My dear friends, you have to trust me and know that i am leading you in the right path. I know the distance between Alec and Magnus is painful and I know last chapter was dull but it was essential to the story. Please don't lose hope in me. Anyway, please enjoy!

Chapter 18

Facing Fears

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Woolsey asked pulling up in front of the manor and glanced at Magnus. He was pale and talked in quick short breaths.
"I have to, or else I won't be free."
"Alright, I'll be here, but if I feel something's wrong or your taking too long, i'm going inside." Magnus nodded his head and opened the passenger door and made his way to the wooden front door. Though it was fairly cool outside and he was wearing a jacket, Magnus couldn't help but feel a shiver run down his spin. He rubbed his hands together trying to calm his nerves. The door opened and for a moment, he thought his father would answer but it was the footman.
"Mr. Bane, Is your father expecting you?"
"No, but I must speak with him." Magnus said. The footman stepped aside for Magnus enter.
"Your father's in a meeting right now, but he should be done in a few minutes. Can I offer you anything to drink?"
"N-no, it's alright. Tell him I'll be waiting in his study." The footman nodded and led Magnus to his father's study. It was like walking down memory lane as he made his way to his father's study. At the party he never paid much attention because he was with Alec but now that he was alone, he examined every detail of the house. Not much had changed except for the few extra furniture and portraits around the house. They reached the study and Magnus remembered the scene that had played with Alec and his father. The footman went over to the fire place and lit a warm fire before taking his leave. Magnus sat down on one of the forest green velvet chairs and crossed a leg over the other. He rested an elbow on the arm and gnawed at his knuckle while he waited. He rehearsed the words he would say to his father over and over until he thought he got it. It had been around ten minutes later when Magnus heard footsteps approaching the study. He stood up and saw a familiar figure stand by the door frame. He swallowed.
"Hello father." The man smirked and shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against the door frame.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I need to talk to you." Magnus said making his voice strong.
"What's that?"
"Alexander's gone. He left for France about a month ago." Magnus started.
"Serves him right, he should run and hide his pathetic face." His father grunted making his way to his desk, annoyed with the issue.
"I'm going after him, father." His father looked up and snorted.
"You can't be serious."
"I am. I love him and I want to be with him." His father tilted his head to the side in amusement.
"Son, your merely chasing after a fantasy, that boy couldn't possibly be worth it."
"No, this," Magnus waving his arm around the room. "This life is the fantasy." Magnus said. "Father, people don't just get what they want, they have to work hard for It."
"You ungrateful child," his father laughed harshly. "You should be lucky that I have provided for you, I have given you everything you ever wanted and you've come here to throw my gratitude back in my face." His father approached Magnus and for a moment terror seized the boy.
"Love," Magnus blurted out.
"What?"
"You haven't given me love. You gave me power, money, control and fear. But you never showed me love."
"Do you hear yourself Magnus? You're spouting nonsense. That boy has bewitched you."
"Alec has shown me love, so much more than you have ever given me in a lifetime. He has done the exact opposite, he has cured me, cured me of you." His father narrowed his eyes and his hand shot out clenched Magnus's shirt. The boy let out a sharp breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"I will not have you speak to me like that do you hear me?" Magnus breath became heavy with fear and anger. He could feel himself trembling and he felt like a coward. The words he wanted to say began to scramble in his mind and he desperately tried to keep them in order.
"You will not control me anymore. I'm done with playing your games; I'm done being afraid of you." Magnus spoke boldly. His father threw back his head and laughed.
"You will always fear me boy-"
"No I won't!" Magnus shouted. "There are things I want to do and I can't do that with you hovering over me."
"What are you saying? Are you, leaving me?" His father hissed.
"If that is the only way, then yes." Magnus said. His father shoved Magnus away from him and the boy stumbled backward. He looked over at his son in disgust and shook his head.
"Exactly what does that boy have to offer you? What is so... special about him?" Magnus looked down at his hands and saw how perfect, how smooth his hands were as if he had never worked a day in his life. Then he remembered the feel, the texture of Alec's hand when they twined fingers. They were rough, built and calloused. A soft smile spread across his face.
"Look at me Magnus. I can assure the answers are not on your hands!" His father demanded.
"That's where your wrong," Magnus said looking up and showing the palm of his hands towards his father.
"His hands are callused from working hard, stained with charcoal from creating masterpieces. He brings character and places to life, he gives them a soul. Father he-"
"And don't forget who you are and what you bring." His father cut in. "Remember, your hands are tainted with blood. Your mother's blood and your step-father's blood." Magnus hitched a breath and cringed. He curled his fingers inwardly as if believing that there was blood on him fingers. "You've killed and destroyed things." His father said coldly taking a step forward. Magnus took a step back away from his father in fear. He felt the tears creep their way in the corners of his eyes.
"I- I've change," Magnus said his voice trembling. "I'm stronger now and Alec he- he can-"
"What? Save you?" His father sneered. Magnus took another step back. "Magnus you are far beyond broken, no one can save you but me."
"No... No!" Magnus cried. His father stepped in front of him and wrapped a large hand mercilessly around his throat and shoved his son against the wall. Magnus gave a short whimper before it was cut short and he was left gagging, the air being cut from him. Flashes of his childhood came flooding back into him. The fears of not being able to breathe, the fear of his father not ever let go and kill him. He remembered begging for him to let go but he had only squeezed harder. Then, at the last second, right before he passed out, his father would let go and walk off leaving him gasping and crying.
"It's not that Alec doesn't deserve you, but you don't deserve him." His father hissed squeezing harder. Magnus felt his vision blur, his lungs ached and he could hear his pulse drum in his head desperately trying to get air. "If you say you're stronger than fight back." His father taunted. Magnus glared at his father knowing well he was aggravating him; remitting him. Magnus wondered, as he began to drift away into unconsciousness if this was how he would live his life. Would his father imprison him in this manor forever? Would he always submit to his father? Then he remembered why he came to his father in the first place, to get away from him. Magnus brought his knee up and slammed it into his father's abdomen and he grunted in surprise. His grip loosened and Magnus knocked his hand away, thrust his fist forward making contact with his father's jaw and dashed to the other side of the room.

"Is that all you got?" His father laughed touching his jaw where Magnus had hit him. "I thought you said you were stronger?"

"Strong is not the same as power father!" Magnus shouted hoarsely. "I am strong in heart, in self control." His father cut him a disgusting look with this green-gold eyes and began stalking towards him and Magnus braced himself waiting for the counter attack when suddenly the sound of the door opened. Woolsey stood at the threshold and looked between the two. His father was breathing hard and Magnus was clutching his throat.
"You're done here Mr. Bane." Woolsey said making his way to Magnus.

"You have no business here Scott!" His father ordered. "This is between me and my son."

"When it involves you inflicting harm on Magnus then it does." His father snarled and bared his teeth. Woolsey grabbed Magnus's arm and dragged him to the door.

"Don't you dare walk away from me! You come back here Magnus!" Magnus turned and locked his eyes with his father's.

"I know I've made mistakes in my life, I know I'm broken, but I'm not going to accept it anymore. I'm going to fix myself and do something with my life. I might not deserve Alec, but I'm going to prove that I love him; even if it takes me the rest of my life." The boy said in a measured and convicting tone and then walked away. Once he was out of the house he bolted down the street, ignoring Woolsey shout after him. He ran a few blocks down before the constants of his stomach lurched upward and he collapsed onto his knees throwing up on the side of the wall. His heart was racing, beads of sweat had formed around his forehead and his body was trembling a great deal that he almost lost balance had there not been a hand to catch him. Woolsey.
"You did well, considering the outcome." Woolsey finally spoke after Magnus was done.
"But I- I don't know if it's over." Magnus confessed looking hopelessly at his friend.
"You showed courage, more than your father gave you credit for. I think you've bought yourself enough time to get a head start." Magnus pulled himself to his feet and nodded. Woolsey handed him a handkerchief and Magnus ran the fabric across his mouth wiping away the salvia that spilled at the corner. Woolsey reached into his inside jacket and pulled out a plane ticket. "I don't know how much longer kitchen boy will wait for you so go now." Magnus took the ticket from his friend and gave him a grateful solemn smile.
"Thank you, for everything. For loving me and chasing after me. Even if it's too late, I'm glad I was able to spend any moment with you."
"Yeah, yeah, save the love talk for someone who really cares" Woolsey said waving his hand. Magnus shook his head and smiled. Just then a black civic pulled up.
"Go home, get cleaned up and then hurry to the airport." Woolsey said opening the door and Magnus stepped inside. When his friend didn't follow he asked, "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to have a quick chat with your father." Magnus narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Woolsey shut the door and Magnus rolled down the window. "Do me a favor; kick that little kitchen's boy ass for me." Woolsey called before the car lurch forward.

Woolsey made his way back to the manor and found Magnus's father seated in the green velvet chair in his study. Magnus's father looked up in annoyance.
"What do you want?" Woolsey casually walked over to the fire and leaned his forearm against the mantel and watched the fire dance before his eyes.
"I'm sure you've done your research about me," Woolsey started. Magnus's father leaned back in his chair as if trying to keep a safe distance between them without showing it.
"I have" He said tightly.
"Then you know about my history and the people I've dealt with." The older man pressed his lip.
"Yes" he said through his teeth. "The Praetor Lupus" Woolsey turned and faced Magnus's father.
"I may not be in London, but they still answer to me; they still follow my orders."
"What are you inquiring Mr. Scott?"
"Should I need something be taken care of, they will be quick to respond."
"Are you threatening me? Because I will not be intimidated!" Magnus's father said rising to his feet.
Woolsey took one stride and was inches away from the other man but he did not reach to grab him. He stood a few inches taller than Magnus's father and he was glad for the height advantage.
"It need not be public. I can have you dealt with swiftly and quietly behind closed doors. Besides, isn't that what you do? Make businesses behind closed doors?"
"Leave, now." The older man huffed. Woolsey smirked and peeled himself away from the man and was about to leave but stopped by the door.
"If you lay a hand on Magnus or Alexander, I will have you hunted and beaten bloody, do you understand?" Not waiting for answer, Woolsey closed the door to the study leaving Magnus' father gapping in fury.

Alright, we are getting somewhere! I hope you guys enjoyed it! It was very dramatic eh? Please let me know how you felt in the REVIEWS!