Freeze
Chapter 8
I'm afraid that this is the last chapter for now. Please, please, please don't hate me, it's just that I have school starting tomorrow and I promised myself I will do better as last year I got my first D (which is terrible since my school don't mark lower that a D). And this year is the first year working towards the really important stuff so I can't afford to fall behind or miss out. :(
I'm pretty sure I will continue this as there is a lot more I can do with it, but I can't promise when that will be - but it won't be ridiculously long. I would try and work my writing around school but if you thought my posting was inconsistent now, it would be 100 times worse (like gaps up to 2 or 3 weeks).
Anyway, I'm babbling now.
So for now I leave you on a happy note...
"Somebody looks awfully positive today," Isabelle mumbled as she positioned the flowers in the vase, but saying it just loudly enough for Alec to hear.
Alec knew there was no use denying the fact he was in a good mood. It was too obvious. "Really?" he asked half absently as he set plates onto the table.
"Really," she echoed. She placed the vase in the centre of the table and folded her arms at her brother. "You still haven't thanked me."
"For...?"
"For saving you from the dangerous threat that is our mother." It was true. The day after Alec had run off his mother had been a cyclone of questions.
"Alexander Lightwood, where have you been? I haven't seen you since you rudely left yesterday! Are you alright? You didn't go out in that cold weather without a jumper did you?" Alec had laughed silently to himself. He knew his mother too well.
He had been about to respond with saying he was fine but Isabelle quickly stepped in.
"Alec wasn't feeling well – a possible side effect from his injury. I saw him in his room when he was feeling a bit better." Their mother looked suspicious and then asked why she hadn't seen him afterwards.
Isabelle interrupted again. "I managed to persuade him to help with some of the preparations. He was helping me pretty much all night." Maryse was about to question further but was reminded of the upcoming banquet the next day and hurried off to do some preparing of her own.
"I'm still expecting a thank you."
"I could have handled it myself you know."
"Of course you could have, but you didn't. So..." she said, stretching the 'o' sound.
Alec gave in. "Fine. Thank you. Happy?"
"Very." Isabelle went back to setting the tables. After a few minutes, a thought came to her mind, and she spoke again. "So, are you going to tell me where you were that night or am I just going to have to make assumptions?"
Anyone in the right mind knew leaving Isabelle to make assumptions was a bad idea. "I was at Magnus' – not," seeing his sister's raised eyebrows. "...what you think."
"So you took my advice," she stated proudly.
"What is it with you and the word 'so' today?"
Isabelle smirked. "Paranoid? And don't change the subject."
"Yes, I took your advice. I just hadn't anticipated the weather being that cold." Alec had to stay the night at Magnus' house. Although he said he felt better and that he could make it back home, Magnus insisted he stayed until the weather had died down. That hadn't been until the morning. Even then he insisted he borrow a jumper from him.
Isabelle would have gladly annoyed her brother about staying at Magnus' for the night but decided against it.
"So," she stopped at the sight of her brother's frustrated glare. "Sorry. Are you two a couple now?" Alec avoided her gaze and silently continued to set the table. "And is that why you're in such a good mood?" He still remained quiet. "I'll take that as a yes."
Alec was glad he didn't have to hide the truth from everyone. He had told himself he would come out to his parents soon, yet the time never seemed right. At least he had Isabelle.
"You know," Isabelle said. "I think he'll be really good for you."
"I think so too."
Here again, thought Alec as he sat quietly alone at a table. All night there had been no sight of Magnus. Alec hadn't heard of him for two days and his heart felt heavy in his chest. He said he was coming. Maybe he forgot. Maybe he... His thoughts were interrupted by Isabelle.
"Haven't seen him yet?" She sat down next to him gracefully.
Alec shook his head. He didn't notice the small smile playing on Isabelle's lips. "How about going out into the gardens for a bit of fresh air? That always cheers me up."
"I'm fine, really Iz. He's not..."
"Don't be so stubborn for once and just go." Isabelle hauled him onto his feet.
Alec gave his sister a surprised look. "Okay, okay, I'm going." She's acting awfully strange.
As he walked off, Isabelle hummed happily to herself. What would he do without me?
As he stepped outside, Alec breathed in the cold night air.
The gardens, as always, were beautiful. The rarest of flowers and trees grew there, in a range of colours from scarlet reds to sapphire blues. However, Alec's favourite had always been the large weeping willow, where he used to think he could hide away from the world and everyone in it. Sometimes he wished he could do that now.
Alec and his sister used to come out here all the time as children. Although he hadn't been in a while, it looked as tranquil and as perfect as ever.
He settled into the small, wooden bench and watched the golden fish swim about in the pond.
"It is lovely out here, isn't it?" Alec turned to see Magnus sitting himself beside him.
Alec's eyes lit up. "You came."
"I said I would. And I made sure nobody else was out here, just the two of us."
Of course, Isabelle knew. Then he frowned. He still hadn't told his parents, something he promised himself he would.
"About that, Magnus, I'm sorry I haven't told anyone yet." Alec looked down to his feet. "I really wanted to and I told myself I would, but the time never felt right and I just don't know how to..."
Magnus turned Alec's head to face him.
"It's fine Alec. You don't need to worry so much. I know how hard it is, especially with your parents. Take all the time you need."
Alec leaned closer to Magnus and put his arms around him, resting his head on Magnus' shoulder and sighed. He wished moments like these would never end.
"Thank you," Alec said after a while.
"For what?"
"For being you."
Alec didn't remember how it happened, but they were kissing. And as always, it felt perfect.
After they had parted, Alec spoke.
"I promise I will tell my parents."
Magnus pulled Alec closer. "I know you will. But until then, let's just appreciate now."
There was so much more Alec wanted to say, but couldn't. Instead he just placed a small kiss on Magnus' lips.
"I appreciate every second."
Thank you to everyone who has been reading so far.
I love you all.
