Hi guys! I'm sorry for lying to you about hopefully uploading a chapter within a few days after chapter 17. I don't know when I'll upload the next chapter but I hope you enjoy this one! You know I love you and your lovely reviews ;)

"Hey, it's me - why haven't you called me back?" Jace wondered over the phone

"Maybe because I haven't had the time? Besides, it's 7 in the morning" Alec mumbled in reply as he pulled on one of his sleeves

"So? What's going on?"

Alec sighed and leaned his head against the wall "I screwed up"

"What do you mean? What are you-"

"I screwed up, I screwed e-everything up" Alec repeated hoarsely as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Talk to me brother" Jace begged

Alec silently bit his lip. Could he really tell him what had happened? How did you tell someone that you'd threatened the one you love with a knife?

"I...I fell asleep at the kitchen table and - and I had a nightmare and next thing I knew I was holding a knife against his throat Jace" His hands were shaking now as he hear Jace's reply

"Against whose throat?" Alec knew that Jace already knew the answer.

"Magnus!"

If Alec could have seen Jace instead of talking with him over the phone, Alec would have watched him sink down on a chair "Is he alright? Are you alright?" he wondered

"Of course not!" Alec half-yelled back but he wasn't mad at Jace. Just at himself "Sorry"

"It's..Don't worry, just - Did you get my message?"

"I got it" Alec mumbled "What did she say?"

"Who? Oh, you mean Izzy" Jace replied

"Yes" Alec said and couldn't help but roll his eyes

"Well..it's more of what she did actually - "

"Oh no…" Alec whined and massaged the bridge of his nose

"She's really pissed at Robert obviously"

"I told you to leave it alone Jace"

"He knows you're with Magnus aswell," Jace continued, ignoring Alec's words."When are you coming home?"

The words made Alec feel sick. Home, he thought. What was going to happen when he showed up with Magnus? Magnus wanted to talk to Robert. Alec didn't.

"Alec?" Jace said over the phone, making Alec to come out of his thoughts "Hm?"

"I said when are you-"

"Uhm, today I guess...or tomorrow"

Alec could hear Magnus calling out his name and the smell of coffee "I have to go. I'll text you or something. Bye"

Alec stood up, still a little dizzy as he saw Magnus, leaning against the doorframe "Brought you some coffee" Alec couldn't look at him. He just couldn't. "Thank you."

Magnus smiled weakly at him "You're welcome. Are you ready to talk to me now?"
Alec shook his head "No thanks"

"Always so polite" Magnus smiled weakly at him as he took a step closer and let his fingers find their way through Alec's hair like many times before. Alec closed his eyes as in a habit, Magnus ways always so soft, so common - like home. Alec's own thoughts made him open his eyes again. "I'm sorry but we have to. Let me help you" Magnus whispered and leaned in to kiss his boyfriend's forehead. Alec shook his head once again before he felt Magnus's arms around his body. He hid his face in the Warlock's chest. "I' can handle it"

"With a little help, yes. But not like this" Magnus said softly but Alec then noticed that he stiffened a little "Does Jace know?"

The scene hit Alec like cold water and he tried to move out of the grip. He unconsciously touched his nose and the words mixed with his memory took Alec back to his father's office. Does he know?"

"M-Magnus.." Alec stammered

"Well? I'm not mad at you for telling him Alexander" Magnus said. It was true, he wasn't mad - more disappointed. He wished that Alec had told him about all of this sooner.

"He knows. And now Izzy knows too" Alec bowed his head just so Magnus could tilt it back up and stroke his cheek. "Oh Alec"

"I don't want to go home" Alec told him and before Magnus could object or even reply, Alec was heading towards the living room, the Warlock following. "I know you don't, but this won't solve anything darling"

"Neither does me coming home just to get hit again" He had said the words before he could stop himself. Alec still wasn't used to say them out loud and he noticed how Magnus tensed before he said "I won't let that happen again Alexander. Trust me."