Yes dad; I’m ok. I just caught a little cold it’s nothing I can't handle." Magnus was more than happy to hear his dad’s voice but to be honest he would be happier if his dad was here right now. He’s never felt so helpless in his entire life as he did in the moment when he used his safe word and instead of listening Michael best him senseless. He couldn't do anything other than scream in pain and at one point even that was taken from him. Magnus couldn't even tell his dad what happened...he couldn't even tell him how scared he was... couldn’t tell him how broken he felt and how desperately he needed him. "I miss you too... come back soon." Alec was listening to Magnus’ words as he waited outside the room giving him some privacy and placed his hand over his heart feeling a sharp sting knowing what was to come. He needed to protect Magnus more than anything and even though the things he had to do to protect him would hurt him he still had to carry through with them because seeing Magnus hurt was more bearable than seeing him dead. He was angry. More angry than he had ever been before but he swallowed it down and he would only let it all out once he got the reason for all of Magnus’ pain in his hands. "I love you too, Dad. Be careful... goodbye." Magnus didn't want to hang up but he was tired and honestly more than anything he wanted to sleep right now. Alec was leaning against the wall next to the door of the room Magnus was in and just listened to the conversation between him and his father. Was this what a healthy father son relationship looked like? Was this how it was supposed to be? Alec closed his eyes subconsciously traveling to the darkest moment of his past and clenched his fist as the emotions starting to flow in once again. "I don't want to... I want to stay... please, Dad. I will do better... I won't disapp-" Slap. Alec’s begging and pleads were cut off with a sharp slap to his face and the young boy immediately placed a hand over his hurting cheek. "If I let you stay it would mean I have grace and grace is only weakness. Remember that son... grace is weakness." This words were burning mark in Alec’s brain as he let what just happened sink in and even though he didn't want to share even one opinion with his so called father he had to admit something. With the years that passed he had learned. He learned that his father was right even if it was only once. Grace really was just weakness. Magnus walked out of the room quickly catching Alec leaning against the wall out of the corner of his eyes but he realized that Alec wasn't really there. He studied Alec’s features for a second and quickly he saw the pain that was written all over Alec’s face. Why was Alec in pain? Why did Alec seem to be constantly in a war between heaven and hell and why did it look like hell was constantly closer to winning him over. "Alexander?" Magnus’ voice was crackly and his throat hurt with every spoken word but for Alec it would always be calming. With this angelic sound filling the space it was like a huge storm had come rushing through the room taking all of Alec’s anger with it. He opened his eyes and even Magnus had dark circles and his hair was a mess for Alec he was and always would be the most beautiful person in the world. "You're done talking with your dad?" Alec asked forcing a smile on his lips and even Magnus was burning with questions he knew that there would be a moment in the future where Alec would share his pain and when he would be ready to do so. Right now he just had to trust Alec. "Yeah... sorry for taking so long." Magnus apologized pulling his sleeves over his hands feeling like someone had left the front door open allowing the cold fall air into the house. "Are you cold?" Alec asked concerned as he placed a hand on Magnus’ upper arm and unknowingly sent a warm tingling feeling throughout Magnus’ body. "A little." Magnus replied a certain tiredness in his tone and Alec gave him a slight smile before taking the hand of the younger boy and leading him away. Magnus followed Alec without hesitation and let himself be pulled into the room with the swings which if he was being honest he would say this was his favourite place in the whole house. Alec moved onto one of the seating islands closer to the long fire place and took a black furry blanket off of one of the chairs. "It will be warmer in here." Alec said helping Magnus to sit down and Magnus body immediately reacted to the comfortable warmth of the fire. Alec took the blanket and wrapped it around Magnus from behind causing Magnus cheeks to heat up slightly. "You still have a bit of a fever... tomorrow I asked Matteo to look after you since I have to leave for a mission." Alec informed Magnus who shot him a worried look and Alec sighed slightly sitting down next to him. "Did you tell Matteo?" Magnus asked insecure and his figure seemed so vulnerable it sent a striking emotion to Alec’s heart. "I didn't... but I think you should. I had to tell Hao since it's a mission and he hates lying to Matteo after everything that happened. You don't have to worry though, no one will be mad at you for anything, Magnus." Alec wasn't really good at reassuring people but it was enough for a bit of peace in Magnus’ mind. "No matter what Magnus, I will be here for you... as a friend. You can always count on me." Alec added and even Magnus would have been upset a week ago after hearing Alec call him a friend he was happy now. He was happy to have him as a friend and he was happy Alec would be here for him. Tomorrow everything would change even if Magnus didn't know it yet. Tomorrow would be the start of a life Magnus would have to understand what loss was and how to grieve. Tomorrow Alec would take the most important thing from Magnus but he'd do it only to protect him. Alec would scar Magnus’ heart to protect it from being ripped out and shredded to pieces. Alec knew even if he would never be in a relationship with this amazing beautiful and pure soul he had to be everything for him right now and for however long Magnus would let him. Lovers or not he was the only thing Magnus would have left after tonight and even though they would never be more than friends Alec had to be Magnus rock...he had to be his air to breath from now on...//tbc