Chapter Text
Alec and Isabelle had been dumped on the front porch of Idris’ Home of the Angels when they were just three and two years old. Alec had barely begun to speak and when he woke up in unfamiliar surroundings with his baby sister next to him, he peered about with wide, fearful eyes and scooted closer to her, trying to pull her into his small arms protectively.
Where were they?
Where was mama?
Why were they alone?
He was scared. His thumb found his mouth and he began his nervous tick of sucking on it, a movement that didn’t really happen that often anymore. His big eyes began to glisten and slowly fill and soft sniffles were heard from him.
And that was how Maryse Lightwood, the founder of Idris’ Home of the Angels, found him.
“Oh, sweetheart. Who are you?” she cooed softly as she sank onto her knees slowly. Alec had reflexively shrunk back, trying to pull his sister with him, away from this unknown woman.
She wasn’t his mama. Who was she?
Fear began to morph into wariness and protectiveness, and he eyed the woman carefully.
“It’s okay little one. I’m Ms Maryse. Some of the kids like to call me Mama Lightwood. You’re safe here,” she spoke gently, trying to assure him.
There were other kids here? He looked around apprehensively. He liked kids. He could make friends.
“This is a place for kids. We take care of them,” she continued softly, not making a move to go near the skittish boy. She knew this situation like the back of her hand. He and his sister were most likely abandoned. She knew the drill. People left kids at their doorstep, they had to investigate, and eventually, their official place of residence became Idris.
Maryse began to tell Alec about the fun things they could do inside, watching carefully as wariness slowly began to change into mild yearning. But it was food that won the boy over.
“Are you hungry sweetheart? I can get you a warm glass of milk and some cookies,” she suggested, a bright smile on her face as she raised her eyebrows exaggeratedly at him.
It was the cookies that did him in. That and the thought that his sister would need milk. He didn’t know, he wasn’t sure. But he’d seen her drinking milk. He had to take care of her now. Until Mama came back. He was the big brother. That’s what he was supposed to do.
Alec gave her a small nod and Maryse returned it with an encouraging smile.
“Is it okay if I helped you carry your baby sister?” she asked, noting the pink blanket she was wrapped in.
He didn’t know if he could stand up without dropping her. He didn’t want to drop her so he watched carefully as Ms Maryse gently lifted Izzy into her arms. He stood up immediately after, not wanting to be separated from his sister. Once Maryse got her comfortable carrying her with one arm, she reached an open palm out to Alec and waited.
Alec put his small hands in hers and followed her into Idris.
Maryse brought them to the kitchen, immediately giving instructions about the food needed for them.
A glass of warm milk and a small plate of chocolate chip cookies were placed in front of Alec and she’d expected him to go for them straight away. It was hard for kids to resist cookies after all. But Alec turned to look at her before looking at his baby sister. She needed something too.
“Milk,” he whispered, looking at Izzy.
“Of course. I’m getting milk made for her already. It will be here in a few minutes,” Maryse smiled warmly. The boy looked young. Three or four years old perhaps? And yet, he seemed so concerned over his baby sister. She had a feeling he was going to grow up to be very protective.
Alec nodded at her and turned back to his own plate, carefully taking a cookie and biting into it, taking care not to drop crumbs. He’d been taught not to make a mess. He tasted the cookie first, determining that he liked it, before he stood up to dip the next half into the milk, not being able to reach the milk on the table.
“Can you tell me your name sweetheart?” Maryse asked after he’d eaten a few cookies.
“Alec,” came the soft reply.
“And your sister?”
“Izzy.”
“Alec and Izzy. Such pretty names,” she commented, and Alec smiled at her. He was all done with cookies now and needed to grab the cup to drink the rest of the milk. As he was reaching for it, Maryse realised he might need some help and moved to carefully pass him the cup which he took with two small but steady hands.
She smiled at how careful he was being as the milk for Izzy was brought and she began to feed her, thinking about her next move.
Usually, they didn’t put people of different genders together, but this was different. They were the first pair of siblings to appear on their doorstep and Alec had already indicated that he didn’t want to be separated from his sister. They’d definitely need to place them together tonight, and that meant moving a cot to a room. Or maybe, Alec could sleep in a cot next to his sister. That would be better, with less hassle.
So that was where she guided them next, to the nursery where some of the other sleeping babies were. Cooing softly to Izzy who was awake after drinking milk and smiling widely at her, she began to rock her to put her to sleep. Only once she’d drifted off did she put her in a cot. All the while, Alec had followed her and held on to her dress when he wasn’t holding on to her hand.
“You can sleep here Alec,” Maryse whispered to him, mindful of the other sleeping babies. Helping him in and removing his shoes, she drew the blanket over him and brushed her fingers through his hair. “Good night Alec,” she quietly said before she left.
It didn’t surprise her in the least that in the morning, she found Alec in Izzy’s cot, cradling her protectively.
She’d asked if Alec knew their genders the next day, and found out that Alec was an Alpha (which she’d suspected because of his protectiveness) and Izzy was an Omega. Of course, she’d confirm it when they could go to the doctors for a routine check that all the kids went through.
She’d also guessed their real names when Alec had nodded at her, still too young to be able to say their whole names. Alexander and Isabelle. They didn’t know their last names and an investigation had amounted to nothing. After all due processes had been done and they were officially part of Idris, like all the other abandoned children with no last names, they took hers and her husband’s. They became Alexander and Isabelle Lightwood.
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Papa wasn’t moving. Magnus didn’t know why. He was scared that if he moved from under his bed, Papa would wake up and scold him again. Papa used to be really nice… but he wasn’t anymore. Ever since Mama disappeared, Papa began to scream at him and hit him.
You’re a bad omega.
Stop crying!
Why are you here?
You’re good for nothing.
You cause me so many problems.
Life would be easier without you.
He knew that whenPapa drank from the bottles that tasted awful… he would get scoldings or would even get hit. The first time he asked if he could have some, his Papa had laughed and passed him some. A tiny sip later, he’d begun to cough and that spurred the throaty laughter on.
Once he’d spilled his water while Papa had been having the bad drink and that was when he’d gotten slapped the first time.
Then he’d been shouted at.
He didn’t know why being an omega was bad. But Papa said it was so it must be true. He didn’t want to be an omega if they were so bad. He tried not to cry because Papa had called him a weak Omega who cries all the time. So he stopped. And he began to hide whenever he saw Papa drink. He couldn’t reach him under the bed so that was where he went. That was where he was safe.
He brought Ellie with him inside, his favourite blue elephant. He learnt only to talk to Ellie and no one else. That’s how he could be safe. Papa didn’t like noise. And he didn’t want to do anything to make him upset. So he stayed hidden and only went down to eat when Papa called him. Sometimes it was once a day. Sometimes it was once in two days when Papa forgot. If he was lucky, he’d get two in one day. He’d always eat quickly so that he could go and hide, afraid of his Papa. It seemed so long ago that Papa had smiled. He didn’t smile or laugh anymore, not since Mama had disappeared.
And then, people had appeared in his house, bringing him away. They said Papa was coming back anymore. He had died of an… overdose. They were going to bring him to a better place and give him a better life. The woman who came had kind eyes, like his Mama. He believed her. And so he went with her.
_________
“This is Alec, Magnus. He’s really nice and you’re going to be sleeping here in this room,” Maryse smiled gently.
He tried to hide behind Maryse a little as he looked at the taller boy. Alec. Was he nice? Was he kind? Would he disturb him? Be mean to him?
Sometimes they waited until the adults left to be mean. Magnus knew that. It had happened when one of his father’s friends had come over with a kid. Tom. They’d said they’d be friends. But he’d been mean. He’d tried to take Ellie and that was when Magnus learnt to keep Ellie hidden whenever people came over.
He had a small bag with him with Ellie inside and he’d make sure to hide Ellie from Alec. Hmmm. Their names sounded almost the same. Ellie. Alec.
“Now Alec here will show you around okay? We have dinner in the dining room soon, in about an hour, and how about you unpack and Alec will show you some of the important places here?” Maryse bent down to look at Magnus.
Magnus stared back at her unblinkingly, not saying anything. He’d gotten used to not talking to anyone but Ellie.
“Do you need my help to unpack sweetheart?” she asked softly, brushing her fingers through his hair in a comforting gesture.
He couldn’t. Ellie was inside and he didn’t want anyone to see.
He shook his head, a tiny movement.
“Okay. I’ll see you at dinner,” she smiled before turning and leaving the two boys alone in the room.
Magnus stared warily at Alec, waiting for him to get mean. He saw Alec smile at him warmly.
“Hi. I’m Alec. You’re Magnus, right? We’re going to have fun together. Don’t worry this place is quite good. I like it here,” he continued.
Magnus continued to gaze at him, unsure and hesitant. The boy was taller and bigger than him. He might not win in a fight.
“I’m 5. You?” he asked.
His fingers itched to show him how old he was but he stayed still. He couldn’t talk and somehow Alec’s questions were giving him an uncomfortable feeling in his tummy.
“Are you 5?” Alec asked, realising that Magnus wasn’t talking.
Magnus was afraid of not answering Alec. Would he get mean? He shook his head, a small movement.
Alec gasped and Magnus shrank back at that sound. Had he done something wrong?
“6?!” he asked.
Magnus shook his head slowly again.
“4?” he asked gently, realising how nervous or scared Magnus was.
Finally, a small nod.
“Oh okay,” Alec accepted. “Do you want help to unpack? I can arrange things for you. I am good at that.”
Magnus clutched his bag closer to him and took a step back, away from Alec.
“Okay. I’m sorry,” Alec said, a little sadly, wondering if he did something wrong. “Do you think after I can show you the toilets, the garden and the playground?” he asked hopefully.
Magnus was still afraid to disagree with Alec so he nodded.
Eyeing Alec carefully, he slowly walked to his cupboard and opened it, casting furtive glances every now and then at Alec. His hands began to hesitantly pull out his few belongings and he tried to put them in the cupboard. He’d had to learn how to do it already, since his Papa hadn’t bothered anymore. Mama used to do it so nicely but…
Maybe she’d be proud of Magnus if she knew how much he had learnt when she left. He was a good boy.
When all that was left was Ellie, he glanced back at Alec again and saw that he was preoccupied with a book. Quickly, he pulled it out and hid it behind his clothes, ensuring that they blocked it totally from anyone who looked inside. It wasn’t the best spot, but it would do for now. He’d definitely have to search for a better hiding place for Ellie once Alec wasn’t around.
When Magnus was done, he went to sit on his bed and stare at Alec, not saying anything.
“Are you done? Shall I show you around now?” came the eager question as Alec sat up.
A serious nod followed that question and Magnus got up to head after an excited Alec Lightwood, who considered all options and began to lead him towards the playground. Magnus looked like he needed that.
Magnus eyed the playground, seeing the kids laughing and playing on the swings and the slides. There was also a see-saw, and a merry-go-round, something he hadn’t seen in a while. He hadn’t gotten the opportunity to go to a playground in such a long time, before his Mama disappeared. Even then, the one near his house had a basic slide and swing. But that was fine. He didn’t need much. He also enjoyed playing with sand and trying to build a sandcastle. He wasn’t very good though. But he liked it.
Looking at the other kids now, he was rather nervous. He swallowed visibly as he looked carefully at them. Were they nice? Would they be mean to him? There were so many of them. He was scared really. What if they pushed him? Or said mean things? Who would help him?
He didn’t know. And he knew that the playground currently wasn’t the place for him to explore. He just couldn’t.
Alec had been watching him eagerly but his expression fell slightly when he realised Magnus wasn’t smiling while looking at the playground. He didn’t understand why. It was the place that made him the happiest. Why wasn’t it making Magnus happy?
Maybe the garden would be better.
“Shall I show you the garden next?” he asked, a small, careful smile on his face that widened as Magnus nodded. “This way.”
The garden was lovely. There was no one else there. He wasn’t really hearing Alec’s excited babble about the various plants and flowers that had grown or been planted. His eyes flew to the huge sunflowers, the deep red roses and what looked like strawberries hanging from a small tree. His Mama’s favourite flowers were sunflowers. He remembered her bringing him by the park just to see them growing in one specific spot. She’d always looked so happy there. An unknowing smile began to form on his face as he continued looking at the flowers, much to Alec’s delight.
He also noticed a little treehouse there, with a rope ladder heading up. That looked nice. It was something he wanted to explore.
Alec saw what had caught his gaze and immediately asked.
“Do you wanna see what’s up there?”
Magnus gave him a small nod. Alec walked there and began to climb, urging Magnus to climb after him. He kept pausing to see if Magnus was okay and he was. His mama used to call him a monkey. He’d love to swing on any bar he could find and had even once put his legs up as well, turning to look at her while upside down, eyes widening at her sudden scream.
The treehouse had cushions inside, the only thing that seemed to occupy the space. It was simple, and looked comfortable and Magnus confirmed the idea that the garden was going to be his favourite place here. It was quiet and nice.
Finally, Alec brought Magnus towards the toilets, showing him exactly how to walk back to their room from the toilet. The place was gifted with many rooms and so it was easy to get lost. Some had toilets inside their rooms too, but only the older kids got those types of rooms. Alec didn’t understand why.
Once he was done, it was time for dinner and Alec made Magnus lead to show him that he knew that way. He did.
Alec was glad he managed to bring a smile to Magnus’ face in the garden. The next thing he needed was to get Magnus to actually talk to him.
Dinner was a quick affair, at least for Magnus. Alec didn’t understand why he ate so quickly. When Mama Lightwood had placed more food on his place, his eyes had darted around, lingering often on Alec who was the closest, before he swallowed down the food. How could someone eat so fast? And so much?
Magnus didn’t know when his next meal would be. And they served chicken and pork- his favourites. He knew not to look the gift horse in its mouth. Better to be safe and eat what was available than have to deal with his hunger. So he ate, a little too much judging by the tummy ache he had after dinner.
But it was fine. He could handle it. So he didn’t tell anyone.
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A flash of light reached Alec’s eyelids, even though they were closed and he opened them to the sound of booming thunder that shook the walls. He slowly became aware of the pattering raindrops, sharp against the windows and hard against the ground.
A thunderstorm, he realised. That had begun some time ago.
His eyes then scanned Magnus’ bed, looking for the quiet boy who still hadn’t said a word to him. Or anyone for that matter, during the past two months since his arrival. He liked looking at him at night. He seemed less… scared. More relaxed.
His drowsiness faded and his eyes sharpened when there was no bump on the bed that signalled his body. Where was Magnus? Had he gone to the toilet?
It was colder that night so maybe he had. Alec decided to wait up to see if he got back okay, especially with the dangerous sound of the thunder and the flashing lights that seemed to outline dark shadows. It was a little unnerving to him too but he waited still.
Ten minutes later, Alec felt a little uncomfortable. Magnus still wasn’t back yet and he was gone when he’d woken up. How long had he gone? Was he okay?
Slowly, he got out of his bed, gearing himself up to walk along the dark corridor leading to the toilets. Normally, he’d just hide in bed until the storm was over. Better yet, under his blanket.
His soft footsteps began padding towards the bathroom, and he flinched slightly at the sudden explosion of thunder, panting as he tried to calm his racing heart.
It’s okay. It’s just thunder. It’s not scary.
When he finally reached the toilets, he tried not to glance at the mirrors. The flashing lights and shadows being illuminated… it was just better not to glance there. “Magnus? Are you h-here?” There was no answer. He looked into each cubicle, trying to ascertain if Magnus was there. Maybe he’d fallen asleep?
Some of the doors were open, so that was easy. But for the others, he had to push them open to check inside.
Magnus wasn’t in the toilet. Where was he?
With brisk footstep, he walked back to his room, this time not even jumping at the noise, his mind focused on one objective- finding Magnus.
He sat on his bed, thinking of what to do. Should he go and wake Mama Lightwood? He should. She’d know what to do.
Just as he got up to go and look for her at the other side of the building, he heard the smallest whimper. He waited for a bit, listening intently. Nothing. Thinking his ears were deceiving him, he took another footstep.
Again, a whimper.
“Magnus?” he asked hesitantly into the seemingly empty room.
There was no response. What did he expect really? Magnus to suddenly start speaking to him?
And that was when it struck him. What if Magnus were still here?
His eyes darted all over the room, thinking of where he could be. If he was scared…
He moved towards the curtains and that was when he heard a gasp again and realised where it was coming from. Under Magnus’ bed.
He crouched down immediately and his gaze found two wide, shining orbs shining back at him. Magnus’ small, shuddering frame had curled into himself and he had pressed himself against the wall.
“Magnus,” Alec whispered, a relieved smile appearing on his face. “There you are.”
It took him a moment to realise he had to do something. This wasn’t hide-and-seek. Magnus wasn’t just going to come out now because he’d been found. He was scared!
“Hey. You can come out. It’s just thunder. It’s okay,” he said softly and tried to reach in for Magnus.
He heard a quiet sob as Magnus shrank back from him further.
Instinctively, he held up his hands and Magnus stopped trying to merge with the wall. His eyes watched him carefully, alert to his every movement, his one hand holding something against him and almost under him.
“Okay. I won’t ask you to come out. Can I come in?” he asked instead and waited for a reply.
It was almost ten seconds later that Magnus shook his head, watching fearfully for Alec’s reaction.
Alec hit a roadblock, unsure of what to do next. He wanted to take care of Magnus and make him less scared but he didn’t know how. His eyes were drawn once more to his shivering body and he realised that there was at least one problem he could solve.
Standing up, he grabbed Magnus’ blanket and crouched down again to pass it to him.
“Here. Use your blanket. You’re cold,” he murmured, shoving the blanket in as far as he could with his hands. Once he drew back, Magnus began to reach for it and pulled it around him, staring unblinkingly at Alec, his big eyes shining whenever there was a flash of lightning.
Alec wondered what else he could do and decided that the rain didn’t look like it was going to stop so Magnus should actually sleep on his pillow to be comfortable. So he got up to take it and pushed it towards Magnus once again. Magnus tentatively took it and lay down on it, still as far as he could be from Alec.
Not being able to think of anything else to help, Alec decided that that was the best he could possibly do for Magnus. “I’ll… go back to bed okay? I’ll be right there,” Alec said quietly and Magnus gave him a small nod.
Going back to bed, something didn’t sit right with Alec. He couldn’t see if Magnus was alright or scared. Making a decision, he grabbed his pillow and blanket and crawled under his own bed, seeing Magnus’ shocked and wide eyes reflected back at him from the other side. “I’m going to accompany you like this. Maybe now it won’t be so scary?”
There was no reply, of course. But this was better, he decided. He could at least see that Magnus was still staring at him, still shaking slightly and closing his eyes tightly as his body jerked whenever the rumble of thunder was heard.
“Rain, rain, go away, come again another day. Little children want to sleep. Rain, rain go away,” he began to sing.
Bright eyes blinked back at him, but Alec saw the way he slowly relaxed the fist that was clenching the blanket and his shuddered seemed to have lessened. He continued singing until Magnus’ eye began to drift shut.
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Faint sunlight reached the room, in between both beds when Magnus woke up. Relief immediately flooded him when he realised it wasn’t raining anymore. He hated the rain. It had irritated his Papa and the loud sounds always reminded him of someone shouting at him.
He’d been so afraid the previous night when it had begun to rain that he’d immediately gone and gotten Ellie. Alec was sleeping so it had been okay. He hadn’t been able to fall asleep after that and the rain seemed to get worse, the thunder almost constant.
So he crawled under his bed. The lightning wasn’t so bad there, and all he saw was Alec’s bed. But the sound… still scared him.
When Alec had woken up and he saw his legs, he’d frozen, trying to hide Ellie and hoping Alec wouldn’t check under his bed.
But then… Alec had left.
He’d left him all alone in the room with the roaring, angry thunder.
Magnus had cried then, softly and silently. He couldn’t do anything. He was scared to ask Alec to stay and he was scared to be alone.
Soon enough, Alec had returned and he’d felt relief. He’d never been so happy to see those legs.
But then, they’d begun to move, as if to leave again. And he hadn’t been able to stop the sound from leaving his mouth.
That was when Alec had found him.
But he hadn’t made fun, or tried to force him out. He’d been scared for Ellie but nothing had happened. In fact, Alec had taken care of him. Given him his blankie. And pillow.
And then he’d disappeared. That was when he’d realised that he had felt better when he could see him.
It shocked him when he’d reappeared with his pillow and blanket. For a moment, he was afraid that he was going to join him. But no, he crawled under his own bed and he began to sing to him.
He learnt something that night. Alec couldn’t sing. He didn’t hit the right notes but… it helped.
He’d never fallen asleep while it was raining before. His voice and mere presence had soothed him. Maybe Alec was nice. Maybe.