[fierrochase]

confessions [alex's pov]

What the...

What happened?

I opened my eyes slowly and saw that I was back in my room.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I was about to get up when there was a knock at my door.

I cleared my throat. "Um, come in." 

The door opened slowly, almost shyly, and a face framed by golden hair peeked out from behind it.

Magnus. I felt butterflies in my stomach as he crept in to my room.

"Uh, hey." He edged his way around the various pottery-making tools and globs of clay all over the floor and pulled a chair over next to my bed. 

I blushed. Why couldn't I be neater? He probably thinks I'm a slob. Well then screw him! Nope, okay reeling it in. He didn't even say anything- don't get mad at him for nothing, Alex. I took a deep breath and managed a smile. 

"What's up?"

"Oh, not much... just wanted to see how you're doing." He shifted in his seat.

"Well, thanks. I'm fine." I didn't mean for it to sound so hostile.

He nodded.

We sat in silence for a few seconds.

"Crazy battle, right? How's Halfborn? I think I saw him get skewered by multiple einherjar at one point."

Magnus laughed. What a wonderful sound. Okay, calm down Alex.

"You know Halfborn. I'm sure he was smiling through it all."

Another awkward silence.

We both started saying something, but I nodded to let him go first.

"So... about what you were about to say back there..." He started.

I jumped in, the words pouring out of my mouth in a jumble.

"I know, I'm sorry, I'm dumb sometimes... a therapist I saw once said I use anger as a shield to deflect from what I'm really feeling and I'm really sorry if I ever hurt you, or made you think I didn't like you, because that's not true at all- like totally the opposite, and-"

Magnus grabbed my hand and shushed me.

"Okay, slow down." He chuckled. "I understand."

This was new.

"....you do?"

"Yeah... it's really not that crazy, what you're saying. Sorry to break it to you, but you're pretty normal, Alex." He smiled that sweet, infuriating smile.

I stopped for a second, processing.

"No one's ever really... said that to me."

Goddammit, was I tearing up? 

"Well, thanks, Magnus. Really."

"Anytime."

I suddenly realized I was extremely tired. I let out a huge yawn.

"I should let you get some rest." Magnus started rising from his chair.

I considered protesting, but I didn't have the energy. 

"Okay." I smiled through another yawn.

I felt strangely calm and happy now. I suspected Magnus was feeling the same.

"Alright, well... see ya." He turned to leave.

"Hey, Mags?"

His face lit up. "Yeah?"

"See you at breakfast."

The last thing I saw was Magnus's sweet smile before closing my eyes.