💘ENTWINED DESTINIES 💘

SAFE HEAVENS

💗CH -13💗

In the quiet warmth of his room, Magnus sits on the edge of his bed, the soft blue teddy bear nestled in his lap. His hands move over the bear's plush fabric, feeling its comforting softness. A small smile plays on his lips, a rare and genuine expression that lights up his face. He's new to this world of alphas and omegas, new to feeling so deeply. But somehow, this little teddy bear feels like a bridge between him and Alec, something warm and grounding, a gift that holds meaning beyond its simplicity.

The teddy bear has been with him since Alec took him to the fair, an outing that still feels like a dream. Magnus wasn't sure what to expect, and yet Alec, with his steady gaze and gentle manner, made him feel safe. Every laugh and every shared glance from that day lingers in his memory. Now, as he holds the bear close, Magnus feels a soft warmth spreading through him, a feeling he can't quite name but somehow knows is tied to Alec.

He looks down at the little bear, running his fingers over its round belly and tiny arms. It almost seems to carry Alec's warmth, as though Alec's quiet care is woven into its blue fabric. Magnus presses the bear closer to his chest, feeling a gentle tug at his heart. Alec. Alec, with his steady presence and calming strength, has been so much more than just a friend. He's been a guide, someone who understands his fears without asking, who offers him kindness without expectation.

Alec isn't here now, but the memory of him feels like a quiet whisper in the room. Magnus remembers the way Alec looked at him, not just with kindness but with something deeper, something he didn't dare to acknowledge at first. His heart flutters as he recalls Alec's eyes, the silent strength in them, the way they softened whenever they rested on him.

Magnus catches himself smiling, and it surprises him. Love? The word startles him, makes his heart race. He never thought he would feel something like this, especially here, where everything is still new and unfamiliar. But with Alec... it feels different. It feels right. Magnus closes his eyes, holding the teddy bear close, letting the feeling bloom within him without fully understanding it.

He breathes in slowly, his heart growing light, as if this small token from Alec has somehow made the impossible feel possible. Magnus hugs the bear a little tighter, a quiet laugh escaping him. Perhaps he's falling for Alec.

Magnus's quiet moment is interrupted by the soft patter of footsteps outside his door. Before he can even look up, Max appears, Alec's younger brother, a bright smile lighting up his face. Max, being an omega too, has an instant warmth about him that feels like a ray of sunshine breaking through Magnus's introspective thoughts.

"Hey, Magnus!" Max greets, stepping into the room with an air of excitement. He notices the blue teddy bear in Magnus's hands and his smile grows even bigger. "Oh, that's the bear Alec won for you at the fair, right?"

Magnus nods, a little shyly, as he glances down at the bear. "Yes, it is. I... I didn't realize how much it would mean to me," he admits softly, the words feeling unexpectedly vulnerable.

Max plops down beside him, clearly delighted to spend time together. "Alec's like that," Max says with a chuckle. "He does little things that end up meaning a lot. He never talks much, but he cares so deeply."

Magnus listens intently, absorbing every word. "He's... he's really something else," Magnus murmurs, a hint of fondness slipping into his tone.

Max's eyes twinkle with a knowing look. "I can tell he cares a lot about you. He might not show it in obvious ways, but he's always looking out for you, Magnus. He doesn't usually open up to people so easily, but with you... it's different."