The Bane Chronicles: The Course of True Love (And First Dates)

[strongest_faith]

Alec was late. He was really late. Late enough that he was pretty sure Magnus would have given up on him. Damn Jace wanting to train and Alec's inability to think of a good enough excuse to get out of it.

He'd rushed through a shower and pulled on a light-blue shirt that was actually new. Izzy said it did good things for his eyes. Alec hoped they were good enough for Magnus to forget that he was supposed to be there more than twenty minutes ago. He also hoped Izzy had been right about the cologne. He'd never worn cologne before.

As he sprinted through the Brooklyn streets to Magnus's loft, Alec dodged between pedestrians and once or twice vaulted a low wall that was in his way. He couldn't be bothered to stop for things like red lights, so he just flitted between (or over) cars where necessary. He was already late, but he didn't have to be any later.

By the time he got to Magnus's loft and threw himself at the buzzer, he actually needed to catch his breath.


[ooc: Dialogue and plot courtesy of Cassandra Clare's The Bane Chronicles.]

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[strongest_faith]

"Oh," said Alec, who was about 95% certain this was bullshit.

[highwarlock_bane]

Something inside Magnus cracked, "I have to go and try to get her under control. Will you come and help me?"

[strongest_faith]

"Oh!" said Alec, brightening immeasurably. "This is a real emergency! I figured it was one of those things where you arrange to have a friend call you so that you could get out of a sucky date."

[highwarlock_bane]

For a brief moment Magnus felt pleased that a maddened werewolf was ravaging downtown Manhattan if it made Alec look like that.

"Ha ha, I didn't know people did that." Magnus says trying to hide his guilt.

[strongest_faith]

Alec was already on his feet, pulling on his jacket, instantly more relaxed. This was something he knew how to do. A maddened werewolf was easy compared to a first date.

"Let's go, Magnus."

[highwarlock_bane]

A burst of fondness in Magnus' chest. he liked how Alexander said the things that other people thought and never said. And he liked how Alec called him Magnus and not warlock. He liked how Alec's shoulders moved under his jacket.

He thought Alec would be delighted for an excuse to exit an uncomfortable date.

Throwing money down on the table.

[strongest_faith]

Alec made a noise of protest and reached for his wallet.

[highwarlock_bane]

He says cheerfully, "Please, You have no idea how much I overcharge Ne[hilim for my services. This is only fair. Let's go." with a wave of his hand.

[strongest_faith]

Alec wasn't familiar with the bar they were headed to, but he knew when they got close because the people spilling out weren't doing so like people going to grab a cigarette or hook up. There was fear in this crowd. And a weird sort of fascination. They hovered around the entrance like onlookers at a train wreck.

[highwarlock_bane]

A girl clutched Magnus's sleeve and gazed up at him, her false lashes dusted with silver glitter. "Don't go in" she whispered "There's a monster in there."

I am a monster. And monsters are my specialty Magnus thought. What he said, "I don't believe you" releasing her hand from his arm from her. And he meant it. Magnus wouldn't believe the girl was a monster.

It was dark in the bar and there were still people inside. Squinting Magnus noticed smeared blood and then glanced at Alec.

[strongest_faith]

As they entered the bar, Alec saw obvious signs of violence. The room was nearly abandoned, blood was smeared on the dance floor, and Alec was hit with the sudden realization that he'd never gone into a fight without Izzy and Jace beside him.

His pulse picked up, and he shifted his weight between his feet nervously.

[highwarlock_bane]

Magnus notices that Alec is looking nervous, "Are you alright?"

[strongest_faith]

"I always do this with Isabelle and Jace," Alec admits. "And they're not here. And I can't call them."

[highwarlock_bane]

"Why not?" Magnus asks. Not that he wants any more Shadowhunters involved.

[strongest_faith]

Alec didn't answer. How could he? What would he say? 'I can't call them because I don't want them to know who I'm with'?

And without them...he's no good attacking. His run-in with Abbadon showed him that more than ever. With Jace and Izzy, he stayed back, protected them while they went on the offensive.

[highwarlock_bane]

Magnus then realizes why and understood Alec's problem.

"You'll do great without them. I can help you."

[strongest_faith]

Alec wasn't entirely sure about that, but he nodded and moved forward anyway, keeping in front of Magnus as he went.

There were still people in the bar, but they were pressed against the wall in terror, and Alec wondered what they were thinking in this moment, whether they knew what sort of danger they were in.

He heard sobbing from somewhere, and he followed the sound.

[highwarlock_bane]

There was a low, rattling growl coming from the back lounge of the bar.

Magnus let Alec keep in front of him.

[strongest_faith]

It was dark, and Alec struggled to see, wishing he'd applied runes on the way over. As he moved forward, he could hear the werewolf growling a challenge.

[highwarlock_bane]

There was a suddenly a slender girl with her hair in long coils, trailing ribbons and blood. The girl dashes straight at them. Magnus leaped forward and caught her arms before she could distract or be attacked by Alec.

Don't let him hurt her!"
"How badly did she hurt you?"

The two said at the same time.

Magnus paused and then said, "We may be at somewhat of an impasse. Let's try yes or no questions. Are you badly hurt?" he looked her over, she had a deep scratch all the way up one smooth brown arm.

[strongest_faith]

She glared at him. "No," she said.

[highwarlock_bane]

She was of course lying and Magnus could tell but instead of calling her out on it he asks, "You're a mundane, aren't you?"

[strongest_faith]

"Yes...I'm not a werewolf or anything, if that's what you mean," she said.

[highwarlock_bane]

"But you know she's a werewolf?" Magnus asks to be certain.

[strongest_faith]

"Yes, dumbass," she snapped. "She told me. I know all about it. I don't care. It's my fault. I encouraged her to go out."