A/N! Enjoy Chapter 3!
Chapter 3: 'You have to survive the nightmares long enough... Survive until you've woken up.''
By the time Alec had reached the door of Magnus' loft, the archer was trembling, legs shaking dangerously under the weight of his lover, who was still unconscious, body and soul both surrendered to Alec's strong arms. The archer was panting for breath, sweat drenching his already weary face. Round drops of salty water were dropping down on Magnus' cheeks and neck, following the trail of taut muscles, heading downwards, shining under the dim light of the corridor, shining like small raindrops when sunlight gets trapped in them.
Catarina's eyes were fixed on the young archer's face, mesmerized by the sheer determination which was painted all over it. "We could have taken the lift…" The woman pointed out as Alec paused for breath when he had finally climbed all the stairs. "No… It's not big enough, not if I were to hold Magnus in my arms like I do now." The archer elaborated, tightening his hold on his lover's numb body. "Well, we could have maneuvered him somehow—" "He's been through a lot for one night." Alec cut her off, his tone sharper than he intended it to be, as fatigue was catching up with him.
The pain along the length of his back was intense, causing his head to throb and his breathing to become shallow. Catarina opened her mouth to protest, only to close it again for the young man was right—there was no way they could have used the elevator. With a huff, the woman opened the door of the loft, allowing Alec to get in first, so that he could place Magnus on the couch. The light creaking sound of the closing door echoed loud in the overall quiet loft, and yet, Catarina didn't miss Alec's muttered whispers, which the archer blurted out hectically, yet in a voice low, filled with care.
"We're here Magnus… We're home…" Alec chanted as he ever so slowly moved passed the living room, making his way to the bedroom almost blindly, for his eyes were blurred, clouded by a white veil of exhaustion. Catarina followed suit, entering the room with steps light, yet tired. She moved the heavy crimson covers to the side, revealing the soft, cotton sheets which were so neatly spread over the mattress. Alec moved to the left side of the bed—Magnus' side- placing him down with movements so gentle, Catarina felt her eyes watering. The popping sound of Alec's joints got the woman out of her head and back to the present.
"Thank you for everything k—" No… He was no random young kid Magnus had picked up. He was young, sure, but he was a man, a man who loved Magnus more than life itself. "Thank you for everything…" Catarina offered gently, bringing the covers all the way up to Magnus' chin. "Thank you, Alec…" She finally muttered, turning to the side to face the young archer, only to let out a sharp exhale as she noticed the Nephilim had closed his eyes and was about to collapse. Catarina moved quickly, letting her magic emerge, catching Alec in time, before he could fall face down on the bed. "Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?" The woman demanded, her voice hard around the edges yet filled with worry and care.
"You've got to help Magnus…" Came the muttered reply, as Catarina half-dragged, half-carried Alec to the other side on the king sized bed. "I've done all that could be done for him, Alec. He needs a lot of sleep and he'll be fine. You on the other hand…" Her voice died away when she finally got Alec to sit down on the bed, his weight causing the mattress to sink. "You called me by my name." Was all the young archer noted in a low voice, exhaling sharply when Catarina lifted up his shirt, revealing his broad back. The skin had an angry red-to-purple hue, and the muscles were taut and rigid underneath, their numbness causing intense pain to the archer. "Yes… I did." The woman commented, as she let her trained hands hover over the bruised skin.
"You don't have to—" "I don't remember asking for your permission." Caterina cut Alec off, allowing her magic to emerge once more, so that she could heal the young man. "Now, sit still and let me do my job, you stupid Nephilim." Alec let out a small laugh at the remark, which he instantly regretted, for the movement caused his already stressed muscles to spasm anew, an occurrence which resulted in yet another stab of pain, which Alec felt running deep, tearing up every fiber of his back. "Try to take in small breaths, okay?" Catarina advised, noticing Alec's distress.
"Magnus likes to call me like that. 'Stupid Nephilim.'" The archer commented, after a few minutes of utter silence. His voice was still tight, but Catarina could tell the pain had somewhat ebbed away. Alec's right hand moved on its own, his trained fingertips familiar with the mattress underneath. He soon found Magnus' hand, and laced their fingers together. "You should have told me, Alec." She stated, maneuvering the blue streams of magic gracefully, eyes fixed on Alec's back, and on the slowly healing skin. "Magnus needed you more than I did. Came the immediate reply from Alec, who tilted his head to the side, so as to get a glimpse of Catarina's features.
The woman opened her mouth to speak, but a low, muttered, incoherent whisper cut her off. Alec's entire frame shuddered, as he felt numb, ring clad fingers. squeezing his own, almost instinctively. "Magnus?" Catarina asked softly, pausing her ministrations, so as to turn her attention to her friend. Alec found himself returning the light squeeze, but to his dismay, a shiver ran through Magnus' frame, as another low lament escaped his lips, causing his breathing to become shallow. "Magnus, it's alright, it's okay…" Alec chanted, getting closer to his lover. "It's over Magnus… You're safe…" Catarina pointed out, only to have Alec correct her, not a moment later.
"We're safe, Magnus, Lilith is gone… We're safe, and I… I'm safe, I'm right here, Magnus, here, with you." The archer explained patiently, as if he was talking to a young, scared child. His voice, so soft and filled with love, was enough to ease the Warlock's troubled mind, enough to chase the horrible nightmares which were haunting Magnus under his closed eyelashes. The Warlock breathed out and stilled, the frantic rising and falling of his chest evening out with every passing second. Catarina darted her eyes between Magnus and Alec, but chose to remain silent, and return to her previous task of healing the archer.
"Sit like you were before, let me finish healing you." She offered, but Alec waved his head in refusal. "Alec you need to—" "No, no, I don't need any more of your magic. But I'm sure there must be something more you can do about Magnus. So, please, tent to him, not me. He needs…" Alec paused; he didn't know what Magnus needed, but he knew that whatever it was, he could not provide it, for he was no Warlock. "He needs your magic, Catarina, he needs you. Please…" Alec's voice faded. The woman felt something stirring deep inside her, as she beheld the young Nephilim openly pleading her to help Magnus, putting his well-being before everything else. "You're wrong, Alec." Catarina began, but regretted her choice of words as soon as they had escaped her lips. "Well, then, tell me what he needs and I'll—" "He needs you, Alec." Catarina explained softly.
The look on Alec's face was one of pure bewilderment, so the woman resumed her task of healing the archer, all the while she continued to elaborate her point. "Like I've said, I've done everything that could be done. There's nothing more my magic can heal. Sleep will help him recover. The more exhausted a Warlock, the deeper the slumber he falls into. The mind is so drained, not even the most horrifying nightmares can plague us out of that long desired sleep." The woman offered, pleased with herself when Alec's back was almost healed. "But when the magic starts to replenish itself, our mind wakes up and nightmares are free to ravage it." Catarina continued, letting her hands caress the archer's back, so that she could make sure there were no remaining injuries. She felt Alec tensing and knew she had to change the subject.
"Are you in any pain?" Catarina questioned when the skin of Alec's back had been healed. "No… No, I'm fine now. Thank you." The archer replied, voice low, yet filled with gratitude. "So… His magic returns?" Alec asked, lowering his shirt. "Along with his nightmares. Demons of times old haunt him, yet I'm guessing you can fight them off." The woman offered kindly, getting up from the bed. Alec nodded in agreement, eyeing Magnus with eyes soft and loving. "Good… I need to go to the hospital, I have to do the night shift. I'll be back in the morning." Catarina assured kindly. "If he has any more nightmares, wake him up, pat his forehead with a wet compress, but then get him to sleep more, he needs the rest." The woman advised as she reached the front door, Alec on her tale.
"Do you need my keys?" The archer offered, reaching for his keys, only to pause as Catarina waved her head in refusal. "The wards recognize me, I'll get inside in no time." She stated, and Alec waved her goodbye with a small smile and a warm wish for a good night. The archer blew out a sigh of relief as soon as the door had closed. He grabbed his stele, activating his stamina rune, determined to not fall asleep and stay by his lover's side for the rest of the night. He did a quick job of changing into more comfortable clothes, and then he headed to the bathroom, where he filled a bowl with hot water, throwing in a compress, allowing the cotton fibers to absorb as much of the liquid as possible.
His steps were light, almost soundless, and Alec could swear that his heart was overpowering his mind, for when he finally returned to Magnus' side, his body was drawn to the one of the Warlock as if a magnet was commanding it. The archer set the bowl on the nightstand, pulling out the compress, draining it from the water it held in one, swift move. Alec lay on top of the crimson covers, next to Magnus, resting his back on the headboard, darting his eyes on his lover's body. The man seemed to be sleeping peacefully, so Alec allowed himself to relax, for the first time after Lilith had infiltrated the Institute. His breathing evened out, but Alec kept his eyes open and fixed on Magnus.
The comforting silence which was coating the room, however, was soon broken, as Magnus stirred on the bed, a low lament escaping his parted lips. Alec was hovering over him before his mind could actually process what his body had done, pleading the Warlock to snap out of it. "Shh, it's alright Magnus, everything is fine, we're okay, we're okay…" Alec offered in a low voice, heart breaking when all Magnus did, was to moan anew, eyes fluttering under closed eyelashes. The sound of Magnus' raw inhales brought tears to Alec's hazel orbs, but before he could do anything, the Warlock thrusted on the bed, swallowing soundly, hands flying off, searching for something.
Alec hesitated for a moment—should he touch Magnus? His wish to comfort him was burning him like hellfire, but he knew from experience that the Warlock didn't really like being touched when he was in such a state. The question was answered for him, however, when Magnus' hand grabbed his own reflexively, fingers shaking as the Warlock's body writhed uncontrollably. Alec found himself brushing black strands of hair from Magnus' forehead with his free hand, all the while whispering sweet nothings in his ear. The words seemed to calm the man down, so Alec moved even closer, molding his body with the one of his lover, pressing Magnus' back on his chest.
His long, tender hands slid over Magnus' shoulder and under his armpit, so that they could rest on the man's chest. Alec blew out a low exhale, as his right hand lingered over Magnus' heart, whilst his left rested over the Warlock's sternum. "Shh, that's it, that's it Magnus, I'm here, right here… You're safe now…" The archer chanted, earning a muttered whisper which could as well be his name. "Shh, sleep Magnus, sleep…" Alec offered kindly, feeling Magnus' taut muscles relaxing as he melted into the surrounding embrace. Time lost meaning once more, as Alec found himself counting Magnus' breaths, as well as his pulse, for what could have been years, yet in truth it was but one hour.
Yet, the Warlock was doomed to suffer even more, for he was trapped in the claws of his own mind, trapped in a world filled with blood, death, fire and ash.. "No, no… No…" Agonizing, breathy whispers escaped Magnus' lips, causing Alec to jolt on the bed. The Warlock stirred once again, his tired hands grabbing Alec's tender ones for dear life. They were searching for an anchor which could pull the Warlock out of his hellish nightmares, that much Alec could tell. This time around, however, the archer's sweet, comforting words were swallowed by Magnus' incoherent pleas, as he thrusted on the bed, fighting Alec and the crimson covers, trying to break free from invisible bonds. Alec bit his lip and turned to the side, reaching for the compress which he had brought with him.
Alec brushed away the sweat from his lover's brow and neck, caressing his chest with both hands, in an attempt to smooth the pain Magnus was feeling. But it was futile, for the Warlock kept thrusting, kept gasping for air. "Shh, Magnus, easy, easy—" "Al… Alec… Alec!" Such pained cry, the archer had never heard before. It was as if someone was reaping Magnus' soul apart. "Alec, no, no…" "Magnus, I'm right here—" "No, not him, I'll give you anything, anything!" "Magnus!" Alec cried out, turning his lover around, so that he was lying on his back. Tears were trickling down Magnus' pale face, marking the skin. Alec was left stunned, unable to decide what his course of action should be.
Once again, however, Magnus made the decision for him, as he unleashed yet another cry of Alec's name, cloaked in pain and agony. "Alec… Alexander!" The desperate plea caused the archer to move, and he found himself propping Magnus up, so as to gather him in his arms.
"Shh, shh, shh…" Alec offered helplessly, torn to pieces by Magnus' hoarse cries. The Warlock's raspy breaths were shallow, and he was openly sobbing, fingers clenching weakly on the front part of Alec's night-shirt. "No… Alec… Alec, please, please come back…" The archer flinched at the sound of his own name, letting his hands pull Magnus closer, if that was even possible, crushing him on his chest, so as to offer even the slightest comfort. 'His magic is returning and so are his nightmares…' In the haze of his mind, Catarina's words echoed loud and clear, giving Alec an idea. He lay Magnus back on the mattress, taking a hold of both his hands, hovering over him.
"You've got to wake up, Magnus, you have to open your eyes… Come on, follow my voice, come back to me, come on, came back to me, Magnus…" Alec lost count of how many times he said that phrase, until finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Magnus' eyes did crack open. "That's it, that's it Magnus…" The archer encouraged, cupping Magnus' pale face in his hands. Two golden orbs were looking right into Alec's hazel ones, but Magnus was still lost in the darkness of his dreams, albeit his eyes were open. "I'm right here, Magnus…" Alec offered, his whispers earning him a soft plea of his name in return. "Alec…" The Warlock chanted, voice so filled with hope, yet so desperate at the same time.
"Take my strength, take everything you need, Magnus, take it…" The Nephilim offered kindly, hoping that with his energy, Magnus would replenish his magic faster, thus escaping the hellish nightmares. At first nothing happened, so Alec felt his heart sinking, but after some coaxing, the archer did feel the all too familiar tingling sensation of Magnus' magic on the tips of his fingers. Said sensation, was followed by the overwhelming feeling of weariness, as Magnus began drawing Alec's energy in earnest, breathing out a series of exhales, as Alec begun lavishing his forehead with kisses. Soon, Magnus closed his eyes once more, falling back to sleep, still holding Alec's hands, unconsciously absorbing his energy.
"That's it, take it, take as much as you need, Magnus… I'm right here…" Alec chanted in his lover's ear. Soon, Magnus' frantic thrusts died away and Alec smiled, once again molding his body with Magnus', holding his hands for dear life, willing all his strength to be transferred to him. Blue streams of magic lit up Alec's face, causing him to gasp in awe. And so, there they lay, with Alec hovering over Magnus' numb figure, bodies so close to one another, that one could not tell where Alec's body ended and where Magnus' began. There they lay, with Alec giving everything he had to Magnus, all his strength, all his love, all his kindness… And Alec didn't mind; he wanted Magnus to take whatever he needed and then some more, he wanted Magnus to be alright, to open his eyes and chant his name…
But this didn't happen, for Magnus remained silent, and by the time the first rays of sunlight crept inside the bedroom, cold and bright, Alec knew he couldn't fight sleep any longer. With the last bit of his strength, he turned over to his side, pulling Magnus against his chest, careful not to let go of his lover's hands, even though a part of him knew he had no more energy left to give. Dizziness engulfed him and his hazel eyes fell closed, turning away from the cold, morning light. He didn't know how, or when, he fell asleep…
End of chapter 3!
