Magnus isn't sure how it happened. He's far too good at portal traveling to fall into such a mess, to be caught unawares as he steps through the glowing circle. But ever since Alec's death months ago, he's been downhearted, depressed, solemn. Easily distracted. One second he's thinking of his apartment, their apartment, their home, and the next his mind is filled with memories. Painful but treasured.

It's enough to make him lose track of where he's going.

Limbo should be the answer. He should be flying through the seam between the fabric of dimensions, never stepping foot in one or the other, never finding his place. But instead he steps out of the portal, the same as any other time, and finds himself in a wood. There are pools here and there, surrounded by trees. It's peaceful, but unnerving in a way, and Magnus wants out.

Especially so when a lion appears.

It's like nothing he's ever seen before, massive and majestic and every nerve in Magnus' body tingles at its presence. Not in a wholly comfortable, thrilling way either. He stares at the beast, full of trepidation, before it does something remarkable.

It calls him by his real name.

The thought to cower leaves him, replaced by an aching sweetness he can't begin to describe. He's known.

"You're hurting."

"Yes."

"That pain will never leave, as you know. But I know a way to ease it."

A green ring appears on Magnus' finger, right beside his wedding ring.

The lion leads him to a pool in particular. Magnus hesitates.

"Can't I stay with you? For a little longer?"

He doesn't understand how he can feel both terrified of and desperate for the lion's attention and presence. But he does. He's not scared of what he might find on the other side of the pool, but he wants to stay in the warm glow of the beast.

"You know better than to stay in one place," the creature says. And, again, he calls him by name, and nudges him towards the water.

Magnus takes a deep breath and leaps.