ISpy

Chapter 37

Magnus:

Magnus heard voices around him as he came back into consciousness. He opened his eyes ever so slightly and saw Catarina first. He tried to say something, but no words would come. She was conversing with Alec. Tear stains were all the way down his cheek, like he'd been crying for awhile. It broke Magnus' heart to see Alec so sad. He couldn't think of a time before now that he'd seen Alec cry.

Catarina turned to look at Magnus and saw that he was awake. "Magnus!" She ran over to his bedside. Alec's eyes lit up and he followed her.

"Magnus," he said, overwhelmed with relief. "When I saw you go down, I thought the worst, and then you wouldn't wake up and..." Alec's eyes began to well with tears.

"I'm ok, Alec." Magnus smiled, with tears threatening to come down as well, "I'm ok."

Magnus moved to sit up in the bed he was in with some difficulty. He was in the infirmary with all the other injured during the battle. "Did any die?"

"In the battle? Yes, a few warlocks did, but we took the least of the casualties. The werewolves suffered the most." Catarina answered.

"What of Lorenzo?" Magnus said. He was trying to make amends with him, so he tried to sound sympathetic.

"He's in critical condition. They believe he might not make it."

"Really?" Did he sound too excited?

"No, he's just fine actually. Hardly a scratch on him. I just wanted to see your reaction."

Magnus rolled his eyes.

"I'm going to check on another warlock." Catarina walked off, leaving Magnus and Alec alone.

"Magnus, I just want you to know that seeing you lie there, unconscious, with your life hanging in the balance, it really made me think. And I've realized that life is too short to live by other people's expectations. So I've decided that I don't care what anyone thinks." He took his hands in Magnus'. "I want you, Magnus, if you'll have me."

Magnus' heart raced. This was what he'd always hoped Alec would say, and yet...

"I...I don't know, Alec."

"But, Magnus...it won't be like before. I'm not afraid to love you anymore. I promise I'm not going to hide what we have-"

"That's not it, Alec, I need time." Because I'm scared that you're lying to me. And that if I put my trust in you, it will be like before.

"Okay, Magnus." Alec looked unsure of himself now, and confused. "I'll talk to you soon." He turned and left the infirmary without another word.

*****

Alec:

Alec left the warlock agency and headed for home. He supposed there was nothing more he could do. He had been so sure Magnus would say yes, that was what he wanted, right? He had long overstayed his welcome at the warlock agency anyway, and the warlocks were starting to get wary of him. Once he made it into the Institute, the first friendly face he saw was his father. "Alec, where have you been?" Alec started to answer but Robert interrupted. "The sick are in need of your attention. You are the future head of the agency, you need to show them your compassion. They just fought in one of the biggest battles of their lives."

Alec couldn't argue, so he went to the infirmary. Most of the injured seemed to not be in too bad shape. Alec saw an agent he'd been on mission with before and walked over to their bed.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Pretty good, considering I got my chest sliced open." They had bandages wrapped around their chest, and they were clutching their ribs.