alec_lightwood | Being kidnapped is not the best way to see the world (for his Magnus)

Alec woke to the sound of arguing and the feeling that his skull would split in two if he did anything more strenuous than breathing too deeply. Something that he doubted he could do judging by the way his chest ached with each inhalation, his body aching as if he'd been thoroughly beaten. Which, Alec realized was true. His memory was hazy but he remembered being attacked, outnumbered and separated from his siblings. He'd fought hard, but he'd been overwhelmed, taking a blow to the head that had caused the world to fade to a terrifying black.

But it seemed that someone had rescued him. Or more than one someone from the voices that argued nearby. Cracking open one eye, he immediately regretted the movement as the flat surface beneath him rocked, almost causing him to be ill. Then, he realized that the surface was moving in a way that meant that he had to be on a boat.

Getting control of his stomach, Alec opened both eyes this time to see that he was on a bed and near the foot three people argued. One had green skin. Another had blue. The other's complexion was a shade that mundanes would have considered normal, if darker than what was socially acceptable.

Their words washed over him but without true context, almost lulling him to sleep despite the harsh tones. Alec began to drift out of consciousness when someone mentioned throwing him off the boat. Since he assumed that they most likely weren't near land and even if they were, he was in no shape to swim to shore, that meant that one of them wanted to kill him. He began to sit up, biting his lip to silence sound that caught in his throat as his body protested the movement. "Killing me would be a bad idea."

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The arguing made his stomach clench painfully. Not just because the green skinned warlock - Ragnor - wanted to drown him but because the sounds echoed painfully through his skull like they were trying to pound their way out of his skill. His vision blurred and for a moment he thought he might throw up. Swallowing down bile, he tried to assess how badly he'd been hurt to see if he could fight them off if they tried to throw him overboard.

He probably couldn't. Not with the blinding throbbing in his skull and the weakness that seemed to weigh down his body until he felt like he could barely move. But he'd still fight if they laid a hand on him with the intent of killing him.

Hissing softly as the smaller of the warlocks sat down on the bed, he tried to get a better look at her, vision swimming until he managed to blink his eyes into focus. She didn't seem like a threat, but neither did Izzy until she pulled a weapon. Splitting his attention between Ragnor and the woman on his bed, he tried to glare at the warlock who had been threatening him. "Killing me will make the Clave come after you."

Alec doubted that was true but Ragnor didn't know that. The Clave would probably thank the group for killing him off, but he knew that his siblings would come after them. He might not be wanted by the rest of the Nephilim, but Izzy and Jace would try to find him and punish anyone who murdered him.

Even with the warning hanging in the air, he tried to flinch away as the warlock rummaged through the drawer to pull out a stele, feeling faintly guilty for the reaction when she promised not to hurt him. Still, he froze when she touched him, half expecting to be attacked with his own stele until he felt the familiar pattern iratze against his skin.

Closing his eyes, he forced back a sound that would have been embarrassing and given away how hurt he was, taking a slow breath as the pain began to recede. "Thank you." The reprieve was so welcome that he didn't notice the hand in his hair or the other warlock suddenly moving to the bed.

He did notice when Magnus jerked away, the motion causing him to bite his lip so he didn't whimper as the jostling made his stomach rebel again. Alec barely registered the suggestion that he be put in the brig and the mention of not returning him was completely unnoticed. Looking up at the healer, he tried to smile, hoping he looked grateful instead of miserable. "Thank you both for helping me."

The exchange between the two women eased some of his worries. If they meant to kill him, they would have done so and they seemed to want him alive, for now at least. Watching Catarina leave, he gingerly turned his gaze toward Magnus, relieved when it didn't feel like his head would fall off if he moved.

Watching her for a moment, he considered lying, then realized that there was no point. "Like I was nearly beaten to death, but it's getting better."

In all honesty, she hated arguing like this in front of him. At the threat, she'd not said anything. Best not to fan the flames. Better to let Ragnor ignore the upstart teen than get them in a fight. And he'd hurt the young hunter and she'd be forced to hurt him. All of them were too tired and worn from the rescue and they just needed to relax.

His gratitude brought her attention back to him however. Searching his face, she felt the breath leave her as she finally met his eyes. It all happened fast before. The demons and downworlders trying to take him down had taken precedence. Saving him became important and getting wounds treated paramount. He'd been out cold when they got him out of there...

"You're welcome." She barely got the words out as the mix of shock of his looks on top of being thanked by a Nephilim. Reaching out, she gently pushed his hair back and checked one of the bruises near his temple. "Do you need another one? It has to hurt... you regained consciousness far too soon for someone that was as beat down you were..." The sight of him terrified her. He'd been so bad off that had it only been her, he wouldn't have lived. Catarina and Ragnor had to contribute to solve the problems.

"Here... It will just help a little." Softly touching the bruise, blue light rippled from her fingertips. Letting her eyes close, she healed the immediate injury hoping to relieve some of the head pain with the help of the iratze. "You were nearly beat to death. I was scared we'd lose you..."

So carefully pushing her hands into his hair, she looked for pressure points to gently rub them. Opening her eyes, she gave him an apologetic smile. "I'd do more... but healing the poison drained me... and burning all those demons takes a lot of effort." The smile grew just a little as she worked down his neck so gently. Finally pulling away carefully, she stood up slowly. "I'll give an 'I owe you' for the morning."

Pushing up off the bed, she moved to a decanter and found a glass. Water. Keeping alcohol in her room was pointless. It took too much to get drunk. Pouring the glass, she moved back to the Nephilim and offered it to him. "I'll keep you safe, I promise. Getting through the argument with my executive officers will just take a while." Offering him the glass, she attempted an amused smile.

"So... do me a favor... if you kill me in my sleep, throw him overboard for me. I really don't want to hear his annoying 'I told you so'."

When he was alone with Magnus, he let his guard slip, sagging deeper into the mattress as his body felt too frail to support him. Exhaustion pulled at his thoughts, but he knew he couldn't sleep until he was sure that his rescuer wouldn't try to kill him. Though he doubted she would. Magnus had to have had multiple opportunities to do away with him while he was unconscious.

Going still when Magnus brushed her fingers through his hair, Alec waiting for pain to attack him again, but instead there was only warmth that soothed away the sullen pounding in his head. "I guess I'm too hard headed to be unconscious for long."

Meeting her eyes, he suddenly realized that they were catlike, shining gold and green as she watched him. If he didn't hurt so much he would have thought them beautiful but for now he wondered how hurt he'd been that she had feared for a Nephilim so much. "I don't remember much of it. We heal faster than most people expect."

It probably wasn't something he should tell Magnus, but the words tumbled out without thought. And with her hands buried in his hair, fingers finding spots that made the pain vanish, he would confess almost anything to her if it meant she'd keep rubbing his scalp and his neck. "You've done enough. You've saved me and healed me when most people would have let me die."

Eventually he'd find a way to repay her for saving his life and for the kindness she was showing him. Taking the glass, he took a careful sip, afraid his stomach would protest but water seemed to be acceptable and he slowly drank the rest, considering her words carefully. "You could try to ransom me if it would keep them from protesting."

Not that she'd get much for him but it might keep the others from trying to get rid of him.

Setting down the glass, he stared at her in disbelief and confusion. He never would have thought of killing her. She'd rescued him and protected him. The only reason for him to harm her is if she tried to attack him. "Why would I kill you?"

"You know... Catarina says that to me all the time." Laughing quietly, she arched a brow at him, gold eyes glittering. "It's likely a great attribute to have. It means they can't keep you down and you get to annoy them more with persistence. Or is that just my own personal flaw? Huh..." Winking at him, she curled her feet under her as she watched him drink the water. He'd been out so long, he needed hydration.

"You know... we do too." She offered that lightly before angling her head in thought. "It slows when we bleed out." That was probably not the best information to share, but he has said something that she knew he felt guilty for sharing. And even if he had killed her kind, it wouldn't be a slow death and she felt there would have to be a very good reason. "I'm glad you heal fast. I didn't want you to die. You fought so bravely..." Trailing off, she shook her head and picked at her skirt. "I don't like demons and their tactics. I wouldn't let them kill you."

She paused and looked up at him, eyes warmer at his genuine thankfulness and declaration that she'd been better than others. Scooting closer, she turned and moved to angle behind him so she could slip her fingers back into his hair and work more of the pain and tension out of his head. "When there is so little light left in the world... I will never let something so beautifully brilliant burn out."

Huffing a soft sound, she shook her head but never stopped the gentle rubbing of his scalp and neck. "I hate putting a price tag on people not matter how much I love buying new outrageous hats that make Ragnor scream. But what I might do... is pretend to ransom you off and you can make a 'valiant' escape. I'll just... pretend to be engrossed in looking at said hats to torment Ragnor with and you just eluded me."

Smiling all the more at his question, she rolled her eyes. "You're too serious. I was teasing. I just like to cover my basis cause I really hate him saying that. It's really annoying." Leaning to the side, she caught his eyes and winked at him. "Don't worry so much... You're safe here with me. Not many on this ship would dare upset me." Which... really came from the fact demons were afraid of her. Or rather... her parentage.

"I don't think persistence would be a flaw. Not exactly." If it was, Alec wouldn't complain about it since it was what had kept Magnus from giving in to Ragnor's demands. If she hadn't been so stubborn, he'd probably be in the ocean right now. "Whether it is or not, I'm grateful for your persistence since it helped you save me."

Even if Magnus was showing him kindness, he didn't expect her to tell him of her kind's weaknesses even if he had said things about Nephilim that were rarely confirmed as fact. "Then we have to make sure you and your friends don't bleed out." Other Shadowhunters might be shocked by the thought of not wanting them killed, but Alec had never liked death and killing. Demons were too dangerous to let run free, but most Downworlders meant no harm despite what the Clave claimed.

When she said that she thought him brave, Alec blinked at her slowly, sure that he must have misunderstood. Most thought he was weak, hanging back when he went on patrol with Jace so that he could protect his parabatai. He'd never even killed demon until the attack but Magnus thought he was brave.

For some reason he wanted her to think of him that way, though he didn't understand how she could see him as brilliant. He lived in the shadows, hiding so people didn't realize his secret but she thought he was brilliant. The thought caused him to flush slightly at her praise and at being so close to her. "I never thought anyone would see me as bright." Or beautiful but he wouldn't tell her that even if her kindness and assurances that he was safe were making him say things he shouldn't.

He was safe with a warlock. It was something few in the Clave would believe. Most Shadowhunters would be fighting to get away even if they felt as miserable as Alec did. Fewer still would let a warlock touch them, even for healing, but he had never really shared those beliefs. Warlocks couldn't help the circumstances of their birth and they were just as much outcasts as he would be if any of the Nephilim knew of his flaws.

And how could he push Magnus away when she was being so kind to him? She'd rescued him, offered to protect him, and was easing the pain in his head so he could think without feeling like someone was tearing him apart. It was impossible not to trust her, at least a little. Sighing softly, he leaned into her hands, giving her a relieved smile when he noticed that wink. "Then I'll try not to worry... at least not until I can stand without falling on my face."

Once he was a danger, the crew might decide he needed to be dealt with but until then, he'd do as Magnus wished.

Smiling at the thought of her escape plan and what those hats might be like if they made Ragnor have fits, he met golden eyes and wondered why she would risk so much for him. "Then we can figure out my escape. I don't want them angry with you for letting me go even if that might cost you a shopping trip. But I think I'd like to see the hats before I go."

The small warlock couldn’t help the grin as the hunter reinforced her persistent stubborn behavior. Ragnor hated it most days. Catarina sighed with all the forbearance of a mother over an unruly child. Yet a hunter that should hate warlocks through upbringing alone didn’t agree. “You’re welcome. And I’d do it again. So tell me…” Her smile grew as she slipped fingers through mussed hair, working tangles out softly between the gentle rubbings of the scalp. “What may I call you?”

Her eyes widened a little at the comment about keeping her safe along with her colleagues. She’d not heard any care for any of them from a nephilim since Will Herondale. But then, the man was a deviant for falling in love with a warlock. “Thank you. Not all that often people concern themselves with us.” Of their downworlder community, warlocks served more as a free agent. They rarely even grouped together as she had with Ragnor and Catarina. Certainly not for as long as she had. “

Tenderly sweeping the silken hair through, she carefully groomed it for tangles and knots while also making sure they’d gotten the blood out of the raven colored strands. It likely wasn’t proper to care for a stranger like this, but Magnus had long shunned the ‘socially acceptable’ handbook. Tipping her head at the comment about his never expecting anyone to call him brilliant, she frowned.

Not everyone spoke their mind like she did. She made it a point to make sure everyone knew her thoughts. Maybe he needed that. “People are bound by propriety and idiocy and often forget to give credit where it is due. You are brilliant. Bright and shining in your determination. Being as we saw the two forced to leave you behind… I knew you fought on for them even when it was obvious you wouldn’t make it out. You fought for them? Yes? People do not fight that valiantly for themselves. Just like some of my best work is done in a desire to protect those I value. So yes… you are brilliant and you move with all the grace and intelligence of a wolf.”

A gentle laugh left her at the agreement. “Right. While you recover, I’ll take care of you. Granted, just because you’re on the healthier side doesn’t mean I’ll stop doing that. As far as I’m concerned, you’re my guest. Ragnor will just feel better calling you a prisoner. My advice? Ignore him.” Grinning a little, she moved her fingers down to his neck to focus there before she stopped.

“My hats… are amazing. Now, he’d say amazingly horrible. But the more atrocious they are? The better. And I pick the brightest colored feathers as well… They offend his senses.” Grinning at the thought, she slipped her hands off of his neck and moved out of his personal space. He didn’t need her smothering him… And in a way, she wanted to see his face. No matter how wrong it was, she found him utterly attractive… but not just in the ‘looks’ way. He was attractive in every way.

His eyes drifted closed as Magnus rubbed his head, gently working through the tangles. Part of him hated that she was taking care of him when Alec knew he was probably bloody and dirty, but he couldn't pull away from those gentle fingers. Instead he leaned in closer, breathing as deeply as his aching ribs would allow as the tension slowly left his body. "My name's Alec Lightwood. You're Magnus?"

He hoped that was right and he hadn't imagined it or misheard. It was an odd name for a woman, even one who seemed so unconventional, and he wasn't certain that his hearing hadn't been affected by the blow to the head.

Smiling weakly at her thanks, Alec watched her for a moment, almost distracted by her golden eyes. "Shadowhunters are supposed to protect people. I don't think it matters if they're mundanes or Downworlders." Another reason why he was different than the others but one that he believed he could be proud of.

Her frown made him falter, wondering what he'd said wrong, and then relief washed through him when he realized that the 'two' that Magnus referred to had to be Izzy and Jace. They were safe. He'd done what he'd intended and they'd been able to escape. "They're my brother and sister. I'm glad to know that they escaped. I would've started worrying once my thoughts were clear."

The descriptions of his 'bravery' caused him to blush brighter, not understanding why she would see him in such a way. He was one of the weakest Shadowhunters his age. Or everyone assumed he was. No one thought it was a strength to protect his family, seeing it as a failing since he didn't enjoy fighting the way the others did. "I don't think anyone has ever seen me like that. Most people think what I do is because of weakness."

As her fingers found the tension in his neck, his eyes closed again, humming softly before he realized he'd made a sound. "You don't have to take care of me. I'll heal all right now that you've dealt with the worst of it." Slowly blinking up at her, he smiled wryly. "I doubt Ragnor will let me ignore him."

The smile turned to quiet laughter as he tried to imagine those hats. They probably would be something Izzy would love but their mother would never allow in the house. "They might offend my senses, but I'd like to see them."

"Alec..." Her voice softened as she rolled the name over her tongue. "I never met a Lightwood so gentle. Except maybe Gibson or... whatever his name was." Tipping her head a little, she tried to pull up images and names and finally blinked. "Right. Gideon. He was a good man from the little I knew of him. Long time ago..." Her voice drifted off as she thought of those times. "Most Lightwoods were green-eyed... your eyes are beautiful." It came out so easily, she barely even caught that she'd said it. "Regardless, I am, as you say, Magnus Bane. Technically Magna... but no one runs from a pirate named after the Magna Carta. It's a bit demeaning of the reputation."

Stopping, she turned wide gold eyes on him as he discussed his ideals as a hunter. Reaching out, she slowly swept his hair out of his face and smiled. "I know not all of my kind are like myself. Or like Catarina... she has spent her life learning to heal to repay a mother's love... As for myself..." Trailing off, she gently pulled him back to lean into her, his head on her shoulder. Elegant fingers gently continued to groom his hair as she furrowed her brow. "When you live a life as I have... always running... always hated... you want something to believe in. Sometimes you have to do it yourself before it can happen. Like you want to be the ideal that should have been... I want to be the warlock that can meet that ideal half way. Does that make sense?"

Almost on habit, she wrapped her arms about his shoulders and hugged him softly. "Your siblings are safe. The demons couldn't pursue them. Not after we were done with them. I'm sure they're not pleased having to leave you. Though... I did not get to see them up close." Tipping her head, she touched her temple to the top of his head. "You will see them again. When I think you'll survive three steps out of this cabin."

Turning her head, she pressed her face into his hair. Nephilim were strange. They hurt their own even more than they hurt the monsters they hunted in the dark. "Then know this, Alec... You are brave and strong. You shine brightest when you fight for the right reasons. And in one daring act of gallantry, you have earned my respect and awe. No one could convince me otherwise. You are not weak... not at all."

Then that humming sound made her smile. Tacked on to the fact that he tried so valiantly to say he didn't need any extra care. The entire episode was sweet. Hugging him gently, she leaned her head against his. "I know I don't have to. But I want to. So... let me."

Smirking brilliantly at the thought of the hats, she sent him a playful wink. "That's the point. I think I have one that at least appears to be a fully feathered peacock. You should hear his response. It's absolutely humorous. Or event he one that has feathers from the Peruvian area. He hats all of those hats since I got him into a... mess... on a ship there. I'll have to tell you that story."

For a moment, he couldn't help staring at Magnus. He knew that warlocks were immortal, but since most stayed away from Shadowhunters, he never would have thought that she might have met one of his ancestors. "Gideon is one of my relatives. I'm named after him." The comment about his eyes caused him to meet her gaze, remembering what someone had said long ago about his eyes. "My grandmother said I took after the Herondales. They were the ones who had blue eyes." There had been other stories about Herondales but Alec wasn't sure how accurate they were. Truthfully, he hoped that most of them were just stories. "Were you really named after the Magna Carta?"

There might have been stories about Magnus, but Shadowhunters rarely told tales about warlocks unless it was part of lessons so that young nephilim knew how to deal with Downworlders. The idea of them helping others was something he would have expected to be true but not something discussed by the Clave. "It makes sense, Magnus. We each want to make things better. If we're both trying to be that ideal, then we will make your hope come true." Smiling softly, he curled up beside her, the aches that had bothered him seeming to fade whenever Magnus touched him. "I think you already lived up to it by saving me."

"Thank you for helping them too. I try to protect them, but sometimes..." Sometimes he couldn't no matter how much he wanted to. But this time had been worse than their usual patrols. Outnumbered by higher level demons than they'd ever fought before, it was a miracle that they'd all survived. Then, Alec realized how close he'd come to not surviving, cold weighing heavily in his chest. "I won't rush things now that I know they're safe. Head wounds are too tricky to take such risks."

Slowly his disbelief turned to something that was almost pride as she repeated her assurances that he was strong and bright. "I didn't mean it as gallantry. I was protecting my family, but I like having someone think of me as brave." Another fact that he doubted he would have admitted if he hadn't been tired and sore, but he couldn't help wanting Magnus to know that her words were important to him.

Relaxing against his rescuer, he wrapped an arm around her, unconsciously cuddling closer. "Since you want to take care of me, I'll let you." At least until she mentioned the peacock hat. Pulling away slightly, he couldn't help staring at her, trying to imagine her with a peacock on her head. "That's..." Strange would probably be rude. Izzy would smack him if he ever insulted her clothes by saying they were strange. "Unique. I'd like to hear the story sometime. Maybe it'll help me think better of Ragnor."

"Herondale blood..." Her eyes widened as the image of Will and Tessa came instantly to mind. Blinking a few times, she looked at Alec intrigued and confused. Then the image of a beautiful dark haired woman came to mind. "Cecily Herondale..." Then she laughed a little. "Gabriel. Gabriel Lightwood. Will mentioned that. I never put one and one together..." Closing her eyes, she smoothed his hair back gently turning the question about her name over in her head. "No. I doubt... the ones that named me cared about things like that. Or me for that matter."

It hadn't been the first time she'd put her life and limb on the line for a Nephilim. For gorgeous blue eyes pleading for help and a friend. She'd not been in love with Will. No, it hadn't been love. She'd simply wanted to put him back together so he could find happiness with Tessa. Meeting Alec's eyes, she reached out and so very gently traced the side of his face as he cuddled closer. "As long as we don't stop here... with just you and I. An ideal isn't supposed to stay between only two."

Her smile turned warm and gently at his concern for his siblings and intense love. All he needed to know was their safety was assured. Resting her head on his, she closed her eyes and used one hand to softly rub his scalp. "You're right. They are tricky. And I want you healthy and able when you see them again." Then why did her heart hurt thinking about the day he'd leave?

All she could do was shake it off. "Alec, true gallantry isn't really planned. It's in the heart and all the reasons behind it." Smiling to herself, her fingers idly twirled locks of hair about them and sighed tiredly. "Thank you for letting me take care of you."

She liked taking care of certain people. Sometimes it just really hit her as a need. Like with Will and Tessa... or even with their son James. Maybe it was the Herondale blood that made her want to help him too.

The heavy warm feeling slid over her as she held him close, and his addition of an arm about her only made the position more comfortable. She might have fallen asleep until he pulled back. Opening her eyes slowly, she peered at him slightly amused through dark lashes. "Mmhm... 'unique'. It would make a showgirl proud. And Ragnor Fell yelling. As for the story... it'll take a while, so I'll tell it when we're not so tired. Deal?"

At the mention of his ancestor, Alec began to smile. "They're my great great grandparents." There were rumors about the Herondales and Lightwoods of that generation. Marrying warlocks and sons killing their father, but Alec had never known if any of it was true and he wasn't sure if he wanted to.

When Magnus said that no one had cared for her, his heart ached. If whoever had named her must have done so when she was a child. No one had cared for her while she was growing up. His parents had been indifferent, but he'd known that they loved him in their own way. "They should have cared for you. Someone should have cared for you when you were a girl."

Meeting her gaze, he almost shivered as Magnus touched his face. No one had ever touched him so gently, like he was somehow special when most saw him as a nuisance or the overprotective brother. But Magnus seemed to see inside him, finding something good in the actions that made him less of a Shadowhunter. "Ideals aren't supposed to stay between two, but that's what's needed for them to start." Alec doubted he'd see that ideal spread among the Nephilim, but Magnus might someday see it and hopefully be part of it.

For a moment, his thoughts drifted, pain easing so that his body began to remind him that he needed to rest soon after being healed of such dangerous injuries. "I don't think I could rush now even if I wanted to." Or leave.

Eventually he would, but that seemed like something distant that he wasn't sure he really wanted to rush. He loved his siblings and wanted to be certain that they were all right, but there was nothing for him at home. He was nothing. Here, with Magnus, he felt like he could matter, that he might matter to her. That thought gave him hope when before he'd only felt lost.

Tipping his head slightly, he gave her a gentle smile. "You're welcome, Magnus. Thank you for not letting them throw me overboard." Laughing softly he curled up around her protectively even though he doubted he could stand unless it was a dire emergency. Now he was truly curious about both the story and the hat but Magnus was right and they were both tired. "Deal." Barely managing to suppress a yawn, he instinctively cuddled closer to her, knowing he was safe and cared for in a way he never would have expected when he first woke to shouting. "Good night, Magnus."

"I knew your great great aunt and uncle back then. Not so much those two. That was the most notable time I ever got tangled up with the Nephilim and before I decided I really liked boats." Smiling softly, she let her eyes stay on his. Yes... his eyes drew her in even more than Will's in a lot of ways. Maybe it was her favorite combination, dark hairs and blue eyes, but Alec seemed to draw her in even more. Her fingertips gently traced his brow and curled about his temple very softly. "You remind me of her... Cecily."

She stopped when he looked upset over hearing the little bit of information about her childhood. Tipping her head, she touched her thumb to his chin lightly. "I was raised by the Silent Brothers after my father... well... step-father tried to kill me." Her face was carefully neutral as she explained it quietly. "I'm sure I was raised with care so that I didn't burn the world down."

Yet... he sounded so idealistic like herself. Like they both forgot the crazy worlds they came from and something impossible was suddenly possible. Leaning in, she couldn't stop herself from brushing a kiss to his forehead. "You are amazing. I've met one nephilim in my life that believed that. But you're different. You believed that even before meeting me, didn't you? I'm very happy I met you, Alec Lightwood."

Her smile returned as he admitted he more than likely wouldn't rush his recovery. A small part of her rejoiced on the inside and she whispered softly as she pulled back to give him back a little space. "I'm a terrible person for hoping you stay a long while, aren't I?"

Heart fluttering unexpectedly, she hugged him close as his tall lithe form seemed to change the position and curl around her. After centuries of being the outrageous independent woman, the position left her a little light headed. Not angry or upset. Surprisingly warm and happy. "Well, we both know such good looks should not be wasted sharks." It was both serious and teasing all at once. Anything to break that strange fluttering in her torso that set her nerves on fire. "Good night, Alec... Sweet dreams."

Closing her eyes, she sank into him, one set of fingers still idly carding through his hair. It continued to do so for a while till sleep came... and for once in her long life, she slept deep and soundly without any nightmares cluttering her mind.

"And now you're tangled up with more nephilim." He hoped that the others wouldn't bother her, but Alec knew that they had to be cautious. When he could concentrate better, he'd figure out a way to make sure that Magnus and her crew weren't noticed by the Clave. Until then he'd focus on recovering from his injuries.

The name of his ancestor caught at his memory of his grandmother's stories, bits and pieces that had always seemed like they never told a full story. Later, he'd learned what happened to Benedict Lightwood and realized why some details had been omitted. "From what I was told about Cecily, my coloration is the only thing we share." He would never be as brilliant as the Herondales from the past or even his parabatai.

A look of horror crossed his features as Magnus explained what her stepfather had tried. He knew that Downworlders frightened mundanes and that terrible things had happened to warlocks in the past, but this was the first time it seemed real to him instead of something from the distant past. He couldn't help imagining a little, golden eyed girl forced to live in silence and, if she had reacted like he had to the Silent Brothers the first times he'd met them, fear. It wasn't right even if it had happened years ago. "There's a difference between taking care of someone and being cared for." Catching her hand, he lightly brushed his thumb over her knuckles. "Someone should have been a family to you. You should have had people who loved you."

A faint flush warmed his face as Magnus brushed her lips against his forehead, wondering why she thought he was special because of his ideals while the nephilim thought he was weak. "I've believed it since I was old enough to understand what Shadowhunters are supposed to do."

Smiling shyly, Alec realized how grateful he was to meet Magnus. Not just because he would have died if she hadn't rescued him but because she seemed to genuinely like him and his ideas. And he liked her, something that was rare for him. Usually it took time for him to become comfortable around anyone who wasn't part of his family, but Magnus was different. She made him feel at ease in a way that he'd never experienced before. "If you are, then I'm terrible too."

Letting out a quiet, disbelieving sound at the idea of being good looking, he settled more comfortably around Magnus. The sound turned to a quiet sigh as the fingers in his hair eased away the last of the tension and fears that lingered in his body and mind, smiling softly as he drifted off to sleep.

More Nephilim. She'd sworn not to get tangled up in the affairs of shadowhunters ever again. But Ragnor had been right, she could stay out of a mess even when she wanted to. He'd compared her to a kitten and the Nephilim to a ball of yarn. Let the tangling commence. "I'm not sorry for it." Not when she looked into his eyes...

"I only met her for a short time. She was as complicated and crazy as her brother. But she had a level head. Far more so than her brother. She loved family more than anything else. Sound familiar? But that is really all I knew of her. She didn't run when things got bad... and she didn't cave under pressure. She didn't judge when I couldn't work a miracle..." That last part came out before she could stop it. Magnus' eyes widened slightly as she recalled how still Henry had been. The memories sifted and for a moment her eyes stung as she realized she couldn't fix him. She'd been right there... and she couldn't do it.

Pulling her hand to her face, she rubbed at it slowly and let out a quiet laugh. "You're out to make me walk down a path of memories aren't you?" First the Herondales... then her childhood. Screaming and crying filled her mind and she instantly shut the door on that memory. "Life isn't fair, Alec... I don't remember the name my mother gave me. It must not matter anyway. She likely took it with her when she took her life. Sometimes ideals can only help the future. It does nothing for the past."

Smiling against his forehead, she tipped her head till their temples touched. "If you mean that... if you really hold those ideals close... don't let another little warlock live that way. Every small change is worth a big one. One little rock can start a land slide." And maybe... just maybe... no more children will grow up so damaged like she was.

Sinking into the warmth, she felt the haze creeping over her as she smiled at his concurring with the desire for him to stay. Her eyes finally fell closed and all of the memories were chased away at the feeling of him close, the sound of his heart beat and the warmth of his body shielding her. Warnings went off in her head, but for now... she ignored them.

For now, she just wanted to sleep all of it away and for once feel like she didn't have to worry. And that's what she did. And she did so without shame or concern that someone might walk in. So even when the next days sun peeked in through the windows, she didn't stir and simply slept on like there were no reason to wake. Why should she? She'd never felt so content and happy in her life and she couldn't even put her finger on why...

One thing that did occur that she would likely ignore later... was that at some point in the night she'd started to purr. That gentle rumble rising and falling with her breaths as she held him close and shifted to bask in the few beams of light coming in through the mostly shuttered window.

It was the sun that woke him. Alec had spent so many years training at dawn that when the first hints of sunlight fell upon them, he slowly began to wake. For a moment, he couldn't remember where he was, but he knew that he was safe. He wasn't sure why he felt that way since even without opening his eyes, he knew he wasn't home or at the Institute.

Slowly, he realized that his arms were wrapped around someone and there was a faint sound that reminded him of Church but at a volume he doubted the cat could ever achieve. Blinking against the sunlight, he looked down at the woman he held, smiling when he realized that Magnus was more cat-like than he'd first guessed.

Ghosting his fingers lightly over her hair, he took care not to wake her since she seemed to happy. As he watched her, he thought of what Magnus had told him the night before. She'd been treated horribly as a child and Alec was certain that she had been treated that way over the centuries. When he'd protested the unfairness of it, she'd asked him to take care of others, but there was something more that he could do.

It seemed that no one had taken care of her. Magnus had fought to save him, had helped healed him, and given him refuge when others would have let him die. She'd taken care of him without expecting anything from him. She deserved better than that and, more importantly, he wanted to give her the kindness that she should have had before.

That thought had him cuddling closer, holding her gently as she slept, resting his cheek against her hair. "I promise to help, Magnus." The words were spoken softly, almost lost with the soft purr. "I'll try to show you that some of us do care."

The warmth that ran through her was soothing and seemed to wrap around her like a blanket. Lying in the sunlight had always been a favorite past time. She'd tried to hide it most of her life, just how cat like she really was. But the feeling of his fingers in her hair had her breathing in slowly. Shifting slightly, she pressed closer to him and nuzzled her face into his neck.

Breathing the scent of the man she clung to, her mind filled with the warmth of almost luminescent blue eyes. Snuggling closer, she made the softest hint of a mewl as one hand gently slid over his chest to splay there lightly. Images of dark hair framing said eyes made her lips twitch into a smile even in her slumber.

A part of her heard those words and her heart fluttered in her chest. Breathing in deeply, her fingers curled softly into his shirt. She drifted off again in sleep for maybe another half hour before stirring again. At some point in her dozing, she'd managed to sprawl over him, head on his chest near the hand still clinging there.

Opening her eyes slowly, she blinked a few times them murmured quietly as her head turned to hide her face in his shirt. "Don't want to get up..." Especially not when she felt so safe and warm in his arms. That is... until she remembered herself and she lifted her head to look up at him through squinted eyes. "Am I hurting you?"

Concern colored her face, but she was still too sleep addled to move.

Edited (Just a little touch up of repeated words XD) Date: 2013-08-25 03:20 pm (UTC)

Shivering slightly when Magnus pressed close to his neck, Alec gently brushed her hair away from her face. Now that he wasn't so exhausted, he realized that it probably wasn't proper for them to be so close, but technically she had 'kidnapped' him. That made the rules for some things different and he would never think of hurtng her. He'd still be a gentleman, but some things could be excused because of the strangeness of the situation.

Even without considering the rescue/kidnapping, it was strange. A warlock and a Shadowhunter curled up together when they were supposed to distrust each other completely. But he couldn't bring himself to be suspicious of Magnus. She had her secrets, but none of them were meant to harm him. Truthfully, she fascinated him. She was different than what he'd been told about warlocks and from anyone he'd ever met. Even Jace couldn't compare to her brightness, catching his attention in ways that his parabatai never had, not even when Alec had been completely lovestruck over him.

When her hand caught at his shirt, he covered it with his own, holding it to his chest as the sound of her purring pulled him back into sleep until he felt her begin to move. Smiling at her protest about not wanting to wake, he waited for her to remember where she was before speaking. "No, you're not. I feel better today."

Absentmindedly, he began brushing his fingers over her hair again, trying not to grin at how she was trying to hide from him. "I don't think I'll fall on my face if I try to get out of bed today."

Humming a soft sound, she waited for him to answer before she lowered her head back down. Nuzzling her cheek to his chest, she let her eyes fall closed again. "Good." The soft mumbled word caused her lips to brush his hand covering hers... and it made her suddenly aware of the fact his hand was there. Opening her eyes just a little, she smiled at the sight of his hand over hers. Something about it made her chest tighten with excitement.

In the past, she'd been irritated by it. By the fact that she was so tiny and so many assumed she needed protecting or someone to watch over her. This time... it didn't feel like that at all. Moving her thumb, she gently swept the pad along the side of his hand. I'm glad you're feeling better." She should probably get off of him. She was quite literally sprawled on top of him and Catarina would fuss over abuse of a healing patient. Ragnor would yell for entirely different reasons.

But the longer she lay in the awkward position that normally felt so good... the more she felt the jab of the boned corset digging into her. Furrowing her brow, she tipped her head to look at the clothes she still wore. Making a face, she started to move into a more comfortable position only to stop. He still looked mussed and dirty from the combat before... "Would you like to take a bath?"

Her words came out soft as she winced as one of the stays in her corset pushed into a sore spot. "I will draw you up a bath and find you some clothes you can wear till we wash yours. Sound like an okay plan?" Yet even with that pain that she knew meant bruises, she couldn't bring herself to lift up off of him to do the things she promised. Not just yet.

As she snuggled closer, Alec expected Magnus to fall back asleep. Not that he would have minded if she did. He felt comfortable with her, not wanting to move unless they had to. Eventually they would, but for now he wanted to stay curled up with her, not thinking about the world beyond the quarters they temporarily shared.

Smiling shyly, he played with her hair, letting it slide through his fingers. "I'm glad too. I'll have to thank Catarina for her help when I see her again." Another act that would horrify the Clave. Nephilim paid for warlock's services. That was thanks enough. But she deserved his thanks. They all did.

His hand stilled when Magnus mentioned a bath, realizing that he probably was filthy and needed to put on clean clothes at least. Though, he was unsure if they should waste so much water on bathing while on a ship. "I should get cleaned up, but I don't need a bath. It wouldn't be right to use that much water for that."

Purring deeper at the touch to her hair, she closed her eyes and burrowed closer. "She'd be happy if you did. Most of us can count on one hand how many times we've heard a Nephilim say thank you." Therefore it made the gesture that much more precious.

Tipping her head into his hand, she lifted her head to rest her chin on his chest. The pad of her thumb softly ran over his chest as a small smile pulled at her lips. "Don't worry. I not only know exceptionally amazing magic... I'm also a bit of a tinkerer. A bath will be fine." She'd just share the water with him after he finished. After all, the Japanese do it all the time.

Slowly sitting up, she couldn't stop the wince from the shift and press into new bruises in her sides. Leaning closer, she softly brushed his hair back and smiled at him. "Just wait here, all right?"

The reminder of how his kin could be almost caused him to flinch even if he tried not to be that way. Alec slipped occasionally, reverting to old habits but there was never a real bite to his words. It was more like he was reciting old lessons than believing the words. In his own way, he was just as 'dirty' as Downworlders, Maybe dirtier since he had feelings for both another man but his parabatai. "I try to thank the people who help me."

Though, he doubted he'd be able to find the words to express his gratitude to all of them. Maybe Magnus could help him find a way to show them that he was different than other Shadowhunters they had met.

Though he probably didn't look like one. Having heard the suggest of a bath seemed to make Alec realize how much he needed one. His clothes were probably beyond saving, covered in blood and ichor. The rest of him probably wasn't that bad. Catarina and Magnus would have needed to clean his wounds, but his skin was starting to itch at the thought of how bad it must have been. "I'd like a bath. And to get out of these clothes, if I can." Maybe someone would be close enough in size that he could borrow some things until his clothes could be washed.

Then, his discomfort was forgotten and he noticed Magnus wince. Reaching out to touch her side, he thought better of it, letting his hand hover a few inches away, guilt edging his thoughts. "Magnus, were you hurt when you rescued me?" All this time he'd been thinking of his own injuries. He'd never considered that she might have been hurt as well.

"I can tell." Her smile was gentle and sweet as she nodded her head. "It's strange... Will Herondale was the last Nephilim to thank me. And even then it was such an after thought. You... you're different." Her eyes glittered as she tipped her head. And she'd believed that Will had been the epitome of a hunter. Alec on the other hand, had an amazing heart. Sliding her fingers from his hair, she cupped his cheek for just a moment. "I have never seen a soul more beautiful than yours."

Her hand moved to lightly tuck longer dark strands behind his ears before she ducked down to kiss his forehead. "I'll get the bat ready for you. It will help you feel even better, I promise." She laughed a little as she slid her eyes to his clothes and slowly arched a brow. "Well.. I'm sure we can at least try to salvage them. While you're bathing, I'll send someone to find some in your size."

She nearly started to get out of the bed when Alec's expression changed. Her brow furrowed in confusion as his hand moved to her side. Tipping her head down to look at the hand hovering there, she almost asked what was wrong till that question was asked. "Well, nothing that hasn't healed..." Stopping there, it suddenly occurred to her why he was worried and she couldn't help the grin that pulled at her lips.

"No... this... is a burden women bear when they fall asleep in corsets. I'm lined with bruises from the boning." Sliding her hands down her own sides she made a face. "It's okay." Catching his hand, she squeezed it gently and rose from the bed. As she moved to the wardrobe, she started to unlace the corseted dress quickly with a small sound of relief. Pulling the screen between them, she stripped the clothes off and sighed at the bruises dotting her skin. Later... she'd worry about it later.

Keeping the soft leather pants on, she pulled on a new softer shirt that didn't cover the mid drift before coming out again. Grabbing the belt with her sword, she was in the process of buckling it on as she opened her door. Ignoring the eyes that never raised from her stomach, she instructed them to find some clothes for him before coming back in. Heading straight for the tub, she smiled at her own ingenious for 'plumbing' before filling it up. "It'll only take a minute for me to warm it... Will you need help getting over here?" She lifted her head from her spot kneeling at the tub's side to smile at him through messy bangs. "I could wash your back and hair if you like?"

It was strange to hear someone speak of his ancestor in such a familiar way. Especially when that someone looked Alec's age. He knew that warlocks stopped aging when they became adults, but it still was almost disorientating to think of Magnus knowing someone who had lived so long ago that Alec had a connection to. Or to have her compare him to one of the greatest Shadowhunters and think of him as special.

"Magnus, I..." He began to protest her words, and then realized he couldn't. So few people had ever praised him for something other than his skill with a bow that he couldn't ruin that kindness with denials. "Thank you." Her compliment and the kiss caused him to flush, warmth settling in his chest that was harder to dismiss than his blush. "It might be best to get rid of my clothes. There's some things on them that might be dangerous."

Blood wouldn't be a problem except for the stains, but ichor and possible poisons might harm whoever washed his clothes. Since he couldn't really remember what types of demons had attacked him, he couldn't be sure of what might happen. "I don't really want to put them on again unless I have to."

His worry eased slightly when she mentioned the bruises, relieved that she hadn't been seriously hurt during the fight. It was something Isabelle complained about regularly but her sense of fashion demanded the garments even if they did pain her. Hers were both gear and undergarment, designed for ease of movement and protection, but she said that they still pained her if she wore them too long. An apologetic look crossed his features, as he squeezed her hand in return. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken your bed."

Later he'd ask for different quarters so that she could sleep without worrying about sharing her bed with a hurt Shadowhunter.

As she moved toward the tub, he levered himself out of bed, gripping the frame for a moment to be sure of his balance. The floor tipped ominously, then he realized it was the motion from the boat, not a side effect of one of his injuries. "I think I'm okay." Or he thought he was until she asked to help him with his bath. Almost stumbling to a stop, Alec stared at her, the blush returning to burn brightly across his skin. "You wish to wish to help me bathe?"

"You're welcome." It took effort not to touch the young teen's hair. Biting her lower lip, she stopped at the comment about the clothes and laughed. "You're right... that is likely true. I suppose that means we'll have to find you clothes of your own. I hope you like shopping, Alec Lightwood. Because when you put it that way, I really don't want you to put them back on."

Pausing, she glanced at him for that apology a little confused. Tipping her head a little, she pushed the mussed hair out of her face. "Alec... It wasn't because you were in my bed that my corset bruised me." Smiling softly, she squeezed his hand in return. "You need not apologize. Please don't... not over something like that."

Moving about her tasks, she filled the tub to a suitable depth before touching the surface of the water. Muttering a soft spell, blue-white light rippled all over the surface before steam rose from the once cool liquid. Drawing her fingertips over the warmed surface, she lifted golden eyes to Alec. Lowering to her knees, she pulled a tie from her belt she kept there and pulled her hair back. Tying it back, she pat the tub. "Would you like me to add sandalwood oil to it?"

A small smile covered her amusement as she wanted him nearly stumble at the question about the bath. "Alec, you've been injured. I know you feel better... but it doesn't mean you're completely healed. It simply means you feel better than you did. I won't if you don't want me to, but I promise it will help with the sore muscles." Testing the water temperature one more time, she pushed to her feet and backed away from the tub.

Carefully turning, she drug the screen over to the tub so he could have some privacy as he pulled his clothes off. "Just throw them over and I'll put them out to be burned. Sound good?"

"Uh..." For a moment, he remembered what Magnus had said about her hats and his own shopping trips with Isabelle and wondered what exactly it'd be like to have Magnus drag him along while trying to get him a new wardrobe. "I don't go shopping that often unless my sister insists." And that he could avoid most of the time until she got sick of his black shirts looking brown or their parents were forcing him to attend one of their parties in hopes of finding a 'nice girl' for him to marry.

Shaking off his worries about his clothing suddenly having feathers, he blinked at her a moment before realizing what she'd meant about the corset. "No, but if you hadn't allowed me to share your quarters, you might have slept more comfortably." Or she might have taken off the corset if he hadn't been nearby.

There had to be somewhere else he could sleep so that she could have her bed back.

Not that she seemed to be worried about propriety. Staring at her as he regained his balance, he answered, 'Okay' to her question before realizing what she'd asked. She wanted to help him bathe. Most women he knew would have been scandalized by the idea of being alone with a man, let alone see one naked. Even Shadowhunters who saw each other in various states of injury would have been hesitant to make such an offer.

A brilliant blush crept across his face as he stuttered for an answer. "It wouldn't be proper for you to help me." Even as he spoke, he felt slightly guilty, knowing that Magnus only meant to help but he couldn't help thinking of her reputation. "I wouldn't want you to... I wouldn't want anyone thinking the wrong thing about you." Even if they might already since they'd shared the same bed.

Still struggling to control his blush, Alec moved to the screen, beginning to slowly pull off his bloodstained clothes, hissing softly when the fabric stuck to his healing skin. "I'm sure I can manage on my own." Even if he seemed to be fighting a losing battle with his shirt.