GayTV Recap: Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments (Episode 3x16)

This week's episode of Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments picked up where last week's episode left off ... sort of. The appropriately titled episode "Stay with Me" opened with Magnus (played by Harry Shum Jr.) enjoying a pleasant breakfast with his boyfriend Alec (played by Matthew Daddario). Magnus discussed the spread and Alec's cooking skill. It was then that Alec offered his hand for a dance, catching Magnus off-guard. He brought up his Alec's lack of dancing skill, but Alec revealed he had been practicing. This piqued Magnus' interest.

Magnus took Alec's hand, leaving the breakfast table behind. He used his magic to clear the floor in his apartment, giving them more space to move. The two enjoyed dancing, hand in hand, floating into each others' arms to music playing in the background. Alec accused Magnus of being speechless at his dance moves.

Their happy dance continued but Magnus started to feel like it was moving too fast. The room seemed to start spinning and he lost his grip on Alec's hand. The worried lovers called out for each other, as the fantasy faded back into the tragic reality of last week's cliffhanger.

Magnus' life continued to hang in the balance, as a panicked Alec struggled to try to revive him. Magnus' warlock doctor friend Catarina showed up with Alec's sister Isabelle. Catarina sprung into action, calling upon her magic in an attempt to revive Magnus, as Alec watched in fear, begging Magnus to wake up.

Magnus was moved to the institute infirmary, where Alec stayed by his side, blaming himself for Magnus' situation. He scolded himself for not realizing how much Magnus was suffering, because he was too busy thinking about the possibility of growing old with him. He professed his love for Magnus and apologized. Catarina interrupted.

Catarina revealed that Magnus' body was rejecting the magic that had been given to him by the high warlock Lorenzo. Alec grew angry, believing Lorenzo tricked Magnus and took advantage of his desire to get his magic back. Catarina warned him about making accusations, after telling him that Magnus would wake up soon, but using anymore of Lorenzo's magic could kill him. The only way to ensure Magnus' survival would be for Lorenzo to remove the magic he gave to him.

Alec headed over to Magnus' apartment, where Lorenzo was making himself at home. He told Lorenzo about Magnus' condition and Lorenzo reminded him that Magnus made his choice and he's suffering the consequences. Alec wondered why he was so obsessed with punishing Magnus. Lorenzo revealed he hated Magnus' rise to popularity and his easy route to power and status. Alec threatened him, but when that didn't work, he couldn't hold back his emotions. He begged Lorenzo to take back his magic in the name of love, telling him that Magnus was no longer a threat to him.

Magnus woke up, happy to see Alec and wondering what happened. Alec explained his collapse being due to the magic his body took in from Lorenzo. Magnus dismissed that, but Alec stopped him before he could use magic again, warning him that it could cost him his life. Lorenzo appeared at the door and Magnus wondered what he was doing there. Alec told him that he had to let Lorenzo take the magic back, for the sake of his health. Magnus refused.

Magnus got dressed, apologizing to Alec for scaring him. He told him that his body just needed to adjust to Lorenzo's magic inside him. It would get better on its own. Alec disputed that. He wondered if magic was really worth dying for. After a long pause, Magnus said that maybe it was. Alec was stunned. Magnus told Alec that he felt like nothing without his magic.

Magnus said that Alec fell in love with a high warlock and now he's not that man. He's nothing without his magic. How could Alec still love him? He claimed that Alec had to feel differently about him now, but Alec said that wasn't true. Alec brought up all of the qualities about Magnus that he loved and none of them were his magic. He told Magnus that he couldn't lose him.

Lorenzo returned and told Magnus that if he took back his magic that would be it. There would be no more transfusions of magic. Magnus told him to just take it. Alec thanked Lorenzo for doing it. He shot back that it changed nothing about their agreement and he was keeping Magnus' apartment. Magnus told him that he didn't care. He had everything he needed with Alec. Lorenzo departed and Alec held Magnus in his arms, as Magnus appeared unhappy with his fate.

Alec paid his mother a visit at her new antique shop. The two shared a pleasant reunion. Alec told her about Magnus' health scare, drawing her concern. He told his mother that Magnus was going to be okay but he was part of the reason for his visit. Alec told his mother that he came for the family ring, surprising her. He revealed his plan to ask Magnus to marry him.