"Alexander," Magnus spoke as he followed him "Come on darling"

Alec stopped and turned around to look at him, his hands in his hair "It-It won't be over Magnus! Tomorrow I'm going to have to face him again and he's going to see you and-"

"And I will talk to him and he will leave you alone." Magnus finished for him. He watched the boy shake his head while biting on his bottom lip

"How do you know that?"

"I do. Do you trust me?"

Alec groaned and turned around, walking back and forth through the room, mumbling to himself.

Why couldn't his just accept him? Why couldn't he accept him and leave him alone? Alec's mind was spinning when Magnus's voice pulled him back.

"Alexander."

Alec looked up and Magnus met his worried and unfocused, glossy eyes.

"Do you trust me?" Magnus repeated.

"I… Of course I do, I don't - I don't trust him" Alec mumbled hoarsely. He looked down to the floor, closing his eyes as if to calm himself when he felt Magnus hands on his shoulders.

"Look at me," Magnus almost whispered. When Alec didn't do as he said he tried again. "Please, look at me"

Magnus reassuring voice did make Alec to look up. He tried to focus on his boyfriend's face, but the tears made his sight blurry.

"I won't let him hurt you. I won't. Ever. Do you hear me?"

Alec nodded and tried to swallow back the lump in his throat.

"Do you believe me?" Magnus said, his steady eyes searching Alec's.

Alec opened his mouth to speak, to say yes, but nothing came out. Instead he nodded, confident. He sighed tiredly and closed his eyes as he felt a tear slip down his cheek, just for Magnus fingertips to catch. Soon Alec's slightly trembling lips was covered with Magnus and it felt like he could breath again. He relaxed and placed his arms around his boyfriend's neck, resting his forehead against Magnus.

"I believe you" Alec breathed.

- x-x-x-

They spent the rest of the day in front of the TV, relaxing and watching a movie or two while cuddling on the sofa. Alec tried to not think too much about what was going to happen tomorrow. He tucked his head under Magnus jaw and sighed before pressing his lips on the Warlock's neck. Magnus hummed "You tired?"

Alec shook his head and intertwined their fingers "Not really, you?"

"I'm alright" Magnus said and stroked Alec's hair. Chairman jumped up beside Alec, staring at him a little too long "I think he's hungry though" Alec chuckled and scratched the cat's ear.

"Always needs the attention" Magnus mumbled, but with a smile, and snapped his fingers "There. Happy?"

The Chairman meowed and jumped down on the floor and started eating. A noice from Alec's stomach made Magnus laugh "He's not the only one it seems. It's been a while since you had something."

"I guess. Alright, but I'm feeling too lazy to cook."

"How about we order some pizza?" Magnus suggested and Alec nodded in agreement. Magnus snapped his fingers once again and a pizza was right in front of them on the table. "Voila!"

Alec rolled his eyes while opening the box.

"Oh come on, you like it" Magnus chuckled and leaned forward to kiss Alec's cheek

Alec half-moaned as he took a bite of the pizza slice "You're right, I do."

Isabelle and Jace had spent the afternoon in each other's company. They had stayed in the library, Jace sitting by the piano for the last half hour and Isabelle lying on one of the sofas.
She had told Jace about the phone call, still a little upset, or rather, confused about Alec's reaction about what had happened.

"He doesn't want you to blame yourself," Jace said between the playing "Isn't it obvious? It's Alec we're talking about."

"I know, but he's blaming himself," Isabelle said "How's that fair?"

"It's not. It's definitely not."

"Hm."

Jace sighed and stopped playing "What?"

"I just.." Isabelle bit her bottom lip and sat up " I've watched him struggle with this for so long, not this, but..his feelings, coming out, mom and dad, Magnus. Why can't he just get to enjoy it? To be happy? What kind of parent does not want their children to be happy?"

Jace opened his mouth to reply when Maryse walked in "Dinner's ready."

"Be there in five?" Isabelle said, looking from Jace to Maryse who nodded.

"Do you think she heard us?" Isabelle asked after she had left. Jace shrugged and ran a hand through his hair "I don't know."

They walked into the kitchen a few minutes later.

"Where's dad?" Jace asked, pulling out the chair.

"In his office, said he would eat something later," Maryse mumbled and put some food on her plate.

"Good," Isabelle mumbled before she sat down, just to recieve a look from her mother "What?"

"Is there something I should know? Something we need to talk about?"

"No, it's fine" Jace said before Isabelle could open her mouth.

Maryse watched them over her glass of water "Alright. Where's Alec?"

"He's over at Magnus."

"Is he feeling better? When did he leave?" Maryse wondered. She felt bad that she hadn't talked to him since last dinner, but assumed that everything between him and Magnus was sorted out now.

"Last night, uhm - I think he's coming back tomorrow." Isabelle said and took another piece of the sausage.

"Is he alright?" Maryse continued, looking at Jace who nodded "Yeah, yeah he's fine."

He could feel Isabelle's eyes on him as he spoke. It felt bad to lie to their mother, but he figured Alec would not forgive him in the next ten years if he actually told her. He hoped Isabelle understood.
For now, they left it at that, although Maryse didn't quite believe them.