#malectober 2022

[i-have-not-slept]

Malectober Day 31: Golden

“Aren’t you going to tell me where we’re going?” Alec asked.

Magnus looked up from the Portal currently forming in front of him, blinking through the sparks. “It’s a surprise.” A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Don’t you trust me?”

Alec smiled back. “Of course I do.”

“Good.” Magnus said. He held out a hand to Alec. “Come on. I’ll explain everything later.”

Alec took his hand and followed him through the Portal, trusting Magnus to guide them both to their destination.

They emerged onto a cobbled street in bright sunlight. Alec looked around, blinking, at the whitewashed houses, red tiled roofs and rocky brown mountains rising in the distance. The air was warm and smelled like baking bread and spices.

Alec glanced over with Magnus, who was looking at him with a small smile. “Where are we?”

“Peru.” Magnus said cheerfully.

Alec put his hands on his hips, frowning at Magnus severely. “I thought you were banned from Peru. Catarina and Ragnor are always talking about it.” He gave Magnus a suspicious look. “Are we going to have to run from the police again?”

Magnus put on an injured expression. “I resent the implication that I’m constantly dragging you into law-breaking shenanigans. I obtained special permission from the High Council of Peruvian warlocks to enter the country for an afternoon.”

“And they just gave you permission?” Alec said dubiously. “Just like that?”

“Well,” Magnus said slowly. “I may have mentioned that my husband happens to be the Consul of the Shadowhunters and he might not be entirely happy to hear that my request was denied.”

Alec burst out laughing and stepped closer to Magnus, wrapping his arms around him. Magnus leaned into him, nuzzling Alec’s cheek.

“I love you.” Alec murmured against Magnus’s ear. “But you’ve really got to stop using me as a political weapon to get what you want.”

“I’ll stop one day.” Magnus said happily. He kissed Alec’s cheek. “Now, Jace and Clary are watching the boys for the afternoon, so we can stay here until sunset. Come on.” He grabbed Alec’s hand and set off down the street, pulling Alec with him.

“Hey, wait.” Alec said, laughing. “Aren’t you going to tell me why we’re here?”

Was it his imagination, or did Magnus look slightly uncertain? “I’ll tell you later.” he said, squeezing Alec’s hand. “Promise.”

Smiling, Alec shook his head and let Magnus lead him towards the town square. He could put up with a little strangeness if it made Magnus happy.

Hours later, the sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon, and Alec still wasn’t sure why Magnus had brought them here. He wasn’t complaining, though, because every minute together had been wonderful. The town was peaceful, with small, brightly coloured houses and an old cathedral built of white stone that shone in the sunlight. They’d spent hours wandering through the streets, eating food from the roadside vendors, poking into cafés, museums, bookshops.

It was the sort of thing they didn’t get to do very often, time spent outside of home with no sense of urgency or responsibility, no mission to complete and no kids to watch. In Alec’s opinion, there was nothing better than doing nothing with Magnus.

The whole time, Alec had been able to tell Magnus was waiting to tell him something. As they wandered through the markets, Magnus kept giving him little sideways glances, and looking as if he was about to speak before changing his mind. Once it would have worried Alec, but not now. He knew Magnus would tell him when he was ready.

Now, as afternoon flowed into evening, they were hiking up a rocky hill overlooking the town. The path wound upwards through rugged scrubland, glowing gold in the light of the setting sun. Magnus was a few metres ahead of Alec, and he kept looking back at him with a little smile. Alec could tell he was building up to something, but he didn’t say anything, content with the gentle silence between them.

Finally they reached the top of the hill. They were on a flat, rocky plain overlooking the valley and the town below. The light spilled down the hillsides and flowed across the buildings like molten gold.

Magnus turned and looked over at Alec. His face was washed in golden light, making him seem to glow from within. Alec’s heart stuttered briefly in his chest at the sight of him.

“Okay.” Alec said. “Why did you bring me here? I know there’s some kind of reason.”

For the second time that day, Magnus looked hesitant, even a little apprehensive. He stepped closer to Alec, taking his hand and clasping it within both of his. Alec put his other hand over Magnus’. He could tell his husband was working up to some kind of confession.

“Why I brought you here.” Magnus murmured. He had his eyes fixed on their joined hands, like he was half-scared to meet Alec’s eyes. He took a deep breath. “Do you know what this town is called?”

“No.” Alec murmured. He rubbed his thumb over Magnus’s knuckles, feeling the warmth of his skin.

“It’s called Moquega.” Magnus said softly.

“Oh.” Alec said. The name sounded familiar. He thought he might have read it in the notebook of stories Magnus had given him years ago, when they’d got back together after their breakup. “Have you been here before?”

“Once.” Magnus said. He looked up at Alec suddenly, and his expression was more open, more vulnerable than Alec had hardly ever seen it. “Moquegua means “quiet place” in Quechua.” he said haltingly. “When I first came here, I— I didn’t feel comfortable or safe, because I felt— I felt like there was no quiet place in the world for me, and there never would be.”

He dropped his gaze again, gripping Alec’s hand tighter “And I felt like that for a long time. Like I always had to keep moving, and never rest anywhere. But then when I met you— you made me feel anchored. Peaceful.”

He looked up again, and Alec saw that there were tears brimming in his eyes. “I wanted to bring you here to tell you. I’ve never told you before and I wanted to tell you. You’re my quiet place, Alec.”

Alec’s heart broke open, sending warm light flooding through his veins. He wrapped his arms around Magnus, holding him so close he could feel his heartbeat. Magnus put his head down on Alec’s shoulder, shaking in his arms.

“Thank you for telling me.” Alec. He blinked back tears of his own, overwhelmed by a sudden rush of emotions, gratitude and joy and love. “You’re so— you’re so wonderful. You’re everything. I love you, Magnus.”

Magnus gave a soft, teary laugh and pulled away from Alec to look at him. “I love you too.” he whispered, and then they were kissing. Alec cupped the back of Magnus’s neck, closing his eyes, feeling his entire body sing. They held each other close on the mountaintop, in the wash of golden light.

#malectober #malectober 2022 #malectober22 #only took me six months to finish lol #malec #magnus bane #alec lightwood #magnus lightwood bane #alec lightwood bane #malec fanfic #tsc #cassandra clare #the shadowhunter chronicles #the bane chronicles #tbc #what really happened in peru #what to buy the shadowhunter who has everything #tsc fanfic #shadowhunters

[malectober]

Welcome to Malectober!!!

You’ve probably heard of events like inktober, flufftober and whumptober - month-long prompt based creative events in the month of October. Malectober is an attempt at one such event - but only for us malec-loving sweet-toothed cold-hearted hoes. (I say cold-hearted because we’re love angst to such an extent that it’s concerning. Y’all are very lovely people, honestly).

Anyway, some base rules of the event -

There’s no signups, no official stuff - this is an all-you-can-create buffet. You can do this from start to finish, you can start somewhere in the middle, or even give up after two prompts.

There will be 31 prompts, one for each day of the event. All are simple, one word prompts, which may or may not be associated with Malec.

Speaking of Malec, this event is both for book!malec and show!malec. We don’t discriminate here 😇

You can create ANYTHING - write a fic, make headcanons, draw, make an edit, or a playlist, or a gifset, even a picrew if it fancies you 😘

NSFW content is allowed - as long as you tag everything accordingly and put it under a cut. Same goes for gore, whump, etc. Any and all types of content are allowed.

And lastly, have fun, and let others have fun :)

Prompt list, instructions about posting, and a little something else will be coming on September 25th. Until then, if you have any questions, ask away 😘

#malectober #malectober 2022 #malec #alec lightwood #magnus bane #lightwood banes #tsc #tmi #tec #shtv #shadowhunters

[ravenstakeflight]

2 - glitter

magnus laughs and lets his glitter everywhere. it spreads into alec's life, like the love magnus has for him. he breathes, and it falls when he shimmmies into the leather jackets he now keeps at magnus' loft. glitter is home, and it's really annoying but it represents his life now:

indulgent, able to live in the small moments, alive instead of just surviving from day to day.

glitter is laughing in the middle of breakfast as magnus regales him with the tale of how he was banned from a very small municipality in the middle of a now-obselete kingdom. he swears the llamas had nothing to do with it, alec, stop laughing-

glitter is magnus at his highest and his lowest, his husband's shield when he can finally breathe and it's the love of his life but even more so; glitter is what magnus is: in alec's life, leaving remnants of himself everywhere, and annoyingly [amazingly, beautifully] hard to get rid of.

[ @malectober ]

#malectober #malectober 2022 #malectober2022 #raven quills: prose #raven quills: fanfiction #alec lightwood #magnus bane #magnus lightwood bane #tsc #malec fanfic

[lazinesswrites]

Fandom: Shadowhunters

Prompt: Day 22 - Wings (Malectober)

Title: Feather of an Angel

Summary: Magnus needs an ingredient for a potion. Alec is happy to help, though not quite in the way Magnus had in mind.

#malectober 2022 #Shadowhunters #Malec #Magnus Bane #Alec Lightwood #Nephilim wings #Ao3 Link

[sivan325]

Title: A Trail of Glitter and Pain Pairing: Malec Chapters/Length: 3/31 I 1723 Rating/Warnings: T, Violence. Soulmates. Event: Malectober & Fictober Brief Summary/Notes: Magnus Bane got bruises, pain came along with it. Alec Lightwood has a trail of glitter, a trail that sometimes makes his life living hell and sometimes saves his life.

One problem though, they don’t know who they are soulmates with.

(Written for Malectober & Fictober 2022)

For chapter 3 - Fall (Malectober day 23) @malectober + “What are you doing?" (Fictober day 15) @fictober-event

#malectober 2022 #day 23 #fictober 2022 #day 15 #hmdiscord #malec #the mortal instruments #shadowhunters #soulmates #wip

[magnus-the-maqnificent]

It’s almost 2023, so let’s celebrate the good things that happened to us in 2022! List ten amazing things that happened to you this year and then send this to ten people who brighten your day!

Okie, let's go!!! 😘😘

Tagging @carelessflower cause she sent me the same ask

SOBH!!! Especially the malec letters. My babies 🥺❤❤

I officially became a med student!!

I made so many wonderful irl friends at clg, and even met my crush who's a very wonderful person and way too perfect for this planet.

I even made many new wonderful tumblr friends!!

Malectober. That's it that's the post.

MIDNIGHTS!!! This list would be incomplete asf without Taytay's contribution. Thank you so much, blondie.

In that same note, here's to Spy x Family to being my top comfort anime. (Future Diary would be my top hurt anime) ((seeing as how nearly every person at my college loves anime, I'll most definitely be watching more in the future))

((Only the good parts of)) Killing Eve season 4!!! That kiss will forever live rent free within my mind

Tumblr. Stupid fucking tumblr and yalls stupid fucking memes and somehow making all my days lighter

Dracula Daily!!! Gosh I loved being a part of this lil book club

#blues and then purple pink asks #<3

[malec-ao3feed]

by i_have_not_slept

My attempt at the Malectober 2022 event, going from a list of daily prompts. Mostly for book!Malec, but can be read for show!Malec too.

Words: 506, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: The Shadowhunter Chronicles - All Media Types, The Shadowhunter Chronicles - Cassandra Clare, Shadowhunters (TV)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Alec Lightwood, Magnus Bane, Max Lightwood-Bane

Relationships: Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood

Additional Tags: Malectober, Malectober 2022, Fluff, Domestic Fluff, Kid Fic, Tooth-Rotting Fluff

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #shadowhunters #tmi #malec #magnus bane #alec lightwood #magnus x alec #malec fanfic

[i-have-not-slept]

Malectober Day 25: Button

“Fuck.” Alec muttered, staring down at the plastic button in his hand. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

Of all the times a button could come off his jacket, it had to be today. Today, when he had a meeting with the board of directors to present his new shares report. And of course today was the day he’d worn a jacket with only one button. The dress code at his workplace was ridiculously strict, and Alec knew that going in there like this would not be acceptable.

Desperately, he scanned the busy city street, looking for any place that might help him. He had half an hour before the meeting… but if by some miracle…

There. A small, fairly discreet shop with an overhead sign saying BANE’S TAILORING. Alec felt a small stab of hope. Maybe they’d be able to help him. He darted across the street, stopping outside the store. Smaller letters over the door proclaimed it to be a GENTLEMEN’S TAILOR AND ALTERATIONS SERVICE. Perfect. Alec ducked inside, jingling the bell over the door. 

The inside of the shop was cool and smelled faintly of jasmine. Under Alec’s feet was a red carpet that had once been plush, but was now slightly threadbare. Antique wood paneling covered the walls. The whole space had the feel of somewhere lavish but slightly rundown. 

Along the far wall stretched a large oak desk with a dark green marble surface, and now a man stepped out from a back room to stand behind it. He was tall, as tall as Alec, and handsome, with sharp cheekbones and a warm smile. His eyes were an unusual shade of golden brown, like sunlight through dark honey. He wore an expensive-looking purple suit, complete with a lemon yellow pocket square. He smiled brightly at Alec.

“Hello.” His voice low and rich, with an accent Alec column’t quite place. “How can I help you today?” 

“Uh.” Alec said. Caught up in studying the man, he’d briefly forgotten why he’d entered the shop. He remembered the button, and came forward to the desk. “Hi. I uh— I just lost a button off my jacket, and I have this really important meeting at work, and uh— I know I don’t have an appointment or anything, but um, I just wondered if you’d— if you’d be able to sew it back on. Or something. I’ll pay whatever you think is fair.” he added in a rush.

The store owner raised an eyebrow, seeming amused by Alec’s word vomit. “Of course. It would be my pleasure. Bring it here.” 

Alec laid the button on the counter in front of him. The man smiled at him. “I’ll need your jacket as well, darling.” 

Alec felt himself blush. “Oh. Uh. Yeah. Of course.” Feeling like an idiot, he shrugged off his jacket and laid it down beside the button. 

The store owner ran his long brown fingers over the loose threads in the jacket where the button had been. “No problem at all, just a simple repair job.” He glanced up at Alec, with that intriguing smile again. “What’s your name, anyway? I’m Magnus.”

“Alec.” Alec told him. He found himself smiling back.

“Well, Alec, this should only take a few minutes,” Magnus told him, pulling a box of thread spools out from under the counter. “Feel free to look around while you wait.”  

Alec did so, glancing around the room. It was full of fancy-looking suits displayed on mannequins, shelves of neatly folded shirts, and racks of ties. Absently, he wandered further into the shop, discovering that there was another room off the main one. Alec stepped inside, and his eyes widened. The room was a riot of colour and sparkles. Sequined evening dresses in a dozen different colours hung from the far wall. Fluffy tulle underskirts hung from the ceiling like brightly coloured clouds, in shades of pink, blue, yellow, peach, lavender. There was a large shelf of shoes, platform heels and pumps and stilettos. Everything shone or glittered or gleamed so that Alec was nearly overwhelmed. 

He stepped back into the main room. Magnus was carefully working a needle through the material of Alec’s jacket. He glanced up again and smiled at Alec. “See anything you like?”

Alec gestured vaguely to the next room. “I thought… I mean, your sign says that you’re a gentleman's tailor.”

Magnus raised his eyebrows. “We are a men’s tailoring service, darling.”

Alec opened his mouth again, and then stopped. He looked into the other room again, seeing suddenly how the cut of the dresses was….different, how the high heels were rather larger than women’s sizes. His face felt suddenly hot. “Oh.” 

“Yes.” Magnus confirmed, his eyes sparking mischievously. “I’m not much into drag myself— well, nothing more than the odd pair of fishnets and heels— but a lot of my friends are, and they have the devil of a time trying to find clothes that fit. So I expanded my business to accommodate their needs.” 

Alec’s face was burning. He didn’t know what to say, and the words fishnets and heels were spinning around inside his brain. “That’s uh— that’s really— really nice of you.” He turned away and pretended to be examining a rack of shirts as a form of escape. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Magnus grin as he bent over his work again.

——————————————————————————

 Magnus was having an unexpectedly good time. When the handsome stranger had stumbled into his shop, helplessly clutching a button, Magnus had been briefly dazzled by how stunningly attractive he was. He knew it was inappropriate to be checking out his customers, but god, that dark hair, and those eyes. He waited as the man— Alec— pulled off his jacket and laid it on the counter. Magnus grabbed his sewing kit and sat on the tall stool he used for quick repair jobs. It was the work of a moment to find a reel of thread that matched the colour of the jacket, and he began stitching. Magnus watched Alec surreptitiously as he worked. The grey suit and pale blue shirt looked good on him— Magnus suspected that the dark-haired stranger would look good in anything— but he couldn’t help thinking that a pop of colour in his clothes would make his skin and hair stand out beautifully. 

With a twinge of regret, he reflected that Alec was probably straight, based on his reaction to the dresses and heels in Magnus’s other room. He spoke teasingly, almost testing the other man, and didn’t miss the way Alec’s eyes lingered on his face and hands. Nor did he miss the way Alec blushed hotly at Magnus’s comment about fishnets and heels.

Hmmm. Perhaps he’d been too hasty to dismiss Alec as straight. 

Magnus finished stitching on the button and snipped off the excess thread. Alec was still studying the shelves, his attention turned away from him. Magnus considered for a second. He thought of the way Alec’s eyes had roamed over him, curious and surprised and maybe a tiny bit interested. Should he do it?

Magnus took a deep breath and went for it. Grabbing a piece of paper, he quickly wrote his number, before scrawling, Call me any time you need another button sewn on. —Magnus. He slipped the scrap of paper into the pocket of Alec’s jacket and straightened up.

“All done!” he announced. “Good as new.” 

Alec turned to face him, relief obvious in his face. “Oh, thank you so much. You’re an absolute lifesaver. How much do I owe you?”

Magnus waved his hand breezily. “Nothing. It was my pleasure.” 

Alec began to protest, but Magnus waved him away. “Really, darling, it was nothing.”

“Oh.” said Alec shyly. “Thanks. That’s— really kind of you.

Magnus grinned. If Ragnor, his old business professor, was here, he’d scold Magnus for giving away his services for free. But Ragnor wasn’t here, and Magnus’s store was doing well enough that he could afford to give five minutes of his time to a handsome stranger. “You’re very welcome, darling.” He noted that the word darling caused Alec’s cheeks to flush again, and felt a spark of delight in his chest.

Alec shrugged his jacket on, and Magnus admired the way his shoulders moved under the material. “Thanks again.”

Magnus beamed at him. “Hope to see you again sometime.”

Alec smiled, a small and embarrassed smile, but genuine. The shop bell jingled faintly behind him as he left.

Magnus leaned forward on his desk, toying absently with a reel of cotton. He wondered how long it would take Alec to find the bit of paper in his pocket. Something told Magnus he would call, and he smiled. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something wonderful.

#malectober #malectober 2022 #malectober22 #malec #malec fic #alec lightwood #magnus bane #alec lightwood bane #magnus lightwood bane #mundane au #human au #the shadowhunter chronicles #tsc #cassandra clare #the eldest curses #tec #tmi #the mortal instruments #shadowhunters #this chapter is sorta more inspired by the shadowhunters tv show #alec is an accountant #please don't examine it too closely i don't know much about accountancy #and magnus makes clothes for drag queens #that's it really

[i-have-not-slept]

Malectober Day 15: Silk

He loved Alec, and he wanted to lay his past and his truths in front of Alec, like bolts of shining silk at his feet.

—“The Red Scrolls of Magic”

Magnus had always loved silk, both the look and the feel of it, and the status symbol it represented. Silk was, historically, the fabric of the wealthy, a luxury few could afford. It was one of the oldest luxuries in the world.

Magnus remembered the first time he’d visited China, some three and a half centuries ago. He’d seen a colony of silkworms, busily eating their mulberry leaves, utterly unaware that they produced the fabric that clothed kings and emperors. It had fascinated him, the idea that silk, the ultimate symbol of luxury, came from— well, worms. Seeing something so fine, rich and elegant grow out of such humble origins reminded Magnus, in a way, of himself.

A weaver he’d met had explained to him that silk shone not because it was inherently reflective, but because of the way it was woven, the structure of the fibre refracting light at different angles. “The shape of the weave makes the shine.” she’d explained to him. Magnus had been fascinated by that as well. Silk was an illusion, something that shone not because of what it was, but the way it was used. He could feel a connection to that as well.

Magnus reflected on that memory now, sitting up in bed at the end of a long day. That visit to China had been so long ago. He’d been— what, twenty-five? The same age Alec was now.

Magnus glanced over at his husband, sleeping beside him. Alec was wrapped in silk too, the silk sheets that Magnus favoured pulled up to his chest. The sheets were a soft ivory right now, shimmering like a pearl. They’d been red the first time they’d ever shared this bed, gold the night after their wedding. Magnus changed the colour magically when he felt like it, or when he wanted to surprise Alec.

Magnus slid out of bed and wandered through the apartment, absently touching the furniture. The rococo armchair currently in the living room— yes, the cushion on that was silk, in a pale blue patterned with rosebuds. The robes in his closet were silk. He walked back to the bedroom. Alec was still asleep, his black hair spread on the ivory pillow. Magnus had often thought that it had the texture of silk too. He ran his hand through Alec’s hair now, and Alec stirred but didn’t wake. Magnus let him sleep.

Magnus suddenly remembered something, and reached out with his magic, looking for a specific item. He’d remembered a magical vault filled with old clothes of his, garments that hadn’t been in fashion for centuries but that he kept for sentiment. In a shimmer of blue sparks, the thing he wanted was in his hands. It was a very old cravat, slightly worn, but with the colours still bright. It was in a pale cream, bordered with a pattern of blue cornflowers. It was one of the first items of clothing Magnus had ever bought for himself, when he’d first started putting a price on his magic. It was the first silken thing he'd ever owned.

He rubbed it between his fingers now, enjoying the smooth, slippery texture. Then he folded it carefully in a square and put it on the nightstand. He got into bed, luxuriating in the feel of silk all around him. Maybe in the morning he’d tell Alec about the cravat, share a few more memories. Magnus cuddled up to him, and Alec shifted in his sleep, arms sliding instinctively around Magnus’s waist. Magnus felt his eyes close. He fell asleep wrapped in memories, and his husband’s arms, and silk.

#malectober #malectober22 #malectober 2022 #malec #magnus bane #alec lightwood #magnus lightwood bane #alec lightwood bane #tsc #cassandra clare #the red scrolls of magic #trsom #the shadowhunter chronicles #malec fanfic #silk

[i-have-not-slept]

Malectober Day 21: Curse

Missing scene from Queen of Air and Darkness.

——————————————————————————

The sky was just beginning to lighten from black to grey when Magnus stirred faintly. Alec was at his side in an instant, leaning over him. He’d been watching over Magnus all night, in the room they were sleeping in at the Los Angeles Institute. The demon sickness that had been sapping Magnus’s strength for weeks now was worse than Alec had ever seen it. For days, Alec had sat in this room with him, only leaving for brief intervals, watching Magnus grow weaker and weaker. Jace had sat with Alec earlier, but he had left a few hours ago, after Alec had finally persuaded him to get some rest. 

Alec had lost his father not two weeks ago. He couldn't lose Magnus. For a while, he’d been convinced that Magnus wouldn’t survive the night. Alec had cried a bit, watching  his thin face on the pillow, and tried to prepare himself to say goodbye. But against all odds, Magnus had survived the long dark night. He was still breathing. And he was waking, for the first time in more than twenty-four hours. Alec bent over him as he stirred again. He took Magnus’s hand and cupped it between both his own like he was holding flakes of gold.

“Magnus.” he whispered.

The warlock’s eyelids fluttered. He looked up at Alec, still thin and pale, but with a look of such trust and love that Alec’s heart broke. “How long was I asleep?” His voice was thin and cracked, and Alec poured him a glass of water from the jug on the nightstand. 

“Over a day.” Alec said gently. He held the glass with the straw to Magnus’s lips, regretting that it was only ordinary water and not the stuff of Lake Lyn, which would cure Magnus. 

If it arrived in time. If the Wild Hunt got through. 

He explained their plan to Magnus, who listened with his eyes closed, taking shallow breaths. Alec ached to do more to help him. If he could, he would rip out his own lungs and give them to Magnus so he could breathe, take Magnus’s sickness upon himself and make him well. 

When Alec had finished speaking, Magnus didn’t say anything, just reached for Alec’s hand. Alec took it and gripped it tightly. They sat together for a long time without speaking.

“I want to go out on the balcony.” Magnus whispered eventually. 

He was no longer strong enough to stand, so Alec wrapped him in a blanket and carried him outside. Dawn was just streaking the edge of the horizon. Alec carefully set Magnus down on a wicker sofa, and he shivered in the cold sea breeze. Alec wanted to take him back inside, where it was warm, but if Magnus wanted to be out here, Alec wouldn’t argue with him. He sat next to Magnus, propping him up and wrapped his arms around the warlock, trying to warm him. They leaned against each other, Magnus’s head on Alec’s shoulder. From this height, Alec could see across the sandy desert all the way to the ocean. In the other direction, a gold line gleamed on the eastern horizon. It was very quiet. Alec waited. 

“Alec…” Magnus whispered eventually. “If I die…”

“You’re not going to die.” Alec said instantly. “Don’t say that. Don’t.”

“I might.” Magnus said. He sounded sad, but resigned. Alec clung to him tighter, as if he could stave off sickness and death if he held Magnus close enough. “The Wild Hunt are coming with the water of Lake Lyn. They’ll be here soon.”

“I hope so.” Magnus whispered. “But if they’re not, and I start turning into-”

“Don’t say it.” Alec pleaded.

“You have to keep going.” Magnus told him. He seemed to use all the strength he had left to grip Alec’s chin and turn his head. He stared deep into Alec’s eyes. “You have to look after our kids. They’ll need you. You have to live.” 

Unshed tears stung the back of Alec’s throat. “I will.”

“Promise me.” Magnus insisted. 

“I promise.” 

Exhausted, Magnus dropped his hand and slumped against Alec. He could barely even hold his head up. “Tell them I love them.” he murmured. “Max and Rafe. Tell them.” 

“I will.” Alec whispered again. “But it won’t come to that. You’ll be okay.”

Magnus was silent for a while, then he turned his face weakly towards Alec. “I love you, Alexander.”

Alec couldn’t speak. He kissed Magnus as gently as he could, then wrapped the blanket tighter around him. Magnus was gazing at the dawn, at the pink and gold staining the sky. His face, thin and gaunt, was transformed by the golden light falling on it, becoming a thing of otherworldly beauty. Alec held him. There was nothing else he could do. They sat together in the cold and brilliant dawn, watching the sunrise, and the cool ocean wind dried Alec’s tears.

#malectober #malectober 2022 #malectober22 #malec #alec lightwood #magnus bane #remember it's all okay magnus recovers not long after this #alec lightwood bane #magnus lightwood bane #tsc #the shadowhunter chronicles #cassandra clare #queen of air and darkness #qoaad #the dark artifices #tda #malec fic #angst #tw mentions of death

[i-have-not-slept]

Malectober Day 11: Coffee

He lifted his head from the pillow he was clutching and then realized what he was doing: searching the air for a trace of the smell of coffee. It had happened a few times in the last several weeks, Magnus stumbling out into the kitchen toward the rich scent of coffee, pulling on a robe from his wide and varied selection, and finding Alec there….Alec seemed to feel a sense of comfort around the machine that he felt about nothing else, making coffee without asking if he could, bringing Magnus a cup when he was working.

Every time Alec had dropped by—or in the mornings after Alec had fallen asleep there—Magnus had woken to the sounds and smells of Alec's making him coffee, even though Alec knew that Magnus could magic coffee out of the air.

— “What To Buy The Shadowhunter Who Has Everything”

Magnus had become used to Alec making him coffee in the very early days of their relationship. When they had only just started dating, Alec was very careful of everything in the loft, barely touching anything like he was afraid he might break it. But the coffeemaker was different. Maybe because it was something Alec could do for Magnus, because Magnus had noted, even in those early days, that Alec always put other people before himself. Whatever the reason, Alec had quickly fallen into the habit of making coffee for Magnus when he was over at the loft. Even before anyone else knew they were dating, Magnus had become used to it, this simple and domestic act. 

To this day, Alec took every opportunity he could to make coffee for Magnus. He tended to wake earlier than Magnus, as a result of Shadowhunter training, and therefore making coffee had become his designated job. On the mornings when Alec had to leave early for work, Magnus would wake up to a steaming cup of coffee on the nightstand. Often there would be a little note from Alec tucked under the cup, saying something like, I love you, or Have a good day. On the days when Alec didn’t have to leave so early, he would wake Magnus with a kiss on the forehead before pressing the hot mug into his hands. Alec made Magnus’s coffee just the way he liked it, with milk and honey, even though he complained that it was “disgustingly sweet.” 

“Just like you.” Magnus would tell him, and then he’d have to kiss away the blush from Alec’s cheeks. 

Today, however, it was Magnus’s turn to be making coffee. Alec was on the couch in the living room, reading through a Clave report, his brow furrowed. He looked tired, even though it was only early afternoon. Magnus saw the exhaustion on his husband’s face and went to the kitchen. He could see into the living room from there, and he caught the small upwards turn of Alec’s mouth when he heard the coffeemaker start up. Magnus hunted through the kitchen cabinets and found the personalised mug he’d given Alec, the one with WORLD’S BEST CONSUL on it. For himself, Magnus chose a shimmery purple mug, and filled both with the rich dark liquid. He added sugar to Alec’s, honey and milk to his own, and carried them back to the living room. Rafe and Max were playing on the carpet, industriously building a city of blocks for their toy trains. Alec was still reading, his dark hair falling in his eyes. Magnus leaned over to brush it away, before offering the mug of coffee to Alec. Alec took it with a grateful smile, shifting over on the couch so Magnus could sit beside him. He took a sip of coffee, and Magnus saw how his eyes instantly brightened and he sat up straighter. 

“That’s supposed to be my job, you know.” Alec said, indicating the coffee mugs. 

Magnus snuggled against Alec’s side. “You seemed to be busy.” He felt a rumble of laughter go through Alec’s chest as he turned back to the Clave reports. Magnus leaned against him, watching their children play. He clutched the mug, and felt the heat of it go through him, strengthening his body and warming his heart.

#malectober #malectober 2022 #malectober22 #malec #alec lightwood #magnus bane #alec lightwood bane #magnus lightwood bane #coffee #tsc #the shadowhunter chronicles #cassandra clare #rafael lightwood bane #max lightwood bane #malec fic

[i-have-not-slept]

Malectober Day 24: Nails

The kitchen was warm and smelled of cinnamon. Magnus sat at the counter, listening contentedly to Alec as he described the features of the new model of Shadowhunter gear he’d approved that morning. It was now early afternoon. Magnus had been baking, and Alec had made coffee, and they’d sat together and eaten and talked and laughed.

Magnus leaned against the counter, tapping his fingernails against his mug, and Alec’s eyes followed the movement. He caught Magnus’s hand, turning it over. “Your nails are chipped.”

“Mhm.” Magnus rolled his shoulders.

Alec ran his thumb over the chipped black polish “Do you want me to paint them again?”

Alec had painted his nails several times in the past. It had become a sort of ritual for them, a few moments of quiet time when they could just talk and be together. But this time….there was something Magnus had been meaning to ask Alec. He looked down at his hand in Alec’s, then up at his husband’s face. He reminded himself that Alec wasn’t the scared, repressed boy he’d been when they’d first met. But still….Magnus didn’t know how far he could push him.

He took a deep breath and went for it. “Only if you’ll let me paint yours.”

Alec’s face froze for the briefest fraction of a second. For a heartbreaking moment, Magnus saw the shadow of old fear in his eyes, a fear Magnus hadn’t seen in years. He remembered how when they’d first started dating, Alec wouldn’t even hold his hand in public. He was about to apologize and take it back when Alec’s face cleared. He glanced at the chipped polish on Magnus’s nails, then at his own hands, then back at Magnus’s. He was considering it, Magnus could see. Finally Alec swallowed and said, “Okay.” 

Magnus looked him straight in the eye. “You’re sure?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m sure.”

Magnus blinked at him in surprise, then smiled slowly. Alec gave him a small, nervous smile in return.

Magnus waved his hand, clearing away their empty plates. In their place appeared a collection of nail varnish bottles in various shades, some rags and a bottle of polish remover. Alec took Magnus’s hand in his again. He went to work with the polish remover first, carefully wiping away the traces of chipped colour from Magnus’s nails. Magnus relaxed into Alec’s hold. Alec considered the row of nail polish bottles, before selecting one in a glittery magenta. He pulled Magnus’s hand a little closer and swiped the polish carefully over a nail. Alec was always so conscientious and careful, Magnus reflected, even when he was just painting Magnus’s nails. It was endearing. 

Alec finished one hand and blew gently on the polish to dry it. He reached for Magnus’s other hand and started on it. They fell into a comfortable silence together, Magnus enjoying the feel of the cool polish on his nails, Alec focused on his task. He had the adorable furrow between his eyebrows that he only got when he was concentrating hard. 

Alec finished the top coat on Magnus’s nails and sat back, admiring his handiwork. Magnus wiggled his fingers, magically drying the polish, and reached for Alec’s left hand. Alec was tense for a second, then his hand relaxed in Magnus’s. Magnus rubbed his thumb over Alec’s knuckles comfortingly, and reached for a bottle of varnish. The shade he chose was a dark metallic blue, with just the faintest shimmer. 

Alec’s eyes were wide as he watched the first stroke of the brush against his nail. Magnus admired the way the dark blue looked against his pale skin, then moved to his second nail. Alec exhaled sofly, and Magnus looked up to find him staring at the blue against his skin with an expression of wonder. By the time he’d finished one hand, Alec didn’t look apprehensive anymore, and reached to offer Magnus his other hand. Magnus finished his nails and screwed the lid back on the bottle. Alec was holding his hands out, staring at them like he’d never seen them before

“Do you like it?” Magnus asked.

Alec glanced up at him. His eyes were wet. “Yeah.” he said, sounding a little choked up. “Yeah, I— it’s really— thank you.” He scrubbed at his eyes with the back of his hand.

Magnus’s heart broke. He pulled Alec into his arms, holding him tight. Alec buried his face in Magnus’s shoulder and breathed in great, shuddering breaths as Magnus held him. Eventually he pulled away and gave Magnus a watery smile. Magnus caught Alec’s hand, with its dark Voyance rune, and curled his fingers into a fist. He held Alec’s hand between both of his own and pressed it to his lips, closing his eyes for a long moment. “I love you.” he murmured. “And I’m so proud of you.”

Alec’s other hand brushed his cheek. “I love you too.”

Magnus had thought that Alec might want to take the polish off straight away, but to his surprise, Alec kept it on for several days, even wearing it to work. And if anyone noticed that the Consul had blue sparkly nails, well, no one said anything. Isabelle raised her eyebrows when she saw, and didn’t comment, but after a Clave meeting she came up and hugged Magnus without saying a word. After that, Alec let Magnus paint his nails several more times — not often, but often enough that Magnus knew he liked it. Magnus would look at their joined hands, painted in bright colours, and feel a glimmer of warmth in his chest. He looked at Alec, so confident and happy and proud, and he ached with love.

#malectober #malectober22 #malectober 2022 #something something overcoming repression something something #malec #alec lightwood #magnus bane #alec lightwood bane #magnus lightwood bane #tsc #the shadowhunter chronicles #cassandra clare #nails #painting nails #tec #the eldest curses #malec fanfic #isabelle lightwood #tmi #the mortal instruments

[i-have-not-slept]

Malectober Day 17: Cat

Alec woke up with the bright golden light of morning seeping through the windows, and his cat sleeping on his head.

“Ow,” he mumbled, reaching up to disentangle tiny, needle-sharp claws from his hair. “That hurts, Chairman. Go bother Magnus.” He shoved the cat in the direction of his still-sleeping husband. Chairman Meow gave a satisfied purr, nuzzling into the curve of Magnus’s arm. Alec huffed and flopped back on the mattress. The sudden movement woke Magnus. “What’s going on?” he mumbled, blinking sleepily at Alec.

Alec raised his eyebrows. “Your cat woke me up.”

Magnus slumped back, flinging his elbow over his eyes. “This time of the morning he’s your cat.” he grumped.

Alec smiled, unable to pretend he was angry any longer. He cuddled up to Magnus, absently reaching over to stroke the Chairman's ears.

“How many cats have you had?”

Magnus sat up, looking more awake and blinking at Alec. “What?”

“Ragnor mentioned a few days ago that you’d had a cat continuously since the 1950s. So I just wondered how many.”

Magnus thought for a minute. “Seventeen.”

“Huh.”

“They weren’t all since the fifties.” Magnus added. “I’ve had a cat at various times before then, and other pets too. But yes, I’ve always had a cat since then. So….seventeen, in total.”

“What were their names?” Alec asked. He was genuinely curious. He suspected that Magnus had thought up some pretty ridiculous pet names in his time.”

“Well, now I have the Chairman, obviously.” Magnus began. And before him was Catterine the Great. And before her was The Great Catsby….Clary pulled his tail once, when she was a little girl.”

Alec burst out laughing. He rolled onto his side, facing Magnus. “Go on”

“Before him was The Notorious C.A.T.” And before him were Pawsta and Purrito…they were brother and sister…”

“Those names are terrible.”

“Possibly not my finest moment.” Magnus admitted. “Then there was Cat-22 — he was a real mean bastard. I’ve still got the scars where he clawed me. And then there was Charles Mittens…”

Alec curled in on himself, one hand over his mouth, shaking with silent laughter.

“And earlier,” Magnus continued, “there was Miette, and Gib, and Garis-Garis…”

Alec’s brow furrowed. “Is that Indonesian for…”

“Stripes.” Magnus confirmed. “Not the most imaginative of names, I confess.” He put Chairman Meow down for a second, grabbing a silk robe from the floor and wrapping it around himself. He swung himself out of bed, picked up the cat again, and headed for the door. Alec grabbed a discarded sweater from the floor and trailed after him. He shrugged it on over his pyjama pants as he followed Magnus to the kitchen.

“And there was Soctrates, and Teddy, and Birba…” Magnus continued.

“What are you talking about?” Rafe asked, wandering out of his room. Max was already seated at the kitchen bench, with the expectant air that meant he wanted breakfast now.

“Cat names.” Magnus replied, putting Chairman Meow down on the floor. The small grey tabby instantly bolted for the safety of the living room, away from grabby children’s hands.

“What would you call a cat, if we got another one?” Magnus asked the boys, turning on the stove.

Max thought for a minute, then declared solemnly, “Spider-Cat.”

Magnus laughed, and reached into the cupboard for pancake ingredients. Alec wandered into the living room, and coaxed Chairman Meow out from under the coffee table. The Chairman clambered up Alec’s arm and onto his shoulder, clinging to his sweater with his claws. Alec headed back to the kitchen, Chairman Meow riding on his shoulder. He sat at the bench beside his sons, transferring the Chairman to his lap.

He felt a rush of fondness for the little cat. Chairman Meow had been Magnus’s before Alec had come into his life, had been the only thing keeping Magnus company at home before Alec had met him. He and Magnus had met at a birthday party Magnus had thrown for the cat.

“Without you,” Alec murmured into the cat’s soft fur, “we might never have met. So I’m grateful.” Chairman Meow purred as if he understood. And when Magnus dished up the pancakes he’d made, Alec was amused to see they were in the shape of seated cats.

#malectober #malectober 2022 #malectober22 #alec lightwood #magnus bane #malec #chairman meow #max lightwood bane #rafael lightwood bane #tsc #alec lightwood bane #magnus lightwood bane #cassandra clare #the shadowhunter chronicles #cats

[i-have-not-slept]

Malectober Day 27: Time

This chapter is set twenty years after Queen of Air and Darkness.

Magnus snuggled deeper into the couch cushions, trying to focus on his book. It was slipping towards evening, and he was waiting for Alec to come home. Now that their kids were grown up, none of them lived at home any more, and the apartment felt very empty when Alec wasn’t there. 

Magnus heard the sound of his boots on the stairs and grinned. He dropped his book and ran to the door. It was a competition between the two of them— who could get the door open first when Alec came home. Toda, Magnus swung it open seconds before Alec did. He grinned at his husband, framed in the dim light of the stairwell. “I win.” Magnus said breathlessly, and Alec smiled at the sight of him and leaned in for a kiss. 

 Alec’s skin was cold from the evening air. His mouth curved against Magnus’s in a smile. 

Magnus pulled away from Alec. “How was your day?’

“Good.” Alec was smiling at him, but there was a slight undercurrent of tension in his expression. “I need to talk to you.”

Magnus blinked, then nodded. “Is something wrong?”

“No.” Alec brushed his lips against Magnus’s forehead, then guided him further into the living room. He took a deep breath. “The election for a new Consul is coming up.”

Magnus nodded. Elections for the position of Consul were held in the Clave every ten years. Alec had been elected twenty years ago — Magnus could hardly believe he’d been Consul for twenty years — and he had been nominated and won again ten years ago. “Are you worried you won’t win again?” he asked, half-teasing. 

“That’s the thing.” Alec said. His blue eyes were firm with resolve. “I’m not running again. I’m stepping down.”

Magnus blinked at him. He couldn’t say this came as a total surprise, but he hadn’t expected Alec to be quite so sure about it. “Are you sure?”

Alec nodded. “Yes.”

“Is it because you think you won’t be elected again?” Magnus asked. “Because they love you— you’d definitely win. Or if this is about you thinking you’re not good enough, I can tell you that is so not true, because-”

“It’s not any of that.” Alec told him. “I don’t want to be the Consul anymore.” 

“Can I ask why?” Magnus asked tentatively. 

“There’s a few reasons.” Alec said. He squared his shoulders, and Magnus could tell he was gearing up for some sort of confession. He studied his husband’s face. There were a few lines around Alec’s eyes these days, and a touch of grey in his hair and beard. But he was still every bit as beautiful as the day Magnus had met him. More beautiful even, because the Alec that stood in front of him now was so much happier, confident and better-adjusted than the scared boy he’d once been. Magnus waited for Alec to speak.

“It’s been twenty years.” Alec went on. “That’s a long time, and it’s been so good….but I’m tired, Magnus. And I feel….” He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “Twenty years is a long time for one person to be in charge. It’s time for a change. I’ve done everything I wanted to, and more, and it’s time for someone else to take over.”

Magnus waited. Alec clearly wasn’t done speaking, and he had the look on his face he got when he wanted to say something very romantic to Magnus, but couldn’t quite find the words. Magnus loved that look. Alec reached out and cupped his cheek, and Magnus leaned into his touch.

“And also,” Alec murmed, “I want to spend more time with you. You’ve stood beside me for so long— made so many sacrifices—”

“I haven’t regretted a second of it.” Magnus said instantly.

“I know.” Alec said. “But I also know it hasn’t been easy on you.” His other hand cupped Magnus’s face. “I want to just be with you. Give back to you. I love you, Magnus, and I’m so— I’m so grateful.”

Magnus’s heart twisted with love. “What did you have in mind?” 

“I was thinking— traveling somewhere. An extended vacation. Now the kids don’t live at home— we could go off somewhere together. Just us.” 

Warmth spread through Magnus’s chest. “Where to?”

Alec caught his waist, spinning them in a circle. “Anywhere and everywhere you want.”

Magnus laughed and wrapped his arms around Alec’s neck. “Yes. Yes, that sounds absolutely perfect. You’re perfect.” He kissed Alec again, reveling in the taste of him,the scratch of his beard against Magnus’s cheek, before pulling back to look at him. “It’ll be a big change, you know. Having a different Consul.” He could barely imagine it himself— Alec had held the position so long. There was  an entire generation of young Shadowhunters who had never known any Consul but Alec. It would be a big change for the entire Shadow world.

Alec nodded. “I know. But it’s the right thing to do.” 

Magnus smiled at him again. Alec was looking at him with such a mixture of gratitude and understanding and deep, deep love that it quite took Magnus’s breath away. All of a sudden, he saw the future stretching out before them, like a bolt of shimmering silk. He’d had twenty-five years with Alec already, with many more to come. Surely no one had ever been this lucky. 

Magnus threaded his hands through Alec’s hair, pulling him closer. “If you really wanted to focus on me more… well, there’s no time like the present.”

Alec’s eyes gleamed. He kissed Magnus again, his hands sliding under Magnus’s shirt, leaving tendrils of fire in his wake. Magnus melted into his arms, rejoicing in Alec, in the promise of the years to come, in all the time they had yet to spend together.

tagging @khaleesiofalicante cause I know you like bearded Alec stuff 👀

#malectober #malectober 2022 #malectober22 #malec #alec lightwood #magnus bane #alec lightwood bane #magnus lightwood bane #consul alec lightwood #tsc #the shadowhunter chronicles #cassandra clare #tmi #the mortal instruments #tec #the eldest curses #malec fic #they’re married your honor #future fic #can you tell i like writing older alec #silver fox vibes for the win

[i-have-not-slept]

Malectober Day 20: Rescue

Magnus blinked sweat from his eyes, breathing hard. He struck out with another bolt of blue flame at the Ravener demons surrounding him. The air all around him was filled with the shouts and screams of battle. Alec had been called out to a crisis situation — an unusually large number of demons appearing in a field not far from the Idris border. Magnus had gone with him, because he wasn’t about to let Alec face danger alone. 

Magnus stunned another demon with a magical shockwave, then spun towards one on his left. There was no need. The demon was already down, Alec’s arrow sending it bursting into flames. 

Magnus risked a glance up, over the battlefield. Close to fifty Shadowhunters were spread out, locked in battle with the demons. As well as the Raveners, Magnus spotted a handful of Drevaks and a few Crouchers. There were a lot of them, but the Shadowhunters were doing well.

Too late, Magnus realised his mistake. One of the Raveners grabbed his ankle, yanking him off balance and sending him crashing to the ground. Magnus lashed out at it, but another was already looming over him. Magnus looked up into a gaping maw of teeth dripping with venom. It blocked out everything. He couldn’t see the sky behind it. A strange sense of calm stole over him.

Then the Ravener was seized from behind and hurled violently away from Magnus. Alec had grabbed it, throwing it with a ferocity Magnus rarely saw from him. His face was white with rage. Before Magnus could blink, Alec was on the demon, striking at it with his seraph blade. The demon screamed in agony. The blade plunged into its body again and again, more times than was necessary, until it exploded into ash. Alec spun instantly and hurled a dagger at another demon that had been creeping up behind Magnus, killing it instantly. 

Magnus was still sprawled on the ground. The whole thing had taken barely twenty seconds. 

Alec dropped to his knees beside Magnus. The change in him was almost frightening to see. One second he was a vengeful, bloody, demon hunter, the next a concerned and loving husband. “Are you hurt? Did it get you?” His hands ran frantically over Magnus’s face, his chest, checking for injuries. 

“I’m fine.” Magnus breathed. He was trembling a bit as the adrenaline rush abated. “It didn’t hurt me.”

“Oh, god…” Alec pulled Magnus into his arms, pressing Magnus’s face into his shoulder. “God, Magnus, I was so worried…”

The noise of the battle continued around them, but for a moment, it was quiet. Magnus let his head rest on Alec’s shoulder, listening to his heartbeat, quickened by panic. He shut his eyes and let Alec hold him.

#malectober #malectober 2022 #malectober22 #malec fic #malec #alec lightwood #magnus bane #alec lightwood bane #magnus lightwood bane #tsc #the shadowhunter chronicles #cassandra clare #tw violence #tsc fic #just wanted to write alec being unhinged today tbh

[i-have-not-slept]

Malectober Day 19: Bike

"I've heard some of the bikes can fly," said Alec eagerly. He sounded like Simon with a new video game. "Or go invisible at the flick of a switch. Or operate underwater."

— City of Bones

“Magnus, is this really necessary?”

“Of course it’s necessary, darling.” Magnus replied. Alec couldn’t see him through the blindfold Magnus had made him wear, but he could hear that Magnus was on the other side of the room. “I want your birthday present to be a surprise.”

“Magnus…”

“Just trust me, Alexander.” Magnus said cheerfully.

“I do.” Alec told him, and he just knew that Magnus was smiling, even if he couldn’t see him.

He heard a faint crackle of magic that he guessed was Magnus opening a Portal. The room filled with the burnt-sugar scent of magic. He heard Magnus cross the room to stand beside him.

“Alright.” Magnus murmured. “I’m just going to lead you through the Portal now.” He took Alec’s hand and Alec followed his husband blindly, trusting Magnus not to let him bump into anything.

He felt the familiar rush of a Portal, then they stood on solid ground. The air was cold, the air slightly damp. Alec could hear from the sounds of traffic that they were on a city street — probably still in New York, judging by the accents of people he could hear in the distance.

“You can take off the blindfold now.” Magnus said gleefully.

Alec pulled the material off his eyes. They weren’t on a city street after all. They were fifty feet above one, on the roof of a large building. The dark city spread all round them, lit by a thousand lights. The sky overhead was inky black showing a few stars.

Leaning against a rooftop doorway a few feet away was Alec’s friend and headache inducer, Lily Chen.

“Lily!” Alec said, surprised but pleased to see her. He realised that they must be on the roof of the Hotel Dumort. He was still slightly confused. Magnus, standing next to him, looked delighted, but Alec saw Lily all the time. Why was Magnus so excited about them meeting up?

“Hi, Alec!” Lily said. She was smiling at him, looking vaguely smug. “No more than two hours, not a scratch on it—“

“What?” Alec said, utterly confused.

“-and if you crash the Dumort will not be responsible in any way.” Lily finished sweetly. She wiggled her fingers in a wave, then turned and slipped through the door and down the stairs. Alec could hear her laughter as she disappeared down the stairs.

Now Alec was even more confused. “Magnus, what…”

“Turn around.” Magnus told him, grinning.

Alec turned, and felt a sudden rush of adrenaline, like electricity running through his veins. For a single wild second, he felt like akid again, with the rush of joy and wonder and excitement and terror that came with being young. Oh. Suddenly everything made sense. He stepped forwards and slowly, almost like he was afraid of startling it, reached out to touch the shiny chrome side of the vampire motorbike.

“I remembered the night we met.” Magnus murmured in his ear. “You got so excited about those vampire bikes. I thought it was cute. And then a few weeks ago you mentioned how jealous you’d been when you’d heard that Jace got to fly one. So I had an idea.”

Alec ran his hand over the bike’s sleek blach chassis, the high silver handlebars. A design of scarlet flames was painted on the side -- Lily’s personal touch, he guessed. He felt like he was seventeen again, every day spent struggling with a tangle of conflicting emotions, wondering what it would be like to fly away from it all.

“Do you like it?” Magnus asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Alec turned to him, his beautiful, caring Magnus, and swept him into a kiss. He tried to put into it everything he didn’t have words for, and he thought Magnus understood. His breath caught against Alec’s mouth, hands clutching the back of Alec’s leather jacket. Alec pulled away from him with a gasp. Magnus was smiling. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Thank you.” he breathed. “It’s so— I don’t— I can’t…”

“It’s okay.” Magnus told him. “I understand.” His eyes gleamed. “Now, do you want to try this thing out, or not?”

Alec grinned, feeling a sudden burst of adrenaline. He swung one leg over the seat of the bike and gripped the handlebars. Magnus slid on behind him and his arms wrapped around Alec’s waist. His chest was pressed against Alec’s back and Alec could feel his heartbeat pounding through his clothes.

“This one can definitely fly, right?” Alec asked.

Magnus huffed out a laugh. “Either that or Lily is a much worse person than I previously believed.”

Alec laughed too. Magnus pressed something silver into his hand. “Keys.”

Alec turned the ignition and felt the bike jolt into life, shuddering underneath them. It felt like a living creature, heart thrumming, something wild and a little dangerous. “You ready?”

Magnus gripped him tighter. “Ready.”

Alec gunned the engine, and the bike leapt forwards, shooting over the edge of the roof and into empty air.

For a heartstopping second they plummeted, then Alec pulled the handlebars up and they were shooting up into the night sky.

It was exhilarating. The cold night air on Alec’s skin, the wind in his hair, the rumble of the bike and the solid warmth of Magnus behind him. They were caught between city and sky, suspended in the black sphere of the night shot through with pinpricks of light.

A laugh punched out of Alec’s throat. He remembered the first time he’d ever driven, in a red Maserati in Italy. He felt the same wild rush now. It was like the first time he’d ever kissed Magnus, and the world had exploded into dazzling colour, everything sharper, brighter.

They swooped down, and Magnus gasped and clutched Alec tighter. The bike sped along the glittering surface of the river, nearly touching the water. Alec heard Magnus laugh in sheer delight, and he pulled the bike up again, soaring high above the city, rising until there were stars all around them.

#malectober #malectober 2022 #malectober22 #alec lightwood #magnus bane #malec #tsc #cassandra clare #the shadowhunter chronicles #the mortal instruments #tmi #city of bones #lily chen #magnus lightwood bane #alec lightwood bane #tsc fanfic