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     ISAAC—UPON HIS RELEASE—HAD RUN DIRECTLY TO WHERE ALEC WOULD BE. Simon hadn't told him the exact details when the mundane released him before Isaac ran off, but he could always ask anyone else he found. But all that seemed to be on his mind was the safety of the man that he managed to fall for without knowing the man in full detail. He just hoped that given time, he'd get to know Alec, which is if Alec was alive and not dead because of a demon. He just wished that he wasn't too late, he wished that he knew what the hell happened for this to happen and what he could do to help.

     While Isaac made his sprint to the Infirmary, he'd fished out his phone, only slowing down to make sure that he'd clicked on the correct name. He'd called Magnus' number, he just wanted to make sure that Alec would be in safer hands—it wasn't that he didn't trust Shadowhunters, it was just he knew that even the runes had their limits. And Isaac didn't want to lose a guy he realised that he actually liked.

     His phone rang three times before Magnus answered with a very sleepy and somewhat weary; "Hello? Isaac, why are you calling me at this time? Are you okay?"

     "Alec." Isaac told. "Alec has demon poison in his system. Please, please Magnus." He'd skidded around a corridor before slowing down to a calmer pace, realising that he had the Infirmary in sight. "I know that it's a big ask given that I've not exactly been in contact with you for god knows how long, but please. I'll do anything!"

     Magnus grumbled over the phone. "Fine, give me ten minutes to sort what I need out and I'll be right there. You owe me big time, not for calling in this favour, but for making me feel worried about your safety, you reckless ass."

     "I absolutely love you Magnus," Isaac said. "See you in ten."

     "Love you too, Parker," Magnus responded, hanging up his phone.

     As soon as he was off the phone, Isaac opened the Infirmary doors and noticed how no one aside from Isabelle—who was frantically trying to think of something that could help her brother—and of course, Alec, who needed the attention. Though upon hearing someone walk in, Isabelle stopped what she was doing to turn to look at Isaac, her eyes were wide and bloodshot as she tried her best with what could help Alec.

     "Isaac!" Isabelle greeted slightly, throwing her arms up to hug him. It took him by surprise though he returned the hug, thinking that Isabelle might need the comfort. "I don't know what's going on, everyone just vanished, and I wanted to stay with Alec because I didn't want to leave him while he was like this and. . ."

     "Hey, it's okay," Isaac assured, "I called Magnus, he'll be here shortly. He will help. He'll know what to do."

     ****

     Magnus had come which Isaac was grateful for, he could honestly kiss Magnus sometimes and this was defiantly one of those moments. He'd ordered both Isabelle and Isaac out of the room after inspecting Alec's injuries while Isabelle explained what happened just so that Magnus understood as much as he needed to before he started to work. Isaac was trying to comfort Isabelle as much as he could, but he didn't know how to exactly, so he tried to distract her mind as much as he could.

     Of course, that lasted about an hour before Isabelle managed to catch onto what Isaac was trying to do and narrowed her eyes towards him. Though, they then tried to figure out as to what exactly could have happened to everyone else—Isaac had told Isabelle that Simon was the one to let him out and that Simon was currently sat in his van considering that he wasn't sure if someone would need him for a quick ride. It led to them telling Simon that he could go home, that Alec was in safe hands to which he nodded at and left.

     After that, they wondered around the institute to try and peace together as much as possible, but it wasn't worth it much as there was basically nothing. As side from the mess that the library was in which made them curious, Isaac asked Isabelle if there was a rune for seeing what happened in a room, but she shook her head before asking him to do a check up to hear how Alec was doing. Though, Isaac couldn't tell but he wouldn't tell Isabelle that, so he said that he thinks that it's going well.

     They'd made a slow way back to which Isabelle—trying to distract herself though the worry and concern was clear on her face—asked Isaac a lot of questions to do with his life before becoming a vampire. It was odd for someone to be so curious in his life that he oddly enjoyed it, and, in some way, it allowed him to drown out his worry for Alec. He rambled on and on about what it was like growing up, how his parents were, what his siblings were like, when he was turned, how he was turned, who turned him, how that was like to adapt between being human and becoming a vampire. Isabelle listened as closely as she could, asking more about each little thing.

     She even got a little excited when Isaac mentioned her ancestors and working with them. She'd asked more about that than anything else, she wondered as to which one of the Lightwoods she reminded him of to which she responded with Cecily Lightwood. He'd explained to her a bit about Cecily which in a way made Isabelle excited slightly to know that she was connected to her adopted brother more than what she expected to be.

     And then Isabelle asked him who Alec reminded him of which lead Isaac stuttering and blushing slightly, though he responded with Will Herondale. Though he told her that Alec reminded him of Will because they look alike—the same black hair, the same blue eyes—and even still the stubbornness that Alec displayed was a little like him but something else that Isaac couldn't place. There was actually a lot that Isaac couldn't place about Alec which Isaac said to Isabelle, it was like Alec was a mystery to Isaac in some strange way.

     Isabelle hadn't said anything to Isaac for a moment though a smile was on her face which made him panic slightly and yet she shook her head slightly. She dragged Isaac to Michael's room considering that after bringing Alec back, Michael excused himself to his room for a reason Isaac wasn't told on—though Isabelle only said something about how it triggered something within Michael about demon poison. Isabelle basically kicked Michael's door down and told him that Magnus was with Alec and that Alec will hopefully. Relief was clear on Michael's face which made Isaac smile slightly to himself. It warmed his heart just how much they all cared for each other.

     "We're going to head back down to the Infirmary, wanna come?" Isabelle asked Michael. "We're just going to be waiting outside, probably talk to each other about anything if you wanna join."

     Michael looked between both Isabelle and Isaac then before he nodded slightly. "Sure. I could need something else to focus on something else rather than my own thoughts."

     The three then made their way down all of the way to the Infirmary, Isabelle had linked her arms in both Michael's and Isaac's which made the vampire smile in some way. There was just something about being within the presence of both Isabelle and Michael—despite his entire panic of him having to go to the Guard or something because of his murder—it was just comforting in a way. Other than Magnus, Isaac has never felt so comfortable around a group of people. Though, yet again, he had to remind himself that this wasn't the first Shadowhunter group that he felt comfortable with, but it was odd that history decided to repeat itself.

     The three sat at the Infirmary doors where they'd just ramble on and on about stuff that were on their minds, occasionally Michael or Isabelle would ask Isaac about some of historical stuff that happened while he's been alive, and he tried to tell them about it in the way that he experienced it. The two also asked Isaac what he missed the most about his human life to which he said was being able to walk in the sun or to talk to his family considering that they were quite close.

     They questioned him about why he acted the way that he does—with the mischief and all—and Isaac didn't know what to say about that for a few moments, he never really gave much thought into what he did much, but honestly, he thought that he done it because it gave himself some form of attention and that he didn't care whether or not it was good. He knew that it was stupid of him to seek attention by causing trouble, but for some reason it was enjoyable to some extent, meaning that the fun stopped when people—mainly Shadowhunters—threatened to kill him rather than put up with what he does.

     From that point, the conversation only lasted for another half-an-hour before it died. A part of Isaac wished that it didn't, he was growing fond over being able to have an open conversation with both Michael and Isabelle. He knew that they only talked for as long as they did because of it being a distraction for them due to Alec's condition and the fact that they have no idea where the fuck Jace, Clary, and such had gone. Magnus was still working on healing Alec which made Isaac worry quite a bit, though yet again he knew that it would take Magnus a while to do what needed to be done, though even still it worried him. On both Magnus' part and Alec's.

     He worried because of Alec and how he was doing, and he was worried for Magnus and his strength. He didn't want to loose either, he cared too greatly for both to even want to loose either. He knew that there was a chance that Alec wouldn't want him but even still it didn't take from the fact that he was worried. He was worried because if Alec was lost, it would hurt Isabelle, it would hurt Michael, it would hurt Jace the most—he didn't want everyone to loose the one guy that they all care about.

     ****

     Between everything that was going on, Isaac really couldn't tell how much time had slipped past until Magnus came out of the Infirmary wearily. Isabelle had tried her best to stay up for this moment, but unfortunately fell sleep, using Michael as a leaning post and Michael fell asleep using Isabelle's head for his own pillow. Isaac—however—couldn't fall asleep no matter how much he tried, plus he promised himself that he'd stay up for everyone else's sake, so when he saw Magnus he shook both Shadowhunters awake trying to be as gentle as possible.

     "Izzy," Isaac mumbled, shaking her. She stirred enough that Isaac turned his attention to Magnus considering that Michael was now awake. "Is everything okay?"

     Magnus looked somewhat exhausted which worried Isaac a great deal, though Magnus nodded. "He's okay. He's asleep at the moment. He'll be fine."

     Isabelle had woken up then and was on her feet, sorting herself out then. "He's okay?" Magnus nodded. "Thank you. Is it okay to sit with him?"

     "Yes, though he'll need his rest," Magnus warned. "You can stay by his side for as long as you wish, but make sure he's getting enough rest."

     That was enough for both Isabelle and Michael to go into the Infirmary, though Michael was somewhat hesitate as he looked at the two Downworlders and gave them both a small nod as if to say thank you. Only then did Michael go in, leaving Isaac and Magnus standing outside. Isaac would have followed the two, but he knew that he had no place to, not when they had more of a right to see Alec first.

     "Thank you, Magnus," Isaac said after a moment. "Thank you for being such a life saver." He swallowed then. "How—how much do you want from this?"

     Magnus hummed then as if he was considering a price. "No charge as long as you can get me a date with that Michael Shadowhunter. Deal?"

     Isaac smiled. "Of course. I can probably get him to talk to you if you'd like. I'm sure that he'd be dying to talk to you anyway."

     Magnus shook his head though there was nothing denying that there was a grin on his face. "You know, you're gonna have to apologise real good for scaring the shit out of me, Parker. I get told that the vampires beat the shit out of you and then you call me suddenly to do a job. I'm glad that you're okay, but at least tell me before you start making demands about helping the guy you have a crush on."

     Isaac placed a hand over his heart. "And here I thought that it was a known fact for me to have a flare for the dramatic. Especially when it comes to my life." He noticed the look on Magnus' face then. "Though, I promise that I will let you know that I'm okay. I'll make it up to you, drinks? Or would you like me to take you out on a fancy as fuck dinner with expensive champagne?"

     "Just the date with Michael will suffice and make up for all of this, Isaac." Magnus told. Isaac nodded.

     ****

     For the first time in forever, Isaac didn't know what to do with himself. He kept pacing up and down outside the infirmary, the only time that he went in there was to ask Michael to step out for a moment considering that Magnus asked for him. it was only then that Isaac saw how Alec was, he looked almost dead which somewhat scared Isaac though he knew that Alec was okay. Magnus assured Isaac of that. But even still, he didn't want to lose Alec.

     That was the only time that Isaac went into the Infirmary, and he wasn't sure how much time had passed. Michael was in and out of the Infirmary to mainly text or was told to go out to fetch something all while Isabelle never once stepped out—which Isaac somewhat envied having someone who cared for him like Isabelle cared for Alec. Even still, seeing how much Isabelle cared for Alec was something that made him smile.

     The door to the Infirmary opened which made Isaac turn on his heel to see who came out and was greeted with Isabelle standing there with her hands joint together. "Oh, I'm surprised that your still here. I thought that you would have gone home by now. It's almost sunrise."

     Was it? Isaac wasn't sure. "I didn't know that it was almost sunrise. I only stayed just in case something happened. But if nothing does, then I'll just. . ." he then slowly went to the doors, "I'll go. I don't want to be a larger issue than what I already have been. If anything bad does happen, I guess you know where I live."

     "Hey," Isabelle said, catching his wrist. "Do you wanna see Alec before you leave. Or you could stay until sunset and see him. You haven't been an issue, honestly, you've taught me a lot more than I'd care to admit. Plus, you like my brother otherwise you would have left by now, I'm sure that he'd appreciate hearing your voice."

     Oh. He hasn't been an issue? He thought that he had been. And was his little crush more obvious than he thought? First Magnus and then Isabelle. Maybe he wasn't as good as hiding his feelings as he thought. "You sure that its fine? I don't want to pry if it's not okay."

     Isabelle nodded. "Yes."

     Isaac liked Isabelle though a part of him was now terrified of seeing Alec in the condition that he was in. He worried just in case his presence beside Alec was unwanted on Alec's behalf but was unable to do anything because of his state. He wasn't sure, he knew that he was overthinking about all of it now.

     Isabelle seemed to take note of Isaac's hesitant to move and pulled Isaac into the Infirmary just enough to make sure that she closed the door when she left again. It was just Isaac and a sleeping Alec. Alone. Fuck, he wanted to turn around and leave, but he supposed that he didn't have much time to talk to Alec and even if Isabelle offered for him to stay here for the night once again—and as much as Isaac wanted to, he just wanted the comfort of his own bed at the point but even still, he'll have to be quick with talking to Alec if he wanted to get back.

     He sighed then, groaning silently to himself for a moment before waddling over to Alec's bed side. He would say that this reminded him of when Isaac was in his state not that long ago after the entire New York Clan incident. Though, the only difference then to now was the fact that Isaac wasn't unconscious. And the fact that Isaac was now certain that his small crush on Alexander Lightwood was something that he couldn't deny himself any longer.

     He sat down next to where Alec laid. He wanted to reach out and touch Alec's hand, but he didn't want to go too far that he knew might make a conscious Alec uncomfortable, so he just sat there, trying to think about what he could say. Isaac leaned forward slightly then, his elbows resting on his knees, his head in his hands.

     "Alec," Isaac said. He moved again, not sure what to do with himself. "Oh Alec, I leave you alone for a few days and you already get yourself in a state." He sighed once again. "And here I thought that I could leave you alone without the fear of something happening to you. Guess I was wrong. It had to be you that had to get demon venom in your system."

     His hand went to the side of Alec's bed, his thumb skimming Alec's exposed skin between the bandages across his chest and some of his shoulder. Though he pulled his hand away and let it lay flat against the bed. "You know, my archer boy, I was worried about you—I still am—but I don't know what to do to help you. Magnus. . ." he swallowed, "Magnus helped heal you. In fact, he was the one to do a lot of the healing, I sorted out the cost of it all so none of you need be worried about it."

     He looked up to the window within the Infirmary to see how the much lighter the sky was, he knew that he was running out of time before he could leave, and he needed to just so that he didn't rip anyone's throat out. "You know what? Fuck this shit, fuck all of this. Alec Lightwood I like you, a lot. And when you wake up, I'd like to take you out. For dinner. Whenever you'd want. That is if you'd like to go on a date with me—not that it'd be a date, if that makes you uncomfortable—it could just be two guys hanging out, going to dinner together."

     God, he was fucking shit at all of this. He supposed that it just showed how long it had been for him since he last went on a date with someone—or asked someone out for that matter. He needed to get better at this. "I'd very much like to see you when you're back to your normal health." He stood then. "As much as I want to stay here and talk, I have to get back home before I murder someone else. If you wake up and you remember what I said, you know where I live. I'll—I'll see you whenever you wake up, I guess." He smiled slightly to himself when he noticed how Alec turned his head in his sleep. "Goodbye, Alec Lightwood. I hope to see you soon."

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I am so sorry with how long it took me to update for this book!! Though, good news, I have finally wrapped up on act one and act two will hopefully be coming shortly!!