HeartBLOOD

Chapter eighteen

Magnus was flipping his phone through his fingers before his hands came to rest and he stared at the pitch black screen and his face which was a reflection in it. He had thought about texting Asmodeus and taking the offer behind Alec's back- he just knew he wasn't managing it. And Magnus couldn't blame him at all, he wouldn't be able to do any better himself. But, if there was one thing he had learned, it was that secrets were like poison, they always came out and the aftermath was even worse than feeling like being eaten alive whilst keeping them. With a sigh, he put the phone down and started wandering across the room. Ever since their fight they haven't brought it up but Magnus knew it needed to be done. He promised himself he wouldn't do anything without Alec's consent, that was the least he could do. Now that they were on good terms again and the temper had cooled down a bit, he thought it was probably going to be the ideal moment to talk to Alec about it. If not now, when then? He was currently planning out the whole conversation in his head- he knew Alec was going to get back in about twenty minutes anyways. Today was a big day, he had his first physical therapy appointment with Amatis, NYABM's new own physical therapist. Magnus was happy Alec finally took things seriously and started properly looking out for himself. He knew this hasn't been an easy step for him but Magnus was so proud of him he managed to embrace weaknesses and lay off his self-destructive pride. He just hoped the appointment went well, especially when considering what he had planned for after.

"Hi, I'm back!", Alec yelled as he walked into the room and dropped his dancebag in the entry like he always did. "Hey, you! How was it?", Magnus asked and tried to hide his nervousness whilst walking into the entry and pulling his boyfriend into a hug- Alec smelled like sweat and a bit like his normal aftershave. "I think it was good.", Alec sighed and dropped himself into the kitchen chair, "I mean I definitely feel something." The doctor had recommended physical therapy to strengthen the knee and provide a better blood circulation to minimize the inflammation risk- Alec had no idea if it was going to work, but he sure wanted to try. "Want me to get you some ice?", Magnus asked which upon Alec nodded, propping his leg up on another chair and rolling up his sweatpants. "Do you think it'll help?", Magnus asked after bringing him the icepack and sitting down on his opposite, mentally preparing for the actual conversation they needed to have. "I don't know.", Alec shrugged in response, "The tape did help, though. We'll just have to see." "Yeah, probably.", Magnus answered and took a deep breath, gathering all his courage and continuing before the silence got awkward," Anyways, there was something else I wanted to talk to you about." "Okay, bring it on I guess.", Alec sighed and meant back. He looked tired, Magnus noticed. Still, he couldn't get distracted. This conversation was long overdue anyways. "So, we haven't talked since our fight. And I know you told me to trust you and not to get involved but i feel like we should just talk about Asmodeus' offer. Constructively." "Well, I get that you're involved anyways.", Alec sighed, "But for me it's the last ever option- if it's between and dropping out I'd consent but if I can somehow manage without his help, I'd much prefer that." "I understand.", Magnus replied, "But it's a really good option. Little effort, large outcome." "It just speaks against every fibre of my being- I mean who does that? He's trying to buy you back as his son through me? That's fucked up.", Alec answered bitterly. "It is, but come on, all of this is! NYABM, the entire dance industry, it's messed up. So why not fight crazy with crazy? I mean if there's no other way?", Magnus suggested. "But there is another way, Magnus!", Alec sighed, "I could get a job after midterms, the first semester i already managed to pay for." "I hate to break it to you but we have training forty hours a week, plus assignments, homework and all of that. There's a reason why we literally have no life outside of NYABM.", Magnus scoffed, "I'm not asking you to say yes to it, but maybe we can make some sort of deal? Meet half way on this? Technically, I know it's none of my business and you are the only one who gets a say in this but I care about you, Alec. And sometimes you need a little help with seeing what may be best for you." Alec took a deep breath- Magnus could see he seemed to be seriously considering what he had just said. "Okay, let's make a deal ", Alec said suddenly, "If I don't have the money ready until midterms, I'll let you help me. And if that means taking Asmodeus' deal, so be it." "Seriously?", Magnus asked a bit surprised- he had hoped they'd get to a point like this but he never imagined it to happen so quickly and with so little effort. It really turned out not to be as hard to convince Alec as he initially anticipated. "Seriously. I made a promise to myself, to Izzy and to you- I said I was going to try to change, work on myself and accept at least some help when I need it. I'm not perfect at it yet, and I don't think I'll ever be but what you said made a lot of sense and I feel like it could be a step in the right direction." "It is.", Magnus smiled, "And you know what's a great side effect of vulnerability?" "Nope?", Alec chuckled, obviously relieved to have talked everything out. "It makes a person ten times more attractive.", Magnus grinned and meant forwards to give Alec a kiss in the nose who smiled.