Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews, I really appreciate it! :) I hope you like this next chapter.
Magnus was sitting on his couch painting his toe nails when he got a text message from Isabelle.
"Do you know what's wrong with Alec? He came home after work today and locked himself in his room."
Magnus quickly sent back a reply, "No. He might have just had a really bad day at work. I'll call him and get back to you."
Magnus hit number one on his speed dial, waiting for his beautiful boyfriend to answer the phone.
But he didn't.
Magnus tried again, thinking Alec had just lost his phone and had trouble finding it, but there was still no answer.
Instead, he called Isabelle, who answered on the first ring.
"What did he say?" she asked, sounding concerned.
"He didn't answer," Magnus said, hearing how wounded his voice sounded. "Are you sure he's in his room?"
"I'll go check," she said. Magnus could hear her walking up the stairs and knocking on the door. "Alec?" she called. Magnus heard the twisting of the knob and the creak of the door opening. "Magnus, he's not in here."
"Do you think I did something wrong?" Magnus asked, his insecurities getting the best of him. "I mean, he has been wanting to spend time with his new friends lately, and I do get a little jealous," he said.
Isabelle's high heels clicked on the hard wood floor as she walked back down to the living room. "Magnus, I'm sure it has nothing to do with you. You know that Alec has really bad mood swings sometimes. Someone at work might have set him off. Probably nothing to worry about. Why don't you come over and wait here until he gets back?"
"I'll be over in a few minutes," Magnus said, hanging up the phone and checking to see if his toe nails were dry. Luckily, they were, so he put on his shoes, grabbed his wallet and started walking towards the Lightwood residence.
(Line Break)
Magnus sat next to Isabelle on the couch, both of them starting to worry more as Alec didn't return home. It was starting to get dark outside, and there was still no sign of him. "Maybe we should go out and look for him," Magnus suggested, tired of sitting around.
Max, who was sitting in the chair next to the couch sighed, "I'll try calling him again," he picked up his phone and dialed the number. Surprisingly, after two rings he picked up.
"Hello?" he said, his voice rasping and unsteady.
"Alec?" The second Max said it, Magnus and Isabelle leaned forward, trying to hear what Alec was saying.
"Max. I was just about to call you," Alec slurred slightly. "I need you to come pick me up, but don't tell Izzy or Magnus or Jace or Tal or anyone," he said.
"Are you drunk?" Max asked, incredulous.
"No," Alec said firmly. He was silent for a moment. "Okay, yes, maybe. I'm about two miles away from the house at that bar. You know the one with that sign that looks like a German word," Alec described, his voice slurring horribly.
"I'll be there in five minutes," Max said, "Don't go anywhere and don't do anything stupid. And no more drinks," Max hung up the phone, grabbing his wallet.
"Where is he at? Is he okay?" Magnus asked, standing up and following Max to the front door. Isabelle was not far behind him.
"He's out of his mind drunk, but other than that I think he's okay. He wants me to go pick him up at that bar a little way down the street. I'm going to take his car, and I'll be back pretty soon."
"I should go with you," Magnus said, wanting to make sure his baby is okay.
Max shook his head, grabbing the car keys from the bowl by the door, "He said not to tell you guys. He's expecting to just see me. I'm sorry, Magnus, but he sounded pretty serious."
"Oh," was all Magnus said, his feelings hurt. Why wouldn't Alec request him to come get him? Isabelle's hand gently patted his shoulder as Max went out the door.
"I'm sure it's nothing against you," Isabelle said, "You know he has a very special sort of bond with Max. They share more secrets than I do."
Although she was trying to help, Magnus just felt worse. "Yeah. I guess I just want him to come to me whenever he has problems."
"I completely understand, but Alec has a lot of insecurities. He doesn't always feel comfortable discussing them with anyone but Max. They share a lot of the same feelings and they feel a sort of connection because they have always had the same problems."
Magnus went back into the living room with Isabelle, both of them sitting down on the couch. "What do you think upset him so bad that he got drunk?" Magnus asked, folding his legs underneath him.
"I don't know," Isabelle said, tapping her manicured nails on her lips. "I haven't seen him drunk since that guy last summer called him all of those bad names."
Magnus' frown deepened. "It must be something very bad."
(Line Break)
Max stood outside of the bar, looking around for Alec, but he wasn't in sight. He opened the door to the bar, stepping inside. This bar was known for not checking minors, so Max had no troubles. He looked around, seeing his brother barely hanging onto his chair at the bar, and drinking another beer.
"Alec!" Max yelled, crossing the room. Alec either didn't hear him, or didn't care. "Come on," Max said, when he got to his older brother, pulling him into a standing position. "We need to get you home," Max said as he put Alec's arm around his shoulder. They started walking towards the door, Max half dragging a stumbling Alec. He was apparently more drunk than when he called a few minutes ago.
"Max," Alec said, once they got outside. "Max. Max. Max. Max," he slurred.
"What?" Max asked, feeling annoyed that Alec didn't listen to his request to not drink anymore.
Alec put his hand on Max's chest, not taking a step further until Max looked at him. "Don't tell Magnus, but I think I'm drunk," Alec giggled a little bit.
Max helped Alec into the passenger side of his car. He buckled him up, watching as Alec leaned the seat all the way back and placed his hands on his chest. Max walked to the other side of the car, starting the car and getting on the street that led back to their house. "Why did you get drunk, Alec?" Max asked once he was on the road.
"Because I drank to much," Alec said, his hands rubbing circles on his stomach.
Max pinched the bridge of his nose, "Yes, but why did you start drinking?"
Alec was silent for so long that Max had thought he had fallen asleep. "I don't remember," he finally said. "I guess that was the point of me drinking," he said with a snort. His head fell to the side as his hands rested on his own hips. "I forgot why I was sad," he said, laughing. "Drinking does work."
Max pulled into the driveway, getting out of the car and walking to the opposite side. Alec had his hands placed on his thighs, looking like the was holding on for balance. "Let's go inside and get you to bed," Max said, reaching in and unbuckling Alec.
Alec didn't get up. "I can sleep here," he said, cuddling up to his hand.
"No, Alec, you need to sleep in the house."
Alec sighed heavily before getting out of the car and slamming the door so hard he almost fell over. He started walking towards the house by himself, Max following close behind. Once he made it to the door, he turned the knob and pushed it open, being greeted by Magnus and Isabelle.
Magnus pulled Alec into a tight hug, "Are you okay, darling? What happened?"
Alec stood up straighter, "I'm fine," he said indignantly.
Magnus sighed heavily, looking at Isabelle and Max, "If it's okay with you, I'll put him to bed."
"Be my guest," Isabelle said. "You can stay the night if you want, Mags."
"Thanks," Magnus said, taking his boyfriend's hand and leading him up the stairs. Alec held on tightly to Magnus, stumbling most of the way to his room.
Alec's face got very serious as he stood in front of the door to his room, "We have to be quiet," he said. "Magnus is probably sleeping."
"Alec, I'm right here," Magnus said, slightly amused, but more than anything concerned.
Alec turned around and looked at him in shock, "Hi, Magnus," he said softly.
"Hello, darling." Magnus pushed the door open, leading Alec in by his elbow. "Okay, Alec, let's get you into some nice warm pajamas." Magnus started undressing Alec, who didn't provide much help.
"I'm thirsty," Alec said as Magnus pulled off his jeans. "Can I get a vodka?"
"No, Alec," Magnus said, sitting Alec down on the edge of the bed while he went to the dresser to find pajamas. Once he found a nice fleece pair of pants and a clean t-shirt, he turned around to look at Alec. He was laying on the bed, his feet still touching the ground. His hands were stretched above his head and his cheeks were flushed from all of the alcohol.
"But I'm thirsty," he said.
Magnus sighed heavily, "I'll get you some water if you help me get you dressed," he said, already pulling the pajama pants up his legs. "I need you to stand up, Alec."
Alec stood up shakily, balancing himself by holding Magnus' hair. Magnus quickly pulled the pants all the way up before he let Alec sit down again.
"I'm thirsty," Alec repeated, looking like a small child begging for juice. His eyes were the size of saucers and his lips were a shiny red color.
"Can you manage to put on your shirt alone?" Magnus asked.
"Yes," Alec said, taking the shirt in his hand.
"Okay, I'm going to go get you something to drink. Don't leave this room." Magnus walked down the stairs, taking two at a time.
"Is he asleep?" Isabelle asked, seeing Magnus.
"No, I'm just getting him some water. I've never seen him so drunk before," Magnus said, walking into the kitchen, Isabelle not far behind.
"Whoever upset him is going to get their ass kicked," Max said, joining them.
Magnus filled a cup with water, starting back towards Alec's room. "I guess we'll find out in the morning," Magnus said.
"Oh, shit," Isabelle said, her hand coming up to her lips, "He has work in the morning."
"I'll go down there early and tell his boss he's sick," Magnus said, making it to the top of the stairs.
"Good idea," Isabelle said. "I'll see you tomorrow, Magnus," she said, walking to her own room.
Max followed suit going to his own room at the end of the hall.
"Goodnight, guys," Magnus said, hearing their replies as he stepped into his boyfriend's room.
Alec was laying on the bed, his shirt on backwards, but on nonetheless. His eyes were closed and his mouth was open. "Alexander, darling, do you want some water?"
His unfocused eyes opened, looking up to Magnus. "I told you vodka," he said, sitting up and taking the cup anyway. He gulped at it, some spilling down his face. Once he got enough, he laid back down.
"Do you need anything else?" Magnus asked as he grabbed an extra pillow from the bed and the thin blanket at the end of the mattress.
"Nope," Alec said, squirming until he was under the blanket.
"I'm going to be sleeping in the living room if you need me, okay?" Magnus said, kissing Alec's burning forehead.
"You're leaving?" Alec asked in a tiny, pained voice.
"I'll just be down stairs. Okay? I'll see you in the morning, love." Magnus left the room, a frown placed firmly on his face. All he wanted were some answers.
(Line Break)
Magnus woke up with a terrible backache. The couch wasn't exactly the best thing to sleep on. He stood up, stretching and popping his back. He checked the clock, seeing that the grocery store would be opening in about twenty minutes.
"Would you like some coffee?" Max asked, standing in the doorway to the kitchen.
Magnus smiled, "That would be wonderful, Max."
Isabelle was walking down the stairs, a fluffy pink robe pulled tight around her waist. "I talked to Alec," she said as she followed them both into the kitchen.
"What'd he say?" Magnus asked impatiently.
She handed him the keys to the store, "He said you needed to bring these in to the grocery store. He also said that he would be down in a while to explain everything to us. Probably not until you get back, though."
Magnus took the keys, stashing them in his back pocket. Max handed him a cup of coffee, sitting down with them at the table. Magnus took it gratefully, drinking it without any cream or sugar. "I should get ready and go down there," Magnus suggested, making his way into the bathroom. He fixed his hair, keeping it down without any product. He quickly touched up his makeup that he had left on from yesterday and tried to straighten his clothes.
"I'll be back in a few minutes," Magnus called as he left the house.
Once Magnus pulled up into the parking lot, he saw Camille standing out front, leaning against the wall. Next to her was Will, smoking a cigarette and looking unconcerned with the world. Magnus got out of the car, walking towards them. The second Camille saw him, she looked terrified.
"Magnus, I'm sorry, okay. I'm sorry. Please don't hurt me," she begged.
Magnus' brows drew together in confusion. He lifted the hand that had the keys, the keys were hidden in his fist. He was about to show them the keys, afraid before that he would drop them, so he held onto them tightly.
Before he knew it, Will punched him in the nose. Magnus dropped the keys, both of his hands moving to cover his nose.
"What the hell?" he asked, looking incredulously at Will. He looked angry. "What did I do?"
Camille moved to stand behind Will, biting her lip nervously.
"You were about to punch Camille," Will said, his voice deep an protective. "I'm not about to let that happen."
"What? No," Magnus said as if it were obvious, "I was about to hand you the keys to the store because Alec's sick and can't come into work this morning." His nose started bleeding a little bit.
Realization dawned on Will and Camille. "Oh," was all he said, looking down at the ground to where Magnus had dropped the keys. He picked them up, unlocking the door. "Why don't you, uh, come inside. I'll get you and ice pack for your nose," Will said.
They all went inside, sitting at the tables by the deli. Will got Magnus an ice pack from the employee freezer and Camille pulled some tissues out of her purse.
"Can you explain why you thought I was going to his Camille?" he asked, bitterly.
Camille and Will shared a look that suggested they didn't want to. "If you don't know, it's really not my place to tell," Camille said.
"Know what? What's going on?" Magnus asked, demanding to know.
Camille looked indecisive. "Magnus," she finally said, taking her time with her next words, "I kissed Alec."
(Line Break)
Thanks for reading! Don't hate me too much. I tried with this chapter, it just didn't turn out quite like I wanted it. Anyway, please review! :)