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Watch My Back
Magnus watched closely as the stele scraped over his skin. It felt… odd. A sort of tingling sensation spread over his wrist, flashing hot and cold in rapid succession.
Granted, that may all have been caused by the fingers encircling his lower arm, belonging to one Alec Lightwood.
Magnus wondered what the hell he was doing. That had been a recurring question in his life ever since he met Alec; he was saying and doing things he had in the past deemed troublesome or unnecessary. Now, he didn't mind so much.
As the warmth of Alec's fingers disappeared, Magnus frowned. After a moment's contemplation, he realized that Alec had yet to mark himself. More iridescent, everlasting lines to mar his partner's skin.
Partner. The double meaning of the word was not lost on Magnus. They were partners in the upcoming battle, bound to fight and perhaps die together. The same ties were being created all around them, made real by terse words and scars that would never fade.
An alliance of convenience. That's what this was to all of them. Simply a means of becoming strong enough to survive the coming battle.
That's not what Magnus wanted with Alec. He didn't want Alec to only acknowledge him when he was bored, or lonely, or vulnerable. He wanted Alec. For some unknowable reason, Magnus was drawn to the Shadowhunter and would have done anything to make him happy.
Even if that anything was killing Magnus on the inside. If Alec wanted to hide their relationship, fine; a secret romance with him was infinitely preferable to none at all.
Still, Magnus had to let him know.
"Alec?"
The boy looked up from the newly-completed pattern on his wrist, identical to Magnus's own. The weariness in his eyes from the past couple days nearly broke Magnus's heart.
"I just want you to know…" he hesitated, unsure of how to continue. "I… I'll protect you. No matter what happens. And what I said before, I meant it."
A flush crept over Alec's face. Magnus waited for him to proclaim that he needed no protection, that he would be perfectly fine. Something to soothe his Shadowhunter's ego that must by now be insisting that he didn't require help from a Downworlder.
The words that escaped Alec's lips were nothing of the sort. "Meant what?" he asked, a slight tremor detectible in his voice.
Magnus leaned forward, his lips right next to Alec's ear. For a moment they stood in an awkward embrace, painfully aware of the people around them. "That I love you," Magnus whispered, pulling away before Alec could object to such an intimate gesture in public.
Alec's next action forever dispelled that fear. His arms encircled Magnus's shoulders, effectively halting any progress or thought by said Warlock. In a casual, almost careless movement, Alec closed the narrow distance between them and pressed his lips softly to Magnus's. He lingered for several seconds before pulling back, eyes brimming with emotion.
Heedless of the mutterings now arising around them, Alec reached out and clutched Magnus's hand, entwining their fingers.
"I feel the same way."
During the battle, Magnus had that much more to fight for.
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Well, I hope you liked this story. If it's not obvious, it was set right before the battle at the end of City of Glass. I'll gladly accept any comments or criticisms you have to offer.
-Shadow