Chapter Text
Alec was staring at his clock. He was counting the last 30 seconds before midnight. He was turning 6 years old in 20 seconds. He knows he should be sleeping, but in 10 seconds he would get his soulmark. 5 seconds, four, three, two aaaand ONE!
Alec looked at his wrist and saw his words be written. Started with a W and ended the sentence with a S. Only three words. It should be easy to read. Alec was 6 years old now. He was a badass shadowhunter.
He slowly moved his fingers over his words as he tried to read them. “W. E. L. L. says well,” he read out loud as he was taught. Next word, “H. E. L. L. O. says hello” he said cheerfully as he knew the word very well. The last word was long, but that didn’t stop Alec from trying, “G. O. R….”
“Young man. You should be sleeping,” his mother stood by the door, she looked at her son with a gentle and knowing smile.
“But I just got my soulmark,” Alec explained cutely.
“You did? Let me see” Maryse said as she walked over to her son’s bed, sat next to Alec. Gentle she took his wrist and looked at the words.
“I know the two first words,” Alec said proudly.
“You do sweetheart? Do tell,” Maryse tenderly said.
Alec smiled brightly and pointed at the words as he eagerly told them to his mother, “this one says well and that one says hello.”
“What about this one?” Maryse asked as she pointed to the last word on his wrist.
“I was about to read it,” Alec told his mother, but then he looked worried, “but it’s so long.”
“You can do it, my son, do you know why?” Maryse asked and when Alec shook his head, she gently said, “because you are so wise. You are so much smarter than other children your age.” Maryse gave her son a hug, “now tell me, what is the last word.”
Alec looked at his wrist as he took a deep breath. “G. O. R. G. E. O. U. S. and that says gor…ge…ous… gorge…ous.. gorgeous,” Alec looked at his mother for approval and when she smiled happily as she nodded he giggled joyously, “gorgeous.”
Alec frowned, “what does that mean, gorgeous?”
Maryse smiled, “that means that your soulmate thinks you are beautiful.”
Alec felt his cheeks heating as he felt shy. His mother smiled warmly, “you are gorgeous, my boy. Now sleepy time,” Maryse tugged Alec under the duvet and kissed him on the forehead, "good night my beautiful boy." She gave him a smile then she closed the door.
Alec looked at his words for the last time with a smile and then closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Izzy was playing in the nursery. She was weirdly alone, the nanny was nowhere to be seen. Although it didn’t seem to bother her, as she happily played with a doll.
A man entered the room and kneed in front of Izzy. She smiled at the man, who smiled back, “do you want to come with me?” he asked. “Where are we going?” Izzy asked as she stood up. “Somewhere nice,” was all he told her.
Izzy looked thoughtful, then she looked serious at him, “only if my brother can come with.” The man smiled widthen, “of course he can,” he took her hand, “let's find your brother.” He turned to walk out with Izzy.
Alec woke up with a gasp and tears in his eyes. He just had a terrible nightmare as he knew that the man was not good. He crawled out of bed and walked to the nursery. He slowly opened the door, not wanting to wake his 4 years old sister. To his surprise his mother was there singing to a sleeping Izzy.
“Alec? What’s wrong?” his mother asked, clearly seeing his tears. Alec looked at Izzy as he told his dream to his mother. When he was done Maryse gave Alec a hug and whispered in his ears that it was only a nightmare and that they were safe.
Alec really believed that he was safe. He went back to bed that night and slept through to morning, with no more dreams. He spent the entire day with Izzy and his mother. It was a fun day, full of laughter. The nightmare was all forgotten.
But not forever. A few days later, an alarm sounded through the institute. All shadowhunters began to run around and that kind of scared Alec as he didn’t understand why. Maryse quickly found him and told him to go to the nursery and stay with Izzy and not leave. Alec just nodded and ran off.
He reached the nursery and a voice made him stop just by the door. “Of course he can,” a small pause was enough to make Alec shiver before it continued in words Alec knew would come, “let’s find your brother.”
Alec was scared. His nightmare was coming true. He should get a grown up for help, but he wouldn’t leave his sister with that man. He took out his small dagger he had gotten from his father, because every shadowhunter should have a blade to protect themselves.
He placed himself in the doorway with the blade as he yelled “let go of my sister!” The man looked surprised and did let go of Izzy who ran over to Alec while giggling, “Alec.” Alec took Izzy’s hand and slowly backed out of the room.
The man did not look happy as he followed them out of the room. Alec continued walking backwards down the hall with Izzy behind him, hoping for some salvations. To his luck, his parents had heard his yell and came running.
Maryse took Izzy up and dragged Alec behind her as she glared at the man. Robert placed himself between the man and his wife as he raged "Valentine!" Alec gasped as he knew the name. The man, Valentine, seemed to see his loss and ran away with Robert chasing him.
Maryse turned to Alec, “Alec what did he want?” She sounded very fearful as she held Izzy close to her as if Izzy would disappear in thin air. All Alec could say, as he himself was in total fear, “It was just like my dream.”
Maryse looked shocked and then she hugged Alec closely as she whispered into his ear, “you have a gift.”
“Gift mother?” Alec asked, confused and his mother explained that everyone gets a soulmate, that Alec knew very well, and the rarity is that very few pairs have special gifts. Each person in the pair has a special power and together they complement each other.
Alec was happy that his gift saved his sister from being taken by the most villainous man. He was looking forward to meeting his soulmate as he believed that together they would save the world.
༻༻༻❤༺༺༺
Alec was sitting in a diner, with a cup of black coffee in front of him. He was reading some documents, when a charming voice said, “well hello gorgeous.” Alec wouldn’t help but smile as he looked up, “Magnus Bane.” The man in question looked at him in wonder as Alec noticed his hand moved towards his wrist.
Alec woke up startled as his mind tried to understand what he just dreamt. “Magnus Bane?” he whispered to himself, “my soulmate is Magnus Bane.” He wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.
He knew of Magnus Bane. A warlock, but not any warlock, the High Warlock of Brooklyn. Obviously he never met him, but his parents had many trashy words to describe Magnus Bane. Not that he believed them, he knew his parents thought about downworlders.
He knew who his soulmate was, but Alec apparently wouldn’t seek him out. Maybe Magnus isn’t ready to meet him, this young. Alec was 13 years old, but the Alec in the dream was older. Alec could wait. He would let faith lead him to that meeting.
Alec had learned so much since he was six, about how his powers worked. In the beginning he only dreamt when he was asleep. Later on he began to get visions while awake and he had to work hard to control it. Now he could decide himself when he would see the future awake, asleep he still had no control.
Also he had no control of what he saw, to his parents displeasement. His parents saw his powers as practical and made it useful for them. They often pressed him to see the future and were very unhappy when it wasn’t anything they would use.
Other shadowhunter residents of the institute, did their best to avoid Alec. He was getting used to it as it was his own fault, that he was treated like this.
When he just got his gift, he would run around and tell his dreams to the people he had the prediction about. No matter the good or bad predictions. Unfortunately most of it wasn’t something they wanted to hear or learn. They also blamed him when bad things happened.
So they started to ignore him. He became the quiet child. He stopped gossiping about the future and they stopped talking about the eldest child of the Lightwoods. ‘ We don’t talk about the eldest Lightwood, ’ was going around in the institute. Some even forgot him all together.
His siblings are another story. Izzy saw his gift as a blessing and believed that the angels chose to give Alec this gift for a reason. Because it couldn’t be a coincidence that his first dream led to him saving his sister from a nasty man.
Jace was in awe the first time he learned Alec’s power in works. Alec had a vision that he and his siblings were allowed to go on a hunt and he told Izzy and Jace. But Jace didn’t believe him at first as they were only 10 years old. Both Izzy and Alec enjoyed Jace’s disbelieving face when their father told them that they were going with him on a hunt.
Sweet Max didn’t really understand what he could do, but he loved telling people that his big brother had a magical power gifted by the angels. He’s only four years old. He was so adorable.
Usually Alec would tell his parents his predictions. However, for the first time, he decided not to tell his parents about his dream. He haven’t told them that he is gay, only Jace and Izzy knew. Also he really couldn’t tell that his soulmate was Magnus Bane. Impossible.
His mother may be okay with him being with a boy, his father certainly was not. Though, he knew that they both definitely didn’t want him to be with a downworlder. Nevertheless, eventually they would have to accept his soulmate.
Because, so far every future prediction he had dreamt or seen had come true.
༻༻༻❤༺༺༺
He was absolutely mistaken. At age 16 he learns that paths to the future can change. It all began that ordinary, usually boring and random day.
Alec and his siblings were in the middle of a training session with Maryse. As Izzy and Jace soon turn 15 years old and ready to go hunting. Means that their weapon ceremony is up soon, where they choose their primary weapon.
Since nobody wanted to go hunting with Alec, when he was almost turned 15, his parents decided to postpone his weapon ceremony to be the same as his siblings’ day. Alec was fine with it as it meant working on perfection of his craft even more and he rather go hunting with his siblings.
They practiced with all sorts of weapons, as they needed to be able to master any weapon, they may need to fight. However Jace favored the seraph blade and Izzy preferred the staff, while Alec favored the bow and arrow. Alec knew that his weapon of choice was passive compared to his siblings, but he was willing to work harder to aim perfect, so he would impress at the weapon ceremony.
Anyhow that day, Maryse oversaw Jace and Alec in combat with the staff while Izzy looked on excitedly, hoping that she too would fight. Maryse gave them directions and suggestions on how to fight.
Robert came into the room and watched them fight for a bit, before interrupting them. “Come around children” Robert called. Jace and Alec stopped fighting, both annoyed that they didn’t settle a score. Izzy was disappointed that she didn’t fight. But they all gathered around Robert without complaint.
“Are you ready for your weapon ceremony?” Robert asked them tonelessly. Maryse placed herself next to her husband after she had put the staff back to their place in the army closet.
“Yes father” they all replied at the same time. Alec wondered if his father ever smiled, as he only remembered him to be cold and strict. He felt bad for his mother, to be married with such a man or worse soulmates.
“What weapon are you choosing for primary? Isabelle” Robert asked Izzy, with a gentler tone, as she was his favorite child. Alec knew this and has always known this since Izzy was born. Yet he wasn’t jealous of her.
“The staff,” Izzy said excitedly. Alec knew she was a killer with the staff. Nobody could move with such a grace and still be deadly than Izzy.
“Very good,” Robert said with an accepting nod. “Jace?” Robert inquired.
“Seraph blade,” Jace blurted out as if he was holding it in with excitement and he sounded really cheerful.
“The best choice,” Robert said with a hint of pride that Alec immediately became envious of as he knew that the pride would not be shown with his choice of weapon. “Alexander?” Robert demanded sternly.
“Alec,” Alec muttered under breath, annoyed as he hated his full name. His mother and siblings were kind enough to accept his decision of the nickname. However his father was not and thought it to be childish to have a nickname. Jace, apparently, was the exception.
“The bow,” Alec said as proudly he could. He had favored the bow since he was a child, when his mother had read Robin Hood for him. A savior for the poor and was excellent with the bow and arrow as he won against the cruel and greedy Prince John.
“The bow?” Robert appalled as Maryse gasped. Alec dared to look at his mother, but all he saw was acceptance, she knew how much he loved the bow, she probably didn’t expect him to choose the weapon as his primary.
“Why would you choose such a weak weapon?” Robert insulted Alec.
Alec didn’t falter, he stood strong and confident as he explained, “because I am good at it and I would protect Izzy and Jace from afar.” Both Izzy and Jace smiled in appreciation and Maryse also looked happy that he would protect his siblings. Even Robert seemed to have some difficulty arguing with that.
“What would your soulmate say?” Robert asked resignedly.
Alec got annoyed and angry that his father would suggest that choosing a bow as his primary weapon would insult his soulmate. “As I would respect and love my soulmate as who he is, I would hope he would accept me for who I am” Alec declared.
Silence. Heavy silence. They were all looking at him, but Alec didn’t understand why. His siblings were snickering and both his parents stared at him with the biggest shocked eyes he had ever seen.
“He?” Robert challenged and Alec realized his mistake. He cursed himself, but then again, now it’s out he feels free.
“Your soulmate is a boy?” Maryse was shocked. She didn’t seem to mind that it was a boy, just surprised that she didn’t notice. Alec could only hope.
“Yes,” Alec said calmly.
“NO! I won’t allow it!” Robert raged. Maryse looked worried between them, she tried to speak up, but didn’t when Robert gave her a sharp look.
“You can’t not allow it. It’s my soulmate and I will meet him!” Alec said determined.
“You know who he is,” Robert said bitterly.
“I do, but I won’t tell you” Alec said sharply.
“So be it,” Robert angrily said as he stormed off with Maryse in tow.
Next few days were nightmares. Robert suddenly decided that he would teach Alec to be the new head of New York institute. Maryse let it be known that she thought it was too early, but Robert wasn’t having it and silenced her.
Robert made Alec do extra work beside his normal training and duties. He was strict and harsh. Forcing Alec to be unkind against downworlder visitors and when he refused he would be punished with extra work that led to many sleepless nights.
Weapon ceremony came and went. Alec had proven himself to be the best archer ever seen. He even impressed his father, when he shot the target and hit perfect while looking at him challenging. Which only fueled more rage from Robert, nevertheless it was very satisfying.
His mother was proud of him, to be named the best archer of this generation. Unfortunately other than that she keeps disappointing him. Letting Robert push him around, not speaking up when he was heartless and that she kept telling him to listen to Robert and do what he says.
Maybe it's because she does not want to go against her soulmate. However there was no love in Robert and Alec feels sorry for her. Alec hoped that he and Magnus would talk with each other and be supportive. Most importantly love each other. He already loves his soulmate very much.
There was a war going on around him. The New York institute was on the edge to fall. Alec didn’t want to fight. He had his seraph blade in his hand, but he only used it for self defense. He was frantically walking around looking for his siblings. Instead he ran into someone he thought would love him forever, but the rage and hatred in his eyes said otherwise. “Magnus Bane,” was all he managed to say before he was struck by magic that belonged to his soulmate.
Alec screamed as he woke up. Tears running down his cheeks. Jace came running as he clearly felt Alec’s pain, he immediately hugged Alec, trying to calm him down. But Alec was scared, in pain and confused.
He didn’t understand. The future apparently had changed. Now his soulmate wanted to kill him. The hatred in his eyes was heartbreaking. He never wanted to see that in his soulmate's eyes. Why did the future change?
“Breathe Alec,” Jace whispered into his ears. He didn’t even know that he was hyperventilating. He struggled to breathe and with Jace's help he finally started to take some deep breaths. Slowly he began to breathe normally again.
He felt a dip in the bed and his eyes met his sister's tearful eyes. He gave her a nod to say he’s fine now. Jace slowly let go so Izzy would give him a hug. She whispered to him how much she loved him.
Alec almost cried again, but then he noticed his mother standing in the doorway. He was suddenly filled with rage as he yelled, “are you happy now? Now my soulmate will kill me! He will kill me, with his heart filled with hatred against me, his soulmate, ME! ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?”
Izzy hugged him tighter and Jace was holding his shoulders, forcing him to stay in bed. His mother watched him with a painful expression. She gave a mixed gasp and cry before turning around and leaving.
Jace and Izzy stayed with him all night. Yet he didn’t sleep a wink as he was scared he would dream it again and again. Instead he laid wondering. Why did the future change? What did it mean?
When the sun arised, he had come to the conclusion that it was a new path. It changed because he somehow had changed something from the original path, the right path. Somehow he had changed direction and begun walking on the wrong path.
He knew he had to change. Something had to change. So he can get on the right path again. But how? Was it possible to do it alone? All he wanted now was for him to meet his soulmate at that cafe. With his soulmate's eyes filled with wonder. He finally fell asleep.
༻༻༻❤༺༺༺
Alec was walking out of the institute as he needed to get away from the institute and his father. The last two years were a struggle. In both ambitionment for himself and to please his harsh father.
He was now, at 18, the youngest active head of New York institute when his father was in Idris. Which was more often nowadays. Apparently Robert didn’t think that his mother would be able to lead the institute.
His mother had changed since that fateful night. She apologized and promised to be a better mother, Alec did not believe her at first as she still did not speak up against Robert. Then she started sneaking in notes with information that would help him move forward. She even helped him make connections with the downworld behind Robert’s back.
Alec had also learned that his parents were not soulmates. His mother’s soulmate was dead, killed by Valentine in refusal to accept the circle's politics. His vicious father cheated on her with his soulmate, he somehow saved from Valentine clutches. Alec hated his father more and more as days went by.
And today he had enough. First, Robert had shot down his ideas of a cabinet meeting with the downworlders to mend a peace. He deemed it an impossible task. Alec knew that the real reason was Robert didn’t want to be in the same room as downworlders.
Second, he was forced to listen to him downtalk about his mother and his soulmate. He couldn’t bear to listen anymore to it. As they share office his only option was to take the most important papers and leave.
Alec was trying to decide where to go. Usually he went to Taki’s Diner. However today he didn’t want to go, even if he loved their coffee and the downworlders there were very friendly towards him. But what he needed right now was a quiet place where nobody would disturb him.
He had walked around for some time when he spotted a small cozy coffee shop. Something drawing him inside. He glamored his runes before going in. He ordered coffee, found a place to sit and began to read the papers.
He enjoyed the peace for hours. Listened to people around him and the sound of the bell everytime the door opened and closed. He had a couple cups of coffee and read his documents focusly. So he didn’t notice a man walk up to him before he talked.
“Well hello gorgeous,” a warm charming voice said.
Alec wouldn’t help but smile as he looked up. The man in front of him was beautiful, even more in real life in his dream so many years ago. He was almost breathless as he answered, “Magnus Bane.”
Magnus looked at him in wonder as Alec noticed his hand moved towards his wrist and he felt pleased as he watched his dream come true.
“You know me?” Magnus asked him with wonder and surprise.
“I do,” Alec said and grinned happily, “you’re my soulmate.”
Magnus showed his surprise then, “how?” he whispered in wonder.
“I can see the future,” Alec explained simply.
Magnus let out a little light chuckle, “that’s useful.”
“Not really,” Alec said without thinking as he remembered the terrible nightmare two years earlier. Magnus looked at him questionly and Alec quickly smiled, “don’t mind that, please sit, want some coffee?”
Magnus smiled back, “yes, thank you.”