady. Clary suddenly gasped and her eyes widened.
“Wait, I know how to get the book!” she exclaimed, shooting up from her sitting position.
Alec took a step closer and furrowed his brow.
“What do you mean you know how?” he asked, and Clary waved her hands in excitement.
“The other dimension! Magnus had the book in his loft there. He could get it from that world and use it!” She was nearly shouting now, her cheeks red and eyes wide.
“That’s the solution! Please, Magnus!” she pleaded and looked at Magnus with hope in her voice.
“It sounds plausible,” Alec agreed also looking at Magnus now.
Magnus took a deep breath and looked between the two Shadowhunters.
He saw the desperation and hope in Clary’s eyes and was also surprised to see Alec agree with her plan. He knew they had a rough start and Alec hadn’t been that eager when it came to the little redhead in the beginning.
Back then she had appeared out of thin air, stepping into their midst with a rather unpleasant past. Their relationship hadn’t improved when they discovered that she was the enemy's daughter, so he understood Alec’s initial doubt.
But since then, it seemed like they had moved past all that, and Clary had claimed her place in their universe. In the end, it had been Clary who found the Mortal Cup; it had been Clary that gave it to Lydia to save Izzy from the trial. Alec was sure to trust her now. He had been the one to catch and hold her when they watched Jace disappear through the portal with Valentine and the shared pain made them bond even more.
“I haven’t had a lot of experience with the other dimension...” Magnus mumbled.
“But?” Clary raised her eyebrows in question. Magnus waved his hand in the air.
“It could work. At least, it would be easier to travel there and steal the book from myself than try it with Camille here, I guess”, he admitted with a shrug. Clary’s face lit up from his words and she closed the distance between them to grab his hand.
“If you’ll do this for me, you… I will be forever in your debt!” she exclaimed and looked at him with pleading eyes. In that moment, Magnus made a decision and knew exactly what he had to do.
“I’ll do it,” he nodded, and Clary cheered in joy.
“We’ll need Jocelyn’s help to fight Valentine and get Jace back.” He smiled at Clary with fondness in his eyes and Clary moved to hug him for a second.
“Thank you so much,” she managed to breathe out, happy about the new glimpse of hope.
Magnus nodded, then he looked over at Alec and cleared his throat.
“Alexander,” he started, and took a deep breath when he saw Alec watch him with a steady look.
“I know I shouldn’t be asking anything of you right now, but for my journey to the other dimension, I’ll need something like an anchor to hold onto so I won’t lose myself in the other world. I wanted...” but he got interrupted by Clary, who pointed at Alec.
“You should go with him, Alec,” she said firmly and nodded frantically at the both of them. Alec raised his eyebrows at her words, then he gave Magnus a questioning look.
“Actually, I wanted to ask Alec for a simpler request. A kiss,” Magnus cleared his throat, his gaze wandering between the two Shadowhunters.
He noticed how Alec’s expression changed to a rather dark one, and it wasn’t the first time Magnus wondered what was going on in Alec’s head.
They stared at each other for a few seconds, then Alec sighed and turned towards Clary.
“Why should I go with him?”
Clary opened her mouth, only stuttering as she sensed the awkward situation.
“Well, uhm… You and him... the other dimension is… well you both are... uhm… it’s like… mmh... complicated,” she finally finished and looked between them with a helpless look.
If it was possible, Alec’s expression turned even darker.
“Obviously,” he snapped, clearly annoyed when Magnus held up his hand.
“I don’t need Alec to come with me. I know where I belong and why I want to return,” he said with a firm voice and looked at Alec with determination in his eyes. He would never get tired of looking at the young Nephilim and they locked their gaze for a moment, the world tuning out for a moment around them.
Magnus wasn’t worried to lose himself in the other dimension because he knew exactly where his heart belonged. With Alec. Nothing could change that.
Clary cleared her throat and their attention snapped back to her, the moment broken.
“I still think it would be better if he came along. You need someone to remind you of this world. Trust me, I know from experience,” she said and Alec tilted his head slightly.
“Why?”
“Because.,.” she hesitated for a second, unsure and shot him an apologetic look.
“Yes?” he pressed, and she sighed.
“Because the other Alec might be hard for you to resist, Magnus,” she finally said and looked bashfully to the ground.
“He’s outgoing and happy, maybe a bit arrogant, but really nice and likes parties and clothes and glamor without being superficial about it and...” she looked up at the Warlock.
“You’d make a great couple.”
Suddenly the room was filled with an uncomfortable silence and Alec just stood there without moving as if he had just been struck by lightning. Magnus was the first to move and shook his head slightly, speaking with a soft but low and clear voice.
“Biscuit, I know you’re worried about me, and that’s really kind, but it’s a dangerous path you’re heading down here, so you better stop right now,” he said.
“I’m… I’m so sorry, Magnus... Alec, I...”
Clary was nearly crying as she tried to defend herself against Magnus’ stern face and Alec’s dark expression.
“I didn’t want to hurt you, I’m really sorry! It’s just… if Magnus stays in the other dimension, we wouldn’t stand any chance at all! And I do know from experience how big of a temptation this other world is. I nearly lost myself there, and only the other Magnus was able to save me last minute before it was too late. This dimension there is just so... carefree and wonderful,” she sobbed, tears running down her cheeks now, voice dripping with guilt.
“I actually wanted to stay there, and I can only imagine you would feel the same!” she admitted, her secret now out in the open to the Warlock and the Shadowhunter and she felt horrible about it.
Alec took two deep breaths, then looked at Magnus.
“I mean...” he started, but Magnus interrupted him instantly.
“Stop right now and listen to what I have to say about this. The reason why I would NOT stay there is simple.” He furrowed his brow and looked at the two Shadowhunters.
“First of all, I’m the High Warlock of Brooklyn, and I know how not to lose my anchor! Second of all, I’m well aware of how important this mission is and that we really do need the book back.”
He paused for a second, then continued with a firm voice.
“And the third reason is this world, this dimension is my reality and I would never accept anything else; especially not a continuously happy and carefree sort of world. That’s not like me at all,” he stated and turned towards Clary again.
“I know you worry about it all, but I promise you I will get the book and return back here.”
Clary nodded while wiping her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I know you can do this.”
“Don’t be, I’m flattered by your warning,” he smirked and winked at her, then he clasped his hands together.
“Now, I need to speak to Alexander. Alone,” he added. Clary nodded gratefully, smiled the the both of them, then she left the room.
Alec was leaning against the wall again, his arms crossed and a thoughtful expression on his face. Magnus took a step closer, amazed by how Alec was still thinking.
Hidden behind unbelievably strong loyalty, steady honor and a strong sense of duty, Alec had never been outgoing and had always put his own happiness last.
He had rejected Magnus more than once, always clinging to the fact he couldn’t just give up his life for him, but deep down Magnus knew Alec hated it. All the pretending and obeying without second guessing anything wasn’t what he wanted to do. He wanted to be happy and Magnus didn’t know why Alec felt he didn’t deserve it. He deserved so much more.
If Magnus hadn’t crashed the wedding, Alec would have married Lydia to fulfill his duty.
But it had been Alec who made a decision that day, a decision to make them both happy. He had been the one to to kiss Magnus in front of everyone.
It had been perfect, both of them happy until Camille had shown up. She had always tried to make Magnus life difficult since their last break up, and this time she had succeeded.
The kiss had been one thing, but planting that dangerous and evil thoughts in Alec’s mind was another thing.
They were still at the beginning of it all, the whole situation couldn’t even be considered a real relationship yet. And yet, there were already dark clouds above their heads, messing with their luck. It was a bitter sadness trying to poison their fresh love, which wasn’t fair at all.
And now Clary had unintentionally contributed to the pain as well, explaining the dangers of the other dimension and the temptation that lay within it; a wonderful world where the living was sweet and easy.
Magnus knew Clary really was just worried about him not coming back since she nearly didn’t manage herself, but he had had many more years of experience dealing with his ability to love.
Clary was young and in love for the first time, so it had been the same feeling for her in the other dimension, but with Magnus it would be completely different.
The fight for Alec hadn’t been an easy one at all, and the effort Magnus had out forth for Alec to finally acknowledge his own feelings had been grueling. Magnus had done everything he could think of to encourage Alec to admit his feelings freely.
The Warlock knew how unique this gift was; it had been a miracle that Alec had admitted his feelings out in the open and Magnus would make sure to never play it down in any way by just losing himself in an easy, happy world.
The only tough part of it was to make this clear to Alec now, and Magnus sighed when he took a step closer to the young Shadowhunter. He wanted to be closer to Alec, touch him and kiss him but knew it wasn’t the right moment, not now.
“Alexander,” he whispered, looking at Alec with fondness in his eyes.
“I want you to stay here, and I will go to that other dimension on my own.” Alec opened his mouth but Magnus held up his hand and continued.
“It’s not because I don’t want you with me, but now that Lydia is injured and Jace is gone, they need you here. You’re the head of the institute and you can’t just leave.”
Alec nodded without a word and Magnus exhaled. Rational and reasonable, Magnus thought. It’s what Alec would understand best and Magnus sighed at how simple it was.
He felt how some kind of disappointment spread in his chest, perhaps it was too simple. But then Alec spoke up.
“But what if Clary is right?” he asked, and Magnus looked at him, confused.
“What do you mean?”
Alec inhaled deeply. “What if you lose yourself there?”
His cheeks were just slightly red, but the effect of the words on Magnus were incredible. He felt like a thousand butterflies were fluttering in his stomach and he pressed his lips together, amused by the sensation.
Butterflies? At his age?
He felt happy, so very happy to get Alec out of his shell and smiled at Alec. Magnus looked into a pair of beautiful eyes, the most wonderful ones he had ever seen, and took another step forward.
“It won’t happen. I know what’s keeping me in this world,” he assured Alec, and placed a hand on Alec’s cheek.
“But according to Clary, there’s this Alec who’s exactly like me, but... better.”
Alec swallowed hard, unable to look away from Magnus’ gaze and Magnus shook his head.
“That Alec didn’t chose me and kiss me at his own wedding. In front of everyone. I still don’t know how I deserve it,” Magnus admitted and they were now standing so close, their faces nearly touching. Alec’s cheeks turned pinker and suddenly his breath wasn’t as calm as before.
“I just... wanted to do it. You woke me up. Without you I would be married to a woman now, a great one, but still. It would have been hell for her as well as me.”
And there it was, the little crooked smile Magnus liked so much and gave him a shiver down the spine.
“You’re dead right,” he smirked, and took a leap of courage to close the little remaining gap between them to press his lips lightly on Alec’s.
When they broke apart again, Alec’s breaths were shallow and his lips were slightly parted. His cheeks flushed, and his eyes burned with so much passion, Magnus felt tempted to explore it even further.
Magnus let the moment sink deep into his memory, to keep it forever. The way Alec looked at him in that very moment, with nothing but pure admiration between them.
When he created the portal and stepped through, he knew for sure that no one and nothing in the other dimension could keep him away from this Alec. His Alec.