True Love Never Dies

Fanfiction
Title:	True Love Never Dies
Author(s):	khaleesiofalicante on AO3 khaleesiofalicante on Tumblr
Date(s):	March 1st 2022 - July 16th 2022
Length:	622,214 words
Genre:	Family, Romance, Hurt, Human AU
Fandom:	Shadowhunters/The Mortal Instruments
External Links:	AO3
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

True Love Never Dies is a The Mortal Instruments fanfiction about Alec Lightwood/Magnus Bane by khaleesiofalicante.

Content

Summary

Magnus and Alec meet at university. They fall in love.

Shit happens.

They break up.

They meet again. They fall harder. They get married. They have kids.

Shit happens.

They get divorced.

A story told through three different timelines and four different perspectives.

Welcome to the divorce au.

Timelines

This story happens in three timelines.

Timeline 01 - The Beginning - This is the College AU. This timeline moves in linear time. Alec is 25. Magnus is 20.

Timeline 02 - The Middle - I call this one the “the fucked up timeline” because it’s super messy. This timeline does not move in linear time. They are at multiple ages at different points in time. It is essentially a bunch of scenes in different points in their marriage and divorce - and shortly after.

Timeline 03 - The End - This is the Current Timeline. Alec is 45. Magnus is 40. Rafael is 20. Max is 18. The happens two years after the divorce.

The story is mainly told through the povs of Alec and Magnus. Max and Rafe povs in Timeline 02 and 03 here and there.

This fic is not written like a usual story. Every chapter consists of three scenes from three timelines. In essence, this fic is a bunch of scenes tied together by different themes - one theme per chapter.

Chapter Breakdown

The unofficial reread guide.

The numbers make it possible to read the whole story in chronological order. This order is inspired by Booksandwhatmore and - as it is not created by the author - could contain inaccuracies. Tip: Using the sorting function for each colomn of the table.

#	Chapter	Timeline 1: The Beginning	Timeline 2: The Middle	Timeline 3: The End	Word count*	Song rec
1	Fuck Shinyun	2 - Alec POV: Telling Izzy about Magnus + Snooping through mails	45 - Alec POV: Shinyun convincing Magnus to model for Edom	81 - Alec POV: Magnus telling him he's dating Shinyun	9232	I want you by EXO
2	Prom Is Fucking Stupid	3 - Magnus POV: Talking about Alec's family	59 - Rafael POV: Going to prom with Magnus	82 - Alec POV: Auctioning off dances	10403	Careless Whisper by George Michael
3	Fucking Fuck	4 - Magnus POV: Buying lube with Alec and making love for the first time	75 - Magnus POV: Trying to give The Talk to Max + Disneyland	83 - Alec POV: Family time playing Monopoly before Minyun date + The Hug	15456	Good in Bed by Dua Lipa
4	Jesus Fucking Christ	5 - Magnus POV: Alec going to church and talking about religion	43 - Magnus POV: Planning their wedding + deciding on the wedding location	84 - Alec POV: Shinyun' gifts to Max + Talking to Rafe about Magnus in church	9206	Let it Be by The Beatles
5	The Motherfucking Mansion	6 - Alec POV: Sharing secrets with Magnus + Kiss at Executive Mansion	72 - Magnus POV: Moving out of the mansion	85 - Rafael POV: Shinyun coming to Magnus' apartment + talking to Alec	10074	Amigdala by Kukira Kau Rumah
6	What The Fuck Is A Thomastair?	7 - Alec POV: Arguing with his dad about coming out + Maryse considering divorce	70 - Magnus POV: Finalizing the divorce + Custody agreement	86 - Magnus POV: Thinking about Shinyun and their relationship + Thomastair's wedding in London	11629	The 1 by Taylor Swift
7	Alec, Are You Fucking Drunk?	8 - Magnus POV: Alec's Princeton Hoodie + Alec returning drunk from family	74 - Alec POV: Waging war after divorce + divorce party	87 - Alec POV: Second anniversairy of the divorce with Jace & Clary's family	9344	Why Do You Only Call Me When You're High by Arctic Monkeys
8	I'm Not Gonna Jerk Off In Capitol Fucking Hill	9 - Alec POV: Being at the Capitol as an openly gay man + passing bill	58 - Alec POV: Magnus on the Edom cover + attempt to sleep with Magnus	88 - Alec POV: Instagram, Twitter and Grindr	10332	Make Me Feel by Janelle Monáe
9	@zaradearbornofficial Kindly Fuck Off	10 - Magnus POV: Alec being scared of spiders + meeting Zara in the pharmacy	55 - Alec POV: Leak: Asmodeus is Magnus' father + facetiming Magnus after photoshoot	89 - Alec POV: Shinyun gifting Max a tarantula + Zara attacking Max + Magnus being badass	12049	Movements by Pham feat. Yung Fusion
10	Happy Fucking Pride	11 - Magnus POV: Meeting Lily Chen + going to a queer party without Alec	53 - Alec POV: Speech at the pride parade	90 - Rafael POV: Official pride party + conversation with Max after catching him smoking weed	6114	Brave by Sara Bareilles
11	Are You Fucking Asking Me to Send You Nudes?	12 - Magnus POV: Taking nudes	57 - Alec POV: Hodge leaking Magnus' nudes	91 - Alec POV: Selena's nudes being leaked + Malec's almost kiss	13028	Cyber sex by Doja Cat
12	If I Have To Do One More Fucking Interview	13 - Magnus POV: Interview with Maia about future + Alec hits her ex-boyfriend	39 - Magnus POV: Rafe saying he loves him + Autocomplete Interview of Malec	92 - Rafael POV: Mean tweet interview of Rafe and Max	9819	Me Too by Megan Trainor
13	Hey Asmodeus! Go Fuck Yourself!	14 - Magnus POV: Alec meets Shinyun + Going to London to see Asmodeus	49 - Alec POV: Max's swearing deal + Asmodeus confronting Alec and Max	93 - Magnus POV: Thinking about Alec, Asmodeus + planning photoshoot with Shinyun	17825	Skydive by Westside Boogie
14	Love Is Such Fucking Bullshit	15 - Alec POV: Magnus returning from London + talking about Magnus's mom + "I love you"	69 - Alec POV: Divorce papers with Thomas + sandalwood & flowers	94 - Max POV: Max taking the blame after David punches guy + Mavid start sleeping together	20112	I love you by Billie Eilish
15	It's Just A Dumb Fucking Stereotype	16 - Magnus POV: Nasi goreng + Raphael and Alec talking about new driving license bill	46 - Rafael POV: Magnus' bisexuality + Max being violent + Malec fighting	95 - Alec POV: Ben + Call with Magnus + Talking to Max about violence & media	13434	Version of me by Sasha Sloan
16	Jace Fucking Herondale	17 - Alec POV: Magnus meeting Jace + Alec coming out to Jace	73 - Magnus POV: Unpacking + Jace coming to talk to Magnus after the divorce	96 - Magnus POV: Mavid + Conversation with Jace about Alec and Ben	10727	Back in Black by AC/DC
17	Child Of Fucking Divorce	18 - Alec POV: Christmas - Magnus meeting Alec's parents + Robert's investigation	65 - Rafael POV: Alec after Magnus asked him for a divorce + Max reaction	97 - Max POV: David reading smut + call with Gabriel + keeping it a secret + Max not wanting to be in a relationship	15185	When You Love Someone by James TW
18	I Told You I'm Fucking Sorry	19 - Alec POV: Apologies + Going back to the Christmas feast	51 - Magnus POV: Election day and visiting Shinyun	98 - Rafael POV: Telling Alec about the photoshoot + Anjali talking about responsibility	14111	Sorry by Halsey
19	Put Down The Fucking Gun	20 - Magnus POV: Going to cabin + shooting range, telling Alec about killing his stepfather	47 - Alec POV: Max finds the gun + Malec fighting	99 - Alec POV: Hodge apologizing + Max almost shooting him + weed	12856	Hayloft II by Mother Mother
20	Happy Fucking Birthday To Me	21 - Magnus POV: Alec inviting Ragnor for Magnus + Ragnor giving Alec the shovel talk	37 - Magnus POV: Elyaas + Malec fanfiction	100 - Max POV: David's birthday + going to the MET	15979	Quelqu'un m'a dit by Carla Bruni
21	Fuck Depression	22 - Magnus POV: New prescription for depression + meeting Catarina in support group	60 - Magnus POV: Luca's fish tank + Magnus getting sexually assaulted during a photoshoot	101 - Magnus POV: 2D Alec + depression support group + Edom photoshoot	13740	Laughing on the outside by Bernadette Carrol
22	Older Brothers Are Fucking Annoying	23 - Alec POV: Talking to his mother, Izzy and Jace about Clary, Simon and the divorce	62 - Rafael POV: Leak of Magnus' killing his stepfather + Magnus talks about divorcing Alec	102 - Max POV:Going to church to see David + Family dinner + fight with Rafael + David	16182	Surface Pressure by Jessica Darrow from Encanto
23	Fuck Yeah, Brooklyn!	24 - Alec POV: Talking to his father + asking Magnus to stay in the US + florist + coloring children's faces	61 - Magnus POV: Not wanting another child (Brooklyn)	103 - Magnus POV: Watching videos + Shinyun learning she is infertile	10708	Always by Ashe
24	I Got You. I Fucking Got You.	25 - Alec POV: Alec learning about Magnus' depression	67 - Rafael POV: Magnus attempting to commit suicide	104 - Max POV: Seminar on gun violence + David reached out to his mother + talking about (fictional) crushes + truth striptease	14891	Lean on Me by Bill Withers
25	The Beginning Of The Fucking End	26 - Alec POV: Alec trying to learn how to deal with Magnus' depression + talking to Clary + Magnus' letter	63 - Magnus POV: Asking Alec for a divorce	105 - Alec POV: Pictures of the Minyun photoshoot + Minyun at fertility hospital + Voicemail	11724	Love is Not Enough by Ashe
26	I Don't Fucking Have Daddy Issues!	27 - Magnus POV: Letter to Shinyun + Malec fighting about Clary, Valentine, and fathers	76 - Magnus POV: Escalation with Max	106 - Alec POV: Alcohol poisoning + Talking to Magnus about voicemail + Fight with Rafael	18250	Happier than Ever by Billie Eilish
27	You Worry Too Fucking Much	28 - Alec POV: Talking about scholarship/Edom + Alec trying to fix it + writing with Camille	71 - Rafael POV: Alec's ask during the custody agreements	107 - Magnus POV: Snooping + confrontation with Rafael + Rafael running away	10878	All For Us by Labrinth ft Zendaya
28	To Be Loved By Magnus Fucking Bane	29 - Magnus POV: Seeing Catarina + call with Shinyun about scholarship + running from Camille	56 - Alec POV: Magnus' exes	108 - Magnus POV: Malec talking about Alec's ask + Luca + replacing Alec + Minyun date	11042	Loving' You by Minne Riperton
29	This Is A Clusterfuck	30 - Alec POV: Meeting Camille + writing mail + deciding not to send it	66 - Alec POV: Leak of Magnus' mom	109 - Alec POV: Talk with Izzy about Magnus + Witnessing Minyun kiss + Mavid + Fight with Max	15390	Take Me Down Easy by James Henry Jr.
30	A Fucking Breakup	31 - Magnus POV: Magnus breaking up with Alec + Alec learning about Asmodeus	77 - Alec POV: Getting drunk with Ben + Jace's retirement party + the last kiss	110 - Max POV: Talking to Alec about David and love + confrontation with Clary and Jace & David + talking to Magnus about David, love and the divorce	15839	I can't go on without you by KALEO
31	What The Fuck Is Wrong With French People?	32 - Alec POV: Last conversation with Magnus + Camille + getting arrested + talking to Robert, Jace & Izzy	48 - Alec POV: Finding David in Paris	111 - Alec POV: Conversation with Clary about Mavid and Jace + talking to David about Max	12950	Petit à petit by Arcadian
32	I Fucking Missed This	33 - Magnus POV: Modeling after break-up and reunion with Alec	79 - Magnus POV: Dating after Alec + Walking in on Rafe + Calling Alec (Rafe, word origins)	112 - Magnus POV: Anxiety about videos + calling Alec + getting Rafael back with Anjali (Ben)	13390	Is it just my by Emily Burns & JP Cooper
33	Keep Fucking Fighting	34 - Magnus POV: Buying the apartment + Getting Chairman + Finding Max	50 - Magnus POV: Malec photoshoot + pet names + Sex in Governor's mansion	113 - Alec POV: Family meeting + Talk with Luca about family + Borrowing Chairman	19953	Stand by you by Rachel Platten
34	Max Lightwood-Fucking-Bane	36 - Magnus POV: Ragnor returns + Overwhelmed by baby Max + Talking to Alec about Max	78 - Max POV: David's text messages + Max's POV Retirement Party	114 - Max POV: Max's therapy session + airport scene	20612	Precious Love by James Morrison
35	Rafael Lightwood-Fucking-Bane	38 - Alec POV: Welcoming Rafael to the family	54 - Rafael POV: Going on his first date with Anjali	115 - Rafael POV: Reconciliates with Max, Anjali, Alec + Alec cries over Minyun	20687	I'll be there by Hadley Hanson
36	Therapy is Fucking Exhausting	40 - Alec POV: Aftermath of the death of Alec's father	64 - Magnus POV: Malec going to couples therapy	116 - Alec POV: Parenting therapy with Jem + Family ice cream	18754	Work by Charlotte Day Wilson
37	He Ate The Fucking Raisins!	41 - Magnus POV: Alec's photoshoot	80 - Alec POV: Max's 18th birthday party	117 - Magnus POV: Max announcing he's moving to London + Magnus' realization + Accident	16728	Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai by Roopkumar Rathod
38	Where Is The Fucking Wedding Ring?	42 - Magnus POV: Max doing homework + Proposal	44 - Magnus POV: Malec wedding	118 - Alec POV: Magnus is in the hospital + Conversation with Shinyun + Wedding ring	15297	Delaney Bailey - J's lullaby
39	Goodbyes are fucking hard	52 - Magnus POV: Moving to the executive mansion	68 - Alec POV: Alec after Magnus' suicide attempt + Magnus' letter	119 - Alec POV: Last in-person family therapy + raisin muffin + saying goodbye to Max	15052	Everything I Wanted by Billie Eilish
40	It’s a fucking date	1 - Magnus POV: Malec meeting for the first time	35 - Alec POV: Reunion after break-up	120 - Magnus POV: Helping Rafe move out + Last Luca + Getting back together	19148	Can't Help Falling in Love by Kina Grannis
41	Epilogue: Don't Say Fuck	Magnus & Alec POV: Epilogue	-	-	15303	This Love by Taylor Swift (Taylor's Version)

*The word count does only include the chapter, not the summary or the author's notes.

Timelines

Made by: Booksandwhatmore Tumblr

=> Chapter.Timeline

• 40.1 - First meeting
• 1.1 to 33.1
• 40.2 - Malec gets back together, same day as the last bit of chapter 33, Alec's pov
• 34.1 - They find Max
• 20.2 - Max is almost 4, they meet Elyaas, alec is in Buenos Aires
• 35.1 - Rafael just arrived, he's 5
• 12.2 - Two months after they find Rafa, twins are newborns
• 36.1 - Rafa is 7-ish
• 37.1 - Max is 6-ish
• 38.1 - Proposal
• 4.2 - Max is 7, before wedding
• 38.2 - Wedding
• 1.2 - Alec is a senator, Rafa is 9-ish, after wedding
• 15.2 - Rafa is 11-ish, they go to Mexico
• 19.2 - Rafa is 11, Max is 9
• 31.2 - 2 years before election, twins are 7, after wedding, they meet David who is 10 (so is Max)
• 13.2 - Rafa is 12, they just got David, Max meets a dying Asmodeus
• 33.2 - 1 month before 1st election, Max is 12 (Rafa is 14)
• 18.2 - 1st election
• 39.1 - They're about to move to the executive mansion, kids are 14 and 12, Alec is 40-ish, January, before the first date with Anjali
• 10.2 - 4 months after 1st election, Max is 12-ish
• 35.2 - Some months after 1st election, Rafa is 14
• 9.2 - Some months after 1st election, people find out aboutt Asmodeus
• 28.2 - some months after 1st election
• 11.2 - Leaks
• 8.2 - Rafa is 15, after the leaks, after Asmodeus
• 2.2 - Rafa is 16, junior prom
• 21.2 - 13 years after they find Max (he's 15-ish?), after the leaks, Joshua, they discuss Brooklyn
• 23.2 - Magnus decides not to have Brooklyn, 1 month before the africa trip
• 22.2 - Before 2nd election, Rafa and Anjali decide to go to Stanford, 4 years after the 1st election, after Joshua, Max is in Africa, public discovers Magnus killed his Stepdad, Rafa slaps Max, Magnus tells Rafa about the divorce
• 25.2 - Magnus ask Alec for a divorce
• 36.2 - One week after Magnus asks for a divorce, therapy
• 17.2 - Alec tells the kids about the divorce, 1 month after Rafa hits Max
• 29.2 - 2 weeks before 2nd election, months after public discovers Magnus killed his stepdad, Magnus' mum, Alec gets the letter
• 24.2 - Alec wins the 2nd election, Rafa and Anjali stay back in ny, after Rafa hits Max (he's almost 16), Alec files for divorce
• 39.2 - Last bit of chapter 24, Alec's POV
• 14.2 - Before the custody, Magnus is sleeping in a different bedroom
• 6.2 - Custody, 1 week before divorce is finished, 1 week before Rafa's 18
• 27.2 - Last bit of chapter 36 from Rafa's pov
• 5.2 - Moving out
• 16.2 - Unboxing
• 7.2 - Come weeks after the divorce finished, party
• 3.2 - 3 months after the divorce is finished, Disney
• 26.2 - After Disney, 1 month before Jace's retirement party, Max is arrested and tries to get emancipated
• 30.2 - Months after Disney, after Magnus and Max reconcile, retirement party from Alec's POV
• 34.2 - After divorce party, after arrest, retirement party from Max's POV
• 32.2 - 1 year after the divorce, David is about to leave for Cambridge
• 37.2 - After retirement party, David has left, Christmas, Max turns 18
• 1.3 to 40.3 - Timeline 3 in its entirety
• 41 - Epilogue