You know what you’re really frightened of? Someone really loving you—heart and soul. Someone you can’t hide from. That person who sees all the ugly pieces of yourself that you’ve been hiding away for years. Those parts of yourself that have made countless other people run away. It is terrifying when you find the person who sees all of that, but doesn’t leave as fast as they can. Because you finally begin to let down walls, yet you’re constantly wondering what the one thing will be that breaks them. But the thing is…. When you find that person, there’s nothing that will drive them away. And that…. That is even more terrifying.

I may not know a lot when it comes to relationships, big brother, but I know fear. It never really goes away—it just changes as we change. […] You’re never going to get rid of all your fear, Alec, but you have to decide how much of your life it dictates.

Once Alec is in, he’s all in. He gives everything for what he believes in—ideals and people. Alec is tough, but his penchant for self-sacrifice leaves him vulnerable.

He always seemed to lose his ability to speak when Magnus was around, but saying what he was thinking out loud was important. Getting his words right was important. Because Magnus was important.