A/N: This is a companion chapter that I hadn't originally planned on adding but here it is. Its much more Malec centric and less heartbreaking.
No real warnings for this chapter.
Alec woke up but didn't open his eyes. He couldn't. His head was throbbing, matching the pain on his collar bone. He felt sore all over, like he'd been hit by a truck. The skin of his neck and down to the left side his chest felt like it was singed by fire and still burning. He inhaled sharply, hoping the pain would subside sooner rather than later. Someone moved on his left, making a soft, slightly undignified, noise, indicating that Alec's awakening had startled them. He felt a warm hand surround his in a tight grip. He recognized the fingers as Magnus's, having felt his hands numerous times, and squeezed back gently.
"Alec?"
Alec could have smiled. He had been correct. Magnus was there. Everything was okay.
But then again, where was 'there'? Why couldn't he stop the burning of his skin?
He opened his eyes for the first time, desperately ignoring the pulsating pain in his temple. His eyes took a second to adjust to the light before he realized he was staring directly into two familiar feline eyes. He had never been happier to see that golden and green color.
"Magnus?" He croaked, blinking a few times and testing the movement of his neck. "What happened—Why am I in the infirmary?" He added suddenly, realizing where he was.
The infirmary looked the same as it always did. Pristine walls and floor tiles, cabinets and shelves stocked with supplies. It looked the same as it did when Magnus had cured him after his encounter with the Greater Demon, Abaddon. That was before they were dating, yet Alec remembers fondly of how Magnus's hands were the only thing left anchoring him to sanity. How he seemed to have feelings for Magnus even before he admitted it.
"Do you... What do you remember?" Magnus asked gently. Alec thought for a minute, his head still spinning. He was reminded of the burning at his throat and reached up to touch it. When his fingers brushed his skin, he cried out in pain. The memory of the night before was clear in his mind.
"Alec, don't do that! Be careful! You don't want to make it worse." Magnus said, snatching Alec's hand away from the skin at his throat.
"Be careful?" Alec repeated. "You're the one who flung me at a wall! On that note: What the hell was that about?"
"I needed you to get away! I couldn't heal Jace if you were shaking him and yelling. You were making things worse, so I reacted." Magnus defended. "I'm sorry about that, alright? I threw you a little harder then I should have; hence your..." Magnus looked up at the ceiling, formulating the correct wording. "Minor skull fracture—"
"Magnus!" Alec exclaimed, bringing his left hand up to his head.
"Hey! I healed Jace! So maybe we can save this argument for later and you can skip to the gratitude." Magnus insisted. Alec froze.
"You... You healed Jace?" His words were full of disbelief. His Parabatai rune had faded almost completely. Once you get to that point, your Parabatai is beyond help.
"I think a 'Thank you, Magnus; You are the greatest boyfriend in the whole wide world' is well deserved, don't you?"
Alec was still frozen in disbelief, but managed to reply.
"I... I just... Wow, Magnus...You..." He paused. "I just realized..."
"Just realized what?"
"That there is not a single part of me that is not completely in love with you."
It took Magnus a whole .2 seconds to register this comment before kissing him deeply, carefully avoiding the patches inflamed skin. Alec tried to reciprocate the kiss but his body protested by sending waves of discomfort through him. He stopped trying and allowed Magnus to do as he pleased. When they broke apart Alec held Magnus's head down for a moment.
"When I get better, I'm going to thank you properly." He promised. Magnus's mouth quirked into an amused smile.
"I'm gonna hold you to that, Nephilim."
"Good god, Does ANYONE care that I'm in this room too?" An annoyed, groggy, and slightly scandalized, voice interrupted.
Alec tried to sit up but Magnus held him down. He was able to turn his head enough to see Jace lying in the bed next to his.
"Jace! You're alive." Alec breathed, happy to confirm his Parabatai's safety with his own eyes.
"Unfortunately." Jace groaned sarcastically, flinching with irritation when every move meant more pain. "It doesn't help that I have to listen to you two love birds chatter on about your active sexual lives, while I, on the other hand, will not even be able to move for several weeks."
"Stop your moaning, Blondie. Don't make me regret that I saved your sorry Shadowhunter behind." Magnus quipped.
"Speaking of which, how did you do it?" Jace inquired. "Judging by Alec's horrendous rune reaction, I was already down the rabbit hole. You can't revive someone and maintain their original Parabatai bond. It isn't done."
"Well, I did it. The least you could say is thank you." Magnus huffed.
"But why? Why did you do it?" Jace pestered. "Don't say it was, 'for Alec' 'cause that much is obvious. I want the other reasons." Magnus frowned.
"I've seen a lot of death in my life." Magnus started gravely. "In fact, I've seen enough death. Your siblings here have seen death as well. They are young and didn't deserve another burden."
"Is that all?"
"No, actually, it isn't." He stated, taking the bait, his voice rising. "I will have you know that I have buried a Herondale once before and do not want to do it again; Even if he was a pure hearted young man and you are a selfish, entitled, brat. Is that a good enough reason for you?" Magnus spat. Alec rubbed circles in Magnus's hand with his thumb. His eyes told Magnus to leave it and ignore Jace's attempts to wind him up.
For the first time in a long time, Jace had nothing negative to say. No witty remark. Not one attempt at a smart-ass reply.
"Thank you." Jace said after a long minute, seeming somewhat surprised at himself for actually saying it aloud. Alec looked astonished and Magnus was speechless. "For saving my life and our Parabatai bond." He continued. "Alec means the world to me. My debt is beyond what can possibly be repaid. You will forever have my gratitude." Magnus took a second before he nodded once, acknowledging Jace's sudden change of mindset.
"You two should get some rest." Magnus said finally. He sounded exhausted himself. "You need to heal and I need some time to recharge. My magic is still on low from last night. You gave us quite a scare, Mr. Herondale. Sweet dreams; don't let the vampires bite!"
Jace rolled his eyes before closing them and beginning to drift off, not needing to be told twice.
"Are you going to leave?" Alec whispered. A drowsy, apologetic, smile told him the answer was, unfortunately, yes.
"I'll be back in the morning, love, I promise."
"Okay."
Magnus leaned down and kissed Alec's forehead. Alec closed his eyes and relished in the few brief moments of contact before Magnus stood up straight. He brushed the hair away from Alec's eyes and smiled.
"I love you." Magnus whispered. Alec looked up at him.
"I love you too."
Magnus's fingers trailed down Alec's cheek before he started to walk away.
"Get some rest." Magnus said upon approaching the door. Alec nodded and closed his eyes once more, glad that everyone was safe... For now at least.
But that was the best someone like him could hope for.
So he slept.
A/N: Thank you for sticking around! This chapter was equally as fun to write and I enjoyed it immensely! I hope this makes up for the earlier trauma...
Leave your comments, questions, insults, and compliments in the review!