#battletaught 004.

        If Magnus Bane had learned one thing about Alec Lightwood over the past few weeks,  it was that he was the most  DIFFICULT  man in the world to buy gifts for---  and,  truly,  Ragnor Fell had already set quite a high bar in terms of  THAT  particular competition.  The only  NEW  things he’d ever seen his boyfriend with were weapons,  and he hardly thought that new  ARROWS  would be a romantic birthday present---  whether enchanted to  INCINERATE  its target upon impact or not  ( that idea had been scrapped rather quickly when he’d realised how  DANGEROUS  that could be,  particularly when in the wrong hands ).  He’d made desperate calls to Ragnor,  Catarina,  and had even debated  asking  RAPHAEL  for advice,  before finally deciding that,  no,  he  WASN’T  that desperate.  

        He has one day left until his deadline when he gets called into the Institute for a routine check of the  WARDS,  and he’d been led into the weapons area  &  told not to touch anything until Alec arrived  ( and in a rather  SCRUTINISING  fashion,  at that )  when,  upon turning to examine his surroundings,  Magnus’ gaze had dropped to a rather  FAMILIAR  bow that had been left out on one of the tables.  A sly glance to the side informs him that no one is in his vicinity,  and he deliberates for only a moment before finally reaching out and grasping the weapon.  An experimental tug of the nocking point tells him that the draw power required for a bow like this is  IMMENSE---  and is clearly far from  e a s y  on the Shadowhunter’s fingers,  even when he  ISN’T  trying to distract himself from an issue with tangible pain.  The thought sends a burst of pain rippling through his own chest,  and he continues to stare down at the weapon before the idea finally occurs to him.  Of course. 

        There’s an  EXTREMELY  expensive potion in his stores at home,  purchased centuries ago  &  kept for the right opportunity,  and he summons it into his hand with a  SNAP.  Quick work is made of uncorking the bottle  &  tipping the liquid onto the bow,  before he hastily sends the empty container back to his loft with another click.  It’ll take the same amount of effort to draw the bow as it had previously  ( Magnus is well aware that different bows  &  draw powers have the potential to throw archers off ),  but the altered string will most certainly be much kinder to his hands--- and Magnus’  HEART,  at that---  from now on.