The first thing that Magnus heard when he woke up was whimpering. He blinked because, while Alec doesn't have nightmares often, they were rare.
"Alexander," Magnus whispered softly as he gently shook his boyfriend's shoulder. "Darling you're having a nightmare. You have to wake up."
Alec shot up with a gasp. "Mags… you're okay. It was so real. I thought I was going to lose you."
"Shhhh, darling it was just a nightmare. I'm alright I promise. Shhh it was just a nightmare." Magnus was rocking his boyfriend and gently stroking his hair to help soothe him. Alec clung tight, afraid that if he loosened his grip for even a second that Magnus would disappear. "Do you want to talk about it Alexander?"
"Not really." His voice was muffled as he spoke. Magnus could tell that whatever the nightmare was about it had struck Alec to the core.
"What can I do to help, darling? It obviously has you shaken." Magnus was desperate to help even though he had no idea how. "How about hot chocolate? I can conjure up some from that little café in Paris."
"Yes please," Alec's voice was small and fragile, like anything above a whisper would break the tranquility of the bedroom.
With a flick of the wrist, Magnus had two cups of thick hot chocolate in his hands. When they were both done sitting up, he handed a cup to his boyfriend. As Magnus was pulling his hand away, Alec quickly grabbed it, held it close, and began to play with the rings that were on the fingers. They sat there, in a not quite tense silence, finishing their drinks. When they were done, Magnus set the cups aside on the nightstand.
"It's too quiet," the words came softly from Alec, "can you make it so it's not so quiet?"
Magnus thought for a second, nodded, and started to ease Alec onto the bed. After Alec was tucked in he began to sing, "Close your eyes, I know what you see"
"A lullaby really Magnus," Alec teased from the blanket he was tucked in under.
"Do you want something to fill the silence or not?" Magnus shot back. Alec let the silence speak for itself. "That's what I thought, darling." As he started to sing again, Magnus played with Alec's hair, further relaxing them both.
Close your eyes, I know what you see
The darkness is high, and you're in ten feet deep
But we've survived more terrible monsters than sleep
And you know I will be here to tell you to breathe
Tu sei il mio soldatino
La ragione per cui vivo
Non ti scordar di me
Io veglierò su di te "
"Your Italian sounds pretty" Alec's voice slurred as he fell back asleep.
Magnus couldn't resist the smile that spread on his face as he continued to sing.
Stumbling lost, the last choice of all that you meet
It's the cost of ruling those 'neath your feet
Paths you've crossed, and trust you're trying to keep
You're exhausted, listening for a voice that can't speak
(Ma nico, mio caro)
Tu sei il mio soldatino
La ragione ho vissuto
Non ti scordar di me
Io veglierò su di te
Alec's light snores were the only thing that interrupted Magnus now. The smile on his face widened when he saw that his boyfriend, too, had a smile on his face.
So you run, through shadows you roam
Seams undone by the love you thought you could own
But he's just one of many that you might call home
And maybe someday, the bitter will fade from your bones
Eri il mio soldatino
Ora un principe oscuro
Ma anche per te, c'è una luce
Che ad un'altra vita ti conduce
When he was finished singing, even though Alec couldn't hear, Magnus set his head on his boyfriend's chest and whispered, "Goodnight Alexander. I love you." Magnus swiftly fell asleep to the sounds of Alec's heartbeat, his favorite lullaby.