Alec's finger was about to push the buzzer when he realized the door to the stairwell was wide open. There were dark streaks across the knob, dried drops of...something along the floor of the entry, leading beyond.
Panic set in. His hand went reflexively to his belt, fingering the hilt of the small dagger as he hugged the opposite edge of the doorway. Climbing the stairs quietly posed a bit of a problem, because no light-footing would go without an answering creak. He cursed every sound the delapidated stairwell made beneath him, hoping that he was wrong. Maybe he'd just thrown another wild party.
But by the time he'd reached the top, his heartbeat was hammering in his ears. The strange streaks were all over the door to Magnus's flat, which was left wide open too, the interior dark.
That's when they come out to play, he reminded himself, worry for Magnus so strong he couldn't breathe. It was pathetic, but he felt the difference between the gut-tightening he experienced before walking into a sticky situation (fear for himself) and this kind of sick, overwhelming panic. If something had happened, he'd come too late. And there was nothing he could do about it.
He'd never considered the warlock would have real enemies – but that was stupid, because he dealt with all kinds of people. And creatures. And he didn't have much of a filter on his mouth.
"Magnus?" Alec breathed. A whistling sound came from the kitchen and he jumped, shoulder knocking back against the door.
Chairman Meow strolled out to greet him, giving him that unamused stare before heading back to the bedroom. Some guard dog. Er, "cat".
"Alec!" the warlock called from the doorway of the kitchen, hands on his hips. "That was fast."
"You scared me!" he reprimanded, scowling. "I thought someone had broken into your apartment, and you were lying in a pile of ash somewhere. Or exsanguinated. Or…kidnapped."
Magnus tried to regard him seriously, eyes gone wide. When he seemed to realize Alec wasn't kidding in the least, he laughed softly, crossing the large space between them in order to embrace the shadowhunter.
"Don't!" Alec hissed, maybe pouting just a little. He felt dizzy from relief, and it was hard to stand. He had to reset his heart.
"Alec," Magnus breathed, handling him carefully, long fingers simultaneously coursing through his hair, while his lips warmed his uninjured cheek and he tried to lean into Alec, though it was a little awkward, given the height difference.
"I'm sorry I worried you. It was a bit…reckless to leave my place wide open like that, but I knew you were coming and I guess I was a little overeager. I didn't want to wait to buzz you in."
Alec didn't reply, but he relaxed into the warlock. Magnus's lips traveled into his hair, his spider fingers crawling down the length of his back now, and drawing him closer.
"By the way, you have a very dark imagination."
Alec shook his head, closing his eyes. "I've seen it."
"Oh, right," he quietly replied, cheek rested atop his soft hair. As an afterthought Magnus flicked his wrist and the door closed, locking it for good measure.
"Thank you," Alec breathed against him, lips parted and resting against the lightly tanned throat, above the collar of another bright shirt. At least it was a soft cotton. He was rewarded by a light shudder, Magnus's nails curling in slightly against his back.
It occurred to him that this was probably the longest time they'd managed to cling to each other, and he liked it. Wanting to get another reaction out of Magnus, Alec tentatively touched his tongue to that caramel skin, wondering how it would taste...
The whistling sound grew more pronounced. "I'll be right back," Magnus said with a sigh, kissing his forehead, then padded back into the kitchen.
I just learned a trick that will let me update again! Since FF still seems to experience uploading trouble. Have no fear! Chapter 11 (new content) will be coming soon, now I can focus on the writing and not trying to fight pesky error messages.
My sympathies to anyone still fighting that battle!