Roommates & Soulmates

Alec's Tone

Alec was worried about Izzy. Not only had she seemed different on the phone, but she'd actually hung up on him. It was very unlike her. Sure, she could be a bit of a brat at times, and yes his sister did love shopping to the point of insanity, but she usually wasn't simply dismissive. In fact, Izzy usually liked to have the last word. Alec had waited a few hours to see if she'd call back, but now with the day approaching its end, he was starting to think he would have to call her.

Alec's mind was miles away, while his eyes gazed at foe brick. It was quite something, how very brick-like the laminate looked, with indentations for the grout work and a texture to the bricks Alec could see even from here. He knew that voice almost better than his own. Was Izzy foe-brick? Was she not quite as she appeared, or was Alec reading too much into their strange conversation yesterday? His sister was very passionate, Alec knew that much, though she hid it well when she wanted to. Was it just thanks to her excellent poker face that he'd never heard that pain in her voice before, or was there something wrong?

"I know that look."

Slowly, as if coming out of a daze, Alec turned from the stone design to look into the eyes of the one he loved most.

"There's no look," Alec said.

"Oh yes there is," Magnus replied firmly. "And that's it. So what's wrong?"

Alec sighed, leaning over to kiss his fiance, then laying back on the couch to gaze at the ceiling.

"Nothing," Alec replied with a sigh, and it was true. After all, he didn't actually know if anything was wrong. "Just worried about Izzy. She sounded strange on the phone today."

"You worry too much," Magnus offered as Alec felt his fiance's gentle touch on his cheek. Closing his eyes, Alec smiled.

"That isn't news," Alec whispered.

"Indeed," Magnus's voice was soft and loving. "Always thinking of others. It's one of your more annoying qualities actually."

"Pfft," Alec scoffed, lifting his head to face Magnus. "Is not."

"Is so," Magnus countered. "I'm selfish you know."

"Come again?" Alec asked with a shake of his head. "What does that have to do with me worrying?"

"I wish you'd worry a little less about everyone else, and a little more about yourself," Magnus explained.

"I have you," Alec said with a shrug. "I don't need anything else."

Smiling, Magnus leaned forward to kiss him deeply before pulling back and sighing. "See, and then you go and say things like that, and somehow all your annoying habits melt away," Magnus chuckled. "Love is a funny thing, isn't it."

"Isn't it just," Alec smiled. He closed his eyes and letting Magnus wrap his arms around Alec, closing his eyes.

"Izzy isn't going anywhere," Magnus whispered after a moment. "It's late. Call her tomorrow."

"Okay, but only if you take that tone out of your voice," Alec replied.

"What tone," Magnus scoffed. "There's no tone."

"Oh yes there is," Alec argued. "That 'oh silly Alec is fretting about nothing' tone."

"There is no such tone," Magnus countered.

"You're using it now!" Alec exclaimed.

"You aren't even worrying at the moment," Magnus argued.

"Then it's the Alec is being silly tone," Alec said, almost laughing. "Either way, it's a thing."

With a smile and slight chuckle, Magnus leaned in and kissed Alec, who melted at his touch like always. Alec couldn't help but wonder if Magnus would always affect him this way, even decades from now, when they were old and withered together.