magna_bane | It's perfectly normal for the girl to scale the wall to the window. (for alec

It's perfectly normal for the girl to scale the wall to the window. (for alec_lightwood)

The day had been pretty rough. Will found ways to make her work harder when they trained together and it was some strange ritual to make her go away. Sometimes she wasn't sure if he enjoyed her company or if he hated it. He had more mood swings than a woman. Not that she cared. She neither liked him nor hated him. Which was about the same for Jem. The one thing she knew for certain... she liked to keep them safe without either of them noticing. If the didn't notice, they couldn't ask her about it. Things were better that way.

On the other hand, sitting in the attic with a book in her lap that day, she found like so many other days that all she thought about was one person. The first time the smaller branch of the Lightwood family visited the Institute, she'd gone from disinterested in life to a rush of feelings that left her breathless. Will hated the Lightwoods. No matter which family branch... but her entire perception changed the first time his eyes met hers.

Which was why she nimbly scaled the wall up to the dimly lit window of a London apartment. Pulling up onto the window ledge nimbly, she tapped the glass pane softly. It wasn't the first night that she did this. Swinging her feet lightly, she tucked the wayward ebony strands behind an ear and peered down at the city below while waiting.

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Lightwoods were not supposed to associate with the Shadowhunters at the London Institute. Supposedly they were better than the nephilim that lived there. It was a place where the castoffs no one wanted and the bad hunters were kept... at least that's what his parents always said. But Alec knew that wasn't true.

Will Herondale was one of the best hunters among them even if he had an ego the size of an ocean. No matter what Jace might say, the nephilim was a good hunter... so was his parabatai, Jem.

The others... he doubted that they were unwanted like his mother claimed. Being an orphan didn't make a person unwanted... and, considering the feelings he'd developed for a certain young lady, one nephilim at the Institute could not be called unwanted.

Magnus had steadily become the object of his affections, something that had been one of the reasons he'd moved from the family estate to London. He wanted to be close so that he might court her - if she would agree to such a thing - and he couldn't do that while his parents glared at them and tried to force him to be interested in their friends' daughters.

The courting seemed to be working... perhaps. Alec knew that having Magnus show up at his window, asking to be let inside wasn't proper, but considering how little of mundane rules really fit nephilim life, it seemed perfect for them.

At least she rarely used his bedroom window for her nocturnal visits.

Hearing the familiar knock at the window, he moved to the case and carefully opened it, afraid he might upset her balance, then offered her a hand to help her inside. "Was he being insufferable again?"

Seeing the flicker of light and shadow inside the room, she couldn't help letting her mind flick through each meeting with him when they were young. Alec was quiet and beautiful. He remembered details and books he read about things Will said was insanely boring. Yet each time he recalled some interesting fact, he had her completely enthralled. Or maybe it was the light that came on when he remembered something...

She'd gotten so bad with wanting and needing to see that expression that she found herself asking him questions. Anything she could think of to get him to light up as he answered in detail. Until she realized how his eyes lingered longer on Jace Wayland or Will. And little by little, she'd found herself faced with a truth that left her sulking for days.

Sulking got nothing done. Which was why she decided she would love him no matter his feelings in return.

As the window opened, she smirked just a little. "When is he not, Alexander?" Sliding her hand into his, she slid easily inside. It wasn't that she needed his help to get in. More she liked the feeling of her hand in his. "I think I'll be sore for days."

And being incapable of getting healing marks... the bruises probably looked angry and black in places. One in particular was lighter on her cheek. Lighter due to make-up she'd snuck away from Jessamine. "Are you busy? I could leave..." Sometimes she couldn't shake that fear that she intruded into his life. But at the same time... nothing could keep her away.

"There must be moments or Jem wouldn't be his parabatai." Unless Jem liked to torture himself. Which seemed possible but unlikely so there must be some redeeming character trait that no one else saw.

His thoughts instantly turned from curiosity about Jem's choice to concern as he noticed the bruises. A worry that caused his spirits to fall as he realized that she had probably come to see him just so that she might be healed.

Maybe Isabelle was right and he was incapable of courting a girl.

"He should be more careful with you. Simply inflicting hurt does not teach the lesson." Instantly realizing how that might sound, he winced mentally. "Not because you're female but because that isn't the right way to teach."

Flushing slightly, he focused on her question instead of his embarrassment. "No, I was... Research is all. I always have time for you."

"I'm certain Jem can see things in people that no one else can." Smiling a little, she figured he liked the rough around the edges treatment. Will never really let Jem be the sickly dying boy. And Jem needed that.

"Will Herondale has no concept of careful. And he does it so I'll go away. It doesn't bother me. I'm sure no one will go easy on me on a hunt either." Smiling softly, she leaned in closer to bump into his side gently. "But I must selfishly admit that I love that you worry about me."

And where it still made her wonder why he could heal her with no pain... she wasn't there for that. In a way, she kept them to teach herself a lesson to move faster next time. Then that thought was derailed by that answer and a brilliant smile slid over her face.

Curling her arm through his, she leaned into his side and let her head rest on his arm. "Is that an open invitation to come more often? Because it's hard to make myself not break out nightly to visit you. It's far more preferable." Pausing, she felt the heat rise into her cheeks. "I start missing you when you're gone but a few hours..."

"He also has no sense of self preservation." Another reason why he wondered about Jem's choices, but the same could be said about him concerning Jace. Neither Will nor Jace had a bit of sense and both got their parabatais in trouble because of it.

"I do worry about you, Magnus." He paused, realizing he'd almost called her Magna despite her hatred for the name. He'd learned not to make that mistake years ago but sometimes when he was being protective of her, he tended to want to almost slip and use the feminine version of her name. "Do you want me to heal the bruises?"

Taking her arm, he led her to his favorite chair in the library, "And I miss you." So maybe he was courting her properly... or at least correctly even if the setting wasn't proper. "You may visit whenever you want, Magnus. You'll always be welcome here."

"Not many of us do. He just have less than normal. Much like your parabatai. But as much as Will annoys me, I like him more than Jace... I am truly sorry to say that." Only for Alec's sake. She knew Jace was important to the man she loved... but he also rubbed her the wrong way. Especially when Alec's eyes followed him the most when he was in the room.

A small smile pulled at her lips and she found that urge to just hug him tight hit. The feeling was always overwhelming with him. "I know... I worry for you as well." She hated being called Magna. Especially when Will used it. But if he said it... and no one else was around... she'd likely like it. "No... I didn't come here to beg you to nurse me back to health."

She'd mark herself if she wanted to be healed that badly. "I scaled these walls a bit like Romeo. Does that make me Romeo? I mean... I may be a little short for the role, but I could spout off love verses to you if you like from the streets below."

Grinning in happiness, she moved with the pull. Sometimes it was hard to remember she had to be a 'lady'. She didn't want to be. Not when she'd rather stay close to him. So looking at that chair, she fought the urge to sigh. She'd rather sit close to him. But that didn't stop her from almost bouncing on her toes to kiss his cheek fast. "I will take you up on that... my favorite company is here."

"There's nothing to be sorry for. I knew what he was like when I became his parabatai." It might not have been the wisest choice and Jace could act like a wild animal at times, but he needed someone to try to keep him grounded just like Will did. And, considering how reckless Jace could be, he needed someone to protect him when his common sense left him.

A small spark of hope warmed him when Magnus said that she worried about him. Maybe she did feel something more than friendship for him. "I'm glad that isn't the only reason you wanted to see me, but I'll still heal you if you want."

The hint at love caused Alec to smile shyly down at her, trying to ignore the butterflies in his chest. "Both my mother and Charlotte would be horrified if you started yelling Shakespeare from the streets. And of the two of us, you would make the prettier Juliet."

A blush crept across his face as Magnus kissed his cheek, his smile turning to an almost dazed grin. "But I hope that we aren't Romeo and Juliet. I wish for a better ending for us than they had."

It took a moment for Alec to realize that what he said might have been too forward, even for a lady as free spirited as Magnus. "If you don't mind me wishing for that. You are my favorite company too and I... Please forgive me if that was improper. I didn't mean..." His voice trailed off as he struggled for something to say, the blush brightening as he glanced down to study the rug as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world.

Amber eyes slipped over his face in curiosity as she tried to figure that out. Alec would follow Jace into hellfire if he had to. Part of her believed Jace would for Alec. Or she hoped. Either way, she knew she would. She would follow Alec even as he followed his crazy risk taking parabatai into hello. "You are a brave soul and far too kind sometimes. Do you know this?"

Gently nudging Alec into the chair, she sat as primly as she could on the arm of the chair peering down at him. "I would do anything to ensure you were safe... even follow certain daft blonde's to their perilous death." The affection glinted in her eyes as she finally gave in to temptation as she was often wont to do. Reaching out, her slender fingers softly brushed his hair from his face sweetly. The question caused a hint of a blush to tint her cheeks as her other hand reflexively touched the bruise on her face. His touch when he healed her... that was what she wished for. "I will not refuse should you wish to do so."

A soft laugh left her as she brushed his ear in the motion to slip his hair behind it. "Charlotte would be feint of heart at the mere idea... Will would insist that I was just a small boy to be ignored." She angled her head and winked at him. "I would risk it for you."

Then the blush increased furiously in her face as he returned the hopeful flirtation. Something she'd figure he'd brush aside. Instead he went further with it. The smile that pulled at her lips lit up her golden eyes before she bent down and kissed his hair. "I do not mind. Not in the least. And I will happily come to your window nightly until you ask me to stop."

Watching his eyes drift to the rub in embarrassment, she slipped down to the same rug to rest on her knees. Breathing in slowly, she purposely changed the subject for him. Tipping her head, she pushed her raven hair back to show the edges of the bruise that curled about the jawline. "He must have been in a nasty mood. He doesn't normally get hits in that hard on my face. I think he regretted it. When I refused to let him mark me, he ran out of the training room." The Herondale marched out growling about her being a stubborn girl before yelling that she should let people heal her. But that was something she didn't allow. They all knew that. She only let them when it already hurt more than a mark would.

Being Jace's parabatai didn't make him brave. Foolish maybe, but not brave. If it did, then Magnus was the only nephilim in London that thought so. Most thought he was too cautious since he was probably the only Shadowhunter in the city that hadn't killed a demon. And few would ever call a Lightwood kind. "You're the only one who would think of me in that way."

As Magnus encouraged him to sit down, Alec began to protest, but he knew it wouldn't deter her. Proper manners never seemed to be something she cared about and when they were alone, he could be less cautious than usual. "We'll drag him back before it comes to that. I'm not going to lose anyone who is dear to me."

Some of his shyness eased as he touched his hair, forgetting about all the rules he was supposed to follow, eyes half closing as he leaning into her fingers. For a moment he forgot about her bruises, smiling as he noticed her blush.

"Charlotte would probably be proud of your ingenuity and Will must be half blind if he thinks you look like a boy. I'd like you to visit more. Whenever you can get away. I'll come to the Institute more." Charlotte and Henry had always tried to make him feel welcome, especially after he'd left home. They wouldn't mind if came to see Magnus, though he might have to find a way to keep his temper when Will was nearby.

His embarrassment faded as Magnus slipped into his line of sight, a smile tugging at his lips until he saw the bruise. "Magnus..." Reaching out, he lightly touched her jaw near the bruise, guilt catching him as he realized he should have thought more of her health than his own wish to be close to Magnus. "I'm sorry. I should have thought... Do you have your stele?"

"Then I must say... I am the only smart person in this lovely society." Smiling at him softly, she twirled her fingertips in the soft black hair. "Because you are the true definition of nobility."

When he said he wouldn't let them go down into hell together, she smiled just a little. "I think I know why you're okay together. You're his brain... cause I'm sure he doesn't have one on most days." Tilting her head, she met his gaze and felt a warmth run through her. Every part of her wanted to reach out and pull him into her arms. He needed love and affection, but she didn't want to look so much like a loose woman he wouldn't want her close at all.

Laughing suddenly at the thought of Charlotte calling her ingenious, she ducked her head smiling. Only Alec would come up with something like that. Granted if Charlotte had figured out how much she was in love with the Lightwood she'd likely be proud. The head of the Institute didn't wait. She did it herself. "Taking the initiative... she would very much be impressed. But is such forward tactics attractive? That is the question." A question on he could answer.

"But if I should not come, something came up I could not let you know in time." She would do all she could to let him know regardless.

Really, she shouldn't be so happy to have his touch. The moment those fingertips brushed her cheek she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Lifting her hand, she gently caressed the back of his only to turn into his hand so her cheek pressed into his hand. "It's okay. I'm not worried about the pain. Nor would I want you to feel guilty. More so cunning like a kitten questing for attentions from her favorite person."

Staying close, she gave him a hopeful expression. Honesty was really all she had to give him. She refused to lie or to be anything but straightforward if she could. "As for my stele... yes... I have it." Moving the hand not touching his, she pulled the stele from a pocket before offering it up to him. "You don't have to, Alec..."

"I'm not noble, Magnus." If he was, he wouldn't let her sneak in. He'd do what was proper instead of selfishly wanting to keep Magnus near. But he could never tell her to stop her visits no matter what society might think of them.

"I should say that isn't true, but most times Jace doesn't think." Or if he did, no one but Jace understood what it was that went through his mind. Even bonded with the younger hunter, Alec couldn't understand his parabatai most of the time.

His blush returned as she looked down at him, suddenly wishing that he wasn't so concerned about her reputation. Every time Magnus was near, he wanted to hold her close no matter how improper that would be. Unless... she didn't mind if someone was forward. "If you were the one being forward then those tactics would be attractive."

It was tempting to follow those tactics and lean in to kiss her, but he wasn't sure if she would want that. And he'd never kissed anyone before. What if he disappointed her?

Smiling as she took his hand, he lightly brushed his fingers along unbruised skin. "Am I your favorite person, Magnus?"

Taking the steel with his free hand, he knew he should begin the iratze but he didn't want to pull away. "I don't have to, but I want to. I don't want you to be in pain. Not when I can help."

"You are to me. You know, we could keep arguing the finer points of semantics, or you could just let me win for the sake of letting me win." Putting on her best innocent look, she turned up the power for cute and adorable. Sometimes it really was the best weapon.

But at least she got the chance to grin at that small victory over Jace being mindless. She would take them where she could get them and focus on more important things...

Like the fact he just told her it was okay to be forward with him. It felt like a switch was turned on inside of her brightening and erasing shadows of doubt. "Would it?" Sometimes she could tell he loved her... it was the depth of the love she wasn't sure about. Sometimes her hope for more over shadowed the reality.

Smiling in return at his smile, she half closed her eyes in content happiness. "You're always my favorite person." She didn't let other people touch her unless it was absolutely necessary. Yet with him... she'd do anything to feel him close.

And something about his comment about her forward tactics and the way he let his hand linger that made up her mind. Keeping his hand on her face, she rose slowly. In a few careful movements, she slid into his lap and hooked her legs over an arm of the chair. Her heart beat fast in her chest, causing her to bury her face in his chest a moment while still holding his hand.

"Let me stay close to you, Alec? Please?" Even if she only got slight cuddles or simply being held... she wanted that closeness with him.

"I wouldn't be letting you win." She'd have to keep trying to convince him, mostly because Alec liked the teasing games they played... and that look that truly was adorable even if he didn't dare tell her that. She'd probably use one of Henry's strange weapons on him if he said such a thing.

The thought distracted him enough that it took him a moment to realize what she'd asked. Being forward. That had been what they'd been discussing. Not how much he liked the way her eyes brightened whenever Alec managed to think of the right thing to say. "It would. You're my favorite person too. You will always be dear to me."

That couldn't be taken the wrong way... at least he hoped it couldn't. He could almost hear Isabelle teasing him for struggling so much but he knew he didn't have a gift for speaking like Jace and Will did. All he had was honesty and Alec knew that his gift wasn't always appreciated.

But it seemed that it would be rewarded when Magnus moved to sit on his lap. Setting the stele aside, he slid his arm around her. Slowly, his other hand slid from her cheek to her hair, trembling slightly with nervousness as Alec brushed his fingers over her dark hair. "I want you to be with me, Magnus." All night if she wanted even if he was afraid of suggesting it and having her think he wasn't a gentleman.

Giving him a skeptical look, an eyebrow rose slowly. "Was that a concession to losing this once or a challenge to keep trying? Because you're making me wonder if I should be plotting new tactics or celebrating." Maybe with anyone else she would have huffed at the loss of a real victory, but with him.... he was different. He could tease her as much as he wanted.

If anything, because of the way he could make her feel with the simplest of statements. It sent a thrill of energy and happiness all throughout her just knowing that he thought highly of her. Which made her realize that whatever kind of love... he loved her. And it was enough to put a beautiful smile on her face. "You are always dear to me, Alec. From the moment I met you."

Not that she could explain it... just that it was. Just like she wanted his arms about her so much a tremor ran up her spine as he held her close. Sliding a hand up to the back of his neck, she softly played with the hair at the nape. Closing her eyes, she nuzzled closer, careful not to go too far, but still press close.

Closing her eyes, she let the fingers of her other hand softly trace the lines of a mark on his neck. She had stared at it enough to know each curl and turn perfectly without looking. Which sent a blush through her cheeks. "May I stay? All night? I don't want to go back tonight..."

"I know when I'm beaten." At least with Magnus he did. There was no point in arguing with her since she'd always think of a new reason to think of him in a positive light. "You always see the best in me even when I can't see it in myself."

Although it was hard not to think that he had somehow said the right thing when Magnus smiled at him like that. As if she were truly pleased with his words and with him. Feeling that shiver, Alec held her close, afraid she might be cold, suppressing a shiver of his own when Magnus began to brush her fingers along his neck. His breath caught as she followed the curve of the rune, swallowing hard as he tried to answer.

It was wrong to have her stay. Scandalous. Even as a Shadowhunter her reputation would be ruined if anyone found out. But he couldn't say no. Alec wanted her near too much to ever say no to that request. "I'd like you to stay for as long as you'd like."

"Alec... I will always see the best in you." Even with the flaws, the things that shone through lit up the world around her. He brought purpose and meaning just to life itself for her. "I'll be your eyes when you need to be reminded of what amazing things make you, you."

Continuing the gentle tracing, the hand at the back of his neck clutched at hair when Alec drew her closer. Tipping her head up, her lips brushed his pulse softly and unexpectedly causing her to gasp gently. Everything she did right now could destroy what little reputation she had. And that reputation was small and hanging by a thread.

But she'd throw her life away for Alec's happiness... she'd fight to survive if being alive made him happy. The amount of things she would do for him always amazed her. But she never tried to convince herself of anything other than that. And when he told her she could stay as long as she liked, her heart fluttered in her chest.

"Forever would be imposing." Smiling softly, she tipped her head up to look into his eyes. "You're the only one that's ever made me feel safe... at home. I can't say I've felt that way since..." Her words caught and she took a deep breath. "I'm sure you don't want to hear about my childhood all that much..."

Magnus might be the eyes that saw the best in him, but she was also the reason he kept trying when it felt like he would never be a proper Shadowhunter or ever please his parents. Even if he never did those things, if Magnus believed in him, was proud of him, then he could live with the disapproval of others. "That means the world to me, Magnus. You give me hope."

The brush of Magnus' lips against his skin made it impossible to hide that shiver. A quiet sound caught in his throat before he remembered that he had to at least try not to act like he was head over heels for her.

Which meant he should agree that forever was impossible, but he refused to lie. "It wouldn't." He was saying too much too soon. If he should ever dare say such things, but that was the only thing he could rely on since he couldn't be charming like the other boys. "I would be happy to have forever with you."

As she spoke of safety, his fingers brushed through her dark hair, trying to bring comfort, knowing that whatever had happened to Magnus before she'd arrived in London had to have been terrible. "I'll do everything I can to keep you safe, but yo only have to tell me what you want about your past. If you want to tell me, I'll listen, but if you're not ready, I'll be patient."

"You are my strength and hope as well..." Reaching up, she gently cupped his cheek in her hand. Moving closer, she kissed the other soft and sweet. "You are so amazing, Alec... sometimes I want to just shake the world for not realizing it. But if I'm enough... please know that I have so much faith in you. So much pride." Adoration and love. The amount of feelings for the young man sometimes blew her mind.

Blinking at the shiver, she held on to him tighter. "Are you cold?" The whisper was so soft, she wasn't sure if she'd said it out loud.

And considering the reply to her hidden truth, she felt like she couldn't breathe. "Alec..." His name came on an exhale before she suddenly moved to wrap her arms completely about his neck and hug him. "Forever with you... I want that." Whether as a lover or just closer than just friends. As long as it was with him.

"You're the only one I want to know me..." Turning her head to lean into his touch, she breathed in slowly. "Something happened when I was a child. I don't... I don't remember. My mother killed herself. I... I really think it was because of me... why else would my father try to kill me?" She frowned and furrowed her brow in mental anguish. "I don't know how it happened... but the house burned down... he died yet I survived. I don't remember how or why... just that the Silent Brothers found me..."

"I feel the same way about you, Magnus. You're my strength and can't understand why others don't see you the way I do." Instead they saw someone small and not the usual ideal of a lady. Few cared to see that she was intelligent and brave. The fact that she disliked wearing skirts and spoke her mind were enough to condemn her in similar ways as Alec. Even if he wasn't sure what he'd done to be such a disappointment to the old nephilim families. "You will always be enough to make me happy."

His eyes closed with a contented sigh as Magnus held him close, her words causing him to hum softly. "No. I'm not cold. Just ticklish."

He'd begun to wonder if they could simply stay together curled up in his chair together for the night when she said his name, causing him to try to pull away until her arms slid around his neck. It took a moment for Alec to realize she'd said yes, and then he began to grin. "Does that mean I can ask Charlotte's permission to court you?"

He might have been trying before asking officially but he wanted to do this right. If he was going to fight his parents over his choice of who to fall in love with, then he needed Charlotte's help. She would protect them as much as she could and give them a refuge away from the gossips.

It was an honor to have her trust him enough to tell him about her past but that couldn't ease the sorrow at knowing she had bee hurt so much in the past. "It had nothing to do with you, Magnus. Sometimes people do things like that and we never know the reason. And there are no reasons other than whatever darkness is in their own minds.

"Grief and sorrow make people do terrible things they wouldn't normally do if they were in their right minds." His hand stilled for a moment as he gently kissed her hair. "I'm glad you survived. I don't know what I'd do if we had never met."

Sometimes she wondered if the smiling would hurt her face. Granted it did this time due to the bruise, but not for the same reason she suspected. Until he'd come into her life, Magnus rarely smiled. "Alec... as long as you see me, I am happy. You make me happy."

Only to grin more at the comment about being ticklish. "Darling, Alexander... you're ticklish? Duly noted." Bumping her nose into his jaw, the smile melted into a playful smirk.

Then he asked that question. Sitting up a little, she met his eyes and searched them for how serious he was. Lifting her hands, she cupped his face shyly at first before feeling more confident as she leaned in closer. "You really wish to court me? I want that... if that's really what you want."

The idea ran through her like a thrill of electricity. Alec wanted her. Her. The excitement it sent through her made butterflies explode in her chest and flutter in her stomach. Catching one of his hands, she drew it to her lips and kissed the knuckles softly. "I never thought..." She smiled brilliantly and ducked her head.

Finally she lifted her head to look at him in worry. "Your parents don't like me... I'm of foreign decent... Are you really sure?" God, she hoped he was. Lifting her hand, she smoothed his hair back softly. "Because, I promise you... I will never leave your side and support you for life." Breathing in slowly, she nearly said those words she wanted to say so badly.

And she nearly convinced herself not to, until Alec said those things to her about her parents. The stinging in her eyes got ignored in favor of moving to very softly touch their lips for just a split second. "I love you."

Happiness was a rare thing in the Lightwood homes. His own was empty except for his siblings since his parents were too busy with their power plays to notice the children that wanted a family. Gabriel and Gideon had spent most of their time abroad and their father had always made Alec uncomfortable in some way he didn't understand.

Happiness wasn't something Lightwoods searched for, but he had found it with Magnus. And he would do everything possible to give that joy to her as well. "I want to make you happy for..." The rest of his life, if she'd agree to it, but he couldn't ask her that. "... for as long as you allow me to."

As he noticed that grin, he realized he would be in trouble later, even if 'ticklish' hadn't been quite the correct description. He couldn't tell her that he liked having her touch him or that the spot was sensitive. "I... Sometimes I am."

But that concern didn't matter since she wanted him to court her. She wanted to be more than friends and eventually he would be able to ask for that lifetime together. "I do want to, Magnus. I've wanted to for awhile but I didn't know how."

Isabelle hadn't helped with that, giving him strange looks whenever he asked how he should court Magnus. He'd never been sure if it was Magnus she disapproved of or him. Izzy loved him and liked Magnus, but the idea of them together seemed to worry her. Maybe because she knew how their parents would react.

Not that it mattered. Alec loved her and he'd lived too long in a house where power was the only thing that mattered. "I don't care if they don't like you. You are my dearest friend and I can't think of anyone else I would wish to..."

He froze as he realized what he'd been about to say, blushing brightly before kissing her unbruised cheek. "I don't care about your lineage, Magnus. It's your heart that matters not who your parents are." Meeting her eyes, he smiled sadly. "If it did, then you might not want me to court you."

That kiss should have readied him for a second, but it still caught him by surprise, lips gentle against hers until she pulled away. Staring at Magnus in shock, grinned at those words. "I love you too, Magnus. I have for a long time."

"Then you'd better prepare for something close to forever... because I want you near to me for that long and longer." Maybe that came off selfish. Especially when she knew that his tastes varied. No matter how much love she saw in his gaze, she never knew how much he wanted her.

Maybe he never would. Yet, she refused to ever ask for more than he would willingly give. "For anyone else, the task of courting me would be arduous at best... for you... it won't take more effort than being yourself. I promise you this. I also promise not to take too much advantage of said 'sensitive' spots." Adding the last part, she tried to lighten the mood. Sadly, it was a good chance the idea would only upset as well.

It showed just how much she loved him. He really was the center of her universe. And from the way he seemed so sure that his parents' opinion would not sway him away from her. "You are my closest and dearest to my heart. My best friend... Alec... there is no one better to fall for... And I know I never will love another in this way."

Shaking her head at the thought of his parents, she moved to touch their foreheads. "Alec... I don't care who your parents are or where you come from. It's you... it's all for you... you're all I want in my life..."

Moving her hands to slide about his face, she slipped her nose against his. "I have loved you in kind... for so very long. May I? Kiss you?" Amber eyes lit up in hope, fingertips softly playing at his hair.

His expression brightened with love and adoration at her demand. It was what he'd hoped for and what he had been almost certain that she might want but he'd still feared that he'd misjudged things. "I want forever with you and longer, if that's possible."

Smiling in relief that he could court her and she wouldn't make the task too difficult for him, he gently brushed his fingers through her hair like he'd wanted to do so many times. "Then maybe I won't be a failure at courting you like Izzy expects."

If it was anyone else that he was trying to court, he might believe Isabelle, but Magnus had been his friend for years. She knew he valued honesty more than the rest of polite society ever would. Though that wouldn't stop him from teasing her at times. "I appreciate you not using my weaknesses against me since I know how tempted you'll be."

The words were spoken lightly, then his tone turned serious as he met those golden eyes. "You are the one I love most, Magnus. I don't care about our families or what anyone thinks. I love you with all my heart."

Humming quietly as Magnus played with his hair, he gave her a soft smile. "I think you already did but you can do it again."

Tipping her head into his hand, she marveled at how it felt when he touched her. The happiness it brought left her melted and sometimes stunned. How someone had so much power over her, she didn't know. "Alec.. strange as it sounds... you couldn't be a failure when it comes to me."

Sighing dramatically, she opened her eyes to smile at him. "It will be hard. Resisting the temptation will be quite a feat." Leaning closer, she nuzzled their noses together. "You own my heart, Alec..." Smoothing her hands up to cup his face, she took a soft breath.

Tilting her head, she let there lips touch smiling against his. Only then did she kiss him again, this time full and lingering as she memorized the feel of his lips against her own. The sensation sent a thrill down her spine and she felt warmth explode in her chest. It felt like the world just clicked together in that moment...

There were few things that Alec could think of that could make Alec happier than he was at that moment. Magnus had said yes and had basically told him that he couldn't ruin things between them. They would have a lifetime together just like he'd dreamed of. "It does sound strange, but I'm glad that you have that much confidence in me."

Smiling at both the sigh and at having Magnus so close, he slid his fingers through her hair. "And you have mine, Magnus. You have since we first met."

Alec might not have understood it then, but his heart had belonged to her completely that day. Even before friendship had turned to deeper feelings, he would have done almost anything just to make her smile.

Making a quiet sound as she kissed him again, Alec's hand curled lightly around the back of Magnus' neck. Perfect... it was the only way he could think of describing it. The warmth of her lips, having her in his arms, was perfect.

When Alec eventually pulled away, his hand slipped from her neck to cup her cheek. "Tomorrow, I'll ask Charlotte. Make it official. I don't think she'll say no." At least he hoped she wouldn't. Charlotte had always seemed to like him and hadn't minded that they were always spending time together.

It's perfectly normal for the girl to scale the wall to the window. (for alec_lightwood)

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