Disclaimer: I don't own anything save the plot.
A/N: As no one knows, I am an aspiring author in real life, currently getting a book published; meaning that since I am done with this story, only three chapters left, I will be reusing the plot and making it as an actual story. So, keep an eye out for the story within the next few years! Once I take out all the details that will say that I copy write it in any way.
Chapter Seven: Strange Darkening Light
Third Person's POV
School moved slowly forward, hearing on towards winter break. Soon everyone had their own version of why Alec had been kicked out. They watched with increasing disgust as Magnus and Alec stopped hiding what they felt. Winter hit hard, making people almost fear that they would die. Voo made plans, always thinking of ways to destroy them until she stumbled upon the Owlcul drawing, now forgotten by the other two.
Magnus's POV
I watched Alec, noticing how he tensed when Jace passed by, glaring at him. "You still live here?" He taunted.
Alec stared at the floor, eyes distant as Jace continued on, his cold laugh still lingering slightly longer then he did. "Don't listen to him," I whispered, hugging Alec close to me. "Today is the last day before winter break. Don't worry until school starts again in January." I kissed his forehead lightly, forcing him to meet my gaze.
"Right," He mumbled, closing his eyes before dropping my gaze and staring at the floor again.
I watched Alec, wondering how he could have grown so distant. Maybe he was still shocked from getting kicked out. "Let's ditch school. I want to show you something."
"What is it?" Alec asked, finally looked up on his own as I caught his interest.
"I want to keep it a secret," I took Alec's hand, leading him as one would a child to my car while I thought. I drove to a snow covered meadow in the woods near my home, knowing it was peaceful and just the thing Alec would need.
"This is nice," Alec murmured, sitting against the tree and muffling a yawn.
I smiled, watching him. "This may seem a little girly, but I got you a locket," I pulled out a simple gold heart hanging from a silver chain.
I watched the shock, then happiness flash across his face, making me smile. "Thank you," He whispered, reaching out to touch it lightly. "It's really pretty,"
"It's an early Christmas present. I thought you would like it," I leaned forward, placing it around his neck. "And you're welcome," I breathed in his ear, pulling away after kissing him briefly.
I watched Alec's eyes light up for what seemed like the first time in month. He leaned forward, shifting to sit on his knees as he rested his hands on my shoulders, kissing me as nonverbal thanks. I could sense a change in him, making him the cheerier boy I had fallen in love with. I smiled, resting a hand on his left hand before pulling away to stare into his eyes.
I brought his left hands to my lips, lightly kissing his fingers before slipping a simple white gold ring on his ring finger. "I love you," I whispered in his ear, having leaned forward only very slightly.
I heard him gasp in surprise at the statement, but he smiled quickly. "I love you too," He replied, making me smile again as I pulled him closer.
Those were the only moments that stood out clearly to me. The next thing I knew, we were eating dinner and discussing plans for winder break. I listened to Voo complain about her friends being gone, though it shocked me to hear that she had any friends at all.
"What do you plan on doing Mag?" She asked.
"Do not call me Mag," I snapped, glaring at her for a moment. "And Alec and I have no plans at this moment in time."
Voo sneered at me, glaring at Alec for a moment. "I could see why," She commented.
"Alec gets enough of that at school," I snarled, wishing I could strangle her.
"Voo, behave yourself," Our mother, Rose, growled.
"It doesn't bother me," Alec murmured softly, staring at his plate.
"Voo still has no right to treat you that way," Rose pointed out gently.
Alec's POV
At Rose's statement, I realized how much she cared for me and that I was actually happy to have her defend me. "I'm fine with it," I promised.
Rose watched me before nodding slowly. "If you are sure," She said gently. The rest of dinner pasted quickly as I thought about the time Magnus and I had spent in the meadow. His words had broken me from my own self pity, making me happy as I could be.
"Let's go to our room," Magnus murmured. Rose let us share a room, confident that we would behave ourselves completely, which we had done so far.
I curled up next to Magnus, twisting the ring from my finger after getting out of the shower. "Thank you," I said finally.
Magnus smiled, watching me in the semi-dark. "For what?" he asked softly.
"For what you did today; it made me realize that life is worth living," I mumbled.
I felt Magnus sit up and saw him turn on the light, making me half blind. "What did you do Alec?" He asked, taking my arm and pushing the sleeve up to see the over lacing scars and wounds still bleeding. "You can't hurt yourself like this," He murmured.
"I'll stop," I promised, unable to meet his gaze.
"Let me go get something to clean these up," Magnus sighed, standing up and heading out of the room.
I closed my eyes, seeing the patterns made of scars. I had done it in secret, not knowing how Magnus would react. He did so only kindness, which surprised me greatly. Though after this afternoon, I should have known that he would care so much about me.
"These don't look infected," Magnus said softly, cleaning my arm slowly. "Why didn't you just talk to me Alec?"
"I… I didn't want to bother you," I mumbled, looking at the sheets.
"It's still wrong to hurt yourself," Magnus said. "Please, don't do this anymore. I'll listen to you whenever you want," He promised. "I love you and I don't want to see you kill yourself."
I nodded, still staring at the sheets as Magnus started clean my other arm, frowning. "I won't do it anymore," I promised finally.
"If you want to talk to someone, please talk to me. Why did you hurt yourself like this in the first place Alec?" He asked, taking my hand in his hands.
"At first it was to forget about Max. After that, I just enjoyed the pain and how it made me forget about the world," I glanced up at Magnus, unable to meet his gaze for longer than a few seconds.
"So you enjoyed the pain?" Magnus asked softly.
"I-I guess," I shifted, lying back down with a sigh. "I'm really sorry Magnus," I added.
"Just don't do it again," Magnus pleaded, wrapping his free arm around my waist as he lay down as well.
"I won't," I promised, closing my eyes.
"Thank you," Magnus said, pulling away to turn off the light.
Voo's POV
I watched the two, eyes flashing for a moment as I thought. My plans involved the warlock court. How interested they were going to be to find out that Alexander was still alive. I was nearing my eighteenth year and once it passed, I would be forced to live as a common mundane. Magnus may be happy with that, but I would not stand to see that pass. I would not be chained to this earth.
I turned away, eyes full of anger. It was not fair to make me stay trapped her. I growled under my breath, turning to my room. It hurt to know that I still loved Magnus and he had moved on.
Slowly I went through a journal Magnus had written before we had been cast out. He was sweet, though overprotective. He had potential to be very powerful. His own powers, much like mine, would come back over time. Maybe it would be good for him.
I shook my head, deciding to stop myself from loving someone I couldn't even have. The only problem was, I had already summoned the Warlock court and they would be here this winter break to kill Alec. But maybe it no longer mattered…
