Tea and Tellings

                                    

                                          


                          
The tea cupped between his hands was warm and steaming, it was one of Alec's favourites.  Earl Grey tea that he and Clarry had picked up when they were visiting the London Institute on official business regarding some over-eager cultists who had managed to summon some rather irritating demons.  There was nothing about the term "official business" that implied one couldn't stop for tea on their way home.  Especially if you were in London.
                          
	But even a delightful cup of tea couldn't distract Alec from the reason he was sitting in his living room, in a bathrobe, at what was now just past midnight, with Ragnor Fell of all people.  He had to admit the whole situation was slightly amusing, even though Alec wasn't particularly happy about Regnor interrupting him and his husband right before they went to bed.  He didn't mind though.  If Ragnor was here, it was more than likely for a good reason.  And Magnus was usually a good judge of character, Ragnor was one of his first and oldest friends after all. The kids would be happy to see uncle Ragnor come morning.
                          
	"So," Alec started, letting his question hang in the air which was filled with the perfume of tea leaves.  He would usually be on edge or at least actively attentive with a guest in his house but a) It was relatively late and he had had a long day, b) it was Ragnor, a trusted family friend, and c) Alec was a Shadowhunter.  He would always be paying attention on some level, intentional or not.
                          
	Magnus was still in his pyjamas but he too had bothered to throw on a bathrobe, if it could be called that.  Alec was pretty sure that by definition, bathrobes weren't supposed to be elegant or reflective in any way, especially if that involved sparkles or glitter.  "So indeed," Manus said using Alec's word.  "You seem to be taking this well."  Magnus looked at his husband, almost as though he was expecting Alec to be upset with him in some way.  Yes, Magnus hadn't asked if Ragnor could stay but it wasn't just Alec's house, it was their home.  Guests were always welcome.  Had that not been made apparent by the sheer number of times Alec's fellow Shadowhunters had shown up unannounced?  Then again those were Magnus's close friends too.   Bur Ragnor would always be welcomed here.
                          
	Unless he turned out to be like Malcolm Fade, in which case him sleeping on the sofa would be a hard no.  That wasn't likely to happen though.
                          
	"Of course I am love.  Ragnor's always welcome here.  I'm just interested as to why he's here at midnight as we're trying to go to bed."  Alec took a sip of his tea.  It was comforting; sometimes a good cup of tea just made home feel like home.
                          
	"Ah yes," Magnus started.  "Well, that can be explained".
                          
	"May I?" Ragnor asked, smiling softly and looking a little out of place seeing as he was the only one who was actually dressed in a proper manner.  Though not that it had been brought to Alec's attention, he noticed that Ragnors top, a white short-sleeved button-up from a long-forgotten era, had a few tears in them.  Tears that appeared to be new as did the faint speckles of blood on his Navy trousers.
                          
	"Knock yourself out," Magnus replied, and at that, his friend seemed to chuckle.
                          
	"Where shall I start," He seemed to think on that for a few seconds before Magnus chimed in with "Peru," the word an inside joke muttered just under his breath.
                          
	"Not everything starts in Peru, Magnus.  Mabe for you but not for the rest of us, and by that I mean not for literally anyone except for maybe the people who inhabit the country.  A country, might I add, that you were banned from some time ago."  Not only would Alec never find out why his husband had been banned from Peru, but Magnus didn't seem to know himself.  Alec was sure it must have been something interesting though, it always seemed to be that way with Magnus.  Alec smiled at the thought.
                          
	"This particular incident," Ragnor continued, "did not happen to begin in Peru."  He shot a glance at Alec's husband.  Alec leaned forwards, leaning on his elbows expectantly but not over-eager.
                          
	"I'm sure that you both remember Camille," Ragnor spoke as both Alec and Magnus sat gazing at him with a touch of shock.  Of course, they remembered the vampire, Alec knew that Magnus did especially as a few centuries back they had something of a fling.  The fact that they remembered her did not mean that their memories were fond.  "Well, a few months ago I encountered one of her supporters, should I say, on a," Ragnor paused, searching for the words, "trip," he decided on, "to the Hong Kong Institute.  I had some unfinished business with Camille, and her very loyal and enthusiastic counterpart thought that perhaps I should pay up.  They wanted in on my business, quite annoying having someone follow you around a shadow market for the better part of a week."
                          
	"And what exactly were you doing in said shadow market," Alec added inquisitively.
                          
	"I am getting there."  He seemed slightly put off by the interruption but picked up his pace notably.  "I was looking for a couple of very distinct ingredients required for a particular spell asked for by a particular client."
                          
	Magnus chimed in.  "These are all very vague descriptions Ragnor, and none of them seem to explain the blood on your trousers or your reasoning for showing up at our home at such a late hour.  Not that you're unwelcome, just unexpected."  Alec loved the tone of Magnus's voice.  Carefree but to the point with his serious and deep undertones.  He smiled again at the thought of his husband and cast him a glance, watching as he spoke.
                          
"Your husband is the Consul, Magnus.  And as you're well aware, not everything we do as Warlocks is entirely legal in the eyes of the Clave."  Magnus let his facial expression go neutral.  Alec knew it was true, of course.  While fighting as he grew up, alongside Clary and Isabell, Simon and especially Jace, he had done some things under the law as well.  But Magnus was a good person as a whole and that's what was important to Alec.  He knew that Ragnor was as well.  Being the Consul, Alec had come to realize, kept him from knowing the finer points of much of what went on within the Clave.
                          
	Alec spoke up, leaning back in his chair as he did so and readjusting his arms.  "I may be the Consul but that doesn't mean that you can no longer trust me.  We can keep this conversation if that helps."  He threw in one of his gentle smiles and saw Magnus looking at him lovingly from the side.
                          
	"Thank you, Alec.  It's very much appreciated."  Ragnor relaxed visibly, but he seemed to remain slightly shaken up from his recent encounters.  Whatever they may have been.  "It was just a summoning of a certain demon."  Ragnor was about to continue but Magnus cut him off.
                          
	"All this over a demon summoning?  Ragnor seriously, do you know how many demons we've summoned over the decades?"  Turning to Alec he added, "Off the record." then he winked.  Alec rolled his eyes at his husband's charisma but his heart was beating strongly.
                          
	"Well," Ragnor went on, tapping his foot a few times before settling.  "It may have been a greater demon.  That greater demon may or may not have a couple of strong ties to a particular Prince of Hell."
                          
	"If you say what I think you're about to say," Magnus's eyes had hardened, focusing on his old friend.  "I am going to be very upset."
                          
	"That Prince of Hell could also possibly be-"  He was interrupted, again, by a banging from outside the door.  A cool, harsh wind swept through the apartment as it blew off the hinges to reveal a figure standing in the doorway.
                          
	"Asmodeus" Alec whispered launching himself upwards and stepping in front of his husband protectively, not that he needed to.  Blue sparkes were already dancing on Magnus's fingertips.
                          
	"Hello son," the demon spoke, focusing his attention on Magnus.
                          


                          
Sorry, I haven't updated in a while, things have been busy.  I wasn't really sure where I was going with this, but we're gonna go with it anyways.  Hope you enjoyed!