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alexanderlightweight · 1 year

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How about one where Alec’s siblings try to give him an ultimatum after he and Magnus start dating. Like it’s him or us kind of thing?

Hey! Thanks for prompt!! Hope you enjoy 💜

—

“Do you even think before you spew shit out?” Alec asks, having perfectly thought out what he himself was going to say. “No—“ he holds up a hand. “Don’t actually try to answer that, I have no faith in whatever you’re about to say. So tell me one thing, just one thing. Did the four of you—“ Alec pauses and gives Simon what he knows the vampire calls his ‘disappointed assassin!dad look’. He goes even paler under his death pallor and Alec sighs. “Did you even consider how dangerous what you're asking could be for Magnus?”

“Magnus is more than powerful enough, we all know that now.” Clary explains, like that makes it better.

It doesn’t.

“It’s not about if he’s capable. Obviously he’s powerful enough. It’s about whether or not even the slightest risk to Magnus’ safety is worth the outcome you’re trying to get. And it’s not. I’ve run the risk and it’s not an acceptable one.”

“You’re seriously going to choose your boyfriend over the mission?” Jace asks and Alec sends him a dry, unimpressed look at the hypocrisy.

“At least he is my boyfriend.” Alec murmurs, because Jace didn’t even have an official relationship to blame for his actions regarding Clary for a long time.

“Okay.” And Alec settles in his chair and clears his throat. “So here’s what we’re not going to do. We’re not going to do the ‘you’re picking Magnus over the mission. Or ‘you’re picking Magnus over me’.” And here he gives them all a tired look.

“It’s going to be yes, obviously I’m going to pick Magnus. I've lost Magnus three times now and each time the likelihood of getting him back became less and less each time. Magnus is my husband. I don’t care who it is. You could be bleeding out, begging me with your whole soul to do something that would put him even just a little bit of harm's way, and I’d say no.

“Because it’s not Magnus’ job or responsibility to do such a thing. And as your superior, I’m telling you right now, that no one will argue with me. Because every single Institute in this realm knows that Magnus Bane has a very protective, possessive asshole of a boyfriend. One who legally jacked up the price of every single magical and mundane service Magnus offers to the clave. And currently, the New York Institute doesn’t have the funds to pay his rates. Because we’re still paying off the debt you four — and yes Simon you are included in that thanks to Clary and Izzy — all racked up, calling Magnus like you had a stack of quarters and he’s an arcade.”

Alec takes a weary breath and ignores Simon murmuring, “how does he know what an arcade is?”

And Izzy’s quick and quiet, “Magnus took him and Madzie to one.”

It’s only Alec’s business if he enjoys showing off the knowledge he learns at Magnus’ side.

“So you three are going off duty. Turn your phones in to Andrew. You can go through our databases and see if there’s a warlock who would be willing to work with you in our pay grade. Simon, leave.”

“You can’t take our phones!�� Clary protests and while Alec doesn’t actively hate her anymore, his glare still stops her in her tracks.

Alec will assign her ichor duty if she shows insubordination and she knows it.

“If I leave you your phones, you’re just going to call every single downworlder you know starting with Magnus.” Alec knows exactly how this plays out. “You’ll interrupt the valuable time of people who have frankly, more important things to do than save you some time and brain power.

“And even if one of them, maybe Maia, is willing to help you out, she’s a mixologist learning to be a marine biologist. She’s not going to know shit about the kind of abilities you need. So you’d just be wasting her time twice over

“So look through the database, ignore any clave bias in the portfolios and be respectful when you call. You’re making a request, not a demand.”

Alec is very pleased with himself, even if the group is looking at him with varying degrees of confusion and irritation. And then he hears a noise and looks over them to see Magnus.

Magnus is watching him with his gold eyes melting into amber the longer their gazes stay connected.

“We are gonna just go.” Simon mutters, “right now. Immediately, we should definitely go. I will leave. Text me when you’re not grounded and get your cell phones back okay?”

“We’re not grounded.” Clary quietly protests but Jace clamps a hand over her mouth, probably recognizing the look on their faces from his ill-fated stay at the loft.

“Uh, assassin-daddy-vibes over there definitely grounded you. And because my life might be at stake—“ Simon waggles his brows and ignores the groans. “I am definitely obeying his house rules. And also I think I might be either mentally scarred for life or forced to confront parts of me I am not prepared for if I have to watch them jump each other.”

Alec ignores them.

This is the reason why he lets them keep Simon around, he’s like a little Shetland sheepdog desperately trying to keep his incredibly reckless ponies together.

“That all sounded very familiar.” Magnus says quietly as he steps past them, shutting the door behind him as. There is something soft and almost uncertain when he asks.

“I try to listen when you talk.” Alec admits and shrugs his shoulders, “sometimes it’s hard when I’m tired. Or if it’s something frustrating because I don’t understand. But I figure if I don’t understand it I just need to listen harder.”

“Even my clave hating rants at six am when you’re covered in ichor and passing out on me in the shower?”

Alec shrugs again, “sometimes those are the most important ones. You got hurt and we were separated because the clave summoned us to two different battles. Because your safety isn’t a priority for them. It’s why I put so many new protocols in place. The only one I can trust to protect your back is me.” Alec believes it wholeheartedly.

He trusts no single other person to put Magnus’ well being above the world. Because even Cat now has Madzie and they lost Ragnor. And one night; when Magnus had taken Madzie out for a movie, Cat had come over to talk.

Because she could not handle not having the assurance of someone who would put Magnus first. And she didn’t trust Alec, not until he spilled his blood and swore a secret vow.

And so the two of them; they’d promised each other. That Cat would always put the little girl the three of them loved first.

And Alec would always put Magnus before anything. Even above the survival of their realm.

Alec will cut out his own heart if it means Magnus’ still beats and Cat watched him swear that vow on his runes and divinity and had finally known some peace. Because Alec is also willing to lose a piece of his soul if it means keeping Magnus safe; and Cat knows that too.

“My darling,” Magnus murmurs and Alec will always endeavor to put that look on his face. “And you’d choose me over any of them.”

Magnus says it wonderingly, like it’s a deep shock and his hands are cupping Alec’s face and he wants to meld into them as he nods.

And Alec knows Magnus won’t entirely believe him, and it’s not Magnus’ fault that he can’t yet.

But Alec is going to spend every day of the rest of his life proving that he will always and forever put Magnus first.

Like he should have done from the start.

“I’m a selfish man.” Alec admits softly, “how can I not put you first, when you’re the very heart of me?”

#shadowhunters #mood #magnus bane #alec lightwood #malec #immortal husbands #writing wednesdays #writing wednesday #lumine writes #my fics #my fanfics #my ficlets #prompt fic #prompt fill

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khaleesiofalicante · 9 months

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If the TMI gang were a band which instruments would they play and who would be the singer/front person?

Ha!

I have thought about this extensively. Because of an au in my mind.

Magnus is the lead singer. Jace and Izzy are guitarists. Alec is on the drums. (it's a rock band okay??? because i love rock!)

Clary is the fan who starts dating the band member (living the dream) and Simon is the band manager (and they figure out he can sing too??) and he falls for Izzy and acts like he is not in love with her.

And of course Magnus and Alec are secretly sleeping with each other.

IT'S SO CHAOTIC AND I LOVE THIS AU.

#it lives rent free in my mind :)#tmi gang

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daily-clace · 1 year

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Hi!!

Don't you just love it when you read about Clace as side characters and they're just being a cute couple?

I've been reading TDA, The Tales from Shadowhunters Academy and the extras and just enjoying seeing Clace from the other characters pov, just them being "Jace's expression softened looking Clary" or "Clary and Jace are weirdly good together" etc, "Jace sleeping on Clary's lap" or "I've never seen anyone else in love like them (....)" or "Jace and Clary can always be persuaded to go together" or when Jace says "where Clary go I go" in TFTSA

I'm paraphrasing obviously cuz i can't remember the exact quotes but yeah 💖💖💖

And I've also noticed how they're actually quite a playful couple--outside of their own books, cuz when we're reading from Clary's and Jace's perspectives, they seem quite serious sometimes since we're reading their thoughts basically

But i love how to other characters, they're portrayed as still acting like teens and early adults later on. I just--Cassandra Clare *chefs kiss*

Closest example i remember rn since I've just finished TFTSA is when Sizzy and Clace had this double date and Clace is just playing footsie under the table (and Jace may have accidentally rubbed his leg against Simon's) xDD

They're just---Clary and Jace are so cute individually and also in love i just 🥺🥺🥺💖

This is not an ask or anything but i just needed to write this down somewhere cuz I have all these new feelings about them from rereading xD (I read TMI years ago but only just started the other series now)

I'm sorry for the long 'ask' and thank you for your daily Clace quotes! 💖🦆

Hi, love! :D

I'm so sorry for taking so long to answer!! But my life was chaotic this week and I didn't have a lot of time on tumblr and I didn't want to give you a lame answer of three words or something like that 🫣But it's finally saturday and it looks like my life it's back under control, well mostly anyways, so I got some time to fangirl now 😌

Yes!!! I totally do!! I mean, I love TMI of course, but my kids suffered a LOT on those books, so reading about Clace from different characters' perspective on other books it's so refreshing! I love it 🤩🥰

Like how they notice the way Clary touches Jace or how Jace looks at Clary, the way some people is even jealous of their relationship or think they would never fit with someone else the way Jace and Clary do, how in love they are, I'm all here for it!!! 🤩🤩💕

And yes! The playful part 😂😂 I agree, they seem a lot more serious with each other on their books. I love their dynamic in CoB because they got more into each other nerves in that book 😂 But I can't blame them, I mean, CoA and most of CoG was pure hell for them. CoFA wasn't much better. CoLS wasn't really Jace and CoHF (my favorite btw) they were a little more playful in that one. Point is, they were facing some serious problems in TMI, I understand Cassie didn't portrayed them more playful with each other on those books 🫠 So I'm so happy to see them in the other books, happy and confident in their relationship 🥰🥺 I mean, it’s also canon that they are playful with each other even during sexy times 😂😏🔥

And bestie, how they seem to be able to have sex on almost every place? Like on the floor in faerie? They can. On the floor in the greenhouse? They can. Let's not even start talking about caves in Hell. They have no chill 😂😂😂

Also Clary smacking Jace every now and then is so funny to me, they're that kind of couple 😂😭😂

BESTIE NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR A LONG ASK ON MY BOX. I love to receive asks!!! Especially about some fangirling about Clace 😌😌✨

#dailyclace #clace #jace herondale #clary fairchild #ask #🌻✨

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takaraphoenix · 11 months

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Spike for the character ask game please, and if that has been done already, Izzy Lightwood

OHOHOHO MY BOY! YES you can ask my boy!! Blorbos are always welcome *^* And I'll take Izzy too ;D Thanks for playing, dear! <3

SPIKE:

Favorite romantic ship(s): BUFFY by a mile, but also Drusilla because Spike would not be Spike without Drusilla and these two with their Morticia/Gomez vibe *chef's kiss*, also in a very decided "I do not want to see them date ever but I need the canon that these bitches are exes, it is very important to me, and to them" Angel and Spike

LGBT+ headcanon(s): bisexual, I know he never gets a canon label assigned and they treated it more as a ~joke~ but they gave me "Spike and Angel fucked" and if they thought that I'm not taking that for my bisexual polyamorous Spike (twas an evil polycule <3), also I headcanon him as enby!

Job headcanon (in an AU/or future): this loser is unemployed and meant to be a trophy husband to his girlboss wife <3

Favorite canon thing about them: that he is bisexual, even if they don't label it and treat it as a joke, and that he loves with his whole chest and heart and everything like this man went and got his soul back for love!!

Least favorite canon thing about them: *dissociates as I stare at Seeing Red* I hate you, Joss, for hating Spike (and for many other things)

IZZY LIGHTWOOD:

Favorite romantic ship(s): LYDIA, Raphael, Simon, Aline, Helen, Clary, in an AU I like the idea of her and Sebastian

Favorite platonic dynamic(s): Jace and Alec!, Clary, I still think her and Magnus would have had tremendous potential if the show cared about platonic dynamics (fashion icons with snark who care about Alec? C'mon. How did they never bond)

LGBT+ headcanon(s): mmh I don't think I ever really decided whether I headcanon her as bisexual or pansexual...

Job headcanon (in an AU/or future): either a doctor, or a tattoo artist/jewel designer (that cover story of hers kind of stuck with me and I like to keep the Shadowhunter aesthetic of runes in some kind of way through tattoos)

Animal shifter headcanon: I mean, a snake offers itself to her, but I lean toward birds for the Shadowhunters and there, I like to make her a peacock

Favorite canon thing about them: that she can do basically anything, I mean she is a badass fighter, she is a forensic scientist, a general scientist and kind of doctor?, she can forge weapons, what CAN'T she do!

Least favorite canon thing about them: Ironically, the same as my favorite thing, because while I can use it as "she is very talented", on a writing-level it just always came off as "we need a Shadowhunter to do x uuuh let's use Izzy" and I didn't like that, because it didn't feel like it was about her

Character Ask Game

#Isabelle Lightwood #Shadowhunters #Spike BtVS #Buffy the Vampire Slayer #Character Ask Game #send me asks

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uptoolateart · 2 years

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Miraculous and the Rules of Romance

So, here’s another one I drafted months ago and realised I really ought to post before things get super out of date after season 5 begins.

As a writer, I love analysing story elements and structure, and how it all comes together – or how people choose to subvert the ‘rules’. And one of the things I find so much fun about ‘Miraculous’ is the way it plays with the rules of romance, which I’m going to explore here.

Character Tropes

In your typical romance story, you tend to see the same types of heroes and heroines, e.g. the alpha male and the brainy mouse, or the femme fatale and the nerd, and so forth. The fun comes from pitting these tropes together and exploring the sparks that fly from their interactions. Something I think ‘Miraculous’ does so well is that the dual identity thing allows our hero and heroine each to embody multiple tropes at once.

Being more specific, Marinette is a brainy mouse and the fearless independent woman (Ladybug). Adrien plays at the alpha when he’s Cat Noir, and there’s an edge of the clown. But as Adrien, he’s the beta, who usually gets stuffed into the friend zone while the alpha wins the girl. If you ever read ‘The Mortal Instruments’, think of Simon versus Jace and you’ll know what I mean. ‘Miraculous’ is intriguing for selecting the beta as the male love interest over the alpha alter ego – although I have said before that a large part of Adrien’s journey is to become the alpha and define this on his terms, i.e. using his natural kindness as his power.

These kinds of tropes hark back to things like ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Gone with the Wind’. The latter illustrates the idea of the love triangle perfectly. Rhett is your classic alpha male, while Ashley is the beta. Although Ashley is the war hero, he comes home a broken man and becomes subservient to Scarlet. His part in the story is by and large his struggle to define himself as a man, which we could say applies to Adrien, too.

Like Adrien, Ashley is the eldest / only son of a rich family where he is destined to carry on his father’s legacy – but he turns out not to have the constitution for it. This leaves him feeling like a failure, forced to be taken care of by a woman. In the Civil War times, and the 1930s when ‘Gone with the Wind’ was written, this would have been hard to swallow. (Sadly, there are many who still find it difficult today.) Adrien is more modern than that and happy to take instruction from a female – Ladybug – but he still battles with role as the chosen son. (I’m going to talk about the theme of masculinity in a future post.)

As Cat Noir, Adrien becomes more like Rhett. Because he never appears to take anything seriously, no one else takes him seriously, until it becomes clear with time that he is more sincere than he seemed. In ‘Gone with the Wind’, this revelation comes too late and with tragic consequences. In ‘Miraculous’, Adrien is learning these lessons sooner and we’re seeing it play out for the best.

Obstacles

Romance is at its most tantalising when the couple haven’t got together yet – you spend the whole time waiting for them to hook up. To give a personal example, it’s almost a matter of cruelty that I’ve been left waiting for the third book of Cassandra Clare’s ‘The Last Hours’ trilogy for two years and counting. Come on! That cliff hanger at the end of book 2…! I know James and Cordelia get together in the end. That’s the rule. But it’s still physically painful watching the dramatic irony and the constant near misses. But it is exactly that that keeps us reading. We can’t put these stories down until we’re put out of our misery.

Every time we think Adrien and Marinette are about to come together, they get blocked, and this is part of what keeps us watching. And because we are told repeatedly that ‘those two were made for each other’, the obstacles have to be kept creative and even tragic, to keep the story spinning and the tension high.

If only…!

When I say ‘tragic’, I mean all the ‘if only…’ moments. Think of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ – if only the nurse had delivered the message in time…! In ‘Gone with the Wind’, if only Scarlet had just told Rhett what she was feeling…! In ‘Miraculous’, we seem to get these moments in every single episode. How many times have our beloved heroes been on the verge of some kind of revelation, only to have it interrupted at the crucial point?

What we’re seeing is that a big part of these romance stories comes down to communication. Things unfold the way they do because people fail to talk to each other. Marinette does not talk to Adrien the way she should, for instance. Ladybug doesn’t talk to Cat the way she should. Um…there’s a lot of her just not talking to people when she should.

It’s a kids’ show, supposedly, so of course they have to come together, after all this drama. I like to think that by the end of season 4 we saw them learning to communicate – at last. With that as the foundation, who knows? Maybe we’ll finally find out their hamster’s name! I’d love it if they had the same name in mind. Any suggestions??

Until next time….

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ladyhindsight · 1 year

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We’re almost 3/4 into the story but the story continues on as flat as ever. The pace does not pick up. It doesn’t seem like the culmination of any of the events in the story is arriving. There isn’t a lot to note on because I’m irate just about everything in this book.

Jace is staying in the Silent City and serves us another The Infernal Deviced reference. But again, these references aren’t just left there to be found. No, this one is underlined with Jace’s wonder, signaling some form of significance.

→ Someone had carved the letters JG into the stone just above the bedstead. There was nothing else in the room....

Jace dreams and sees Max in this dream.

Let’s go back to City of Glass chapter 6 and this quote then:

Jace knew he was being cruel, and he barely cared. Hurting people he loved was almost as good as hurting himself when he was in this kind of mood.

Sure, dream “Max”

Max then beckons Jace to accept a rune that supposedly will forever fix Jace’s issues and he could be free once again to be with Clary.

But, alas. It was a trap. Who would’ve thought.

→ A spear of agony went through Jace, as if the skin on his chest were burning.

Jace is, once again, in trouble. We get back to Simon and Jordan who are talking about the Maureen situation. They are still trying to figure out who the tracksuit gang and the extortionists are while having but barely any effort in finding out the whole story so far.

Simon calls Isabelle and spills the beans about biting Maureen.

She sounded unworried → sure. Which made sense → because you are trying to convince the narrative of it making sense? Also, it’s a marvel that no one loses their trust in Clary or Jace after this whole thing. Of course, Clary would lie, and Simon should be the first to know that.

They agree to meet up at the Ironworks party and plan the next steps they’re going to take regarding this Maureen/Chirch of Talto business.

Haha. Funny. Cut this and it actually shows. ↓

“I guess you’re coming as my date now.” Simon shoved the phone back into his pocket.

“We’d better get you something nice to wear then,” said Jordan as Simon headed back into his room. “I want you to look pretty.”

So there’s the Ironworks party held by Luke’s pack in celebration of Jocelyn and Luke’s upcoming wedding. Clary is worrying about her dress.

I’m almost 100% certain it would not be a hyperbole to state that there isn’t a one thing Clary does in this book that has absolutely nothing to do with Jace. Yes, it is a shallow thing to worry considering that there are more pressing issues at play.

IRRELEVANT.

Clary’s way of speaking changes to match the faerie, because style is more important than consistency.

Kaelie gifts Clary a bell which can be used to call for a servant of the Seelie Queen. Kaelie then leaves and Jocelyn comes to speak with Clary.

Oh. My. God. Which one do you think Jocelyn knows better and cares for immensely more?

Clary, apparently, is a mind reader and thinks that out of everyone Jace knows and who knows Jace, she is the only one with these thoughts. Of course Clary knows Jace the best, why on earth would there be any other important people in Jace’s life that know how to read him or understand him without words needed?

Jocelyn then validates further how deep and meaningful and strong and great and amazing and one of a kind the love Clary and Jace have is. After this, Simon arrives with Jordan and meet up with Isabelle.

Simon doesn’t need to know anything. → Her electrum whip looked like bracelets, loops of gold laddering her right arm. (A very Clare-esque sentence.)

With descriptions of Isabelle like this, it’s always fun to go back to this:

I think it is very clear to everyone at this point that there have been many changes to the books in the TV adaptation, and that the characters are different, as is the story and how it unfolds. Even the way Isabelle dresses in the show is not the way Isabelle would dress or did dress in the books. (I have a chart of every time Isabelle’s clothes are ever mentioned in the books. Largely it is long skirts, dresses, jeans and gear.)

Dresses with plunging necklines!!

Get him. It’s annoying, especially going forward from here, how Jordan constantly forces his presence on Maia, even by just ogling at her and commenting things on her. It’s incredibly uncomfortable and annoying. Isabelle, however, is a bro and the only reliable person around:

She’s willing to accept that you’re here and ignore you. But that’s all you get. Don’t bother her, don’t try to talk to her, don’t even look at her, or I’ll fold you in half so many times you’ll look like a tiny little origami werewolf.

Not that this has any effect on the subsequent events. They enter the party, and the chapter ends.

#Firing these away #Jace Herondale #Clary Fray #Simon Lewis #Jordan Kyle #Isabelle Lightwood #City of Fallen Angels #CoFA Chapter 14

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diana-bookfairchild · 2 years

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@flufftober Day 11: Poetry, Art, Music, Craft

Jace wasn’t sure how it had started.

Maybe it had started the day he played Simon the song he’d composed for Clary to ask if he thought she’d like it.

Maybe it had started when the fifteen-year-old redhead stubbornly stood her ground in the Pandemonium and made him curious and half already head-over-heels.

Maybe it had even started the day Valentine had begun to teach him the piano.

He wasn’t sure how any of it happened, but he was definitely happy with the results.

Simon knew perfectly well when it started: two days before Clary and Jace’s one-month anniversary. He wasn’t perfectly sure if they were celebrating their relationship or their father’s death or their winning the war but he decided not to ask.

“Where do you think we should go?” Clary asked, looking anxious, swinging her legs, sitting on the table.

Simon didn’t answer for a moment, too occupied with considering when his mother would get home. It had been another wonderful day of throwing his mother’s food away and hiding the fact that he was now a vampire. He was just thankful that drinking Jace’s blood had made him able to withstand the sun again, because dealing with that would have been impossible much longer.

“Si,” Clary said impatiently.

“Sorry,” Simon blinked. “Right. You think he’s ever seen a movie?”

His best friend nodded. “He’s seen a couple,” She made a face. “He’s obsessed with The Birds. Maybe I should just show him another to get him off that.”

“That’s just bad taste,” Simon smirked. “Think he shows that in other areas too?”

Clary seized a cushion from the couch next to her and lazily tossed it at him. In past times, he would have dodged it. This time, her shadowhunter aim struck true despite his vampire reflexes.

“Take him to dinner,” Simon said, laughing. “Candlelit and everything. Maybe one of those places you like to sketch the sunset.”

“Planning on it,” Clary said, smiling brightly too. Her red hair fell into her eyes. Simon valiantly tried to ignore the urge to push it out of them – like he’d tried to ignore all signs of his continuing feelings. “What else, though?”

“The arcade.” Simon decided. “He’d love the fighting and racing games.” Simon had to grin imagining the look on Jace’s face at seeing Dance Dance Revolution. The piano was one thing, that was entirely another.

Clary brightened up. “That’s a great idea! Thanks, Simon.” She checked her phone. “I have a while before I have to get back to the Institute. Want to go check the new comics in the store out?”

Simon shrugged. “Sure. Should be fun.” He and Clary always had fun though, whatever they did, so it didn’t really matter.

He was thinking about Jace. How he’d turned into someone he admired from the ‘fake blond’ he’d hated with a passion. Enough to approve Clary’s relationship with him even with a broken heart. He couldn’t believe he knew Jace well enough to give his girlfriend ideas for a date. And that he liked thinking of him on the Dance Dance Revolution machine, all sweaty and grinning with that lazy arrogance he always had.

Clary’d had ideas of what her life was going to be since her childhood.

She was going to backpack around Europe with Simon. She was going to study Art, hopefully in NYU or Columbia. Maybe she’d specialize in art therapy eventually, or architecture or design. That part hadn’t been too clear. Simon would take a nice safe major for his mother, while focusing on his music. They’d live together.

And eventually, she’d meet someone who made her heart race. Who was handsome and charming and appreciative and loving. And she’d get a job and maybe a pet and maybe kids later in life.

That had all been for later though.

And she’d never thought about what would happen with Simon then.

Simon had been a constant for more than a decade in her life. She couldn’t imagine it without him. He was part of who she was.

But Clary had never imagined that he would find someone when she’d find a boy. She’d never taken him for granted in the usual way – she’d always treasured his friendship – but she realized she had taken his presence in her life for granted; never once imagined that in her future he might not be there.

She remembered how jealous she’d been of Izzy when they’d first met – la belle Isabelle with her grace and beauty and deadly smile and whip, with whom Simon had been smitten instantly.

She’d always imagined that the one she loved would come into her life and change it forever – that romance would come into one’s life with pomp and blare, clear and instant.

And it had. She loved Jace. Jace was everything she’d imagined – beautifully handsome, appreciative of her and her art, broody but kind, a knight in shining armour. He was also everything she’d never thought she could love with such a fierce intensity – snark, trauma, an overprotectiveness that extended to making decisions for her. Being her father’s adopted son.

But love had also somehow managed to creep up on her, silent and invisible, unfolding from her friendship like it had always been inevitable. Simon was an open-book, lighthearted, clumsy even as a vampire. Nothing like her childhood dreams of romance. And yet, loving him was childhood innocence. Easy as breathing. It came naturally.

Two boys, nearly nothing alike, and they both had an unimaginable hold of her heart.

Jace had never thought he’d ever feel romantic love.

He’d thanked the Angel everyday for Alec and Isabelle and Max. Robert and Maryse too, but his siblings had always been more family to him than them. He knew they were fond of him, but to them he was their ward. To his siblings, he was family. A Lightwood through and through.

For him, they were enough. Of course they were.

And then he’d met Clary.

She was … everything. She was the whole world, his whole world. He wasn’t sure when, exactly, he’d fallen in love with her. She was always unexpected. He had no idea what she was going to do or when. He’d had no idea he was going to kiss her until he did. He hadn’t known she would come for him at Renwick’s until she did. He hadn’t thought in his wildest dreams that she would slap him for putting her life at risk rather than throwing herself at him for saving her.

Romantic love wasn’t something that he could shrug off, apparently. Even when he knew she was his sister, even when he knew it was wrong, even when she’d been dating someone else, loving Clary wasn’t a switch in him that could be turned off.

He had never felt as much jealousy as when he’d seen Simon kiss Clary’s wrist in Magnus’ house. He’d burned with it, the rage and sadness enough to power several cities.

He still wasn’t sure when Simon had turned from the annoying mundane tag along to someone he valued.

It had become clear, eventually, that without Simon there was no Clary. If Clary was the world, Simon was the axis that kept it spinning and stable. The evenness to her temper, the caution to her impulse, the light-heartedness to her angst, the carefreeness to her troubledness.

He’d nearly given his life for the vampire, back on the ship. I would have let you, he’d said in response to Simon’s horror at his capability of draining Jace’s blood. The first time saving him, at the Dumort – that had been entirely for Clary, because he didn’t want to see the panic in her eyes any longer.

The second time … despite his jealousy, despite Simon being a downworlder – it had not been for her. At least, Clary hadn’t been the only reason.

And it had been enough to at least somewhat trust him. We have Clary in common, he’d said. We both care for her. She’s important to both of us.

Jace wasn’t sure what exactly to make of that.

Nevertheless, the vampire was his best source as to whether Clary would like the song. So off he went.

“You’ve composed a song for Clary,” Simon said, staring at Jace. “And you want me to say if she’ll like it.”

“If you’re done rehashing what we’ve already established, vampire. . .” The Shadowhunter drawled.

Simon held his hands up in surrender. “Alright, alright. There’s a piano in the other room. We can use it.”

“Why exactly do you have a piano?” Jace asked curiously, watching Simon through narrow gold eyes from his seat on the piano. His eyes are so. . . otherworldly, Simon thought, unwillingly enraptured. He shook it off.

Simon had to smile at the memory of the story. “Clary and I were ten, my sister Rebecca was twelve and she’d decided she was going to be in the school orchestra. And Luke said he had a piano in his house, so she decided she was going to learn to play it. But then Clary said—”

“Alright, alright,” Jace rolled his eyes. He looked, oddly pensive and for a moment, almost jealous. But what would he have to be jealous of? He was the one dating the love of Simon’s life. “By the Angel, you’re a more long-winded storyteller than Isabelle.” He stretched his hands out and considered them, before laying them on the piano and beginning to play.

Simon had no idea how to describe what followed. He knew Jace was talented. Jace was good at pretty much everything he did. But he hadn’t expected the music Jace played to resonate with him so deeply. He could see Clary as Jace saw her: the red hair, the gleam of mischief, the temper, the courage.

Simon’s guitar was lying next to the piano from the last time he and Rebecca had played together for one of their family gatherings (Mom, Luke, Jocelyn, Clary, and Aunt Betty). Simon hardly knew when he picked it up and began to flow with the song.

The melody dragged him into a high – into a trance he couldn’t escape. He didn’t need to know the technicalities of it, he could just play. It was like the times Clary got inspiration for her drawings; she literally couldn’t stop drawing or explain where all that was coming from.

The last notes faded away and the spell was broken. Simon and Jace stared at each other.

“You. . . You understood—” Jace cleared his throat and stopped, like that would prevent Simon from understanding what he was saying. The way they had synchronized, the way he had understood what Jace was playing and been able to reproduce it on the guitar. . .

They understood one another’s music.

“Do you think she’ll like it?” Jace asked finally.

Simon wasn’t sure who the sudden roaring jealousy he felt was for. He wasn’t sure of anything. “I’m sure she’ll love it,” he said in a brittle voice.

Clary spent a lot of time sketching Jace.

She could never quite perfectly capture him, though she never stopped trying. She supposed it was the same with all artists regarding people they loved: their essence was always frustratingly missing from the art.

Her pencil made an unintentional skid across Jace’s wing. Irritated, she sighed.

“Clary?”

“Jace!” All her attention was instantly on her boyfriend, who was leaning against the doorway. She set aside the sketchbook and bounced up to him. “What are you doing here?”

Jace took her hands and pressed kisses to them, avoiding the obvious charcoal spotted places, giving her shivers. “Watching my beautiful artistic girlfriend create marvels?”

Clary smiled. “You can be here for that too, but I really don’t think that was your main intention in coming.”

Jace shrugged, looking uncomfortable. It sometimes still blew her away how he trusted her enough to be vulnerable around her, when sometimes he couldn’t be around Alec and Izzy, who were dearest in the world to him, his parabatai and sister. “I wanted to see you,” He whispered. “You’re always, well – when I see you, I always feel more … grounded.”

Clary knew what he meant. It was the way she always felt when she saw Simon. She didn’t think he’d take well to that comparison though.

“Did something remind you of … the War?” She asked gently. They’d talked about it, but it was still a landmine of a topic around everyone. Clary personally thought the lot of them needed therapy.

Jace laughed wryly. “Not that. This time at least.” He kissed her before she could question him further.

Even recognizing the deflection technique, she kissed him back, winding her hands in his hair the way she always liked to. Sparks flew between them, as they always did. Jace never handled her delicately, never seemed to think she wasn’t strong despite his smothering overprotectiveness. He tasted of danger, of fireworks, and yet of the coolness of mystery and night.

So different from Simon, who felt like childhood, like lemonade, the sweet aftertaste that lingered and made you happy. Who held her like she was delicate china.

Jace lifted her up and Clary hooked her legs around his hip. “Don’t think,” She gasped. “That you’re going to escape my other questions—oh, again!”

Jace smirked and his teeth scraped against the same spot on her neck. His hands moved from her waist to her cheek and the bed, and her sketchbook was knocked off it.

Its pages turned as it landed on the floor, ending on a sketch of Simon, smiling gently with flyaway hair in the moonlight, the Mark of Cain vivid. There was an eerie stillness and yet soft bright light to it that seemed to capture him exactly, making her fond of it, much more than all the ones she’d made of him over the years while learning how to draw.

Jace picked it up, face emotionless, and considered it.

“Jace—” Her mouth fell shut. She didn’t know what to say.

“You love him,” He said.

There were any number of things she could have said: I love you. He’s my best friend. I didn’t even know, until recently.

All of them were true, but they would’ve also been cop outs and if there was one thing that she wasn’t, it was a coward.

“Yes.”

Jace looked thoughtful. “And … You love me too?”

Clary exhaled softly, and caught his hand in hers. “You know I do.”

His face softened. “Yeah. I do.” He sat on the bed, pulling her down next to him. “What are we doing, Clary?”

Clary felt panic stir in her. He wasn’t breaking up with her. Was he?

“We’re in a relationship,” she said with forced calm. “And you’ve just found out that I am also in love with my best friend.”

“Unconventional,” Jace quirked a grin. “But then again, our relationship always has been like that.” The relief she felt caused the melting of tension she didn’t even know existed. If he was joking, things were fine. “Can’t even fault your taste,” He said sadly, shaking his head.

Clary had to suppress a grin at the similarity to the conversation she’d had with Simon only a day back. “Aren’t you the one who always called him a rat faced bastard?”

“He did go and get himself turned into one.” Jace muttered defensively. “But no, there’s something about him. . . He isn’t half bad-looking.”

Coming from Jace, this was a bald statement of attraction. That made her consider him more carefully. Jace, who had once thought Simon was the worst and most inconvenient person to grace the earth. Jace, who had his face carefully neutral and playful, his hands clenched and the strange tenor of his voice when he was speaking of emotions but was trying not to be emotional.

“You’re in love with him too.” Clary realized as she said it.

Jace exhaled, and his hand trembled. Clary squeezed it reassuringly. I’m here, it said. You’re not alone. If you don’t want to talk about it, we won’t, but emotions won’t kill you.

“Love is rather an exaggeration, I think,” he said at last. “But there may be more to my feelings for him than I thought.”

Clary stared at him. “I can’t believe you even admitted that much.”

That startled a laugh from him. “Isabelle couldn’t, either.” He said. He was smiling the way he always did when he spoke of his brother and sister. “But Alec said. Well. He said that his relationship with Magnus had only come about when he went to thank him for saving him, and thereby, ‘talking and admitting feelings’.” Jace wrinkled his nose as he always did at those things. Clary felt her heart swell in fondness.

“Well,” She said. “That is definitely more emotion than I expected from Alec.”

Jace snorted. “Yeah, the hard-as-stone thing is a whole façade. He’s a total softie.” There was a pause. He sighed. “I’m going to have to do this whole thing again with Simon, right?”

At this, Clary giggled. “Afraid so.”

“Damn it.”

“You’re inviting me to your one-month anniversary dinner?” Simon stared at his best friend. She always had barmy ideas, but this was ridiculous even for her. Then something occurred to him. “Does Jace know?”

“Of course he does,” Clary said, sounding offended.

“Right. . . .” Simon trailed off, wondering why.

“He wants you to bring your guitar,” the redhead added.

At this, resentment built up in him. So Jace thought he could just get him to play the song without even asking in person? A confession of love that wasn’t his to the girl Jace knew he loved? He ignored that the hurt stemmed from the fact that he’d thought playing Jace’s composition together was theirs and theirs alone, that their duet had been private, a secret treasure for his heart.

Well. Clearly not.

What had he even expected from Jace?

Clary obviously saw that he was going to refuse. “Please, Si,” she said, her green eyes wide. It was the same expression she got every time she wanted to do something recklessly stupid, Simon refused to get involved, right before he’d do it anyway and both of them got grounded by their moms. It was completely unfair because Clary knew the effect that expression had on him. His firm wall began to crumble rapidly.

“Fine,” Simon sighed.

Clary smiled brightly. “Great!” She peered closely at him. When he raised an inquiring eyebrow, she gave a very Not-Clary awkward laugh. She hesitated. “What do you think of Jace?”

Simon stared at her. “Are you seriously asking for my approval of your boyfriend a month after beginning to date him?” His not-beating-anymore heart began to pound. If anyone could figure out how he was feeling, Clary could. She knew him best, even though she had a total obliviousness to any feelings directed her way. And he really didn’t want to have a ‘yes, I fancy your boyfriend, except maybe not really, except I definitely do because I think he’s stupidly attractive and snark and courage humanized and an incredible musician with whom I’ve played a duet like never before’ conversation with her.

“Yes, I am.”

“Well. . .” Simon swallowed. “Jace is. . . .” Play it cool, he told himself. “Alright.” That came out way too stiffly.

Except Clary didn’t seem to think so. She studied him for a moment and then went back to smiling brightly, kissing his cheek and heading out of the house.

Simon wasn’t sure if the ‘I have a crush’ lightheadedness he was going through was because of Clary or Jace.

“I thought you were going to a mundane restaurant?” Simon asked, frowning.

“We were,” Clary said. “But we couldn’t exactly take you somewhere they wouldn’t serve you blood.” She was leaning into Jace.

They’d turned into a couple that used ‘we’ for everything, Simon thought bitterly, trying to hide his surprise at how they’d changed their plans for him.

Dinner went easily, much to Simon’s amazement. He’d expected having dinner with the best friend he had been in love with for years and her boyfriend for whom Simon had also developed feelings for would’ve been awkward, but this was natural. And it gave him way too much hope, ganging up on Clary with Jace, laughing at Jace’s stories of his and his siblings’ antics, nodding in commiseration at the way Jace’s face fell when he mentioned Max and Clary kissed his cheek in comfort.

They were a good couple, he noted with a sad-proud feeling. He was happy Clary had found someone who loved her so much, someone who was so amazing even he’d begun to … Well.

Jace kissed the remaining strawberry chocolate off Clary’s mouth. Simon’s throat closed up. He was torn between continuing watching and feeding some fantasies and jerking away because this was his best friend dammit! Clary pulled away and cleared her throat. She exchanged an indecipherable look with Jace.

That made him anxious. He could always read Clary.

Clary pulled out two papers, and Simon recognized them as coming from the sketchbook Luke had gifted her for her fifteenth birthday. She pushed one towards Jace. “This is for you,” she said nervously, twisting her hair with her fingers the way she always did when she was tense. “I know it’s not much, but considering—”

“Clary,” Jace said with a sharp inhale. He looked like he was about to cry and Simon felt uncomfortable at witnessing such an intimate moment. He wondered why Clary’d asked him to come. “It’s beautiful.” He said, sounding awed. “You- I look – well. Thank you.”

Simon caught a glimpse of it. It was a sketch of Jace, sitting, leaning back, looking remarkably pleased with himself and yet softly happy. The way he crossed his arms, the way his chipped tooth made his smile imperfect, the way his eyebrows relaxed, the light reflected from his golden wolf eyes. . . . Every detail revealed how much Clary had poured herself into this piece.

Every stroke was an ode to how much she loved him.

Simon couldn’t breathe through his longing and jealousy for a few moments – it was pretty good he didn’t actually need to do it anymore. He ignored them kissing.

“And Simon,” Clary said, holding out the other rolled up sheet. Her eyes were bright. With trepidation, with hope. “This is for you.”

Finally feeling like they’d come to the point of why they’d asked him to come there, Simon’s hand trembled a bit, feeling the same emotions Clary displayed so openly. He took it and rolled it out.

He stared at the drawing, wondering, hopeful, fragile enough that a breeze could knock him over. Time stopped, and the world paused.

It was Simon. Simon with his hands stretched out, smiling half-seriously half-playfully in the moonlight, the Mark of Cain very visible.

Clary poured her emotions into all her work – he’d seen breathtaking emotion-wringing portraits of hers of sceneries, their mothers, Rebecca, the Lightwoods.

This – this was different.

This was like Jace’s. From which anyone could tell that each stroke was an expression of love, that the artist loved the subject beyond all measure – the eros type of love.

“What is this?” His voice was tight.

“Simon,” Clary’s voice was trembling. “I love you. I’m in love with you.”

Simon had wanted to hear these words for years. He dropped the paper, but Jace’s reflexes were fast enough for him to catch it before it fell into the remains of his blood waffles.

“What?”

“Would you like some poetry to make things clear?” Jace asked, leaning back casually, like hearing his girlfriend confess her love for someone else was an everyday thing. His eyes pierced him, and the message was clear: Say you love her back, because I know you do. If you break her heart now, I will stake you through the heart.

Not that Simon needed that, thank you very much.

“I – I love you too, Clary, Of course I do.” He spoke. Clary smiled up at him with tremulous hope. “But why are you--? What are we going to--?” He stumbled over his questions.

“That depends on what your answer is to this,” she nudged her boyfriend.

Jace sighed deeply. “I wouldn’t mind being in a relationship with you, vampire.” He drawled.

Simon was not prepared for this. He pinched his arm to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

“Jace!” Clary chided.

Jace gave her a petulant look. She nodded her head fiercely in Simon’s direction. He interrupted. “You – like me?”

Jace stared at him, clearly recognizing the wishes and dreams and hopes he had put into that one question. “Yes,” he said softly. “I can’t say I love you – but. When we played the – at your house,” he glanced at Clary, who apparently didn’t know about that. “You understood me. You understood my … music. And even before that. You refused to lie about my family to leave the prison. You stayed with Clary despite everything. Even your goddamn pop culture references.” His whole face softened. “And Clary loves you.” It closed. “What about you?”

“And Clary loves you.” Simon agreed, his mind whirling. That was the basis of everything: as Jace had put it a bit more than a month ago; Clary was what they had in common. They both cared for her. “You’ve saved my life. So many times. Despite my being a Downworlder or mundane. You understand my music, you keep up with me in every argument and fight we have. You never treated me differently after I was Turned. You kept me sane while I was in prison. And you’re quite possibly the most frustratingly handsome person I’ve ever met,” Simon rambled. “How could I not?”

Jace looked completely stunned. Then he blinked, and the usual knowing smirk spread across his face. “How could you not indeed.”

“So. . . So. . .” Simon ignored that. “If we all love each other, then. . .?”

“Simon Lewis,” Clary said, exchanging a look with Jace. “How would you like to join our relationship and try being with us?” Jace looked at him in supposed boredom, but Simon knew him well enough to recognize the barely concealed hope.

“I. . .” Simon pinched himself again. “Definitely.”

“Really?” Clary asked, voice trembling, her eyes bright with tears.

Simon laughed hoarsely. “Clary, I’ve been in love with you for as long as I’ve known what romantic love is. I love you. Of course I’ll jump at the chance.” Like I did before, went unsaid. He’d gotten a bit too emotional at the end, but Clary was worth it.

She leaned in and kissed him – and Simon couldn’t help feeling that this was so much better than their previous ones. Clary let out a sigh and her breath was warm and she was so beautiful and tasted like heat and strawberry and chocolate and felt like home. She was incredible, and kissing her was all he could focus on.

Then she dropped back, and even before he could complain of the sudden loss, Jace had swept in. Jace kissed like he did everything else – intensely and fiercely. If Clary had been the steady love and home, Jace was the windstorm that swept everything away in its wake, yet so awe-inspiring to behold. Kissing him was an exhilarating fight, and their teeth clacked together. Their first kiss left him even more breathless than he usually was.

Simon watched Jace and Clary kiss too, and now – now watching it didn’t create any jealousy, just pure simple happiness and awe. Disbelief swirled in his head. The two people he loved – and now they were in a relationship. He felt Clary’s foot twine around his, in the way they had always done in boring functions since their childhood, and feeling bold, he reached over and took Jace’s hand.

Jace’s gaze snapped up to meet his, and then he smiled and winked. He held the cup of coffee Clary had been drinking from up, and when Clary reached up, he held it even higher.

Her eyes narrowed.

“Jace,” She said in a clipped tone that did nothing to bely her happiness. “Give it to me.”

“Why?” Jace asked, shrugging. “Not my fault you’re so short.”

“You’re playing a dangerous game there, Heronwood,” Simon said cheerfully to his new boyfriend.

“Heronwood?” Jace echoed, eyes as narrowed as Clary’s.

“Herondale plus Lightwood,” Clary nodded solemnly. “It’s a beautiful portmanteau.”

“And it suits you perfectly!” Simon laughed.

Jace gave a yelp as Clary elbowed his arm harshly and dragged her coffee cup away from him, all three of them laughing all the while.

Simon’s dead heart swelled as he looked at them – his gorgeous amazing girlfriend and boyfriend.

“I love you both,” he said recklessly.

Jace smiled suddenly, the sweet smile in Clary’s drawing, very unlike the sarcastic asshole grin he usually had. “We love you too.”

Jace could just imagine what his fa—Valentine would say.

His daughter, and a vampire.

But now, now after he was dead, after all the abuse was finally out in the open, he looked at his incredible partners who understood him and his music and his trauma so well and had now begun to argue about something something in a tv show and thought about his home and his adopted parents and the siblings who had stuck with him through thick and thin.

Every time Valentine had told him he was unworthy of love. Every time he’d broken a bone of his. The dead body of his beloved falcon. Valentine lecturing about how parabatai led to destruction. How love destroyed.

He was wrong. So, so wrong.

It all mattered, of course. Abuse couldn’t be resolved by a relationship.

But still. He was lucky. He was so glad he had made it here.

“We’ll need to talk about this,” he said. “How we’ll make a relationship like this work.”

“We do,” Simon agreed.

“But later,” Clary said. Playfulness danced in her eyes. “For now. . .” She kissed him again, and he closed his eyes and just ... enjoyed the feeling of Simon’s hands on him and Clary’s lips on his.

So very lucky indeed.

#flufftober #flufftober2022 #day 11 #the mortal instruments #tsc #cassandra clare #jace herondale #simon lewis #clary fairchild #climonace #clary fray/jace herondale/simon lewis #polyamory #getting together #established clace #mutual pining #post city of glass #canon divergence #fanfic #expression of love through music and art

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herondalesofterrasen · 3 years

Text

Jace: Ha! I win!

Simon: No fair! This play date is over! *gets up and starts to walk away*

Jace: Wait, wait, wait! Where are you going?

Simon: ALASKA

Jace:

Jace: It’s faster if you drive

Simon:

Jace:

Simon: AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH

#yes i got this from elmo #jace and simon have play dates #change my mind #it’s cannon #jimon #simon lovelace #jace herondale #jace has too many last names #the mortal instruments #the shadowhuter chronicles

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clean-bands-dirty-stories · 2 years

Text

Tenderly ~ A.L.

A/n: I am furthering my Jimon/Clizzy agenda into this and I have NO REMORSE. I am also furthering my poly agenda as well, you’re welcome <3 This is a bit messy but I just REALLY wanted to do a request sooooo oop!

Request: “Alec light wood male reader #50” by anon from this prompt list

MASTERLIST

~ A kiss out of love ~

It had been a rollercoaster.

Ever since Clary Fray had been thrown into the world of the Shadowhunters, not a single person she knew had caught a second of a break.

First, she developed feelings for the distant, closed off Jace. As traumatized as he was, and with how badly as he was handling it, he still found room to fall in love with her in return. Even as it terrified it, he didn’t... stop it. It was magical for both of them. It was a rush. Something bright and wonderful in a dark storm that suffocated both of them.

And then they found out they were siblings.

Then Clary and Simon started dating, and that went sideways VERY quickly. Even without Maya in the picture, it was just one train wreck after another.

Even when Clary and Jace found out they weren’t siblings (a twist that was worst than the first honestly, as she had come to find comfort in him that way) there was still a weirdness between them. Jace had spiraled and Clary had vowed no more boys because there was too much going on already to factor in romance on top of everything.

Enter Izzy Lightwood.

For the first time, Clary finally had her head on her shoulders. Izzy was comforting and stabilizing and centering. There was deep understanding in the other girl, and they could just be themselves with each other. No crazy drama or complications, no tears of friend zoning or months of thinking they were related. They formed a friendship first, and got close through that. When they started dating, it was the best thing for both of them.

For once, it was not an extra layer to the drama around them. It was a relief from it.

Jace was crushed of course. He was determined that he was in love with Clary, and could never find any kind of love with any other kind of person. She was it for him, so on and so forth.

Teenagers, right?

Alec had to laugh as he watched Jace and Simon spar. When Jace booped Simon’s nose, that dumb grin on his face, Alec knew that the blonde boy was a goner.

Of course, Alec understood where Jace had been coming from. The entire time he watched his siblings struggle with their love lives, he struggled with his own as well. First it had been years pining from way too close over Jace, who he had initially thought to be straight, and then had been proven wrong. Now he understood that Jace saw Alec the same way Clary saw Jace. Not a blood sibling, but a comforting sibling relationship that was cherished. Essential. One that would never be anything else.

It had sucked at first, but he had moved on as well. He had come to find the value in their brotherly bond as well. Now he was with Magnus Chase, and honestly he couldn’t have been happier. He was glad that things had played out exactly as they had.

Well. Most things, at least.

The second he had met Y/n, he had been determined to hate the man, the same way Alec hated Clary and Simon. Y/n was their friend, introduced to them through Jocelyn. He wasn’t a warlock, or demon or angel related at all; Y/n had learned magic the hard way - through years of hard study. When he had saved Jocelyn In a tight situation, he had rushed to her aid. After proving his humanity to her, she had been inclined to pile on the protection she had put onto Clary.

Of course, Jocelyn hadn’t told him that at the time. He hadn’t known Clary was a Shadowhunter until the truth had come out the way it had. He had kept his secret as a magic user and kept an entire side of himself separate the same way he always did with his mundane friends.

Now they were here.

The thing was, Y/n had wormed his way into Alec’s heart faster than anyone else. He worked hard and respected boundaries. He listened to orders, even if he didn’t want to, because he had a strong sense of duty and an understanding that he would make life harder for other people. He had a respect for rules and how they protected the people around him. Alec understood Clary and Jace’s distaste of them and how most people saw rules as restricting. He respected that view point. It was still nice to have someone who got it it, though. Someone who treasured rules.

Y/n was a good fighter too. He and Alec didn’t spar with weapons, but in mini battle. Y/n fought with magic, not a knife or a sword, and he was a very creative mind. He was good at throwing Alec off and being unpredictable. It was incredibly affective for field training, and also allowed for a space where Alec would lose and it wouldn’t be catastrophic. He didn’t have to be perfect with Y/n. They could rest, and then get some food and play chest, or take a second to be alone and read a book or catch up on work.

Y/n was the go-to for drawing up reports that Alec didn’t attend for one reason or another. He was organized, and focused.

Alec admired him. He enjoyed being around him. He... he...

He had a boyfriend.

Fuck.

It was more obvious than ever than his growing affection wasn’t just platonic when he was ranting about how a mission recently had gone a little askew to Magnus, who wore a constant Cheshire smile. One that was full of teasing playfulness.

Alec finally smiled, raising an eyebrow. “What is that look for?”

Magnus didn’t hesitate to respond, “I was just wondering if I should be jealous of this magician of yours or not.”

Hearing Y/n referred to as his made Alec’s heart pick up in his chest. He sucked in a soft breath, eyes moving away. Suddenly he was tense and awkward. Guilty. “It’s not like that.”

The reaction took Magnus aback. “Oh my god, Alec, you really like him. Like, really really.”

Alec wasn’t sure exactly what that meant. Did Magnus know Alec liked Y/n and hadn’t been threatened by it, passing it off as some school ground crush or enjoying a refreshing new development? Something that would fade and not to be worried about? Would that be normal, or one of those things Magnus had once been bothered by but after centuries and centuries, had simply moved past? Maybe he had been joking and was only just now realizing Alec really did have feelings for Y/n. Would he be angry? Would he break up with him? Was Alec a bad person?

All he could think was to blurt: “I haven’t done anything. We- I don’t want to, because you’re more important to me.” He swallowed the panic he was choking on.

The sweetest of smiles rested in on Magnus’ face. “Oh, my Love, I know. I’m not jealous or upset at you. Honestly I think you two are perfection.” He paused a second, his lips twisting more into a smirk. “Alexander, have you ever heard of polyamory?”

In all honesty, he absolutely had not. “Vaguely. We don’t talk about it much, but-“ he shrugged, trying to hide just how inexperienced with romance and relationships he was.

Unfortunately, Magnus seemed to see through it as he always did. “Of course. Well, if you ever did want to date more than just me, I wouldn’t mind that. I’ve been in plenty of healthy and wonderful, open relationships before. It would take some work but-“

Alec’s eyes widened. “Are you telling me to go for it?”

That made Magnus’s teasing surface again. “I’m saying, there is a LOT of life to live. Even for you, who won’t live as long as I will. I have a lot of dating experience, and you don’t. If you wanted some other experience in this lifetime, I would never hold you back from going after it. As long as the man was good to you and the relationship was good, and you told me about it before, you know basic good communication so I know what’s going on. Why would I be apposed to you being happy to the fullest extent?”

Alec sat there for a second, mulling over it. “I just don’t want you to think that you’re not enough for me.”

That seemed to touch Magnus very deeply. “You remind me constantly. But that’s not what this is about. Forming a romantic relationship with anyone is always about experiencing love in a way you need or want. Most relationships fail because they’re based on just attraction, which fades with time. People also have this misconception that all you need is love itself. But that’s not true. You need someone who loves you the right way. Some love languages might clash; you may love someone deeply, but if they hate the way you show love and affection, dissatisfaction grows and that can get messy.

“You get different things from different people. Sometimes people can be just fine with that difference coming from a single partner and friends or family. Sometimes people date multiple people.” Magnus shrugged. “There’s no right or wrong way to do it. I myself am the kind of person who prefers to only date one person at a time, but like I said before - I’ve had plenty of partners who aren’t that way. And if it’s done right, that’s fine.”

Alec felt a weight lift off of his chest. “So I’m not a bad person?”

Magnus shook his head. “You stayed loyal, and dedicated. You kept every single promise you ever made to me. Your feelings can’t be controlled - but your actions can be. And that’s what you checked. That’s all that matters.”

Leaning forward, he kissed Magnus passionately. “I love you so much.”

Magnus chuckled brightly. “I love you too. Now go get your other man.” He winked and then turned away to his work, giving Alec extra incentive to leave right then and there.

So he did.

Pulling Y/n aside and explaining the situation was the hardest part. They had a long talk after that, but that part was actually very easy. Y/n asked all the question Alec had been wondering about but was told scared to ask, and together they worked out all the details and clarified all the worries.

Soon they were on their first date, and then establishing boundaries within the relationship and having bonding moments between the three of them. Magnus and Y/n were plenty fine just staying friends, to no shock from Alec.

Days turned to weeks turned to months and Alec sat on the couch with his boyfriends and thought back to a time before this. When he had been so deep in the closet, so hidden and ashamed of who he was. When he had stood on an alter with Lydia, facing a future that made him ill to the core of his very soul. Now, he wasn’t only openly and proudly himself - he was in love two times over and twice as happy for it.

He had long since stopped watching the movie, so he didn’t have any worry now about looking away from the screen to kiss Magnus on the forehead. Then he turned to Y/n, grinning. “I love you. Both of you.”

Y/n lifted his head off of Alec’s shoulder, grinning. “You know I love you too.” Alec did know somehow, even though this was the very first time either of them had said it to each other. Then they kissed, and when they did it was so different, so wonderful. So perfect.

Magnus had been right. With him, Alec’s love and relationship was like a firework. Hot and loud and explosive. Rushing blood and screaming at the tip of your lungs and laughing with your full chest as you ran through a dark hallway. Knocking things over as you fumbled around a room you weren’t paying attention to because you were lost in a heated kiss. Fumbling hands and quick, teasing quips. Intense and passionate and new and wonderful. Summertime. Hot cocoa on a cold day. Sunshine on your skin.

With Y/n, it was so very different. In all the way Magnus pulled Alec out of his shell and set him on fire, sometimes Alec needed to catch his breath. Izzy, Clary, and Jace were all too fast paced for him and even Simon couldn’t keep up with him for long. Sometimes Alec needed the cold side of the pillow, and ice cream on his tongue. Sweet and soft and calming. Comforting. Familiar. Y/n was so similar to him, speaking in quiet but confident tones and offering small smiles and ghosting touches and fleeting sideways looks. Loving Y/n was like a soft breeze through tall grass, and skipping stones across a pond. Jumping into cool water on a hot day. Sleeping in a little longer. Sitting down next to a fireplace with a really nice book. Singing to yourself while cleaning or cooking. The smell of cooking treats in the kitchen - the kind that Y/n always made for him.

Each man did offer him something very different, any yet equally wonderful. And he loved them both.

None of them would have had it any other way.

Male readers tag: @stuckoutsideofthebox

#Alec Lightwood #shadowhunters #alec lightwood x reader #alec lightwood imagine #shadow hunters imagine #shadow hunters x reader #male reader #Alec Lightwood x male reader #shadowhunters x male reader

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onetimetwotimesthreetimess · 2 years

Text

KEEP YOU IN MY WALLET- ALEC & MAX (5/6) + 1*

"I hate dad!" Max yelled as soon as he entered the loft.

Rafael was sitting with his head in Dad's lap, and his legs stretched out in Bapak's.

"What did I do now?" Dad asked.

"My boyfriend broke up with me because of you?"

"That makes no sense." Rafael spoke amusedly.

"Really? Because I very clearly remember him breaking up with me, saying, 'Your dad loved one man so much he changed the world for him, and you can't even remember my favourite flowers Max', seconds before he broke up with me."

Rafael and Bapak started laughing. Dad just shrugged and leaned forward to kiss Bapak.

Assholes. All of them.

"I hate you all." He yelled and stormed off to his room.

He knows one of them will be following behind soon. They were probably playing rock, paper and scissors to decide whom.

Dad is going to lose.

He is proven right when ten minutes later, there's a knock, and Dad enters.

He sits away from Max on the floor and starts doing something on his tablet.

Dad's good at giving people space. Max wonders if he has always been like that.

He just sits there quietly doing his thing, and it makes him simultaneously relieved and frustrated.

Another half an hour passes without any word, and Max gets progressively annoyed at him and finally snaps. "Are you going to say something?"

Dad stops his work. "Not really, no,"

"Then why are you even here?"

"Do you want me to leave?" Dad asks.

No. Yes.

"Do you want to talk about what happened?"

Max sighs. No one will really understand, he thinks.

Will dad understand?

"Why didn't you tell us you had a boyfriend?."

Max doesn't understand why people ask that. Sometimes people don't talk about stuff. It wasn't anything personal.

"It doesn't matter anymore." He says. It's only a half-lie.

"Hmmm. Why did you guys break up?"

"No reason."

"Blue." Dad says softly.

Max wants to tell him.

But the words feel so heavy on his tongue.

'I...I didn't want to kiss him." Max replies, his voice tight.

In a flash, dad was in front of him and grabbed his face gently.

It was the most ridiculous thing in the world how Alec Lightwood, one of the strongest people he knew, held people so gently.

Dad made him look at him.

"Max, did he-did he force you to do something?"

Max sees the fire in his dad's eyes and realises how his words probably sounded.

It makes him feel worse.

He couldn't blame dad for what he thought.

Isn't that what everyone else would think, too, right?

That Max didn't want to kiss someone because something terrible had happened.

Or because someone was a bad kisser.

Or they weren't attractive enough.

No one's first thought would be that maybe and just maybe, Max didn't want to kiss anyone.

Ever.

"No. No dad, not like that."

"Okay", Dad breathes out. "What do you mean then?"

How is Max supposed to explain something that he himself doesn't fully understand?

Max takes a deep breath. He has never told anyone except Rafael.

"You know how you like kissing Bapak all the time? You get Bapak flowers every day and you like going on dates and all that stuff?"

"Yeah I do."

"Well I don't get that. How people do that. The romance thing that everyone keeps on talking about, I don't feel it. I- I think something is wrong with me."

Dad makes a wounded noise at that.

"Max.. nothing is wrong with you."

Max knows that. He knows that some people don't feel romantic attraction at all. And that others feel it occasionally or after they have formed a deep bond with someone.

But there's a difference between knowing something and believing it.

"How can you say that? Doesn't everyone want it?"

"You just told me you don't."

Max sighs. "There's just so much pressure."

"From whom"

Max huffs. "Everyone Dad. Look around me. You and Bapak. Aunt Clary and Uncle Jace. Aunty Izzy and Simon. Rafael falls in love with a new person every month. I'm surrounded by this all the time. Everyone feels it or wants it or is waiting for it. So I can't help but feel something is wrong with-." He chokes at the words and feels hot tears on his face.

"Hey, hey, it's alright. Come here." Dad said and pulled him into his arms.

Dad holds him for some time.

"I want to be happy too, Dad."

"What makes you think this will make you happy?"

"Weren't you all sad and angsty before Bapak. You found him and became happy. Isn't that how it works?"

Dad chuckles softly.

"Baby, I didn't become happy because I met Bapak. I became happy because I stopped living a lie. Because I stopped hiding myself."

Well, Max doesn't know what his truth is, so he doesn't know how to live it.

"I-want it, I think. It's not like I've never felt it. I have felt it with a few people. But I don't feel it all the time. I don't know how it works. I-I'm scared dad. I'm immortal. What if I never feel it again? How will I-"

Dad inhales sharply at the word.

It was a touchy topic for all of them.

But especially between Max and Dad.

When his parents had had the 'immortality' talk with him, Max had lost it.

He was devastated, and his sadness turned into anger, and he had lashed out at dad badly.

Max had always been dad's baby. So when he found out that he won't have that forever, he had been cruel to him and questioned his love for Bapak, Rafael, and him. Max had accused him of not choosing immortality and some other horrible things.

Dad had slept at the Institute for a week to give him space.

All of them have been hurt deeply by the whole thing.

A week later, Max had sneaked into Dad's room, and the man had instantly taken him into his arms and then the two of them had never talked about it the way families hurt each other sometimes and never talked about it.

He was still coming to terms with the immortality thing, and trying to figure out his sexuality was only making it harder for him.

His eyes met dad's, and there was a hint of sadness there.

"Max, it doesn't matter how long or short your life is. It won't change who you are."

"I just- I wish I knew what I wanted dad. Sometimes I want it. Sometimes I don't."

Dad stays silent for a few minutes and then speaks.

"Have you ever seen a map?"

"No Dad, I have never seen a map."

Dad smacks his head.

"Yes I have obviously."

"It has a start point and an end point right. Everything seems flat on a map."

"Yeah."

"But it's not like that in reality does it? If you take a globe you can't figure out where the start or the end is. Maybe everyone has been looking at it like it's a one dimensional thing but we're talking about real people here. It's more layered. We are more than just points on a linear scale. There is a reason why it's called a spectrum, Max."

Max looks up at that, shocked because how the fuck did dad know about sexual fluidity and the spectrum.

"How do you know all of this?"

"I'm not old."

Max chuckles.

"And I- I never wanted you guys to feel lonely with these things. So when you both started growing up, I started reading some stuff. Learned a whole lot of new stuff. Just trying to be a good parent I guess." Dad said a little shyly.

Max wonders how Dad could ever doubt that.

But Max also liked to keep his family humble, so he said, "you're doing okay-ish with the whole dad thing, in my opinion."

Dad smiles at that.

A lot of people wondered how dad got someone like Bapak to settle down.

Max fully believes it's because of that smile.

"Hey, you feel what you feel. You can't force yourself to be something you are not. It's okay if you don't want something and it's also okay if that changes in the future. But whatever it is, listen to your heart. It will never betray you."

Max nods at him. He still doesn't understand shit, but he feels lighter now.

Dad kisses his forehead and takes him in his arms again.

"Now, tell me about this boy? Is he a shadowhunter?

Max laughs. "No way. You're going to beat him up."

"I'm not going to beat up a kid Max, I just think we need more people on ichor duty."

He laughs at that.

Dad is an asshole sometimes.

But so is Max. So he tells him the boy's name.

-For anyone fighting with their hearts. The world is in the wrong here. Not your heart. Listen to it. Believe in it. 💚🌻

tag list: @elettralightwood @khaleesiofalicante @noah-herondale-lightwood @anarchistbitch @ahanahahaha @sociallyineptbibliophile @i-am-a-really-good-lawyer @romas-dorogaya @wtf-is-reality @magnus-the-maqnificent @raziyekroos @priorities-as-straight-as-alec @alexandergideonslightwood @awecwightwood @ziorite (let me know if anyone wants to be added or removed)

#fine i increased the number of chapters but in my defence i added a malec chapter okay #keep you in my wallet #magnus bane #alec lightwood #malec #max lightwood bane #lightwood bane family

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the-lighwood-who-lived · 3 years

Text

Please Don't Leave - Jace x Reader

Jace messes up, big time. Will he manage to make amends in time or is it not meant to be? ( why the hell am i being so cryptic)

‘JONATHON CHRISTOPHER HERONDALE!’ the name echoed throughout the institute, making a shiver run down Jace’s back. Everyone knew this scream. It was Izzy, had to be. Jace desperately tried to think of how he could have possible upset his devil for a sister as Izzy’s boots clicked down the hall, as she walked up to him.

She pulled him down by his collar before flipping him, ‘You never learn, do you?’ she said. Jace wasn’t hurt, only his dignity. He got up with as much self-respect as he had left and asked her sassily, ‘ Mind telling me whats wrong though?’

‘Whats the date?’ she asked, her voice dangerously low. It was the 28th …. what was on the 28th of September? NO! how could he have ever forgotten! Realisation dawned on him as Izzy just shook her head, ‘ This isn’t the first time your forgetting Jace, she doesn’t even hope anymore.’

This was terrible… Jace remembered 28th of September, this very day, a few years ago, when he met her. She knocked the breathe out of him, literally. They first met in the training room, she had him pinned in under a minute. That was they day he met Y/N, Izzy’s parabatai. That was four years ago, and for the third time, Jace had forgotten their anniversary.

He loved her, they had been through hell and back, this year, of all the years, he shouldn’t have forgotten. The battle scars from the Dark War were hardly healed. He sat down on the closest chair, not knowing how he could have messed up to this extent. ‘Where is she?’ he asked Izzy. She sat down next to him, he was her brother after all, she knew the regret weighing on him. ‘She’s with Alec and Simon, practicing archery… She’s upset Jace, we’re parabatai, I can feel it.’ Izzy says.

Jace nodded at Izzy before walking to the training room. He found her there, just as Izzy said, working herself to the max. He tried lightening the mood, hugged her from behind. ‘Hello’ he whispered. She elbowed him hard in the ribs as she walked to the bench for some water.

He went behind her, ‘Y/N, hun, I’m sorry’ he said kneeling in front of her. She refused to look at him, scared that she won’t be able to hold up her stoic façade. It may not have been a big deal to others, but to her it meant a great deal and he knows it. Running into the fray anytime, anywhere, changes you. Little things matter.

‘Look at me..’ he said, turning her face with one finger, but trailed off as he saw hurt and betrayal in her eyes. He would kill anyone who hurt her, he’s never had to of course, cause she is more than capable of doing that herself. The only people who could actually hurt her, were the ones who she opened up so vulnerably to. ‘Forgive me Y/N, one last time… please…’ he whispered.

‘Do you care anymore Jace?’ she spoke to him for the first time that day. Jace was taken aback by that, he cared, he cared more than anyone could imagine. ‘Its been a few months since the Dark War Jace.. the war that made me lose everything, you are supposed to be my rock…I can’t love you if you don’t meet me halfway…’ She said stoically. A terrible fear grew in Jace, worse than the fear of death… the fear of losing her.

‘I love you, your are my sun and my moon. Do you think I could ever stop caring?’ Jace stood up determined. ‘Meet me in the Missions Hall in 5’ he said. ‘Jace-‘ Y/N began.

He cut her off though. ‘Please… come’ he said as her ran off. She did, of course she did. One last time before letting go. Alec, Simon , Izzy and Clary were there too, but they were… smiling?

Music played out of nowhere. Wait… she knew this song…A voice, beautiful in her memory as ever started singing to her. Jace.

When you feel your love's been taken When you know there's something missing In the dark, we're barely hanging on Then you rest your head upon my chest And you feel like there ain't nothing left I'm afraid that what we had is gone

Then I think of the start And it echoes a spark And I remember the magic electricity Then I look in my heart There's a light in the dark Still a flicker of hope that you first gave to me That I wanna keep Please don't leave Please don't leave

He stopped there, knelt down in front of her.

‘Never again should those eyes fill up because of me… Every time I wake up next to you, I feel stronger. Every time you smile, I feel alive. Every time you make me watch those Disney movies, my dignity dies, but to hear you laugh is worth it. The sun and all the stars in this universe will die before I give up on our love. Will you, Y/N Y/L/N, do me the honour- or royally break my heart – and marry me?’ He said, the great Jace Herondale was in tears, with a rose gold ring in his hand.

She hesitated, his heart shattered. Then she broke into the most beautiful smile ever, the warrior, the soldier, Y/N. ‘You and me Herondale, to the end of days. I will marry you Jonathan’ She says. That’s all she had to say, he jumped up and picked her up into a hug.

He kissed her, not with aggressive Herondale passion, but with all the joy of this second chance. That’s her Jace.

#jace herondale x reader #alec lightwood x reader platonic #izzy x parabatai reader #izzy x jace sibling goals #simon x sister reader #clary fairchild #shadowhunters x reader #tmi x reader

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khaleesiofalicante · 2 years

Note

Hello. How are you feeling? I hope you're doing well and keeping safe. And not working too hard. I hope you had an excellent and spectacular day. You of all people deserve it sooo much. Now that the very important questions are asked,I would like to say some things which randomly come in my brain and because I'm incapable of keeping my thoughts to myself. I have to make it everybody's business. Now, since you love lists and a list would make this simpler, here goes:

Have you ever wondered about Magnus's birth name? Like, do you want it to be revealed,or should it remain a mystery. I personally want it to be revealed.

2. Now, talking about TEC, what do you think about a Clockwork Princess style epilogue for Tbvotd? Like, we'll get that closure about Malec's relationship ( And cry buckets of tears). How Alec died, when he died,about the extended family etc. (Although the Lbaf gang is canon for me. You have made it so perfectly. That was a compliment btw. You should take it,and not be a Modest Magnus™)

3. Note: This one is not me asking your opinion, it's stating mine. I think one underrated Malec phase is the post Cohf malec. Like it wasn't explored upon. And it could have been really great if we did get content on it. Like,their first date after the break up,how both of them would have been nervous as hell. Alec wants it to go perfectly because he doesn't want Magnus to second guess the decision of getting back together. Magnus because he doesn't want Alec to think he made a mistake by accepting him and his past. Then,their first time after. Then the discussion of Alec moving in. Then being softly hesitant and then slowly becoming absolutely sure about their relationship and each other's feelings about them. There was just so much lost potential. CC should have given us something.

4. An AU that came in my mind. Malec are high school sweethearts. They actually knew each other from childhood. They were best friends before dating. Tmi gang is like the elite group in high school. They are very popular. Now,the angsty part. Alec's parents are politicians. They accepted him being gay but they were against him dating Magnus because he has a background (like him killing his stepfather and his mom committing suicide. And his birth father being MIA) which will not be good for someone who's going to be a politician. So, Alec's parents try to dissuade him from dating him,but Alec is adamant. So,Parents and Alec make a deal. Alec gets to date Magnus until graduation. After graduation,he can't date him anymore. Alec agrees, thinking his parents will see reason when they see him happy with Magnus. he doesn't tell Magnus about it. Izzy and Jace know about it and tell him to tell Magnus but he doesn't listen. Comes graduation day. Happiest day of Magnus's life. Because he's proud of how far he's come. Alec arrives late at graduation,and seems very miserable. Magnus asks him what's wrong. Alec tells him he has to break up with him. Magnus doesn't believe him and asks for the reason. Alec tells him about the deal. Magnus feels very betrayed and says Alec has been lying to him the entire time. Alec tries to explain and say his feelings were real and he wasn't playing around with Magnus. Magnus is heartbroken so he doesn't listen. Izzy and Jace come in. So do Simon and Clary. Magnus finds out all of them knew about the deal.(since Iz&J told Si& Clary). magnus thinks everyone betrayed him. he leaves with one parting line to Alec-. THANK you Alexander. Thank you for making what was supposed to be one of my happiest days into one of the saddest. He leaves. They try to track Magnus but he's off the grid. Alec accepts that he's gone. After 5 Years. Alec is a politician. Clace and Dizzy are thriving at life. They travel to LA (or any other place which is not NY) they see Magnus there. He has a new friend group. He's a hotshot lawyer. they're shock because he always wanted to be a photographer.

I can't think anymore.you add your details

I have wondered! I actually mention it one of my ongoing fics hehe. But I like mysteries so I don't want to know what it is. I like the name Magnus way too much 🥺

Thank you for the compliment, bebe. I think we're very unlikely o get that kind of closure for malec or any of the characters. There is a popular theory that TWP might end with clace wedding and since TBVOTD is released before that (IF I AM NOT WRONG) i think cassie won't write anything that will spoil the rest of the books.

I LOVE THIS ONE SO MUCH. And yes! So true! Getting back together after a break up is to tricky and I too would have loved to know how they navigated it. I really liked your ideas about it! Maybe you should write a one shot about it ;)

OKAY BUT YOU DEFINITELY HAVE TO WRITE THIS? HIGH SCHOOL ANGST HITS DIFFERENT I NEED THIS FIC SO BAD DO IT BRO WRITE IT PLEASE!!!!

ps - but seriously though these ideas are so fucking good i would love to read snippets or even MULTI CHAPTER FICS if you want to explore these ideas 💚

#malec

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plus-size-reader · 3 years

Text

Feelings

Jace Herondale x Plus size!reader

Word Count: 2213 words

Warnings: none

Summary: The reader is a vampire who owns the hardtail bar, who has quite the past with Jace Herondale which they never really addressed to begin with

—————————————————————————————————

Owning a downworlder bar was hardly the cakewalk it made itself out to be.

In all the years that you had owned Hardtail, you had come in contact with all sorts of colorful characters. From vampires and werewolves to demons and demon hunters, there was no telling who was going to walk through that door.

Though, no one was quite as interesting to deal with as Jace Herondale was.

He was an arrogant ass, of course, only doing things when he wanted to do them, and why. Not to mention that he was utterly ridiculous most of the time, something that made him almost impossible to deal with.

...and you would know that better than anyone, seeing as you’d done just that for quite some time.

Going out with him hadn’t been your finest moment, you could admit that.

All in all, you and Jace had nothing in common, and all you ever did was argue but no matter what you did, you always found yourself coming back to him. Without fail, you sought him out and just couldn’t cut the tie you felt to him.

It was impossible.

He just kept coming back, and it wasn’t as if you had it in you to turn him away at the door.

Though, today was the first time he’d ever come in here with someone else in tow, not to mention a woman. She was pretty with fiery red hair and no doubt a personality to match, if you knew him well.

That must have been what had taken him so long.

Normally Jace would stop by every few weeks, just to make sure that none of the downworlders were starting trouble for you, but he hadn’t been here in months now. Clearly, it wasn’t all that big of a deal what happened here, unless of course he needed your help with someone.

Then you were good enough to visit.

“What can I get for you?” you asked, quite similarly to how you would greet any other customer, your eyes staying on the girl at his side rather than looking Jace in the eye.

Whatever it was he needed, you were sure that he’d get to it before you had to do too much more of this, or so you hoped.

You had other customers after all, and most of them didn’t take too kindly to being ignored.

“I’m actually not here to drink. I’m here for you” he grinned, resting as casually as he could against the bar, as if he had any right to do that. Though, it wasn’t as if you were going to throw him out just for that.

At the very least, you knew that you had to hear him out.

“You mean, you are” you clarified, gesturing to the redhead at his side, who you still had no idea about. You had never seen her before, in all your escapades with shadowhunters, and it wasn’t exactly like they were a vast breed.

Whoever she was, it was news to you.

“Right, Y/N this is Clary” he shrugged, plopping down on the barstool across from where you were standing, filling up a glass of bourbon. You had no idea what was going on, or why you cared, but you smiled anyway.

Whatever this girl, Clary, was doing here, you were sure it had nothing to do with whatever it was you and Jace had been doing for the last few years.

She nodded in acknowledgment of you before turning her attention back to Jace, who hadn’t explained anything about this place to her before they showed up.

“What are we doing here?” she muttered, her words little more than a whisper in his direction which you caught easily due to your superhuman hearing. Usually, nothing of value happened here but usually, Jace wasn’t here.

Not like he was today.

“If anyone knows where those vamps are keeping Simon, it’s Y/N. Nothing happens in the downworld without her hearing about it” he shrugged, helping himself to the glass you’d poured, shooting a wink in your direction as he did so.

It was true.

This was a pretty popular hangout spot for all the vampires in the downworld, and as they drank, the more their conquests bubbled to the surface. It was hardly your fault if you paid attention.

“You're more than welcome to ask around, I haven’t heard that name in here before” you shrugged, filling your own glass from another tap, specifically for the vampires like you that frequented this place.

Alcohol didn’t do nearly as much for you as some good O negative did.

Clary nodded, heading off in the direction of where you’d gestured, clearly more determined to find her friend than Jace was. He didn’t seem to care all that much about anything at all.

...but at least that hadn’t changed.

“I had no idea you were seeing someone new” you hummed, not bothering to meet his eyes as you focused all your attention on the stout in front of you. Now that the two of you were alone, it was different.

There was nothing else for you to focus on, and at this point, anything would have been better than dealing with this.

After all, you had no right to be jealous.

You and Jace hadn’t been an item in a few years, and whatever he wanted to do, that was his business. You weren’t going to get involved, just like you should have done from the start.

It would be easier that way.

You didn’t want to deal with this any more than he did, but even with how awkward this was, Jace looked like he was having a great time. This was fun for him, because of course it was.

Everything was fun for Jace, because he always thought he was one step ahead of everyone else.

“I’m not necessarily seeing someone else” he shrugged, taking a long, heavy sip of the glass you’d put in front of him before moving on to anything else behind the bar that would be easier to deal with than him, your jaw tight.

You were avoiding him.

...And frankly, he couldn’t blame you.

The two of you’d had a long, sorted history, and this was hardly the first time you’d seen something like this from him. Really, he was surprised you even cared at all because of how commonplace it was.

It was just the kind of person he was.

Still, he hadn’t brought her here to hurt you. He needed your help, because if anyone knew what to do about their little vampire problem, it was you.

“Besides, this isn’t about her” he sighed, standing from the barstool he’d set himself down on when he arrived to try and get your attention. You were angry with him, and he couldn’t blame you for that, but he couldn’t avoid this.

It was important.

“I don’t think she knows that” you countered, pouring another shot for yourself which you downed casually before finally meeting his burning gaze. Whatever it was that he wanted, you both knew that you would help.

Because of the two of you, Jace was the selfish one. He did what he wanted without thinking about the consequences but you had never been like that.

Even now, he was sure that he could come here after months of not seeing you and ask a huge favor, and you wouldn’t hesitate to do as he asked. It was just the way you were and nothing was going to change that.

It was just who you were, and while he should have probably felt bad about knowing that and never trying to change it, there were too many other things he had to deal with.

Besides, if he was going to be a good boyfriend, he should have been that when you two were actually dating.

Worrying about it now wasn’t going to do either of you any good.

“Would you stop worrying about Clary for a second? We have things to do” he scoffed, snapping at you in a way that forced you to do as he said, if for nothing more than a second. You had no idea what was going on, but it was much more important than some new girl.

You just weren’t sure why yet.

“Simon’s at Hotel Dumort, I spoke to Raphael Santiago about him. Now would you get out of my bar” you sighed, desperately hoping that now that you’d given him what he wanted, he would go away.

Lying to them before hadn’t been your finest decision, but you couldn’t help it. You didn’t want to do this anymore, not with him.

The two of you had gone your separate ways for a reason, and you weren't really in the mood to rehash it all with him right now. It would be better for both of you if he just went away.

“I could, but I don’t really think you want that” Jace shrugged, that sly smirk on his face as he sat back down, still sure that this whole thing was just another game like you were so used to playing.

You didn’t get your feelings hurt.

That was what you always told him.

That you had lived too many lifetimes to ever get too attached to anything, or anyone. That you would be perfectly fine if he fell off the face of the earth one day and never came back. It would be so much easier that way, if you actually believed it.

You loved him.

Of course you did, but there was nothing you could do about it now. You and Jace had tried this whole thing and it didn’t work. You knew that if you gave it another shot, it would end just as badly as the first time.

It always went badly with the two of you.

“I really do, you shouldn't have come here” you allowed, taking his glass from the counter and setting it behind the bar before going for the backroom. You had no idea what was happening with you right now, or why you felt like this, but it didn’t really matter.

All you could think about in this second was getting away from him.

Not that Jace was going to let that happen.

Clearly, he had pushed you too far and this wasn’t the lighthearted tormenting you two usually got up to. You were upset, which was new for him because you were normally so hard to rattle.

He’d never gotten such a rise out of you before.

“Hey, hold on. Where are you going?” he asked, shooting Clary one last glance before following you.

The action caught the attention of several of the patrons he passed, but not one of them moved to interfere. After all your years of running this place, they knew well that you could handle yourself.

Even against a shadowhunter.

“Go help Clary find her friend, Jace. I’ll be here” you shrugged, bearing down on your teeth as you tried your best to shut down all the emotion bubbling up inside you. You didn’t want to feel it, didn’t want to care, and that wasn’t going to change.

Jace wasn’t yours anymore.

It was true.

You were always going to be here, and he knew that.

That was why it didn’t matter if months passed by before he came back or if he brought beautiful girls with him to meet you. No matter what he did, you were always going to be waiting for him and maybe that was the problem.

Maybe that was why you hadn’t worked in the first place. You were too available, too happy to help him when Jace was only concerned about himself.

“Will you?”

It was rich, especially coming from him. Acting as if you hadn't been there for him whenever he needed you even after you should have turned your back on him.

Of the two of you, he shouldn't have been the one worried about being alone.

“I get it. Vampires don’t have feelings right? We’re just monsters, and you kill monsters. I was an idiot to think that would ever change” you sighed, doing your best to ignore the anger bubbling up in your belly.

You just felt like such an idiot.

How could he have actually thought this whole thing was going to be a good idea? After all this time, it was almost as if he didn’t know you at all.

“I loved you, more than anything” he tried, not understanding how you’d managed to go from what you’d been like fifteen minutes ago to this. Fighting wasn’t new for the two of you, but this was.

Something about this was different.

This wasn’t fighting for the sake of it, knowing that you would find a way to make up when it was all over. It actually felt like you didn’t think he cared about you, which couldn't have been farther from the truth.

When you two were together, he’d never once doubted the way he felt for you. Though, you weren’t sure that you could be so convinced, because whether he believed it or not, you knew Jace better than he knew himself.

“I wish I could believe that”

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