Murder Me Not

Shattering Mirrors

Trigger Warning: Mentions of suicide

The shattering of glass startled Alec awake. Panic pulsed through him, sending adrenaline pumping through his veins. "Magnus," he hissed.

Magnus's arm was thrown across Alec's stomach. He nuzzled into Alec's chest. "What is it, Alexander?" he mumbled.

Alec gripped his biceps tightly. "I need you to listen very carefully. Stay low and lock yourself in the bathroom. I need to grab my gun."

Magnus tensed. "What?" he whispered, terror in his voice. "What's happening?"

Alec slowly sat up, nudging him towards the edge of the bed. "Stay quiet. Do not open the door until I ask you to. Call Jace."

Magnus's brown eyes were wide. "Alec, I—"

Alec placed a hand over his mouth. "Go. Now."

"Be careful," he whispered. Alec nodded and swung his legs off the bed, slowly creeping towards the door. He listened for noise outside but heard nothing. He waited for Magnus to slide into the bathroom, waited for the dull click of the lock sliding into place.

Alec twisted the knob, peering into the dark hall. He darted into his own room, grabbing his gun out of the drawer.

He crept down the stairs, freezing as they creaked. His ears strained to hear the intruder. A clattering sounded from the kitchen, light splintered across the floor. Alec pressed himself against the wall of that divided the kitchen from the living room. His palms were sweaty as he raised his glock. The cold-calm of a soldier flowed over him as he snapped around the connor.

"NYPD! Hands where I can see them!" Alec barked.

The man startled, spinning around, his hands raised. A beer bottle smashed against the ground as it slipped from his hands. The man's dark eyes were wide, his white hair curly. Alec didn't recognize him, his gaze hardening and arms tensing.

"Woah, woah, woah!" the man called, panicked. "Chill dude!"

"You're breaking and entering," he stated, raising an eyebrow.

The man rolled his eyes, hands starting to droop. "It's not breaking and entering if I have a key," the man drawled.

"What?" Alec asked lowering the gun. The man looked visibly relieved that it was no longer pointed at him.

He waved a hand. "Hello, Alec Lightwood. I'm Ragnor Fell, nice to meet you."

Alec held up a finger. "Wait here a second."

The man—Ragnor—gave a short salute. "Yes, sir." He turned to the fridge and pulled out another beer, careful not to step on the broken glass.

Alec clicked the safety on, sighing as he walked up the stairs. He put the gun back in place and entered Magnus's bedroom. "Hey, Magnus? You can come out now."

The door opened slowly, Magnus peering out. His body sagged and he collapsed into Alec's arms, his hands fisting in Alec's shirt.

"It's okay, Magnus," he murmured reassuringly. "Just a dumbass friend of yours."

The shorter man pulled back. "Ragnor?" Alec snorted with a nod. Magnus sighed. "I'll go deal with him. You—Ah... you should probably call your brother," he suggested.

***

"What the hell, Ragnor?" Magnus demanded as he clambered down the stairs. He was sitting on the couch, cradling a beer to his chest.