#my longest (and last one) from last flufftober totally inspired by joshxaiden from the originals

[alecmagnuslwb]

Romeo & Romeo

Read on AO3

They meet by chance, an accident really. A hundred years ago or so the rules were set, vampires stayed to one side of town, werewolves to the other and the witches reigned where they wish. It’s worked; relative peace has been maintained aside from a few squabbles here and there.

So when they cross paths it’s an accident, but more likely it was fate.

Alec knows he’s ten blocks past where the line is drawn, but it’s Halloween, the one night a year their kind get to walk the streets fangs and glowing eyes on display so it’s not like anyone’s on high alert for the night.

In reality he’s never really belonged with the wolves, so the lines shouldn’t matter. Not that he belongs with the vampires either. He’s a product of both worlds, a hybrid born out of a curse, one of the few of his kind that sparked the last real war between the factions. The rules are so blurred when it comes to him the few extra blocks can’t hurt.

But they do hurt, in the best kind of way because those few extra blocks lead him to Magnus.

He passes by a pack of witches, not the real kind, some red, white and blue superhero and a girl who’s definitely not a real nurse and then he runs into him. He’s tall, just a little shorter than Alec with dark brown eyes and tanned skin. He’s wearing a paisley red brocade jacket that hugs his shoulder and biceps perfectly. A pair of color coordinating suspenders hangs from his hips, tantalizing, and Alec is overcome with the want to pull this man in by them. He’s the most beautiful man Alec has ever seen. He’s also a vampire; he can smell it in the air and not just any vampire Alec realizes as recognition of the face before him sets in. He’s Magnus Bane, a man Alec has only seen in photographs, but knows stories of just like everyone else. 

Magnus probably knows who he is too. Hybrids are few and their names are known, but the way he gives Alec a very deliberate onceover says he doesn’t seem to mind.

They know it’s dangerous, wrong in the eyes of far too many. But there’s nothing wrong about the way Magnus makes him smile more within the first ten minutes of meeting than he has in his entire life.

Alec is of both worlds and Magnus doesn’t much care for rules especially ones enforced by his vicious, bloody ex so they take the leap.

***

Alec’s different than the rumors he’s heard, a loner hybrid with not much to say. It’s clear that he has plenty to say but no one’s been willing to listen.

Magnus likes to listen. Alec likes books and archery and Disney movies. They don’t see eye to eye on everything, impossible that they would considering the world’s they come from. But he’s willing to learn, to hear another side and Magnus does the same.

The first time Magnus kisses him he feels like there’s fire in his veins, like Alec’s touch could burn him to his core but never harm him. Their lips touch and it’s the closest he’s felt to being alive since he actually was alive.

They make each other better. They grow together. He brings Alec out of his shell, while Alec unfreezes Magnus’ cold, forgotten heart.

They fit together like two pieces of a puzzle that’s been rattling around in a box for centuries just waiting to be complete. They’re like something out of romance novel, a forbidden love story. But if this is what forbidden feels like then it shouldn’t be forbidden in the first place.

***

“You know out of everyone I never would have guessed you’d be the one risking it all for his own Romeo and Juliet tale,” Maia laughs from her spot lounging on Alec’s bed as he shuffles through his closet.

She’s the closest thing to family he’s had in over a century, those blood related to him not gifted with immortality like he all long gone. He’d been closed off for a long time, particularly after losing Izzy, but then Luke had found a young wolf living in fear and brought her into the pack and she had been persistent in becoming his friend. She’s the only person who knows he’s had a boyfriend for the past three months and especially the only one who knows his boyfriend is the third highest ranking vampire in the city.

“Romeo and Romeo,” he corrects switching out his plain t-shirt for a dark plaid button up.

She nods in agreement sitting up, “So tell me about him? I mean I know the stories of Magnus Bane that everyone knows, but and I say this with love, there has to be more to him than that if he’s made the grumpiest person I know look like that.” She finishes, gesturing to the small smile that rarely leaves his face these days.

He finishes the buttons on his shirt sitting down beside her contemplating how to answer the question. He knows the stories she’s talking about, he also knows that half of them aren’t true and the ones that are have been wildly exaggerated over the centuries.

“He’s,” Alec pauses gesturing unhelpfully to the room and settling on one word. “Magical.”

Maia giggles, “Magical? That’s all you got you smitten nerd?”

Alec shoves her playfully, “Shut, up. Okay it’s just, it’s hard to explain. He’s just incredible; he’s not what people think he is. He’s not a monster to fear like too many do; he’s not the hedonist people seem to make him out to be. He’s kind and funny and he’s been hurt but still manages to be the most loving person I’ve ever met. And he’s had more time to read all the books I haven’t gotten around to. He couldn’t give a shit that I’m a hybrid just says it’s a part of me, doesn’t scare him in the slightest like it has everyone else. He makes me feel comfortable and normal for once in my life, like I truly belong somewhere. He’s just…magical.”

Alec stops, realizing he’s probably said too much. If she thought he was smitten a moment ago she’ll know how in love he is now.

The soft, no longer teasing tone she responds in makes it clear he’s right, “I’m happy for you Alec. It’s dangerous and I’m worried about you, but I’m happy for you. You deserve to be happy.”

***

“Do you know what game you’re playing here my friend?” Raphael asks leaning against the pillar in Magnus’ room looking entirely bored.

“First off it’s not a game, it’s far more than that,” Magnus says holding up a finger as he sips his whiskey. It’s definitely no game, they may not have said it out loud yet but he knows they’re in love. That he loves Alec more than he’s ever loved anyone, ever could love anyone. “Second if it was I’d be winning because I’m happy and third I’ve been playing it for six months now so I think I know what I’m doing.”

“You know what I mean Magnus,” Raphael sighs grabbing his own glass. “We’re in the midst of a regime change; it’s a dangerous time to be running around in secret with that boy.”

“It’s always a dangerous time. Also you’re in the midst of a regime change,” Magnus says pointedly. “Which I wholly support, I gave up my spot by that woman’s side nearly two centuries ago for a reason, she’s out of control and it’s your time. Plus I’d hardly call Alexander a boy he’s a 103 years old, hell he’s older than you actually.”

Raphael scoffs, “Age is but a number. I just worry old friend.”

Magnus rises to Raphael’s side placing a hand on his friends shoulder, “And your worry is noted. We’ll be alright.”

Raphael may act unaffected, concerned for only Magnus and the political structure, but he knows Magnus well enough to know what Alec means to him which means his concerns stretch to a man he’s never even met as well.

Just to annoy Magnus, Raphael somewhat condescendingly pats his cheek, “Just be careful.”

***

They are careful. They never meet within the city limits. Evenings spent dancing at clubs that are filled with only humans, endless slow nights spent in hotels one or two or even three towns away. Days are rare but they try; Magnus can’t seem to see the point in having a daylight ring if he can’t even find a way to sneak out to see his boyfriend during the daylight hours though. Other cities don’t live by the same rules as New York, the factions squabble but there’s no defining lines being drawn. There’s old angry blood in New York that’s lasted generations, the only city where a handful of hybrids exist by some miracle of magic that’s never been fully explained by more than a curse placed by an old witch on the first born of a generation of wolves who’d wronged her.

It’s difficult but Magnus can’t be too upset. In another city they might have had it easier, but in another city Alec might have never been born, or born just a werewolf, living out a normal 80 year lifespan before Magnus even got to cross his path.

He’s happy, the happiest he’s ever been in 400 years of life, difficulties be damned.

He’s so happy he can’t hold it in anymore, he’s known it since the night they met in some ways, been holding it in for nearly nine months and can’t stand to stay quiet any longer.

He rolls over to Alec their bodies still cooling down from their previous pleasurable actives and twines their fingers together, “I love you.” He says and they’re the truest words he’s ever spoken.

Alec turns his head, looking almost caught off guard by the words, surprised that Magnus could actually love him. Alec deserves every bit of love Magnus has to offer even if it’s all a little battered and broken, far too many people have shunned him simply for the way he was born, in more ways than one, convinced him he’s not worthy of any sort of real love. But he is. They are.

“I love you too,” Alec whispers back after a beat of shocked silence. “I love you so damn much Magnus.”

Magnus leans over to kiss Alec hard and bright and filled with the words he just said and every word he hasn’t yet.

***

They’re nearing a year since that fateful night when they’d first bumped into each other on a street where Alec shouldn’t have been. They spend most of their time together now, Magnus’ opinions on vampire affairs no longer held in the value they once were since he finally ended things with Camille and Alec rarely being trusted as a voice within his own pack by anyone except Luke and Maia. No one questions when they’re gone for extended periods of time.

But it’s getting hard to lie, to keep it a secret. Tensions are rising in the city he can feel it in the air. Change is coming. Magnus has told him about Raphael closing in on his grand overthrow and he knows well that Luke can only handle so many more degrading comments before he challenges Theo for pack leader.

Alec just wants to be able to live free, to hold the hand of the man he loves and walk down the streets of his own city. It’s a simple thing to want in a complicated world.

They talk about running. In his hundred years of life Alec’s barely even left the city, has only been to neighboring states at the furthest. Magnus has been all over the world, traveled to distant lands while weathering the damage Camille had done to him and happier trips in recent years when his responsibilities within the clan were lessened.

Alec listens intently as Magnus recalls the landscapes he’s seen, the art he’s perused, name dropping an icon from history or entertainment whenever he can. He tells Alec about the places he’d love to see, about the islands and cobblestone towns that Alec would fit in perfectly. Alec falls a little bit more in love with every single story.

They get as far as Connecticut one long weekend in some picturesque tourist town, both with bags packed big enough that they’d never have to go back if they didn’t want to. They’re sitting on the balcony wrapped up in one another on a chair that’s not quite big enough but gives them an excuse to get all that much closer to one another. It’s either their last night here or the first night of their new lives.

“We have to go back,” Magnus sighs a little sad. “I wish we didn’t. I wish we could just run and start over on some island, but there’s too much we can’t leave behind. Especially right now with things the way they are.”

He’s right. Alec hates it, but he’s right. Magnus has become the biggest piece of his world, but he still has other people who need him. They can’t leave Maia and Raphael behind to hold the secret of why the hybrid and vampire disappeared at the same suspicious time. Magnus can’t abandon Catarina and her daughter Madzie to a clan that’s breaking at the seams. Alec can’t forget Luke, who’s entrusted Alec with his plans to restructure the pack.

“I know,” he sighs in response his hold on Magnus tightening. “I know.”

***

It all comes to head on their one year anniversary, another Halloween of freedom spent surrounded by people dressed in scantily costumes, strobe lights beaming down on the cut of Magnus��� jaw. They risk it a bit, tucked away dancing and grinding in the VIP section of Pandemonium on the vampire’s side of the tracks when Alec gets the call. It’s Maia in a panic, Luke had challenged Theo, and he’d won but walked out with a sizeable alpha bite that he wouldn’t survive long with.

Alec rushes to their location Magnus in tow without question. Alpha bites can be cured, but only by hybrid blood and only within the first two hours of being bit. He’s never done this before, but he’s the only one who can with most of the others scattered across the country out of fear. Underhill being the only other one still within the city but they can’t get him on the phone.

He’s scared, it’s going to take a lot blood to do this and he needs Magnus by his side. He’ll deal with the consequences of that later.

When they walk in hand in hand he hears the whispers, sees the dirty looks but he can’t be bothered to care. After a year of hiding he can’t give a damn anymore about anyone else’s opinion on who he loves. They’re all shut down when Maia enters the room, an official second in command now recognized, and pulls Alec towards Luke.

Maia’s already set everything up for the transfusion; Alec doesn’t have time to question how a third year Marine Biology student knows how to do that.

It’s nearly an hour before the wound on Luke’s chest clears and his eyes return to their natural brown color, Magnus holding Alec’s hand the entire time. Alec is exhausted barely able to stand so Magnus carries him into one of the other rooms, his enhanced abilities will have him back to 100% in no time but right now he feels like he’s been run over by a semi-truck, twice.

No one says a word; no one even spares them a glare. Alec may not be the pack’s favorite member, but they all adore Luke, who respects him, and he’d just saved his life. Any issues they have with Alec will have to go to Luke now and their issues with Magnus well they can answer to Alec on those and won’t like the results.

He’s barely given the chance to close his eyes when Magnus’ phone buzzes loud on the nightstand. Before Alec’s muddled mind can even register anything Magnus is pressing a swift kiss to his lips with an apology and a promise to return soon.

Alec tries to move to follow him sluggish like moving through molasses but Magnus is gone, vampire speed in full effect. The rush of his movement has Alec succumbing to darkness; his last fleeting thought wondering if after everything that’s happened tonight, walking into the light hand in hand with Magnus, if he’d ever actually see him again.

***

The text from Raphael had simply read: NOW.

He knows what it means; he really just wanted an easy simple anniversary with Alec. Instead he’s leaving behind his blood deprived boyfriend going to face another fight this All Hallows Eve.

He doesn’t miss the looks the wolves give him as he rushes from the den. They don’t like him on principle; they probably like him even less now that he’s leaving behind their once fringed hybrid now idolized for saving their alpha.

By the time he reaches the Dumort the fights already well under way, Camille backed into a corner her loyal few baring their fangs. There are bodies of humans on a couch to the left, some already dead and others who will be new members of their clan if they chose to complete the turning process. He notices their costumes, vampires all of them, Camille had probably found a cruel irony in it.

Raphael and a sizable portion of the clan stand their ground on the other side, she could have just gone quietly but no she had to make it a fight; a fight that she’s dragged Magnus into the middle of.

“Dearest,” she hisses menacingly as he enters the room, he can’t believe he ever thought he heard love in that tone especially now that he knows what love in someone else’s voice really sounds like.

He scoffs taking his place beside Raphael, “I’ve never been you’re dearest anything.”

She smiles devilishly a look that says that’s the truth, “But I was yours once, are you really going to let them lock me in box for eternity just because of a few indiscretions?”

A few? A few doesn’t even cover the indiscretions in the room tonight. She’s turned more humans unwillingly in her centuries than any vampire he knows, Magnus just one in a long line whose life was taken so she could have another toy for her amusement. She’s only gotten worse of late, a total disregard for other’s lives using the clan and her position of power as shield to hide behind. Vampire’s dying at her will, by her hand because they stood up to her had been the final straw for most of the clan. She’s damn near started a civil war with the wolves over it twice now, attempting to pin the deaths on them. Her time is long over.

“You could’ve gone quietly, retired to some island far away from anyone and done as you pleased. You brought it to this,” Magnus calmly says, he has a lot of things he wants to say things he’s said before but she’s tossed aside without a care. “You made your choices, you live with the consequences.”

“Consequences?” she spits out with venom. “You talk to me about consequences? Have you thought about the consequences, Magnus? That little wolf half breed you carry on with, that will have consequences. Do you really think he won’t choose his animal instincts over you one day, he won’t leave like everyone else does?”

Well, the proverbial cats out of the bag in both of their factions now.

It should surprise him that she knows, but somehow it doesn’t. She’s probably known since it started just lying in wait for the perfect opportunity to use her knowledge as a weapon. To dangle Alec in front of Magnus like a treat, to harm him to get her way. Backed into a corner her words, her jabs that know how to cut just right are all she has left so she lets them fly. There’s a time it would’ve worked, but he’s better now. He knows his worth, not the shards of it she’d cut him into for centuries.

“This isn’t about me and you’d be wise to keep your opinions on Alexander out of your mouth,” Magnus responds confidently and cold.

She leaps at that, always more offended when Magnus shows care for someone other than her, yet never returning that care in any kind. She pounces at him her claws out a hand already scratching down the side of his face before he has time to react.

He pulls back using all the strength he has to send her into the wall behind her the slam rendering her barely conscious, as the others move to apprehend her lackeys.

He walks up to Camille, Raphael lifting her to the coffin she’ll call home off to the side.

“It’ll never last Magnus. It never does,” she says her parting words as she placed inside the coffin where she’ll desiccate and never be able to harm another person again.

“The only thing that won’t last is you Camille,” he sneers slamming the coffin shut on a chapter of his life he can finally let go.

He sits heavily on the couch nearby as Raphael instructs the others to secure the chains around the coffin; it was supposed to be a simple night with Alec, a Halloween to remember. Well he supposes it’s still that second one.  

He hoped to dance until the late hours of the night and fall into a tangle of naked limbs with Alec sweaty and sated in his own loft for once. He’d hope for even that small chance of getting Alec into a costume of some sort, a small bit of eyeliner at the least. But no he’s sitting here with his ex-girlfriend in a box, dead bodies all around and the boyfriend he should be with passed out across town.

He rests his head heavily in his hands, pulling one away when he feels something wet. Right, Camille’s damned nails had gotten him. He’d always hated those nails. Before he can move to wipe the blood from his face a warm body slides up in front of him on their knees, large pale hands reach to rest lightly on his thighs rubbing soothing circles into them.

Alec. Alexander’s here.

He looks a little paler than usual which is truly saying something coming from someone who’s undead. He’s breathing a little heavy clearly having rushed here as soon as he’d woken not totally healed from the first ordeal of the night.

“Alexander,” he starts but cuts off at Alec’s furrowed brow.

“Magnus, you’re bleeding,” Alec says lifting a hand to his cheek clear of blood turning his face to look at the line of even cuts.

Magnus huffs, he’ll heal before this conversation is over, “And you’re missing about half the blood in your body. Don’t we make quite the pair?”

Alec chuckles moving closer, “Yeah we do, happy anniversary, Magnus.”

Magnus kisses him in response, blood and injuries and the scrutiny they’ll now be constantly under forgotten for a moment. Across town the pack is being restructured, here in this room the clan is standing by a new leader. But here on this couch it’s just them, just Magnus and Alec. No titles, no species, just them.

***

A year later it’s another Halloween as Alec lies against the pillows on his and Magnus’ bed waiting for Magnus to get dressed. It’s been an interesting year to say the least. The city lives under new rules, Luke and Raphael both agreeing to terms that have changed the landscape of city only occasionally with fangs bore.

Things aren’t perfect. There are still those who sneer at the concept of a hybrid and vampire together, there’s still centuries of old damage between the two factions that won’t disappear overnight. But it’s better. The witches still stay out of the way allowing them to do as they please, but quietly it’s clear they roam the streets with less fear than they did before. Alec and Magnus get to live together now with no bordering invisible lines in their way. Alec gets his simple dream to walk down the street holding Magnus’ hand, fingers clasped tightly together Magnus’ daylight ring cool against his skin.

Magnus stands proudly at Raphael’s side now, content to be his second and even more content that his diplomatic meetings with Maia often lead to gossiping about Alec. Alec is fine with simply being trusted by his own people for the first time, by the pack that he’d been raised in and spent over a generation living amongst. It shouldn’t have taken him exhausting himself of nearly all the blood in his body to get here, but he digresses.

“Why exactly do we have to go out in costume tonight? It’s our anniversary shouldn’t we spend it in a low-lit romantic restaurant or something, especially with how we spent it last year,” Alec says.

Magnus laughs still out of view in the walk-in closet, “True last year left some things to be desired, but going to a low-lit restaurant is a little pointless when neither of us actually have to eat. And we’re dressing up because it’s Halloween and it’s fun.”

“Okay, good point about the restaurant, but we’re literally a vampire and hybrid,” Alec starts.

“Werepire,” Magnus interrupts and Alec can hear the teasing smile on his lips.

“Still not calling myself that,” Alec fondly grumbles in response. “As I was saying, people dress up as us for Halloween, do we really need costumes?”

Magnus sighs walking out of the closet back turned to Alec, “Just be happy I’m letting you get off easy.”

Alec hums not totally paying attention to Magnus’ words as he admires his boyfriends back and particularly his backside. He’s wearing the tightest pair of pants he’s ever seen Magnus wear, a real record to be written down, black with a white stripe running down each of the legs and a deep black shirt with see through leopard pattern patches that fits his shoulders tightly and is likely unbuttoned all the way down to his navel in the front.

“I’d love for you to get me off easy,” he hears someone say breathily. Magnus chuckles tilting his head back.

Oh, wait he must of said that.

“Oh, don’t worry my dear we’ll be getting to that later I promise,” Magnus says turning around to face his boyfriend and holy shit the front view is even better. The shirt is unbuttoned all the way down as predicted with a cascade of necklaces across his toned chest and stomach, a pair of cute black cat ears to match his shirt sat atop his head but what really catches Alec’s attention is the eyes.

Magnus’ deep brown pools have been covered with a pair of golden cat eye contacts, it’s unfairly sexy.

Alec rises from his spot on the bed, hands automatically reaching from Magnus’ waist and pulling him in.

“Damn,” he breathes out. He’s sure there’s some ironic joke out there about Alec, who is half wolf, being attracted to his boyfriend sporting cat eyes but he can’t think of a good one right now. He can’t think of anything but said boyfriend who’s resting his hands on Alec’s chest just above his steady beating heart.  

“Likewise,” Magnus says giving Alec an appreciate onceover. Alec’s in a simple white t-shirt, dark jeans and his usual leather jacket it’s nothing special, but Magnus seems to believe otherwise. The only thing truly standout is the deep v neck of the t-shirt which allows some of Alec’s chest hair to peek out, a thing Magnus clearly appreciates as he teasingly glides his fingers across the visible skin.

“Just missing one thing,” Magnus hums remaining in Alec’s grasp but leaning to pick up the pair of white and black mouse ears he’s forcing Alec to wear from the night stand.

“There we go,” Magnus smiles bopping Alec’s nose after he settle the ears in his boyfriend’s thick hair. “A game of cat and mouse.”

Alec scrunches up his nose, “You realize we didn’t really have a game of cat and mouse, I gave my heart over to you instantly.”

Magnus’ flirtatious smile goes soft, leaning in to place a light but promising kiss on his lips, “And I did the same.”

Alec moves his hands, one reaching to entwine their fingers. They move to the door, to the future. There’ll be hard times, their world is a powder keg that can explode at any moment, they’re from two worlds that don’t always see eye to eye, but they have each other. They have lifetimes of Halloween nights spent loving ahead of them.

#my fic #malec #malec fic #magnus bane #alec lighwood #shadowhunters #my longest (and last one) from last flufftober totally inspired by joshxaiden from the originals #i've contemplated going back to this verse it just hasn't happened yet