So this is later than normal. I didn't close for a couple of days at work so I was deprived of my little writing corner. Odd that it's at my job, but oh so true. So this chapter didn't come easy for me. I hit writer's block and as a result it ended up somewhat choppy. So a huge thank you to StarryOwlEyes for helping me smooth this out. Hopefully I'll get another chapter up before I leave for Europe. If not then don't expect more till June 24th. :P
All character's belong to CC.
Magnus stared in shock at the youth below him. He was gazing into the most gorgeous eyes that seemed to glitter like sapphires in the sunlight. He couldn't begin to try and assign them an exact color. They were the type he could get lost in with specks of sapphire and cerulean swirled within their depths. The edges of his irises were midnight blue, and gradually faded to the color of the sky on a cloudless day. He was so enraptured that he almost missed the boy's gasp, but his gaze snapped back to the boy's face.
Alec's expression was one of pure shock, and Magnus quirked an eyebrow. He had expected fear from his near drowning, but the look on the boys face said nothing of his recent incident. Magnus reached out his hand, intending to tuck the boy's hair behind his ear. The boy recoiled and scooted a whole two feet away. What the hell was up with this kid?
"Bloody hell, I'm not going to bite you," he huffed. "You hit your head against some rocks. You're bleeding like a stuck pig. Excuse me for trying to examine your wound." He stood up and put his hands on his hips haughtily. The look on the boys face was a cross between surprise and panic.
"I-I'm so-sor-sorry," he managed to croak out, his voice raspy. Magnus's ire instantly dissolved. The boy just looked too goddamn adorable hugging his knees to himself. Was that a blush? My God this boy was completely delectable.
"What were you doing anyway? I don't see any other ships, not even a rowboat. Were you swimming? No offense intended, but if you can't even swim in the shallow end of the cove you probably shouldn't be in the water at all," he said, the side of his mouth turning up in a smile. The boy seemed at a loss for words. The look of panic returned to his eyes.
"Uhm, I can't remember," he mumbled before succumbing to a fit of coughs. Magnus moved closer and knelt beside the youth. He resisted the urge to try and soothe him, lest the boy flee from his touch again.
"I don't have any water with me, but there's some back at the ship. Maybe after we get some water in ya, you'll remember something," he said standing up. The boy looked up sharply.
"My name isAlec," he said, chewing on his bottom lip nervously.
"Magnus." He held out his hand, a grin on his face. Alec slowly reached up and shook it.
(line break)
Alec didn't know if fate was smiling down on him or if this was just some cruel joke. What were the odds that he'd be rescued by none other than his secret crush? Being in such proximity to him made his self-preservation crumble. He had barely managed to cover his legs before Magnus had noticed the iridescent scales. His secret was safe for now. He had claimed memory loss when Magnus questioned him. He had prepared a story for when he reached town, but the situation he resulted in would not match with his story. Claiming that he didn't remember anything of what had happened seemed like the easiest option.
Magnus was walking ahead of him, his hips swaying ever so slightly as he walked. Alec tore his eyes away before he was caught ogling Magnus's ass. He was sure that he resembled a lobster by now, he was blushing so severely. What was he going to do? He could barely speak in front of Magnus. How was he going to lie convincingly to him and the rest of his crew? His temples began to pound. What in the world had he gotten himself into?
"You're lagging behind lad," Magnus's voice cut through Alec's musing. The wind whipped Magnus's hair around his face. He was looking back at Alec, concern written clearly on his face.
"My legs are just a little weak," he answered. He was wobbling horribly, and if the wind picked up he was certain he would fall over. Walking on the sand was nearly impossible. Every careful step he took, his foot just slid further into the ground.
"I can carry you," Magnus said, striding back to him.
"No, it's fine!" Alec said, trying to brush off Magnus's attentions. He took another step, to prove that he could walk by himself. He had no sooner taken a step when his knees gave out on him and he landed on his ass.
"Fine huh?" Magnus said with an amused smile. He bent down and scooped Alec up in his arms. Alec's legs dangled uselessly over the crook of Magnus's arm. He was hyper aware of Magnus's arm snaked around his abdomen and how close their faces were. Alec was sure he was now red from head to toe. He was terrified by how close they were, and yet he couldn't help but feel ecstatic. This was definitely too good to be true. Magnus was even better than he had imagined. Magnus had saved him, a total stranger, from drowning. A pleasant fluttering began in his stomach at the thought.
His musing was interrupted by Magnus leaning his head down towards his. Alec stared back wide eyed. Magnus scrutinized his face. "You're flushed, you're not feeling faint are you?" Alec suddenly couldn't breathe; the urge to crush his lips to Magnus's was so strong.
"I'm f-f-fine," Alec stuttered, and he swore his heart had skipped a beat. The air practically sparked from the intensity between them. Was he the only one feeling it? Had his infatuation become so great that he was imagining some connection between them?
"Hmm," Magnus tisked "You're dehydrated. Ragnor should be with the rowboat. He'll have some water with him," he said, before adjusting his hold on Alec. Alec reached up and wrapped his arms around Magnus's neck. He was surprised at his own boldness, yet it felt right. He wondered who Ragnor was. A friend, a lover? Jealousy swept through Alec. He silently admonished himself. Jealous of a man he had never even met. What was happening to him? Rational thought seemed to disappear when it concerned the man before him. He had never wanted anything more than to know this man.
(line break)
Magnus didn't know what it was about Alec that made his heart beat faster, but he couldn't ignore it. This was absolutely the last thing he had wanted to happen to him right now. Be careful what you wish for, began to take on a whole new meaning. He had wanted to be with someone, and not just for a few nights in a run-down tavern room, or a drunken one-night stand. Magnus wanted him. He had grumbled and moaned and had enough self pity to last a lifetime. Yet now that he was in the midst of probably the stupidest idea of his 19 years, a gorgeous blue-eyed hunk practically falls into his lap? Ha. Fate was a cruel mistress with a twisted sense of humor.
He had sworn that Alec was going to kiss him. They had been so close to one another that their breaths had mingled together. He had never wanted to be kissed that badly before. He was always the dominant one, the one who acted first and demanded more. Yet there was something about that blue eyed boy that made him unsure of himself. Magnus was not deluded enough to think that he was in love with the boy. In lust was more appropriate. He would have normally kissed Alec without thought, ruled only by the desire to be physically closer to him. Yet a nagging thought kept pestering him in the more rational side of his mind. If he had kissed Alec the way he wanted to, he would have pushed him away. The boy was like a fish out of water. He was skittish and was constantly looking around as if someone was going to jump out from behind a rock. The traumatic experience of nearly drowning had clearly put Alec off balance. He needed time to recuperate. As much as Magnus wanted to work the boy over, he wouldn't. At least not yet, Magnus thought to himself with a mischievous grin.
Magnus looked down at the beautiful boy in his arms. "You are incredibly pale," he said, trying not to laugh. Alec's alabaster skin next to Magnus's cinnamon brown was comical in comparison. "It's as if you've never seen the light of day," he continued. Alec visibly gulped. From Alec's reactions there was no doubt that the attraction was mutual. Now if only Magnus could get Alec to act on it.
"My skin has always been this pale," he said, trying to shrug nonchalantly. Magnus wasn't buying it for a second. He could see the tension in Alec's shoulders and the slight panicked look in his eyes. What was he hiding?
"So have you remembered anything else?" Magnus asked trying to change the topic. Alec practically squirmed in his arms. "Dear lord, don't have a conniption. It's okay if you can't remember, I was only asking." Alec visibly relaxed.
"I'm sorry," he said, that adorable blush gracing his high cheekbones yet again.
"You keep apologizing, it's getting rather tiresome. You have nothing to apologize for except for looking so damn delectable," Magnus said, purposefully trying to make Alec blush. He was rewarded mere seconds later. Magnus chuckled, satisfied with his work. Making the boy blush was quickly becoming his favorite past time. It was just so damn adorable.
"Magnus!" a voice cried out. Magnus looked up and saw Ragnor pulling the rowboat up on the sand. Magnus smiled at his old friend and walked the last few feet to the water. "Now what have we got here?" Ragnor asked, eyeing the two of them.
"He's horribly dehydrated. I was afraid he'd collapse to the ground if I let him go," Magnus said playfully.
"I'm fine, really," Alec said, unconvincingly. Ragnor took in his disheveled state and sickly complexion.
"Sure you are mate. Get him into the boat Mags," he said, crossing his arms. Magnus carefully set him in the small boat and grabbed a bag that looked like worn leather and passed it to Alec.
"Drink up," he said before playfully ruffling Alec's hair. He smiled up at Magnus briefly before taking a much needed gulp. The smooth arch of his neck summoned unbidden images of Alec in a different position, head thrown back in ecstasy. Magnus shook himself. Thinking like that would only increase Magnus's urge to have his way with the boy.
Magnus hopped into the boat, as Ragnor pushed off. There was only a single set of oars so Magnus let Ragnor row. Magnus's skinny arms lacked the strength to pull them through the water all by himself. Instead he studied Alec. He was bending over the side of the boat, looking into the depths of the ocean. The blue of the water seemed to be mirrored in Alec's eyes, as he stared transfixed into the waves. His profile stood in stark contrast to the cloudy sky. His ink black hair curled around his ears and brushed the tops of his cheekbones. Magnus had never seen such beautiful features before. Alec was both delicate and strong. He had lashes that any girl would be jealous of, yet had a strong jaw.
As Magnus followed the bridge of his aristocratic nose, his eyes inevitably landed on his lips. They were chapped from the salt of the sea, but Magnus couldn't deny how perfect they were. His lower lip was fuller than the top. Alec began to worry his lower lip, as he continued to look into the waves. Magnus resisted the urge to lean over and nibble Alec's full lip between his own teeth. The boy was slowly driving him mad with desire, and he wasn't even aware that he was doing it.
All thoughts of crushing his lips to Alec's were driven from his mind as he looked towards the ship. Standing at the rail, looking like a terrible heathen god seeking his vengeance, stood Valentine.
*Cue ominous music* Lol sorry couldn't resist. Reviews are love! :D