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Who: Alec Lightwood and Sebastian Carter Hokori-Anderson - [closed]
What: Discussing what happens after their shared nightmare
When: After the nightmare event, before Thanksgiving
Where: The Atrium
Warnings: None at this time
Notes: N/A

Alec had been coping with the nightmare and what the demon had said to him during that strange experience. Magnus had helped but there were certain things that he couldn't say to his boyfriend. He didn't want to say too much about what the Prince of Hell had said to him even if Magnus had been pleased that he'd put an arrow into the demon. Alec couldn't discuss Robert or the accusations of betrayal.

He hadn't said anything about what he'd seen of Sebastian's life, keeping those secrets to himself. That wasn't something to share no matter how close he was to Magnus.

Most of what happened he kept to himself, letting it eat away at him until he'd started talking to Sebastian. Now he knew that he shouldn't have stayed away from his friend. They'd both needed to see that the other was safe and to talk about some of what happened.

Knowing that, it still surprised him how much lighter he felt when Sebastian leaned close to him, smiling despite the tears he'd shed earlier. Wrapping an arm around Sebastian's shoulders, he started to relax for the first time since the nightmare. "I'm glad too. I'm sorry I didn't check on you sooner."

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"A version of it. I makes it easier to see the Shadow World. The Sight, I guess but - " He almost said 'mundanes' then quickly searched for another world. "Non-Shadowhunters can have the Sight. We can see through glamours and things like in fantasy stories."

Leaning in, he stole a brief kiss. "It's required for Shadowhunters. Most of us learn at least a half dozen languages. I learned some French and Italian but I'd like to learn Japanese." It was odd talking about his training. Magnus already knew about Shadowhunters and everyone else he knew had went through it or simply wasn't interested. But Sebastian seemed genuinely curious about Alec's life.

"The first ones are to protect us from demons." The protection runes that had fallen way when Jace had been brought back from the dead. "The others are ones that we use when we start our training. We have to be able to see a Downworlder to know what we might have to fight."

Smiling at Sebastian, he realized he was about to start blushing when he noticed how his friend's gaze was lingering on him. "You're the first person I've talked about this with."

"Non-Shadowhunters like me? Can anyone see your runes or Magnus's eyes? Or is that part of being here in the Library?"

Sebastian had wondered about Magnus's beautiful cat eyes. If most of the humans in their world were oblivious how did Magnus move around freely without someone noticing? Maybe it was the glamour Alec mentioned. "Is a glamour something like a disguise?"

He was curious. He wanted to know about Alec and his world and his life.

"I could teach you what I know. I don't practice as often as I should. Unless I'm at home and my mother refuses to speak English." The thought he had of his mother made him realize how much he did miss her. But then Alec smiled at him and he pressed several small kisses to his chin and around his mouth and thought of how happy she might be if she could see him now. "I hope you don't mind so many questions. It's okay if you want to change the subject. But i do have one more question before you do...will I have the chance to see more of your runes?"

He was proud of himself. He didn't blush.

"Usually they have some Fae blood in their family but other Non-Shadowhunters could have the Sight." It was rare but how could someone really track who was born Fae unless there was pointy ears or some other sign of the influence that was obvious? "If we let them see them, they can. Usually I glamour my marks or we glamour ourselves completely so only people from the Shadow World can see us."

Would that bother Sebastian? In Alec's world, they probably wouldn't have met because he rarely interacted with Mundanes. The thought sickened him slightly. How many people had they ignored because they weren't 'good enough'? At least being with Magnus had cured some of his elitism. "Glamours hide things we don't want seen. I normally hide my Marks when I think they'll draw too much attention. Magnus had to hide his eyes for centuries." That wasn't too much of a secret to tell. It was simple logic. Magnus' eyes were too distinctive not to get unwelcome attention from someone.

Smiling at the kisses, he stole a few when he could. "Would she speak English to me?" What would she think of a boy covered in scars and Marks? Maybe all that would matter was if Alec could make Sebastian happy. "I don't mind. I don't want to have secrets unless it's something I can't share because it'll hurt someone else. And we've told a few Non-Shadowhunters about us so I've broken the rules before."

Lifting Sebastian's hand, he kissed the back, brushing his thumb along his friend's knuckles. "You saw a few of them when we were in the bath," he teased but he knew that Sebastian probably hadn't been paying attention to his Marks. "You'll get to see them. They cover most of my body." Sebastian could decide how much of them he wanted to see... eventually. He'd promised nothing too serious would happen today and he wasn't going to break that promise.

"Invisibility is a little impressive." Sebastian smiled, his expression teasing. Choosing to become invisible was far better than simply being invisible to most of the world. "Fae? As in Faeries? Aren't Faeries too small to...you know...with a human?"

Yes. He's asking a question about magical sex. He had a lot of questions now that he and Alec were more comfortable. And if Alec didn't mind him asking he would probably ask most of what was popping into his head as they talked. It was sad to imagine Magnus having to hide a part of himself from the world. He didn't pretend anything he'd been through was anything like what he imagined Magnus had been through in his long life. But he could understand a little of what it felt like.

Sebastian closed his eyes when Alec kissed him, smiling and feeling far better about all the newness and getting to know each other intimacy they were sharing. It made him glad he had found the courage to ask Alec for some time like this. Where they could be themselves and not worry about others.

"My mother is very much a lady and one of the most polite people you will ever meet. But she also has a presence about her that makes everyone stand a little straighter while also making them feel more relaxed. She wouldn't make you feel uncomfortable. That's my fathers job apparently." But he didn't want to discuss his father when he was in a nice place at Alec's side, sharing kisses and secrets. He watched as Alec lifted his hand, feeling the heat in his cheeks spread everywhere at the memory. He had noticed, but he'd been so caught up in other things he hadn't taken the time to really look.

That would have been inappropriate even if Alec wasn't as modest as he was normally.

"I have a couple of marks." He said softly. "Nothing like yours of course. The first is just a scar." He shifted so he could look at Alec, show him the scar above his eye, bisecting the smaller end of his eyebrow. The mark left from the last time Christian Scott had attacked him. "The other you'll have to find on your own someday. I'll only give you the one hint. It's a birth mark."

"That's not usually the Rune that people think is impressive." He wasn't sure what would interest Sebastian. Agility? Healing? He thought of the scar on his arm where the fearless had been before he remembered some of Magnus' 'objectifying' descriptions and almost blushed.

The question about sex didn't really bother him. Izzy and Jace had asked similar things when they were training. And there had been lectures on who was appropriate for a Shadowhunter to date. Strange that a Fae was okay but Mundanes weren't. "They're human size. Well, some of them are. The Seelie are more like elves. Kind of. If you took the manipulative side of the stories instead of what you seen in those movies." He still liked those movies but he really hoped none of the Fae from his reality showed up.

"I've known a few people like that. My mom's the type that makes people stand straighter but she doesn't put people at ease. She's... Not really like your mom or what you imagine mothers to be." If he hadn't accepted that long ago, it would probably hurt to say it but now it was simply another fact. "I think I'd like to meet your mother." As he spoke, he gave Sebastian a wry look. "I'm not easily intimidated or made to feel uncomfortable. At least not now." Before it would have worked but Alec had accepted himself so he wasn't going to let anyone intimidate him again because of who he loved.

The scar wasn't the worst Alec had seen but it still made his heart ache. Sebastian had been hurt and he couldn't help wondering if it was because of something he'd seen in that nightmare. Brushing his lips against the scar, he tried to push away those thoughts. "I'm grateful that it's not like Shadowhunter scars."

For a few seconds, he was tempted to try to tease an answer from Sebastian but that would ruin the surprise. "I'll have to try to find it someday. And you'll have to learn what runes are were."

"I'm a boring human who lived in a world where everything is myths and legends or imagined stories in a book. Nothing is real the way things are real in your world." Sebastian wondered what did impress most people. What other runes did Alec have and what were they used for? He wanted to know everything he could about Alec.

"I'm not overly fond of manipulative types so I don't think I'd get along well with the Seelie." Christian Scott had been very manipulative.

"You could easily win my mother over by being you. Especially if meeting my father doesn't scare you away. Not that I would want to introduce you to him." It was a small lie. Nothing would make him happier than being able to introduce someone he cared deeply for to his father. But he couldn't imagine hugs and smiles and acceptance. Even after his apologies and explanations. Excuses is what they sounded like to Sebastian. But he was still angry and hurt and here int he Library he didn't have to try and force himself to forgive or even think about his father much. But when he did he missed his father and he hated that he did feel that way still.

The memory and thoughts were easily pushed away by the touch of Alec's lips. "I wish it were like yours. Then I could say it was an act of bravery protecting someone from evil."

He sighed and nuzzled his face against Alec's, lacing their fingers together. "I hope you do try. I think I would like it immensely. And I want to find all your marks. Learn them all by sight and touch." It made him nervous to be so honest and direct, but he didn't want to let fear keep him from what he wanted most. He had let that happen before and he regretted it with his entire heart and soul.

"You don't know that you lived in a world where everything was stories." Most Mundanes in Alec's world believed that demons and vampires were nothing more than fiction. "There could be Shadowhunters in your world and you'd never know." He wasn't sure if that was possible, but considering everything Alec had seen, he wouldn't assume it wasn't.

"I don't either." For a moment, his expression faltered, remembering the spell that had been cast on him. "I'm not in their good graces anymore. Most Shadowhunters aren't but Jace and I did some things that made their queen hate us."

The idea of meeting Sebastian's father didn't worry him except that he'd be concerned that somehow his boyfriend would get hurt. "I've fought Greater Demons and met Princes of Hell. I'm hard to scare," he teased before brushing a kiss to Sebastian's temple. "And I know how hard it is to introduce a boyfriend to your parents. It didn't go well when Magnus met my parents." It hadn't been as bad as Alec feared but it hadn't been a warm welcome.

"Each scar is a sign of a hardship that you've overcome. You moved forward so you did protect someone: yourself." It might not be the same as a Shadowhunter's duty but it was important. Taking their hands, he placed them over part of the claw marks on his chest. "You've seen that scar. That isn't something that most people survive. It was a miracle that I made it through that night." Magnus might have conjured up that miracle but it still was one. "That's not something you should wish for, Sebastian."

Especially when they were in a place where wishes could be twisted around.

Humming softly, he pushed aside the memories of the Greater Demon. "I will since you want me to and I'll try to make sure you like it that much." Arching an eyebrow at the comment about his marks, he gently squeezed Sebastian's fingers. He knew that this was new for both of them even if they had been with others before. "I'll have to get you a Codex so you can memorize what they mean. You can use me as a real world example to compare to."

"There are no super heroes or saviors or angels where I'm from." Sebastian realized how horribly pessimistic that sounded and quickly added. "I can't imagine anyone hating you, but I haven't met Jace nor seen you two together. Maybe you're a bad influence on him." He teased.

Introducing Alec was never going to be a problem. He didn't think he'd ever go back. No matter how much he missed his mother and his library and his wardrobe. There were other things, but he was learning to live without them or learning to be patient as it seemed the Market was a good way to get what they needed often enough.

He didn't think he could say anything about Christian Scott or Jack. He hadn't protected himself and he hadn't saved anyone. But saying so felt wrong. Disrespectful and hurtful. Alec's world sounded terrifying and difficult and painful. To be born into his world was a great burden, but not one he thought Alec would wish differently. Or maybe he would. He wondered about Alec and Magnus being here in the Library and if that would change for them one day. They were safe here. But for people who faced dangers their entire life, where demons were real and death was part of the reality of everyday life, could they remain happy here?

Sebastian smiled with a more pleasant topic of conversation to focus on. "Something like geography? Find this mark on the map that is Alec's body." Saying it outloud made him blush a bit, but he inhaled at the thought and nuzzled his nose and lips across Alec's cheek and jaw, finding his ear and neck. "I'm really happy to be here with you, Alec."

Turning a bit more so that he could look at Sebstian better, his expression became resolute. "You don't know that. Non-Shadowhunters where I'm from believe that there are not angels and there's no monsters but I know that it's true. I'm one of their myths."

And there was one part of Sebastian's comment that Alec knew wasn't true. "There was a boy back home named Simon. He's the one that saved me from the Greater Demon. He saved Magnus and Izzy when I couldn't. He saved my family when I was helpless to do anything to protect them. He wasn't a Shadowhunter when he saved me and he was a vampire when he saved Izzy and Magnus but he never stopped being the person he was before. He was a hero and he wasn't part angel or part demon. He was completely normal like you think you are and he was a hero."

Just like with Simon, there was something vital and special in Sebastian but he didn't see it in himself.

Alec hoped that Sebastian would never have to go through the things Simon had. Or even the kinds of things that Shadowhunters dealt with on a daily bases. Mundanes didn't have to worry about the same things that Downworlders and Shadowhunters did. There were dangers, that bully Alec had seen in the nightmare proved that, but it was a different type of danger. One that he'd find a way to protect Sebastian from if he was allowed to.

Laughing softly at the comparison, he turned his head to steal a kiss. "I don't have all the marks. Most of my body's covered but I doubt anyone could have all the runs at once." And he had one that only one other person shared... and one that Jace had never worn. An odd thought that made him suddenly miss his parabatai.

Shivering at the attention to his neck, Alec grinned and pulled Sebastian closer. "I'm happy to be here with you. I didn't expect this to happen but I'm grateful that it did."

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