So here we are! Of course I brought Magnus back, how could I not? Anyway, this chapter… I don't know how it'll go. It may be very emotional, it may be very dark, it may be very light.
Alec nuzzled his head against Magnus. His skin was rough and dry, even after his extended shower. It was the little things that threw Alec off, like his skin. It used to be moisturized and soft, and suddenly it was dry and hard and somewhat cracked. His hands, usually smooth, were calloused and scarred. The way he had a slight limp in his usually clean gait.
Alec took his mind off of the new flaws and back to his family. Rafe and Max's hands were clasped together, as Alec and Jace once were. The two boys were closer then ever. They were in constant contact, and they were as close as parabatai. Alec remembered a time when he and Jace were like that, able to easily talk and hug and use each other for strength.
"Boys, go get ready for bed. Your dad and I need to get dinner ready. Pajamas, and please don't forget to wash your hands and face. No skimping!" Magnus said suddenly. The boys stared blankly at him for a moment before Max pulled his brother up and dragged him down the hall. Alec got up with ease and started to walk into the kitchen. He heard a groan.
"Alexander, could I get a hand?" Magnus asked, his voice rasping. Alec whipped around and gently helped Magnus to his feet.
"You beautiful idiot. Where are you hurt?" Alec said fondly. Magnus kissed him before pulling up his shirt. A long cut, not deep but glowing slightly, was radiating heat from his side. Alec put gentle fingers to the wound. Magnus winced.
"Magnus, you should have told me earlier." Alec said.
"I wanted to have a moment of normalcy. I'm calling Catarina after dinner."
And with that, Magnus walked to the kitchen, limping. Alec followed to find Magnus pouring water into a pot, a box of pasta next to him. With a flick of his fingers, the water started boiling. Alec let out a sigh of relief. At least Magnus still had magic.
"Hey, love? You want to grab me some pants?" Magnus asked with a laugh. Alec grinned.
"Nah. I like this." He said, opening the fridge to find some tomato sauce and cheese. Magnus let out a groan and stirred the pasta. Alec grated the cheese in silence for a moment.
"You promise you'll call Catarina?" He asked finally.
"Yes! God, Alec, let it go. I said I will and I will!" Alec reeled back.
"Ok! Sorry." Alec finished grating the cheese. He opened the can of tomato sauce and poured it into a bowl. He added a little cinnamon (his specialty), then let it sit.
Magnus let the water drip out of the pasta, then served it onto four plates. He added carrots and apples onto the kid's plates while Alec put dollops of sauce onto the soft noodles. They were silent the whole time they worked.
When the food was on plates, Magnus sat heavily in a chair. His hand pressed up against his side. Alec eyed him worriedly but didn't mention it.
The boys came bounding into the kitchen, both wearing dinosaur footie pajamas. Rafe's hair was brushed and slightly wet. Max's curls were unruly. Alec pressed a kiss in between Max's horns, then ruffled Rafe's hair. "Let's see your hands!" Magnus said cheerfully. The boys eyed each other. Magnus had never cared much about cleanliness. The lined up dutifully and showed their father the clean hands. Magnus nodded happily and the boys smiled.
Dinner was plain but nice. Max and Rafe managed to catch Magnus up on all of the gossip they knew. Some of it was stuff that Alec didn't even know.
After the boys had gone to bed, Magnus and Alec cleaned up dinner and turned on the TV. Magnus stared at the screen. Family Guy was on, which Alec didn't care about, so he went to check up on the kids.
"Dada, why did Papa ask to see our hands?" Max asked, a tremble in his voice.
"I think it was something he started caring about wherever he was when he was gone. He's going to be different now, and we're going to have to get to know him again. Okay? So don't mention that stuff, because it's all just him working out how to be back. We don't know what he went through."
"Oh. Okay." Max said. Rafe nodded in the dark. Alec kissed them goodnight and walked back to the living room. Magnus wasn't there.
Alec went into the bedroom. Magnus was asleep on the floor. Alec stared for a minute.
I need to learn what happened in the Void