Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

-Magnus-

It had been over a year since Magnus Bane ended his tumultuous relationship with Camille Belcourt, yet the wounds still lingered and the memories continued to haunt him. 

Back when he still believed in their future, Magnus surrendered the life he loved — the bustling corridors of New Amsterdam Hospital in New York, the friends who were his family — and at Camille’s urging, he moved out of state. He told himself it was for love, for the chance to build something lasting, never realising how quickly it would all come crashing down.

The signs were there: the growing distance, the unanswered questions, the concerns of his closest friends. Magnus had chosen to ignore them, clinging to the hope that things might improve — until that night when the truth could no longer be denied. 

He came home early, intending to cook Camille dinner as a surprise — but what he found in their bedroom was a heart-wrenching betrayal that shattered his trust forever.

He paused outside their bedroom, the faint sounds of moaning that weren’t meant for him bleeding through the door. When he pushed it open, the familiar scent of Camille’s perfume hit him but it was tainted by another presence. There they were: Camille, her silk robe abandoned on the floor, entwined in another man. The sight pierced him like a knife, shattering his trust in an instant and leaving him utterly broken. He couldn't find the strength to confront them; he simply turned and walked away, leaving behind the life he had been building with Camille.

He had believed their connection could withstand any storm, but Camille shattered both his heart and trust so completely that he thought he could never love or trust again. The pain was unbearable, and he withdrew into himself, retreating from the world in grief.

Seeing the depth of Magnus’s pain, his closest friends organised what they affectionately called an ‘intervention’. They urged him to apply for a position at the New York Presbyterian Hospital and to return to his Brooklyn loft, believing that a familiar place and meaningful work could help him break free from the shackles of his past and begin living again.

He returned to New York, leaving Camille and the heartbreaking memories of their time together behind. Returning to his beloved loft, he secured a position as a neurosurgeon at the Presbyterian Hospital, where some of his closest friends — Dr. Ragnor Fell, Dr. Tessa Gray, and Nurse Catarina Loss — were already working.

Magnus threw himself into his work, determined to make a name for himself. He immersed himself in his patients and research, finding solace in the operating room, where he could temporarily forget the pain that still gnawed at him.

His dedication began to pay off, both professionally and emotionally, as he carefully pieced together his shattered heart, building what he hoped would be impenetrable barriers around it, determined never to endure such pain and betrayal again. The process was arduous, but he started finding joy in his work, in rekindled friendships, and in life’s simple pleasures.

In the months following his return, Magnus became known as one of the most skilled and dedicated neurosurgeons at the hospital. His colleagues admired his expertise, and his patients praised his compassionate care. Yet despite these achievements, Magnus still struggled with the emotional scars left by Camille's betrayal. He buried himself in work, using it as armor to protect himself from the pain of his past.

The scars of betrayal still lingered, and Magnus couldn't imagine entrusting his emotions to anyone again. He had built impenetrable barriers around his heart, vowing never to let another soul in, fearful of the pain that love — and betrayal — had already brought him.

Catarina, however, saw straight through Magnus' façade as she always had. She understood he needed more than professional success to find true happiness. With her gentle encouragement, he began consciously reclaiming the pieces of himself he’d lost, taking small but meaningful steps towards healing. Gradually, he began to work more reasonable hours and carved out moments for himself outside of the hospital.

One day, Catarina suggested that Magnus visit the coffee shop, Espresso Yourself, a place he had not been to since the very early days of his return to New York. "Sometimes, a change of scenery can do wonders for the soul," she said with a knowing smile.

Magnus hesitated initially, but with Catarina's persistent nudging, he finally agreed to go. He reminded himself it was only coffee, only a short walk away — nothing more. Yet even that step felt monumental, a gesture to reclaim the pieces of himself he thought he had lost forever — pieces waiting to be reignited by someone extraordinary.

Fate, however, had a way of intervening when we least expect it. Magnus had no idea that a simple visit to a coffee shop would begin the unraveling of the barriers he had carefully constructed around his shattered heart.

As he focused on his work and found moments of peace in the city he loved, fate was already at work — poised to place someone in his path, someone who would challenge his carefully guarded heart and perhaps awaken him to the possibility of love once more.

Chapter Text

- Magnus -

New York City shimmered beneath the moonlight as Magnus Bane stepped out of the hospital after a long day of surgeries. The bustling city never slept, and Magnus could barely steal a moment of rest himself. Dragging himself toward the coffee shop, Magnus felt the weight of the day, but he was determined to keep his promise to Caterina.

The coffee shop enveloped him in warmth, the scent of roasted beans curling through the air. He ordered his favourite cappuccino and settled into a corner booth, seeking a moment of respite from the hospital chaos.

Magnus recalled an earlier conversation with one of his dearest friends, Catarina — Her words echoed in his mind, reminding him why he had promised to be here this evening.

In the cosy ambience of his loft, they sat together on the plush couch, sipping warm cups of tea as the rain tapped gently against the window.

"Magnus, I worry about you," Catarina said softly, resting a hand on his shoulder. "It's been quite some time since what happened back then, and I can't bear to see you closing yourself completely off from love."

Magnus exhaled slowly, his gaze unfocused. "Catarina, you know what happened with she who must not be named," he replied, his voice tinged with pain. "It shattered my heart and trust, and I just can't bear the thought of going through that again."

Catarina nodded, her eyes soft with understanding. "I know, Magnus, but not everyone is like her," she said gently. "There are good people out there who won't hurt you, who will cherish you for who you are."

Magnus met Catarina's gaze, appreciating her concern but feeling guarded. "It's difficult for me to believe that," he admitted. "Love seems like nothing more than heartbreak in waiting."

She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "I get you're still hurting, but you can't let fear dictate your life," she said. "You deserve happiness, Magnus, and you won't find it if you don't open your heart again."

Sipping his cappuccino, Magnus felt the weight of her previous words pressing on him. Despite his resolve to guard against further heartache, he could not deny the loneliness that had quietly settled in his soul.

 Magnus was suddenly jolted from his melancholy bya rowdy group of firefighters laughing together at a nearby table. Boisterous and laughing, their easy banter revealed the closeness they shared. Among them, one man caught his eye.

He exuded a quiet strength, his tall, perfectly muscular, athletic frame drawing attention even in a room full of people. A mesmerising shade of blue, his eyes carried the weight of life’s trials and joys. 

Magnus noticed his dark untamed hair, the strands silky and inviting, and wondered what it would feel like beneath his fingers. As the firefighter smiled at his colleagues' antics, a sudden pull at Magnus’s carefully guarded heart made him pause —. Something he had promised himself would remain untouched for the rest of his days.

Magnus looked away when their eyes met, trying to hide the blush creeping across his cheeks. He rarely let emotions sway him, yet the firefighter sparked an unexpected draw — an insistent, subtle intrigue that suggested this fleeting encounter might linger far longer than he expected.

The strikingly tall firefighter looked briefly embarrassed at being caught staring, yet neither he nor Magnus could pull away.

As he sipped his coffee, he stole brief glances at the firefighter. There was an air of mystery around him, a quiet intensity that drew Magnus in like a moth to a flame. A flicker of intrigue stirred in his chest, a spark of curiosity he couldn’t ignore.

Eventually, the firefighters finished their drinks and headed towards the exit. Magnus felt a pang of longing, hesitated momentarily as he debated whether to let the chance pass or finally introduce himself to the captivating stranger. Memories of her’s betrayal still powerfully overwhelming, making the decision all the more daunting.

Disappointment tugged at him, thinking he might not see himagain soon. Before Magnus could decide whether to make a move, their eyes met, and a startling new sensation ignited within him— everything shifted. A thrill surged, warmth spreading through his chest, as if fate had quietly nudged him toward something he hadn’t dared hope for.

- Alec -

Alec joined his fellow firefighter colleagues for coffee at their usual cafe after their shift, before everyone headed home. They made a point to meet regularly, not just as colleagues, but as a family, cherishing these gatherings. 

Alec heard the cafe door open and froze. The man who entered was the most beautiful man he had ever seen. He stopped breathing for a moment, hardly able to think. 

The handsome stranger had clearly come from work. He wore a crisp white button-up shirt, open at the neck, sleeves rolled up to the elbows and black slacks. Alec could tell he worked out from how his biceps stretched his shirt in all the right places. Alec felt a jolt of admiration — and something more stirring in his chest.

He definitely took care of himself; a meticulously groomed goatee, brown eyes accentuated with black kohl and hair short at the sides with the longer top swept back neatly. A messenger bag hung casually over his shoulder. 

Alec, momentarily dumbstruck, hoped that no one  noticed his blatant staring. Luckily, his friends were distracted, laughing and teasing Simon about his vintage van — which had broken down again, yet he stubbornly refused to part with it.

He stole glances at the fascinating stranger whenever he dared, careful not to draw attention. The man ordered his drink and sat alone, absorbed in his own world. As Alec watched the stunning stranger something shifted — his mind drifted back to the choices that had brought him here, beginning the night he decided to be true to himself, consequences be damned.

After an exhilarating football game, sweat still dripping and the roar of the crowd ringing in his ears, Alec, swept up in the euphoria of victory, impulsively kissed James, his then-boyfriend, in front of everyone. The taste of triumph and the thrill of young love lingered in the air.

But, Alec's elation was short-lived. His smile disappeared when he saw his mother's face etched with disappointment, halting him mid-celebration. Her disapproving gaze pierced the roar of the crowd like ice. She said nothing, merely turned on her heel and walked away.

His father surprised him with his understanding, offering a reassuring smile. "I guess our world is changing, Alec. Your mother needs time to come to terms with it."

Those words hung in the air, a mix of resignation and acceptance. Despite Alec's candid revelation about his sexuality, his mother found it hard to accept. She clung persistently to the hope that it was just a phase, a transient experimentation he would outgrow. Her constant insistence on Lydia, a woman whom she considered perfect wife material, became a continuous source of tension.

The continuation of the Lightwood family name weighed heavily on his mother. Alec could feel the mounting pressure to conform to produce heirs to carry on the legacy. Her subtle — and sometimes not-so-subtle — remarks about grandchildren being the torchbearers of the Lightwood name became increasingly irritating, despite his father’s efforts to prevent them.

Lydia was a woman of many qualities and a good friend, but Alec could never feel a romantic connection with. Yet his mother relentlessly pushed her as a potential match. The constant pressure to conform stifled Alec, and he found solace in expressing his true feelings. That was when Peter entered his life.

Their connection had to remain private — not because Alec was ashamed, but to shield Peter from his mother's unending scrutiny. Peter, understanding the complexity of the situation, accepted the boundaries of their relationship. Alec, however, couldn’t shake the guilt of keeping their relationship a secret.

Everything felt like a careful balancing act — fleeting moments of intimacy hidden away from the world, a fragile refuge from judgment. Alec wanted to protect Peter but the secrecy left him with persistent guilt. Their passion was real, but it lacked the foundation of something lasting.

Alec struggled not only with navigating his family's expectations but also with the realisation that he longed for a love free from secrecy and fleeting encounters.

As Peter pursued his career as a lawyer in another part of the country, it brought their relationship to an end. Alec vowed to himself not to put anyone in that difficult position again; it simply wasn’t fair to either of them.

Alec's decision to become a firefighter after Max’s death, rather than following the expected path to join the police academy, ignited tension at home. His choice ran counter to their traditional values, deepening the rift he could feel widening — especially his mother who was vehemently opposed to what she saw as a deviation from the established Lightwood standard.

When Alec left the confines of his family’s house, he met Harry, who gave him more than a home — he offered freedom. Their connection was passionate, a sanctuary where Alec could truly breathe. Harry became a confidant, a partner who helped Alec untangle the complexities of his lost identity and quieted the judgmental voices of his parents.

Alec opened up to Harry about the struggles with his family, their disapproval of his choices, and the merciless pressure to conform. In return, Harry provided understanding, support, and a safe space for Alec to explore his true self. Their time together was marked by passion and a deep connection that exceeded all he hoped for.

Yet, as Alec journeyed through that new chapter of his self-discovery and independence, he realised that while his feelings for Harry were strong, they fell short of love. The decision to part ways was gentle, mutual and amicable, leaving them grateful for what they shared and hopeful for the future 

Before parting, Harry passed on a piece of wisdom to Alec. He made him promise that when he encountered the one, that unmistakable deep soul-stirring connection, he  deserved, he would find the courage to fight for it. Alec had pledged to keep that promise.

As Alec watched the elegant man, he felt a sudden shift stirred within him. Harry's words echoed in his mind, the promise pressing firmly against his heart. Alec tried not to get caught glancing, but the sublime stranger looked up — and their eyes met. For a breath, it was as if a spark had ignited between them, pulling him in despite himself. 

Alec lingered over his coffee, racking his brain for a discreet way to slip away from his colleagues; he knew he couldn't without raising suspicion, his fingers drumming nervously against the ceramic cup. Still, Alec had already decided he wouldn’t leave the cafe before introducing himself to the intriguing man who had captured his attention. He half turned, and then, across the cafe, he once again locked eyes with the beautiful stranger.

The contact sent a jolt straight through Alec’s chest, and for a heartbeat, the cafe — the noise, the crowd, the chatter — all dissolved into nothing. His very core shifted and an inexplicable urge demanded him to stay. Seizing the excuse of returning his almost empty cup, Alec offered his friends a polite smile as they headed for the door. 

They didn’t even give a second thought as to why he wasn’t leaving with them — much to Alec’s relief. Steeling himself, he made his way back to the corner booth where the flawless stranger sat. His heart hammered against his ribs as he approached, he hadn’t done anything this bold in a long time.

"Hey," Alec greeted, his voice a mix of shyness and genuine interest.

"Hi," Magnus replied, a small smile tugging at his lips, his voice was smooth, warm, and immediately disarming. "I couldn't help but notice you and your friends having a good time."

Alec nodded, his cheeks warming with a faint flush. "Yeah, we're a lively bunch," he said. "I'm Alec, by the way. Alec Lightwood."

"Magnus Bane," Magnus introduced himself, a playful spark dancing in his eyes. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Alexander."

The warmth in Magnus's voice sent a shiver through Alec, and the way he lingered on his full name unsettled him in the best way. Magnus's presence was magnetic, his personality a captivating presence.

"I have to say," Alec began, his tone tinged with bashfulness, "you have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen." The words slipped out before he could stop them, leaving him startled at his own candor.

Magnus's smile widened, and Alec’s heart skipped a beat. "Thank you, Alexander," Magnus replied, his tone soft. "And I must say, your’s are as equally captivating — there’s something about them that makes me feel like I could lose myself in them forever." The honesty evidently startled even Magnus.

Alec fumbled with his cup, nearly spilling it, overwhelmed by the weight of Magnus’s words. Heat crept up his neck, blooming across his cheeks. "I — uh… thank you," he managed at least, his voice dropping to a near whisper.

Magnus chuckled, the sound low and warm clearly savouring Alec’s disarray. “You’re adorable when you’re flustered, you know that?” He teased, a mischievous spark lighting his eyes.

Alec averted his gaze, cheeks still tinged, attempting to suppress the smile that Magnus’s words had coaxed out. “I’m not… adorable,” he muttered, though his chest hummed with warmth.

Magnus leaned in just a fraction, his eyes locked on Alec’s with playful intent. “Oh, I think you are,” he whispered, his voice low, teasing, almost seducing.

Alec’s stomach twisted in a tangle of nerves and excitement. He gripped the cup, trying to steady his hands, but they gave him a way with their subtle tremble.

Suddenly the cafe door chimed, and Alec spun towards it, spotting his younger sister with reddened eyes and swollen cheeks, her sobs slicing through the low babble of conversation. 

Without a second thought, Alec crossed the space to her side, worry etched across his features. "Izzy, what's wrong?" he asked softly, gently drawing her into a protective embrace.

Izzy sniffled, brushing tears from her cheeks "It's... It's Meliorn," she choked out. "We broke up..."

A pang of sympathy knotted in Alec's chest. "I'm so sorry, Iz," he murmured, holding her a moment longer. "You deserve so much better. If he hurt you, then he doesn't deserve you."

Magnus observed quietly, curiosity flickering in his eyes as he watched the scene unfold. Izzy’s initial self-absorption melted into awareness as she realised she had interrupted something private. Now she’d regained some composure, Izzy lifted her gaze from Alec’s chest and finally noticed Magnus. “Who's this?" she asked, eyes flitting between Alec and Magnus.

Alec exhaled softly, then introduced them. "Izzy, this is Magnus Bane. Magnus, my little sister, Isabelle Lightwood. Sorry, but I am taking Izzy home now." He said, gesturing subtly towards the door.

Magnus offered a warm, reassuring smile. "Nice to meet you, Isabelle," he said. “Your brother is right. If anyone could hurt a beautiful strong woman such as yourself, they really don’t deserve your tears."

"Izzy, please — I'll be fine," Izzy replied with a tentative smile, grateful for the kindness in his voice. "Thank you." She then turned to leave alongside Alec. 

- Magnus -

As Alexander and Isabelle departed, discussing the drama with Meliorn, Magnus felt an unexpected pang of disappointment at the abrupt end to their conversation. He wished, to his own surprise, that he had asked for Alexander’s number — or some other way to reach him. Perhaps, he admitted quietly to himself that maybe Catarina had been right all along —  a truth he would never confess to her.

He lingered at his table, hoping fate might orchestrate another encounter. A subtle, insistent pull in his chest refused to be ignored, a delicate thread weaving through his thoughts. Around him the cafe’s low hum — the clink of cups, the hiss of the espresso machine — faded into the background noise, leaving him with the echo of Alexander’s presence.

The compliment about his eyes reverberating in his mind, unexpectedly disarming him. His coffee had long gone cold, yet the warmth lingering in his chest was undeniable —a sensation he hadn’t felt in years, stirring a mix of being seen and unsteadyness.

Eventually Magnus realised the moment had slipped away. Yet he couldn't help but smile at the memory of Alexander’s piercing blue eyes and the brief spark of connection they had shared.

- Alec -

Once Izzy exhausted the subject of her breakup, she turned to Alec with a teasing grin. "So… what was going on between you and that extremely good-looking man back at the café? Magnus, right?" 

Alec felt his cheeks heat, a blush creeping across his face. Too aware of how perceptive his sister could be, he admitted. "I... I don't know, Izzy. We literally just met and only exchanged names, but there was something about him."

Izzy nudged him playfully. "Ooh, sounds like someone has a crush," she teased, her grin widening.

Alec rolled his eyes but a reluctant smile tugged at his lips. "Maybe," he muttered, his thoughts drifting back to Magnus.

After ensuring Izzy got home safely. Alec began the walk to his apartment with cool night air brushing against his face, the quiet streets and long streetlight shadows offering a stark contrast to the swirl of thoughts in his mind — Magnus, the stolen glances, the spark he couldn’t shake… and James, a name he had long tried to forget. Izzy's words echoed softly in his ears, a comforting refrain amid the turmoil.

He remembered that night years ago when Izzy had tried to console him after a heartbreak — James, his then-secret boyfriend (whom Izzy had known about, naturally), had walked away, leaving Alec raw and hollow, yet her presence had been a quiet balm to his wounded heart.

Alec's frustration filled the air as he paced, Izzy trailing him like a determined shadow. "Don't say another word!" He snapped, the tension in his voice reverberating across the walls.

"I get it," Izzy replied gently, her tone calm and understanding, not unfazed by his agitation.

"No, you don't!" Alec shot back, every step radiating impatience.

"Okay, maybe I don't," Izzy admitted, keeping pace with him, undeterred by his defensive stance. "But I know you… you’re obnoxious and stubborn..."

Alec cut her off sharply, "I really hope you are going somewhere with this."

Ignoring his interruption, Izzy pressed on, her words steady and sincere, "Yet you're also fiercely loyal, honest, and a big softie when you stop worrying about what Mom and Dad think. One day, someone will love you — heart and soul."

Alec's chest tightened at her words, a storm of frustration colliding with a rare vulnerability. He stopped pacing and faced his sister, letting the truth in her voice sink in.

In that moment, he saw past his irritation — Izzy wasn't criticising; she was painting a vision of a future where his perceived flaws were strengths to be cherished.

A hush settled over the room, the weight of her words lingering. Alec's expression softened, gratitude and understanding mingling in his eyes. He realised Izzy spoke from a place of love, offering him a gift: a glimpse of a love that could embrace every part of him.

As Alec reached his apartment building, a flutter of anticipation coiled in his chest, as if he teetered on the edge of something extraordinary — something that could set his heart ablaze. He held into Izzy's words, the possibility of someone loving him wholly and unconditionally. His thoughts spun around Magnus — their brief stolen moments they had shared, the glances loaded with unspoken meaning. He couldn't stop replaying the encounter, the sparks that had ignited with every look. Regret pricked at him for not asking for Magnus's number, each thought tinged with anticipation and a hint of longing.

Chapter Text

- Magnus -

 Magnus's loft, nestled in the heart of the city, stood as a testament to his impeccable taste and unique style. It was more than an apartment — it was a canvas, already shaped into a mirror of his soul. The moment Magnus crossed the threshold, the faint hum of the city was muted by the thick glass, replaced by the hush of curated serenity and the warm scent of sandalwood laced with cardamom. Here, he could breathe — here, he could truly be himself.

 Sunlight streamed through large, arched windows, spilling over a living area that balanced modern elegance with lived-in comfort. Plush, yet worn, furniture with velvety cushions beckoned. Vibrant colours danced across the room, harmonising with rich textures. The walls were a gallery of Magnus's diverse tastes, showcasing artwork from various eras and cultures. One piece that had stolen his breath the first time he saw it — ‘Playing with fire’ by Steven Spazuk — was created using only flame and soot, delicate monochromatic images born from destruction itself.

 The kitchen, an extension of Magnus's passion for culinary delights, was every chef's dream. Even hours after he left, sandalwood and espresso seemed to linger here, as if the loft itself refused to let go of him. Gleaming stainless steel appliances and marble countertops created an inviting space for culinary exploration. Neatly arranged shelves displayed an impressive array of spices and ingredients, a testament to Magnus's commitment to the art of cooking.

 Each bedroom, a sanctuary in its own right, boasted a unique theme — one exuded luxury with flowing drapes and a king-sized bed with silk sheets, while another burst with vibrant colours and patterns. Magnus had curated these spaces to reflect his mood and channel the energy he desired.

 The crown jewel of the loft was the roof terrace, a private oasis above the bustling city where the air smelled of greenery and promise. Lush flora, carefully tended by Magnus himself, framed the edges, softening the steel and glass into something almost gentle. Comfortable outdoor furniture invited quiet contemplation or laughter shared beneath the backdrop of a breathtaking skyline. Here Magnus allowed himself to soften — coffee in hand at dawn, or wine beneath the stars after long nights — guard lowered in ways few ever witnessed. 

 Yet, this haven wasn't without its shadows, Camille’s words still lingered like smoke, an unwelcome reminder. To her, the loft was too ordinary, a cage that didn’t fit the man she imagined he should be. She disapproved of Magnus's choices, especially the loft, always at odds with the life he’d built, seeing the loft as stagnation, a tie to a life he should have outgrown. She urged him to sell it, dreaming of a more glamorous, ever-changing lifestyle, never understanding what the loft truly held: his memories, his victories, his losses. But Magnus held firm, the loft was a canvas painted with his memories, victories, and losses. He would be forever grateful to Catarina Loss, who championed him when others would not, he’d kept it — and kept himself.

 Strategically placed, the loft served as Magnus's retreat and launching pad. A brief walk to the subway, a short ride, and he found himself more or less right outside the hospital. This convenience allowed Magnus to slip seamlessly between the tranquillity of his loft and the demands of his medical profession. The loft became a bridge, a cherished retreat amid the rhythmic pulse of the city.

 The next morning, Magnus strolled from the subway toward the hospital, his mind already on the shift ahead. Then — commotion. A few blocks away, frightened gasps cut through the morning, pierced by the shriek of approaching sirens. A small apartment building was burning, flames raging uncontrollably, casting an eerie glow on the surrounding structures.

 The small apartment building, standing five stories high, was now engulfed in chaos as flames danced hungrily on the third floor. The once-muted facade was now blackened, flames flickering and crackling, painting the dawn sky with an ominous glow.

 As Magnus approached the scene, he could sense the heat even from a distance. The acrid scent of burning materials filled the air, and the crackling flames cast eerie shadows on the neighbouring buildings.

 Emergency lights strobed in the vicinity, creating a surreal atmosphere as firefighters arrived to battle the fire. The wail of sirens echoed through the narrow streets, punctuating the urgency of the situation.

 In amongst the blaze of lights and sirens, firefighters disembarked from their firetrucks jumping out putting on their gear and readying equipment with a sense of purpose. 

 Magnus couldn't tear his eyes away as the firefighters moved with seamless precision. Unbidden, an image of Alexander at the cafe surfaced — blue eyes, quiet steadiness — and with it came an unfamiliar pull in his chest, sharper than simple curiosity.

 On the third floor, where the fire raged most fiercely, plumes of thick, dark smoke billowed out of shattered windows. Flames licked at the edges of the building, hungrily consuming everything in their path.

 Magnus's heart sank as he spotted the trapped figures on the floors above the fire. Desperation was etched on their faces as they leaned out of windows, desperately seeking air and escape. The heat and intensity of the flames below made their situation increasingly dire.

 Firefighters, clad in protective gear, ascended ladders with hoses and determined precision while, others entered the building. The glow of the flames reflected in their eyes as they worked against time and danger to rescue those stranded on the higher floors. Magnus wondered if Alec was amongst the firefighters that were bravely going toward the danger that had caused so many people to run away from.

 Despite the chaos, a sense of unity emerged among the onlookers. Concerned neighbours huddled together, some offering words of encouragement to those trapped, while others anxiously awaited news of the rescue efforts.

 The crackle of burning wood and the sporadic pops of bursting windows underscored the urgency of the situation. Yet, amidst the chaos and destruction, there was a shared hope that the combined efforts of the firefighters and the resilience of those affected could turn the tide against the encroaching flames.

 With a rush of adrenaline, Magnus knew he had to help in any way he could. Doctor first, man second — though his thoughts betrayed him, circling back to the piercing blue eyes he silently hoped weren’t hidden behind a mask. He quickly rushed into the hospital, rallying with the team of medical staff to set up an emergency triage area nearby. The injured from the fire would need immediate attention, and he was determined to be there to provide it. 

- Alec -

 When Alec and his team arrived, the fire had already consumed the third floor and was climbing fast toward the fourth, sending plumes of thick smoke billowing into the dawn sky. As the flames danced and roared, casting a menacing glow over the scene, Alec knew they were facing a formidable enemy.

 The heat pressed against them, scorching even through their protective gear, each breath impossible without masks. But Alec's training took over, and he led his team straight into the heart of the fire. With their hoses and axes in hand, they pushed forward, adrenaline pumping as they confronted the raging blaze.

 The building's structure was being weakened with each passing minute, creaking and cracking filled the air. But Alec's focus remained unwavering. He communicated with his team through hand signals and shouts, ensuring everyone was accounted for and working together seamlessly as they always had.

 The smoke thickened, acrid and choking against his mask, until each breath felt borrowed. Heat licked at his gear, sweat stinging his eyes, and every step echoed with an ominous groan of a building that ready to collapse above them, reducing visibility to nearly zero. It was like navigating through a black abyss, relying solely on instincts and teamwork. Alec's heart pounded in his chest as he thought about the lives at stake — faces he didn’t know, yet couldn’t let go of. For the briefest second, another face intruded — Magnus, his warm eyes in the cafe — Alec shoved the thought down hard. No time. No distractions. Every second counted. They knew they had to get to the trapped people and help them get out of the burning building.

 The fire's intensity grew with every step. Ceilings collapsed, burning debris raining down. But Alec and his team pushed on, undeterred. They fought the flames with precision, cutting off paths of destruction where they could.

 Through the smoke he glimpsed Maia forcing her way through the debris with practiced grace, Simon’s voice crackling encouragement over the comms, and Jace swinging his axe with reckless force like he had something to prove. Their presence grounded Alec — a reminder that this wasn’t him alone against the blaze, but a family forged in fire.

 Equipped in firefighting gear, the quartet deftly moved through the thick smoke and intense heat, scanning each room for survivors. Amidst the searing chaos of the scorching third floor, they found themselves thrust into a dire situation. In one room, the reality they all dreaded hit: a young boy lay unconscious, beside his mother, barely conscious herself, a deep cut on her arm.

 Alec, with his first aid expertise, swiftly gauged the gravity of the situation. Both desperately needed medical attention for smoke inhalation, the mother's deep arm cut demanded immediate care. The relentless progression of the fire heightened the urgency.

 Without hesitation, Alec radioed Luke, the Captain, for reinforcements and paramedics. 

 They fell into synchronised motion, working seamlessly while awaiting reinforcements. Alec focused on the child and Maia concentrated on the mother, stabilising them so they could be safely evacuated. Jace checked for alternative exits and structural integrity, a vital step for escape.

 Simon, armed with a hose, managed a small flare-up just inside the room. His watchful eyes scanned the surroundings, anticipating shifts in the fire's, buying Alec, Maia and Jace precious seconds.

 As reinforcements arrived in the form of Sophie and Mike, Alec and Jace organised the extraction of the unconscious boy and his mother. Alec and Jace carried them out while Simon, Sophie and Mike secured a safe path for the evacuation.

 They navigated their way through smoke-filled corridors and down a perilous stairwell, carefully avoiding weakened structures and obstacles. The fire intensified a constant reminder of the stakes.

 Upon reaching the ground floor, Alec and Jace handed the boy and his mother to the waiting paramedics. Under Luke’s coordination, they were into the ambulance and rushed to the nearby hospital.

 Relief washed over Alec, Jace, Simon, Maia, Sophie and Mike as they caught their breath while the ambulance sped away. The successful rescue spoke volumes about their training, teamwork, and ability to make split-second decisions under intense pressure.

 Their duties, however, were far from over. Firefighters were needed to inside, Alec and the others redirected their focus determined to contain the blaze. The echoes of their heroic efforts reverberated through the ongoing struggle to quell the relentless flames.

 They were a unit, a family, and together a force to be reckoned with. Each member played a crucial role, trusting their lives to one another as they battled the relentless blaze. 

-  Magnus- 

 At the hospital Magnus, Nurse Catarina Loss, along with the other doctors, nurses, and medical staff that were called to the emergency department, attended to all the incoming injured patients with the calm efficiency of well-trained professionals. Assessing each of the patient's condition with precision, determining the severity of their injuries and prioritising their care accordingly.

 Magnus worked tirelessly to stabilise the injured transported to the hospital from the devastating fire scene. The emergency room was a whirlwind of activity — ambulances constantly arriving in constant waves, their sirens echoing faintly as stretchers rolled in. Some unconscious and others in excruciating pain, their bodies bearing the scars of the fire they had narrowly escaped.

 There were burns, some so severe the skin had turned a blistering shade of red. As he moved from patient to patient, Magnus couldn’t help but notice the station insignias on the uniforms of the firefighters carrying or aiding the injured. His thoughts stayed, unbidden, to a certain firefighter with blue eyes who lingered in his mind since the cafe. Was he among them? Had fate already drawn their paths together again? 

 Others suffered from smoke inhalation, lungs straining for breath against the toxic fumes. Fractured bones, lacerations, and internal injuries added to the chaos. Magnus forced himself to focus on the patients before him, but each glimpse of a soot-streaked firefighter sent that pull in his chest sharper.

 One by one, Magnus and the other medical professionals sprang into action and worked together seamlessly. Nurses started IV lines and administered the prescribed treatments and medications with practiced speed. The sound of heart rate monitors beeped in sync with the adrenaline that fueled their efforts.

 A young woman was brought in, her clothes charred and her body covered in soot. Her breaths were shallow, and her skin was raw and blistered. Magnus and the team of others acted quickly, intubating her to support her struggling lungs. The nurses wrapped her burns with sterile dressings, their hands moving with practised precision.

 Across the room, a middle-aged man with severe burns on his arms and torso grimaced in agony. Magnus directed the administration of pain relief and ordered fluid resuscitation, countering the fluid loss from his wounds.

 Magnus worked with unwavering focus, though the thought of Alexander flickered constantly at the edges of his concentration. In the middle of triage he caught sight of a firefighter — tall, broad-shouldered, moving with urgency as he helped guide a patient toward a gurney. Something about his presence rippled through Magnus, sharp and undeniable, though he brushed it aside, forcing his attention back to his patient.

 Then — a child was carried in, limp in the arms of another firefighter. His small body streaked with soot, his mother beside him, barely conscious, blood staining her sleeve. Both had been pulled from the flames. The boy was unresponsive, the trauma and smoke inhalation leaving him frighteningly still. 

 Magnus and the paediatric team gathered around him, performing their lifesaving procedures. With every second that passed, the weight of the day's events seemed to bear down on them, but they never wavered in their efforts to save lives. Another team took care of the mother at his side. 

 - Alec -

 Amidst the organised chaos of the increasing fire, a tragic accident occurred that sent a ripple of fear through the firefighters battling the raging fire. Jace had taken one risk too many as he bravely attempted to save a man trapped on the 4th floor of the building.

 Part of the ceiling above where Jace, Alec and some of their team were had become increasingly unstable. Jace knew the risks but couldn't bear the thought of leaving a trapped innocent man to his deadly fate. Determined to reach him, Jace pushed forward, navigating through the thick smoke and falling debris.

 Suddenly, a loud crack echoed through the air. A large section of the ceiling gave way. Alec's heart pounded in his chest as he saw what looked like a heavy support beam plummeting toward Jace. Without a second of hesitation, Alec rushed forward, his protective instincts taking over. He lunged toward his brother and managed to grab hold of Jace's arm, just managing to pull him out of harm's way in, or what Alec thought was just in time as the rest of the ceiling began to fall on them both.

 But unfortunately the beam struck Jace on the side of his head with a sickening thud even with the protective helmet he was wearing. Alec's breath caught in his throat as he saw his brother fall to the ground right beside him, his body limp and motionless. Panic surged through Alec momentarily, but he knew he couldn't afford to lose focus. His mind screamed, heart hammering — but training and instant overrode fear. He couldn’t let anything happen to Jace. He scooped Jace up into his arms, ignoring the impact of the smaller pieces of debris that were hitting him.

 Carrying Jace through the smoke-filled corridors of the building, Alec navigated the treacherous path to the exit. The building seemed to be disintegrating around them, but Alec pressed on, driven by the need to get his brother to safety.

 With every step, Alec's heart pounded louder in his ears. The smoke felt like it was choking his lungs, and the heat felt unbearable even though he was wearing his mask and protective clothing, but he refused to give up. Finally, he staggering through the entrance, where his fellow firefighters, including Luke, rushed to his aid.

 Alec laid Jace down gently on a waiting gurney, his mind racing with fear and worry. The paramedics quickly assessed Jace's injuries, and Alec's worst fears were confirmed. Jace had suffered a serious head injury, and his condition was considered critical.

 The roar of the fire faded for Alec, drowned out by the thud of his own pulse and the sight of his brother lying motionless. Luke’s expression furrowed with concern, his captain’s authority warring with parental worry.j

 "Alec," Luke's voice carried both the authoritative tone of a captain and the genuine worry of a father figure. "Go with Jace to the hospital. Make sure he's okay. We've got things under control here Lieutenant."

 Alec, torn between his commitment to the team and his concern for his brother, nodded in acknowledgment. There was an unspoken understanding between them, a recognition that Alec's focus needed to be on Jace's well-being before he could be of any use to the rest of the firefighting team.

 Luke laid a firm hand on Alec's shoulder, conveying reassurance and understanding. "We'll handle it. Family comes first, son." The weight of responsibility pressed on Luke, not just for the fire, but for Alec, his Lieutenant who was like a son.

 Alec, appreciative of the unspoken support, he followed the injured Jace towards the awaiting ambulance. Without another thought, Alec climbed into the back of the ambulance with his brother, determined to stay by his side. As the ambulance raced through the chaotic streets, Alec held Jace's hand tightly, silently praying for his brother's survival. Luke, a silent sentinel overseeing the operation, watched them leave, his gaze a mix of concern for Jace and confidence in Alec's capability to handle the situation. 

- Magnus -

 Magnus had word that a firefighter with severe head trauma was en route. He readied himself for what was about to come through the ER doors. 

 As the unconscious firefighter was wheeled in and the accompanying paramedics relayed their findings, Magnus noticed another firefighter standing stoically nearby, trying not to get in the way. 

 Magnus did a double take —even through the dust and black soot he recognised the firefighter. Alexander. Uninjured but tense, worry etched across his face. His steady posture and the way he hovered near the paramedics spoke of instinctive protectiveness . 

 He saw the colour and insignia on Alexander’s helmet marked him as Lieutenant. If there'd been more time, Magnus might have admired the quiet authority Alexander carried in his full gear. But the gravity of the injured firefighter’s condition snapped him black to focus, though the spark of connection still lingered in his chest.

 Magnus recognized the injured man — one of the firefighters he’d seen in the cafe with Alexander the evening before.

 "Magnus… I mean Dr. Bane?" Alec's voice was hoarse from the smoke, surprise breaking through as he realised Magnus was a doctor before him. "Please help Jace … you have to save my brother."

 Magnus nodded, steady and purposeful. "I'll do everything I can. We'll take good care of him, Alexander." The head injury was severe, and Alexander’s brother's life would change forever if his head injury was treated correctly.

 For an instant, the ER noise faded as Magnus held Alexander’s gaze. The pull was stronger this time, unexpected yet undeniable. Then the clatter of instruments snapped him black — Jace’s life and Alexander’s trust rested in his hands.

 Magnus wasted no time. He coordinated the team, ordering tests and scans to gauge the extent of the injuries. The tense air in the ER was heavy with worry — Alexander’s fear most of all, which Magnus didn’t miss.

 Before heading into surgery, Magnus asked Caterina to update Alexander, who had been asked to wait outside after giving all the necessary details to the administration staff. She was to assure him that though Jace’s head injury was serious, Magnus was confident he’d make a full recovery. Alexander needed certainty before returning to his duties. Caterina agreed without hesitation.

  - Alec -

 A nurse, with calm demeanour, approached Alec, who was pacing anxiously in the hallway after Jace was taken into surgery, Every turn of his steps was tight, restless, like the worry had nowhere else to go.

 "Lieutenant Lightwood," she greeted gently, her voice soothing. "I’m Cat, a nurse, Doctor Bane asked me to speak with you. He knows you're worried about Jace, and he wanted me to reassure you."

 Alec, glancing up with a mix of desperation and hope in his eyes. “Alec,”he corrected quietly, the title grating in a moment like this. “Please. Just Alec.”

 "Jace's head injury is serious, and he needs surgery, as you have already been told," Cat began, choosing her words carefully to convey both the gravity of the situation and the hope that lingered. "But Alec, Doctor Bane has complete confidence that Jace will be okay. Head injuries can be frightening, but medical science has come a long way. The surgeons here are skilled, and Jace is in good hands."

 She paused, allowing Alec a moment to absorb her words before continuing. "Doctor Bane wanted you to already know — Jace is strong. He's a fighter. And sometimes,what helps most is knowing that the people we love us believe in that strength."

 Cat’s gaze held warmth and understanding. She knew the torment of waiting for a loved one undergoing surgery. "Doctor Bane believes in Jace's resilience, Alec. And he believes in yours too — that can be a tremendous source of strength."

 Alec, though still worried, felt a glimmer of reassurance in Cat's words. The weight pressing on his shoulders didn’t vanish, but shifted enough for him to breathe .

 "Jace will be in recovery in a couple of hours, and Doctor Bane will keep you posted. In the meantime, I know you need to go and do your duty, Jace is in the best possible hands I know."

 Reluctant to leave but reassured by Cat’s words, Alec glanced back at the ER doors. A strange calm settled over him , fragile but real. Magnus’s presence lingered there, not just as a doctor but as something steadier — someone Alec found himself trusting without even realising.

 With that fragile anchor holding him, Alec left the hospital to rejoin his team at the fire. The chaos still raged outside, but Magnus’s certainty went with him, like the armour he hadn’t known he needed.

- Magnus -

 The surgery on Jace's head injury was one of the most critical Magnus had ever faced — not just because of its complexity, but because the patient was Alexander's brother. The operating room buzzed with focused energy as Magnus and his team prepared for the daunting task ahead.

 Jace lay on the operating table, unconscious, his life, quite literally, in their very competent hands. The pressure in the room was palpable as Magnus assessed the severity of the head injury. The damage was daunting, bleeding and swelling creating a fragile battlefield — but not beyond Magnus’s skill.

 Magnus spared no effort in providing the best care possible. He meticulously planned each step, visualising the delicate procedure before making a single incision. Every moment had to be exact; one hesitation could alter Jace’s future forever.

 With his hands steady and his mind sharp, Magnus began the surgery. He made a precise incision, revealing the extent of the damage. The injury was complex, requiring intricate manoeuvres to access the affected area.

 The clock seemed to tick louder as the minutes passed, but Magnus remained focused and determined. He worked tirelessly to repair the damage, delicately manoeuvring through the intricate network of the brain's structure. Each millimetre he navigated felt like a leap into the unknown, but he pushed forward, driven not just by duty, but by the thought of Alexander writing for news.

 The surgical team around him operated with seamless coordination, providing the support he needed to concentrate solely on the task at hand. Nurses handed him the instruments he required with precision, anticipating his every move.

 As the surgery progressed, small challenges arose, testing Magnus's skills and concentration, but nothing he couldn’t manage and as the pressure mounted he never faltered. He made split-second decisions, adapting to the problems that arose, and never allowing doubt to cloud his judgement.

 Magnus's hands moved with a grace that belied the intensity of the situation. His years of experience and expertise were evident as he delicately repaired the damaged tissue, knowing that each movement held the potential to impact Jace's future recovery.

 Each minute felt like an hour; time always slowed in the operating room, but Magnus persisted. The operating room became a cocoon of focus and determination, where the boundary between life and death hung in the balance.

 Finally, Magnus completed the surgery. He closed where he had been working with meticulous care, sealing the wounds that could have threatened Jace’s life. He finally stepped back from the operating table, a wave of exhaustion — and quiet relief — washing over him.

 The surgical team took over, monitoring Jace's condition closely as he began, what Magnus thought would be, the slow process of recovery. Magnus remained vigilant, unwilling to leave Jace's side until he was confident that the worst was over. 

- Alec -

 Alec returned to the burning building, soot streaking his face, urgency still carved into his expression. Luke awaited him with a mixture of concern and relief etched across the features of his face. The remaining team members lined up and ready for updates, looked to Alec for news about Jace.

 With a deep breath, Alec explained about Jace's head injury and that he needed surgery, but stable, Luke's concern deepened. However, Alec quickly reassured him that Jace was in safe hands, and the doctors, especially Doctor Bane, were optimistic about his complete recovery. A glimmer of relief spread across Luke's face, echoed by the collective exhale from the rest of the team.

 Then came the revelation that Jace had been injured rescuing the very same man Simon had ultimately pulled to safety. The irony and camaraderie of the firefighters as they played out in that revelation, bringing a genuine smile to Alec's face despite the gravity of the situation.

 Encouraged by the positive news about Jace, the team's focus shifted back to the ongoing fire. Alec, now with a renewed sense of purpose, joined his colleagues in tackling the blaze. The revolution lightened the mood for a moment, but then they steeled themselves — they still had a fire to finish. Their unity and bravery were evident as they worked together like a well oiled machine.

 With one final push, they down the last embers, leaving behind a scene of destruction and chaos, but also of triumph. The building may have been reduced to ruins in some parts, but no lives were lost. Alec and his fellow firefighters had emerged victorious, conquering the fire that had threatened to consume everything in its path.

 Exhausted but proud, Alec and his team stepped out of the smoke-stained battlefield, every breath a victory. Their faces were streaked with soot, their bodies weary, but their spirits were high. They had faced the fury of the fire and emerged stronger for it. Fatigued but triumphant, Alec and his team regrouped before deciding to return to the firehouse. 

 After changing out of his gear, Alec checked his phone, he had received a message from Cat that Jace’s surgery had gone well and that he was now in a room. Alec shared the news and Luke didn’t hesitate. “Go,” he said simply. “See your brother.” Alec didn’t argue. Their shift was done, and Jace needed him more than the firehouse did.

Chapter Text

- Alec - 

 Alec walked through the hushed corridors of the hospital, his footsteps echoing the turmoil happening within him about what awaited him in Jace’s hospital room. The sharp sterile scent hung in the air as he approached the room where Jace was recovering. The feelings of anticipation and anxiety wrestled within him, not knowing the extent of Jace's condition after his operation.

 Alec pushed the door open, and he held his breath as he entered the room. Inside, a man looked at him, his face a mix of concern and something else — relief maybe or a distant parental worry that hadn't completely disappeared. A stern-faced woman looked up as he entered. Her hardened expression remained stubbornly in place. She nudged the man who tried his best to adopt a neutral expression, while she scowled at Alec.

 "Alexander," she addressed him, her tone was clipped a blend of formality and restraint but Alec could feel the disappointment she could never hide. "You could have at least cleaned yourself up and changed before coming to the hospital,” she remarked, glancing at his uniform, the smoke and dirt from the long trying day clinging to him.

 "It’s nice to see you too, Mother.” Alec acknowledged Maryse Lightwood, forcing his voice steady, though internally grimacing at the way his mother used his full name — each syllable carrying the weight of their unspoken history.

 “Dad,” he turned to the man, Robert Lightwood. “Nice to see you, just not like this.” 

 His gaze flickered to Jace's still form in the hospital bed. Machines hummed softly, a symphony of medical intervention that was reassuring yet disconcerting. Alec couldn't escape the tubes, wires, and bandages that adorned Jace, each one a grim badge to the severity of the situation.

 Approaching Jace's bedside, Alec couldn't help but wince at the sight of the darkening bruise spreading across Jace's face. The visual reminder of the danger they faced on a daily basis hit him hard. He wanted to reach out, to touch Jace's hand or offer some form of comfort, but the medical paraphernalia seemed to create an impenetrable barrier.

 Alec could see his mother watching him, her piercing gaze veiled by an unreadable expression. His dad’s eyes softened, perhaps with a trace of understanding, an echo of the rare moments when Alec had felt seen by him. 

 "How is he?" Alec finally managed, his eyes locked on Jace's still form.

 "He's stable,” his mother replied coldly. Yet Alec caught a hint of genuine concern in her voice despite the strained relationship between mother and son. Alec could see her visibly bite her lip to stop herself from saying more.

 Alec nodded, his emotions swirling. The beeping monitors and hushed whispers became a battlefield — where past wounds collided with the uncertainties of the present within his mind. And he was back there, the night his world burned.

 Alec's heart raced as he neared home, dread knotting in the pit of his stomach. The echoes of a normal day at school faded, as he turned onto his street. Something was wrong — the air smelled different, a thin wisp of smoke reaching him.

 The scene that unfolded before him was the nightmare that had been etched into his memory forever. Smoke billowed out from the windows, tendrils of destruction snaking into the sky. Panic surged through him. His home was a battleground, and the enemy was the fire itself.

 His mind, a whirlwind of terror and disbelief, raced through scenarios and what-ifs. Alec dialled the emergency services, his fingers trembling as he spoke into the phone, "My house is on fire and I don’t know where my brother is! Please, you have to come!" The dispatcher on the other end assured him help was on the way, Alec giving all the information he was asked for before the call ended but every heartbeat stretched unbearably. 

 Frantically, Alec plunged into the fire, ignoring the advice and every instinct to keep a safe distance. He called out for his little brother, Max, his voice desperate and strained. The heat from the flames licked at his face, and the roar of the fire drowned out any response he might have heard from Max.

 Alec scanned his burning home, looking for any sign of movement, any glimmer of hope, a pathway through the flames, but with each route blocked, the more desperate he became.

 Amidst the chaos, Max’s innocent laughter echoed through Alec’s mind and their home but the flames met his every effort with merciless fury.

 Alec's heart sank. He couldn’t get upstairs to Max’s bedroom where he knew Max would be playing on his games console with his headphones on completely oblivious to the imminent danger. The flames were an impenetrable barrier between them. Fear mingled with guilt, the weight of being late gnawing at him. What if he wasn’t late? What if he had somehow sensed the impending disaster?

 He had messaged his mother earlier, letting her know that he’d be home late and couldn’t watch Max, Jace was at football practice too. He had expected his mother to make other arrangements. Instead she replied that Max would be fine at home, reminding him of his responsibilities and her expectations.

 The firetruck carrying the firefighters arrived, their red truck a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of his burning home. Alec, breathless and frantic, directed them straight to Max's bedroom. The firefighters battled the flames expertly, their hoses seeming feeble against the ferocity of the fire.

 As the firefighters worked tirelessly, the house became a war zone between life and the relentless advance of destruction. With the flames finally subdued and the smoke beginning to clear, Alec's worst fears were confirmed. When the smoke cleared the house was still standing but Max was gone.

 Alec returned to the present as his dad’s hand rested on his shoulder, a mixture of reassurance and empathy, drawing him out of the torturous memory. 

 "He's going to be alright, son. The doctor said everything went better than okay. Jace will recover, and you did everything you could." His dad tried to offer comfort.

 His mother stood a few steps away, her gaze sharp and disapproving. Her usual disappointment now pressed more visibly to the surface.

 Looking him straight in the eye, she said, “You doing what you do is one thing, but Jace followed you and you didn’t keep him safe.” Her eyes bored into him, she knew exactly what to say to cause the most damage, she venomously continued. “Your negligence almost cost you another brother.” 

 His dad shot his wife a look that surprised Alec, a silent plea to stop voicing her vicious opinions and focus on Jace. Then he turned to Alec. "Are you okay, Alec?"

 Alec waved off his dad’s concern with a practised forced nonchalance. "I'm fine, Dad. Jace is more important right now."

 His mother’s disapproving gaze intensified and redirected towards his dad, but he didn't engage in a potential argument. Instead, he continued trying to reassure Alec. "She’s worried. We all are. But Jace is strong, and he's in good hands."

 Alec nodded, grateful for his dad’s attempt to shield him from his mother's disapproval with an excuse for her behaviour. But Alec knew she would be scolding him later judging by the way her eye twitched.

 As the passing minutes turned into an hour Jace began to gradually stir, Alec's gaze shifted from his bruised face to the slow awakening of consciousness in his eyes. Alec's heart beat faster at the first sign of Jace returning to awareness. His mother, who had gone to fetch the nurse, returned just as Jace started to speak.

 It took more than a few minutes but when Jace spoke, to Alec’s immense relief he sounded his usual tired self. 

 "What happened?" Jace asked with a mix of confusion and realisation in his voice. His eyes searched the room until they settled on Alec, who offered a small but nonetheless reassuring smile.

 Alec could see his mother take charge, she glanced at his dad to silence him and then gestured towards the nurse as she answered Jace. "Enough of the questions for now. Let the nurse check you while we are waiting for the doctor."

 The nurse ran through her checks, providing a brief explanation to Jace about his condition, though he barely absorbed it. She then promised to see where the doctor was to give a more detailed update.

 As soon as the nurse left, a doctor entered. His presence was calm and reassuring, and Alec noted a certain level of competence in the way he conducted his examination.

 "Hello, Jace. Nice to see you awake and from what the nurse has told me, surprisingly alert. I’m Doctor Carter," he greeted Jace with a warm smile. "I'm part of Doctor Bane’s team. You gave us a bit of a scare, but everything went well. Doctor Bane asked me to remind you not to overstrain yourself tonight. He'll be back in the morning to check on you. For now, I'm here to make sure you're on the right track."

 Alec sat quietly, tensing imperceptibly at the mention of Doctor Bane. The disappointment of not seeing Magnus tonight flickered across his face, a subtle shadow. Dr. Carter continued his examination, updating Jace on his progress and the next steps in his recovery before excusing himself from the room. Alec, although grateful for the thorough medical attention, couldn't shake the yearning within him to see Magnus.

 Alec watched his parents exchange glances as they got up and stood by the door a few minutes later. There was a palpable mix of relief and concern — but more dominant stoicism in his mother’s expression — a testament to the emotional rollercoaster they had experienced since learning about Jace's accident.

 His mother spoke with an authoritative but firm tone that meant no arguments, "Alec, we're heading home now. Jace needs his rest, and you should leave too."

 Alec nodded, understanding the abhorrent look in his mother's eyes. The relationship between him and his mother had been strained for a while, and the events of the night added even more layers of complexity to their interactions.

 His dad added, his voice carrying a more paternal concern than Alec was used to, "He's in good hands. You've done all you can for tonight. Let the doctors and nurses take over. Jace will be fine."

 Alec managed a half-smile, appreciating the attempt to reassure him. "I know, Dad. I just... I need to talk with Jace before I can leave."

 His mother, who almost placed a hand on Alec's shoulder to encourage him towards the door, drew her hand back, thankfully thinking better of it. "We'll be back tomorrow,” his mother said to Jace before directing her instructions to Alec, “You should leave with us but I will allow you to have a couple of minutes with Jace alone before you leave, don’t upset him.”

 Alec agreed, though the weight of responsibility and concern for Jace lingered. As his parents left, the door closed with a soft click, leaving Alec and Jace alone in the room with the steady hum of medical equipment and the subdued sounds of the hospital outside.

 Jace's eyes slowly met Alec's, a mixture of emotions swirling in them. There was gratitude for Alec's quick response, a silent apology for the trouble he had caused, and a touch of embarrassment at finding himself in such a predicament.

 Alec pulled a chair closer, the worn leather squeaking softly, and sat down. Silence hung in the air for a moment before Jace spoke, his voice a little raspy from the ordeal. 

 "Thanks, for being there. I messed up big time," Jace admitted, a hint of regret in his eyes.

 "You scared me half to death, you know that?" Alec's tone carried a mix of brotherly annoyance tempered with relief, and genuine concern etched on his face.

 Jace managed a weak smile, wincing a bit at the soreness. "Yeah, well, I wasn't planning on it. Guess the universe had other ideas."

 They shared a moment of quiet before Jace spoke up, his voice laced with sincerity, "Alec, I'm sorry. I messed up. I took a risk I shouldn't have. I didn't follow procedures, and I ended up putting myself and others in danger."

 Alec sighed, his expression softening. "You can't keep taking unnecessary risks, Jace. We're a team out there. We rely on each other to make it through. And if you go rogue, it puts everyone in jeopardy. Look what’s happened to you, it could have been so much worse."

 Jace nodded, his gaze fixed on the sheets beneath him. "I know. I messed up, Alec. I promise it won't happen again. I'll be more careful and follow the rules. I don't want to put you or anyone else through that again."

 Alec reached over, giving Jace's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Good. Because I don't want to have to pull your unconscious stupid ass out of another burning building. You are heavier than you look — I think I pulled a muscle.”

 As they talked more, there was an unspoken understanding between them. Mistakes could be learned from, and that their bond as brothers was unbreakable. The weight of worry that Alec had carried began to lift, replaced by a reassurance that Jace understood the gravity of the situation. They silently agreed to move forward, learn from the experience, and, most importantly, they knew they always had each other's backs. 

 The door creaked open, and Alec turned to see Luke's familiar face peering in. Luke, their Captain and mentor to them both, had that mix of concern and relief etched on his features. Alec gave him a small nod, silently communicating that things were alright for him to come in.

 "Hey, Luke," Alec greeted, standing up as Luke entered the room. “You missed mother and dad.”

 Luke gave Alec a brief, reassuring smile and a small laugh, “Can’t say I am sorry about that.” He then turned his attention to Jace. "How're you holding up, son?"

 Jace managed a smile. "Been better, but I'm alive. Thanks to you guys and Doctor Bane."

 Alec stood and briefly updated Luke on the doctor's prognosis and how Magnus had played a crucial role in saving Jace. "Doctor Bane performed the surgery. He's incredible, Luke."

 The mention of Magnus and Alec’s tone that he couldn’t hide earned a knowing look from Luke, who seemed to understand that there was more to the story than what Alec was saying.

 “Doctor Bane, huh? Heard he's good at what he does," Luke commented, his eyes narrowing playfully.

 Alec chuckled, appreciating the diversion and remembering what the nurse Cat said. "Yeah, he is. Best in the business, so they say."

 As they continued to talk, Jace, who had been listening quietly, yawned, a clear sign that he needed rest.

 “Here,” Luke paused, reaching into his pocket, revealing Jace’s phone and handing it to him. “You're going to need this. Keep in touch, and if you need anything, just give any of us a call or text."

 Jace, looking a bit drowsy but grateful, took the phone. "Thanks, Luke. I appreciate it."

 "Alright, kiddo, you need your beauty sleep. Alec, we should let him rest," Luke suggested, a fatherly tone in his voice.

 Jace nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I'm beat. Thanks for coming by, Luke."

 Alec nodded, grateful for Luke's support. "Yeah, he needs it. I’ll be back tomorrow," Alec assured Jace, who managed a tired but appreciative smile.

 Alec and Luke left the room, the soft click of the door signalling a temporary reprieve for Jace. In the hallway, Alec turned to Luke with gratitude. "Thanks for coming, Luke. I appreciate it."

 Luke clapped Alec on the shoulder. "You and Jace are valued members of my firehouse family, and family always looks out for each other, you know that," Alec smirked. "And now it is time for you to take care of yourself too. Captain's orders."

 As they walked down the corridor, Alec felt a mix of emotions and tiredness. Tomorrow was a new day, and with Jace on the road to recovery, he knew he would be able to rest and sleep. 

- Magnus -

 Magnus couldn't help but smile when the message from his Chief Resident, Doctor Carter, appeared on his phone screen. The news about Jace's condition was a wave of relief, especially knowing that there were no neurological deficits. He admired Doctor Carter's efficiency and appreciated the team’s dedication in saving lives.

 Looking at the message from Doctor Carter, Magnus decided to send a quick reply — expressing his gratitude, tightening a few instructions, and confirming he’d be in early the following morning. Assured that Doctor Carter would continue to keep an eye on Jace's progress and keep him updated of any changes, Magnus included in the message that he would be in early the following morning.

 As Magnus leaned back in his chair, his mind briefly wandered to Caterina and when they were leaving the hospital. Her curiosity about the firefighter Alexander Lightwood had led to an interesting conversation. Magnus chuckled, recalling how she had probed him for details, good-naturally as always, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

 "You've been quite attentive to that particular firefighter’s brother, Magnus," she had teased.

 Magnus raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Well, he did have the most enchanting blue eyes."

 Caterina laughed. "And here I thought you were immune to such cliche fascinations."

 Magnus smirked. "Alexander Lightwood is... quite memorable."

 Caterina, always quick-witted, nudged him. "Memorable in a professional or personal capacity?"

 Magnus turned to look at her, wearing a contemplative expression. "Perhaps a bit of both."

 Their banter had continued, and Magnus found himself admitting to the not so subtle intrigue Alexander had sparked within him. It was more than just physical appearance, there was a depth to Alexander that piqued Magnus's curiosity in a way nobody else had before.

Chapter Text

- Alec -

 Alec smiled as he sat down for breakfast, the aroma of coffee and buttered toast filling the kitchen. The warmth of the mug in his hands seeped into his fingers, the faint hum of the refrigerator and distant street traffic, provided a comforting morning rhythm. His phone buzzed, and he glanced at it to find a series of messages from Jace.

 ✉️Jace: Hey, Alec! Guess who came to check on me? 

 ✉️Jace: Doctor Bane. And he's pretty pleased with my progress.

 Alec chuckled as he knew Jace was back to his usual mischievous self. A warmth spread through his chest at the thought of Magnus.

 ✉️Alec: That's great to hear. What makes you think I would know who Doctor Bane is?

 ✉️Jace: I saw you talking to him before my accident. He asked a lot about you, though…

 ✉️Jace: Called you my handsome brother, lol 😂. 

 ✉️Jace: I think he's got a soft spot for you 😍.

 Alec felt his pulse quicken at the teasing words. He found himself wondering if Magnus would really notice him as Jace had joked. He also knew he was going to give himself away with his next message.

 ✉️Alec: Oh really? What did you tell him?

 ✉️Jace: Oh.. The usual lol 😂. 

 ✉️Jace: You're a pain in the ass, but you're a good firefighter. He wants to know more, though definitely!

 ✉️Jace: Should I give him your number?

 Alec smirked, imagining Magnus getting a chance like that. Magnus would raise that infuriatingly charming eyebrow, tugging at the corner of his mouth, that half smile... He felt a small thrill run through him at the thought.

 ✉️Alec: Nice try, Jace! 

 ✉️Alec: If you do that, I'll tell everyone at the firehouse about that time you got stuck in the window during training ⚠️.

 ✉️Jace: You wouldn't dare!

 ✉️Alec: Try me…

 ✉️Jace: Okay, okay. I won't give him your number. 

 ✉️Jace: But you should!

 ✉️Jace: Luke and you are visiting today, right?

 ✉️Alec: Yeah, before our shift at the firehouse. 

 ✉️Alec: You good with that?

 ✉️Jace: Perfect. Mom and Dad said they are visiting this evening.

 ✉️Jace: Thought I would let you know so you can steer clear of them 🤨 

 As Luke and Alec walked into Jace's hospital room, they were greeted by a surprisingly cheerful sight. Jace, though still bandaged and with a hint of fatigue, sat upright in his hospital bed, flipping through the channels on the television. Luke and Alec exchanged relieved glances.

 “Hey, guys!” Jace said, smiling wide, “Look who's almost back to his charming self?”

 Alec grinned, genuinely relieved to see his brother in good spirits, and replied, “Good to see you up and about, Jace.”

 They chatted for a few minutes about the nurse fussing over him and Jace’s complaints about the hospital food. Just as Alec was starting to relax, a tap on the door announced a new presence. 

 Doctor Bane entered, eyes lighting up at the sight of Jace sitting upright, offering a warm, reassuring smile towards Luke and Alec. 

 “Well, look who's defying the laws of rest.” Magnus quipped, “Good to see you recovering nicely, Jace.” 

 Jace smirked. “Your fault, Doc. For doing such a good job.”

 Magnus grinned and turned towards Alec, adding a playful wink in his direction, "No formal introductions needed with this one, I believe."

 Alec felt his cheeks heat as he quickly looked away, trying to hide his blush. Magnus’s effortless confidence and the subtle spark in his gaze caught him off guard.

 Luke arched an eyebrow knowingly, sensing something beneath the professional veneer. His knowing smile mirrored Alec’s discomfort, though Alec refused to meet his eyes.

 “Doctor Bane, this is Captain Luke Garroway. Luke, this is Doctor Magnus Bane." Alec said, trying to keep his voice steady.

 "Nice to meet you, officially Doctor Bane.” Luke smiled, putting out his hand for Magnus to shake.

 When Magnus withdrew his hand from the firm but friendly grip of Luke’s, he turned to Jace, resuming his professional demeanour, asking, "Jace, how are you feeling today?"

 "Almost like I can run a marathon. Thanks to you, Doc." Jace said cheekily.

 Magnus laughed, "I wouldn't recommend a marathon just yet, but I'm glad to see you in such good spirits."

 Magnus mentioned that some interns were eager to observe and learn from his case and Jace, always the sport, agreed to let them in. Alec noticed how Magnus’s composure and charisma drew attention effortlessly — even from him.

 Luke and Alec excused themselves, leaving the team work. As they headed out, Luke turned back with a grin, "You know, Doctor Bane, the rest of the guys at the firehouse would love to meet the man who patched up Jace’s sorry ass. Any chance you could swing by the firehouse after you are done here for the day? As I am sure you wouldn’t want the whole firehouse swinging by here after their shift."

 Magnus hesitated, a small smile playing at his lips. “As much as I do love seeing people in uniform, a gathering of that size would be a squeeze in this room, and we have Jace’s recovery to think of. An invitation to observe firefighters in their natural habitat is one I will not turn down. Would after six o’clock be reasonable?”

 Jace chimed in with a mischievous grin. “Oh, Alec will definitely be looking forward to it.”

 Alec rolled his eyes at Jace's teasing. "The rest of the guys would be thrilled to meet you." The thought of Magnus visiting the firehouse — seeing him in action — sent a small, inexplicable thrill through Alec, one he couldn’t entirely explain. The tension in his chest eased, like damp wood finally catching flame. Magnus’s knowing look in response only made it worse, leaving Alec silently anticipating what the evening might bring.

- Magnus -

 The firehouse was only a short subway ride from the hospital, though in the opposite direction to Magnus’s loft in Brooklyn. At first, Magnus told himself it was professional courtesy — updating Alexander and the others on Jace’s recovery. But deep down, he knew there was another reason he couldn’t quite ignore. 

 With a deep breath, he approached the entrance to the firehouse, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who had been occupying his thoughts a lot lately. The faint scent of smoke and oil clung to the air around the firehouse, a mix of grit, heat and duty. The low murmur of voices carried from inside, punctuated by the metallic clang of tools being set down — sparks in the belly of the building.

 As fate would have it, Alexander returned just then with his crew, the firetruck rumbling into the bay. The firetruck’s engine gave a final growl before settling into silence, leaving behind the acrid tang of exhaust and heat shimmering in the air. Alexander jumped down from the truck, gloves tucked into his belt, and Magnus caught the fleeting look of surprise — and maybe delight — on his face before Alexander quickly busied himself with the truck.

 Magnus’s gaze followed him despite himself. Alexander bent to check a ladder, running his hands across the rungs with practiced focus, but every so often his eyes flicked up. When they finally locked with Magnus’s, the world seemed to still around them. Even from across the bay, Magnus could hear the quiet scuff of Alexander’s boots against concrete, each sound pulling him closer in his mind. The unspoken tension between them was palpable; both Magnus and Alexander felt the magnetic pull drawing them together.

 As Luke welcomed Magnus into the firehouse, he couldn't help but notice the not-so-subtle glances exchanged between Magnus and Alexander. Luke grinned. He’d seen that spark before — at the coffee shop, at the hospital — and he knew Jace noticed too.

 "Hey, Doctor Bane! Glad you made it. The guys have just got back from a training exercise." Luke greeted, clapping Magnus on the shoulder. "Let me give you a tour of my firehouse and introduce you to everyone."

 “Just Magnus is fine, please.” Magnus chuckled, "A guided tour of your house, Captain Garroway. I’m honoured."

 They began the tour, and Luke pointed out various areas of the firehouse, explaining their functions and importance. Magnus nodded along to Luke’s explanations, but his attention strayed whenever he caught sight of Alexander across the firehouse. He hoped his distraction wasn’t too obvious.

 "Over there is the common area," Luke said, gesturing to a cosy corner with couches and a TV. "That's where we hang out during our downtime and share meals together." 

 The faint smell of strong coffee lingered, layered with last night’s takeout. A half-played card game sat abandoned on the table, evidence of the easy camaraderie here.

 Magnus nodded, looking around the room before his gaze drifted inevitably back to Alexander, who was now chatting with another firefighter.

 "And this is the kitchen," Luke continued, leading Magnus into a spacious area filled with various appliances, utensils, snacks and drinks. "We take it in turns cooking meals here when we get the chance."

 As they moved through the firehouse, Luke introduced Magnus to some of the other firefighters, including Maia, Simon, and Mike, who were helping Alexander check the equipment on the fire truck. Magnus recognised them as he had seen them at the hospital either entering or leaving Jace’s room at various times. He shook hands with each of them, trying his best to make a good impression while still keeping an eye on where Alexander was whenever he could.

 They all knew Jace was recovering well and had obviously been in contact with him, which was not a surprise considering the closeness of the group of firefighters. Magnus took his praise with a polite smile and quiet words of thanks, trying to hide his embarrassment. 

 "And over here's the gym," Luke pointed out, leading Magnus into an ample space filled with equipment. "We spend a lot of time here working out preparing for emergencies." 

 The room carried the sharp tang of disinfectant and sweat, air still heavy with exertion. Magnus’s gaze lingered on the heavy weights — imagining Alexander’s shoulders flexing under strain.

 Throughout the tour, the chemistry between Magnus and Alexander was obvious — far less hidden than either man hoped. Luke noticed it and couldn’t help but smile. He slyly grinned at Magnus knowingly, enjoying the playful dance of attraction unfolding before his eyes; it was charming to witness.

 As the tour came to an end, Luke turned to Magnus and said with a knowing glint in his eye, "So, Magnus, what do you think of our humble firehouse?"

 Magnus smiled, slightly flustered but genuinely pleased, "It's an impressive place, filled with even more impressive people. I am so grateful to have been invited here and to have met all of you."

 Luke chuckled, patting him on the back, "We're glad to have you here too, Magnus. And I can tell there is someone here who's especially happy about your visit."

 Magnus blushed slightly, not denying the obvious attraction between him and Alexander. "Well, I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone better.”

 "You are welcome at our firehouse anytime, Magnus." Luke said with a wink. Then, lowering his voice, he added. “Alec is not so subtly waiting by the firetruck for you.”

 Luke had obviously made sure there was an opportunity for Magnus and Alexander to talk alone, suggesting the others busy themselves with preparing food and staying out of the way as he knew that would be the best distraction. 

 Magnus said goodbye to the others, then crossed the bay, toward the firetruck — toward Alexander. The firehouse had quieted, chatter drowned by the steady drip of a hose coiling like smoke back on itself. The shrill siren of duty had not yet come and Magnus’s pulse matched the rhythm of his footsteps.

 Magnus noticed Alec was lost in thought as he walked up to him, his expression softened by the low light. The early evening sun cast a golden glow on his features, highlighting the curve of his jaw and the sweep of his cheekbones, accentuating the strong lines of his face. A surge of courage welled in Magnus’s chest, urging him to take a chance.

 When he finally reached Alexander, Magnus cleared his throat, nerves flickering in his chest as his hands fidgeted at his sides. "Hey, Alexander.”

 Alexander looked up, startled from his thoughts, his blue eyes locking onto Magnus’s with an intensity that sent a shiver through him. For a moment words failed him. The firehouse noise seemed to fade, leaving only the two of them standing there in the golden haze of evening.

 "Magnus," Alexander said softly, his voice a touch rough, as though he hadn’t used it in hours. He straightened instinctively, his usual composure slipping for just a breath before he caught himself. “I didn’t expect you’d… actually come.”

 Magnus tilted his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips despite the thrum of his pulse. “I’m a man of my word, Alexander. And besides, who could resist the opportunity of observing firefighters in their natural environment?”

 Alexander huffed a quiet laugh shaking his head but the corners of his mouth betrayed him with the faintest curve. “You’re something else, you know that?”

 “Thank you for coming. Everyone really wanted to meet you…” He hesitated, his tone softening. “I’m really glad you came”, the shyness in his voice carried a flicker of excitement, as though hoping Magnus would catch the meaning between the words.

 "I um… I wanted to see you," Magnus admitted, sheepishness flickering in his expression. "I was thinking…, and I thought maybe, um... maybe we could get to know each other better."

 Alexander’s smile widened in surprise, the warmth in his eyes making Magnus's heart flutter. "I'd like that, I’d like that a lot,” Alexander said quickly — maybe too quickly — his voice soft but earnest. "I've been thinking about you too." 

 Magnus understood him perfectly, and relief washed through him. He chuckled; Alexander’s reaction was possibly the sweetest thing he had ever seen. Magnus opened his mouth to reply — when the fire station alarm shattered the moment, loud and urgent, calling the firefighters away. 

 The alarm cut through the warmth between them, like water on an open flame.

- Alec -

 “I’ve got to go,” Alec said with regret, his eyes lingering on Magnus for a moment before he rushed to join his colleagues.

 The firefighters gathered quickly — Mike taking the wheel, Luke in the passenger seat, with Alec, Maia, Simon, Sophie and Jace’s empty seat behind. Out of the corner of his eye, Alec saw Magnus watching open-mouthed in awe at how fast they readied themselves. The firetruck roared to life, sirens wailing, signaling its exit. 

 Alec stole one last glance at Magnus, who stood rooted to the spot, wonder and admiration etched on his face as the truck rolled forward. With a pang of remorse, Alec lifted a hand in a brief wave. In that fleeting exchange, he felt the unspoken promise of a meeting yet to come. As the sirens drowned his thoughts, Alec realised the sudden ache in his chest wasn’t just adrenaline but an ember catching, glowing sharp and insistent as he left Magnus standing alone — the fragile spark of something new, tugging at him with quiet heat.

- Magnus -

 Magnus watched until the firetruck disappeared down the road, its sirens and flashing lights blending into the night. He stood rooted to the spot, the echo Alexander’s smile lingering long after the sirens disappeared. A quiet yearning settled in his chest, a warmth and a hollow all at once. The evening air felt cool against the warmth Alexander’s presence had left behind, and for the briefest moment, the busy street around him felt oddly muted without him.

 Only then did he return to his loft, a haven of modern luxury and timeless elegance — a world apart from the alarms, the pounding boots and the wailing sirens of the firehouse. His thoughts immediately turned to Ragnor Fell, his mentor and the one person who knew him better than he knew himself, who he trusted to make sense of the turmoil Alexander had stirred in him.  

 As evening slipped into night, the tall windows reflected the shifting glow from beyond — a patchwork of glittering lights. The glow painting abstract shapes on the polished floors and plush furnishings. A perfect setting for his evening with Ragnor.

 Ragnor, a wise doctor with a sharp mind and sharper wit, had long been a guiding presence in Magnus's life. Their friendship had weathered the storms of time, and the bond between them was built on mutual respect and shared experiences. Ragnor had married Caterina years before, and they had welcomed a daughter, Madzie, and of course, had made Magnus her godfather.

 Magnus sent a message to Ragnor just as he prepared to end his day at the hospital, inviting him to his loft for a quiet drink. Ragnor immediately responded, delighted to join him.

 Magnus sought evenings like these whenever the weight of his emotions pressed heavily and he needed the counsel of one of his most trusted confidants. Magnus was under no illusion — Caterina had surely told her husband about his encounters with the firefighter, Alexander Lightwood. Both knew he wrestled with the spark he felt for Alexander, a spark made brighter yet more complicated by Camille shadow.

 The night unfolded in a familiar, soothing cadence. Magnus, with his signature flair, concocted cocktails — complex blends of citrus, spice and bitters, each sip a small ritual, reflecting the swirling complexity of his thoughts. Soft jazz threaded the room, mingling with the faint clink of glass and the warmth of lamplight.

 As their glasses emptied and refilled, the conversation drifted toward matters of the heart. Magnus finally let his guard fall, pouring himself out to Ragnor. He spoke of Alexander — the café, the ignited spark, the way the firefighter kept crossing his mind unbidden. Magnus painted a vivid picture of the man who had ignited a flame within him — a flame that both warmed and unsettled him, a tender flicker that promised possibilities despite Camille’s lingering shadow.

 Ragnor listened attentively, his beard shifting with each slow, deliberate nod. "Ah, my dear friend," he said in his deep rumbling voice. Magnus absorbed the decades of wisdom in Ragnor’s advice. The loft, bathed in the low golden lamplight, seemed sacred, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath in anticipation.

 “Love is a flame,” Ragnor said at last, “one that can burn brightly and illuminate even the darkest corners of one's soul. But it needs tending, Magnus — left alone, it flickers out, smothered by fear or neglect. It seems fate has handed you kindling. The question is, will you let it burn?" Ragnor's words reverberated in the air. Magnus pondered the profound simplicity of the statement, its truth resonating in the very core of his being. 

 A small, unexpected smile tugged at Magnus’s lips, a flutter of excitement threading through the relief he felt. For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to believe Ragnor might be right.

 "But what if I misread his feelings?" Magnus confessed, vulnerability threading his voice, "I fear rejection, dear Cabbage — the same heartbreak all over again. I fear this spark will be extinguished before it even has a chance to ignite."

 As Magnus confessed his apprehensions to Ragnor, his vulnerability a consequence of Camille wounds, chest tightening as words snagged in his throat. 

 Ragnor arched a brow. “You, Magnus Bane, afraid of a man? I never thought I’d see the day.” His smirk softened the words, teasing but fond, and Magnus chuckled despite himself.

 Ragnor’s hand on his shoulder was warm and grounding, a steadying presence amid the storm of his emotions. "It is natural to have such fears, especially given the gravity of your past with Camille," his deep voice carried a soothing cadence. "But love is a journey of risks and rewards. You will never know unless you take that first step, my dearest friend. Have faith in yourself and in the path that lies ahead."

 Magnus felt the weight of those words, Ragnor’s presence anchored him in the moment. The soft scent of their cocktails mingled with Ragnor’s musky cologne, deepening the loft’s comforting atmosphere. The loft, witness to many tales of love and introspection, became a haven for this pivotal conversation.

 With newfound resolve, Magnus nodded. The fear still lingered, but a spark of courage met it, urging him forward. Love, though fraught with uncertainties and risks, demanded tending and willingness to step into the unknown. He fidgeted with the edge of a cushion, betraying his internal tension.

 Ragnor's presence filled the loft with a sense of ancient wisdom, a stabilising force in Magnus’s restless mind. The muted glow seeped through the windows, painting restless patterns in the shadows. Chairman Meow padded quietly across the floor, adding a comforting rhythm to the loft. Magnus allowed himself to believe love, like a flame, could indeed brighten the darkest corners of the soul. 

 The journey, as uncertain as it may be, beckoned with the promise of discovery and, perhaps, profound connection; he could do this again… couldn’t he? Ragnor reminded him of the confidence he possessed and the hope that the spark he felt for Alexander might yet ignite. Magnus clasped his hands together, absorbing the gravity of the moment.

 Magnus walked Ragnor to the threshold of his loft. Chairman Meow, the ever-watchful feline guardian of the loft, observed Ragnor’s departure with a slow, languid gaze. The moggy was still unsure of Ragnor despite the many bribes of cat treats.

 As the elevator descended, Ragnor turned to face Magnus, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Another night of revelry, my friend," he remarked, a touch of humour in his deep voice. 

 Magnus laughed softly, tension easing from his shoulders, a glimmer of mischief and anticipation in his eyes. "Indeed, dearest Cabbage. It's always a pleasure to share the evening with you."

 They exchanged a firm handshake, a gesture that spoke of years of camaraderie. City sounds — distant traffic and rustling leaves — mingled with the faint scent of night-blooming jasmine, a nocturnal symphony surrounding them.

 "Give my regards to Caterina when you get home and Madzie in the morning,” Magnus said, his tone carrying the warmth of a longtime friendship.

 "I will, dear boy," Ragnor replied. "Though I may have overindulged in those infernal cocktails."

 With a final nod, having shared a delightful evening with Magnus, Ragnor stepped out into the cool night air and disappeared into the quiet streets. The pavement glistened from earlier rain, catching passing headlights. A faint siren wailed in the distance — a reminder of the city’s perpetual motion… and a certain firefighter. 

 Magnus closed the door to his loft softly, Chairman Meow reclaimed his perch at the window, tail curled, silhouette elegant against the skyline. The city beyond continued its eternal dance, while the loft settled into the hush of solitude. 

 Later, as Magnus slid into the cool silk sheets of his bed, the faint scent of sandalwood from his hair wafting around him, he sighed softly. As his eyes closed, the image that lingered wasn't Camille’s shadow but Alexander’s shy, earnest smile — the fragile spark refusing to be ignored, flickering bright and insistent in the dark.

Chapter Text

- Alec -

 As Alec made his way to the firehouse for a shift, his mind stubbornly drifted back to Magnus. He replayed their brief yet meaningful encounters again and again, each shared glance and fleeting conversation sending a shiver of excitement through him and bringing an involuntary smile to his lips. It was ridiculous, he told himself, that just thinking about Magnus could make his stomach flutter and a low, sparking heat ignite in his chest.

 Each time he saw Magnus, Alec found himself replaying it in his mind. Most vividly, he remembered how Magnus, calm and skilful, had used those elegant hands to assess, soothe and fix — every motion etched in Alec's memory. He unconsciously flexed his fingers, almost embarrassed at how vividly he remembered the gentleness of Magnus’s touch on Jace’s wrist.

 Alec was in the middle of checking the firetruck’s hoses when Simon approached, grinning. "Hey, Alec, you seem a bit distracted today. Mind if I ask what's on your mind?" he teased, nudging Alec playfully.

 Alec smiled at Simon’s teasing antics, knowing Jace must be involved somehow. He tried to hide the fact that Magnus was the real distraction, but Simon was on to him. “Oh, you know, just thinking about the last call… and Jace. Got a lot on my mind."

 Alec hesitated, debating whether to confide in Simon about his growing feelings for Magnus. The words sat heavy on his tongue — part of him wanted to let someone in, but the other part clamped down, guarding the fragile new spark that might burn out if spoken aloud. In the end, he gave a vague answer — not ready to reveal too much — and secretly enjoyed keeping Simon guessing a little longer.

 "Mother and Dad were at the hospital when I visited Jace, so there is that." Alec replied, hoping to brush off the topic, though he knew the guys had seen him talking to Magnus yesterday as he left.

 "Alright, man, no pressure. But remember, I'm here if you want to talk," Simon said, patting Alec on the back before walking away. Alec couldn’t hide his amusement at Simon’s good-natured teasing — he knew the guys weren’t going to let this drop. 

 Alec continued with his duties, ensuring all the firefighting gear was in top condition. He engaged in light banter with his colleagues, attempting to keep his mind off Magnus — though it was proving to be nearly impossible. Every time he checked a reflector, he imagined Magnus’s eyes on him. Picturing what Magnus would look like wearing his helmet, wondering how his hair might look afterward when Alec ran his hand through his own hair. The thoughts made heat coil low in him, thrilling and frustrating all at once.

 Maia approached Alec while he was checking the fire extinguishers. "Hey, Alec, how’s Jace doing today? I heard that Doctor Bane played a big part in his recovery."

 Alec's ears perked up at the mention of Magnus, and he tried his best to hide any reaction. "Yeah, Magnus is being very humble about his part."

 Maia grinned mischievously, noticing Alec had slipped and said Magnus instead of Doctor Bane. "He’s a talented doctor. Maybe you should get him to check you out sometime."

 Alec felt his heart climb up his neck, trying to play it cool. He loved his firehouse family and their support, so he carefully masked the flutter in his stomach “Come on, Maia, it's not like that. We have only talked properly twice." Even as he said it, he felt an ache of wishful thinking in his chest.

 Maia raised an eyebrow at Alec’s unintentional admission, before continuing teasingly. "Sure, sure. Just remember, I'm always here for relationship advice if you need it."

 Alec laughed, shaking his head at the hidden message in her offer. "Thanks, but I think I'll manage." Though inwardly, he wondered if anyone had ever made his stomach flutter like this.

 Just as Alec finished his checks and was about to sit down to take a short break, of course, the alarm rang, signalling their next call. He and the rest of the team jumped into action, rushing to the firetruck and preparing for whatever awaited them.

 Arriving at the scene of a new fire, Alec's thoughts briefly slipped to Magnus. He admired how calm and precise Magnus had been with Jace, the contrast making his memory burn hotter, almost painfully. But there was no time for daydreams — Alec had to stay fully present, focused on the fire and keeping everyone safe. Any excitement and curiosity about seeing Magnus again would have to wait until the job was done.

 Alec's focus shifted entirely to the task before him. He and his team moved with precision, each action a practiced response honed by training and instinct, keeping everyone safe amid the cracking chaos. The air was thick with smoke and heat, scorching his throat, grounding him firmly in the present moment.

 Once the fire was out and they were on their way back to the firehouse, the adrenaline subsiding, Alec finally allowed himself to think about how to make another meeting with Magnus happen — hoping that the next time, he might even manage to exchange numbers. The thought sent a spark fizzing through him.

 Jace, obviously feeling better and bored, was keeping himself involved in the firehouse’s goings-on by messaging everyone. Alec’s phone buzzed, and a smile tugged on his lips as he read Jace's playful message. The ever-annoying joker teased Alec that his enthusiasm for visiting the hospital had been nothing more than an elaborate plan to catch another glimpse of Magnus. 

 Alec didn’t mind that Jace had noticed his interest in Magnus as he knew that hiding anything from Jace was futile anyway. Alec chuckled at the teasing, firing back a reply that feigned innocence while subtly acknowledging Magnus's allure. His thumbs hovered longer than usual, reluctant to hit send — as if admitting even a fraction of the truth might give everything away.

 As the banter continued, Jace dropped a bombshell: Magnus was indeed working in the hospital, and best of all, he wasn't tucked away in surgery. Alec’s curiosity spiked immediately. The possibility of running into him again made Alec’s chest tighten, worse than it had during the fire. Jace, of course, remained deliberately vague, punctuating his messages with mischievous emojis and leaving Alec hanging.

 Their playful exchange carried Alec through the rest of the day, a welcome distraction when the opportunity allowed in the busy firehouse. It reminded him of the easy familiarity between the brothers and heightened his anticipation for the hospital visit. Still, underneath the laughter and teasing, nerves prickled through him like sparks along dry timber. What if he froze the next time Magnus looked at him? What if Magnus didn’t feel the same pull? What if… Honestly, he hoped to catch at least a glimpse of the man he considered the most strikingly handsome he’d ever seen. Hopefully, this time, he’d have the courage to ask for Magnus’s number.

 It was late afternoon when Alec entered the hospital and navigated the bustling corridors until he reached Jace’s floor. His pulse stumbled as he neared another set of footsteps echoing toward him — he just knew Magnus was coming towards him. His palms were damp, his stomach tightened. He ran into burning buildings with more composure than he had when walking toward Magnus.

 Sure enough, around the corner appeared Magnus, his white lab coat draped over his broad shoulders, dark hair perfectly styled, exuding the kind of confident presence that made people notice. Alec’s breath caught, a jolt of nerves and anticipation twisting through his chest. Every step Magnus took toward him felt magnetic. Magnus looked up from his notes, eyes widening with recognition and a soft smile curving his lips. 

 "Lieutenant Lightwood," he greeted warmly. "Are you here to see Jace?"

 "That is the main purpose of my visit, Doctor Bane,” Alec replied, forcing his tone to stay even as nerves hummed, “but I was secretly hoping to bump into you again, too," 

 "Is that so…" Magnus’s smile reached his eyes, lighting up his face. "I’m glad fate has allowed us to meet again."

 There was a pause as they gazed at each other, a silent understanding passing between them. The corridor noises — the squeak of shoes, the low murmur of voices — seemed to fade into the background as if the world narrowed to just the two of them. Alec felt a magnetic pull toward Magnus, a bright spark flaring like oxygen meeting flame.

 "Would you like to grab a coffee sometime?" Alec blurted out, before overthinking could sabotage the moment.

 Magnus arched his eyebrows in mild surprise, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I would like that," he replied. "I could use a break from the hospital, and it's always nice to get to know the people who work alongside us to keep this city safe."

 Alec felt a rush of excitement which radiated heat through him — an intoxicating mix of relief, exhilaration and nerves. He wanted to bottle this exact moment and keep it forever. "Great! How about tomorrow evening? I finish my shift at six thirty. Is seven a good time for you?"

 Magnus consulted his phone briefly, then nodded. The glow of the screen lit his features, and Alec’s heart raced at the sight. Seeing Magnus with his phone in hand made the next step feel a little less terrifying. Maybe asking for his number wouldn’t feel like walking over hot coals after all. "Tomorrow at seven works perfectly. How about that lovely little cafe,‘Espresso yourself’? I’m sure you know the one. Shall we meet there?"

 "I am definitely familiar with that one", Alec said, chuckling. “They do serve good coffee, especially after a long day.” His laugh felt lighter than it had in a long time. Even saying the words aloud — making plans — sent warmth spreading at the thought of seeing Magnus away from fluorescent hospital lights and antiseptic corridors.

 Taking a deep breath, Alec pushed aside the weight of missed opportunities that had led them to this moment. He knew he had to seize the opportunity now. With the briefest thought of the promise he had made to Harry and a hopeful smile, he steeled himself.

 “I er… I just wanted to ask," Alec began, his voice tinged with a touch of vulnerability, "Can I have your number? You know, it would be great if we could stay in contact with each other," he said, moving his hands to his pockets and tightening one around his phone as if grounding himself, while inwardly bracing for rejection.

 Magnus chuckled softly, appreciating Alec's forwardness. "That would be my pleasure, Alexander," he replied, "Here, would you be a dear and add your number to my phone."

 They exchanged phones, Alec hesitated, thumb trembling slightly as it hovered over the keys, then quickly entered his number. As he handed Magnus’s phone back, their fingers brushed. A spark shot up Alec’s arm, sharp and startling, like flame catching fast on dry kindling. He prayed Magnus hadn’t noticed the shiver that betrayed him — but when he glanced up, Magnus’s eyes were already on him, steady and knowing. For the briefest moment, Alec could have sworn the same spark leaped between them, bright and undeniable. He couldn’t help but smile softly, it felt momentous — more binding than words as if searing a connection between them. 

 After the number exchange, a sense of relief washed over them, like two souls finally finding a lifeline amidst the chaos of their lives. The promise of keeping in touch eased the sting of missed opportunities, leaving an undercurrent of joy that hummed through Alec.

 As their conversation continued in the corridor, a nurse approached them with an air of subtle excitement. "Doctor Bane, are you free to consult on a case? It's one I know you definitely would want to be involved with," she said, her tone carrying a pointed emphasis Magnus immediately recognised. 

 With a look of intrigue, Magnus accepted the file, his eyes visibly widening as he perused its contents. Alec, taking in the scene unfolding between the doctor and nurse in front of him, admired how seriously Magnus took his work — focused, sharp, fully present. Even in something as simple as reading a chart, Magnus commanded attention. Alec found himself wanting to know what it would feel like to have that kind of focus entirely on him.

 "Thank you, Shelly," Magnus acknowledged after she added she’d already mentioned him to the patient, who was eager to meet him. Shelly discreetly informed Magnus of the patient's location and then gracefully stepped away, leaving Magnus and Alec alone in the corridor.

 Magnus hesitated, obviously torn between duty and desire. "I really should get back to work," he sighed, a hint of regret in his voice. "But I've truly enjoyed our conversation." 

 The words tugged at his heart. For a moment, he imagined if Magnus could just stay here — if they could linger in this bubble of connection. He forced himself to keep his expression neutral, despite inwardly longing.

 Shelly reappeared, her presence a gentle reminder that duty was calling for Magnus.

 With a reluctant smile, Magnus said. "Regrettably, I have to go, Alexander," his gaze lingering in a way that set heat curling low in Alec’s stomach.

 Alec replied with a casual yet hopeful "See you later, Magnus," the words heavy with quiet hope. He didn’t dare look back as Magnus walked away, fearing if he caught that smile again it might undo him.

 As Alec continued to Jace’s room, the echo of Magnus’s gaze followed him. Every step carried both anticipation and the memory of the brush of fingers, a spark still burning steady in his veins. His chest fluttered — in the best possible way.

 Stepping into Jace's hospital room, Alec wore an unmistakable air of accomplishment, His rare smile brightened the space, carrying a confidence he hadn’t known in years.

 He shared the news about asking Magnus for coffee and exchanging numbers. The words tumbled out quicker than he intended with his cheeks burning, the smile couldn’t be suppressed. Jace grinned in response, a silent supporter of his brother's budding connection. There was pride in his eyes — a quiet recognition that Alec had taken a leap he hadn’t expected.

 Observing Alec's elation, Jace teased. "You know, it was painfully obvious to me that you both liked each other,"

 Alec groaned, dragging a hand over his face, but his lips betrayed him by twitching upwards. “I was that obvious?” He muttered. Deep down a flicker of relief coursed through him — if Jace had seen it, perhaps Magnus had too.

 Encouraging Alec, Jace said "You deserve to be happy, especially with someone you genuinely care about. Go for it, brother, grab the chance with both hands." The words landed deeper than Alec wanted to admit. For so long, the fear of not being enough had shadowed him — but here was Jace, steady and certain, giving him permission to reach for what he wanted.

 Their conversation continued as Jace couldn’t resist teasing Alec about Izzy missing the drama of him asking for Magnus’s number, making Alec laugh at the thought of her relentless teasing. They also noted their parents’ predictable shrugging off their usual lack of concern. 

 They shifted to the firehouse. Alec shared how much he missed his banter and easy company. Even as he joked, the hollow absence of his brother’s laughter back at the firehouse pulled at him. It was a reminder of what he loved most — and fought for everyday.

 As Alec's visit neared its end, he couldn't resist one last playful jab. "Next time you want some excitement, how about we go bungee jumping? It's safer than going rogue in a burning building."

 Jace laughed, "Deal, as long as you go first."

 “You wish," Alec replied as they flipped each other off. The gesture, as childish as it was, felt comforting — proof their bond was still unbreakable, fire-tested but not consumed.

 During his visit with Jace, Alec glanced at his phone every so often, hoping for a message from Magnus, but none came. By the time he was in the stillness of his apartment the silence seemed to amplify both nerves and anticipation for tomorrow. Every tick of the clock was another spark on kindling — steady, insistent, impossible to ignore.

 Settling on his couch, determination to keep his promise to Harry took over as he pulled out his phone and sent Magnus a message.

 ✉️Alec: Hey, it's Alec. Just wanted to say I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. 😊

 Within moments, a reply came from Magnus.

 ✉️Magnus: Sorry about rushing away earlier, Alexander. 

 ✉️Magnus: I'm also looking forward to tomorrow. 😊

 Alec's breath stopped. Just his name — Alexander — written in Magnus’s message stirred something steady and warm in his chest, like it had always belonged there. He quickly typed out a reply, his fingers buzzing with excitement.

 ✉️Alec: No need to apologise. Tomorrow can't come soon enough. 

 ✉️Alec: Can't wait to see you again. 😊

 ✉️Magnus: How was your visit with Jace?

 Alec smiled at the question. It wasn’t just polite small talk; it was real care, genuine interest — and that meant more than he could explain. 

 They continued to chat, exchanging messages. The conversation flowed easily, and Alec felt more at ease than he had with anyone outside his firehouse family in years. The thought of spending time with Magnus left him smiling, heart light, excitement simmering just beneath the surface.

 ✉️Magnus: So, what do firefighters do after a long day of saving lives?

 ✉️Alec: We mostly relax at the station, debrief, and spend time together training. 

 ✉️Alec: But tonight, I'm just unwinding in my apartment.

 ✉️Magnus: Sounds nice. I'm still at the hospital, but I should be heading home soon. 

 ✉️Alec: You work very long, late hours. 

 ✉️Alec: Take care of yourself, Doctor Bane.

 ✉️Magnus: I always try to, Lieutenant Lightwood. 😉 

 ✉️Magnus: You should get some rest, too.

 ✉️Magnus: Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day for both of us.

 ✉️Alec: You're right. Goodnight, Magnus. 

 ✉️Alec: Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

 ✉️Magnus: Goodnight, Alexander. Sweet dreams.

 Alec set his phone down, the two simple words — sweet dreams — looping in his head like a lullaby. Softer than expected, warmer than he thought possible. He couldn't believe how much he was already drawn to Magnus. It wasn’t only attraction — though that was undeniable — it was how Magnus’s presence, even through a phone screen, softened the edges of the world. As Alec stretched out on the couch, he realised the ache in his chest wasn’t just nerves. It was hope. The kind that smoldered low and steady, waiting to flare higher — fragile, yes, but alive and sparking brighter with every beat. 

Chapter Text

- Alec -

Alec woke smiling, warmth from last night’s call still thrumming under his ribs like a low, steady drumbeat. His phone buzzed on the nightstand, screen lighting with a cheeky message from Magnus that made heat rise to his cheeks before he’d even read it.

✉️Magnus: Good morning, Handsome.

✉️Magnus: I hope you had sweet dreams. 😉

Alec’s grin tugged wider. Warmth and a little jolt of nerves hitting all at once. His thumbs moved before he could overthink it.

✉️Alec : Good morning to you, too, Doctor Bane. 

✉️Alec: And yes — I woke up thinking about the dreamy neurosurgeon. 😉

✉️Magnus: Oh, have you? Be still my heart. 

✉️Magnus: I can’t stop thinking about you either — already counting down the minutes until our coffee date tonight.

Alec's heart kicked hard, heat rising to his cheeks. He wasn’t used to flirting this easily — but with Magnus, it felt natural. Good. A little dangerous.

✉️Alec: Me too. Counting the hours.

✉️Magnus: Until then, you’ll have to settle for me blowing up your phone today. 😉

✉️Alec: I'd like that. More than you know.

The morning flew by in a string of messages — playful banter, terrible memes, even breakfast photos. Alec caught himself smiling at his phone more than once, warmth settling low in his chest each time Magnus replied almost immediately.

✉️Magnus: Tell me you’re having a breakfast worthy of my brave firefighter. 🍳 🔥 

✉️Alec: Hardly gourmet. But it's fuel for my day.

✉️Magnus: Intrigued by the image of you with a proper firefighter's breakfast. 

✉️Magnus: Perhaps I'll have to join you one morning — for research purposes, of course.

✉️Alec: I'd really like that.

Eventually they tore themselves away from their phones long enough to get ready for the day — though Alec caught himself checking for new messages at least twice before he’d even left the apartment. The buzz of it sat under his skin, light and distracting, like he was already halfway to tonight.

✉️Magnus: Have a good day at the firehouse, Alexander. 

✉️Magnus: And stay safe for me, darling.

✉️Alec: You too. Can’t wait to see you tonight.

Even as the day wore on, their messages kept coming — stolen moments between calls and rounds — little threads tying them closer until tonight felt impossibly far away.

- Magnus -

Magnus’s rounds started on a high note with Mrs. Thompson, one of his senior patients who was recovering beautifully from the brain surgery he’d performed earlier in the week. She clasped his hand and thanked him with such earnest warmth that it caught him in the chest. He stayed for a few minutes longer than necessary, letting her tell him about all the little things she was excited to do once she was discharged. Moments like this — moments where he could see the life he’d helped give back — reminded Magnus exactly why he loved what he did.

A rare lull found Magnus tucked into the break room with Dorothea Rollins — his college partner-in-crime turned physiologist — and Tessa Grey, who had been in his life since high school. The three of them had claimed their usual corner table, steaming cups of terrible hospital coffee in hand, and were making the most of the quiet spell. Their friendship had weathered everything from late-night study sessions to twenty-four-hour shifts, and moments like this always felt like a small reprieve from the chaos outside the door.

It didn’t take long for Tessa and Dorothea to catch on to the way Magnus kept glancing at his phone, his lips curved in a smile that had nothing to do with hospital gossip. Tessa traded a look with Dorothea before leaning in with a wicked grin. “Alright, Bane,” she said, drawing out the words. “Who’s got you looking like you just found your unicorn?”

Magnus only arched a brow, letting a slow grin spread across his face. “Oh, you have no idea...” he said, tone positively wicked — the universal signal for I’m not telling you yet, but it’s good.

Dorothea, sensing he wasn’t about to spill just yet, swooped in to rescue him with a dramatic change of subject. “Well, if Magnus won’t give us details, I will,” she said, and launched into an animated retelling of her latest misadventure at the grocery store. “So, you won't believe what happened to me the other day," Dorothea began, her eyes dancing with amusement. "I was at the grocery store, minding my own business, trying to reach for a jar of pickles on the top shelf. But of course, they had to be placed just out of my reach."

Tessa and Magnus exchanged amused glances, familiar with Dorothea’s propensity for getting into amusing predicaments.

"I thought I had it all under control," Dorothea continued, "but then, I tried to stretch just a little too far, and the next thing I knew, I knocked over an entire display of canned vegetables!"

Magnus couldn't help but chuckle, imagining the scene of cans rolling across the grocery store floor and thankful for Dorothea’s distraction.

"I tried to catch them, you know, like a professional acrobat or something, which I am not," Dorothea said, feigning a graceful gesture with her hands, "but instead, I ended up doing a sort of awkward dance as I tried to prevent a complete catastrophe."

Tessa burst into laughter, unable to contain herself, while Magnus joined in, the image of Dorothea’s valiant attempt at can-catching playing in his mind.

"But that's not even the best part," Dorothea continued a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "As I was desperately trying to salvage the situation, I accidentally knocked over a pyramid of watermelons, and they all went rolling away like giant green bowling balls!"

That was the last straw; both Tessa and Magnus were in fits of laughter, picturing the spectacle Dorothea had unintentionally created in the only way they knew she could.

"And the grand finale," Dorothea added with a flourish, "was when a store employee came running over, thinking there was some kind of disaster happening. I tried to explain what happened, but the words just came out all jumbled, and they probably thought I was some kind of mad grocery store dancer!"

Magnus swiped a tear from the corner of his eye, still grinning as the last of Dorothea’s tale played in his head. “Only you,” he said, shaking his head fondly, “could turn a grocery run into slapstick theatre.”

Tessa’s laughter softened into something warm. “Well, she certainly keeps life interesting,” she said, and there was real affection in her tone.

Magnus let out a quiet hum of agreement, the sound threaded with something softer than amusement. Moments like this — laughter spilling free and unguarded — were rarer than he liked to admit, and he found himself wanting to hold onto it a little longer.

But as the quiet settled back over the break room, his thoughts slipped — unbidden — to tonight. To Alexander.

That strange, fizzing anticipation sparked low in his chest again, the same one that had been with him since their last call. He’d been around enough to know this wasn’t just infatuation — it, was something pulling him forward, something that felt inevitable. Like destiny had simply decided this was the moment their paths would tangle for good.

Magnus let the corner of his mouth curl in a private smile, hiding it behind the rim of his coffee cup. Tonight couldn’t come soon enough.

- Alec -

Alec felt it the moment he stepped into the firehouse — that rare hush that only came once in a while. The usual buzz of radios and hurried boots was missing, replaced by something quieter, lighter. Even the air seemed easier to breathe, as though the building itself had exhaled.

Maybe it was because Jace was finally on the mend — that weight they’d all been carrying had started to lift — or maybe it was just one of those rare lulls when no calls came in. Either way, the station felt different today, peaceful in a way Alec hadn’t realised he’d needed until now.

Alec let the rare quiet of the station sink into him, the hum of conversation and the clatter of equipment almost comforting in its familiarity. Even as he worked, Alec found himself sneaking glances at his phone whenever he could. Magnus’s name lighting up his screen never failed to tug a smile out of him — quick messages back and forth, ridiculous gifs and half-teasing comments that made his shift fly by. It was effortless, easy in a way that surprised him, and it left a low, steady warmth in his chest that not even Mike’s terrible playlist could shake.

Even when the firehouse quieted, Magnus was there — in the back of Alec’s mind, in the way his phone sat heavy in his pocket like a promise. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw those sharp, clever eyes softening when they looked at him, heard the warm, teasing lilt of his voice. It was magnetic, impossible to ignore. Sophie and Mike noticed too, trading amused glances whenever they caught the rare curve of Alec’s smile.

“Dude,” Mike said, elbowing Alec in his side, “you're in a good mood today. What's up?”

“Just…” Alec paused, considering his reply carefully before continuing, “ Excited about something.”

Sophie leaned against the wall, smirking. “Oh? Do tell. You can't leave me hanging like this.”

Alec hesitated, the corners of his mouth twitching like he might actually smile. “Not yet,” he said finally, voice carefully but not unkind. “I don’t want to mess this up, but you’ll know when it’s time.” 

Mike let out a low whistle, grinning. “Whoever it is, they’ve done the impossible — put a smile on Grumpy Cat’s face,” 

Alec huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head, but the warmth lingered. “Thanks, man.” 

“Seriously,” Sophie added, softer this time, “it’s good to see you like this.”

The firehouse gym was quiet that afternoon, the rare lull making the space feel almost meditative. Alec changed into his workout clothes alongside Simon and Mike, the three of them falling into an easy rhythm. Simon was eager to test a new workout app that shouted encouragement in dramatic, game-show fashion, which earned an eyeroll from Alec and a laugh from Mike before they joined in anyway.

The clang of weights and the steady thud of running feet filled the air, punctuated by easy banter. Alec moved through his routine with practiced focus, each repetition burning away the day’s tension. It felt good — grounding — but even as sweat slicked his skin, his mind kept circling back to Magnus. The memory of last night’s conversation lit something warm in his chest, steady and insistent.

Simon caught him staring into the middle distance between sets and smirked. “Earth to Alec. You with us?”

“Yeah,” Alec said, grabbing his towel and hiding the faint smile that threatened. “Just thinking.”

Mike grinned knowingly. “Pretty sure we all know what you’re thinking about. Or should I say who?”

Alec shot him a look, but there was no real heat in it. “Maybe,” he admitted, surprising himself with how easily the word came.

When his workout was done, Alec sat on the bench for a moment, catching his breath. His phone buzzed on the floor beside him, and he reached for it, heart giving a traitorous little kick when he saw the name.

✉️Magnus: Survived rounds. Barely. Need to know my favourite firefighter is still in one piece.

Alec’s lips curved despite himself as he typed back, thumbs quick on the screen.

✉️Alec: Still standing. Just finished a training session with the guys. 

✉️Alec: They're great, but none of them compare to thoughts of you right now. 😏

The reply came fast enough to make his stomach flip.

✉️Magnus: Flattery will get you everywhere, Alexander. 😉 

✉️Magnus: Can't wait to cash that in later.

Alec laughed under his breath, tucking the phone back into his pocket before Simon or Mike could notice. The day suddenly felt lighter, easier — like the countdown to seeing Magnus had already started.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of quiet tasks and light banter around the station. There were still no calls, just the steady rhythm of maintenance and paperwork, and for once Alec didn’t mind the stillness. He caught himself glancing at the clock more than once, the hours crawling by, each one pulling him closer to tonight.

Later, as they climbed into the firetruck for a routine check run, Alec found his gaze drawn, as always, to Jace’s usual spot. It still felt wrong not to see him there, lounging with that easy, lopsided grin — like the space itself was holding its breath until he came back.

Alec tugged out his phone when the truck idled at a light and sent a quick check-in.

✉️ Alec: How’s physio going?

The reply came a few minutes later, just as they were pulling back into the station.

✉️ Jace: Brutal. My legs hate me. But Luke and Izzy came by, so it was worth it.

✉️ Alec: I’ll stop by tomorrow. Don’t overdo it tonight.

✉️ Jace: Yes, Mom. 🙄 Go enjoy your date.

Alec huffed a quiet laugh, tucking the phone away, but the last line left a warmth in his chest that stayed with him through the end of shift.

By the time he returned to his apartment, he felt a little like he was vibrating under his skin. He showered quickly, letting the hot water beat away the last of the station grit, then stood for a long moment in front of his closet, more indecisive than he wanted to admit. In the end, he went simple — dark jeans, a soft Henley that Magnus had once offhandedly said looked good on him.

When he grabbed his phone, he hesitated just a second before typing out one last message.

✉️ Alec: I’m on my way. Can’t wait to see you. 😉

The reply came fast, warm enough to make Alec’s heart trip.

✉️ Magnus: Oh, my dear Alexander. See you soon. 😘

Alec pocketed his phone, a smile tugging at his mouth as he headed out the door. The city air felt cool against his flushed skin, the night stretching ahead full of promise.

He found himself walking a little faster than usual, the streets blurring past as though the whole city were pushing him forward. His pulse was quick, not from the pace but from everything building in his chest — anticipation, nervous excitement, that strange weightless feeling like he was standing on the edge of something big.

Tonight wasn’t just a coffee date. Tonight felt like the first spark of something waiting to catch.

- Magnus -

Magnus was already at the café, sitting at a table by the window waiting — possibly a little too eagerly. He’d gone to his loft in record time to change, chosen his favourite blazer without overthinking it (or so he told himself), and still arrived early. When the bell above the door chimed, Magnus looked up, his smile breaking across his face like sunlight. His pulse kicked hard at the sight of Alexander, broad-shouldered and flushed from the evening air, and he lifted a hand in greeting — equal parts casual and thrilled.

They sat across from each other, steaming mugs between them, and the first few minutes felt almost weightless — an easy slide back into the warmth of last night. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, sparking and teasing until Magnus realised they had far more in common than he had first thought. Time slipped away like sand through his fingers, the café around them fading until there was only Alexander’s voice, low and steady, pulling him in. The steam wand hissed at the counter, a soft burst of heat and milk, and Magnus felt the sound settle like warmth behind his ribs.

Magnus leaned forward, elbows braced on the table, his eyes catching the soft glow of the café lights. There was a glimmer of mischief there, but under it, a hunger to know more — to keep Alexander talking so he could keep watching him. He couldn’t help the way his gaze tracked over the breadth of Alexander’s shoulders, the way the dark Henley stretched across his chest when he moved, the play of tendons in his forearms as he wrapped his hands around his mug. God, even his hands looked strong, steady — Magnus wanted to feel them on him, steadying him.

When Magnus finally looked up, he caught Alexander’s eyes already on him, lingering just a fraction too long before Alexander glanced down at his cup. The flicker of heat there was quick, but Magnus didn’t miss it — didn’t miss the way Alexander’s throat bobbed as though he’d been caught staring. A curl of satisfaction coiled low in Magnus’s stomach at the thought that maybe Alexander was looking at him the same way.

“So, my brave firefighter,” Magnus said at last, a teasing lilt in his voice to cover how intently he’d been staring, “tell me more about this decision to become a firefighter. Was it a childhood dream, or did you just want to wear the alluring uniform?”

Alexander chuckled, taking a sip of his drink, but Magnus didn’t miss the way his gaze flicked back to him, almost shyly, as if drawn without thinking. “Well,” Alexander said, his voice a touch lower than before, “the uniform is a nice perk, but it’s more than that. You see, my parents are both police officers, and there was always this expectation that I would follow in their footsteps.” He hesitated just long enough for Magnus to notice — a shadow crossing his expression — before steadying himself and continuing. “But when my parents’ house caught fire from a faulty tumble dryer, my little brother, Max, didn’t make it. Seeing the firefighters try to save him, I realised that being a firefighter was my true passion. I wanted to make a difference, to prevent another family from experiencing the same loss, helping people in their most vulnerable moments.”

Magnus’s teasing softened instantly, something in his chest pulling tight. He reached across the table, hand brushing over Alexander’s, letting his fingers linger just long enough to be felt. “That’s…” Magnus said, his voice quiet but sure, “that’s remarkable, Alexander. You turned something unbearable into a way to save people. That takes strength.”

Alexander’s shoulders eased at the words, some of that shadow lifting. His gaze met Magnus’s again, steadier this time, and the corner of his mouth curved — not quite a smile, but enough to make Magnus want to keep pulling those smiles out of him all night.

Alexander, looking thankful Magnus didn’t ask further questions, smirked playfully — a faint curve of his lips that Magnus suspected was half for deflection, half for relief. “Oh, you have no idea… ” he said, voice lighter now, “it’s not all just saving cats from trees and putting out fires. We have our fair share of adrenaline-pumping moments, sure, but there are also days when we’re stuck cleaning and maintaining equipment for hours. Not the most glamorous part of the job, I assure you.”

Magnus let himself laugh, the sound warm and full, pleased to see Alexander’s shoulders loosen a little more. “Ah, the not-so-glamorous side of being a hero,” he teased. He just held Alexander’s hand, still and warm, letting the quiet do the work. He didn’t stop even as he reached for his coffee with his other hand, letting the touch linger like it was unconscious, like he wasn’t ready to let go just yet. He caught Alexander glancing down at their joined hands, the faintest flicker of something crossing his face — something that looked dangerously like contentment — before his gaze lifted again. “I suppose every profession has its less exciting moments.”

Magnus caught himself smiling into his coffee cup, a small, private curve of his mouth that he didn’t bother hiding. There was something quietly thrilling about the way Alexander hadn’t pulled away, hadn’t even seemed to think about it — just let him stay there, their hands touching like it was the most natural thing in the world. Magnus let the moment stretch for a beat longer before setting his cup down and turning his hand just enough that his palm rested warm against Alexander’s, a quiet indulgence.

Alexander’s lips curved into a slow smile, catching the movement. “Careful,” he said, voice pitched just low enough to make Magnus look up. “Keep doing that and I might start thinking you like me.”

Magnus’s answering smile was small, unguarded, his grip tightening for just a beat, like he wanted to anchor the words in Alexander’s skin. “Good,” he murmured, a spark of mischief glinting in his eyes. “Because I do.” The words were light, but there was a weight behind them — quiet, certain — like Magnus wasn’t just flirting anymore.

Alexander blinked, thrown for just a beat, and then huffed a quiet laugh as colour rose in his cheeks. He glanced down at their hands, then back up at Magnus with a look that was almost shy — though the corners of his mouth tugged upward. “Yeah, well,” he said, clearing his throat before the moment could get too still, “becoming a renowned neurosurgeon couldn’t have been a walk in the park either.”

Magnus’s grin turned a shade sharper, delighted by the faint blush creeping up Alexander’s throat. “Oh, look at that,” he teased gently, letting his thumb brush over Alexander’s knuckles. “I’ve rendered the brave firefighter flustered. I should frame this moment.”

Alexander rolled his eyes, though the tips of his ears betrayed him. “Not flustered,” he muttered, but there was no real heat in it — if anything, it sounded like a challenge. His gaze stayed fixed on Magnus, steady and searching, like he was waiting to see if Magnus would follow through with something just as real as what he’d let slip a moment ago.

Magnus caught it — the way Alexander was still looking at him, almost too intently, like he was hungry for more than just the teasing. That quiet, hopeful look made Magnus’s chest ache with something warmer, fonder. He gave Alexander’s hand a gentle squeeze, committing the sight to memory before leaning back with an expression still soft around the edges.

“Mm, if you say so,” Magnus said lightly, though the warmth in his gaze lingered as he began answering.“Ambitious med student?” he echoed, a faint, knowing smile curving his lips. “Darling, I barely had time to breathe back then, let alone be anything but ambitious. My entire world was textbooks, late-night study sessions, and an IV drip of coffee.”

He let out a soft laugh, but his tone gentled as he went on. “But… it wasn’t just about ambition. It was about purpose. After my mother died, medicine wasn’t just a career path anymore — it was the only way I could make sense of what had happened. I wanted to make sure no one else had to go through what I did if I could help it.”

Magnus shrugged, casual on the surface but his thumb pressed a little harder against Alexander’s knuckles, betraying the weight of the admission. “So, I buried myself in the work. Every lecture, every rotation, every sleepless night — I kept thinking if I just learned enough, worked hard enough, I could make a difference. And somewhere along the way, I became one of the ‘sought-after neurosurgeons’ you just so dramatically named me.” His grin tilted wryly, but his gaze softened. “But if you’re asking whether I’d do it all over again…” He held Alexander’s gaze, steady and unflinching. “Yes. In a heartbeat.”

Alexander leaned in closer, elbows resting on the table now, his gaze never wavering. Magnus’s words seemed to pull him in like gravity, and he realised he’d been holding his breath. He exhaled a little too sharply, but didn’t look away.

“I can’t even imagine the kind of discipline that takes,” he said quietly, voice low and full of something that almost sounded like awe. “You’ve spent years literally holding people’s lives in your hands — and you still sit here and smile like that. It’s…” His mouth curved, almost shyly. “It’s incredible, Magnus.”

He hesitated for a beat, then added, softer, “But you do know you’re allowed to have a life outside of saving everyone else, right?” His thumb brushed once against Magnus’s knuckles — a subtle reassurance, almost a promise. “You deserve that much.”

Magnus’s lips curved, the smallest, almost shy smile tugging at his mouth. There was pride there, yes, but something softer too — like Alexander’s words had landed somewhere deeper than Magnus had expected.

“Thank you, Alexander,” he said quietly, thumb brushing once over Alexander’s hand before he gently drew back. “It hasn’t been without its bumps in the road,” he admitted, a faint glimmer of humour in his tone, “but I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Then, with a deftness Alexander was beginning to recognise as uniquely Magnus, he let the moment shift, his eyes brightening as he asked, “Enough about me. Tell me more about your childhood — any ridiculous stories from growing up with a family of police officers?”

Alexander chuckled, the sound a little wry as if the memories were equal parts fond and complicated.

“You can imagine dinner was always full of cop stories and legal debates,” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “The Lightwood name was supposed to mean something, and there were... expectations.”

His fingers traced an idle circle against Magnus’s hand, as though grounding himself. “When I told them I wanted to be a firefighter — and later, when I told them about the kind of partners I wanted —” he huffed out a soft laugh, almost disbelieving. “Let’s just say, it went over about as well as you’d expect. It still doesn’t sit right with them.”

Magnus’s gaze softened, catching the shadow behind Alexander’s words. He didn’t press, just let his thumb brush slowly over the back of Alexander’s hand — a quiet, steady touch. “Their loss,” he murmured, voice velvet-soft but firm, like a truth he needed Alexander to believe. “You’re exactly who you’re meant to be.”

The words seemed to hit their mark; Alexander’s shoulders eased a fraction, and the smile he gave Magnus this time was smaller, but real.

Magnus didn’t realise his thumb had been moving in slow, absent circles  — not teasing this time, just a quiet promise against Alexander’s skin.

“I’m glad you followed your heart, Alexander,” he said softly, the words carrying more weight than simple reassurance. “You’re a brave and compassionate man — the kind who runs toward the fire instead of away from it. The world is better for having you in it.”

Alexander’s ears flushed at that, but he didn’t pull away — if anything, his grip on Magnus’s hand tightened slightly, like he needed to hold on to the truth in Magnus’s voice.

Magnus let a small, warm smile curve at the corner of his mouth, softening the moment, making it feel like a shared secret. “Besides,” he added gently, “I think the Lightwood legacy turned out just fine.”

- Alec -

Alec smiled, warmth blooming in his chest at Magnus’s quiet affirmation. It felt like Magnus had seen him — not just the firefighter, but the man underneath — and it left him a little lighter, a little more grounded.

"Thank you, Magnus," Alec said, his voice softer than he intended. "And for what it's worth, I'm glad you followed your passion too. Your dedication to your work and your patients is truly inspiring."

Alec was almost surprised at himself for sharing Max’s story — he hadn’t planned to, but with Magnus it had felt… right. There was no judgement in Magnus’s eyes, no pity, just quiet understanding. Alec knew Magnus had more of his own past tucked away behind those sharp, knowing eyes, but neither of them pushed. They didn’t need to. The silence between them felt steady, like a promise — we’ll tell each other when we’re ready.

As the conversation went on, Alec found himself completely at ease — more than he’d expected to be. It wasn’t just that Magnus was easy to talk to (though he was), it was that he made Alec feel like every word mattered. Their laughter came easy, softening the usual tension in Alec’s shoulders until it felt like the whole world outside the café had faded away.

Magnus’s eyes glinted with mischief as he tilted his head. “So, Alexander,” he said, deliberately casual, “do you always carry that serious expression, even off duty? It’s very commanding, I must admit — but intimidating.”

Alec let out a quiet laugh, the sound surprising even himself. “Well, someone has to keep you on your toes,” he said, a faint grin tugging at his mouth. “But maybe I can be persuaded to drop the serious act — under the right circumstances.”

Magnus arched a brow, a slow, wicked smile curving his lips. “Oh? I do love a challenge.”

Alec smirked, leaning in just enough that Magnus could feel the shift in the air. “Careful, Doctor,” he said, voice low but teasing. “You might find out I’m a lot more fun when I’m off duty.”

Magnus’s grin turned positively sinful. “Now that,” he purred, “sounds like an experiment I’d be very happy to conduct.”

Magnus arched an eyebrow, mock-serious. “So, Alexander, do you ever smile when you’re not saving lives or scaling burning buildings? Or is this stoic, heroic thing part of the brand?”

Alec huffed a soft laugh, lips quirking despite himself. “Maybe I just like keeping people guessing.”

Magnus leaned forward, elbows on the table, grin sharpening. “Guessing, hmm? Well, I think I deserve more than just glimpses of that smile after the day I’ve had.”

“Do you now?” Alec asked, fighting the grin threatening to break over his face.

Magnus’s eyes glittered with mischief as he lowered his voice. “I do. In fact, I’d call it a public service.”

That earned him a small, reluctant smile from Alec — exactly the kind Magnus had been trying to coax out of him.

“There it is,” Magnus said softly, almost to himself, though his grin turned warm and satisfied.

Magnus’s smirk softened into something slow and warm. “Figuring out how to keep up with me.”

The words lingered between them, and for a moment it felt like the café had gone very quiet — just the faint clatter of cups, the low hum of conversation around them, and their joined gaze. Alec’s breath caught, pulse kicking hard against his ribs, like Magnus had reached across the table and lit a match.

Magnus didn’t look away — didn’t even blink — just held his eyes with a faint, knowing curve of his mouth, as if to say your move, Alexander.

Alec swallowed, felt the heat creeping up his neck, and then — deliberately — leaned in a little closer. “Guess I’ll have to try and keep up, then,” he said quietly, his voice steady even if his stomach was doing flips.

Magnus’s smile bloomed, wicked and pleased, like he’d just been given the answer he wanted. “Good,” he murmured, and sat back with an air of satisfaction, as though he’d just won some invisible game.

By the time their conversation drifted to favourite TV shows, the air between them had settled back into something lighter — but warmer now, charged in a way it hadn’t been before.

Magnus leaned back in his chair, one brow arched, watching Alec’s faint blush with open amusement. “So, Alexander Lightwood, secret animal enthusiast. I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting that one.”

Alec’s mouth twitched, but he didn’t look away. “Yeah, well — don’t tell the guys at the firehouse. I’ve got a reputation to maintain.”

Magnus tilted his head, eyes glittering. “Mhm. Big, stoic firefighter with a soft spot for baby sloths.” He grinned, deliberately slow. “You realise you’re just making yourself even more dangerous, right?”

Alec let out a quiet huff of laughter and ducked his head for a second, but there was no hiding the way his lips curved, no hiding the colour blooming on his cheeks. “You think so?”

“I know so,” Magnus said, voice dipping just enough to make Alec’s pulse jump.

The air between them went quiet for half a beat — not awkward, but full, like the café itself had leaned in to listen. Alec’s knee brushed Magnus’s under the table, just a subtle shift, and Magnus didn’t move away — just let the contact stay, eyes softening.

By the time Magnus confessed his love of romantic comedies, the tension had turned warm and easy — something Alec could sit in without feeling like he had to run from it.

“Cheesy rom-coms, huh?” Alec teased, lips curving.

Magnus lifted his chin, unabashed. “Unapologetically. There’s something cathartic about watching two idiots finally figure out what everyone else knew all along.”

“Predictable happy endings,” Alec said quietly, like he was testing the words.

Magnus’s smile softened. “Exactly.”

Alec nodded slowly, his gaze lingering for a beat too long before he looked away, ears pink. “Yeah,” he said. “I think I get that.”

The last of the sunlight caught on Magnus’s rings when he reached across the table, brushing his knuckles against Alec’s hand — light, deliberate. “Good,” he said softly, his mouth curving. “Then maybe we’re on the same page.”

The conversation lulled, but it wasn’t uncomfortable — if anything, it felt like they’d run out of words because they didn’t need them. The café was bathed in late-evening gold, the soft glow pooling over Magnus’s cheekbones, catching in his hair, and Alec couldn’t stop looking.

Before he could talk himself out of it, Alec reached across the table, his fingers brushing Magnus’s jaw before cupping it properly. His thumb swept once, slow, over Magnus’s cheekbone — a touch that was more instinct than thought, just to see if Magnus would let him.

Magnus didn’t just let him. He leaned into it.

The smallest smile curved Magnus’s mouth, soft but knowing, and Alec felt his breath catch.

“This feels like more than just a coffee,” Alec admitted, voice lower now, almost careful.

Magnus’s eyes softened, but the smile stayed — warm and certain. “I think you might be right,” he said quietly.

The air between them went warm and heavy, like the whole café had faded away.

“I feel it too,” Alec said after a moment, the words coming easier than he’d expected. “Like we’ve known each other longer than this. Like—” He broke off, but Magnus’s fingers closed gently over his wrist, steadying him.

“Like we’re supposed to be here,” Magnus finished for him.

Alec nodded, his throat working. “Yeah.”

Magnus’s thumb stroked lazily over the inside of Alec’s wrist, just once, grounding him. “Then we’ll figure the rest out as we go,” he murmured, his tone quiet but sure, like a promise.

The space between them felt smaller after that — not just the table, but something deeper. Alec didn’t remember how long they stayed there, only that neither of them moved to leave until the café lights had dimmed and the last of the sun had gone.

When they finally did step outside, the air was cooler, but Alec didn’t feel it. He stood there a moment longer than necessary, reluctant to break the spell.

“Good night, Magnus,” he said softly.

Magnus’s answering smile was soft and fond. “Good night, Alexander.”

Their fingers brushed one last time before they turned in opposite directions, and Alec had barely made it a block before his phone buzzed.

✉️Magnus: Sweet dreams, Alexander.

Alec smiled down at the screen, warmth spreading through his chest as he typed back.

✉️Alec: You too.

He pocketed his phone and let himself enjoy the quiet walk home, every step feeling lighter than the last. The night air smelled of coffee and possibility, and for the first time in a long time, Alec couldn’t wait to see what tomorrow would bring.

Chapter Text

- Alec -

The morning after their coffee date — and yes, Alec was absolutely calling it a date — he and Magnus exchanged text messages over breakfast. Magnus had a rare, much-welcomed day off from the hospital, while Alec was getting ready to head to the firehouse, sliding bread into the toaster. Their conversation had the easy rhythm of two people already learning how to tease — and be teased.

✉️Magnus: Good morning, my dashing firefighter. 😉 

✉️Magnus: How's the morning treating you? 

✉️Magnus: I’m blessed with a rare day away from the hospital.

✉️Alec: Good morning, Doctor Bane.

✉️Alec: Another day at the firehouse for me. 

✉️Alec: Got anything planned for your day off?

Alec’s phone buzzed steadily while he made a cup of coffee to go with his toast.

✉️Magnus: Family time today — a picnic in the park with my goddaughter, Madzie, and one of my dearest friends, Catarina. 

✉️Magnus: Plus pastries for breakfast… and maybe daydreaming about a certain brave firefighter. 😏

Alec chuckled at the playful banter, unable to resist taking the teasing up a notch with a couple of messages of his own.

✉️Alec: Sounds like you are going to have an exciting day…

✉️Alec: Pastries, huh? What’s your favourite? 

✉️Alec: Have you heard that cupcakes are the way to any firefighter's heart? 😉

Alec couldn’t help but grin at his own boldness, though the smile felt like a secret he wasn’t ready to share. He tapped his fingers against the counter, the quiet spark of anticipation burning warm under his ribs, the thrill of waiting for Magnus’s reply made his chest lighten in a way that felt dangerously close to hope.

He wasn’t used to anyone making him feel like this — noticed, wanted, even teased like he was worth it. The thought startled him enough that he shoved it aside quickly, as though gripping it too tightly might make it vanish. 

✉️Magnus: Mmm… tough choice. But I’d never say no to a Danish.

✉️Magnus: And now thanks to you, I know exactly where I’m getting breakfast. 😉

Alec’s curiosity piqued at Magnus’s cryptic tone, but duty called — it was time to leave for the firehouse. 

- Magnus -

The sun shone warmly over the park as Magnus spread a picnic blanket beneath the broad branches of an old oak tree. He’d been looking forward to this outing with Catarina and Madzie, a rare chance to slow down. Around them, the park buzzed with children’s laughter, playful squeals, and the rhythmic squeak of swings. Magnus smiled, certain it would be a time well spent with loved ones.

Madzie darted toward the playground, excitement radiating in every step. Magnus settled on the blanket beside Catarina and soon they were catching up. Catarina rolled her eyes dramatically, grumbling about Ragnor's latest eccentricities. Magnus laughed, admiring the playful dynamic of her marriage — the way exasperation and devotion coexisted so naturally.

On the swings, Madzie’s little legs pumped furiously as she soared higher and higher. Magnus watched with pride, marvelling at the fearless, bright girl she was already becoming. When she’d finally bounded back toward him, cheeks rosy and grin wide, she’d flopped onto the blanket beside him.

"Uncle Magnus, guess how high I went!" Madzie exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Higher than the tallest tower, I bet," Magnus said, playfully, ruffling her hair.

Madzie giggled, insisting she’d flown higher than ever. As they swapped stories about their favourite playground adventures, Magnus marvelled again at her boundless imagination — a spark he cherished more than anything.

Later, as they strolled to the pond with a bag of breadcrumbs, Madzie chattered about school and her latest games with her friends. Magnus listened with quiet gratitude, treasuring every precious moment he got to share in her world.

At the pond’s edge, Magnus pulled out breadcrumbs, and ducks converged in a noisy, eager swarm. As he and Madzie laughed and tossed crumbs, he snapped a quick photo of their beaming faces, then coaxed Catarina into taking another with the ducks flapping in frame. Later, he decided Alexander would appreciate it — himself, Madzie, and a chorus of ducks.

Magnus typed a playful caption to go with the photo, chuckling to himself as he hit send.

✉️Magnus: Duck whisperers at heart! 🦆

✉️Magnus: Madzie made new friends — and honestly, ducks are surprisingly good listeners! 

- Alec -

Alec sat with his colleagues around the table, enjoying their lunch break at the firehouse. The room was alive with easy banter and bursts of laughter as they tried to shake off a demanding morning of training and calls.

Mid-bite, Alec’s phone buzzed. Curious, he checked — his eyes widened and he nearly choked on his sandwich when Magnus’s photo appeared. The photo showed Magnus and obviously Madzie grinning delightedly at the camera, ducks swarming at their feet. The sight was both ridiculous yet heartwarming, and Alec felt laughter bubble up hot in his chest, sparking through him before he could stop it.

His sudden outburst of laughter drew every questioning eye at the table toward him. “Hey, Alec, what's so funny?” Simon asked with a curious grin. “Come on, share with the class.”

Still chuckling, Alec instinctively angled his phone away. Even here, surrounded by people he trusted, he felt oddly protective — like showing them the picture would cheapen somehow, strip it of the private warmth it carried. "It's just a silly picture," he angled the phone closer to his chest and muttered — then, too quickly, added, “from Izzy.’’ Not wanting to reveal too much about his private conversations with Magnus just yet.

His colleagues exchanged knowing looks. Alec had never been a convincing liar, but no one pressed further. They respected his privacy — and besides, his awkward deflection was clearly entertaining enough as the table erupted in laughter. Alec sat there, cheeks hot, phone still clutched close. He didn’t share the picture — not because he couldn’t, but because it felt like it was his, a fragile spark he wanted to cup close, protect from being blown out. 

- Magnus -

Alec's reply came quickly, pulling a grin from Magnus that he couldn’t quite contain.

✉️Alec: You know, ducks are not as innocent as they seem, according to Jace. 

✉️Alec: He's convinced they're plotting against him! Full-blown duck phobia 😂

Magnus burst out laughing, startling Catarina, who raised an eyebrow knowingly. He could already picture Jace's dramatic reaction, complete with wild gestures and indignant declarations.

✉️Magnus: Really? Ducks? Looks like our duck adventures must remain top secret! 

✉️Magnus: Wouldn't want to trigger him 😈

Their back-and-forth stretched on, lighthearted and threaded with affection, Magnus far too aware of Catarina’s sidelong glances. She was watching him closely — quietly pleased, he suspected — though she hadn’t said a word yet. Ragnor must have told her about his encounter with Alexander, which meant she was biding her time, waiting for the perfect moment to interrogate him.

Tucking his phone away, Magnus let the contentment settle in. The day brimmed with laughter and love, and as he glanced at Madzie feeding crumbs to the ducks with absolute joy in her eyes, he thought to himself that these were the moments meant to be carried for a lifetime.

After reading far too many bakery reviews and indecisive scrolling, Magnus finally found himself at ‘Sweet Delights’ — the most highly praised patisserie in town. Glass cases gleamed with temptation, but Magnus barely noticed the rows of cupcakes at first — all he could think about was Alexander’s expression when he saw them. 

This wasn’t about sugar; it was about choosing something beautiful enough to mirror how Alexander made him feel — seen, wanted, a spark he hadn’t dared cup in his hands. He took his time selecting an assortment of jewel-like cupcakes, each more decadent than the last. It wasn’t sweetness he craved — it was the chance to offer Alexander something simple yet thoughtful, a gesture that might say what he still couldn’t bring himself to admit aloud.

Balancing the ribbon-tied boxes, Magnus messaged Alexander with deliberate vagueness while checking he could stop by.

✉️Magnus: So, how's your day going, my handsome hero? 😘

✉️Alexander: It's been busy, but manageable. 

✉️Alexander: How about you? What are you up to?

✉️Magnus: Oh, you know… on my way to do something special… for someone special. 😉 

✉️Magnus: But that's all you're getting from me. It's a surprise.

✉️Alexander: You can't leave me hanging! Now I'm curious…

✉️Alexander: But… glad you're thinking of me. ❤️

✉️Magnus: You'll find out soon enough. 

✉️Magnus: See you in a bit. 😘

He tucked his phone away with a private smile, Alexander’s curiosity was definitely spiked as he intended, and a thrill ran through him at the thought of Alexander’s surprise. Magnus arrived at the firehouse carrying boxes of exquisitely decorated cupcakes, heads immediately turned.

Simon — clearly lurking near the door — was first to pounce. “Magnus! Here to see Alec?” Simon asked, a little too eagerly. Then, after a beat, “Or… is this about Jace?” 

Magnus’s lips curved into a feline smile. "Ah, Jace is doing wonderfully, Sherman. Quite the resilient young man." He dropped the wrong name on purpose. Sure enough Simon wilted.

“It’s Simon,” he corrected, then blinked. “Wait… what’s in the boxes?”

“Cupcakes,” Magnus announced with flourish, ‘I heard they’re a firefighter’s weakness, so I thought I'd bring some as a small token of appreciation — for all the bravery you show, and perhaps for brightening the mood after Jace’s accident.’’

Luke appeared then, grinning broadly “You're a lifesaver too, Magnus. We don’t exactly get surprise patisserie deliveries around here very often."

He guided Magnus to the break room, where the boxes were met with cheers. The firefighters crowded eagerly, faces alight as the colourful cupcakes vanished one by one. Laughter and crumbs filled the air, but Magnus’s attention blurred at the edges — because across the room stood Alexander, leaning against the doorframe. Quiet amidst the noise, his gaze resting on him. 

Magnus felt the barriers he had carefully built shift, just slightly — disarmed not by grand gesture, but by the simple, steady warmth of Alexander’s eyes. It was infuriating and exhilarating all at once, how a single look could fray the wall that pain and betrayal had fused.

Magnus excused himself, slipping toward Alexander. Hidden from the others, he reached up and brushed his fingertips against Alexander’s cheek. Alexander leaned into the touch immediately, and Magnus felt the now-familiar flare of heat catch low in his stomach, as though Alexander had struck a spark against him.

"I hope the cupcakes brought some joy to your day,” Magnus murmured.

Alexander’s blush rose so high it rivalled the frosting on the cupcakes.  "They did, but… seeing you here? That’s the best part. Thank you, Magnus. You really didn’t have to do this.” 

Magnus melted at his words, his voice dropping lower, almost reverent. "I wanted to. What you do — it matters. You matter, Alexander. And if I get to see you smile along the way… well, that’s a reward worth chasing."

Magnus saw it then — the faint widening of Alexander’s eyes, the way his lips parted like he might argue but couldn’t quite find the words. For someone who walked into burning buildings without flinching, Alexander carried a shadow of worthlessness that Magnus could almost feel, as though years of being told he wasn’t enough still clung to him. It tugged at Magnus’s heart. He hadn’t meant to let the words slip out so plainly, but faced with Alexander’s blush, his quiet disbelief, it felt impossible not to say them. 

- Alec - 

The break room was loud with laughter and the rustle of wrappers, Mike and Simon already licking frosting off fingers like they hadn’t eaten in days — before reaching shamelessly for a second cupcake. Alec shook his head. Magnus hadn’t even left, and the cupcake boxes were nearly empty.

Then Magnus was there again, close enough that the racket around them to blurred . He held out a single cupcake, its frosting a perfect swirl of deep blue and silver sprinkles. “This one,” Magnus said softly, almost conspiratorial, “was chosen especially for you.”

Alec blinked, caught off guard. For a heartbeat, the old voice crept in — you don’t deserve this, not from him, you aren’t worth it, you will never matter enough to anyone. When he took the cupcake, their fingers brushed — Magnus’s thumb lingered for half a second longer than necessary, a deliberate stroke against Alec’s knuckle, as if he wanted him to feel it. The touch sent a jolt of heat sparking at the contact, burning through the whisper until it dissolved.

“Thank you,” Alec murmured, though the words felt too small for what was the fragile warmth glowing in his chest. And when Magnus smiled like that — warm enough to glow through every shadow he carried — he almost believed it.

- Magnus -

As Magnus finally left the firehouse, a police car pulled up. Isabelle Lightwood stepped out with a practiced pose, every inch the confident officer. Magnus offered her a small nod as their eyes met — a silent acknowledgment of their brief introduction at the cafe. The true introduction, he suspected, was waiting for them somewhere ahead. Just not tonight.

Magnus couldn’t help the warm wave of happiness that carried him onto the subway. Even the usual rush-hour chaos seemed lighter, softened by the memory of Alexander’s blush and the delighted cheers of his colleagues. By the time Magnus reached his loft, a contented grin had settled over his face, lingering like the aftertaste of sugar and laughter. Magnus felt lighter than he had in a long while. The cupcakes had done their work — but more than that, the connection had.

Dropping his keys on the side table, Magnus had barely taken off his coat before his phone buzzed.

✉️Alexander: Thank you so much again — for everything. 

✉️Alexander: I still can’t believe I have such a wonderful, thoughtful, kind man being a part of my life now. 🥰

Magnus's heart fluttered, the words hitting deeper than Alexander could have guessed. Before he could even reply, another message lit up the screen:

✉️Alexander: And for the record… you’ve found the direct route to this firefighter’s heart. 

✉️Alexander: Do you do in-person cupcake delivery requests? 😜

Magnus couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head at Alexander’s humour and sincerity. He quickly finished composing a reply.

✉️Magnus: Then it seems I’ve discovered your weakness. How fortunate of me. 😉 

✉️Magnus: But in all seriousness — you and your team deserve joy and recognition. I’ll happily deliver cupcakes whenever needed. 

✉️Magnus: Until our next meeting, know that you're always in my thoughts, Alexander. 🥰

- Alec -

On the nightstand sat the empty cupcake wrapper, the silver sprinkles and smears of blue frosting clinging stubbornly to the paper Magnus had picked out for him. Silly, maybe. But every time his gaze landed on it, he remembered Magnus’s hand brushing his and the weight of those simple words still following him.

You matter.

It looped in his head, sharper and gentler than any reprimand he’d ever endured. Then came his mother’s — cutting and cold — reminding him he was a disappointment. First for being gay. Then for refusing law enforcement. For failing to carry on the Lightwood legacy. Worst of all, for not saving Max. That blame carved deep, a wound he rarely let anyone see. He scrubbed a hand over his face, grounding himself, feeling the faint tack of cupcake frosting still clinging to his thumb — proof that Magnus had been here, that someone had chosen him.

He’d learned to carry that weight, to let it sit like stone in his chest. No one had ever told him he mattered. Not once. Not when he came out, not when Max died, not even when he ran into burning buildings for strangers. The silence had carved him hollow.

Until Magnus.

It terrified him how much it meant. How much he wanted it to be true.

Alec turned his phone over in his hands, thumb brushing the screen. He wanted to hear Magnus’s voice again — to hold on to the warmth threaded through those words. But doubt crawled up fast, insidious. What if calling was too much? What if Magnus thought he was needy? Or worse — annoying? His mother’s voice hissed in memory, reminding him he wasn’t worth the trouble.

He clenched the phone tighter. The fear was familiar, whispering, that no one would ever choose him if they really knew him. But beneath it, stubborn and steady, was the echo of Magnus’s voice: You matter.

Before he could lose his nerve, Alec hit the call. His heart raced as it connected — caught between dread and a fragile, desperate hope.

It rang only once.

“Alexander,” Magnus’s voice came through smooth and rich, making Alec’s stomach flip. “What did I do to deserve the pleasure of hearing your delightful voice this evening?" 

Alec’s lips curved before he could stop himself. "Hi. I just… wanted to hear your voice.” His words tumbled out more openly than he intended, but he didn’t regret them. “And to say thank you again — for the cupcakes. Everyone loved them." 

"I'm glad to hear that,” Magnus said softly. “But honestly, seeing you smile was the best part of it all.” 

Alec’s heart kicked hard at that, his throat suddenly tight. Desperate to steady himself, he made some offhand comment about how quickly the cupcakes had vanished. 

Remembering his sister, Alec added, “Izzy’s looking forward to a proper meeting with you. She remembers seeing you at the cafe, but she wants more than just a passing hello.”

“Ah yes,” Magnus chuckled lightly. “We crossed paths briefly, but I’d prefer our next introduction not to involve a hospital corridor when she visits Jace.”

That warmth Alec always felt whenever Magnus spoke spread through him again now. He drew in a breath, gathering his courage. "I was thinking… maybe we should make our next meeting official. A real date. How about 'Luna's Haven'? I’ll book us a table for the next evening we’re both free."

There was a pause, then Magnus’s voice, brighter and sincere. "I'd love that, Alexander. It's a date. Officially.”

The playful chuckle that followed left Alec blushing in the semi-darkness. They chatted for a few more minutes, sorting details, trading soft goodnights and sleep wells. Just as Alec thought they were finished, Magnus’s voice dipped into something almost intimate.

“For the record, darling, I like hearing your voice too. So please — call me whenever the urge arises, Alexander.” 

Before Alec could form words, the line clicked off. The smile didn’t. He stared at the phone, stunned, then let out a breathless laugh. His grin stretched so wide his cheeks arched, but he didn’t care. Magnus had left him smiling like a fool, and he had no intention of stopping. 

As Alec set his phone back on the nightstand, he caught himself already counting down the hours until their first real date. The thought left his chest lit from within, glowing warm enough to carry him through the night.

Chapter Text

- Alec -

The firehouse had been relentless lately. With Jace still recovering, Alec picked up extra shifts, splitting his time between training, drills, and emergency calls. By mid-morning his shirt clung to his skin, and the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders — until the buzz of his phone cut through the exhaustion like a spark.

✉️Magnus: Chairman Meow just claimed my pillow again. I think he believes he pays the rent.

Alec’s lips twitched into a grin before he could stop himself. Trust Magnus to send something so ordinary and make it feel like a lifeline. The knot in his chest eased, the exhaustion blurred for a moment as he thumbed back a reply between bites of his energy bar, unwilling to leave Magnus waiting.

 - Magnus -

Across town, Magnus barely had time to breathe between rounds, meetings, and impromptu consults. His team huddled around a surgical mannequin in a skills lab when his phone lit up in his coat pocket.

✉️Alexander: At least your cat only hogs your pillows. Mike just stole the last slice of pizza. Again. 

The corner of Magnus’s mouth quirked before he could stop it. He slipped his phone away before anyone noticed, but the warmth lingered, slicing through the fatigue. Alexander had a way of doing that — dropping a line so ordinary it became extraordinary, reminding Magnus he wasn’t carrying the weight of the day entirely alone.

 - Malec -

Their messages became lifelines, buzzing back and forth through the noise of their busy days. Some were teasing, some were confessions of small joys or frustrations — all of them weaving Alec and Magnus closer. 

There were quick phone calls too — stolen late at night when exhaustion dragged at their voices but neither could hang up. Those were the moments that felt the most dangerous, the most intimate — hearing the other’s breath in the quiet and knowing they were not alone.

Piece by piece, they collected each other’s quirks. Magnus adored ice skating; Alec loved the wild freedom of open-water swimming. Alec admitted he despised sprouts — ‘the spawn of the devil’ — and Magnus teased him mercilessly. Magnus confessed his dream of standing beneath the aurora borealis, swearing one day they would go together.

They were only scraps of conversation, ordinary on the surface. But between them, something extraordinary was smouldering.

- Alec -

That week, Jace was finally discharged — grumbling about bed rest while Izzy fussed like a mother hen. Alec was relieved to see him out of the hospital, and quietly grateful for the excuse of checking on his brother, lingering close whenever he could.

Late one evening, after a brutal training session, Alec collapsed on the firehouse bunk, shirt damp with sweat, muscles heavy and uncooperative. He let his eyes drift shut — until his phone buzzed against his chest.

✉️Magnus: Skills lab survived. My residents might yet learn how to tie their sutures straight. 

✉️Magnus: I deserve a medal. 

✉️Magnus: Or chocolate. 

✉️Magnus: Or both.

A laugh slipped out before Alec could stop it. His body ached everywhere, but Magnus’s words dissolved it like sugar in coffee, warmth spreading before he knew it.

✉️Alec: Medal on backorder. Chocolate I can arrange. 😉

✉️Alec: Though I’d like to see you in scrubs trying to boss me around first.

He pictured it instantly — Magnus rolling his eyes, eyeliner sharp, every inch of him dramatic. The thought curled around Alec like warmth from a fire, carrying him into sleep with a smile tugging at his mouth.

 - Magnus -

The following afternoon, Magnus was buried in charts, eyes blurring over the endless columns of numbers, when a knock at the door pulled him back. A nurse stepped in, holding out a chocolate bar wrapped in a scrap of folded paper.

“From the ER,” she said with a faint smile. “Delivery for you.”

Magnus arched a brow, curiosity prickling as he unfolded the note. Inside, in Alexander’s crooked scrawl:

‘Spawn of the devil,’ huh? Tried sprouts again today. Still disgusting. Still blaming you for making me think of them. — A.

A startled laugh burst from Magnus, loud enough to make the interns hovering nearby glance up in surprise. He quickly waved them off, shaking his head as warmth spread through his chest. He slipped the note into his pocket like it was something fragile and precious, even as he unceremoniously tore into the chocolate. 

That firefighter. He had no idea how easily he was starting to matter — how these little gestures were breaking through the barriers Magnus had thought sealed for good.

- Malec -

Their conversations were woven together like a patchwork quilt — part trivial, part deeply intimate. Alec admitted he had a soft spot for cows (“don’t ask”) and Magnus teased him relentlessly until Alec promised he’d explain someday. Magnus shared a photo of Chairman Meow stretched smugly across his duvet; Alec responded with:

  ✉️Alexander: Your cat looks like he owns shares in your bed.

Exhaustion sometimes pulled them both into late-night calls, their voices low with weariness. Alec described the crackles of fire still in his ears, the adrenaline that took hours to fade. Magnus confessed how heavy the silence in the operating theatre pressed down hardest  after a close case. Neither judged. Neither turned away.

Somehow, between jokes about cats and cows, and confessions made in the shadows of midnight their bond only deepened — each message, each call, another spark feeding the quiet fire beginning to burn between them.

- Alec -

Two nights later, Alec sat in Jace’s apartment while his brother dozed on the couch, remote slipping from his loose grip. The TV flickered soundlessly in the background, casting shifting light across the room that still smelled faintly of soup Izzy had insisted on making. Alec leaned against the chair, scrolling absently through his phone. 

A notification blinked from hours ago followed by a message.

Missed video call.

✉️Magnus: Call attempted. Missed you. I suppose one of us has to save lives while the other wrangles duck-phobic heroes. 😉

Alec winced. He’d been caught on a false-alarm run earlier. Without thinking, he lifted his phone and snapped a picture of the scene before him; Jace snoring softly, Izzy’s too-bright blanket sprawled across him in careless folds.

✉️Alec: Brother successfully wrangled 😂

✉️Alec: Sorry I missed your call, duty called. 

✉️Alec: But… I’d rather see your handsome face than a fire any day.

He hit send before he could second-guess the words. His pulse jumped when Magnus’s reply arrived almost immediately. 

✉️Magnus: Careful, Alexander. Keep saying things like that and I might start expecting goodnight video calls.

Alec bit back a smile, thumb hovering over the video-call button. Not now, he thought. Maybe soon.

 - Magnus -

The following afternoon, Magnus escaped onto the hospital’s rooftop garden between surgeries. The air was sharp with the smell of rain and asphalt, a cold breeze tugging at the edges of his coat. Below, the faint roar of traffic blurred into white noise, blessedly distant from the chaos of the wards and surgical theatres. For once, he was grateful for the quiet.

He pulled out his phone, scrolling absently through his gallery until he landed on a photo Alexander had sent earlier — a candid shot in turnout gear, soot streaking his cheek, grinning despite the smoke-stained disorder behind him.

Magnus lingered on it, thumb brushing the screen. No one else saw Alexander like this — tired, dirty, unguarded… and devastatingly alive. It felt like a secret glimpse he hadn’t earned but couldn’t look away from. He tapped a reply quickly:

✉️Magnus: You have an infuriating habit of looking unfairly handsome even covered in soot.

✉️Magnus: Do try not to break too many hearts while I’m stuck here with charts.

His phone buzzed almost immediately.

✉️Alexander: There’s only one I’m worried about breaking.

✉️Alexander: And it’s not mine.

Magnus stilled, reading the words — not mine — echoing like a heartbeat. Then, slowly, a smile tugged at his mouth — wide and irrepressible, and dangerous. He slid his phone back in his pocket, pulse unsteady with the terrifying comfort of knowing Alexander Lightwood was already weakening the barriers he had sworn would never fall.

- Malec -

By the time their first official date at Luna's Haven drew near, both men carried these small exchanges like secret armour. For Alec, Magnus’s words were tucked into the edges of long shifts, pulled out like oxygen in the middle of smoke and exhaustion. For Magnus, Alexander’s steady honesty replayed in the quiet aftermath of surgery, cutting through a silence that too often felt suffocating.

Their date approached like a promise neither dared speak aloud — inevitable, bright, and waiting to ignite.

- Alec -

Alec stood in front of his closet like it was a battlefield. His shirts hung in neat rows — Henleys, t-shirts, the occasional button-up — none of them looked like date material.

Too plain. He tugged at the hem of his navy Henley before tossing it on the bed. ‘Pathetic. You’ll look like you didn’t try.’

The fitted black button-down shirt lasted all of three seconds before he shoved it back on the hanger. Too stiff. ‘Like you're pretending to be someone you’re not. And he’ll see right through you.’

“Why is this harder than walking into a burning building?” he groaned, dragging both hands through his hair — which of course made it worse. The inner voice whispered again: ‘You’ll never measure up. Not to him. Not ever.’

His phone buzzed on the nightstand. Magnus’s name lit up the screen with a single message:

✉️Magnus: Don’t be nervous, Alexander. Just wear whatever makes you feel like you. That’s the Alexander I want to see. ✨

Alec's throat tightened. Just be you. Words so simple, but no one had ever said them like that before — like ‘you’ was enough. Like ‘you’ was worth showing up as. The voice that told him he wasn’t good enough faltered just a little.

He swallowed hard, lips twitching despite himself, he retrieved the navy Henley from the bed and pulled it back on. He paired it with dark jeans, boots polished just enough to pass for effort, and his leather bracelet — the one Magnus had once traced with his finger. Tonight he wanted that memory close.

By the time he was lacing his boot, his pulse was a steady roar. Nervous, yes — but underneath it a quiet spark — fragile, defiant — whispering maybe, just maybe, being himself wouldn’t ruin everything.

 - Magnus -

Magnus’s loft was a canvas of half-discarded outfits: a tailored emerald jacket draped across the back of a chair, sequinned cufflinks glittered on the vanity. He stood before the mirror, eyeliner in hand, contemplating whether too much shimmer was even a real concern — or if it was easier to focus on glitter than the fear humming beneath his ribs.

“Ridiculous,” he muttered to Chairman Meow, who yawned from his perch like a theatre critic unimpressed with the show. “It’s a first date, not the Met Gala. But still…”

The humour landed, but beneath it flickered the truth: this wasn’t about sequins or jackets. It was about lowering barriers he’d sworn never to lower again. About daring to let someone close enough to see the man behind the show.

He slipped into a deep charcoal suit, perfectly tailored, and added a subtle silk pocket square — understated by his standards. The decision itself unsettled him. Simple. Less armour . Less of a shield between him and Alexander. Only then did he reach for the eyeliner, just a whisper of kohl around the eyes, finished with the faintest dusting of gold shimmer. Enough to catch the light. Enough to make Alexander look twice. Enough to remind himself he could still be seen.

His phone buzzed. A photo from Alexander filled the screen — boots laced and ready.

✉️Alexander: Hope this passes inspection.

Magnus’s answering laugh rang through the loft. He snapped a mirror selfie — suit sharp, eyes sparkling, one brow cocked, just enough heat in his smile to make it a promise — and sent it back.

✉️Magnus: Approved. More than approved. Prepare yourself, Lieutenant. 🔥

For all his practiced composure, he lingered in front of the mirror after sending it, watching his reflection with something dangerously close to hope. Confidence had always been his performance, a shield. But tonight it was real — terrifying, exhilarating all at once.

- Alec -

Alec arrived a few minutes early — of course he did. Standing on the cobblestoned stretch outside Luna's Haven, hands in his jacket pockets, rocking slightly on his heels. The glow from the restaurant’s lanterns spilled onto the sidewalk, warm against the cool evening air.

He tried to calm the restless beat of his pulse, telling himself it was just dinner. Just food. Just Magnus. The voice in his head sneered: ‘as if Magnus could ever be ‘just.’’

Yeah, right, he thought. Just Magnus.

Then the world seemed to tilt. Because Magnus was walking toward him, suit catching the soft glow of lamplight, kohl lining his eyes like shadow spun into art. A subtle glitter sparked with each step — like he’d bottled starlight just for tonight.

Alec’s throat went dry.

Magnus slowed as their gazes locked, a smile tugging at his lips. “Well, hello there, Alexander.”

“Hi.” Alec’s reply came breathlessly, nerves and awe colliding. “You look… amazing, really.” 

Flattered, Magnus dipped his head in a small bow, “Thank you, darling. And you —” His eyes skimmed over the Henley, the jacket, the leather bracelet — lingering long enough to make Alec’s skin heat. “— you look pretty devastatingly handsome.”

Alec blinked, ears warming. Compliments weren’t his strong suit. “Oh, uh… thanks. I'm just —” he faltered, then managed, “— really glad to be here with you.” 

The way Magnus’s smile softened, like Alec’s honesty mattered more than any polished words, made his heart stumble.

“Oh, are you now?” Magnus teased gently, leaning just close enough that Alec caught a trace of sandalwood and spice. “One look at you, and you’ve left me quite speechless.”

Alec huffed a laugh, tension easing a fraction. “Speechless? You? That’ll be the day.” Straightening slightly, he extended his arm, mock-formal. “Dr. Bane. Shall we?”

Magnus’s grin widened, delighted by the gesture. He slipped his hand through Alec’s arm with theatrical flourish. “We shall, Lieutenant Lightwood.”

Together, they stepped inside.

The host let them through the softly lit restaurant, past tables draped in linen and candles flickering low. A violinist played somewhere near the back, the notes threading through the gentle murmur of voices.

Alec tried not to stare — at Magnus, at the room, at the way Magnus seemed to belong in this world of elegance while he felt like a lumbering giant, every step a risk of knocking over a wineglass.

They slid into their seats, menus unfolding between them. Alec busied himself scanning the words, not because he couldn’t choose, but because Magnus’s gaze felt like sunlight he wasn’t sure he deserved.

When he finally risked a glance, Magnus was watching him — chin resting lightly on his hand, eyes glinting with unmistakable amusement.

Alec arched a brow. “What?”

Magnus didn’t flinch. His lips curved slowly. “I was just thinking… you’re far more captivating than anything on this menu.”

Heat rushed to Alec’s ears. The words hit so casually, like a fact — but Alec’s chest tightened certain Magnus couldn’t mean it. His inner voice hissed, ‘He’s joking. He can’t mean it. Don’t make a fool of yourself.’ He dropped his gaze back to the menu, muttering, “I am not on the menu.” 

The smug curve of Magnus’s mouth told Alec exactly just how he’d given himself away.

Trying to regain footing, Alec cleared his throat, pointing at the menu. “This all looks so good, I can't decide.” And if you keep looking at me like that, I won’t be able to breathe, let alone eat.

Magnus leaned in, conspiratorial. “Neither can I. Everything looks delicious.” His wink was shameless and timed perfectly, because the waiter appeared beside them just then.

“You can order for us both, Alexander,” Magnus said smoothly, eyes dancing, “I trust you.” Trust. The word hit like a weight he wasn’t sure he could hold.

Alec blinked. His brain stalled. Order for both? With Magnus looking at him like that? You’ll mess it up. He’ll laugh. He’ll see you’re not enough. His mouth went dry, his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth. “We’ll, um… we'll have… the pasta bolognese and, uh…” He skimmed the page like it was written in another language. “The chicken Milanese?”

Magnus gave the waiter a charming nod, effortlessly covering Alec’s stumble, “And a bottle of the house red, please.”

The waiter smiled. “Excellent choices.”

Taking the menus, he walked away, Alec dragged a hand over his face. “Well… that was smooth,” he muttered.

Magnus’s laughter was soft, rich and entirely too forgiving. “It may not have been the most eloquent order, but I’m certain it will taste wonderful. And besides — ” his eyes softened, “you were perfect.” ‘Perfect. He doesn’t mean it. He can’t.’ And yet some traitorous part of him wanted to believe.

Perfect. The word sank deep, at odds with every sharp-edged memory that told Alec he wasn’t. He ducked his head, smiling helplessly, wishing his heart would calm its furious beat.

- Magnus -

Magnus swirled the stem of his water glass, hiding a smile. Alexander Lightwood might have been many things — brave, disciplined, breathtakingly handsome — but smooth was not one of them. And somehow, that made him all the more irresistible.

The food would be excellent, yes. But watching Alexander stumble over ‘chicken Milanese’ like it was arcane code? That was the true delight.

Magnus let his eyes linger — the way Alexander’s hair fell stubbornly across his brow, the tense set of his jaw as if he were fighting invisible battles, the strength in his hands dwarfing the menu. And then that blush —  disarming, devastating — tugging at places Magnus had sworn to keep barred.

“You were perfect,” Magnus murmured, savouring the sight of Alexander ducking his head, trying to hide a smile. “Though, if I’m honest…” He let the words trail, teasing — and a little too honest for comfort.

Alexander’s eyes lifted, wary but curious. “Though what?”

Magnus’s lips curved, slow and wicked. “Though I should have let you order dessert too. Watching you taste something sweet… now that would be a pleasure worth savouring.”

The flush that deepened across Alexander’s face was even more intoxicating than the finest champagne.

The meal disappeared far too quickly, time slipping through his fingers like sand. It always did when Alexander sat across from him — time became bright, electric, threaded with the kind of silences that felt warm and safe, almost dangerous in their ease.

When the waiter offered dessert, Magnus didn’t bother glancing at the menu; raspberry cheesecake was already on his lips. Alexander, though, went straight for chocolate mousse. Magnus couldn’t help but file it away — rich, understated, a little indulgent. Very Alexander.

It didn’t take long before Magnus caught Alexander eyeing his plate like a starving man trying not to be caught. Delight curled through him. Smirking, he lifted his fork. “Careful, Alexander. You keep staring at my cheesecake like that, and I might think you’re after more than my company.”

Alexander’s blush came immediately. “I was just… wondering if it tastes as good as it looks,” his voice low, uncertain — but there was hope threaded in it too, and it caught Magnus off guard.

Magnus leaned forward, offering a forkful across the table. “Why wonder, when you could know?” His hand was steady, though his pulse was not. He hadn’t done this in years — Camille had forbidden it, intimacy hidden in the simple act of sharing. It felt dangerous, exposing.

Alexander hesitated a fraction too long, then leaned in, teeth sinking through the cheesecake. His eyes fluttered closed for a second, a low hum slipping out of him before he quickly swallowed. “Okay… yeah. That’s… ridiculously good. Better than mine.” The sound lingered in Magnus’s chest, hot and electric far more intoxicating than cheesecake should ever be.

The little hum rippled through Magnus like lightning. He bit the inside of his cheek, fighting the grin clawing its way free. “I did warn you. Fortunately for you, I’m generous… and willing to share.”

Alexander recovered enough to shoot him a crooked grin before nudging a spoonful of mousse across the table. “Then it’s only fair you try mine. Don’t say I never give back.” Fair, Alexander called it — but Magnus saw the quiet offering for what it was: trust, dressed up in banter.

The mousse melted, rich and sinful, though Magnus barely tasted it. What he truly savoured was Alexander’s gaze — fixed on his lips, unwavering. Magnus hummed deliberately, letting the sound linger as he swallowed, just to see the flush climbing higher. “Not bad at all. You may just have good taste, after all.”

“May?” Alexander laughed, shaking his head. “You’re impossible.” The sound of his laugh wrapped warm around Magnus, sweeter than any dessert on the table.

They traded bites until both plates were scraped nearly clean, laughter threading with something heavier — something Magnus knew better than to name. And yet… he let it burn anyway.

Then the bill arrived. 

Magnus’s hand moved instinctively — years of habit, of taking control before anyone else could. But before his fingers closed around the leather folder, they collided with Alexander’s. “Nope. I’ve got this,” he said firmly, eyes narrowing like he was ready to battle an inferno if Magnus tried to argue.

Magnus arched a brow, smirk tugging at his lips. “Oh? And here I thought we lived in a civilised age of equality, Alexander. Are you suggesting I’m incapable of paying for my own dinner?”

The flush that raced up Alexander’s cheeks was immediate. “No — I mean, yes — I mean…” He groaned, dragging a hand over his face. “I just… I invited you. It’s my responsibility.” Earnest, awkward, so painfully sincere Magnus felt his chest tighten.

“Responsibility,” Magnus echoed, rolling the word around like it was a vintage wine. He leaned forward, chin resting in his palm, watching Alexander squirm. “Darling, I think you might be the only man alive who makes picking up a bill sound like a solemn oath.” Magnus tilted his head, lips curving slyly. “So noble. So old-fashioned. Next you’ll be insisting I let you drape your jacket over puddles.”

That earned him a muttered laugh, half-embarrassed, half-relieved. His shoulders loosening just a fraction. “Just… let me do this, okay? Next time, you can pay.”

Next time. The words landed with far more weight than Alexander likely realised, curling warmth in Magnus’s chest.

Magnus let the promise settle, dangerous and sweet, before inclining his head in mock-gravity. “Very well. But I warn you — I tip extravagantly. Consider yourself prepared.”

The grin that broke across Alexander’s face was unguarded, lopsided and radiant. Magnus thought he’d surrender every bill in the world if it meant seeing that smile again.

- Alec -

Outside, the evening air was crisp, the moonlight soft against the cobblestones. Alec felt the lingering warmth of Magnus’s arm brushing his as they walked side by side, the simple closeness banked a steady heat under his ribs — one he wasn’t ready to name. 

When Magnus’s hand brushed his, Alec instinctively tightened his grip — and to his astonishment, Magnus threaded their fingers together like it was the most natural thing in the world. Magnus’s thumb pressed once, warm and certain, against the back of Alec’s hand — not teasing, just there — and Alec’s heart stuttered, then raced.

“I can’t believe how quickly the night went by,” Alec admitted, his voice quieter than he meant. He hesitated, then pushed the words out anyway, raw and uncertain. “I don’t… I don’t really want it to end.”

Magnus’s fingers squeezed his, gentle but sure. “Neither do I, Alexander. Tonight has been…” He turned his head, glitter catching the moonlight in his lashes. “Extraordinary.” 

The word hit Alec like a blow and a balm at once. Extraordinary. Him. He almost laughed at the absurdity — his mother would choke at the thought — but Magnus said it like he believed it.

Alec ducked his head, cheeks hot. “You’re going to make me blush if you keep talking like that.”

“Good,” Magnus replied softly, leaning close enough that Alec caught the faint spice and sandalwood of his cologne. “You’re devastating when you blush.”

Alec laughed under his breath, shaking his head, unsure what to do with words like that. Compliments were usually something he deflected, but from Magnus they didn’t feel like flattery — they felt like truth, dangerous and disarming.

They slowed when they reached the corner where they’d part ways, the air between them thick with hesitation. Alec swallowed, his courage wobbling, every nerve screaming at him to lean in. The voice clawed up immediately — ‘Don’t. He doesn’t want this. You’ll ruin it’. But something under it pulsed something stronger: respect. As much as he wanted to taste the promise of Magnus’s lips, he sensed the moment wasn’t quite theirs yet.

Magnus must have seen it too. His hand slid up to cup Alec’s cheek, thumb warm against his skin. “It’s okay, Alexander,” he murmured, as if he could read the swirl of hesitation and longing inside him.

Alec exhaled shakily. “I should… probably go.” The words slipped out, guilt and uncertainty. But even as he said it, his feet refused to move.

Magnus nodded, masking the flicker of disappointment in his eyes with a smile that was far too kind. Alec’s stomach twisted — leave it to him to ruin a perfect night.

Alec turned to leave — but stopped, heart pounding. He found his fortitude at last. He ignored the voice screaming at him to back away, like he should have done all along, he ignored the voice screaming at him to back away. He spun back before his courage could falter, leaned in, and pressed his lips to Magnus’s cheek. His free hand slid around Magnus’s back in a clumsy hug, holding him for a moment longer than was strictly necessary.

Glitter sparkled under the moonlight, and Alec thought he’d never seen anything so beautiful. His lips tingled where they’d touched Magnus’s skin. For the first time in years, he felt something in his chest loosen — like he’d finally done something right.

- Magnus -

The brush of Alexander’s lips against his cheek was so simple, so chaste — and yet it sent a shock through Magnus that unravelled him far more than he expected. His breath caught, a spark racing down his spine, igniting in the places he thought he’d sealed away. The tenderness slipped straight through his barriers frighteningly easily.

For all the carefully built walls he’d sworn would keep his heart safe, that single kiss made them tremble. It wasn’t a grand declaration, but it carried something far rarer: sincerity — and sincerity was far more dangerous than seduction.

Magnus smiled — wide, unguarded, impossible to contain. He slid a hand against Alec’s chest, feeling the rapid, steady hammer of his heart beneath the fabric. Strong. Steady. Unyielding. He let himself lean into the strength of Alec’s arms for one brief, dangerous moment, knowing how fragile his own felt in comparison — and it felt terrifyingly right.

When Alec pulled back, Magnus lingered, fingers trailing down to rest at his elbows, reluctant to let the warmth go. Their eyes locked, neither willing to look away. It wasn’t just attraction anymore — it was a spark, fanned brighter by trust.

“Goodnight, Alexander,” Magnus whispered at last, his voice softer than he meant it to be. More vulnerable than he meant it to be. A promise threaded between the words.

Alec’s cheeks flushed pink, but his smile was steady. “Goodnight, Magnus.”

As they parted, each step away felt heavier than Magnus wanted to admit. But when he glanced back, Alexander was looking too — stealing glances over his shoulder until they both laughed quietly at being caught. Every stolen look chipped at Magnus’s barriers, until finally they lost sight of one another — and yet, somehow, Alexander still lingered.

By the time Magnus stepped into his loft, the ache of parting had already set in. Magnus barely had time to slip out of his coat when his phone buzzed, and the sight of Alexander’s name lit him up all over again. He couldn’t stop the chuckle that rose, nor the dangerous thought that maybe — just maybe — the barriers around his heart were already beginning to fall.

✉️Alexander: I had an incredible time tonight. 

✉️Alexander: You looked absolutely amazing, by the way. 😉

✉️Alexander: I think I already told you that, but you definitely need to hear it again. (Because apparently once wasn’t enough 🙈)

Magnus chuckled, sinking onto the arm of his sofa, warmth curling low in his chest. Alexander was earnest in a way that could have felt naive — Magnus had heard a thousand compliments in his life, most of them hollow. But this? This was disarming. Endearing. Real.

✉️Magnus: As did you, my dashing firefighter. 

✉️Magnus: You clean up nicely. 😉 

✉️Magnus: And now I can't stop thinking about your smile… or how it felt when you aimed it at me.

Another buzz, and Magnus’s grin widened before he read it — ridiculous how quickly Alexander had him waiting for the next word.

✉️Alexander: Haha, thank you. 

✉️Alexander: I have to admit, your eyes are just as mesmerising in moonlight as they are in my dreams.

✉️Alexander: (… did I really just text that? 🙈)

Magnus blinked, caught off guard by the quiet boldness of the words. His pulse skipped. Alexander had no idea what it meant to him — to be wanted not for glitter, the show, the carefully painted armour… but simply for who he was beneath it all.

For a long beat, Magnus stared at the message, thumb hovering over the keys. To reply meant letting down another fraction of his armour — another sliver of his barriers. He typed, fingers trembling just slightly before he hit send:

✉️Magnus: Is that so? Well… I could say the same about yours. 😉 

✉️Magnus: Truth is, there's something I wish I’d had the courage to do before we said goodnight.

The reply came instantly — like Alec had been waiting with his phone in his hand, pulse racing just as much as Magnus’s.

✉️Alexander: Oh? What's that?

✉️Alexander: (… should I be nervous?)

✉️Magnus: This… 💋 

He set the phone down, his grin stretching wide as he pictured Alexander’s inevitable blush. For once, it wasn’t Magnus performing, dazzling, distracting, it was just him — bare, open, terrifyingly honest. And to his surprise, it felt… wonderful.

✉️Alexander: Well… there will be other opportunities, you know. 😘

✉️Magnus: You're absolutely right. 

✉️Magnus: Consider it a promise — one I fully intend to keep on our next date. 😉🔥

✉️Alexander: I'll hold you to it, Mr Bane. Don’t think I won’t. 😉

✉️Magnus: You can count on it, Mr Lightwood.

Magnus let the phone rest against his chest, a ridiculous, boyish grin refusing to leave his face. Somewhere across the city, he knew Alexander was lying in bed with the same foolish smile. Their night might have ended, yes — but the sparks they’d struck in the moonlight were still burning, brighter than ever.

Chapter Text

- Magnus -

Nearly two weeks had passed since the fire that had injured Alexander’s brother, and Magnus knew Catarina was only biding her time to pry. After his evening with Ragnor, he’d half expected Catarina to corner him the very next morning, all sharp eyes and even sharper questions. The near-constant smile tugging at his lips gave way; even he’d noticed the sparkle in his eyes — one he’d thought long extinguished — had returned brighter than ever.

The morning after his first official date with Alexander, Catarina’s patience finally snapped. During their shared break she slid into the chair opposite him, arms folded, eyes sharp. No small talk. She went straight for the heart. “You seem happier these days, Magnus.” Steam curled from her coffee into the break room’s harsh fluorescent light, her mouth fighting a smile she refused to let win. Somewhere down the hall, a vending machine hummed like a tired bee; rubber soles squeaked over linoleum as nurses ghosted past the doorway. 

Magnus’s foot tapped a quiet rhythm under the table, more nerves than he’d ever admit. He arched a brow, feigning innocence. “Do I?” he drawled, though his heart gave a treacherous flutter. Catarina knew him too well — she always had. 

Catarina chuckled, seeing right through Magnus's attempt to deflect. "Please,” she scoffed. “You can't fool me. And don’t think I don’t know you’ve spoken to Ragnor," her eyes danced with mischief as she leaned in. “I've known you far too long, Magnus Bane. That sparkle in your eyes? It only ever shows up when something — or someone — has captured your interest.”

Magnus sighed, shoulders sinking in theatrical surrender. “Alright, fine.” A smile tugged at his mouth despite himself. “I have met someone. But I suppose Ragnor has already let the cat out of the bag.”

Catarina's eyes lit up with mingled curiosity and delight. “Give Ragnor more credit than that. Now — tell me,” she urged, leaning in, conspiratorial, voice dropping as though the break room were full of eavesdroppers.

Magnus leaned back; the break room’s hum fell away as he spoke of Alexander. The ridiculous coincidence at the café, how it had somehow unfolded into something unexpected and steady. How cupcakes had turned into confessions threaded with bravery, kindness, and a gentleness he hadn’t even known he was starving for. Even in the harsh fluorescent lights and the bitter smell of burnt coffee, the memories glowed warm. With Alexander, he felt seen in a way he hadn’t in years.

Catarina listened with rapt attention, her grin widening with every detail. Her fingers curled tight around her mug, eyes soft with affection. “He sounds wonderful,” she said, and the warmth in her voice left no doubt she was genuinely happy for him — her best friend.

“He is,” Magnus admitted, the grin slipping through despite himself. “He's unlike anyone I've ever known. With him… I don’t feel like I’m performing — I can just be —” he hesitated, hand drumming, the word fragile on his tongue, “myself. And he doesn’t just tolerate it… he values it. Appreciates it.”

Catarina reached across the table, her hand warm even through the fabric of his coat as she squeezed his shoulder. “I'm so happy for you, Magnus,” she said softly. “After everything you’ve endured, you deserve this — all of it, more than anyone I know.” The words landed heavy, but in a way that steadied rather than crushed.

Magnus felt the unspoken weight of her approval in the way her eyes brightened at Alexander’s name. She didn’t have to say it outright — he could already tell she’d decided Alexander was a keeper. The realisation loosened tight in his chest, sending through him a relief so sharp it almost felt giddy.

Magnus leaned back in his chair, the vinyl creaking under him. His fingers worried absently at a chip on the table as he admitted, voice low. “I never thought I’d find someone like Alexander. He brings out the best in me. With him, it feels… natural. As if we've known each other far longer than two short weeks.”

Catarina nodded slowly, lifting her mug and letting the steam curl between them. “That's the thing about destiny,” she murmured. “It doesn’t care about calendars. Sometimes the right person just fits — like they’ve always been there.”

Magnus exhaled slowly, fingers tracing the rim of his mug, clinging to its warmth. “I’m holding myself back, Catarina. Not because of him… but because of what he is doing to me.” His gaze lifted, imploring. “I thought I’d closed the door on trust forever. But with Alexander… I already know I can.” He swallowed, throat tight, chest twisting. “He’s breaking through barriers I swore would never fall. And the terrifying part?” He gave a soft, bitter laugh. “I want him to.”

Catarina’s smile gentled, but her eyes sharpened with that nurse’s intuition he could never wriggle out of. “And the way the night ended?”

Magnus hesitated, eyes dropping to his hands, words catching. “He didn’t kiss me.” The old ache flickered, sharp in his chest — ridiculous, considering how warm the night had been. “Not because he didn’t want to. He… paused. Leaned in, then chose a cheek. Careful. Gentle.” He could still feel the phantom warmth of where Alexander’s lips had brushed his cheek if he let himself.

Catarina tilted her head, voice steady, the way she might soothe a patient’s pain. “Careful can be its own kind of brave. Sometimes it means: I won’t take what you’re not ready to give.”

Magnus let out a brittle laugh. “Or it says, I don’t think I’m allowed to want this.” He pressed both palms flat to the table, the laminate biting cool into his skin. “There's a shadow on him, Catarina. Like he’s learned to flinch from his own worth. It doesn’t feel like heartbreak. It feels… older. Ingrained. Taught.”

“Family?” Catarina asked, her tone soft, but laced with steel — the kind of  question that she already half-knew the answer to.

“Perhaps,” Magnus admitted after a pause. “He wears disappointment like a uniform — pressed, starched, decades-old. And yet when he looks at me…” Magnus’s chest squeezed, the words catching. “It’s like I matter. Which is… inconvenient, considering how hard I’m trying not to.”

Catarina slid her hand over his, warm and steady, squeezing until he finally met her eyes. “Then maybe,” she said softly, “you’re mending each other's bruises.”

He let out a shaky laugh, fragile as glass.

She let the silence stretch, giving him space to breathe. “Let him set the pace,” she said at last. “Name what you need. And let him hear the truth that costs you to say.”

Magnus’s mouth curved, unwilling but helpless. “You make it sound simple.”

Catarina’s lips quirked as steam curled between them from the cups. “Simple isn’t easy,” she said. “But it’s the right fire.”

Trust was always a dangerous fire, Magnus thought. It could burn you hollow. But with Alexander, it felt like banked heat — steady, survivable.

Catarina leaned in, wrapping her arms tight around him. The scent of coffee clung to her scrubs, familiar and grounding. Her voice dropped to a murmur against his ear. “Magnus, you're not alone in this. Alec is not her, and you're not the same man you were back then. People change. And it's okay to let someone in again.” 

She drew back, keeping her hands braced on his shoulders, her gaze steady enough to pin him in place. “Love is a risk, yes. But it's also the most beautiful adventure.”

Her thumb brushed absently over the fabric of his sleeve, a small motion that felt achingly steady. “Don't let the fear of the past dictate your present. Alec cares — that much is obvious, even from the little things I’ve seen. And don't forget that I've met him. You deserve happiness, Magnus. It’s time to break free from those barriers you keep forging and let love do what it does best.”

Magnus closed his eyes for a beat, letting her words settle — heavy and healing, pressing into places he thought untouchable. Catarina had a way of cutting through every barrier without shattering him. He’d always known she would tell him exactly what he needed to hear — and she hadn’t disappointed him now.

The conversation drifted into easier waters, laughter breathing between them as they told stories of night shifts gone wrong and the patients who had driven them half-mad. Catarina laughed until her eyes shone, the sound echoing bright against the sterile walls. Some of Magnus’s guilt loosened — guilt for making her worry, for leaning too heavily on her for too many years. For once, she was laughing because he was happy, and not because she was trying to chase away shadows.

Magnus tipped his head, studying her with a faint smile and warm eyes. “And how about you, Catarina? How are things with Ragnor?”

Catarina's cheeks warmed as she rolled her eyes. “Oh, Ragnor’s the same old grump he has always been. But you know me — I wouldn't have him any other way,” her laugh was soft, fondness threaded through it.

Magnus chuckled, voice warm with tease. “You two are perfect for each other — The grump and the sass queen.”

“That's us,” Catarina replied with a grin, giving a little shrug. “But under that grumpy exterior, Ragnor has a heart of gold.”

“He does,” Magnus agreed softly. A rare thread of sentiment weaving through his voice. His shoulders eased as he added. “And I'm glad he's a part of both our lives.”

They lingered, trading jokes and stories until their laughter softened into the kind of silence only old friends could share. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, the smell of burnt coffee clinging to the air, vinyl chairs creaking beneath them. Ordinary, imperfect — and yet Magnus thought he’d remember this as one of the good breaks: a reminder that no matter how the years bent them, he and Catarina would always be there for each other.

When the clock finally tugged them back to work, Magnus rose with a contentment curling in his chest — a feeling he hadn’t touched in years. Alexander steady in his heart. Catarina at his side. A chosen family who saw past the glitter and still stayed. It made the fragile spark between him and Alexander feel not just possible, but inevitable.

- Alec -

Later that evening, Alec headed to Jace’s apartment. The building smelled faintly of disinfectant and someone’s overcooked dinner down the hall. A fluorescent light buzzed overhead, harsh and cold, but relief still loosened something tight in his chest at the thought of seeing his brother on his feet again.

Jace opened the door with a wide grin, leaning against the frame like he hadn’t been flat on his back a week ago, still pale under the bravado. “Hey bro. You look like you've got a secret.”

Alec chuckled as he followed Jace in and sank onto the sofa next to him. Throw pillows listed at odd angles, Izzy’s blanket slumped over the arm like a defeated flag, and the air still held a faint thread of hospital antiseptic under takeaway and laundry soap. “Maybe I do,” he said lightly, though the words weighed heavier than he let show.

Jace raised an eyebrow, catching the way Alec’s ears flushed red —  a tell he’d known since childhood. “You've met someone, haven't you?” he asked, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Alec rolled his eyes. “As if you don't already know.” Jace's so-called intuition never impressed him — but his voice softened anyway. “Yes, I have,” just saying it aloud sent a quiet swell of warmth through his chest. Magnus.

Jace grinned wider, smug and warm all at once. “I knew it! I can always tell when someone’s on your mind —  but this? I’ve never seen you like this. You’re happy, Alec. Happier than you’ve ever let yourself be. Even the guys at the firehouse are whispering.” His eyes gleamed with brotherly pride. “So? Tell me about this lucky bastard.”

Alec found himself telling Jace everything — the ridiculous chance café meeting, Magnus’s even more ridiculous cupcakes, the late-night calls that had somehow become lifelines. His voice dropped when he admitted how deeply they had connected, how his feelings had already started to grow. The words didn’t feel embarrassing; they settled low in his chest — steady and safe. They felt… safe.

Jace listened without interruption, nodding slowly. “He sounds solid. And his bedside manner? I’ll give him credit — he kept me from losing my mind.” His grin curved sharp again. “Guess I can forgive him for stealing my brother’s attention.” Then his voice softened, the teasing slipped away. “I'm glad you've found someone who makes you happy, Alec.”

A lump rose in Alec’s throat as he smiled, the words feeling almost too big to push out. “Thanks. He really is incredible, Jace. I've… never felt this way before.”

Jace's expression softened, a seriousness slipping into his voice. “I know, Alec. And I always knew you’d find the right guy eventually. You don't have to explain it to me. You're my brother. My best friend. I've accepted you for who you are from the start.” His jaw tightened briefly. “Even when mum didn’t. Especially when she didn’t. She made you doubt yourself, Alec — but she never made me doubt you.”

The words hit like a strike to his chest, knocking breath from his lungs. Alec swallowed hard, a lump rising in his throat. “Thank you, Jace. That… means more than I can say.”

Izzy arrived mid-conversation, knocking twice before slipping in like she owned the place. She struck a pose in the doorway, one hand on her hip, the other pretending to be a microphone. “Excuse me, gentlemen — breaking news. Rumour has it there's scandalous gossip happening in here,” her voice carrying the practised drama of a news anchor, and her grin was pure mischief.

Alec and Jace both burst out laughing. Jace leaned back dramatically, arms spread wide. “Well, Miss Lightwood, you've caught us red-handed. Matters of the heart, no less.” Alec shot him a look, already guessing Jace had messaged her the second he’d walked in. Typical Jace.

Izzy leaned forward, eyes gleaming, her voice still her best anchor impression. “Matters of the heart? Shocking development. Sources confirm Alec Lightwood is blushing. Details at eleven.” The performance was flawless, but beneath it, her curiosity was unmistakably real.

Alec rolled his eyes. “It's nothing scandalous,” he muttered — but the heat crawling up his neck betrayed him instantly. 

Jace leaned toward Izzy, cupping a hand around his mouth in an exaggerated stage-whisper loud enough for the neighbours to hear. “He's met someone special.” His grin was wicked, equal parts brotherly pride and shameless mischief.

Izzy’s grin widened, but the play-acting fell away. “Really? Do I know them?” Her voice softened, curiosity replacing theatrics, and she leaned in like she couldn’t wait for the answer.

Alec nodded, a reluctant smile tugging at his mouth despite the flush crawling up his neck. “Yeah, you do,” he said quietly. “It's Magnus Bane — the doctor from the hospital. We've… been spending some time together. And I really like him.” The words felt terrifying and good all at once.

Izzy’s face lit up instantly. “Magnus Bane? Oh, I like him! Coffee shop guy, Jace’s doctor, cupcake hero?” Her grin softened into something warmer, protective even. “Alec… I’m really glad it’s him. You deserve someone who actually sees you.”

Alec couldn’t help chuckling at Izzy’s bubbling excitement, shaking his head. “Yeah, that's him,” 

Izzy clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling like she’d been waiting for this moment. “This is so exciting. I can't wait to get to know him better. Honestly, I knew you two would be a ridiculously cute couple!”

Jace leaned forward, grin stretching ear to ear. “Oh, they’ll be unstoppable. Magnus the brilliant doctor, Alec the fearless firefighter — the ultimate power duo, people won’t stand a chance.”

Alec ducked his head, trying to smother the heat rising across his cheeks. “Alright, enough,” he muttered , though his eyes betrayed him, glinting with amusement. The voice in his head scolded him for giving himself away so easily — but it was back to an annoying mumble he could easily ignore.

Izzy and Jace traded a knowing glance — one of those wordless sibling conversations Alec had never been good at deciphering. They didn’t need to say it aloud: they’d watched him shrink under their mother’s sharp eyes for years. Seeing him grinning and glowing was its own rebellion.

“Okay, fine, we'll stop,” Izzy relented, though her grin tugging at her mouth gave her away. “But you’d better keep us updated. I expect  details, big brother!”

Alec chuckled, warmth blooming in his chest in a way it hadn’t in years. “I will. You two will be the first to know.”

And for a moment the old weight of his mother’s disappointment loosened its grip. Here, with Jace and Izzy’s laughter ringing in the air, he was enough.

Alec's phone buzzed and just like that, the whole room blurred to background noise. One name lit the screen. His lips curved before he could stop them, thumbs moving fast — answering Magnus felt less like a choice and more like instinct.

Jace and Izzy noticed — of course they did. They always did. The grin Alec was trying and failing to smother stretched too wide, too soft, to be missed.

Jace elbowed Izzy, dropping his voice into an exaggerated stage-whisper. “Well, would you look at that? Someone’s got it bad.”

Izzy’s answering smirk was wicked. “Got it bad? He’s practically glowing. I’ve never seen him smile like this — not even when he made lieutenant.”

Jace smirked, eyes bright with mischief. “And his eyes? Literal heart emojis. Our stoic brother — officially smitten.” 

Izzy rolled her eyes, though her grin betrayed her. “It's adorable. Magnus Bane — all glitter, charm, and somehow the one to snag the most buttoned-up Lightwood.”

Jace chuckled. “They do make a disgustingly cute couple. And honestly? I get it. Magnus has that whole charisma-sparkle thing going on. Who could resist?” 

Izzy’s gaze softened, the teasing fading. “And from the way I’ve heard he looks at you? Alec… it's obvious. He’s already head over heels. He sees you.” She hesitated, just letting the words sink in. “Which is more than mum ever did — and I hate that. But it’s true.”

Alec’s fingers found his leather bracelet, worrying the knot until it bit his skin — a small sting to draw out a louder one. He ducked his head, pretending to focus on his phone, but Izzy’s words lodged deep. A balm — and a bruise. Being seen like that was terrifying...and exactly what he needed.

Jace leaned back, grin all mischief. “Well, just don't forget to invite us to the wedding. I expect an open bar, by the way,” he added with a wink.

Izzy snorted. “And same — if Magnus gets cupcakes again, I’m calling dibs.”

Alec groaned, dragging a hand over his face. “You two are impossible.” The words lacked their usual bite, and his smile tugged stubbornly at the corner of his mouth no matter how he tried to smooth it.

Don’t hope for too much, the old voice muttered. Don’t start imagining futures you’ll never have.

And yet — beneath that muttering — something warm flickered. Because for once, he wanted it to.

He leaned back against the sofa, voice quiet. “You know… I still can’t believe how lucky I am to have met Magnus.”

Izzy leaned in, eyes sparkling, and nudged him with her shoulder. “You're practically glowing, big brother. It’s honestly weird. But also adorable.”

Alec groaned, tipping his head back against the cushion. “I am not glowing.” He shot her a look. "You make it sound like I'm some sulky storm cloud all the time.”

But the word lodged, unwanted. Glowing. The truth sparked in his chest anyway: Magnus felt like fire — dangerous, necessary, impossible to ignore.

Jace didn’t even miss a beat. “Because you are, most of the time,” he smirked, lazy and fond. “But clearly Doctor Bane has found the ‘on’ switch. About time.”

Heat crept up Alec’s neck. His instinct was to deflect, to argue — except the truth sat warm in his chest, undeniable. His lips curved, soft and helpless. “He really is… incredible.” The words slipped out quieter than he meant, threaded with more honesty than he usually let show. “Magnus is kind, brilliant, funny. And —” He huffed out a laugh, glancing down at his hands. “He's got a cat named Chairman Meow, which should be ridiculous — and somehow just makes perfect sense. Like everything about him.”

Izzy grinned, tipping her head dramatically. “A cat person, huh? Well, I officially approve. And —” she waggled her brows. “— those cupcakes he brought to the firehouse? Completely unfair. I think I love him already.”

Alec let out a startled laugh, shaking his head. “You’re an easy bribe.” His voice softened as he added, “but yeah. He’s… good at winning people over. Charming without even trying.”

“Runs in the family,” Jace teased, nudging Alec’s knee with his own.

The warmth of it lodged in his chest, thick and unexpected. His whole life, approval had always come with conditions, but here it was simple. Love, acceptance, no questions asked. He glanced at his siblings — the people who had fought through every fire of their own with him — and thought: this matters more than they’ll ever know.

After a couple of hours filled with dinner, teasing, and too much laughter, Alec finally pushed himself to his feet. The clock was nudging late, and dawn would come too soon. He said his goodbyes with a promise, “I’ll keep you both updated. You’ll be the first to know, I swear.”

Izzy hugged him hard, Jace clapped him on the shoulder, and for once Alec didn’t feel like the odd one out in his own family.

The night air was crisp when he stepped outside. His breath puffed in faint clouds as he started towards his apartment, the city humming low around him. His lips still curved without his permission, warmth threading through every step.

It wasn’t just Magnus’s face that lingered in his mind — though that was enough to set his pulse racing. It was tonight, this moment: his siblings laughing with him instead of at him, approval offered without conditions. For the first time, Alec felt like the ground beneath him was steady — like maybe he didn’t have to carry both worthlessness and hope at the same time.

Magnus’s name glowed quietly in his thoughts, steady as a flame — the right fire, he realised — a warmth that lingered in his ribs long after the night air cooled. The connection between them was growing, spark by spark, and Alec found himself looking forward to tomorrow with a kind of fierce, fragile joy.