Chapter 18

Like Father Like Son?

Warning- This chapter contains a gordon ramsey approved amount of swearing and contains super unedited content.

"But the blood in your veins.
though you carry his name
runs thinner than water" - Boyce Avenue (some of my favorite lyrics)

"Did you have a nice walk boys," Agatha asked whilst gulping down her steaming mug of tea.

"Yes Ma'm," Alec replied politely, "it was very enjoyable."

"My dear, how many times do I have to tell you- call me Agatha."

"O-Ok Agatha," Alec said quickly. He wasn't sure why he felt so nervous around the lady. He had met her before and surely Anzo Bane was the person he should be trying to impress. But still- Magnus clearly adored the motherly woman, and Alec was desperate for her to approve.

"So Alec, Magnus tells me you are some kind of genius?"

Alec nearly spat out his mouthful of chicken soup in shock and turned to give Magnus an incredulous look. "I'm not a genius," he said hurriedly, "I have a scholarship to Idris, but it was fairly easy to win and I'm sure there's a lot of luck involved."

"Bollocks," Magnus announced, then nimbly dodged Agatha's scolding hand, "you're so modest Alec, everyone knows you're the hotter reincarnate of Einstein." Agatha raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment.

"Magnus," Alec groaned- he turned to shoot Agatha a despairing look. "Has he always been like this?" he asked, eager for a change in subject.

"Well he's always been a handful," Agatha smiled fondly, "I remember he used to have a thing against bananas, wouldn't go near them and said the smell made him feel sick."

Magnus sighed "bananas are disgusting- I don't know why anyone likes them! Although" he added slyly, "I have no problem with the shape."

Alec groaned, feeling his face resume it's familiar red - his boyfriend was impossible.

"On a completely unrelated note," Magnus chirped standing up, "I'm going to use the loo, ok?" he glanced at Alec who rolled his eyes. "Seriously Magnus, are we in one of those relationships where you have to ask permission for everything 'cause that's kind of weird. "No," Magnus chuckled, "I just…" he looked at Agatha, "go easy on him." Then he left.

The two remaining sat in silence for a while before Agatha said, "you know I've known Magnus for a long time and I can tell he cares about you," -cue blush- "but I just need to know, how much do you care for him? He's had so many people let him down, I couldn't bare to see his heart break again."

Alec smiled at this, is was nice to see that someone else besides himself was looking out for Magnus. " I do care for him," he replied, looking straight into Agathas pale grey eyes, "I…..I love him. So much and I can imagine him being a big part of my life. We've had our struggles, but we've always pulled through, in fact I love him more."

Agatha really smiled at this and she placed a wrinkly hand on top of Alec's, "thank you. You make him so happy, he's lucky to have you."

"I'm the lucky one," Alec mumbled, a grin tugging at his lips.

Agatha chuckled at this and sipped her tea. "How is he taking it?" she asked, "today i mean, how is he coping?"

Alec bit his lip thoughtfully, unsure about spilling Magnus' emotions without his consent…..but surely Agatha would be able to help. "He was really scared last night, I don't think he slept well at all, but he seems to be ok. I don't know," Alec sighed, "it's so hard to tell what he's really feeling sometimes, he's so good at hiding his emotions. I wish he wouldn't" The last part came out as a whisper.

"Don't worry," Agatha soothed, "that's just the way he is, I'm sure he'll open up more in time."

"I hope so, or he'll just end up hurting himself,"

"Who'll end up hurting themselves," a voice asked and Alec turned to see his boyfriend sitting beside him, his hair and makeup retouched.

"Umm...I-the"

"Your peculiar friend Ragnor, I heard he's pursuing Catrina Loss." Alec mmm'd in agreement and nodded. Magnus snorted, "alright, I'll let you off the hook this time, but only because Alec's lying is adorable."Alec blushed and made a mental note to practice deceit.

Magnus then lifted up his glass of Elderflower cordial and said, "to Sarwenda Bane- my mother. You were much loved and are now much missed."

Agatha and Alec lifted their own glasses as well and echoed the toast. Magnus' eyes met Alec's across the table and under the table their hands met and held on tight.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The cool grass whipped the small bit of skin revealed by his too short trousers. The wind scrapped back his fringe and the loose soil beneath his worn boots caused him to slip and slide. Tanned fingers pulled him further up the cliff side, their grip almost painfully tight.

He could barely breath and for a second, worried that he wasn't. They journeyed on up the steep cliff until, finally they reached the top. Alec leant over panting, clutching his side gingerly. They were stood upon a wide grassy expanse that's smooth surface was marred only by a tall twisted oak tree before the ground gave way to a sheer drop to the churning waters below.

Magnus tugged Alec forward, towards the tree and as they grew closer Alec saw that their was an engraving on the bark. "This was my mother's favorite place," he said to Alec, his words barely audible over the wind, "she wanted to be buried here, but my Father wouldn't allow it, plus it's public land." He dug his hands into his pockets and gazed longingly at the words engraved on the ragged bark.

"Sarwenda Bane
(1965- 2013)
Yet in this heart's most sacred place,
thou, alone, shall dwell forever"

"I always come here, when I miss her. Or I need her advice."

Alec held his hand tighter and they watched the tree silently. Finally Magnus stepped forward and knelt in front of the tree, taking a dried flower out of his jacket. He laid it gently at the foot of the tree and reached out to touch the bark, eyes shut.

"mum," he whispered and Alec could barely hear his words. "If you can hear me I miss you and I love you. So much. I'm getting better now, I've stopped all the fighting and the drinking and the one night stands." he laughed bitterly, "you would have been ashamed of me. But now I'm trying. I still miss you as much as I did a year ago, but now I'm trying to live my life the way you would have wanted me to, instead of morning you, I'm keeping your memory alive. Alec is helping me to," his full lips smiled at the name and behind magnus, Alec felt his heart throb with love. "You would have liked Alec," the other boy continued, "he makes me a better person mum and I love him so much."

Alec nearly sobbed with the intensity of the emotion building up inside him and he fell to his knees beside the other boy and curled into his side.
They sat like that for a while, entwined so tightly the rest of the world seemed to disappear until they were somewhere safe and warm, where the wind and rain couldn't reach.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Wow," Alec grinned as they strode into the warm dining room at Magnus' house, "fancy." Magnus rolled his eyes at this, "In the Bane household there's no such thing as a casual family dinner."

Alec looked back at the polished table covered with roses in crystal vases, the abundance of silver cutlery and the glass chandelier that sparkled in the candle light. It was a world apart from the tiny kitchen table he was used to, with a worn down tablecloth and mismatched knives and forks, but somehow the latter seemed more appealing.

They sat down beside each other, Agatha had refused their assistance in the kitchen, and Alec began examining his ornate spoon. "You know you don't have to stay," Magnus said nervously, watching Alec closely.

Alec turned to face him, their knees touching. "Do you want me to stay?" he asked softly. Magnus nodded ever so slightly before leaning forward to kiss him.

The door opened suddenly, causing the couple to jump apart. Anzo Bane, well groomed and impeccably dressed in a emerald suit strode in. His eyes fixing on Magnus and then Alec.

"Father," Magnus said getting to his feet his confident facade almost flawless but broken by the shaking of his hands. "This is my boyfriend Ale-"

"Ahhh, Alexander," Anzo interrupted as he pulled out the seat at the head of the table and sat down, "I see you failed to take my advice, welcome to our far from humble abode." He smiled, lips stretching over his teeth. Alec clutched at the seat of his chair.

"What advice," Magnus scowled, looking between the two.

"Didn't Alexander tell you? He and I had a talk this morning- Man to man- and I gave him a bit of friendly advice."

Magnus looked hurt as he glanced over at his boyfriend who was biting his lips nervously, "Alec?"

"Your father gave me some...advice about...us and- yeah. I…..was going to tell you some other time," Alec explained hesitantly, shooting Magnus an imploring look that conveyed more than his words Despite seeming unconvinced, the taller boy sat back down beside him and took Alec's hand, squeezing it softly.

the door chose that moment to swing open as Agatha, loaded with plates of food, came bustling in. She set one down in front of each of them before sitting down herself, making sure to avoid Anzo's steady gaze.

The food looked lovely. A thick pork steak coated in a sweet glaze and subtly brown was surrounded by butter cooked carrots and perfectly round golden potatoes. However the air was thick with tension and unsaid words meaning that the pork tasted bitter and the potato stuck in Alec's throat. He glanced over at Magnus who was poking his steak with his fork and staring intently at the plate.

They ate in unison.

"Mum wouldn't have wanted this!" Magnus exclaimed suddenly, when Alec had just finished choking down his final potato.

"What do you mean? Your mother loved steak" Anzo sneered.

"This isn't a joke," Magnus snapped back, "You know what I mean. Mum wouldn't have wanted all this silence and tension and you being an asshole and Alec to scared to speak and Agatha's meal to be ruined. She would have wanted us to have a nice time!"

"Well this is completely your fault" Anzo shouted, standing up- his cool facade crumbling. "You had to bring your stupid faggy friend with you, I'm pretty sure she wouldn't have wanted that."

"Don't call him that!" Magnus stood as well, his knuckles white. "mum would have never acted like a homophobic jerk."

"You barely knew her!" Anzo screamed, "All you know is a stupid, perfect mother you created in your head. She was weak. She was a slut. And she didn't give two shits about you and your-"

"STOP IT!" Magnus' chest heaved and his arms shook. Alec wanted to reach out and hold his hand, but didn't want to make things worse. "SHE WAS EVERYTHING TO ME!" Magnus strode around the table until he and Anzo were face to face. "and I'll never forgive you for what you did. You're not my father and you never will be."

Then suddenly magnus was hunched over clutching his stomach as blood poured from three gashes torn into his cheek. Anzo yelled in frustration pacing around the table. "Now look what you made me do," he growled throwing his now bloody fork against the wall.

Alec ran to his boyfriends side and pulled him away from Anzo. Magnus wheezed raggedly and feebling whispered, "go Alec." Alec shook his head and began wiping the blood from the other boys coffee skin with an unused napkin. Agatha was also stood up, but seemed frozen, unsure of whether to confront Anzo or assist Magnus.

When Magnus had finally caught his breath he looked up and gave him a piercing glare filled with so much hatred that Alec flinched. Then he turned on his heels and ran up the stairs dragging Alec with him.

"Magnus I….." Alec started when they reached the other boy's room, but he trailed off unsure what to say. "Stupid bastard," Magnus growled as he pulled a large bag out from under his bed and began throwing random things into it. A clock, a laptop, a pack of condoms, a shirt. "Magnus….what are you doing?" Alec asked timidly.

Magnus stopped and turned his angry gaze on Alec. "What does it look like I'm doing?! I'm fucking leaving! Jesus, for a nerd you sure are thick." Alec bit his lip and looked down, "sorry," he whispered, not wanting to upset Magnus further.

The throwing of clothes, books and shoes continued a bit longer before it slowed and stopped. "shit," a voice muttered and Alec glanced up to see his boyfriend sink dejectedly to the ground. He buried his head in his hands and shook. Alec rushed over, fear forgotten and wrapped the other boy up in his arms.

Magnus' breathing quickened and he collapsed into Alec- a mess of limbs and blood. "I'm sorry," he choked. "I'm so sorry. I'm just like him, I- you should just leave me. I'm poison. Broken."

Alec felt his eyes moisten as he hugged Magnus tighter. "You're not poison, or broken or any of that crap you just spouted. You're an amazing person who has just had a crap life. You never deserved any of it. You're beautiful magnus and you're nothing like Him."

Magnus gulped and tried to regain control of his breathing.

They sat there for a moment more before Magnus clambered to his feet and continued packing. "Come on," he whispered after zipping up his bag of belongings, "lets go."

Together, hand in hand, they walked to the door, down the stairs and out of the house without a single goodbye.

A/N

I swear I'm a sloth in disguise, I update so slow. But seriously AS levels are hard. Plus- contrary to popular belief- I do in fact have a social life, so yeah.

Please leave me a review saying where you want this story to go, 'cause I have a few ideas but i need guidence.

Sawendahs epitaph was a quote from Thomas Moore.

I've answered all the reviewers with accounts but here are the…..duh dud da da da duh da durrr:

Review responses for the acountless!

Syren- Glad you like my disclaimer, I have a degree in 'I think I'm funny'. Thanks for the constructive criticism, i love it when readers have advice 'cause by god i need it :) I get what you mean about jace's explanation about Magnus being a bit out of Character and stunted, but I wanted to get the info in their and jace was there soo…..yeah i'm lazy. Thanks for reading and please review again 3

eriartist- I love PATD too :) my favorite song is probably nine in the afternoon or new perspective. What's yours? glad you like my fic x

Justkindaannoyed - LOVE YOU

BiblophilicLove- IKR, I think I may use that excuse for the rest of my life. Something horrible did happen, but now there's kind of closure i guess, at least for now.

Thanks for reviewing you lovely, gorgeous people.
Lots of virtual love
Amy
xxx