Fading Scars: A Series of Malec One Shots

Life In Runes

Every time Alec walked out the door to head to the institute, Magnus felt his stomach drop to the floor. For the most part, he always knew that Alec would come home later that night safe and sound and without injuries. And most of the time, he did.

There were times when Magnus would stay up late at night and wait for Alec to come home. He always kept the porch light on, which glowed with a faint light whenever it grew dark out. Alec hated that light. It was one of those "environmentally friendly" lightbulbs but were really hard on the eyes.

"Is this what mundanes are using to save the planet? Can't save the planet if everyone's blind," he'd always say. Typical Alexander.

Tonight Magnus decided to flip through the Gray Book. It must be hard for young Shadowhunters to learn new runes at such a young age. Alec had started learning them at 8. Max had started them not long before he passed away. He wasn't sure about Isabelle. More than likely she started combat training before sitting down and reading about runes. She liked to talk less, fight more.

The first rune he came across was the ever popular Angelic rune. Magnus was more than familiar with this one. Every Shadowhunter knew that the Angelic rune was the basic building block of any weapon they ever used. Alec had this one on his left forearm, just below his elbow. Magnus remembered tracing it with a finger many times in bed.

"Is this the first rune you've ever gotten?" He asked the young Shadowhunter one night.

"No. The first rune a Shadowhunter gets is the Voyance rune. Always that one. It allows us to see behind most glamors and magic."

"Where's yours?"

Alec smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know."

The next rune he came across was another that was all too familiar. It was the promise rune. Shadowhunters normally got this rune when they make a promise to someone and they tend to stick by that promise. This one was on Alec's right side, just on his ribcage.