Rafe held up his hands to be carried. Alec swung him up in his arms. Warlock hearts beat differently, and Alec was used to hearing the sound of Magnus and Max’s hearts, infinitely steady and reassuring. It was odd, holding a child with a mortal heartbeat, but Alec was getting used to the new rhythm.
The evening sun was scorching on whitewashed walls of the street they were heading down. Their shadows were long behind them, but the town was still bright, and Alec saw for the first time that it could be lovely.
Occasionally Alec despaired: that the world couldn’t be changed, or even that it wouldn’t change fast enough. He was not immortal, and didn’t want to be, but there were times he was afraid he wouldn’t live long enough, that he’d never have the chance to take Magnus’s hands in front of everyone they loved and make a sacred promise.
At those times, there was an image Alec held against exhaustion or surrender, a reminder to always keep fighting for that day, for their day.
When he was gone, when he was dust and ashes, Magnus would still be walking through this world. If the world was changed for the better, then that unknowable future would be better for Magnus. Alec could imagine that on some scorching hot day like this, on a strange street in a strange land, Magnus might see something good that reminded him of Alec, some way that the world was changed because Alec had lived. Alec couldn’t imagine what the world would be like then.
But he could imagine, in some faraway future, the face he loved best.
This is the best message for Alec on his birthday I could think of. Alec, my love, I remember inventing you and loving you when no one else had met you; I remember thinking of one of my best friends, who is now no longer with us, and wanting to give him the happy ending that he never got.
Alec, you will get the moon and the stars, the leadership you deserve, and the man you love. And there’s still so much more for you to experience. :)
Thank you Cassandra Jean for this gorgeous art!
And now a snippet from Red Scrolls. Don’t worry I’ve got a little Malecy one for later, but I wanted to post something just about Alec, his heart and his growth.
“Helen,” Alec said. “The Clave tells us not to trust Downworlders. Despite the Accords, despite everything, we all get indoctrinated, and we —” He broke off, looking up at the clear, cold stars. “I used to follow the rules because I thought it would keep everyone I cared about safe,” he said. “But I’ve started to realize that everyone I care about is a bigger group and a different group than the Clave was built to accept.”
“So what are you suggesting we do?” Helen said.
“We change the Clave,” said Alec. “From inside. We make new Laws. Better ones.”
“Institute Heads can suggest new laws,” said Aline. “Your mother —”
“I want to do this myself,” said Alec. “I’ve realized — I don’t need to change. And neither do you, Helen, or you, Aline. It’s the world that needs to change, and we’re going to be the ones to change it.”
Everyone: Please dont draw at night, it makes your brain be active and youre not gonna be able to sleep! Plus, you need to rest, you work really hard on art everyday, you deserve a little break!
That’s all those of you who don’t produce drawings or comics,
fics or drabbles.
All of you who just reblog,
only comment, don’t do anything but look and read.
This one’s for you.
Because you’re the likers, the sharers, the taggers, the
ask-senders. The reviewers, the praise-givers, the supporters, the flailers.
The response, the feedback, the reward for all that hard work. Sometimes the
difference between giving up and continuing.
You’re the cornerstone, the heart and soul of this
community. It wouldn’t exist without you. Please don’t ever ever think
otherwise. Please don’t ever think you shouldn’t talk to the creators whose
stuff you enjoy.
And please let me say this:
Thank you for being awesome.
PREACH THIS LOUD AND CLEAR, CONTENT CREATORS WOULD NOT BE WHO WE WERE IF IT WEREN’T FOR SUPPORTERS AND I LOVE ALL OF YOU SO MUCH. YOUR COMMENTS, TAGS, LIKES, REBLOGS, AND ASKS MAKE MY DAY.
This is a very strong mood for me everyday. Love the people who enjoy my writing. You give me the strength to keep going.
Every like, every reblog, every comment is the fuel to keep up, THANK YOU!!
