Archive of Our Own

Alec’s lungs burn as he sucks in air; he tightens his grip around Jace’s waist and the wrist hanging over his shoulder. He knows the portal is around the next corner, he just needs to get there before they’re found again. He stumbles slightly as he looks behind him, checking to see if they’ve been followed. Seeing nothing, Alec rests against the brick wall for a few stolen breaths before willing his feet and body forward; ignoring the shooting pain in his side.

Jace is deadweight against him and Alec’s not sure if he can continue to drag him along. Sweat rolls down his face as he glances back the way they came again before squatting slightly and heaving Jace over his shoulder. Alec braces his hand on the wall and swallows at the hurt vibrating along his left side.

He can make it. It’s got to be close.

Pushing onward, he hurries his steps when he hears shouting and running footsteps behind him. He doesn’t look though, just keeps moving forward. There’s no way he can fight them off and protect Jace at the same time. He’s not even sure if he could defend himself at this point.

Turning another corner there’s a spark in his peripheral vision and he gravitates toward it. It’s mostly hidden behind a tall dumpster right where Magnus said it would be; shimmering black and purple and Alec doesn’t hesitate as he staggers into it.

Moments later he’s stumbling across Magnus’s living room and losing his hold on Jace as they both collapse to the floor. His breath wheezes from his throat and he exhaustedly tries to wipe the sweat from his eyes.

“Chairman Meow! Have you knocked over a priceless vase again?” Magnus admonishes as he enters the room. “Alexander!”

Alec pushes himself up and shifts so his back is against the couch. “We were attacked by something. Jace got hit bad.”

Magnus flutters his hand toward the portal and it winks out then squats down in front of Alec. “Where are you hurt?”

“Not me,” he insists and swats Magnus’s hand away. “Jace. Been unconscious for… for a while.” Alec notices it’s hard to get a breath and there’s a burning throb low on his hip where his parabatai rune is located.

Alec closes his eyes and listens to Magnus mutter as he examines Jace.

Some moments later, soft, cool fingers against his face startle him. “Well?” he manages.

“It’s a poison. It’s attacking his runes. Did you get hit?” he asks and makes a move to lift Alec’s shirt.

Shaking his head, he grits his teeth as a wave of pain shoots through him. “No. Just him,” he pants, narrowing his eyes as Magnus hesitates before turning back to Jace.

He watches as Magnus carefully starts to remove Jace’s jacket but then seems to remember he doesn’t need to do it the human way. With a quick finger snap, Jace is shirtless; Alec can see the angry red gashes around the outside of his upper arm.

Magnus tsks, rotates his wrist and a bowl of something foul smelling appears in his palm. He spreads it onto the cuts and immediately Jace groans. Alec bites his lip hard to keep his own moan in his throat; it feels like something is trying to claw its way out of his stomach. He slouches back until his head is resting on the couch, taking a deep breath that he slowly exhales as the pain subsides.

Alec is hyper focused on everyone's breathing, he’s not sure he should be able to hear the soft panting from Jace or Magnus’s steady rhythm as he recites what Alec assumes is a spell. But he can and it’s distracting. He squeezes his eyes tight and tries to suppress a whine but he fails as he immediately feels Magnus’s fingers along his brow.

“You said you weren’t hurt,” Magnus complains.

“No, I said I wasn’t hit with whatever Jace was.” Normally Alec might be concerned with the unimpressed look Magnus drills into him, or the way his eyes flash cat-like for a moment, but mostly Alec is concentrating on not throwing up. He hears Magnus mutter something about stupid, self sacrificing boys.

“Alexander,” he says seriously, gripping his chin tightly. “Explain to me what you’re experiencing. I can’t help, if I don’t know.”

Alec swallows, looks to Jace and confirms he seems to be resting comfortably, before responding. As long as Jace is ok, he thinks. “It’s like my runes are activating on their own. They start. Then stop.” He pants and presses a hand to his side as the burning sensation flares.

A hand grips his neck pulling him forward before Magnus is turning and laying him flat on the ground, putting him next to Jace. He shivers, realizing his shirt is gone and he looks up to find Magnus squinting in confusion, looking from him to Jace and back again.

Alec fumbles around until he can find Jace’s arm and he grips it tight. The pain he’s been managing immediately lessens into a throb instead of sharp needles. There’s no time to examine that before Magnus comes into focus holding an old book, kneeling between them.

“Do you know what you encountered?” Magnus asks.

“Not what caused this. It looked like a hydra, multiple heads. But the way Jace went down - -” Alec frowns remembering how Jace went limp and dropped like a rag doll. He’s not sure how Jace didn’t smack his head but there hadn’t been a lump when Alec finally made his way to him.

“They usually protect something.”

“It was just an alley, nothing was supposed to be there.”

Magnus tilts his head, looking at Jace. “But the hydra didn’t do this,” he says mostly to himself. Alec watches as he slowly checks Jace’s head; his long fingers comb through his hair, pushing the strands aside as he looks for something. Not finding anything Magnus cradles Jace’s head and turns it side to side while examining the skin. He trails his fingers along Jace’s jaw and down his neck.

Alec is mesmerized by the process, not sure if he’s jealous of Magnus caressing Jace so freely or of Jace for being touched in such a caring way. His hearing finally levels out and the light isn’t so bright and Alec breathes deeply for the first time since Jace went down.

Magnus continues to make his way carefully down the right arm; then starts the process again with the left, he seems to make sure to run his fingers over Alec’s hand where it still rests on Jace.

Holding Jace’s hand up so Alec can see, he asks, “Is this new?”

Pushing himself up on his elbow, careful not to dislodge his grip on Jace’s arm, he sees a round red mark on the back of Jace’s hand. Almost like a bite, round in shape, red in color and raised slightly in the middle. “That’s not normal.”

As though he can’t help himself, Magnus lifts an eyebrow and smirks. “And you would know all of Jace’s marks, right?”

He blushes and feels his face heat even more because he’s embarrassed that he blushed in the first place.

Magnus smiles kindly. “I haven’t seen it myself, but I’ve heard of a poison that will attack the runes tattooed on Shadowhunters. The individual would be out of sorts due to runes messing with their mind. Hearing or seeing things, having too much strength or not enough. Being so unpredictable that they weren’t useful in a fight. Most of the time the Shadowhunter was dead quickly because they were defenseless.”

Alec’s heart rate spikes thinking about what could’ve happened had he not been there. “Will it just go away?”

“I don’t know, but his runes are fading. Except for…” Magnus drags his eyes across to Alec and down his torso, focusing on his parabatai rune, which seems to throb under the scrutiny. “May I?” he asks and tilts his head down.

Alec makes an abortive gesture with his hand as he fights the urge to cover himself; he flushes again. “Sure, go ahead.”

Magnus’s fingers are soft as they press beside the rune. “The color is light, different from your others. But Jace’s is dark.” He drags a finger across it and Alec fails to suppress a shiver. “Let go of Jace.” Alec does as he’s told and immediately loses his breath, his side burning with a deep stabbing pain. Sucking in air, h bites his lip to keep silent until Magnus moves his hand back to Jace’s arm. His other hand continues to press against his side, his skin is warm and Alec’s stomach quivers.

“The idea is to overwhelm the victim. But in this case, Jace is anchored to you.”

“But why?” He’s so tired. “Is it because we’re parabatai?”

“You need to rest and I need to research.” Magnus stands and leaves briefly but returns with two pillows and a blanket. He helps Alec lift up enough so the pillow can slide in beneath him; Magnus does the same to Jace.

“Thank you,” he mumbles, his eyelids heavy as he drifts into sleep.

The soft sounds of a piano invade his consciousness and he slowly peels his eyes open. It takes him a moment to remember why he’s on the floor, then several more to realize he’s holding Jace. Alec hears a tinkling sound and turns his head to find Magnus sitting in the corner of the couch, legs crossed, drink in hand and concentrating on a book in his lap. He tries to shift but Jace snuggles closer.

His heart hammers in his chest and he instinctively squeezes Jace then frowns as he takes notice of how they are. Jace’s head is on his shoulder, face pressed close to his neck, an arm rests low across his waist and his hand presses against his (or their?) rune, even in his unconscious state. He’s always wanted to have this: Jace in his arms, sleeping. Alec thinks it’s nice, so nice; he just wishes it was under different circumstances. One where Jace wants to be in Alec’s arms.

Magnus’s voice interrupts his thoughts, “How long will this pity party last?”

Alec glares at him, “None of this is ok.”

“I agree it needs to be fixed, but you don’t need to think thoughts that give you such deep grooves on your face. It’s much too handsome for that.”

“Stop flirting with me.” Alec adjusts his arm against Jace’s back to settle him as Jace shifts slightly.

“Why? I like the way you blush. But! We can revisit that at any time you like, for now, we need to fix this.” He snaps the book shut and lays it on the table. “I think I have identified a possible cause but I need to know the nature of your relationship.”

“What?”

Magnus leans forward and meets Alec’s eyes, “Are you having sex?”

Alec’s whole body freezes. The idea is so absurd he can’t form the words to answer. And the longer he gapes at Magnus, the weirder things get but Alec can’t move past the idea of it while Jace rests against him. His heart is pounding hard and still he just stares at Magnus.

“I don’t mean to pry,” Magnus starts but is interrupted by Jace.

“Yes you do.” Jace says, his voice hoarse.

Magnus smirks and winks at Alec before turning his full attention on Jace. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired.”

Alec looks down to find Jace already staring at him. “Me too,” he says, even though no one asked him. Alec thinks they were out for a few hours, due to the soft lights and candles brightening the room.

“Well,” Magnus sighs and rubs his hands together. “Since everyone is conscious, we need to discuss the situation.”

Jace sits up and pushes away from Alec, losing the skin to skin contact between them. There’s a quick hard pain that blossoms in his chest but fades, only to start slowly building again. Alec takes a moment to breathe into it before clenching a fist to work through the pain. He doesn’t want them to know until he fully understands why it’s happening and how to fix it. There’s no need to complicate matters just because of a little pain. He can work through it.

It’s fine.

“You know what’s wrong,” Jace states.

“I have my suspicions. Now, remain still.” He whirls his arm in a tight circle several times before his other hand ripples and his bright blue magic grows from his palm outward until it fully separates them from Magnus. He flicks his wrist and the wall of blue jerks towards them and dissipates. “It seems that there is an actual physical bond connecting the two of you. Have you experienced anything like this before?”

“We’re more efficient fighters,” Alec offers, but Magnus gives him a flat look and he knows that’s not what Magnus means.

“We’ve been the same,” he insists.

Magnus spins and walks to the liquor table, makes a lot of clinking noises and returns with three glasses a third full of an amber liquid. “To match your eyes,” he teases and hands Alec a glass.

Jace snorts next to him, accepting his own glass and doesn’t hesitate to gulp the whole thing in one swallow. Alec watches Jace’s throat and his Adam’s apple bob, he manages to drink half his glass as a feeling of heat and want flares through him overriding the discomfort for a moment.

Glancing over to Jace, he’s startled to find Jace already looking at him, a knowing look in his eyes. Jace licks his lips and Alec quickly turns away to find Magnus watching. He can’t escape their knowing eyes. Alec inhales sharply, looking down while his insides twist and turn with his mortification.

Wincing as the soft light in the room flares; he closes his eyes and counts to five. When he opens them the room’s glow is normal again.

“Clearly something is different.” Magnus sips from his glass, “The parabatai bond has connected you since the ceremony, yes. But this goes deeper, it’s why I asked about sex. I thought perhaps you’d finally given the Clave the middle finger and acted on what you wanted.”

Alec’s face flushes, he doesn’t think he’s ever been more embarrassed, or put on the spot, in his life. He huffs out a breath, not knowing how to reply. He doesn’t want to see sympathy mixed with understanding with a dash of pity on Jace’s face. Alec knows Jace is aware of his feelings and just hasn’t mentioned it.

“No shagging has occurred, although not for lack of want.” Jace says easily and Alec ducks his head away from Jace to hide his humiliation. Jace pushes his arm, “What I mean is… There hasn’t been time to talk. So we haven’t been on the same page.”

Alec’s body goes hot, then cold so fast he feels dizzy. Just the fleeting touch from Jace was enough to awaken whatever is eating Alec from the inside. He plants his hand on the floor to steady himself making sure Jace didn’t notice.

Magnus is still and Alec chances a look in his direction and finds him genuinely surprised by Jace’s response, the glass hovering in front of his lips. He slowly smiles and his face lights up with glee; swallowing the remaining amount in the glass, he places it on the table next to him and leans forward. “You mean there could be?”

“Yes.” That’s all Jace says. Yes. Like he’s agreeing to an extra helping of the seasoned fries he loves.

Alec winces, pressing a hand against the worst of the throbbing, as he twists to look at Jace. “What do you mean, yes?”

Squirming, Jace quirks his lips and his eyes fall somewhere around Alec’s throat. “It means that… I find you attractive and - -”

Magnus outright giggles and Jace glares at him before turning back toward him. “Look. You’re pretty. And I keep thinking about you. And I didn’t know how to talk to you because of your feelings.”

He goes quiet and Alec keeps replaying you’re pretty in his mind but he has to know. “What do you mean, you’re thinking about me. Like - -”

“Come on Alec, you can’t be this naive.” Jace runs a hand through his hair and his cheeks flush and Alec thinks he’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.

“Oh but he is, that’s part of his charm,” says Magnus and sprawls back on the couch, legs spread wide and Alec can’t help the way his eyes travel from thigh to neck. Magnus’s smirk tells Alec how obvious he was about it.

“What does any of this have to do with what’s wrong with us?” he asks, exasperatedly. He tilts his head away from them to hide his scowl as a fire of a thousand stabbing knives peel his insides apart. Alec doesn’t know how much worse it will get or how much longer he’ll be able to withstand it. But he wants to make sure any decision Jace makes is because he wants to, not because he feels obligated toward Alec.

“When Jace was hit with the magic, it should’ve attacked the connection between all his runes and his body. In this case it seems that the magic was drawn to the parabatai rune, I assume due to its strength. Jace didn’t have time to become disoriented because the spell concentrated in one place. It took all his energy.”

“Is that why he fainted?”

“I didn’t faint,” Jace protests.

Rolling his eyes, Magnus continues, “Essentially, the magic is obsessed with the parabatai rune and perhaps the other runes are feeding it their energy which may be why they seem dormant.”

“Why don’t I feel anything?”

Magus glances at Alec and answers, “Because it seems to be latching onto Alexander.”

Jace turns to glare at him. “You’re in pain?”

He wants to play it off but there’s a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek and he can barely concentrate on the conversation as all his energy is enduring the fever twisting through him. It hadn’t been this severe before, maybe it was because he was asleep?

“Yeah. Getting progressively worse,” he grits out and hangs his head back between his shoulders.

“Alexander. Why didn’t you say?” Magnus is moving before Alec can tell him not to and then there are careful fingers running through his hair. “You’re burning up. This wasn’t happening earlier.”

He shakes his head.

Magnus leans back and slowly moves his hand down in front of Alec, as though Magnus is checking his aura. And maybe he is. “The connection to Jace is there but it seems strained.”

In concern, Jace grasps his arm and Alec moans in relief, sagging into Magnus’s chest as the growing fire dampens and he takes a shuddering breath. He pants wetly into the soft fabric and tries to bring himself under control; a hand cards through his hair.

Alec wants to enjoy the reprieve but he’s mortified by the sound he made. He doesn’t make those kinds of sounds, not in public.

The hand in his hair stills. “You feel… different?” Magnus asks.

He nods.

Magnus makes a thoughtful sound and the petting resumes. “I want to try something. I’m sorry in advance.”

Before Alec can form the question, he grunts as though someone punches him in the stomach and pushes his head harder against Magnus. But the relief returns in the next instance.

“What the fuck,” Jace demands quietly.

“When you were sleeping, things were fine. I should’ve known, or suspected,” says Magnus, sounding angry. In the next moment Alec is handed a glass of water and being told to take some sips.

“It seems the magic may have burrowed into your bond and it’s poisoning Alec. Don’t let go, it seems to help if you’re touching each other.”

“We need to fix this.” He says because he can’t have Jace touching him constantly. His hand is a heavy presence against his bicep but Alec can only feel the heat radiating from it and the press of his fingers into his skin. Or the fact that they’re half naked in Magnus’s living room and he was moaning like a porn star just a few moments ago.

Magnus sighs. “I think if you… reactivate the bond, I can pull the magic out and dissipate it.”

Alec blinks. Reactivate. He can’t possibly mean… “Do the bond ceremony again?” he asks quietly and his heart sinks when Magnus shakes his head.

“Afraid not. The bond has morphed as your feelings have changed and deepened for one another.”

Alec chuckles mirthlessly, “This is a joke.” He always knew his feelings were only going to bring him pain. So it’s fuck his best friend who, until tonight, never expressed a desire to do so, or suffer through the magic. He clears his throat, “How much longer until the spell just fades? Will it fade?” There’s no way he’s coercing Jace into doing anything.

“Alec,” Jace says softly.

“I’m not sure,” Magnus interrupts. “I wasn’t able to ascertain the exact spell, just made some educated guesses. Is that what you really want?”

“I’m not forcing - -” he starts to say when Jace grabs his chin and turns his face. He’s met with very serious eyes filled with an emotion Alec is afraid to name.

“I wasn’t lying when I said you’re pretty. You wouldn’t be forcing me.” He smirks a little sadly. “I think it’s been a long time coming. Just maybe pushed along by all the flirting Magnus does with you.”

“Jace. I just can’t believe - -” He stops when Jace glares; Alec sighs and asks, “What about the magic part?”

When Magnus is silent they turn towards him expectantly, only to find him blushing. Alec is both worried and captivated at the sight.

Magnus clears his throat. “The poison needs to be monitored so that it can be destroyed once your bond is newly strengthened.”

“You need to watch?” Jace asks amused. “Or do you need to join in?” he adds with a leer.

Alec whips his head back to Jace to stare at him incredulously, at a complete loss for words. Again. Magnus’s voice draws his attention away from the amused look in Jace’s eyes.

“I’m not sure. It’s not like there’s documentation available for consultation. While a parabatai bond isn’t unique, one as strong as yours is more uncommon. Add in a magic poison… I’m afraid I won’t know it until I see it.”

“This is insane,” Alec replies and stands up. He doubles over and clutches his stomach as the feeling of blades carving through him intensifies. In the next breath the sensation fades and he recognizes Jace’s hand on his back.

Magnus is already standing with his hand on Alec’s elbow. “Is it getting worse?”

Alec is defeated. He’s going to have to have sex with Jace, with Magnus watching. How is this his life? He’s not one for cliches and romance but this is not how he envisioned his first time. When he meets Magnus’s eyes though, he feels calm, cared for. The man has been flirting with him for months, which Alec didn’t know what to do with at first, but he does enjoy it. It makes him feel special, that someone thinks of him that way.

He’s still so in love with Jace that approaching Magnus didn’t enter his mind. He sighs knowing he’s lying to himself because he has thought of Magnus like that, even dreamed of him a few times. It was always about Jace in his heart though and even if Alec had no experience with relationships, he knows how to treat people and you don’t make passes at someone if you’re in love with someone else.

“Yeah, it seems to get worse each time we’re separated.”

“Then let’s not fucking separate,” Jace answers, scratching his fingers between his shoulder blades.

Magnus gently pulls Alec toward the hall. “Not to sound trite, but let’s move this someplace more comfortable.”

Jace chuckles and whistles lowly at the sight of the bedroom. Alec’s never seen a bed that large before; it can easily fit four people. The room is decorated in dark reds and silvers and the lights automatically dim as they enter.

“Entertain here often?” Jace asks and Magnus answers distractedly, “No, not this bedroom.” And flicks his wrist and a dozen candles spark to life. Alec’s heart is pounding in his chest and he swallows nervously. How’s he supposed to do this? With Jace of all people, someone he’s loved for years.

“Hey,” Jace whispers. His hand runs down Alec’s back to settle at his waist as he comes to stand in front of Alec. “It’s just us. Don’t get so tangled in here.” And taps Alec’s temple. Alec rolls his eyes but he grins too because Jace always knows.

“Take this time to, well, get to know each other I suppose.” Magnus says. “I’ll give you a few minutes. I’m sorry it can’t be more.”

Alec’s confused by Magnus, the man is always so sure of himself but now he seems slightly embarrassed. He supposes the situation warrants some awkwardness but Alec thought it would only be him. Magnus is centuries old and Alec can’t fathom how many partners he’s had and he’s listened to Jace brag about the women he’s bedded.

Never men.

“Jace. We need to talk about this. You’ve never been into guys and now you’re saying you’re attracted to me? You can’t blame me for thinking… you’re doing it only to help me.”

“I’ve always been attracted to both, I just never shared when I was with a guy because I was trying to respect your feelings.”

Alec flushes with shame, knowing he was so obvious. “Why now? It’s hard for me to believe that all of a sudden you want me.”

“It’s not sudden.” Jace smiles sarcastically. “I am just better at hiding it.”

“Why would you? If you knew how I felt?”

“It’s still against the rules.”

“You never follow the fucking rules.”

“But you do!” Jace shouts, then composes himself. “I wasn’t going to make you choose.”

Alec sucks in a breath. He will always pick Jace. Over his parents, the Clave, the rules. He can recognize that he would’ve disregarded everything to be with Jace. Probably would’ve have fucked it up. Maybe he can see Jace’s point, but it still hurts that Jace said nothing while he crucified himself for having the same feelings.

“You’re the acting Head of the Institute, I didn’t want to compromise your ambitions,” he finishes.

Finding courage from deep within himself, he cups Jace’s cheek. “Nothing is more important than you.”

They move as one and their lips meet softly. Jace pulls him close and runs one hand up his ribs. The kiss is just as he imagined but also not. Jace’s lips are soft and the stubble rubs against his face, he likes the feeling and realizes he never gave much thought to it before. Alec moans softly as Jace traces the seam of Alec’s lips with his tongue and Alec responds with a swipe of his own. His heart beats wildly as he presses forward to taste more of Jace.

Groaning into Alec’s mouth, Jace’s tongue dives inside. He runs his hands firmly down Jace’s back, feeling the warm muscled skin before resting at the top of the pants. He pulls Jace toward him, wanting to get as close as possible. He thought it would feel weird to be more with Jace, but it just seems to be the next logical step. Having Jace in his arms, his chest hard against his own; he can’t figure out why he ever thought this would be difficult. Jace knows him best, is always there, of course Alec is going to love him. And now Alec can have it all.

He hears a throat clear and snaps out of the haze of finally having Jace in his arms. Magnus smiles at them a little sadly and says, “You two really are beautiful. Light and dark, such a complement to each other in all things.”

Magnus walks to the bedside table and puts down a jar with the lid tightly closed. He turns to them and with an arm swing, motions to the bed. “Make yourselves at home. When I pull out the magic, I will put it in here so I can properly dispose of it later.”

Alec immediately flushes but he’s pleased to see that Jace is also pink in the cheeks. Magnus arranges himself on the edge of the bed, one foot on the floor, leaving the rest of the space for them. Jace moves, pulling Alec along behind him until he turns and pushes gently until Alec sits on the bed, Jace’s hand on his shoulder.

“Do you think we need to… actually fuck?” Jace asks blatantly.

Alec winces at the straightforwardness, he still wishes he could be so open with his words. Instead he starts to worry if he can go through with this. Jace says it’s just us but it’s them and Magnus, who has been nothing but supportive and sweet. Alec feels bad because he knows Magnus is attracted to him. He wonders if this is how Jace felt, knowing about Alec’s feelings but didn’t respond in kind; just like he doesn’t want to be with Magnus.

His heart flutters at the lie he tells himself. In recent months, Alec had been working on burying his feelings for Jace and contemplating flirting back with Magnus. He never did, well, he did flirt back a little but mostly because he got so flustered in his presence that it just came out like flirting. Alec never set out to actively flirt back; at least he didn’t think so.

“I don’t know but magic isn’t so specific about bonds. You just need to be close and open to each other, it most likely doesn’t necessarily mean physically. Emotionally open is a deep and moving connection.”

“Good,” Jace says, looking down at Alec. One hand cups his cheek, thumb stroking his skin. Alec smiles bashfully and tilts his head into the caress.

He kisses him soft and sweet. The press of his lips are feather light and Alec strains forward for more. Jace squats down between his legs, pulling back to meet Alec’s eyes. “You good?”

“Yeah. Fine.” He rolls his eyes at Jace’s questioning eyebrow. “Nervous, the situation is weird.”

“True.” He darts forward and kisses him again. When he pulls back it’s only a few inches and his voice is barely a whisper. “What do you want?”

His face burns but he makes himself answer. “I just want to feel you.”

“What about Magnus?”

Alec’s eyes dart up to meet Jace’s in surprise, “What do you mean?”

Jace searches his gaze and licks his lips before saying, “I know you like him.”

He takes a breath to deny it but Jace kisses him again. “He likes you, I see him flirting.”

“You flirt too.”

Smiling shyly, Jace shrugs like it’s no big deal. And maybe it’s not and he’s overthinking it.

“True, but that’s me. I flirt with a lot of people but I love you. What I’m saying is, I support whatever you want to do here.”

“I love you.” He insists, kissing Jace hard, biting his lip before pulling back.

Leaning up Jace grasps the back of his neck and leans his forehead against his own. “I know. I’m not worried. I just don’t want you to deny yourself anymore.” They stay still for several moments, Alec just being, breathing the same air as Jace. He closes his eyes and sighs into the quiet space between them.

Alec shifts back into the middle of the bed, Jace’s touch follows along his shoulder and arm before grasping his hand. He lays down and Jace settles half on top of him and slots a leg between his. He turns his head into the kiss and Alec pushes hair out of Jace’s face and buries his fingers in it.

Jace hums against his lips, then pulls back. “Think you can do something about our clothes?” he asks Magnus, complete with a leer on his face. He thinks about Jace, thinks about Magnus. Thinks about what it would mean if he would reach for him at the same time he’s with Jace. His heart twists inside and the idea thrills him.

Here he is in bed with his best friend, who he’s been in love with for years, wondering what to do about another man. Alec tightens his hold on Jace’s hair before pulling him closer. He hears Magnus chuckle from beside him and the next moment he shivers as his legs are exposed to air and Jace’s skin burns where they’re pressed together.

It all feels so good. Alec shudders as Jace drags his stubble across his cheek, he turns his head inviting Jace to kiss over his jaw and down his neck. He can’t control his hips as they buck upward looking for friction; Jace’s fingers sweep over his ribs and down to his hip. Jace squeezes and Alec moans; his hand feels so hot. His insides feel warm, like liquid heat is being injected into him. Alec squirms as the feeling flows through him like a wave, traveling from his toes up his legs, around his cock, though his spine. He arches his neck as the warm glow twists along his scalp, across his shoulder, before settling down in his parabatai rune.

Without thinking too much, he reaches for Magnus and connects with his leg. It’s tense under his fingers but relaxes quickly. The bed shifts and he looks up to see Magnus moving his hands which are tinged blue with magic.

“Are you feeling fine?” Magnus asks gently.

“Yeah,” he gasps. “Feel warm everywhere.”

“The bond is knitting itself together.” He goes silent for a handful of moments before softly saying, “I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”

Jace kisses him before he can utter a response. Then a kiss to his temple, his cheekbone, right below his ear. Jace whispers, “Go with me here, but if you don’t like it, just so say. Promise?”

“Yeah… promise.” The long, deep kiss he gets leaves him breathless. Jace leans back, his hand firm against his chest, before turning him onto his side and settling in behind him. Alec’s heart skips a beat, part anxious, part excited. He shudders as the heat from Jace’s body melts into him along his back.

Alec’s head rests on one outstretched arm, the other bracing himself so he stays balanced on his side. Jace settles behind him, his own arm pressing alongside Alec’s, fingers grasping Alec’s wrist. Kisses are placed along his shoulder, then a few long ones against his spine before Jace rests his head there.

“I wanted to touch our rune.” Jace rubs his thumb across it before covering it with his palm. “It’s glowing gold; it’s beautiful.”

He moans and arches his neck when Jace bites the meatiest part of his shoulder. He shifts and Alec feels Jace’s cock slide between his legs. Alec huffs out a breath and presses back into Jace to show he likes it.

Magnus shifts to lie down facing Alec. His face flames being on display, there’s no hiding how much he loves this, even with an audience.

“I’m going to cast the spell,” Magnus says, speaking softly to lessen his intrusion. “I have to touch you to make the extraction point.”

He rotates his hips back, he can’t help it; Jace’s groan vibrates through his skin. Alec opens his eyes and connects with Magnus; he reaches out and grabs Magnus’s forearm, drawing him closer and placing Magnus’s hand on his chest.

Magnus sucks in a breath and they stare at each other before Jace breaks the trance with a soft “hey;” Magnus blinks and gets back to the spell at hand. Magnus moves his hand to sit on top of Jace’s covering the parabatai rune, he says some words but Alec doesn’t really hear because his whole body jerks as though electricity is flowing through it.

It’s a warm kind of shock, one that makes him melt into the bed and tingle all over. Alec’s eyes flutter closed and he moans low and long; his hips move on their own, chasing the phantom liquid heat. He can hear the murmur of Magnus’s voice, the weight of their combined hands on his hip but is overwhelmed with how light he feels. How much he just wants to break apart and trust that Jace will catch him.

Stubble sweeps across his skin as Jace kisses and licks between his shoulders. Jace presses the heel of his hand down hard on their rune as he bites another spot on his back and Alec’s breath hitches. His mouth falls open with a whimper as the orgasm feels as though it’s pulled from every part of his body. He groans, his body trembling as the warmth travels through him. Alec’s never felt this good before. His hips jerk forward looking for more, he can feel his cock pulse and he shudders never wanting it to end.

Alec can only hear panting and is pleased to know it’s not just his own; he can feel Jace’s damp breath on his back and Magnus’s careful breathing. He should feel embarrassed for the show he must have put on, but he doesn’t. He feels weightless. Safe.

“Did it work?” he mumbles.

Magnus stares at him a second too long before replying, “I believe so. Yes.” And shifts to put the jar behind him out of sight.

Alec grins and thanks him; he’s aware that Jace is still hard between his legs and he wants them both to feel as good as he does. He squirms against Jace to get him moving and Jace’s hips stutter into a rhythm. Jace laughs into his skin and adjusts his hold.

“I believe my work here is done.” Magnus says and shifts backward, but Alec quickly grabs his shirt. “Stay,” he says. Not as confident as he wants to sound, but certain that he knows what he wants.

“As tempting as that is, this is not something to decide after such a… release.”

Jace stills and leans over Alec’s arm. “We already talked about it. I left it up to Alec.”

Alec grins and tugs on Magnus’s shirt lightly. “We’re in this together, right?”

Magnus chuckles and with a snap of his fingers his clothes disappear and he shimmies until he’s lying in front of Alec. He shivers at the naked want in Magnus’s eyes; he looks Magnus over, taking in the toned stomach leading down to where he’s already hard. Alec allows himself to really appreciate how handsome Magnus is.

Wasting no time, Magnus takes himself in hand and strokes his erection slowly and Alec can’t look away. Magnus’s arm muscles tighten and relax in time with his strokes and Alec’s thighs clench at the sight. He moans softly as Jace slides up behind his balls and through his legs while Magnus’s hand moves faster and Alec can see his cock covered in precome.

Magnus tilts toward his face and asks, “Can I kiss you?” In answer, Alec moves forward and presses his lips against Magnus; he can feel the smirk against his lips and he licks until Magnus allows him inside. Jace’s forehead presses against his back hard as his hips pick up speed; Alec squeezes his legs together and pushes his hips back to give Jace more to rub against.

As Magnus licks into his mouth, Alec sucks on his tongue and Magnus hums before turning into a groan. Alec feels Magnus speed up his efforts and he cups the side of Magnus’s face to hold them together and Magnus seems to fall into Alec, panting into his mouth. Alec sucks harder on Magnus’s tongue and his breath hitches as he pulls back, shuddering as he comes before kissing Alec deeply to try and muffle his whimpers.

Alec keeps kissing him, swallowing a whine of his own as Jace squeezes his hip hard before stilling. He can feel the throb of Jace’s cock between his legs, and the way his orgasm pulsates just under his ass. His body trembles, wanting more but he’s tired and content lying between the two of them.

It takes a moment or two for their breathing to return to normal. Alec shivers, this time due to being cold, wet and splashed with come on both sides of his body. As though he can sense Alec’s mind coming back online, Jace shifts and tugs on his shoulder so he can roll onto his back. Jace kisses him with soft lips and laps at his mouth tenderly, he pulls back with a smile on his face.

Turning to Magnus, he whispers, “Come here.” And Magnus doesn’t hesitate, just tilts forward over Alec’s chest and kisses Jace. Alec watches in fascination as the light kiss turns harder and he glimpses a hint of tongues moving between their mouths. He licks his lips and sighs. They’re breathtaking and he thinks he understands what Magnus sees in himself and Jace.

They separate and smile down at Alec; Magnus quickly stands and holds out his hand. “Let’s get you cleaned up and make sure you can be on your own.”

Alec blushes as he moves off the bed to stand naked beside Magnus, Jace getting up behind him. There’s no pain and he finds himself smiling.

“A success then!” Magnus declares and conjures himself a flowing purple robe. “The shower is that way, please help yourself.” And exits the room with a grace Alec wishes he had. He catches Jace’s eye across the bed, it hits Alec then that they’ve moved past friends into something more. Their relationship is still forbidden by the Clave. And they brought a warlock into their bed, also forbidden by the Clave. Alec grins, all his life he followed the rules to the letter, only to turn his back on it all in a spectacular fashion that he has zero regrets about.

Jace holds out his hand and Alec walks to him, entwining their fingers before heading to the bathroom to clean up. Alec’s not sure of the etiquette around more than one partner; was this a one time thing, or something that happens occasionally? Or even more than that?

He’s been in love with Jace for so long he assumed that Jace was the only one he could ever have feelings for. Now he wonders if his world could get wider, if that’s something they both wanted. Jace pulls him under the warm spray and Alec bends down to kiss him as the water runs over their bodies. Everything is perfect right here and if there’s anything to change, they’ll decide that together. For now Alec revels in what he has and what he’s wanted for years.

The End