riverviewlogs | The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions

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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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Smiling at Magnus' teasing about deals and the way his husband leaned into his touch, he shook off some of the memories even as Magnus couldn't quite believe his words. "I don't know. I can't remember everything. I don't know why we met, but I know it was him. He looked like you... if you stripped away all your humanity." The thought of it, of him, caused Alec to pull his husband closer so he could feel him, warm and safe and...

Something terrible had happened even if Alec couldn't remember what. But it had to have been bad if they had been forced to speak to a Prince of Hell. "I don't know how we survived. I know it hurts to think about. Horrible, suffocating grief, but whatever was happening, I remember I was willing to die for you." With you. "I know I met him. I know his name. You said I was one of the few people who would ever know. You never wanted me to know because you thought I wouldn't want to be with someone who had someone that powerful for a father."

With Alec's memories in a fog, it made it seem even more likely that somehow Magnus' entire recollection of the event had been cut out of him. While he was happy to have something like that missing, confident that it had been a bad experience even without Alec shivering and pulling him closer, it felt like he'd been robbed of something important. There were so many issues in their timelines, either in the form of large gaps or misaligned events, but in the end, the most important thing to him was his relationship with Alec.

Allowing himself to be pulled closer, wrapping his arm around Alec's shoulders, Magnus rested his forehead against the side of Alec's neck. "I wish I had those memories instead of you," he said with a sigh. It would have been one thing for him to deal with it on his own, but watching Alec bear it alone felt cruel. Running his fingers through Alec's hair, he kissed the rune he so loved. "When you're ready, will you tell me about it? Not now, there's already so much else to deal with." Though they hadn't talked about it much since, Magnus could tell that Alec was still dealing with his memories of Max's death and the protective instinct that came along with them.

Even if everyone thought he was crazy or misremembering things, Alec was grateful that he was the only one who remembered the meeting with Magnus' father. There was so much heartbreak and pain in their past. Things that would give Alec nightmares if he didn't have his family near and Magnus beside him when darkness seemed to make the horrors more intense. He'd gladly accept the burden of those memories and grief if it meant that his loved ones didn't suffer.

Relaxing against his husband, Alec shivered when Magnus' lips brushed against the deflect rune. "I don't. I'd rather have them than have you having to deal with memories of your father." Even before that meeting, Magnus' parentage had been a difficult subject. He'd rather accept the burden of the past then have Magnus reliving those painful moments. "I'll tell you what I can, Magnus, but I don't remember much. The 'whys' are hazy but I remember him clearly. How much he looked like you. The sound of his voice. How much he enjoyed tormenting us."

Magnus would never think that Alec was crazy, only a victim of whatever had been done to them in Wayward Pines. Though they had been told the memories would return, it was difficult to say how, when, and to what extent they would resurface. And in the case of false or altered memories, there was even less information. But it was yet another thing they would figure out together, along with the other Lightwood siblings, because that was just what their family would have to do to survive.

Ready to argue, the words died on Magnus' tongue. "That is something I can understand, my love," he said instead, knowing that he would take the memories of Alec's difficult childhood in a heartbeat if it meant keeping his husband happy. Though there was always something to learn from the past, things regarding parents were sometimes better left forgotten. Shivering at the thought of his own father, he lifted a finger to hush Alec. "I can only imagine. Let's not dwell on that past when we have so much now to think about."

Alec was grateful that Magnus didn't question him about what had happened. Even if his memory wasn't strangely detailed in some aspects and almost non-existant in others, it still frightened him. His aversion to even saying the Prince of Hell's name proved that something awful had happened, something that had Alec occasionally wary that somehow Magnus' father would find them and punish them. Rubbing Magnus' back when he shivered, he knew that the chill was mental, but he still wanted to offer comfort in some way.

Smiling against the finger pressed to his lips, he almost wished they were alone so that he could do more to reassure his husband. He doubted his little brother would be interested in the 'icky' signs of affection Alec shared with Magnus, but he didn't want to indulge in too much PDA when Max might wander in. "Things like me signing a lease with Lucifer and where we're going to put a library? Max will be demanding one soon. We may need two. One for things he can read and one that's magically locked so he doesn't read something he shouldn't."

Even with a fully-functioning memory, Magnus wouldn't have asked him more about the experience. It had to be difficult to carry that with him, and though Magnus wanted to help him with the burden, talking about it would be its own kind of hardship. He didn't want to bring up any memories that remained mercifully buried, but it was a subject they'd have to face sooner or later. For now, he would hold Alec close and keep him safe from whatever shadows haunted the corners of his mind.

"Yes, that is currently at the forefront of my mind," he admitted with a wry smile. "You know I trust you, Alec, but I would be a little more comfortable if I could meet him before we finalize the details." It would put some of his concerns to rest, even if he would constantly be checking the wards around their home for any signs of tampering. Chuckling at the thought of Max being so obsessed with a library, he nodded and smoothed his palms up the sides of Alec's arms. "Reading restricted material must run in the family," he said with a pointed look at his husband, thinking about how he'd told Magnus about reading books he shouldn't have.

"He said he'd meet with everyone, but he didn't seem interested in seeing Max." Which had been a relief since Alec wasn't sure if his little brother would be able to hold back the dozens of questions he was sure to have for a Prince of Hell. They all encouraged most of Max's curiosity but others might not find the trait appealing. "I also have a copy of the lease you can read." That might put Magnus at ease as well.

"He's interesting, Magnus," he admitted, needing his husband to know that the conversations probably wouldn't end once they agreed to stay. "They tell us the stories are true, but he knows." It was alluring, which Alec knew could be part of the Devil's charm, or it could simply be that he was fascinated with the idea of talking to someone who had the answers to the questions Alec had been struggling with. "He doesn't know what any of us are but he knows you can use magic."

Smiling down at his husband, trying not to look too much like a schoolboy who had been caught doing something wrong. "It does, but I never had spell books to read. And I doubt that Max is going to want to read the same types of history books I did."

"Thank Lilith for minor miracles," he said wryly. If the demon was uninterested in the youngest of their family, that could only be seen as a blessing. Not only would Max stay safer that way, but he'd avoid running the risk of burdening Lucifer with unwanted questioning. "I'd like to read over it before meeting him in case there's any unclear language that lands all of us in Hell for eternity."

Sighing, he rolled his eyes playfully at Alec's insistence. "of course he's interesting, angel, he's a Prince of Hell. The Morning Star. He rebelled against God and everything He stood for. Of course he's interesting." And that war barring the differences that probably existed between the demons from their own reality and Lucifer's. Even Magnus had to admit that he was intrigued by the chance to talk to a Prince of Hell without the immense danger that came with such an undertaking in their world.

"Does he know why I can use magic?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Lifting a hand, he tapped a fingertip against the tip of Alec's nose. "And he won't have any spell books to read, either. The Book of the White is not for your siblings to page through when they're bored."

He almost made a teasing comment about Hell, but then a fragment of memory returned. Magnus in his arms, feeling too light, too fragile for someone who always seemed so alive. His heart almost shattering as he realized immortality didn't always mean forever. "He said he has no power over who goes to Hell. That's decided by a Higher Power."

Another reason why Lucifer had intrigued him so much. Alec had wondered about the afterlife and the Morning Star had offered a few hints about one reality's afterlife that might be true in others. "Not just that, Magnus. Yes, he's part of the legend that we've been told for centuries, but he also wants to be normal. I talked to the Devil about committed relationships. That isn't anything I ever imagined possible." Alec would never have imagined such a thing. "He even works for the police."

Smiling as Magnus tapped his nose, he pretended to try to nip him. "No. I just said you could use magic and he said he wouldn't interfere with your spells. I never mentioned that none of us are Mundanes. We'll have to ward your library to keep him out. He's very stubborn about books."

Something flashes over Alec's expression, so sudden that he was probably unaware of the way his brows momentarily furrowed and his lips pursed. His hand reached for Alec's, turning it over so their fingers could lace together when Magnus pulled them into his lap. "Very interesting. Also good to know that he won't be trying to make any deals to steal our souls."

"I suppose that's not impossible to believe. The story of someone being unhappy with their lot in life is as old as life itself. Besides, it's much better being normal than freezing or burning in Hell forever." And just because someone had demon blood, either in part or full, didn't make them inherently evil; the scales were certainly tipped in one direction, though. At the news of Lucifer's profession, Magnus narrowed his eyes slightly at Alec. "Plenty of criminals work with law enforcement," he said, sniffing softly and trying to stamp down a blossoming jealousy.

Eyes twinkling at the playful snap of teeth, Magnus grinned to show off his own sharp fangs. "Excellent, the wards shouldn't have any interference if he keeps his word." And hopefully he would, seeing as how Magnus doubted his magic could compete with any power held by a Prince of Hell, even from another dimension. Laughing, Magnus rolled his eyes again. "What is it about everyone wanting to read from my personal library? I'll have to start hiding spellbooks in the ancient pornography."

"It is. I wouldn't have considered it if he hadn't said that." Which probably sounded silly. He shouldn't trust the Devil but for whatever reason, Alec did. Looking down at their joined hands, he couldn't help thinking of mortality and what would happen next. "Talking to him made me feel better about some things."

Glancing up, he noticed the change in his husband's expression. It reminded him of how Magnus had sometimes looked at Jace before Alec had kissed him in Idris. "Magnus, I'm curious but I'm not tempted." That seemed to be the right phrasing considering who they were discussing. "He's just as much a legend to Nephilim as the Angel. You can't blame me for wanting to know how much of our beliefs are true." But it was more than that. Lucifer was interesting, but it wasn't enough to make Alec think of him in a way that would make Magnus jealous. "The Devil is charming, but he isn't you."

Smiling at his husband, he stole a kiss, teasing the tip of one of Magnus' fangs before pulling away. "I explained that we'd ward the apartment. He didn't seem to care what we did." But Alec knew that his husband would worry. "He's here, Magnus. There's no way for us to get away from a Prince of Hell if he wants to make us a target. I want to stay here and be happy with my family. With you." Lifting their joined hands, he brushed a kiss against Magnus' knuckles before letting his tone turn light. "Because Max has been trying to read anything with words on it since we got him glasses."

"I trust you to be practical, even when it comes to Lucifer," he said with a fond smile at Alec. Even if they were discussing a Prince of Hell, Magnus knew there were few people more qualified to deal with one. Not only was he a demon hunter, but he'd admitted to meeting Magnus' own father; if Alec couldn't properly question Lucifer on his intention, no one could. "As long as I don't come home to find him seducing you with infernal or carnal knowledge, I'm sold on staying here. You know I believe you about being safe here, darling, but I'll still be placing some protections against him. After all, temptation is his specialty."

And even though he trusted Alec not to stray, least of all for the Morning Star, to compare charisma and win was a huge compliment. "More charming than the devil? That has an excellent ring to it, my love. I think I'll have it added to my formal title," he teased even as he drew Alec in for a luxurious kiss that lasted several moments and ended with his fangs raking over Alec's bottom lip.

"You're incredible, were you aware of that?" he asked as he hooked his fingers into Alec's belt loops to pull him flush against his body. He knew that Alec was intelligent enough to have thought all of this through, even if it still felt insane. But his ability to take charge in situations, especially in order to provide and care for his family, was enough to distract Magnus from the setbacks for the time being.

"I suppose that fucking you on this balcony would mean we have to take the apartment," he said as casually as he could manage while still grinning.

"You are the only one who will be seducing me." His tone was solemn, as truthful as possible when they were discussing the Devil. Alec had no intention of being seduced, no matter how many questions the Morning Star might answer and he hadn't felt anything but curiosity toward Lucifer. That curiosity could be dangerous, but he trusted himself and his family to help keep him from doing anything foolhardy. "I expect you to ward everything." Alec wasn't sure if Magnus' magic could keep out the Devil, but at least it could slow him down and give them a warning if they were attacked.

Laughing at how Magnus preened over the compliment, he hummed softly when their lips met. As they kissed, Alec's heart fluttered, racing in that special way that only happened when he was near his husband. For a moment, he felt like he was floating from happiness, almost forgetting that they weren't alone when he felt Magnus' teeth against his lip.

Breath hitching at being so close to Magnus, he told himself that Max could walk in on them. Or Jace. Or Izzy. His older siblings would probably just roll their eyes, but he didn't want Max to see them doing anything inappropriate. "I have to be if I managed to get you to marry me," he teased.

Licking his lower lip, he thought he could still feel the drag of Magnus' fangs from the kiss, thinking of other places where he could feel the points of his husband's fangs. Alec wasn't sure if Magnus was joking, but he knew that the possibility was enough to make him want the apartment. Even if they waited until later to try out the balcony, the idea was too tempting to resist. "If you can make sure no one sees or hears us..." He was not going to explain that to his baby brother even if Max probably already knew some of the basics. "I think if we have to go to all the trouble of making it obvious that we fucked out here, then we should keep the apartment. Why go to all that trouble if it isn't ours?"

"That would sound like a challenge if I hadn't already succeeded," he replied with a solemn nod to match Alec's tone of voice. "Or if it's a challenge to succeed again, at least I'm armed with a wealth of knowledge in how to tempt you back into my clutches." Grinning now, he smoothed his palms over the broad expanse of Alec's chest as he leaned a little more heavily against him, not out of necessity but a desire for proximity. "As always," he said in lieu of an explicit promise to ward their home against anything and everything he can manage.

Magnus was keenly aware of the french doors thrown wide open behind them, allowing any one of the younger Lightwoods to come out onto the balcony and discover them. It was a little disheartening, knowing that his teasing could only remain at that, but he knew that there would be plenty of opportunities for them to enjoy the fresh air together at a later date; Alec had effectively tempted Magnus into agreeing to the lease. "As I recall, it was I who chased after you and was lucky to finally win your attention," he replied with a soft press of a finger to the tip of Alec's nose.

Eyes tracing the path of Alec's tongue, he leaned back almost imperceptibly to put enough space between them to show his words didn't actually match to any real intentions. "Perhaps we should rejoin them and gain some truly uninterrupted time together tonight, hm?" he suggested, running a hand through Alec's hair to comb it back into place. It was incredibly difficult to keep his resolve, especially with Alec swearing, and Magnus added a curse of his own beneath his breath. "I'm trying to be a responsible adult, my love, but you're making it so difficult," he said without a hint of true ire. "Yes, I was implying that we should go meet our landlord now to finalize the paperwork so we can all move in soon." Stepping back, but not before kissing Alec once more, he tugged on his hand to draw him back inside.

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The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions

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