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The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions

who: The Shadowhunter group [Closed]
what: Alec gives them a tour of their new housing
when: August 6th
where: Lux
warnings: Will update as needed

When Alec finished arranging the deal with Lucifer, he knew that his family was not going to be happy with what he did. It wouldn't matter that they'd have more space than they had in Wayward Pines and that they could decorate any way they wanted. Even Lucifer's agreement that magic was allowed wouldn't make up for the fact that Alec had made a deal with a Prince of Hell to get an entire floor of a building to be their new 'castle'.

Knowing how everyone would react, Alec kept the name of their new landlord to himself while he showed everyone around their new quarters. Beautiful view, a stunning kitchen, luxurious bathrooms that should make both Izzy and Magnus happy, even the balcony that Alec had wanted for Magnus. With a little work, it could be perfect. There was probably enough room for a piano, if they wanted one.

Looking around the space that he could easily imagine as theirs, Alec looked at his family, knowing there was no easy way to make the deal sound less terrifying, he went with simplicity, the words coming out in a rush. "We can have any floor we want except the penthouse and the floor beneath it. I thought this one was the best of the ones that are available." That didn't sound too bad but he hadn't really explained the part that would have everyone furious with him. Absentmindedly, he began rubbing the heel of his hand, glancing from one member of his family to the other, wondering which one of them would explode first when he finished his explanation of their new living arangements. "There's a nightclub on the first floor. The terms of the lease are fair. We can easily afford it, but at first you're not going to be comfortable with who our landlord is. His name is Lucifer Morningstar."

Before anyone could say anything, Alec held up a hand to stop anyone from arguing with him immediately. "None of our souls are in danger. He's not going to attack us. All of you can talk about it and then I'll answer whatever questions you have." With that, Alec moved out of the main area, heading toward the kitchen, giving his family some measure of privacy while they tried to process the idea that the Devil owned their apartment building.

(ooc: Set up so the group can talk among themselves or yell at Alec privately or in groups.)

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It surprised him that Jace was the first to follow him. He'd expected it to be Magnus since he knew that his husband would not be pleased that he'd made a deal with a Prince of Hell... the Prince of Hell to get them an apartment.

Taking a deep breath when Jace entered the room behind him, he assumed that Magnus was either too stunned to follow or considering the perfect way to tell Alec that he was an idiot. "I didn't think you'd seen that movie." Alec had watched it after he'd read every comic book Magnus owned.

Making a sound of agreement, he leaned on the counter next to his parabatai. "I hoped it'd be a good place when I talked to Lucifer but I didn't think it'd be this nice. I doubt Max will want to go in when it's open. We'll have to keep him away from Lucifer, though. He isn't fond of children."

"I have a lot of time on my hands." Jace teased, not mentioning when he had so much time. After losing complete control of himself with Alec and sleeping wrapped around him he was trying not to be a repeat snuggler. Especially if it meant accidentally walking in on Alec and Magnus trying to have some adult married time together.

At least that wouldn't be a problem now that they had a bigger place. He couldn't help thinking temptation would be further away. Alec would be further away...taking a quick breath he nudged Alec with his leg. "I know it sounds bad to say you made a deal with the actual Devil, but after spending some quality time with my father the Devil isn't that scary. And we now have a place everyone can call home."

And then he added more seriously, dropping his voice and touching the nape of Alec's neck. He brushed his fingers against his skin, just trying to comfort. At least that's what he told himself. "Alec. You did this for all of us. It's a good deal. Everyone will realize that once they get over the shock. Lucifer was an angel once upon a time, right?"

"Maybe we need to train harder if you have so much time. Or go find a bookstore. I miss our poetry readings." At least now he knew why he could recite so many poems and quote so many of the classics.

Pretending to scowl when Jace bumped him, he started to relax when the expected lecture turned out to be reassurance. "Don't say that after everything we've been through. It sounds like we're tempting fate. Lucifer's not as scary as Magnus' dad. I wouldn't have made the deal if he was like the legends we grew up with."

Before he realized what he was doing, he leaned back against his parabatai's hand, shoulders dropping as he began to relax into the contact. "Yeah, I did and I made sure there wasn't a trick written into the contract. It's a normal lease with no surprises in it." Tipping his head back, he smiled wryly. "This one was. So is the one from our reality. He doesn't know what we are though. I figured I shouldn't tell him that he had a bunch of Nephilim and a Warlock in his building."

Jace wasn't sure the training would help, but he missed training with Alec. He missed a lot of things with Alec. Like this. Simply talking and being close. Cradling Alec's head in his hand instead of caressing his neck. Looking down at Alec.

For a moment he felt the pull, like when they're tracking together and he can feel his entire existence being pulled into Alec. They become one, lost in each other, until the moment when it either works or it doesn't. It's happened before like this. When he blinks he's so close to Alec he has to break the connection, close his eyes, take a breath.

"Tempting fate." He repeated softly as if his brain was just catching that part of the conversation. And then he did blink, took a deep breath, and nearly dropped Alec's head. "You didn't sign it in blood or using a special pen or anything did you?" He teased.

He'd accepted the changes to his life, to his relationship with Jace. It still hurt sometimes, the twinge of regret that he felt that things weren't the way he'd hoped for. Not the relationship that he'd fantasized about when they were younger, but the bond that had been seemingly unbreakable until their lives had been turned upside down.

After awhile, he learned to accept that being parabatai wasn't like it was described in the Shadowhunter myths or even the bonds that their ancestors had shared. They were friends. They still loved each other and could rely on each other. That was what mattered. Believing that things wouldn't change after Jace fell in love was foolish.

Except when his gaze locked with Jace's it didn't feel like anything had changed. His heart gave an odd lurch that reminded him of first time they'd looked at each other after the parabatai ceremony. The bond felt more solid than it had in months despite the odd echo that he'd grown to accept while in Wayward Pines.

It wasn't until Jace breaks the contact that Alec realized there was almost no personal space between them. Swallowing hard, he tried to ignore the odd rhythm of his heart, unsure if it was his or Jace's that was beating strangely. "I - uh - Didn't think it was tempting fate. There - there wasn't any blood or summoning circles. He doesn't deal with souls. I don't think he can in that reality."

Jace felt like his heart was going to jump right out of his chest when he realized with vivid clarity what it was he want most in that moment. And then he did move, pulling his hand away and grabbing the front of Alec's shirt so quickly, making sure Alec didn't actually hit his head on the counter. But he didn't touch him beyond that and simply found a safe place out of reach.

"Good. He sounds pretty harmless compared to what we're used to dealing with. I trust you. So...you and Magnus...you'll be taking the bedroom furthest away from...everyone." Deep breath, clear his head, he did not just do that. "Do we need to sign anything?"

Maybe it was perfect their landlord was the Devil because Jace felt like he was going to spend the rest of eternity in hell for all the things going through his head lately. Or maybe it was the demon blood.

His eyes went wide as Jace moved, hand slipping away from its spot on his neck, support suddenly vanishing unexpectedly. If they'd been training, he would have anticipated something like that but relaxing in the kitchen, discussing their new landlord had lulled him into not expecting Jace to pull one of his training stunts. Waiting for his head to thunk against the cabinet, he froze when Jace's hand caught at his shirt, keeping him from that minor pain.

Watching Jace physically and mentally move away, he told himself not to feel hurt by the shift. It was normal for them now. Alec had quit being as visibly affectionate after he started dating Magnus and Jace had changed his focus from their friendship to Clary. One moment of parabatai bonding didn't change the fact that their relationship wasn't the same as it'd been.

"I'm not sure. It'd be the easiest way to arrange things. It'd make things less awkward and keep everyone safe if Magnus is tinkering with spells." Not that magic was normal in the bedroom but 'tinkering' was a better description than 'Magnus lost control because I did something kinky with him'. But Jace seemed to not like being alone, away from him, so Alec wasn't sure if that was the best plan for the bedroom arrangement. "But with magic, we could probably rearrange things to how we want them."

He had the feeling that Jace probably shouldn't be too far away no matter how much privacy he and Magnus wanted. "I already signed. And not with blood. Just normal, non-magical ink."

"Alec." Now wasn't the time to have this conversation. He'd said a lot when he and Alec had coffee and he'd turned into a broken mess Alec had to take care of. This was suppose to be a celebration. They had a new place to live where they could all be together and he was going to make sure Alec felt supported in his decision.

So the words died on his tongue and he pulled Alec into a tight hug. He'd promised he would fix things, make right what he'd messed up. He felt like he was failing. But every time he got too close or was too far away things became confusing and complicated.

"Everything is going to work out, parabatai." Yes. Parabatai. Brothers. Best friends.

Watching Jace, Alec felt completely lost. He wasn't sure what he could say or do to help his parabatai. The last time that Jace had been this hurt emotionally, he'd practically shoved Alec into Magnus' arms and refused to let anyone near him. Except Simon.

He had been grateful that someone had been there for his parabatai but later the knowledge had stung. Maybe Jace hadn't wanted to ruin the fragile happiness that Alec had been building despite their parents' disapproval. Maybe he needed to talk to someone who had no expectations for him. Or maybe that was what happened with parabatai.

Knowing that he was getting too lost in his own head, Alec focused on Jace, surprised when he was hugged instead of pushed away. Closing his eyes, he rested his head against Jace's shoulder, letting those thoughts drift way temporarily. "It is. We'll find a way to be happy here."

Hugging Alec felt different and Jace couldn't stop himself from pressing his nose into Alec's neck, hand at the back of his head. He wasn't sure if it was because Alec had almost died in his arms or the conflict going on inside his head. And his heart.

Valentine had taken everything he knew and tore it apart, crushed his reality into shards that cut deeper than any seraph blade, and Alec was the only soothing comfort. That didn't mean he was falling-no. He loved ALec. Anything more than that would destroy everything.

"I am happy. Right here." He whispered, holding Alec tighter and pressing his lips to Alec's neck. It was brief and his heart gave an unexpected jolt at the contact, but he simply held on until Alec gave him reason to let go.

Relaxing against his parabatai, Alec tried to remember the last time that Jace had hugged him when there wasn't a disaster imminent. It'd been months, maybe even over a year, since they'd hugged without fear of death lingering around them.

It reminded him of when they were boys, before they'd been too old to show affection for each other. That thought lulled him into forgetting all the reasons why Alec had slowly distanced himself from his parabatai...

Until he felt Jace's lips against his deflect rune, almost shivering at the intimacy. It was something no one except Magnus had done. Something that Jace should never do. Alec knew that he should pull away. He was married and the Clave forbid that kind of affection between parabatai. But Jace had been through so much and from the way he acted, rejection would send him spiraling into something that Alec didn't understand but knew was dangerous. Potentially deadly.

As long as he told Magnus what happened, there was no reason to feel guilty or worry about the boundaries that had temporarily eroded away. "I am too, Jace."

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The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions

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