Chapter Text
“Why do we have to go all the way to Mexico. Why can’t we just pick up tacos downtown, they’re perfectly fine.” Alec pulled on his jacket while complaining to his boyfriend.
“Because authenticity is what gives food it’s taste. Don’t whine Alexander, it’s not like either is further than a step through my door.” Magnus replied. Already walking away from the pouting Alec he swirled his hands, throwing some flare into his hips for the fun of it and opened a portal to Mexico City. “Come along Alexander, the sooner we get dinner the sooner we can get back home.” Magnus beckoned to his boyfriend with an outstretched hand and a teasing smile. Alec couldn’t help but smile in return. Taking Magnus’ hand Alec headed into the portal side by side, holding hands still with Magnus. “If that’s what makes you happy.” He replied before they both stepped into the purple gap.
The minute their feet hit solid ground it was clear to both men something was off. They seemed to land on the other side, as opposed to the usual stroll through a portal. Both were lightheaded and wobbled a bit upon landing. Both dropped the hands they were holding to put their hands to their heads in surprise and pain. Alec recovered a bit quicker, looking up and reaching for his holster in uncertainty. Only, it wasn’t there. He and Magnus were only going on a casual date to grab dinner and the habit of removing weapons from the institute on your day off was frowned upon. Luckily his stele was in his pocket if need be.
In front of him stood a group of 4 people, possibly lumberjacks and an accountant? Two of the men and the boy were in jeans and canvas jackets over flannel shirts. The third man was wearing a suit and trench coat and seemed to stand out from the others in more ways than his attire. All 4 stood stiff and ready facing the pair of men.
“Well, this is not Mexico City.” Magnus spoke first, straightening up and pulling his sleeves straight. Alec barely acknowledged the words, instead studying each of the people in front of him further. The taller of the lumberjacks was giant, even taller than him. Lanky and standing in a defensive position it was clear he could handle himself if he so chose. The shorter one was still a large man, the most threatening of the bunch especially as a dark scowl took over his face at the sudden appearance of the strangers.
“Jack what happened?” The giant lumberjack asked looking at the boy in a panic. The boy looked confused, unsure of how this could have happened. The shorter of the lumberjacks suddenly drew a gun and aimed it steadily at Alec and Magnus. Alec narrowed his eyes and stepped protectively in front of Magnus.
“Magnus, get us out of here.” Alec ordered, slight panic in his tone as he reached for his stele. Magnus’ eyes grew wide at the appearance of the firearm, although it wouldn’t do much to him Alec was another story. He swirled his hands quickly, but nothing happened. Backing up a step he tried once again. Alec pulled out his stele but stalled, unsure what his next move was if Magnus couldn’t get a portal open. Any runes he used wouldn’t help Magnus. Magnus closed his eyes, focusing as best he could, but could only conjure a small tuft of his normal magical blue flames. “Alexander, something is wrong with my magic. It’s like it’s just out of my reach.” Magnus said in a panic.
The man with the gun was visibly startled by this exchange. “Wait, magic?” He spoked incredulously. “Witches Jack, really? You know how I feel about witches.”
“I don’t know how this happened.” The boy spoke looking down at his hands. “Something went wrong just as Kaia went through. I saw her reach her home, she turned and smiled at me and suddenly I was pulled to another world. I must have reached them for some reason and brought them back from that world.” The boy said, looking up from his hands to look pleadingly at the man with the gun. “I’m sorry Dean, I didn’t mean to. I don’t know why, they were just there and then I couldn’t get away.” With this pleading the man in the trenchcoat stepped towards the boy and placed his hand on the boys shoulder. “It’s ok Jack, we know it was an accident. We’ll figure out how to fix this.” He told the boy soothingly.
While the group seemed to ignore the couple Alec moved closer towards Magnus, keeping his voice low he asked “What do you mean it’s out of your reach? You don’t have your magic? What’s going on?”
“I don’t know Alec, I can feel my magic there, but I can’t fully access it. It’s almost like when I was just a boy still learning to use my powers. I’ve spent centuries perfecting my skills, relearning to use magic is going to take a very long time. We are going to need a different plan to get ourselves out of here.” Magnus replied, carefully deciding not to tell Alec that this change likely changed his mortality status as well. Alec’s eyes widened at this. If they were in magically incapacitated place what would this mean for his own powers? Opting for something discreet and helpful Alec ran his stele over his speed rune. His jaw tightened, and he quietly told Magnus “It worked but it doesn’t feel as strong. I’m not sure just how much I got but it’s definitely not full power.” The pair shared a worried look while the group seemed to still be occupied with the boy.
The tall giant man was leaning into his group now with a glint of worry in his eye. “Jack you can just send them back right? You just sent Dark Kaia back so you can do the same for them right? I mean it’s not like anyone is going to believe them if they sprout off this crazy story so there’s nothing stopping us as long as we can send them back right now.” “I don’t know if I can Sam.” The boy replied looking at him with sympathy and concern. “Kaia was a dreamwalker, she was able to show me her world clearly so all I had to do was open the door. I didn’t even see where they came from. I have no idea what world they are from, it was like they appeared out of their own rift.” Jack looked at the other startled. “Maybe they can make rifts too, maybe they were traveling through and energies combined somehow. Then they got pulled back here, I don’t think they are from Kaia’s world.”
“Ok” the tallest man said rubbing a hand over his face. “Ok, Dean lets be fair put the gun down.” He motioned to the man with the gun. He lowered the gun but didn’t pull it away just yet. “Come on Sam, we don’t know these guys at all” he told the taller man with a terse tone.
Losing patience Alec straightened and used his leader of the institute voice to address the group in front of him. “What is going on here?” he stared at the tallest man as he seemed the most reasonable to this point. The man in the trenchcoat raised an eyebrow at Alec’s brazenness while the man with the gun gave him a very hostile glare.
“Dean stop” the tall one told him stepping between Alec and Magnus and the shorter man. “We owe them an explanation, it’s not like this is their fault.” He turned to face the pair of men clearing his throat.
“So, uh, it seems, we may have gotten our wires crossed and you accidentally got pulled from your world into ours. I know this may seem a little out there even for witches, warlocks? Is it warlocks?” He paused with a furrowed brow, Magnus took the opportunity to end his silence. “High warlock actually” he said straightening. “We entered a portal as normal and found ourselves here. Now just where is here?” he asked with sweeping gesture at the library around them.
“Well, High Warlock, this is our bunker in Lebanon Kansas.” The tall man responded.