Murder Me Not

Picture Me This

The rest of the week passed without problem. Alec and Magnus fell into an easy and comfortable rhythm of ignoring each other. Alec was merely a ghost in Magnus's house, but he knew Magnus was always watching him.

Alec had his laptop on the kitchen island, the files for the case pulled up. He had made Jace scan them into the system so Alec would be kept in the loop. There had been no new murders, no new information from Camille, who seemed to find pleasure in keeping secrets. Alec couldn't understand how someone like Magnus had been with someone like her.

He had been meaning to ask about that, but every time the words formed in his mind he would reconsider. Alec wasn't sure he wanted to know about that particular relationship anyway.

"We get to go in later today," Magnus said, handing Alec his coffee. "Izzy wants me to look over the photos from this week and decide which goes into next week's issue."

Alec nodded, scrolling through his emails. There was one from Cat. Alec clicked on it then flinched; she had sent him a list of therapists. Magnus moved around the island to peer at the screen but Alec deleted the email before he could see it.

Alec's skin crawled whenever he thought of Magnus knowing just how badly he needed help. Alec wasn't a fool. He knew he wasn't supposed to feel like this, like he was wading through water, like a weight was crushing his lungs. He wasn't supposed to feel this... this...

He ran a hand through his hair in irritation. "What do you usually do on the weekends?" Alec asked, curious about what they would be doing tomorrow if not at BlackHeart.

Magnus shrugged, folding the omelets in the skillet. "Go clubbing or go to Pandemonium. As neither are an option, I figured we could just stay in and watch some movies."

Something fluttered in Alec's stomach but he convinced himself it was just hunger as an omelet was placed near him. Magnus had a peaceful expression on his face as he stared at Alec. Alec's face flushed and he ducked his head.

"Tell me more about Camille," Alec said without meaning to.
Magnus grimaced and moved to take the barstool next to him. "We met soon after I moved here. I had been a barista, if you can imagine. She walked into the cafe one day and immediately asked me to model for her. I agreed because I was finally in New York City, what better way to experience it than in the world of fashion?" Magnus sighed, rubbing at his face. "I was an idiot."
Alec looked at him, frowning. "You seem to be doing incredibly well for yourself considering you've only been in the city for three years or so."

Magnus smirked. "What a flatterer you are, darling. But I've been here for about eight years now. Why'd you think three?"

Alec shifted, clearing his throat. "Jace said you moved in during my deployment."

"To this place," he agreed. "I lived in a loft above a bakery before that. Anyway, Camille was everything I wanted; strong, independent, beautiful. It took me awhile to figure out she was crazy."

"How long were you together?" Alec whispered, his heart pounding against his ribs.

"A little over four years. It was an on/off thing," Magnus replied. Alec couldn't help but think that four years was a really long time. Magnus tilted his head. "Do you mind me asking why you joined the military?"

Did he? He decided that he didn't. Alec shrugged, sipping his coffee. "I wanted to escape my family. Well, my parents. Service was the only way I could think of. They kicked me out after they discovered that I was accepted to West Point. They thought I was rebelling and that it was ridiculous, that I would never make it as a soldier. They only ever wanted me to be a politician like them," Alec said. He was surprised by how easily the words left him.