Nothing much to say. Just pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaase review? :) thanks.
Alec was having a nightmare again. He whimpered in his sleep, his breathing coming out as short breaths. His grip tightened on the blankets around him and he screamed himself awake.
"Alec" Magnus had run into the room when he heard the screams. He had only been gone for a little while...
Alec was sitting up, curled in a tight ball, sobbing quietly. He was shaking from fear, making him look small and weak.
"Alec..." Magnus gathered the smaller boy in his arms. "it's alright. It's alright, darling. It was just a dream. Just a dream."
Alec didn't respond, just cried harder. He sobbed so much he couldn't breathe, and it broke Magnus's heart to see Alec like this, terrified of what wasn't real, dry heaving and clinging onto Magnus's shirt, desperate for comfort.
Magnus didn't say anything, just whispered soothing words to the shaking boy in his arms.
"M-Magnus..." Alec whispered, gasping for breath as Magnus stood. He was coughing, looking pale and sick. "s-stay with m-me. D-don't leave-"
"I'm going to get you water, darling." Magnus said gently. "I'll be right back"
Alec shook his head, shivering. "n-no don't go-I don't want water-"
Magnus sighed. "well, you need it-"
"don't go" Alec's body was shaking, and he looked at Magnus, eyes pleading.
The warlock sat back down, taking Alec back in his arms, rubbing soothing circles in his back as he started to calm.
Alec buried his head in the crook of Magnus's neck, wanting nothing more than comfort and the warmth of his body. He remembered being in a cell. In a cage, like an animal, hands chained above his head. Valentine's whip, sending volts of electricity down Alec's body as he screamed and begged.
"please- Stop- STOP PLEASE!"
Alec whimpered as tears starting flowing again, and he clung onto Magnus.
"It's okay, Alec. You're safe. I'm here for you." Magnus rubbed calming circles in his back. "Don't cry... Baby don't cry."
Alec tried, but he was exhausted and hurting. "I c-can't"
Magnus shut his eyes as if the words hurt. "I know. I'm sorry, Alec. I'm sorry."
It had only been a week since Alec had been rescued from Valentine, who had tortured the poor boy so much he couldn't speak. Magnus had flipped out, throwing magic everywhere and using all his strength. He had healed all of Alec's. Bruises and scars and cuts and burns, and he wanted Alec to feel safe, safe and well, but he didn't know how. Emotions weren't something that could be fixed by glitter and spells.
"it isn't your fault..." Alec managed, hiccupping. He took a shuddering breath. "It's h-his-"
Magnus looked at Alec. His blue eyes were red from not getting enough sleep and crying, his hair a tangled mess of sweat. "You're not with him anymore. You're with me. You're safe, and Valentine's never going to hurt you again."
The younger boy trembled. "never?"
Magnus closed his eyes, kissing Alec on the cheek. "never."
Alec was quiet for a moment, the sobbing gone. He had no tears left. "how do you know?" he asked quietly.
Magnus's grip tightened on Alec's hand. "because I won't let him. I'd die for you. I'd do anything to stop him from hurting you."
"You can't do anything to stop him." Alec told him, throat burning.
"yes, I can." Magnus replied firmly. "If he wanted my life, I'd give it to him so he wouldn't hurt you."
Alec shook his head. "but if you died, that would hurt me." he paused. "actually, no, that would kill me."
Magnus looked at Alec in surprise. "Alec-"
Alec's hand gripped Magnus's wrist. "I'm serious."
"why would it?" Magnus asked quietly.
"because." Alec said, eyes closing in exhaustion, sleep taking over his small form. "because I love you."