Alec turned away to try retracing their steps to the others, making an effort not to look back at Magnus. He knew if he did he would fall into his arms again and they wouldn't find the others for hours.
His hands came up to brush his lips absently, his other hand resting on the handle of his sheathed knife. He wasn't quite sure if that had really just happened.
He had entertained the thought once or twice as they stumbled across the fallen scape of New York, but he didn't think at any point it would actually happen. He'd always been more preoccupied with keeping everyone together.
Magnus caught up with him, having seemingly collected himself (and that was an image Alec wasn't going to forget any time soon: Magnus sitting on the floor with blown pupils and swollen lips, looking up at Alec in a way he'd never seen before).
Alec reached back in a gesture that was glaringly unsubtle and linked his fingers with Magnus' before he could overthink any more.
Magnus squeezed his hand gently and Alec almost let himself relax. Almost.
As if the very universe was set against him, loud footfalls rang across the floor of the shopping centre and Alec untangled his hand quickly, pulling Magnus behind him as he faced down this new enemy.
"It's Clary." Magnus murmured and stepping out from behind Alec but kept his distance, so they didn't look too conspicuous standing together. Alec stepped away too and raised a hand in greeting to Clary.
As she got closer, Alec knew something was wrong and he started forward. Her cheeks were wet, and her breath was more ragged than it should be.
"What is it?" He asked immediately before she'd even reached him, and Clary fixed him with big wet eyes.
"It's- it's Izzy."
