Isabelle snapped a quick photo and uploaded it to her Instagram. The caption 'he finally thanked his hero' underneath the cutesy picture of Alec and Magnus. There. That should get the internet off his back.

The rest of their meal had gone by flawlessly, as Alec and Magnus hit it off. They'd even come to realize they lived pretty close to each other in New York and had both been placed in the same hotel by the organization.  Isabelle and Raphael both were two happy mother hens watching their respective brother and friend open up.

"Can we do this again?" Asked Alec when they were all saying goodbye.

"I'd love that. Maybe without the others"

"Even better" smiled Alec, a good open smile that made Magnus' insides dance.

The group said goodbye as Alec and Isabelle made it home.

"He was cute" teased his sister playfully.

"Yeah. He was" was all Alec said. Isabelle known he was gay for years now. She was the only one. And the few moments in between when he didn't have to put up a wall were cherished.

"Will you be seeing him again?" she asked excitedly looking over to him.

"We'll see" he muttered. A smile still glued to his face.

The next day Alec woke up early, his headphones in his ears, as he went in for warm ups. His family wouldn't be joining to later, so he was granted the peace of silence as he did his practices. His first event wouldn't be for another 2 hours. He stopped to wonder if Magnus would be here too. Would he be ring side again? He gave a little smile. That would be nice.

Practice went by rather quickly as he changed into his team's designated uniform. His coach had been rather silent this morning, had finally gone to his side and handed him a water.

"Quite a stunt you pulled yesterday" he started.

"Yeah. Sorry coach. I got distracted, won't happen again."

"I would hope not. But you do whatever makes you happy kid. I've been working with you for years. About time you let your true colors show through"

Alec was confused. What? True colors? Maybe his coach was a little jetlagged. Besides, his fail was 2 days ago. He'd been off yesterday. Whatever. He didn't decide to question it.

"Just keep your head up. A lot of reporters are going to have their eyes on you today. It's not every day they get a bombshell thrown to them."

"Trust me coach. I have no intention of falling today"

His coach laughed, a good hearty laugh. "Trust me kid. No one thinks about falling until they are already in too deep and can't live without the other."

Alec shook his head. Clearly, he was missing something.

They walked out the training room doors and onto the floor. His coach had been right as dozens of cameras and people in way too many languages for 8 in the morning crowded him.

"Alec so what can you tell us about your spotter?.. Is it something serious?...... Will this affect your performance this year.... Are you trying to send a message?...... Son novios?...... "

Alec tried to brush them off, he'd learned to ignore reporters as much as possible.

"Alec! What can you tell us about your mystery hero?" screamed out one more grabbing his arm.

"He's amazing. He saved me even if I didn't know it. I couldn't be more grateful to have had him there" was what he forced out. As a wave of aww and smiles passed. He didn't get it.

The rest of the event had gone well. Floor exercises and rings went well as he placed high enough secure a spot in the Tokyo games.  He completely demolished his competition in pummel horse, and had regained whatever confidence he'd lost. After the scores had been given he had a huge smile on his face. He looked out to the crowd, saw his sister cheering and being excited. His mom strangely looked a little concerned. His dad. His dad looked PISSED.

Still he was in a good mood. He wouldn't let that stop his good mood. He scanned the room for any sign of Magnus and found nothing. When he saw him last, he'd told him he was working the event. Where could he be.

Once off the mat he was swarmed again. A plethora of questions again thrown at him. This time, he took the moment the hear the questions and answer.

"Alexander! For starters. Congratulations on your excellent ranking today."

"Thank you"

"But let's talk about the news everyone wants to hear right now! Let's talk about the new man in your life"

"Man in my life?" he asked in confusion.

"The picture uploaded yesterday has been shared well over 1.4 million times. The entire online sporting community is in an uproar. Is this how you wanted to come out to your fans and the world? Are you trying to send a message?"

Alec stood in shock. Picture? What picture? Coming out? What had given anyone the idea he was coming out? He was so careful, online and in person, he never crossed a line!

"I.... I don't understand" he muttered out. The cameras now seeming to glare down at him. The flashes of light and voices although not bothering him earlier, now seemed to be burning into him.

"The rumors say you were spotted yesterday on a date. And even held hands. Can you verify these rumors?"

"How long have you been gay? How has your family reacted to this?...... You called him amazing earlier. Has this been going on for a while?...... What can you tell us about him.... Will you be making any official statements about your coming out......" too many questions for Alec to handle in his current state of mind. He panicked searching for a way out. His eyes searching and pleading for anyone to help. He looked back at his stands. He got it now, why his dad was so angry looking. He turned back to see him, as he shook his head, and walked away. He saw his sister give him a face as she mouthed 'I'm sorry'.

The reporters continued to hound him as he gave the simplest, most non-confirming, answers he could. He would rather fall off the trampoline a hundred times than be here, at least there someone could save him.

An arm reached over and grabbed him.

"Ok Ladies and Gentlemen. Question time is over. Please allow the athlete to return to his locker room" came a voice he recognized, but sadly wasn't one he wanted.

Raphael had come to his aid, dragging him off as the cameras continued to go off. Alec didn't breathe again until he was out of view and the door behind him was shut.

"Dios mio. Que desastre" *my god. What a disaster (or what a mess)* "Wasn't expecting this to blow up."

"Raphael" Alec screamed out, grateful for a familiar face. "Where is Magnus!" he cried out.

"Hiding. Since yesterday he's been hounded every time he left the room. So, he had to stay put."

"But how did everyone find out? What picture? What happened?"

"You might want to talk to your sister."

"DAMN IT IZZY!" he yelled out.

"Relax. She was just trying to help. Neither of us thought this would happen and well now it's too late. You and Magnus' are internet famous."

"But he's ok, right?"

"Yes. Probably bored. Here" Raphael handed him something flat into his palm.

"What's this?"

"What do you think it is?" he muttered sarcastically as Alec saw it was a hotel room key "I figured you might need a hideaway at least for today."

"Thank you." He muttered out weakly. "I don't know how to repay you"

"Just be good to him." Was all he said. As he threw a team Brazil hoodie at Alec and watched the door.

"The back should be clear. I'll keep an eye out here. And at the hotel, go through the fourth floor of the parking garage, it has direct access to the building, you won't be seen"

"Thanks again" he said out, pulling the hoodie over his head and running out the door.

-This is a buffer chapter! Next one will be full of cute fluff followed by the last part-

Also got two new one shot's coming soon. And one of them I will go ahead and apologize for now. Get tissues. Because I needed them while writing.

-★Thoughts? Comments? :D Let me know what you think! Don't forget to ★-