5,966 Miles Away

Prologue: No going back

Magnus POV
He woke to the familiar smell of bacon and sausage cooking in the kitchen. Magnus turned to look at the alarm clock on the bedside side table. It was almost 9:30. He was going to be late. He slowly rolled out of bed, then hopped in and out of the shower. He put on a more sober selection of dark pants and a silk waistcoat. At least, it was sober for Magnus. When you worked in the fashion industry, you had to dress vividly. He hurriedly spiked up his hair and put on an unholy amount of eyeliner and glitter, then raced down the stairs. Sure enough, Alec was standing at the stove, frying bacon. Their daughter, Olivia, was sitting at the table eating a waffle. Alec looked up from the stove and saw Magnus standing there.
"Oh good, you're up," he said. "There's been something I wanted to talk to you all about, as a family." He took a deep breath. "I've decided to join the army."
Olivia and Magnus just stared. They couldn't really comprehend his words. Alec, the most kind and gentle person Magnus had ever known, joining the army? Impossible. Nobody said anything for a good five minutes. They were both shocked. Olivia was the first to speak.
"W-when are you leaving?" she asked so quietly it was almost a whisper. "Next week," said Alec. "Why didn't you tell us before?" asked Magnus.
"I wanted to wait until we were all in one place. We've been so busy lately that I didn't get the chance," said Alec.
"I hope you're not mad. I just recently found out that they let gay men in the army. I've always wanted to. I just couldn't. I have always wanted to be something to the world and now I finally can be," he said.
But you are everything to me, Magnus wanted to say. But the words wouldn't come out. They were stuck in his throat. He just got up, and numbly walked back to his room.
One Week Later
Magnus woke up on Saturday morning with dread. Today was the day that Alec was leaving. He was leaving at 8 am. They all woke up at 7. When it was time for him to leave, the family went downstairs together. They stood by the door in silence for a moment. Then Olivia tackled Alec with a hug and burst into tears.
"Don't go, Daddy, don't go," she sobbed into his army jacket. She had her face buried in his shoulder and had tears streaming down her face. She hasn't called either of them 'daddy' since she was seven years old.
"It will be ok Liv. Just always remember that I love you no matter what. I love you both," he said, glancing at Magnus for a moment.
"Liv, why don't you go in the kitchen so I can say goodbye to dad," Magnus told his daughter reassuringly. She let go of Alec and walked into the kitchen with a suspicious look on her face.
They both just stood there for a moment, not really knowing what to do. Suddenly, Alec leaned in and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around Alec's waist and pulled him close. This kiss was the saddest ever; it was slow and spoke of sadness and goodbyes. After about four minutes, Magnus broke it off. He leaned his forehead against Alec's, gold-green eyes staring into deep blue.
"I love you," said Alec. "You know that right? We may not see each other for another year or two, so I just wanted to say that one last time. I love you, Magnus Bane."
"I want you to come back for Christmas," said Magnus. "And birthdays, and Halloween, and Easter, and--" Alec cut him off with a laugh. "I'll do the best I can, but I will probably only make it back for Christmas," said Alec softly.
There was the sound of a car on the driveway. Alec leaned back.
"My ride is here,"said Alec. He pulled Magnus into a long, sad embrace. The car honked. "I've got to leave now," he said. "See you Christmas," he said. And with that, he left.
Olivia peeked out from behind the doorway. She came to hug Magnus. They were both crying now.
"Is he gone?" she whispered.
Alec was gone. He wouldn't be back for months. There was no return. There was no going back.
"Yes, baby," he said. "He's gone."