Chapter Text
“When were you planning on telling me, Magnus?” asked Alec, trying to fight back the tears, but after what he had just found out, he couldn’t hold them back and he hiccuped a little bit. Magnus’ eyes were full of tears as well, but he wasn’t even trying to stop them, hold them back. Alec pressed his lips together. “I-I thought that we had a plan. After we finish high school, we would-would both continue our education here. In New York,” hissed Alec as he tried his best to calm down, but what was he supposed to do? Stay calm?! After all the planning and-
“I-I’ve been meaning to tell you, Alexander, please calm down and allow me to explain everything to you,” begged Magnus, but Alec didn’t want that. He didn’t want to listen to some poor excuses from his boyfriend. If he could even still call him that. He knew how long distance relationships worked out - they didn’t. And he had just found out that Magnus would be moving to London. Next month. Without even telling him first about it! And he was just supposed to be alright with it? It wasn’t fair!
“Explain what? That you’ll abandon me?!” hissed Alec and then shook his head. The look on Magnus’ face broke his heart. He didn’t mean for that to come out like this. He didn’t want to hurt Magnus, but the words were coming out before he could even stop them. “And after everything that I’ve done for you!” yelled Alec and pressed his lips together, shaking his head.
“Things you’ve done for me?” asked Magnus in confusion. Did he mean coming out to his parents? That was rough, yes, Alexander’s parents didn’t really accept it so gracefully, but at the same time it was something that he did for himself. And not for Magnus’ sake! Magnus pressed his lips together - Alexander didn’t mean that. He didn’t mean the nonsense that he was spewing out of his mouth. He was just upset. Alexander would understand once he calmed down that they could still work out. They would still be able to- “You did that for your own sake. For your own future and not for-”
“Why London?!”
“It’s the school I’ve always wished to attend,” said Magnus and that felt like a slap in the face. Alec’s heart sank to the pit of his stomach. So, school was more important than their relationship?! “I thought you’d understand. Alexander, it’s just London. We can work this out,” stammered Magnus and Alec rolled his eyes and when Magnus stepped closer to him, he made a quick step back and he swallowed the tears, shaking his head.
“Long distance relationships never work out and you know it,” stammered Alec and Magnus’ eyes welled up again. He knew that he should’ve told Alexander sooner about it, but at the same time he didn’t know how to. He applied to the school in London without even thinking that he had a chance there. He never thought that he would be accepted, so he was overjoyed when he got the letter of acceptance. And he wanted to share that joy with his boyfriend, but he didn’t know how to tell him. That he would be moving to London. So he held it as a secret and he knew that he should’ve said something sooner.
“These two years meant nothing to you?” asked Magnus, the tears now already rolling down his face and Alec’s eyes widened because Magnus shouldn’t be the one saying all of this. He was the one that suddenly changed his plans for the future. He wasn't the one-
“Don’t try to pin this on me, you’re the one that changed the plans we made together,” whispered Alec and kept looking down. He couldn’t look up at Magnus, it hurt too much. He chewed on his lower lip and tried to even out his breathing. Magnus slowly stepped closer to him and that time he didn't move away. He felt Magnus cupping his hands, linking their fingers together, but Alec didn’t really-
“Alexander, please,” whispered Magnus. “I tried to tell you, but I didn’t know how-”
“Well, hell, Magnus, I’m glad you brought it up at least now,” said Alec and then stepped back, withdrawing his hand away from Magnus’. He didn’t want to be talking about this right now. Knowing that their time was very limited now. Magnus would be going to London soon. Yes, he would come back to visit for holidays and other special occasions, but Alec wasn’t stupid. He knew that their relationship would be holding him back. Both of them. At least that was what he believed in and he pressed his lips together. He didn’t want to be holding Magnus back. The things that he was saying were hurtful, he knew it. He didn’t want Magnus to think that he didn’t support him. He did, but it was just… hard.
“Alexander, we can work this out,” said Magnus, desperate to make Alec see that they could make long distance relationship work. “If-if there’s anyone that can make this work is us,” said Magnus and smiled through his tears. “Please, Alexander, I don’t-don’t want to lose you,” said Magnus and shook his head. “What we have is special,” he said and Alec slowly glanced down at him, his eyes full of tears and as he blinked they rolled down his cheeks.
“It,” said Alec and shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“Please. I love you and you love me,” said Magnus and Alec nodded, but then he shook his head and then he pressed his lips together and huffed under his breath. Magnus stepped closer to him and placed his hands on top of his shoulders, shaking his head. “We can make this work,” he said and Alec chewed on his lower lip. What if he didn’t want to make it work? That sounded horrible, but-
“Magnus,” stammered Alec and then made a little pause. “It’ll be hard.”
“What we have is worth fighting for. You told me that once, remember?” asked Magnus and tried to smile through his tears. “I’ll visit. Every holiday I will come back to spend it with you,” said Magnus and Alec forced on a little smile. “We still have a month until then, let’s not waste it, huh?” he asked and Alec felt his heart twisting. “We have social media, we’ll stay in touch at all times. You’ll see,” whispered Magnus and wrapped his arms around his neck, pulling him closer and Alec shuddered. “Don’t you think so? Don’t you think that what we have is special and worth fighting for?” asked Magnus, his tear-filled eyes finding Alec’s and in the end Alec finally nodded. He couldn’t say no to that. Not to those warm, beautiful eyes.
“It-it is,” stammered Alec and wrapped his arms around Magnus’ waist to pull him closer and he pressed his lips on top of Magnus’, who let out a little sob when they finally kissed and Alec could feel him shaking in his arms. “You’re worth it. I’m sorry, I said stupid shit just now I didn’t-”
“It’s fine, I understand. Alexander, it’s okay, we will make it work,” promised Magnus and Alec nodded and squeezed Magnus tightly to himself, burying his face into the crook of Magnus’ neck and he pressed a little kiss there before closing his eyes, holding the person that meant the world to him close to himself.
“Alec,” heard Alec and his eyes snapped open, his eyes wide when he glanced up and saw a very annoyed Jace glaring back at him and he groaned, shaking his head. Alec narrowed his eyes and then he glanced around. Ah, he was still in his apartment. Jace was there because the two of them would be attending their highschool reunion. Ten year reunion. Alec almost couldn’t believe that it’s already been ten years since they’ve finished highschool. It somehow felt as if he was in highschool just the other day, but at the same time, it felt like a lifetime away. It was a weird feeling and he huffed under his breath.
So many things have happened. Alec could barely hold track of everything and he ran his fingers through his hair. He felt uneasy going to the reunion. Somehow. Seeing all of his former classmates, which were all probably a lot more successful than him. It was kind of terrifying. Most of them were already married or with children already. It made sense. Alec, on the other hand, felt like he didn’t achieve much in his life. Yes, he had a good job, but that was about it. He had nothing else that he could count as a success and he clicked with his tongue when he felt a headache coming up and he groaned.
Why did he have to remember that right now?
It’s been such a long time since he allowed himself to think of Magnus and he huffed under his breath and he knitted his eyebrows together because it didn’t make sense. As Jace was telling him about their former classmates, Alec didn’t really listen and he sort of drifted off, but now he was back in reality and he glanced up and Jace had his arms folded on top of his chest and he rolled his eyes.
“What?” asked Alec and Jace laughed and then rolled his eyes.
“You didn’t listen to the word I said, did you?” asked Jace and Alec slowly shook his head. Jace snorted when he saw that his brother wasn’t even going to pretend that he knew what he was telling him about and he huffed under his breath. Jace was excited to go to the reunion. In fact, Jace was the only reason why Alec was going. Jace sort of forced him to go along with it all and Alec groaned because he really didn’t feel like going. Reunions were so annoying, weren’t they? But this one was special - it’s been ten years. So he should be going. Right? Still, it was annoying.
“Sorry, I was spacing out,” said Alec and Jace then glanced at him. He had a good idea what Alec was spacing out about, but he didn’t dare to ask him till then. He promised Isabelle that he wouldn’t go there, but at the same time he needed to know how his brother felt about the whole thing. If he was worried about running into Magnus, his ex, then he would have never agreed to go with him, would he? Jace pressed his lips together and Alec arched a brow when he saw a weird expression on Jace’s face. “What?
“It’s just,” said Jace and then he rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re really fine with going?” asked Jace and Alec rolled his eyes.
“I told you - it’s fine,” said Alec and Jace huffed and then nodded, sitting down next to Alec. “Ah, what now, Jace? Spill,” said Alec because he wasn’t in the mood for these mind games and Jace slowly nodded.
“I promised Iz I wouldn’t bring it up, but,” said Jace and Alec narrowed his eyes because he had a good idea where this was going. Magnus, wasn’t it? He didn’t know why everyone was treating that as a part of his life that couldn’t be talked about? It’s been ten years, Alec was over it a long time ago and he groaned because he really wasn’t in the mood for it. Magnus wasn’t his only ex, so he didn’t get why it mattered. Besides, it wasn’t like Magnus would come to the reunion. “Are you worried about meeting him at the reunion?” asked Jace with a small voice and Alec rolled his eyes.
“Not really, why?” asked Alec and Jace shrugged.
“I mean you two were pretty serious before he left for London. I just worry-”
“Jace, it’s been ten years. Ten,” said Alec and then huffed. “I think it’s safe to say that I’ve moved on, yeah,” said Alec and Jace sighed in relief. But he still wondered if his brother was telling him the truth. It took Alec a long time to be okay after everything. That was why he was worried so much. “Don’t give me that look, I’m fine and over it. I promise,” said Alec and groaned. Still, why did he have to remember-
“Okay. I trust you. But still, if we run into him we don’t have to talk to him. We can just turn around and go somewhere else,” said Jace and Alec laughed, shaking his head.
“Jace, we’re adults now. If I see him I will say hello and walk away. It’s as simple as that,” said Alec and shook his head, grabbing the beer bottle that he had on the coffee table in front of him and then he rolled his eyes. “Besides it’s not like he will come,” said Alec and then scoffed. “He’s too busy enjoying his fancy life in his fancy apartment in fancy London,” said Alec and then pressed his lips together. Ah, that made it sound like he wasn’t over it. He was, but that didn’t mean that he would be friendly with Magnus if he happened to see him. After all the promises and everything, Magnus still-
“Dude, are you sure you’re fine?”
“I’m great, never better,” deadpanned Alec. “Just stop bringing it up,” grumbled Alec and Jace nodded, quickly shutting up and Alec huffed.
It would be better if they didn’t run into Magnus at the reunion.
“Oh, she is adorable,” said Alec and smiled as he leaned closer to Lydia, who was showing him pictures of her daughter, who had just turned one and he had a bright smile on his face. It’s been an hour or so since he had gotten to the reunion and things were calm so far. He had met a few of his old friends - currently he was talking to Underhill and Lydia. He’s been close to both of them. Underhill and he had been on the team together, while Lydia was a cheerleader, so it somehow made sense that the three of them were close in the past. Not to mention that there had been all of those annoying rumours about Alec and Lydia dating, which of course turned out not to be true. At all.
“She has your smile,” said Underhill with a bright smile on his face and Lydia giggled and her eyes warmed up when she glanced down at the pictures and then she glanced over to her friends and sighed.
“I know it’ll sound stupid ‘cause it’s only been an hour since I’m away from her, but I miss her already and wish to be back home with her,” said Lydia and giggled. Alec smiled and then he glanced down. It didn’t sound stupid at all - he had heard many people saying that about their children. Especially when it was their first one. It was hard to part away, but it was good to go out and have a little bit of fun.
“I totally understand how you feel,” said Underhill and then pressed his lips together. “Marcel had to force me to come here,” he said and grinned. Alec smiled as well, but the smile was kind of forced and he took a deep breath. “I miss our twins,” he said and Lydia placed her hand over her chest and sighed happily.
“Twins?” she asked and her voice had gotten a pitch higher, Alec laughing.
“Ah yes,” said Underhill and chuckled. “Marcel, ah, my husband’s biological children,” said Underhill and then he sighed. “I officially adopted them last year,” he sighed happily and then hummed along. “They’re soon about to turn four,” he said and Alec’s smile faltered a little bit and he then bit into his lower lip. He was happy for his friends, so he felt horrible for being a little envious as well. Everyone has met someone. Started their family. He hasn’t. He was still- “That’s them,” said Underhill happily and pulled out his phone to show his son and daughter to them. Lydia and Alec both smiled.
“They’re adorable,” said Alec and Underhill happily nodded.
“What about you?” asked Lydia curiously and Alec’s eyes widened when they suddenly asked him that and he glanced away. “What have you been up to, captain?” she asked and winked. Ah, yes, he was the captain of their team. Alec put on a little smile and then he shrugged.
“Not much, just winging it, you know?” asked Alec and then glanced away, pressing his lips together and he sighed. “Work, work and more work,” he said and Lydia glanced at Underhill when she heard the tone of Alec’s voice. Perhaps she shouldn’t have asked that. There was bitterness behind the things that Alec said and Underhill took in a deep breath and wrapped his arms around Alec’s shoulders and pulled him a bit closer.
“As expected of our captain,” said Underhill happily and winked. “Career is important!” said Underhill as he was trying to cheer up his friend. Alec put on a little smile and then he nodded.
“Yeah, um, I guess so,” said Alec and started scanning the crowd of people, searching for Jace. Suddenly he wasn’t in the mood to be there anymore. He wished to go home and he sighed. Still, Jace was nowhere to be seen, so he grumbled and decided that he was going to get himself another bottle of beer because if he was going to have to listen to the success stories of all of his former classmates he was going to… ugh.
“Ten years, can you believe it, Lightwood?” suddenly asked a voice behind Alec and he jumped, quickly turning around. He had just ordered himself another beer when he heard someone chatting up with him and he rolled his eyes when he turned around and saw a person that he did not get along with in highschool. At all. He gritted his teeth and grumbled under his breath when he saw Raj standing behind him and he forced on a little smile.
“Raj,” huffed Alec and Raj rolled his eyes and stepped over to the counter of the bar.
“I’ll have what he’s having,” said Raj and happily smiled when he got a bottle of beer as well and then he glanced at Alec, who was now looking away. Alec could feel that Raj was staring at him, so he glanced at him as well and then he narrowed his eyes.
“What do you want, Raj?” groaned Alec and Raj laughed.
“C’mon dude, it’s not highschool anymore, I’ve changed,” said Raj and Alec narrowed his eyes and hummed along. He was pretty horrible back in the day. Alec didn’t quite believe it. The two of them were on the team together and they didn’t get along at all. Alec had his guard up, so he wasn’t going to believe- “Character training like you said,” said Raj and nudged Alec into his shoulder with his elbow. Alec snorted and then he hummed along.
“You needed it,” said Alec and shook his head. “You were-”
“A dick? Yep,” said Raj and Alec laughed along. “Ten years… a lot of things can change,” said Raj and Alec made a sip of beer and then he nodded.
“Tell me about it,” huffed Alec and finally let his guard down. “Ten years. Ugh, I can barely believe it. I feel so old,” said Alec and Raj laughed along and nodded.
“Yep,” said Raj and then he rolled his eyes. “So, have you all figured it out by now?” joked Raj and Alec laughed bitterly.
“I’ve got figured out shit,” said Alec and Raj snorted. “Being an adult sucks.”
“Hmm. I’ll drink to that,” said Raj and clinked his bottle against Alec’s and Alec laughed and huffed, humming along. Talking with Raj made him feel better - of all people. But he did indeed change and it was good to finally run into someone that didn’t have it all figured out. Alec felt a bit better and he would have loved to chat more with Raj, but the other one suddenly got a phone call and decided to take it outside. Alec huffed and decided to continue feeling sorry for himself with another bottle of beer.
Alec had just ordered himself another beer when he heard something. Something that did not belong to a highschool reunion. A child crying. Alec’s eyes widened and he quickly left the beer over by the bar and followed the crying of a child. Someone brought their child over to the reunion? Alec didn’t know why he followed the crying, perhaps it was the morbid curiosity, but something told him that the child was in trouble. Irresponsible parents, it was better to leave the children home. Alec was annoyed, yet he still followed the sound of distressed crying and his eyes widened when he saw a little boy squeezed in the corner. The adults were trying to help him out, but the boy refused to let anyone near.
“Whose child is it?” heard Alec and he glanced around when he heard another whisper come.
“No idea.”
“The child got lost? Such irresponsible parents,” came another whisper and Alec pressed his lips together. He agreed. What kind of parents allowed their kid to just wander off? Especially when he was so young. Still, no one dared to come closer to the crying toddler. Alec rolled his eyes and in the end he decided to step up to the kid and help him. Somehow. He didn’t really know what he was doing, but he quickly stepped over to the toddler.
Alec was good with kids - after all he was the oldest of the whole family. His youngest brother, Max, was just finishing up with high school now, but Alec had babysat him a lot in the past and a little smile spread across his face when he came closer to the child and he told the others to give him some space. The poor boy had to be terrified. He knew that the people around were trying to help him out and find his parents, but the child needed some space and after a little while, the others decided to do as Alec told them.
Alec took in a deep breath and clasped his hands together as he knelt down, but still kept his distance. He didn’t want to scare the poor boy any more than he already had been. “Hi,” said Alec and saw the boy flinching. “My name is Alec,” he said, quickly telling his name to the child and the boy squeezed himself tighter against the corner, hiccuping, but his crying has calmed down. “I know you’re scared. There were too many people around, weren’t there? I understand. I don’t like many people either. They’re usually very annoying,” said Alec softly and the boy sniffled, but still refused to turn around.
“Did you get lost?” asked Alec softly and the boy didn’t reply. How old was he anyway? Couldn’t have been more than two. “Do you know where you last saw your parents? I can help you look for them,” said Alec happily and the boy slowly turned around, sniffling and Alec gave him a little smile and nodded again. His big, dark eyes were still filled with tears, but he seemingly calmed down enough for Alec to come a little bit closer and he smiled softly. “I will help you look for your parents. I promise. What’s your name? You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
The boy was now staring at Alec, blinking slowly and Alec blinked back. Why was he staring at him like that? Alec’s eyes widened when the boy stepped closer to him and he slowly stood up and glanced around just to make sure if the boy possibly saw his parents, but so far not much luck. The boy gazed up at him and pointed at Alec and he narrowed his eyes - did the kid know him? Nah, there had to be another reason. But the kid was still pointing up at him and Alec narrowed his eyes.
“What?” asked Alec awkwardly.
The boy was no longer crying, but now he was only staring up at Alec. Alec couldn’t understand the gibberish that was coming out of his mouth, but he could’ve sworn that he heard the word papa from somewhere in the middle of it all and he pressed his lips together. So he was here with his father?
’ “You lost your father? I can help you look for him,” said Alec, but the kid was still fascinated by him and when Alec moved back, the boy ran after him and much to his shock extended his little arms up. Asking to be picked up? Alec’s jaw dropped when he heard the people whispering in the background.
‘All this time it was Lightwood’s kid?’
‘Who would have known that he would grow up to be such an irresponsible dad? He was our captain!’
‘Such a shame. Poor kid.’
“Hey, the kid’s not mine!” said Alec, raising his voice and thus ended up startling the boy and he burst out in tears again. Alec groaned and then he leaned down again, trying to calm down the boy again. “No, no, I’m sorry. Don’t cry. Let’s find your papa, huh? Don’t cry, come on. I’m usually good with kids, ugh,” said Alec as he didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know how to handle kids that belonged to other people and he clicked with his tongue. He wasn’t there to be a freaking babysitter of a lost child. Of course he wanted to help out, but he was tired!
“Dot, all I did was turn around! It’s not my fault that the nanny cancelled on me at the last minute,’’ heard Alec a very stressed out voice. A voice that he would recognise everywhere at any given time. He froze up, feeling how the temperature in the room suddenly dropped much, much lower. He stood there, looking like a deer standing in front of headlights and he didn’t dare to turn around. Because he knew who was coming closer. But why was he back in New York? Wasn’t he happily living in London?! “No, I don’t know… Dot, I don’t know. I… Max wasn’t… listen to me. Stop yelling, I know!”
The boy perked up and he pointed over to the man standing in the distance and Alec shuddered. “Papa! Papa! Papa!” announced the boy, loud and clear and Alec swallowed thickly. His heart was pounding against his chest and he felt sick. Didn’t he say that he was over him?
“Oh my God, Maxie!” exclaimed the man coming closer to them and he sighed in relief. “No, no, I found him. No, Dot, I can’t now… I will call you back. Yes, he’s with someone. I’ll call you back, I’ll go to Max now. Yes. Bye,’’ said Magnus and ended the phone call, his heart hammering when he saw his son. Finally. It’s only been five minutes, but it’s been the most excruciating five minutes of his life.
“Papa, papa,” was saying the boy and tugging onto Alec’s sleeve.
Magnus saw someone standing next to his son and he sighed in relief. There were still good people on this planet. “Oh, you’ve got me worried. Maxie,” said Magnus, shaking his head and he pressed his lips together, his eyes falling on the man that was still turned away from him, kneeling down next to his son and Alec swallowed thickly. Ah, he couldn’t run away from this, he was going to have to face him. “Thank you for staying with my boy. All I did was turn around to put my jacket away and he was gone,” said Magnus and smiled softly. “Thank you, how can I ever make it up to you?” asked Magnus and Alec shuddered.
Magnus had a child.
Probably married.
Alec’s heart twisted and he slowly stood up and turned around. Magnus looked exactly the same as he had last seen him, yet different. Grown up. Of course, he was an adult now, but he still had the same sparkle as in the past. The same sparkle that made Alec fall in love with him. Unapologetically himself he was always and that was what Alec loved about him the most. Magnus was the one that helped him out to be himself as well. He taught him not to be afraid of what others thought about him. But that was all in the past now.
“No need,” said Alec and Magnus’ eyes widened when he saw who exactly was the person that found his son and his mouth hung open, stepping back a little bit. Magnus sure looked shocked and Alec smiled sadly. “All that matters is that all ended up okay in the end,” said Alec and smiled when he saw the boy running to Magnus and wrapping his arms around Magnus’ leg.
“Alexander-”
“Welcome back to New York,” said Alec, his voice strained and he then stepped back. “Nice seeing you, Magnus,” said Alec and before Magnus could’ve said anything else, Alec fled the scene.