Hello again! I know i left you guys on a cliff hanger but I was finally able to have time to update, however, this chapter is short! " Please enjoy!

Chapter 13

Distance

Magnus stirred and found that he was lying in his soft blue silk sheets that were tangled around his lower body. He turned his head and saw Alec curled on his side, eyes swollen and lined with red. Magnus pulled the sheets to his shoulder and ran the back of his hand across the boy's cheek gently. He'd almost forgotten what happened after Alec's breakdown but he remembered bits and pieces of it.

He remembered when Alec had finally stopped crying and he carried him to his room. The instant Alec touched the bed, he fell asleep exhausted from the tragic long day. During the night he had started whimpering, tossing around until his cries grew into screams. He was screaming his name which caused Magnus to bolt awake and he desperately started shaking the frightened boy awake. Eventually, his eyes flew open and he sat there, breathing hard, his forehead covered in beads of sweat. Alec slumped against Magnus and bit his lip trying not to cry.

"It's okay, it's okay" Magnus had whispered and stroked his head until he calmed.

"Magnus, I can't stay here," Alec had said pulling away not looking at him in the eye.

"It's still dark outside, and you don't have a car." Magnus pointed out and Alec only sighed.

"Then I'll walk." He said irately.

"Alec," Magnus whispered sorrowfully. "I don't want you to be afraid of me."

"I-I'm not afraid…" He defended but Magnus could see the truth in his pale blue eyes.

"I can't draw like you can; I can't draw a happy place for you to be in." At this, Alec had made a noise that sounded like a choked laugh and since a while, the two smiled. Magnus warily leaned his forehead against Alec's and hesitated before brushing his lips across Alec's. At first the boy gasped and stiffened. "I want to touch you again; I want to touch you without you flinching away or you being afraid." Alec turned away unsure of what to do. Magnus leaned forward again and lightly kissed Alec but he still recoiled.

"It's me kissing you; me. Please try" Alec nodded his head and closed his eyes and Magnus kissed him again. Alec slowly fell into the kiss he brought his hand up and wrapped it around Magnus' neck. The older boy made his kisses eager and more urgent, but Alec turned his head away breathing hard.

"Wait, wait…" he drew in a breath. I'm sorry; I can't." Magnus nodded his head in understanding and pulled away.

"I'm so sorry," Alec had whispered and Magnus took his hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"It's okay; let's try to get some rest." The two settled back in bed, Alec's back against Magnus' chest. He had fallen asleep to the sound of Alec's steady breathing...

"Magnus…Magnus…" He blinked, the night turned to day, and he was back in his room. He looked down at Alec and found that he was looking at him with concern.

"Hey, you're awake."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, don't worry about me, how are you?" Alec sat up, Magnus following.

"Better than yesterday" he said. Magnus simply nodded his head and began reaching for Alec but the boy got up from the bed.

"Isabelle will be worried, and I have work today." He said grabbing his belongings. The hand that was reaching for Alec dropped on the bed and Magnus sighed in defeat.

"I guess, I'll call you later then?" Alec bit his lip.

"Maybe" And with that, he stalked out of his room. Magnus heard the front door open and shut and he dropped his head in his hands.

"That's what I was afraid of." He mumbled.

Alec made his way up his apartment and stepped inside. There was the fresh brew of coffee being made on the kitchen counter and Isabelle was sitting on the couch reading, dressed in her work clothes. She looked up and was about to scold him for not giving her notice of his absence but shut her mouth when she saw his swollen eyes.

"Oh my god? What happened? Did you and Magnus have a fight?"

"Nothing, it's fine. Just give me second to get ready." He said stalking past her but she caught his arm.

"Wait Alec, you know you can tell me. If you want, we can take work off today." Alec shook his head.

"No, it's the weekend so it's going to be busy." Isabelle was going to protest but he yanked his hand away and went to his room. It took less than ten minutes for Alec to get ready and the two headed for the car. Isabelle asked again if he wanted to take the day off but he only shook his head again. Alec allowed Isabelle to drive but he asked her not to ask any questions and she obliged but she gave him concern glances every so often.

Alec had been right, it was awfully busy but he liked it, he kept himself busy and he didn't have to think about anything. He tried his best not the think about Magnus or the party but the thoughts haunted him, constantly there lurking in the back of his mind. This was getting too complicated, and his judgment was becoming turbid. He had nearly forgotten the purpose of why he left Chicago in the first place; to help achieve his sister's goal. He knew his stay in New York wasn't permanent so why did he have to fall in love? Why did he fall so hard for the richest man in Brooklyn? By the time Alec managed to pull himself out of his thoughts, his shift was over.

It had been almost a week since the party and Alec did his best to avoid Magnus. He didn't want to and it had nearly killed him as he'd watched his phone go off once, twice, three times in the attempts of Magnus calling him but he couldn't bring himself to answer because he was ashamed to face his partner. He had turned away from Magnus when he showed up at the restaurant pleaded to talk with him, because he was ashamed at the way he acted towards Magnus and he was ashamed with himself for being weak. He had spent many long hours lying awake during the night replying the scene at Magnus's house after the party. There had been so much he wanted to say to Magnus but all the words were locked away in the back of his throat, fogged by the tears he had shed.

Alec sat on his bed, his sketch pad open on his lap and he stared at the blank paper. Was it not too long ago he had found a reason to draw again? Where did it go? He had attempted to draw portraits but the faces and emotions were wrong. It became too confusing and complex so instead he focused on seascape and he remembered that it had been raining the night of the party. He drew the ocean, waves crashing against each other as if unsure where to go. The sky was nearly black with darkness, fear and uncertainty. Alec then drew a sailor's ship with a man holding onto the edge of the ship his life flashing before his eyes. Alec sighed and threw the book across the room in frustration. There came a knock at the front door that pulled Alec out of his thought. He heard his sister pad over to the front door and her voice rang to his room.

"Magnus" Alec bolted out of his bed and leaned his ear against the door.

"Hi Isabelle, I was wondering if I could speak to Alec." Alec's heart raced and he prayed he wouldn't come in.

"Oh, I'm sorry but Alec's been taking double shift and right now this is the only time he can rest. I don't want to bother him, he's been working hard." Alec's eyes widened. "Do you want me to send a message?" There was a pause before Magnus spoke.

"No, that's alright. Thank you." As soon as the front door opened, Alec stepped out of his room.

"Did you just lie for me?" He asked walking over to his sister.

"Well, obviously, you and Magnus are going through something really bad and it's bothering you. I thought maybe you just needed space." To both their surprise, Alec threw his arms over his sister, embracing her in a hug.

"Thank you, for not asking or prying." Alec whispered, blowing a few strands of Isabelle's hair.

"Relationships are hard these days, especially when…" Isabelle trailed off and pulled away. "Sorry, I didn't mean…"

"I know," Alec smiled wearily and pulled his sister into another hug.

The night was colder than usual as Alec stepped out of the restaurant and he wrapped his green scarf around his neck and made his way through the parking lot. He had told Isabelle that he was staying after closing hours to clean up and she could leave without him and he would catch the bus home. Alec passed the time and counted the cars that passed by when suddenly, a black Lexus drove beside him.

"Alexander Lightwood, get in." The voice spoke. The tinted window of the back seat rolled down and inside, he saw someone sitting inside. Her blond hair was down except for the little clip that pulled her bangs back. She was wearing what seemed to be a simple green translucent blouse and white pants. Sitting in the car on the left side was Camille.

Alright! another chapter completed! I hope you all enjoyed it! I know Alec and Magnus have things to discuss and I promise they will work it out...in due time. PLEASE REVIEW!