shsummertimefest-blog

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Thank you so much for doing this (and for the reveal, of course :D)!! Just wanted to let you know: the collection isn't public yet or at least it's not for me.

Sorry, we’ve fixed it now!

By the way, if anyone wants us to add AO3 links to their post on our page, please let us know (and do provide the links, thanks!)

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Time for the Big Reveal!

Thanks for the wait everyone! We hope everyone enjoyed all the gifts and had as much fun participating as we had with organising it!

A special thank you to the amazing Angels that helped us out when we required backup gifts, we really appreciate you guys helping out, it meant that no one was left without a gift :)

The AO3 Collection has also been made public, you can still add your works to it if you’d like!

Hope to see everyone again next year!

Bern & Leonie

*`*`*`*`*`*

Click on the read more to find out who was your anonymous giftsmaker and go shower them in lots of love!!

The list is in alphabetical order. The easiest way to find who your gift maker was, is by hitting Crl + F and then searching your own name :)

accio-izzy was @acourtofhopeanddreams​’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

accio-izzy was @alexander-alec-lightwood​’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

achilleanragnor was @andrewjminyrds​‘s giftmaker - gift(s) here

acourtofhopeanddreams was @acute-tea-pi​‘s giftmaker - gift(s) here

acourtofhopeanddreams was @sweetlittlepeapod​‘s giftmaker - gift(s) here

acute-tea-pi was @fandom-madnessess‘s giftmaker - gift(s) here

alecsplushpillow was @nandawrites’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

alex-the-literal-trash was @isabellebiwoods’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

alexander-alec-lightwood was @cucumberdad’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

binlar-lover was @mariadelvca’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

mariadelvca was @aleclwb’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

blj2007 was @tarienemrys’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

blj2007 was @xmusicxbooksxbandsx’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

celestialbane was @achilleanragnor’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

certain-of-my-uncertainty was @magnusbane-daily’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

champagnemagnus was @groundopenwide’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

cocytus-cave was @paradise145’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

coloringpencils was @binlar-lover’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

daddariossmile was @magnusandalexander’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

dark-alice-lilith was @darlingalexanderbane’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

darlingalexanderbane was @downworldkings​’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

downworldkings was @oreosmunroe​’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

everydayshadowhunters was @sonofdork’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

fandom-madnesses was @magswoods‘s giftmaker - gift(s) here

fanny-toric was @magnusalec’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

highspeedsamurai was @malecbane-wood’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

hobbithole123 was @trashpcnda’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

imthehereticchild was @champagnemagnus’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

inasiriusrelationship was @accio-izzy’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

inasiriusrelationship was @blj2007‘s giftmaker - gift(s) here

inmalecscarvesmeanlove was @littleartbot’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

isabellebiwoods was @magsbane’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

isabellebiwoods was @ohlafraise’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

ladymatt was @alecsplushpillow’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

leetje was @ladymatt‘s giftmaker - gift(s) here

littleartbot was @leetje’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

madzielightbanes was @onthecyberseas’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

madzielightbanes was @that-bookish-nephilim​’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

magnusalec was @coloringpencils’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

magnusandalexander was @daddariossmile’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

magnusbane-daily was @alex-the-literal-trash’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

magsbane was @certain-of-my-uncertainty’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

magswoods was @peteir’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

magnusbane-wood was @dark-alice-lilith’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

miazeklos was @parabatrio’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

mundanelion was @highspeedsamurai’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

nandawrites was @tyrionlannisler’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

notbeingcryptic was @tekopupu’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

ohlafraise was @inasiriusrelationship’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

onthecyberseas was @prettylightwoodinspires’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

parabatrio was @cocytus-cave’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

paradise145 was @inmalecscarvesmeanlove’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

peteir was @seraphicstele’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

prettylightwoodinspires was @madzielightbanes’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

seraphicstele was @everydayshadowhunters’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

seraphicstele was @miazeklos’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

shirmir was @the-burning-tiger’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

sonofdork was @imthehereticchild’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

sweetlittlepeapod was @fanny-toric’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

sweetlittlepeapod was @magnusragnor’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

tarienemrys was @celestialbane’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

the-burning-tiger was @shirmir’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

trashpcnda was @notbeingcryptic’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

tyrionlannisler was @mundanelion’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

weissmaterial was @hobbithole123’s giftmaker - gift(s) here

Do let us know if we’ve missed yours out or messed up the linkings in any way!

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Get Ready!!

Reveal list will be posted within the next hour, thanks for waiting patiently everyone. It has been super awesome to host this again :D

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hey, IK u have a lot to do but just curious when everything willl be revealed....

We're having some trouble posting it for now, but we're trying to fix it! So sorry for the wait darlings

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How do we know who made our gift?

We'll post a roundup list shortly!

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Where's the ao3 archive?

http://archiveofourown.org/collections/ShadowhuntersSummertimeGiftFest2017/^thats our AO3 collection! Right now all the works are unrevealed, we'll reveal it at the same time we reveal all the gift makers!

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you know the only way to have something forever is to lose it.

Enjoy, @imthehereticchild!

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“magnus i don’t think i can live without you”

Enjoy, @aleclwb!

[shsummertimefest-blog]

All of Me

Enjoy, @that-bookish-nephilim!

Hey Babe!! I really hope you enjoy!❤️

~*~

Paris is shrouded with the brisk air of early autumn.

Atop the splendid terrace of Magnus’s opulent villa, Alec recollects the way Magnus had regaled to him the utter vitality that Paris exudes from each recess of it’s astonishing grounds. From the revered clothing worn by each of it’s civilians, to the pungent intermingling  of freshly baked bread, and spritzed on perfumes that dance in the open air. Aromas that have no business combining into each other, but strangely enough, only act to accentuate  the cities outlandish allure.  Magnus sounded most enthralled when speaking of the castles that skirt around it’s edges—screaming of the extravagance of livelihood.

Though standing there, alone and longing for Magnus to return, Alec finds none of the charm or luster of Paris that his boyfriend appears to be so delighted by. So, with a release of breath, the Nephilim soldier  stumbles back into the villa, cursing the subjugate of the Parisian vampire clan, whom had insisted upon Magnus’s company to regard his master…Which in turn held back Alec and Magnus’s evening plans to roam the vibrant city on another one of their dates around the world that Magnus was ever so insistent on conducting. (“You deserve so much more than what you’ve allowed yourself Alexander, I want to show you that.”)

The memory of Magnus saying that, so Ernest and true, it still makes it so a chill runs through Alec’s whole being, and he yearns for Magnus all over again—For his sparkling laughter, his enrapturing charisma, his lips that taste like brightness and brilliance and everything that makes the maverick so—so, him.

Collapsing onto the flamboyant duvet of the master bedroom, Alec finds himself contemplating how many times Magnus has adventured around the world. How many countries he has visited, then revisited, and revisited again. How many indiscriminate faces of the 17000 ever made enough of a lasting impact to join him on one of those adventures. How much it means that Magnus found it apt to take Alec to all his favorite spots in the midst of the brewing war, and the ominous battles of bloodshed that threaten to ravage the world as they know it.

With a sickening twist of the gut, Alec finds himself thankful that if these are there last days here on this earth as they know it—he’s thankful he’s spending it with who he thinks is the love of his life—his one and only. The only person who has ever made it so his heart flutters in his chest and his stance falter when caught off guard by his striking beauty.

Rising up from his position, Alec examine the room in it’s entirety. The strong purple of the sheets, to the trinkets the spatter against the walls and shelves, feeling far too giddy when he spots the head of the arrow Alec had gifted him with, dangling off one of the belts poking out of Magnus’s suitcase.

Alec remembers the day he had offered to teach Magnus how to handle a bow and arrow—the exact precision of the act. He remembers being pressed up against him. Remembers the sent of sandalwood and sunlight and something quintessentially Magnus tickling his nostrils, and the spark he felt running through his fingers when their hands brushed over the weapon, and being absolutely positive in that moment and everyone that followed that he’d do everything in his power to never see any weapon, or person, hurt Magnus. Sure that he’d readily hurt himself over anything touching Magnus in any sort of threatening posture.

Alec thinks it was that moment he had realized that he’s been in love with Magnus, since he could ever put it into words. Since probably the first interaction they had. There was an immediate kinship their, something that made Alec always come back to him—for whatever problem presented itself. (Hell he asked him to defend the life of his baby sister for fucks sake—he’d only trust his siblings well beings in his own hands, or evidently Magnus’s. And Yiyks, that’s gotta mean something big.)

Alec sometimes thinks that he loves Magnus so god damn much that his heart is cracking open—trying to make room for the intensity of it. And yet again, he’s blown away that Magnus has experienced lifetimes worth of frivolous acts and ardent romances of which Alec could not begin to wrap his mind around. But somehow,  actually appears to be as enraptured by Alec, as he by the illustrious warlock. Like Maybe Magnus loves him just as much.

And that’s something so awing and stupendous on it’s own, that Alec gets flustered all over again.

With a shake of the head to try and calm his nerves, Alec moves to finish up the unpacking for their weekend getaway—they were half way complete before being so rudely interrupted. So he opens up the second, and final suitcase filled to the brim with  apparel which can only be described as belonging to the Magnificent Magnus Bane, (all sorts of vibrant colors, and distinctive materials,)  and Alec’s gaze immediately focuses on the glimmering, compact pouch that he knows carries the day makeup that Magnus likes toying around with.

The pouch glimmers under the soft lights of the room, and Alec feels a sudden urge to just pick it up.

He unzips the case and peaks inside, scanning over all the different colored powders, and variously shaped brushes and tubes that he can even begin to understand their purpose, and suddenly thinks it’s far too much.

He’d always found himself enthralled by the way Magnus sashays into a room, demanding all the attention being focussed upon him with nothing more than his incandescent smiles, and the enrapturing , staccato timber of which he spoke. He had an aura about him that commanded respect for such an old force of power and brilliance, but also a softness that he exposed to Alec—an understanding that made Alec fall so hard in love with him. Made Alec see all the layers beneath the pretty outer shell, or the spiteful warnings by his parents against anyone of the downworld.

Magnus is a beautiful force all his own, proving how wrong, and downright discriminatory the way he had been brought up actually was. Magnus makes Alec want to b better, makes him want to understand every facet of a situation before acting on it. Magnus makes Alec a better leader, and he’s so thankful for that.

Returning his attention to the makeup pouch, Alec thinks of all the other ways he was oppressed—how he was never allowed to explore his sexuality, less it lead him off the beaten path his parents expected of him, of a Lightwood leader. Alec thinks of the way Magnus ever so artfully sweeps these paints across his stunning countenance, only accentuating his already beauteous features and enjoying himself while doing so.

Alec supposes that it is a testament to how far he has come in finding, and accepting his true self, that he even contemplates the experimentation with the instruments and liquids lying within the bag. No small portion of his journey being eased by Magnus Bane and all his brilliance.

And he’s yet again thankful for every part of him, from his beguiling laughter, to his soft understanding.

Alec loves him, so much so that he can feel it in his every breath.

Eventually  deciding that if he had the courage to leap head first into all the trappings of love, and expose his true feelings before his family, and  the clave, in what was meant to be his wedding—no matter how much of  a farce that was—Well he can   surely toy with the makeup, in ways he was never permitted in his adolescence, within the safe  confines of his boyfriends home.

.-.

Rain pelts down, harsh and relentless, as Magnus scurries through the cobble stoned streets of Paris. The occasional blasphemous curse spewed towards StClaire, and his minions, with more venom than what should probably be warranted considering how the old drunkard just wanted to catch up with an old friend, spilling out every few feet as he feels the water soaking his newly acquired shoes.

In truth the surly attitude had to do a lot more with StClaire snatching away any valuable time he would be sharing with Alec, over the new shoes. Alec, who’s waiting for him on Magnus’ bed. Alec who’s kisses make parts of Magnus he had come to think of as dormant come alive and brighten ten fold. Alec who touches him so tenderly, and speaks to him with so much conviction in his words—clear hazel eyes looking into his brown ones with so much love and openness, and care. Alec who trusts Magnus implicitly  and who Magnus trusts right back.

The customary fluttering of the chest whenever even thinking of the eldest Lightwood boy, yet takes Magnus aback in it’s profundity. How is it that this shadowhunter, a Lightwood for Lilith’s sake, has dictated nearly Magnus’s every thought, and enamored him so thoroughly.

From the endearing tendency of falling into the shadows, unwilling to allow his effulgence to flare in it’s full might, to the unwitting candor which permeates his words, and glimmer in his deep irises, , Alexander Lightwood is truly a shadowhunter whom has been cut with an entirely different mold. One with the truest heart Magnus has ever come to know in all his centuries, and a righteous sense of protection which he envelopes onto all he believes is deserving, A strong leader who tries to do the right thing, and actually admits his faults as quickly as he realizes them.

In truth, Magnus has found himself frightened by the intensity he had come to feel for Alexander in such a inconsequential amount of time, But then Alec is laughing with him about how big of a complex jumbo shrimp must have, and he’s resting his head into the crook of Magnus’s neck and shoulder, with Magnus wrapping his arms around him, bathing in the light of early morning and feeling it in his bones that he is it for Magnus.

That no matter what happens, or how much time passes, Alexander lightwood is his something permanent.

Convicted in that thought, and eager to finally reunite with Alec on what was suppose to be there weekend away from politics and stress, Magnus steps through the threshold of his home, embraced by the warmth radiating from the hearth, and wondering if the content feeling settling over him is something new, or only magnified because he knows that Alec is here, waiting for him.

Once straying to the grand bedroom of his humble abode, he finds himself very nearly tripping over empty space.

When Alexander swivels his position so that Magnus can take in the entirety of his striking features, Magnus feels his breath hitching.

His Alexander, his beautiful, darling Alexander, sits there, with the dark liquid of sparkling eyeliner, accenting the consuming hues of his hazel  irises, and a colorless gloss cloaking his bow shaped lips. And from the sight of a brush in his hand, Magnus suspects he was in the midst of placing another pouter onto his cutting cheek bones.

“You’re back,” he greets with a breathy sort of chuckle, and flush toning the tops of his ears, an Magnus cannot help but find the sight of his abashed form positively adorable.

“Yes, but it appears that I’ve interrupted something,” he inquires with a craning of his manicured brows, and a glint akin to amusement glittering in his eyes.

“I’m sorry Mags,” Alec sets down the instrument in his hands, a lopsided grin curling onto his lips.

Magnus merely thrusts out a singular finger forward, so to hush Alexander’s unnecessary apologies. Though the more he drank in his beautiful boyfriend, Magnus found himself all the more rendered speechless.

“I got curious,” Alexander shrugs bashfully in means of explanation, resulting in a chuckle escaping Magnus’s lips.

“Well I must admit, your beauty seems to only be amplified,” Magnus informs him,, an enigmatic grin melting into his handsome face.

“I’ll take your word for it,” Alec’s nose wrinkles, and Magnus can spot the shadows of insecurities gleaming from his every move

A rush of frustration pounds through the centuries old warlock, and he desires nothing more than to make Alec understand that no matter the state, with make up, or without, or anything else, he is worth more than all the riches of the seven seas.

“Take it, and know that it is nothing but the truth my dear Alexander.” Magnus whispers gruffly.

As Magnus cups his boyfriend’s cheek, the world feels as if it has been suspended, and for that infinitesimal moment, with their faces inclined so closely together, it felt as if time had folded in on itself, and it was just the two of them for that slice of eternity.

Alec golds down, and Magnus hopes it’s any remaining diffidence.

“You’re back,” he breathes before standing up to properly greet him face to face.

“Yes,” Magnus rubs his hands appreciatively over Alec’s biceps, dimpling up at him. “I told StClaire that I’d really chat another time as I’ve come to explore the city with my beautiful boyfriend.”

“Is that right,” Alec scoffs incredulously before slanting his lips over Magnus’s, effectively swallowing any remarks he might have.

It’s slow, languid almost. Both just enjoy the feel and taste of the other, the intimacy of the act. The way they feel so intwined.  And Magnus thinks that Alec must know—must know how he feels for him.

They move apart only slightly, Magnus can still feel the warm tendrils of Alec’s breath tickling over his lips. “I’ve missed you.”

“And I you Shadowhunter,” Magnus groans into his mouth, and presses him closer.

Stumbling backwards they collapse onto the bed, moving to frantic kissing and greedy hands slipping under shirts, and unzipping pants.

“You’re so beautiful,” Alec marvels, round eyes staring at Magnus stripping off his shirt, fluttering his finger tips over  Magnus’s boxer briefs, in   silent question. magnus just responds by thrusting his already rock hard boner into Alec’s hand.

“What can I say, you do something to me Nephilim,” Magnus snickers.

Alec’s tongue darts out, licking the edge of his mouth, his eyes darkening. But before he gets any ideas, Magnus toots at him, swatting his hand away, and instead putting them both over his head.

“Let me take care of you, okay?”

Alec stays silent, but eager if the way he bucks up his hips is any indication.

Magnus huffs out a chuckle before pressing their lips back against each other, hard and moving to push down Alec’s trousers—thumbing against the head of his dick, and the wet spot piercing against his white briefs.

“I, ah,” another moan. “I guess you have the same effect on me.”

Magnus gives him a lopsided grin before licking down his pecks—circling his tongue around his left nipple and biting down just hard enough to here Alec hissing out. continuing his path down Alec’s beautifully chiseled torso, and nosing against his yet, brief clad dick.

“Such a fucking tease,” Alec groans, thrusting his hips upwards greedily.

“So fucking impatient,” Magnus volleys right back before using a single finger to slowly peal away the fabric—ultimately just pulling it off all at once—The redness of Alec’s throbbing dick bouncing out.

Magnus licks around the head, before moving to the underside of Alec’s dick  and pushing forward, more than a bit smug when catching the way Alec’s gripping his sheets for dear life, moaning out his name all the while.

Magnus cups his balls, and Alec cums just as quick.

Preening, Magnus moves to collapse next too a very spent looking Alec, his face gleaming with sweat, and chest moving up and down with heavy breaths.

“I want you to fuck me.”

Magnus would be lying if he didn’t say that a thrill shot right down his body and to his dick at the sound of that.

“”s okay Alexander,” he runs a hand through his ink black hair. “We have all the time in the world—We had a long trip, let’s just get some shut eye, m’kay.”

Alec looks a little put out, and Magnus can’t stop laughing at the puppy comparison’s.

“Tomorrow morning?”

Magnus sweeps away some of the smudged lipstick that stains Alec’s mouth.

“Sounds like a date.”

“A sex date,” Alec laughs and Magnus face palms.

~*~

Magnus wakes up to breakfast in bed and probably the best head of his life.

[shsummertimefest-blog]

-It’s after blood Magnus!-

Enjoy, @fanny-toric​!

Thanks for helping out as a pinch hitter despite not participating!

Alexander [10:36pm]

When do you think you’ll be home? X

Magnus [10:38pm]

Soon Darling, I’m just finishing up with my last client. Xx

Alexander [10:41pm]

How soon? X

Magnus [10:44pm]

No more than half an hour. Is everything okay Alexander? Xx

Magnus [10:50pm]

Alexander?? Xx

Magnus [10:53pm]

I’m on my way home. Xx

——————————————————————————————-

Magnus didn’t know what to expect as he cautiously stepped out of the portal and into the loft. The room was dark except for the blue wisps of magic pulsing from the palms of his hands. He silently moved further into the loft, weary of any threat that may have been lurking in the shadows. Magnus progressed towards to the bedroom where there was a faint glow beneath the door.

Silently edging into the room Magnus was struck by multiple thoughts at once. Firstly, Alec had very obviously only recently showered, if the towel held around his waist and the wet hair sticking up in every direction, was anything to go by. Secondly, he was stood on top of their bed; His head only inches away from the ceiling, with his sword waving around frantically towards the floor.

“Alexander?” Magnus called quietly, not quietly enough he soon realised as Alec let out a squeal, which he would later deny. Alec stared at Magnus for a second before gesturing wildly for his boyfriend to join him on the bed,

“Magnus! Get on the bed! It’s not safe down there!!” As soon as Magnus was close enough Alec pulled him onto the bed and pushed him safely behind himself; which was a feat in and of itself when he was both holding a sword and trying to keep his towel from falling down.

“Darling, do you care to explain what’s happening please?” Magnus stood patiently waiting for a reasonable explanation as to why two full grown men, one of which was a Warlock and the other a Shadowhunter, were stood in the middle of their bed.

Alec stared at the floor intently with his sword still directed towards, what Magnus could only assume to be, an invisible demon.

“I was attacked in the shower Magnus! Then the beast followed me in here and it’s hiding!” Alec was desperately looking around the floor for the beast to reappear.

“What type of demon was it?” Magnus demanded, concerned at how any such thing got through his wards without his knowledge. His magic flared up in his hands yet again, ready to vanquish any demon that dared enter their home.

“Not a demon Magnus! A beast! A hairy eight legged beast! It attacked me in the shower and followed me and now I’ve lost it!” Alec sounded distraught at having lost the location of said beast.

The magic at Magnus’ fingertips began to dissipate as what Alec said sank in.

“Alexander,” he softly put his hand on the Shadowhunter’s shoulder, “Are we standing on the bed because you saw a spider?”

“Magnus you don’t understand! That…that thing charged at me! It has a vendetta against me and I have to end it!” Alec turned to face Magnus with a deadly serious expression, “If we don’t find it, we have to move. It’s out for blood Magnus!”

Magnus looked down for a moment, his hand going up to cover his mouth, trying desperately to stifle his laughter. This wasn’t the first time he had dealt with Alec and his encounters with spiders, far from it. However, each time Alec’s stories of vendettas and personal grudges the spiders had against him got more and more extravagant. And people called Magnus the over-dramatic one. Pulling himself together and forcing down his smile, he looked up at his Alexander,

“Angel, as much as I appreciate you trying to protect me I think I c…” Magnus was cut off as Alec threw himself past his boyfriend with his sword and proceeded to strike a hole right through the bedroom wall.

“Damn it Magnus I missed!” Alec cried, frantically trying to pull the sword from where it was firmly planted in the wall, “By the Angel Magnus, will you please stop laughing and help me!”

Magnus was holding his stomach as the laughter bellowed out of him. The sight of Alec struggling to free the sword from where he had tried so valiantly to save his boyfriend from the small spider, the towel close to falling off his hips, was just too much for the Warlock. Sitting on the edge of the bed Magnus took a few deep breaths, trying to tame his laughter.

“I’m sorry Alexander.” Magnus turned to look up at his boyfriend, who had now given up on his sword and had his lips in a small pout as he refused to look back, “I truly am sorry Darling. Would it make you feel better if I simply used my magic to make the spider go away?” he saw Alec give the smallest nod and quickly banished the spider away to a nice little dark corner safely away from his Shadowhunter and their loft.

“Is it gone?” Alec asked in a small voice, a light blush covering his cheeks as he glanced over his shoulder to where Magnus was sitting. Magnus gave a soft smile and gestured for him to sit.

“It’s far away my love. I promise.” He smiled running his hands through Alec’s still damp hair as he joined his boyfriend. “Now, after all that spider hunting I’m sure you’re in need of another shower…why don’t I join you this time?” Magnus smirked as the light blush on Alec’s face got brighter.

“I don’t think you deserve to see all this,” he gestured up and down his torso which was now almost as flushed as his face, “after how you laughed at me.” Magnus could see that Alec was trying to fight the teasing smile that was slowly taking over his face.

“Oh really? Well I was planning on making it up to you, but if you’d rather I not…” Magnus went to stand when Alec quickly gripped him around the waist and pulled him down onto his lap. The smile Magnus gave Alec was simply devious as he leant forwards to kiss the younger man along his jaw, “Thought that might change your mind love.” He whispered, delighted with the shiver he got in return.

——————————————————————————————-

Alec gently untangled Magnus’ legs from around his waist and let him down as he leant back against the shower wall. Sighing contentedly he smiled softly at Magnus, watching the drops of water running down his chest as he stood directly under the shower head.

Alec took a small step forwards and gently kissed Magnus on the lips,

“If every encounter with a spider ends like this I may have to start summoning them.” Magnus stated gleefully.

The last thing Alec heard as he left the shower was Magnus’ scream as the water turned from hot to cold in seconds.

[shsummertimefest-blog]

Coffee Flavoured Kisses

Enjoy, @fandom-madnessess!

Sorry that it took soo much pixie dust ahh!!!!

Soulmate AU; in which a timer tattoo everyone is born with counts down to when you talk to your soulmate but vibrates and glows when you get closer proximity wise to them. Putting the tattoos together also causes sparks to fly, literally. 

Jace/Simon and Izzy/Maia

There were very few things that everyone had in common in the world. The majority, mundanes, were just that- boring and run of the mill. They all had the same problems; cheating, dropping out, addiction. Of course Nephilim and Downworlders also had their problems but they were slightly more serious problems, like they could die so easily.

At least that’s what Jace was thinking as he sat sipping black coffee and watching a mundane couple breakup at the local cafe; Java Jane’s. “Typical mundanes, taking their timers as suggestions and still trying to date everyone,” he thought to himself as Izzy arrived and sat down. “Has your timer started buzzing too?” He asked simply as he handed her her iced mocha, gesturing to both of their wrists which were now pulsing slowly and glowing slightly.

“Well it’s counting down but we need to get the drinks for everyone else, we can talk about it later; let’s go.” Izzy informed her brother as she headed to one of the baristas; a tall raven-haired boy who was clearly a vampire whilst Jace spoke to a small werewolf named Maia who had her afro in two little bunches. The shadowhunter was distracted from checking out the other woman when her wrist started pulsating more frequently now and the light got brighter. The timer had run down to zero and a quick glance at the blond next to her told her so had his. Now they just needed to figure out who's soulmate was whose.

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“I’m sorry but my soulmate is CLEARLY Maia, from what I've heard about Simon from Clary, were completely incompatible. Nerdy unathletic boys in comparison to me, well there is no comparison and the angels wouldn’t put me with that. Now humoring losers? That’s your forte.” Jace laughed as he and Izzy walked back to the institute now, dodging out of the way of her kick with a smirk. “So predicta-oof.” the man teased, groaning in pain as he didn’t see the punch to his gut that time.

“Personally I think that it’s me that’s soulmates with Maia but I think we should have a date night with the pair and see what happens. I’ll ask Clary to invite them over for movies or something.” Izzy mused simply, heading over to speak to the red-head, handing her her latte and pulling her into her room to discuss.

“Izzy, what’s so important?” Clary asked with laughter, jaw dropping when she saw that the timer had run out. “Jace’s ran out too; we think it’s Simon and Maia but we were both talking to them at the same time so we have no idea who’s who.” The woman explained to her friend, who nodded and called Simon immediately.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Working in a coffee shop will great, you got to meet so many interesting people. Not that we don’t already meet interesting people, I mean we are downworlders. Not that all downworlders are interesting but I’m used to interacting with mundanes. Not that that’s a-” The rambling Simon was cut off by Maia covering his mouth with a raised eyebrow.

“That nervous huh? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you don’t bite anyone. Plus lots of shadowhunters hand gout there so really bad idea to break the accords; see? There’s… Jace and Isobel I think. Shut up and try not to get us fired on the first day.” the werewolf warned, putting her apron on and sliding behind the counter, double checking that the area was clean as Izzy and Jace made their way over to the till, raising an eyebrow when her wrist started pulsing, hiding it behind her back as Jace ordered, her wrist glowing brightly now. As soon as the pair had been served, the young vampire started his usual curious tirade: “Did your wrist glow two? Not that mine did but if it did does that mean that Isobel’s my soulmate? Not saying that she is of course, but I’m not attracted to Jace. I mean he is attractive but the brooding… overly masculine with a feminine face look is out. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Plus, Isobel’s closer to Clary so it just-”

“Oh my god do you ever shut up?! Call Clary and we’ll go to the cinema or something to figure out who’s who. Though you're both always on the same wavelength so i bet she's calling you now.” Maia teased with a laugh, laughing louder when Clary started calling the dark haired boy.

“Oh hey fray, we were just talking about you. Not in a bad way! Just that-” The man began only to be cut off.

“You two want to come over and figure out who your soulmate is, I get it. I’ve already told both of them to go to the boat bunker for 3 so… try and make it hospitable and tell me details tomorrow.” Clary laughed, rolling her eyes.

“Thanks Fray; you're the best.” Simon laughed, hanging up. “Looks like we find our soulmates tonight.” He informed the waiting woman with a happy smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“That nervous huh?” Alec asked as he and Clary watched Jace and Izzy get ready, laughing when Izzy messed up her lipstick and Jace cut himself shaving before going to help the pair.

“Shut up Alec, you’ve already met your soulmate and there was no confusion around it.” Jace grumbled as Alec rolled his eyes and sorted his parabatai’s hair.

“You think I wasn't nervous when I kissed Magnus at my ill advised wedding? According to Clary and Simon, I was ‘so far in the closet I was best friends with Mr Tumnus; whoever that is.” Alec countered, slapping Jace’s cheek playfully.before stepping away from him with a proud smirk. “Off you guys go! Only Clary left now!” He teased, flinching when Clary hit him in the stomach at that comment.

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“Welcome guys! Mi casa es su casa. Though this is technically not mi casa. Maybe mi boathouse es su boathouse is better. I don’t know why we’ve never met, we all consider Clary a friend. Though I am her best friend. You can ha-”

“Oh my God who stuck him in fast- forward?!” Jace sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes.

“Oh, sorry I don’t have the natural urge to brood and insult people man; do you wanna go?!” Simon shot back, stepping closer to the man.

“I don't like you.” The shadowhunter snapped, pointing at the vampire and doing his best to ignore the pulsing in his wrist.

“When you DRAMA QUEENS are done, we’ve already figured out who’s whose soulmate.” Maia laughed, pulling the men apart now and showing them as Izzy and her touched timers, the glows grew until small sparks flew. “Now, as soon as they form a little heart in the air, we’re in business.”

Izzy piped up now; “Which means…” Only to be cut off by Simon.

“No nononono. My soulmate is NOT a giant gymrat who hates my guts; there's clearly a mistake.” The man stammered, starting to pace now. Sighing theatrically, Jace grabbed the man to stop him. “Listen Einstein, We’re clearly soulmates so just… try and woo me or some shit. Don’t ramble or I’ll break your nose.” he warned simply, letting go of the vampire after he had calmed down.

“Well.. I don't know what you know about music but apparently you're not too bad so we can play some music together?” Simon suggested, heading over to his guitar; Jace rolling his eyes but nodding and following, messing around with the beatbox machine absentmindedly now and easily making a catchy beat.

“That help you when you’re chasing down downworlders huh?” the vampire teased, strumming the guitar and looking up at the blond with a cheeky, infectious smile, Jace smiling back unwillingly and chuckling.

“Let’s hear what you can do then.” He mused, glancing over at Maia and Izzy who had gone straight to kissing, as he sat down. On Simon's bed. Standing up with a start, he just stood listening to the man play and sing, eventually sitting back on Simon’s bed next to the vampire with a smile. “Does that count as a serenade?” He teased softly, glancing down at his lips subtly.

“No. Well I mean technically yes it does because it was written as a serenade but it wasn't specifically written for you. I mean if it worked for you that’s great too but the original purpose was-” Simon rambled, tapping gently on his guitar as he explained and gasping softly when Jace leaned forward to kiss him softly before pulling back with a smile.

“Maybe that’ll shut you up.” He smirked, raising an eyebrow.

“I-I- Well yeah it would but you taste like coffee and I just want you to know that.” The man stammered, The shadowhunter rolling his eyes and tangling his hand in the boy’s raven hair and kissing him again.

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“So.. how did you know that the spark thing was gonna work?” Izzy asked Maia as the pair sat on the sofa, Just talking as the boys disappeared.

“The truth?” She asked, laughing when the runed girl nodded vigorously before continuing, “I didn’t have a fucking clue until like an hour ago and even then I was playing on a hunch.” She laughed, shrugging.

“What hunch was that?” she asked softly, moving closer to Maia as she bit her lip teasingly as she waited for a response. The werewolf leaned closer till their faces were inches apart before telling the woman. “I noticed you checking me out whilst I was checking you out.” she whispered, leaning in for a kiss.

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When it came down to it, they were all the same no matter your race; Slightly coffee addicted individuals who had no idea what they were doing till they met their soulmates. Now they all had a double the reason to love Java Jane’s; not just for the drinks but those addictive coffee flavoured kisses.

[shsummertimefest-blog]

Then I Met You

Enjoy, @dark-alice-lilith

Here you go, I hope you enjoy it! :-)

“What are you afraid of?”

Just a moment ago, Magnus and Alec had woken up after one of the best nights sleep Magnus had had in awhile. Last night, him and Alec had taken their relationship to the next level. It was wonderful, and it couldn't have gone better, in Magnus’s opinion. Alec had been so eager, and so willing to share this experience with him. Magnus felt so lucky to have this amazing man in his life.

Alec had woken up, with his adorable bed head and sleepy voice, and they started to engage in some pillow talk. Somehow, this had evolved into Alec asking him about his fears. Magnus’s biggest fear had always been to fully open his heart up to someone, only to have them break his heart. Though, he couldn’t let Alec know that; not yet, not when everything was so perfect between them. So, he pretended to think about his answer for a moment.

“Acid washed jeans.” He said lightly. He started chuckling at his own joke, unable to keep a straight face.

“Oh, come on, Magnus.” Alec murmured. He rolled over onto his back. “I’m serious. You’re an all-powerful warlock who can summon demons. You’ve lived through centuries of war. And you’re immortal.” He looked over a Magnus, a questioning look on his face. “What scares you?”

Magnus tried to come up with another, more believable, answer this time. “...The key to having no fears? Having nothing to lose.” He mentally face palmed. That didn’t sound any better. Alec smirked at him with a knowing look on his face. He clearly didn't buy that answer. Sighing with defeat, Magnus rolled over onto his back, looking up at the ceiling. “I don’t know. I guess that’s why...I haven’t opened my heart up for over a hundred years. Then I met you.”

Alec smiled his beautiful smile, and he reached his arm down to clasp Magnus’s hand in his own; Magnus rubbing his fingers against his in comfort.

“I’m glad I met you, Magnus.” Alec whispered to him. As he said it, Magnus felt his heart melt. It was such an incredibly sappy thing to say, but he couldn’t find himself to care. How could he, when he was lying in bed with the most kindest and beautiful man he’s ever met in a very long time? He could recite cheesy love poems to him, and he’d love every second of it.

“Me too, Alexander.” They just laid there for a few moments, enjoying the feel of the other’s hand in their own. An idea popped into Magnus’s head suddenly. “You, know, Alexander, whenever someone spends the night, I only have one rule.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that.”

“Well, the rule is, we must engage in at least one hour of cuddling before we officially start the day.” He declared, an official sounding tone in his voice.

Alec started giggling softly at that. There was that smile again. I must get him to smile more often, Magnus thought to himself. “That sounds like a great idea.” Alec said. He moved over closer to where Magnus was, and wrapped one arm around Magnus’s shoulders, like it had been earlier, and the other around Magnus’s waist.

“I’m glad you think so.” Magnus said, placing one hand on Alec’s chest, and the other cupping the back of Alec’s neck. He snapped his fingers, and the golden sheets wrapped around their waists were now pulled all the way up to their shoulders. “What do you think?” He whispered, now so close to Alec’s face that their noses were almost touching.

“Hmm, I guess I could get used to this.” Alec whispered back to him, humor laced in his voice. He tightened his arms around Magnus, showing that he wasn't planning on letting him go anytime soon. Magnus was so touched that someone could care about him this much; that someone cared enough to stay with him. Most of the the lovers he’d had in the past usually left as soon as the night was over, before Magnus even got the chance to offer them cuddles and sweet, morning kisses.

Magnus closed the small distance between them, and kissed him with all the feelings he could muster. Kissing Alec always took his breath away, and when Alec would kiss him first, he felt as if he could faint right on the spot, because it was him. It was true what he told Alec last night; it’s been awhile since he felt this strongly about someone, and being this vulnerable in front of someone was not an easy thing for him to do. Though, around Alec, letting his guard down, and letting himself love and be loved, it felt like the easiest thing in the world. As if he’s been doing it for years.

When they finally parted from their kiss, Alec presses one more kiss to Magnus’s forehead, a kiss to his neck, and a kiss to his shoulder. Magnus moves down to lay his head on Alec’s chest, right over his heart.

“I wish we could stay like this forever.” Alec said softly, his voice still slightly rough with sleep. It was such a small thing, but it made Magnus’s heart beat faster.

“Me too.” Magnus replied, pressing a kiss on Alec’s chest. There was no need for words right now, just comfortable silence, and the occasional kiss.

Magnus Bane was falling hard for this wonderful man holding him in his arms like he was the most precious thing in his world. He wouldn’t have had it any other way.

[shsummertimefest-blog]

Enjoy, @noksindra!

Hey there Mathilde along with the gift I want to say thanks for the awesome fanart you create! They're unique and never fail to put a smile on my face. Stay awesome!

[shsummertimefest-blog]

Enjoy, @magsbane!

Hey! Your original ask all those months ago was for some Lightwood Sibs with Protective Magnus, so I hope I managed to cover those and do it justice. I hope you enjoy, and happy summer! ❤

It had always been coming to this. Alec didn't know why he was so surprised to be here. Only twenty four hours ago, this had felt like the most distant thing in the world. It had felt like he could still fix everything with the politics and strategy and diplomacy he'd been raised on.

Sometimes diplomacy wasn't enough. It was a lesson he was going to have to learn to live with.

The air was different in Idris. He'd noticed it the second they’d arrived, on the hunt for Sebastian and Valentine, before they could make it to Lake Lyn and destroy the Downworld. Destroy everything. Destroy…

Alec couldn't think about that. Magnus had chosen his side; he'd made that abundantly clear the last time he was in the Institute. Magnus had to be the High Warlock of Brooklyn right now, just as Alec had to be the Head of the New York Institute. Magnus couldn't just be Magnus.

Magnus had to choose his people, just like Alec had to choose his. And the Warlocks had chosen the Seelies, who were far away from the beaches of Idris. Safe.

At least Magnus was safe. At least one person would survive all this. Alec didn't blame him for a second. He just wished…

Before he could pursue that though, there was a rogue Shax demon flying at his face, too close for Alec to take a shot, or grab the Seraph blade at his hip. But before it got within a foot of him, there was a sharp crack as Isabelle caught it with her whip and dragged it back to earth, Jace leaping in to finish it off.

Alec moved closer to them as they loosely formed a circle, back to back. Just like the old days, when they'd been teenagers and out on their first missions alone. Jace was his parabatai and Izzy was his sister. He'd die for either of them.

If they did this properly, maybe no one would die at all.

It was the one thing Alec had to focus on, ignoring the bodies littering the beach. He was a soldier with a job to do. Mortality and mourning had to come second. For now, they had to survive, protect Idris, and stop Valentine.

Easy, right?

“How many?” Jace asked, voice straining over the din of war around them.

“What?” Alec asked, nocking another arrow and sighting out another demon, wings lifting it into a position where Alec could get a clean shot.

“How many demons have you killed?” Jace asked, even as he leapt forward, driving blades through more of the oncoming demon forces.

“Jace, this isn't the time for -”

“Ninety three.”

Alec let his shot fly, watching the arrow pierce the heart of the demon he'd targeted, before turning to stare at Izzy over his shoulder. Jace had paused too, looking at Izzy with what could only be described as pride and admiration.

Alec had always said she was the best Shadowhunter in the Institute. Jace was too, but then his angel blood meant it was practically cheating. Izzy… she was singularly brilliant because she'd worked for it.

“Okay fine, start from scratch now. First one to 25,” Jace challenged, simultaneously moving back into position and demolishing another two demons.

“Does that mean you were losing to me, brother?” Izzy challenged.

“Well, I won't be anymore!”

Alec rolled his eyes, grabbing three arrows from his quiver and lining up a shot. He took a moment to breathe and then fired, watching with some satisfaction as four demons disintegrated on the spot.

“Four,” Alec replied. There was no stopping them from their games, and besides, maybe making light of all this was the best they could do. There were so many demons, Alec didn't know how they'd be getting out of this one.

If they didn't, he certainly wasn't going to deny himself whatever moments of joy he could get.

Jace laughed, before leaping into action. He could feel Jace through his parabatai bond more intensely than he had in months. But then again, the bond was built for battle. Part of Alec knew exactly what Jace was going to do before he did it. None of them loved war, but the challenge of all this was setting Jace alight. It was infectious, and the thrill Jace felt… well, Alec smiled a little for the first time in hours. Days, even.

He'd always have Jace and Izzy. No matter what. He had to believe that.

“Holy shit, what is that?” Jace shouted, and Alec turned, eyes widening at the sight. Emerging from the sand itself was a creature easily bigger than a house. Scales shining in the sun, wings unfurling… “Is that a dragon?”

“Greater demon, more likely,” Alec murmured, moving to stand by Jace, watching the oncoming storm.

“If that gets to the city…” Izzy murmured.

“We can't let it.”

Alec took a deep breath, starting to strategize. If they could lure it away from the main fight, then they would at least have open ground to fight it on, away from all the smaller demons. But it was massive, and his arrows were probably toothpicks to something that size. It was hard to see a way through. But still, he could try.

“Jace, if you -”

“Clary!”

Alec resisted the urge to slam his head against a tree. Stay in the back, he'd told her. Stay safe, we'll take care of it. She'd been unhappy, but Alec had put his foot down. Baby Shadowhunters weren't built for this sort of battle. This was different to a couple of Shax demons in the sewers. This was major, and he'd wanted to keep her out of the way so they could stay focused.

But there she was. The insufferable redhead, running around the lake, past the dragon and straight into the forest, alone. Where Angel only knew what lay in wait for her.

“Go,” Alec said, looking over to meet his parabatai's eyes. Jace looked torn, ripped between staying with his family or going after the rebellious redhead. It had been that way since Clary Fray had barrelled into their lives though. Alec might find her infuriating, but she meant something to Jace.

He had learned to accept that. Clary Fray had damn near ripped them apart once - her and a collection of other factors, but still. Alec wouldn't let it happen again. Jace was too important to him. And right now, Jace needed to ensure Clary was safe more than he needed to be here.

“Alec…” Jace began, but Alec shook his head.

“No. Just go, and we'll see you again when you’re safe, okay?”

After a long moment, Jace nodded. “Okay.”

There was no time for goodbyes in battle. Just action. So Jace went, and Izzy moved closer to his side, eyeing the demon cautiously even as it drew closer.

“So what do we do now, big brother?”

“We take that thing down,” Alec replied, grabbing another arrow and lining up a shot.

Easier said than done had never felt more real. Alec just hoped they made it through.

The thing about using arrows was that eventually they ran out. It was a fact Alec had always been aware of, and one he was especially cursing right now. Izzy did her best to pick up those that she could find, but in the middle of a battle with a Greater Demon it was a little difficult.

As was fighting a literal dragon with a seraph blade, which was feeling about as useful as a toothpick right now. All they could do was try and distract it, but even that was proving costly.

They'd lost too many good people today.

It felt like days since this had all started, hours since Jace had left their side. Time had its own concept, and Alec was reduced to measuring it by the number of times he’d had to activate his stamina rune, the number of aches and pains and wounds on his body. He’d trained all his life to be a solider, but they’d never trained him for war. Not like this. Skirmishes on the streets of New York were entirely different to this. This… this was chaos.

It was hard to hold out hope for so long in a situation like this. They were outnumbered, outgunned and outmanoeuvred. Alec had rallied what was left of their forces to the beach, to prevent the demons reaching Idris itself. But there was no end to the hordes, and with a dragon at their back, it was hard to hold their own.

They were being toyed with. There was no way they could win this. There was no way it could end well.

Regardless, Alec kept fighting. If he gave up, then everyone else would. And they couldn’t just give up. He had to keep going. For Izzy, at the very least, he had to keep going. If there was one person he could save in all of this, it had to be Izzy. Jace, Max, Magnus, there were all far outside of his control. Izzy, though… Izzy he could save. Izzy could go home. If they just made it through, if they just somehow stopped the oncoming tide…

He wasn’t sure how that was going to happen. Ever since Fray had arrived, Alec had been getting used to the concept of not knowing what to do. Not that he found it any more comfortable than he had before, but at least it wasn’t unfamiliar. Valentine, the Downworld, the wreck that had become the New York Institute, the Clave… they seemed to flipping from one disaster to another lately. It just so happened this was the latest one. And arguably the biggest.

He was down to his last arrow, and rather than fire it he was saving it for an emergency, instead trying to fend off the hoards of minor demons doing their best to overwhelm them on the shore. The Greater Demon was a problem, but one that would have to wait.

Alec turned on the spot, driving his blade up into the heart of the closest demon, one that was making a leap for another of the Shadowhunters. The thing disintegrated with a shriek, but another took its place just as easily. It was a simple process. Spin, stab, pause, target. Over and over until something broke the chain.

Until someone broke the chain.

“Izzy!”

He’d never left her side for long, refusing point blank to do so, but somewhere along the way Izzy had strayed a little. And looking over now, Alec could see what had happened, clear as day. There was one of the younger ones of their forces, a kid who could barely be sixteen, and Izzy was on the ground in front of him, wrestling with a demon too close for comfort. No doubt that Izzy had seen the kid, seen the memory of a wounded Max, and done everything she could to protect him.

And now she was in trouble. Running forward, Alec ignored everything and everyone else, drawing his final arrow with a calm certainty that only came when the people he loved were in danger. He took only a moment to aim before letting the arrow fly, watching it soar through the air and pierce the neck of the demon attacking his sister with deadly precision.

Izzy stopped struggling almost immediately, coughing slightly through the acrid burn of ichor and smoke. She pushed herself upright, flipping her hair out of her eyes. Alec smiled slightly in her direction, no matter how inappropriate it likely was for the time. She was safe, for now. He'd always be happy about that.

His joy was short lived, however, as there was quickly a weight on his back and a sharp pain in his shoulder. And in that moment, several things happened at once.

The most pressing and urgent thing Alec was aware of was the demon at his shoulder, effectively trying to chew through his neck.

It was nothing Alec hadn't felt before, over the years, but that didn't make it less pleasant. His hands reached up, using a dagger pulled from his belt to stab through and rip the thing free. Even as the demon fell free and began to disappear in a ball of ash and smoke, his problems weren't exactly over.

The second thing Alec became aware of was the dragon. In protecting Izzy he'd veered into enemy lines a little more than he'd intended, and the great red beast was now looming behind him, something that was impossible to miss from the sound of it breathing. Alec turned slowly on the spot, looking up to see it approach, eyes glowing with malice.

Alec was bleeding badly, and he could feel the demon ichor beginning to hit his system. No doubt it could smell the injury. He took a step back but stumbled, tripping backwards and landing in the sand and dirt with a thud that seemed to rattle all of his bones.

The third thing he noticed was Izzy. Izzy, who was yelling his name, no doubt scrambling to her feet, running towards him. Alec wished she would stay away - the dragon was looking particularly menacing, a massive inhale of breath signifying the thing Alec had been seeing since it arrived, the deadly stream of fire it produced every now and again.

Fire that would be pouring his way in a matter of seconds.

Alec wished he could move, could at least try to get away, but the strength was gone from his limbs, fatigue and injury finally leaving their mark. Izzy was too far, and the demon forces too great.

It was over. At least Izzy was safe, but there was no way he would get out of this now. Closing his eyes, he sent out a silent apology to Jace, to the parabatai bond he would inevitably break.

The final thing he thought of was Magnus.

He wished they could have had more time. At the very least, he wished they could have had a better final moment that Magnus having to choose another side. He wished they could have kissed, wished he could have reminded Magnus how much he loved him.

He wished they could have had a future.

Maybe the demon ichor really was getting to his head, because at he lay there, he could have sworn he heard Magnus' voice, calling his name.

The dragon roared, heat poured across Alec's face, and yet somehow, he didn't feel any pain. Alec frowned before opening his eyes, squinting against the brightness in front of him. And there, silhouetted against the fire, was a familiar set of shoulders, hands thrown up and a barrier of magic holding back the flames.

Magnus was here. Magnus was here, in Idris. Saving his life.

If Alec hadn't already been desperately in love with him, he definitely would be now.

“Magnus?” Alec choked out, and Magnus glanced over his shoulder, a faint smile on his face. “What are you doing here? The warlocks -”

“Know the only way we are ever going to make things better is by helping now,” Magnus replied. Alec frowned. That wasn’t what he’d been saying before.

“But the Seelie Queen… I thought -”

“She only cares about her own games, and her own amusement.” He could imagine that. The Queen was always difficult to deal with, but she also sat apart from the rest of the Downworld. What did the Seelies care if New York and Idris burned? They had their own realm. They’d be fine, no matter what. There were no consequences. Not like there were for them.

Alec exhaled, lying back on the sand. Magnus turned away from the barrier, which seemed to hold itself up, a testament to the seemingly infinite power of his boyfriend. Alec could see flashes of light from beyond the golden iridescent bubble, a cacophony of sound as the beach flooded with Downworlders - wolves, warlocks and vampires alike. Alec hadn’t even noticed the sun go down. He could see Simon and Raphael with Izzy, protecting her back. Dot was nearby, holding back the demon forces as Catarina ran to some of the injured Shadowhunters, lying on the sand. Wolves raced past, tearing at the demons with claws and teeth and energy Alec had long spent.

Suddenly, it felt like a war they might win.

As Magnus moved closer and began to work his magic, Alec lay back and took a deep breath. He'd never really gotten used to the feeling of magic working on him, especially Magnus’. It felt so… intimate somehow. But the pain relief was something, and Alec was a lot less certain about his oncoming doom. He had Magnus at his side. There wasn't a power left in the world that could stop them.

“Did you really doubt I would come for you?”

Alec frowned, thinking it over for a moment. Had he ever doubted Magnus loved him? No, of course not. If anything, in all this mess and chaos that was the one thing that he was sure of. Their relationship, what they felt for each other, Alec had never doubted that for a second. But they had jobs, a duty to their people. Magnus himself had admitted things were complicated, because he was trying to balance his duty to his people with his love for a Shadowhunter. It wasn’t as if Alec didn’t understand. He’d been there, with the Inquisitor throwing his every decision into doubt because his judgement was somehow ‘clouded’ by his feelings.

If it had just been the two of them, Alec wouldn’t have doubted Magnus for a second. But it was never just the two of them. They had the whole world weighing down on their shoulders. And that would always count for something, whether they liked it or not. And Alec would never want to take that duty away from Magnus. Never.

"I wasn't sure," Alec admitted, not willing to lie to Magnus, not after everything. Their relationship needed to be built on honesty. He wasn't about to ruin that now. "It sounded like the Seelie Queen made a good case. She was pretty clear about her terms."

Magnus scoffed a little, rolling his eyes. "She made a case, backed it up with some emotional blackmail, and then inevitably left us high and dry. I'm just sorry it worked for a while."

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Alec insisted, pushing himself up as Magnus finished his work. His shoulder was good as new, and the barrier Magnus had created was holding strong. It was almost as if he didn't even notice it was there.

Alec wondered how strong Magnus was, really. Not that it mattered. Magnus could have had no magic at all, and Alec still would have been stronger for having him here, at his side.

Magnus' hand ran over the healed skin before cupping his face gently. He smiled softly, shaking his head. "No. I do. I should have given you more credit, and I shouldn't have listened to anyone else but you." Magnus paused, eyes searching Alec's face. "Mostly, I'm sorry you had to face all this alone. I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner. And I'm sorry I made you think I wouldn't be here when you needed me."

"It's okay. We managed," Alec soothed, well aware that managing was all he was capable of crediting them with. They'd lost a lot of people today. But what was done was done. There was no use worrying about the past when they still had the future. And they still had this battle to finish too.

"I will always choose you, Alexander. In every universe, in every possible situation, I will always choose you."

Alec couldn't help but lean in to kiss him, well aware that this probably wasn't the time or the place, but unable to help himself either. Using the lapels of Magnus' jacket, he tugged him in, kissing the worry and the surprise and the regret from that beautiful man's face.

They broke apart after a moment, and Alec smiled. Magnus was okay. He was here. And they were going to win. That future, all those days Alec had wanted with him, waking up in their bed, sharing breakfasts and dinners and dates and trips abroad... he wanted it all. He wanted everything.

Funny how it took a situation so close to death to bring life into clarity.

"If we survive this, remind me to ask you to marry me," Alec murmured. It was more of a thought than something he meant to voice aloud, the fatigue and the joy made his tongue loose, apparently. It was only after a few moments of silence and Magnus' wide eyes that Alec realised he'd spoken aloud at all. "Shit. I... Uh... I mean..." Alec stammered, nerves and exhaustion getting the better of him.

But Magnus just smiled, leaning closer. "Alexander. If we survive this, remind me to say yes."

And in that moment, Alec felt invincible.

Grabbing his seraph blade and getting to his feet with a newfound energy, Alec looked around him, and then back to Magnus, who was getting back to his feet.

“How do we take this thing down?” Alec asked insistently, focusing on the storm outside, the battle raging on. Magnus raised an eyebrow.

“You seem rather keen all of a sudden,” Magnus mused, simultaneously making a gesture to remove the barrier.

“The sooner we finish this, the sooner I can get engaged. So, yeah, I’ve got a dragon demon to kill.”

Magnus eyes sparkled with mirth and joy. “Well, then. Let’s go kill a dragon.”

“I still can’t believe you got engaged whilst fighting a dragon. That’s…. insane,” Jace said, sipping another beer.

“Well, we all know our brother has a tendency for the dramatic,” Izzy commented, and Alec couldn’t help but flush slightly. Magnus moved a little closer at his side, and Alec couldn’t help but smile, entwining their fingers on the table top. They’d survived the very worst of days, and done the impossible. It was hard to feel anything but happy about everything.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Magnus murmured in his ear, and Alec grinned.

Maybe he should get into fights with dragons more often.

[shsummertimefest-blog]

Love's far away, but we're moving closer

Enjoy, @mariadelvca​!

Special message to your giftee (optional): Hey there! I hope you are having a good summer. When you said you you liked the cheesiest fics, I couldn't help choosing one of me favorite aus. I hope you enjoy the fic! Summary: Clary and Jace as they fall in love without knowing they are soulmates.

[Read on AO3]

This time is permanent they tell him. It’s kind of hard to believe, he has spent the last six years of his life with the Lightwoods, he had never seen so many different cities and states in his life. They finally found a laboratory they want to settle down in, they want to finally give them a place to call home.

They go through their whole new kids routine on Monday, at this point it feels like second nature, just like going through classes even if he already knows what the teachers are talking about, having researchers for parents has its perks.

When it’s lunch time he goes to find Izzy, being the most sociable of the four of them, she’s sitting with a redhead girl. He goes to their table and just sits beside her, the girl eyes him but says nothing; Alec joins them a few minutes later. The girl seems legit weirded out now, and it finally hits Jace that now that they are not leaving anymore, he will probably need his own friends instead of just hanging out with the ones Izzy makes. He and Alec probably seem two weirdos that spend their lunches with their sister instead of making friends.

“Hey, I finally found you,” A guy with glasses says touching the girl’s shoulder.

“This is Simon, my best friend,” she says to the three of them, “Simon this is Izzy, she’s new here, met her at biology class and she’s a genius at it”

“I’m glad you’re not failing it now that I’m in another class” he laughs and sits on the space she has left for him. “And who are they?” he questions pointing at Alec and him.

“These are my brothers, Alec and Jace. They are not very friendly” she says as a way of explaining their presence.

They stay silent for a while, the awkward kind of silence filling the table.

“I’m sorry if this is too personal, but doesn’t it feel weird?” the redhead, that he still doesn’t know the name asks Izzy.

“With what?” she questions confused.

“With your name” she clarifies, pointing at the brunet shoulder where her soulmate’s name is written in a pretty cursive letter.

“Is there something to feel weird about? Almost everybody has them” Izzy responds, shrugging.

“I don’t know, I just think they are something personal, something special between you and your soulmate” she tries to explain while biting her lower lip. Like touching the subject evokes some kind of magic, she starts rubbing her ribs, Alec starts pulling at his long sleeved t-shirt and the boy, Simon, stares at his lap.

“I belong to someone, I want everybody to know that,” Izzy says smiling, “But I understand what you’re saying. Knowing someone it’s your soulmate it’s probably a feeling you want to share only with that person”

There’s a silence that hangs in the table, is not necessarily awkward, but it’s not a good silence either.

“I think you’re very brave for putting yourself out there like this,” The redhead says smiling softly at Izzy, he can tell they are going to be very good friends.

“Hey,” he calls and everyone looks at him “I still don’t know your name”

“I’m Clary” she responds.

                                                    XXX

As much as soulmates are almost a part of every person in existence, it’s also pretty much nonexistent in conversations. People don’t talk about the name attached to their skin, he has never seen Alec’s soulmate’s name, even though he knows where it is written. People don’t talk about the wait, or the anxiety, he can see how Izzy craves for finding her soulmate, and how she hides that by baring her name to everyone to see. People don’t talk about the longing, about the somewhat emptiness that exists around them, but he found Clary absentminded rubbing her ribs, just like in that first day, with a distant look on her face. It’s something incredibly present, but lacking at the same time.

And apparently it’s not always something desirable, Simon teaches him that. They are at their house, Izzy is way too excited about her quinceñera, so she’s already making the list of friends she wants to invite.

“Any of you need extra invitations?” Izzy asks with the guest's list in her hands.

“My parents are already invited, so not really,” Clary says, and Jace is once again jealous of how she says it so easily, he still calls Maryse and Robert by their names. There’s only silence after that, but Jace can see Clary pointedly staring at Simon like she wants him to admit a crime or something. He just shakes his head and she sighs.

“What was that?” Izzy questions.

“Nothing,” Clary says, but she’s clearly torn about it.

“It didn’t seem like nothing” the brunet insists.

“Clary wants me to invite my soulmate to your party” at his statement even Alec that was busy with his college applications stops to look at Simon.

“Your what?” Izzy asks clearly shocked.

“My soulmate” He repeats avoiding everybody eyes, Clary grabs one of his hands.

“We have known each other for four months and you didn’t think of mentioning that?”

“It’s kind of complicated,” he says “We met and the beginning of the year, they were back at school, to get a document or something. I was there because they got my middle name written wrong.”

“They are a college student?” Jace asks.

“Yeah, they entered last year”

“Why you don’t want to invite them?”

“I didn’t expect to meet them so soon. I wanted to know who I was before I had a soulmate, I don’t want my entire personality to be based on the fact that I have this other person by my side, and they are supposed to be there forever.”

“ It doesn't have to be,” Alec says, and they turn to him, Alec as the oldest of them usually keeps to himself, he also doesn’t seem to like Simon that much, so they are all surprised “Soulmates don’t have to be the people you fall in love with. They are just people who are meant to be in your life, people you need to meet, whether, for a few moments or the rest of your life, whether platonic or romantic, it doesn’t matter. It’s just someone that needs to touch your life for some reason.”

“Thanks, Alec,” Simon says a small smile on.

“I hope it turns out fine,” Izzy says joining Clary and Simon on the floor, she grabs his other hand and they just stand there hand in hand for a long time.

                                                         XXX

Clary is doing the rib thing again, they are all studying for the upcoming tests, but he has given up on studying like half an hour ago. So he finally makes the question that’s been bothering him.

“Does it itch?”

“What?” she says taking her attention from her books to look at him.

“Does it itch?” he asks “Your soul mark, you touch it a lot.”

“I don’t know?” she laughs at herself “It’s been feeling weird for a while now, it’s not an itchy exactly, it just feels kind of warm. I don’t really know how to explain.”

“Maybe that means you going to meet your soulmate soon,” Izzy says excitedly.

“Maybe” Clary agrees, and he feels uncomfortable for some reason, like the fact that Clary may find her soulmate upsets him.

                                                          XXX

Maybe it’s the hair. Jace tells himself as he keeps finding Clary in every single crowded space he’s in. It’s like he can’t keep his eyes away from her. Jace has made some friends from his year, but he feels like he just can’t let Clary go. It’s clearly a problem, he’s just not sure why.

                                                           XXX

Izzy’s party is finally upon them and Jace has this nervous energy buzzing just under the surface, he has no idea why and it makes him even more nervous.

“Are you okay?” a voice asks interrupting his pacing; he turns to find Clary by the stairs.

“Wow” is all he can say, she’s wearing a short dark blue dress, that he vaguely remembers belonging to Izzy, but right now he couldn’t care less.

“I tried leaving the room with more clothing on, but Izzy wouldn’t let me”

“I should thank her later then,” He says before he can think better of it, he just stands there and watches as Clary’s eyes go wide with surprise. They just stay there staring at each other and frozen in place until they hear a noise at the top of the stairs, it’s Alec that eye their blushing cheeks suspiciously.

The car ride to where the party is being held is slightly uncomfortable for both of them, they can’t look at each other without blushing. But nobody seems to notice because Izzy’s talking a mile a minute in her excitement.

He might cry at Maryse and Robert speeches. Alec refused to make a speech, so his only line is ‘I love you and I’m very proud of you’. He might cry when is his turn to talk too, but nobody needs to know. He just loves this family very very much.

When everything is said and done, he notices Clary is gone, because of course, he does. It doesn’t have to mean anything. He finds her in the small garden just outside the place where the party is happening. There are a few other people here, but they are older than them, probably looking for a quieter place.

“Everything okay?” He asks when he’s close enough to the bench she sited on, she raises her head whipping at the corner of her eyes, being mindful of her make up.

“It was all very pretty,” she says as an answer, but he knows there is more than that.

“Yeah?”  he sits beside her.

“It just occurred to me that if I ever decide to make a party, Dad wouldn’t be here to make a speech”

Jace doesn’t know the whole story because they are still growing comfortable with each other. What he does know is that Clary’s dad died a few years ago, he was Luke and her mom’s soulmates and was called Valentine, they have his tattoo just peeking out from their t-shirt collars.

“You still have your mom and Luke” he reminds her.

“I’m sorry, this all probably sounds very childish compared to what you had to get through, I did get to have 3 parents at the end”

“You’re the only one that can feel your pain Clary, it’s not a competition if it hurts, it hurts. You don’t have to compare to me, you’re allowed to be sad, you’re allowed to miss him” He says, because he had this conversation before, Izzy and Alec had felt the same at some point in their life together, like they didn’t get to feel sadness or pain, because close to Jace’s historic it was nothing. He finally looks back at her and almost regrets saying anything because her eyes are teary again. But she leans her head against his shoulder and he gets to put his arm around her.

They stay there for long and quiet minutes, it feels amazing and it’s the closest he probably has ever been of her. He never wants to let go.

                                                          XXX

“Hey Jace” she calls him on a Monday right before lunch, he lets the boys go before him, and follow her to more calm place.

“What happened?”

“Nothing, I promise, I just wanted to thank you, for what you said at Izzy’s party”

“It was nothing, I like being useful,” he says, only half joking. Clary bites her lips and nervously looks around, she put both hands on his shoulder to push him down, they lips meet in between. It’s sweet and only long enough for Jace to register it, but not enough for him to react.

“Thanks, Jace,” she says before turning around with red cheeks, he is left behind dumbfounded.

                                                         XXX

After the kiss, Jace kind of feels consumed by Clary. He’s always looking for her, always wants to be close to her, and is always thinking about her. And it seems like the same goes to Clary since they always seem to end up tangled together these days.

Alec eyes them suspiciously at movie night when Clary is cuddled at his side like is second nature. Luke barely blinks when he finds him in his living room braiding Clary’s hair. Max is disgusted to discover they holding hands under the table while doing homework. Simon just raises an eyebrow at them when he finds them sharing the same chair. Izzy is unsurprised on finding them cuddling on his bed when Clary was supposed to be sleeping in her room.

“Just date her already,” she tells him after that particular incident.

                                                         XXX

It’s a fight that ends up making things happen. Boys can be fairly stupid, he would know, he is one of them, and this particular one had a very colorful choice of words about his sister. He deserved to be punched; it was not Jace’s fault. Thank God he had a witness.

Clary is sitting by his side holding the ice pack to his now bruising eye.

“Jonathan!” Maryse calls by the end of the of the hall and Jace flinches, she was probably in the middle of something important when the school called, he’s getting in so much trouble. He turns to thank Clary but she’s not looking at him, she is looking all worried to the floor

                                                           XXX

Jace is officially grounded in his room for four hours when it happens. His door is slammed open and Clary is standing there a kind of furious look on her face. She takes her time to close the door and then marches to end of his bed, standing by it.

“You are such an idiot,” she says, he thinks she talking about earlier “I have a fault on this too. But you? You were raised by geniuses, my nick name is Clary, Luke pet name for me is fairy, you probably have seen him shirtless when went swimming, and you just couldn’t figure it out”

“Clary?” he asks worriedly because she’s screaming at him, but she’s also unbuttoning her shirt, and he’s not quite sure where to look at. Her face he decides since she stopped screaming.

“Jace,” she says in the most serious tone he ever heard her use, he thinks he’s screwed.

“What?” he asks

“I want you to be honest with me, how do you feel about me?” he stares at her, he doesn’t know what is bringing this on.

“I like you” he confesses.

“I’m going to need more than that Jace,” she says getting closer to him.

“I- I don’t know Clary, it’s just consuming,” he says, “I want to be around you all the time and is like I can’t get enough of you. It’s like I’m drawn to you like I couldn’t get away even if I wanted to”

She sights and let her shirt slide from her body, there’s a lot of skin, he knows he’s blushing, there’s way too much inside of him. But It covers her entire rib cage, his name, in his bad cursive writing.

“Jonathan Christopher Wayland” she whispers, and he has the urge to touch her, so he does it, touches the name that bonds them to each other. He doesn’t say anything, doesn’t think he can.

“Kiss me” she demands, and he does it, doesn’t know how to resist the tug in his chest that brings him to her.

Their lips meet and he feels like every vein in his body is filled with electricity, like each one of this currents leads to her, like she’s the battery he needs to keep on living. And suddenly he understands why after years and years, Robert still looks at Maryse like she’s the best thing that ever happened to him, he understands why Luke and Jocelyn still grieve for the third part they lost, he understands why Simon was so nervous.

This girl right in front of him, with closed eyes and uneven breathing, messed hair and half naked, it’s his forever. He went through sixteen years of his life to find this one person, the one person that will stick to him; that will be there every moment of the rest of the way. It’s a thought both comforting and terrifying.

“I love you” she whispers and opens her eyes.

“I love you” he whispers back. He pulls her until they lay down on the bed and he can cover them both, he’s not going to let her go, not so soon.

                                                          XXX

They are both awake but neither of them wants to move, so they just stay there entwined with one another.

“Hey” she calls him, he hums in response “Where do you keep me?”

“Close to the heart”, he says smiling.

“I’m serious,” she says

“So am I,” He says detangling himself from her. He sits up while she keeps staring at him lying down, he takes his shirt off and there it is, on the left side of his chest, right above his heart is her name, in a way better cursive letter than his.

“Clarissa Fairchild” he murmurs to her.

“We are both idiots,” she says pulling him back to bed “We’ve known each other this whole time, how could we not know?”

“I think we’ve felt it” he murmurs into her hair.

“Yeah, maybe we did”

[shsummertimefest-blog]

"For @notbeingcryptic - your art is awe-inspiring and it was an honor to create this gift for you. This fic is a bit of an AU but hopefully still magical enough for your enjoyment!"

The storm roared as the clouds unleashed hell on the city below, creating rivers out of Alicante’s streets. Magnus couldn’t have asked for a better backdrop to do a little breaking and entering.

The silence inside the home was almost oppressive by comparison and knowing he was the only living being within its walls didn’t stop him from taking precautions. It had taken some careful practice to maintain a glamour that made him appear as a blur to the naked eye, but it had been worth it for the peace of mind alone. There was always a chance his intel would be wrong and a house wouldn’t be as empty as planned, and he didn’t expect shadowhunters would be all too lenient upon finding a warlock in their home uninvited, relieving them of some of their rare and expensive belongings.

What was expensive was never particularly well hidden, but Magnus had never credited shadowhunters with much of an imagination. It was less than ten minutes before he was admiring how a particularly immaculate sapphire looked on his finger, golden necklaces draped over his neck and diamond earrings clinking around in his pockets.

It was the rare that was more of a challenge, but always the true objective for any of his heists. It took him nearly an hour to find where this family had hidden their spoils, and the way satisfaction and revulsion warred within him had long become familiar. He packed the glass jars and velvet pouches away with care, magic already sparking between his fingers in preparation of creating a portal when the rustle of clothing from behind reached his ears.

He had both hands up and magic at the ready before he’d even turned, finding himself face-to-face with the tip of an arrow. The hardness on the shadowhunter’s face morphed as his eyes landed on the bright red offensive magic cupped between Magnus’ palms.

“You’re a warlock,” he stated, appearing more baffled than accusing. Magnus fought the urge to laugh - had the nephilim been under the assumption that one of their own could have been pulling this off for six months without getting caught?

“Very observant of you,” he replied, his voice as fractured from the glamour as his image and jarring to his own ears. He could only imagine what tall, dark and handsome was making of the sight he’d stumbled upon. “And I really must be going. Better luck next time, shadowhunter.”

With the flick of his wrist he created a portal, and only caught the start of the man’s shout as he stepped through and vanished from the room.

It took a month of research to settle on his next target, and another three weeks for the timing to be right. Magnus was happy to arrive at a house just outside of Alicante, elegant and expansive where it sat surrounded by thick woods. Being outside the city and away from the majority of Idris’ resident shadowhunters always made him feel just a bit safer - though not enough to let his glamour drop for a second.

The extravagance of the home was even more grossly apparent inside and his pockets were stuffed in minutes. The many rooms presented more of a problem, but the night was still young and Magnus wasn’t about to back down from searching for the needle in this haystack.

He’d just stumbled upon a secret basement when the sensation of being watched made him freeze. An arrow hit the wall where he’d been about to step seconds later, and he turned to find a familiar face nocking a second arrow.

“That was a warning,” the shadowhunter grumbled out, and Magnus arched an eyebrow despite the glamour marring his features. With a flick of the wrist the man was flying back against the wall, pinned there while his bow clattered against the ground.

“If you don’t mind, I’m really rather busy at the moment.” He could hear the shadowhunter’s huffing breath as he struggled against the magic keeping him in place, but Magnus knew it would hold. The shadowhunter clearly hadn’t been ready to go up against a warlock of his magnitude, but he wasn’t about to look that gift horse in the mouth.

The sub-basement was full of all sorts of relics that Magnus imagined the homeowners didn’t want anyone to find, but locating what he was after was taking some time. The shadowhunter had stopped fighting and was mostly sulking by the time Magnus started muttering to himself in frustration.

“What is it you’re looking for?”

Magnus paused, glancing over at the scowl that now contained a hint of curiosity. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

The nephilim rolled his eyes so hard that Magnus nearly laughed. “I’m just saying, nothing down here looks like the kind of shiny things you normally steal.”

“You noticed? I’m so flattered.”

“It’s my job.” The man’s face held that seriousness again. “You’ve looted seven different homes in Idris. Did you think we wouldn’t notice?”

Magnus shrugged, unsure of how well it would translate. “I generally expect the Clave to be oblivious about anything of importance, but had figured it might have caught on by now. You’re the dog they’ve sent after me, then? Must be very proud of yourself for catching me. Twice, even! They ought to give you a raise.”

“You wait until the family’s out of town before breaking in and shadowhunters don’t exactly take many vacations. It’s not rocket science to predict where you might turn up,” the man said dryly. Magnus was known to appreciate a good amount of sass and couldn’t help the bark of laughter this time. “Warlock magic certainly explains how you’ve been getting in and out without leaving a trace. We didn’t think any downworlder would be stupid enough to break the Accords over a few jewels.”

“Suppose I’m just a special case.” Magnus returned his attention to his mission, a chest hidden under a table catching his eye. He nudged the table out of the way with a bit of magic and ran his fingertips along the dusty, warped wood, taking a deep breath as he prepared himself for what might be inside. The lock melted without much fight and the lid creaked as it opened to reveal the largest collection he’d found yet, row after row of jars in all shapes and colors stacked together.

He swore under his breath, but the shadowhunter was clearly paying close attention. “What?” he questioned, frowning when Magnus ignored him and began to pack away the jars. He paused when he came across something familiar, heart sinking as he rubbed his thumb against the glass. “What is-- are those horns?”

“They belonged to a warlock named Aengus. He was never short on stories and couldn’t sing to save his life-- not that it ever stopped him.” He placed the jar away carefully, wincing as the next one he lifted out of the chest contained a reptilian-looking pair of eyes.

“What is this?” The nephilim’s voice was strained now, wide eyes locked on the chest. Magnus shook his head, keeping his head down and hands busy.

“Haven’t you ever wondered where some shadowhunters get all this lovely jewelry? It isn’t as if demon-hunting is a particularly lucrative business. But the families whose ancestors hunted warlocks for sport gained quite a lot of wealth that way-- and what’s a good hunt without a trophy?” he asked without humor, holding up a larger jar that contained a set of bat-like wings, folded to fit within the confines of the glass.

“You’re taking back the warlock marks,” the man stated, looking green. Magnus only hummed in return, the sound coming out like a buzzing bee.

“Plus a little extra. Some might say I’m a downworld Robin Hood.” He managed to snort at the confused look he was met with, having momentarily forgotten how entirely out of touch the shadowhunters tended to be with the rest of the world. “Fictional character from a mundane story; steals from the rich and gives to the poor. New warlocks need to start somewhere -- and the recently turned vampires and werewolves could always use a bit of financial help until they get settled.”

The gentle sounds of glass tapping together was the only noise as Magnus emptied the rest of the chest, but he didn’t mind the quiet. It was almost refreshing to see the shadowhunter seemed to be really processing the information, rather than try to deny or justify the actions of his kind.

“They were only reporting the jewels missing,” was what finally came out when he spoke. “This-- it can’t be legal, holding onto-- no one reported it,” he explained weakly. “I never imagined…”

Magnus watched in silence as the shadowhunter heaved out a sigh, head falling back against the wall.

“This really makes it harder to dislike you, you know.”

The warlock blinked, head tilting back as he let out a real laugh. “Sorry to inconvenience you, little nephilim. Though now that I’ve got what I came for, I think it’s time to say our goodbyes. Don’t worry; I’ll let you down before I go,” he assured, catching the concern in the other man’s eyes.

“You know if I get a chance, I’ll still have to bring you in?”

“I’ll make sure not to give you that chance then,” Magnus promised. He lifted his fingers to give a blurred wave before summoning a portal, and only smirked a little at the way the shadowhunter flailed his way to the floor when he lifted the magic. He was gone before the man was back on his feet.

He’d only been in the house a few minutes when the shadowhunter caught up to him this time. Magic was swirling between his fingers in seconds, but the man raising his palms in surrender had him pausing. A second glance revealed the nephilim wasn’t armed with his typical bow and arrow, and--

“Are you wearing sweatpants?”

He snorted. “I was sleeping before someone broke into the house,” he said, a teasing lilt to his words, but Magnus’ hackles were rising fast.

“You live here?”

The shadowhunter blinked, seeming to quickly realize why Magnus was there and shaking his head just as rapidly. “No! I’m staying here, but it’s not… Nothing here is mine. Friends of my parents own this place. I think they figured me being here might keep you away, and I needed somewhere to stay while my replacement settles into my old quarters.”

That delightfully sassy face was back, and Magnus couldn’t resist the bite of curiosity. “Replacement?”

“The Clave prefers results when it comes to chasing down Alicante’s most notorious criminal. They still think you’re a shadowhunter and aren’t impressed I still haven’t caught you.”

Magnus’ lips quirked at the edges. “You didn’t tell them?” he questioned, and the shadowhunter’s hands slipped into his pockets as he shrugged.

“Must’ve slipped my mind.”

“Well, I apologize for getting you demoted, but I can’t deny I’m relieved. You’re actually quite competent-- for a shadowhunter,” he added, appreciating the huff of laughter he received in return. “I was starting to think I might end up in trouble.”

“You’re safe tonight,” the man assured, and Magnus found himself charmed by the small smile that curved his full lips. “And they may see reassigning me to a position away from Idris as a punishment, but lately I’ve been thinking it might be good to have some time away.” He shifted from foot to foot before speaking up again. “Hey, you, uh-- need any help?”

Which was how Magnus found himself uncovering the location of three stolen warlock marks with the help of an actual nephilim. The conversation was brief but easy, comfortable in a way he didn’t always feel with strangers. The logical part of his brain was telling him that the trust he was putting in this shadowhunter was unwise, but he found it surprisingly easy to suppress. He hadn’t collected nearly as much wealth from this particular home, but still felt satisfied by the time he was conjuring a portal that would take him far from the residents of Alicante.

“See you around, shadowhunter,” he said, but the nephilim spoke up before he could step through.

“Alec. My name, I mean. It’s Alec.” His smile held a touch of sadness, and Magnus realized the likelihood of their paths crossing again was slim.

It hit him harder than he would have expected, and without fully thinking it through he dropped the glamour enough to reveal the top half of his face, cat-like pupils and all.

Alec’s eyes widened in obvious surprise, but there was no hint of distaste or revulsion. He quickly looked down, and the redness that blossomed on his cheeks stirred a warmth within Magnus that was almost embarrassing.

“See you around, Alec.” His tone was softer, bittersweet, and he was gone before either of them could say anything else.

Magnus been avoiding New York for some time, occupying various vacation homes around the globe, but he knew he couldn’t stay away forever. Taking back warlock marks and other downworlder trophies from the shadowhunters who deemed it appropriate to still keep them was rewarding work, but it had begun to wear on him, and he couldn’t avoid his responsibilities to the warlocks who still lived under his protection.

There was no better way to celebrate his return than with a stiff drink, and he found himself at The Hunter’s Moon after a customary visit to his Brooklyn apartment to ensure no squatters had made themselves at home in his absence. (He’d learned his lesson and put up better wards after last time). He recognized the woman behind the bar from the last time he’d been called to help Luke’s pack. She drew eyes from all over the room with her warm brown skin and natural curls, and Magnus was already beaming as he made himself comfortable on a stool.

“Maia, my favorite werewolf. It’s been too long.”

The look she shot him was less than amused. “Favorite, my ass. Everyone knows you and Luke are a few too many drinks away from locking lips.”

Magnus snorted, raising his drink to her after she slid it across the bar before taking a sip. She still remembered just how he liked it. “I don’t think I’m Luke’s type, unfortunately for me and any potential spectators.”

Her smirk could bring weaker men to their knees and Magnus was enjoying the chance to catch up with the latest downworlder gossip when he felt a presence at his side. The shadowhunter who’d approached him was young and unfairly gorgeous, a shimmering waterfall of black hair running down her back and eyes that could pierce one’s soul.

“Are you Magnus Bane? The High Warlock of Brooklyn?”

He wasn’t oblivious to the runes that were scattered across her skin and he forced his face to remain impassive in spite of the spike of nerves. He couldn’t afford to stay relaxed when a shadowhunter was asking for him by name. Not when he’d been so stupid as to reveal his mark to one of them, which he was sincerely regretting now. Even if that particular nephilim had starred in a number of his fantasies since.

“Who’s asking?”

“Isabelle Lightwood of the New York institute.” She held out her hand and he noted that her grip was firm but not crushing. She wasn’t treating him as any sort of enemy. “We’ve been trying to get a hold of you for a while; we found something that appears to be cursed, and we’ve been informed that you might be the only one in the city powerful enough to remove it. You would be compensated, of course.”

She smiled, and he felt the tension drain from his shoulders. He was rather motivated to avoid imprisonment, but business he could handle. Especially when it meant sending the Clave a bill at the end. He drained his glass and slipped off the stool, bidding farewell to Maia before turning to Isabelle with open arms. “Lead the way, Miss Lightwood.”

He’d been in the institute once or twice before but it struck him how long it had been since the last time when he spotted the updated technology. He was reluctantly impressed; he would’ve thought the nephilim were too uptight to adapt anything resembling mundane technology into their missions, but the large entry room was littered with screens. He was still trying to take it all in when he realized Isabelle had stopped, and he followed her gaze towards an all-too familiar pair of eyes.

“Magnus Bane, meet my brother, Alexander Lightwood: head of the New York Institute,” she announced proudly, and Magnus could have scoffed. Some demotion. He fought to keep his expression polite and professional, but he knew that Alec’s widening eyes when faced with Magnus’ own unglamoured pair meant he’d been recognized. His mind was calculating how quickly he could summon a portal and escape when Alec pasted a smile on his face and reached out his hand.

“Please, call me Alec.” His smile was knowing, a little secretive, and more than appreciative as his eyes swept over Magnus’ form from head to toe. Magnus took his hand to shake, feeling a thrill as Alec’s thumb brushed against his own before they parted.

“Oh, I don’t know,” he said, trying not to sound as breathless as he felt. “I think Alexander suits you.”

“Did you hear that?”

“No one is home, Alexander,” Magnus repeated for the third time, carefully stacking jars together in his bag. “You checked, remember? You’re just being paranoid.”

“Sorry I’m not a seasoned criminal,” Alec snarked, but the fondness in his voice was undeniable. “Are you done?”

“Nearly.” He tucked away the last of the glass containers, turning to his boyfriend with a sunny smile. “Shall we?”

Hand in hand, they portaled back to Magnus’ apartment in Brooklyn-- their apartment, really, since Alec had been sleeping there more nights than not for the past three months. He had a toothbrush in the holder by the sink, three drawers full of jeans and graying shirts and sweatpants, and a section in the closet for his jackets.

Alec let out a long exhale, sounding like he’d been holding it in the entire time they’d been gone. “How do you do that more than once? I thought I was going to have a heart attack.”

“I think your heart is safe; you’re in excellent shape,” Magnus said with a leer, more to see the blush it ignited in Alec’s cheeks than to really get anything started. He dropped the smile as he began to unload what they’d found onto the counter, quiet as he considered his next words. “I do it because I couldn’t stand the thought of any of them owning trophies of people I loved, or people I never had the chance to meet. I like to think this helps to put them at rest, if they aren’t already.”

He felt Alec’s breath on his neck moments before tanned arms wrapped around his waist. “You’re incredible, Magnus.” His voice was no more than a murmur, lips brushing against the skin where the warlock’s neck met his shoulder. Magnus laced their fingers together to drag his nephilim towards their bedroom, Alec laughing as he stumbled after him.

He had toasted himself to his success after every heist in the past, but didn’t spare a moment’s thought for continuing tradition-- not when the company of Alexander Lightwood was the greatest reward he could ever think to ask for.

[shsummertimefest-blog]

Wrong number (or is it?)

Enjoy, @tyrionlannisler!

- He is late.

Izzy’s voice was annoyed and Alec couldn’t blame her, they were supposed to have met with their younger brother Max at the entrance of his school 20 minutes ago to go eat ice cream. The sun was blazing hot above them, there were dozens of kids screaming and running all around them, other dozen parents bumping into them as they passed to get their own children, and no sign of their brother whatsoever even though class was already done. He sighed, today was setting up to be one of those days.

- I am gonna call him. Wait here and wave if you see him, ok?

Izzy murmured a ‘yeah’, arms crossed and tapping her foot as she surveyed the inside of the school like a hawk. She looked strikingly like their mother when she did that and Alec had a feeling he didn’t want to be in Max’s shoes when they found him.

He walked to the side, as far away from all the noise coming from the school as he could without losing Izzy from sight. Max had just gotten his first phone the day before so it was bound to be glued to his hand - probably the reason why he was so late was because he had stayed behind showing all the features and games to his friends, Alec could bet. He realized he hadn’t yet saved his brother’s number to his phone, but he had helped him pick it so he just typed in the number Max had chosen and waited.

It rang once. Twice…

- Hello?

- Max, finally! Where are you?

- Hm? I’m home, but-

- What do you mean, you’re home?  Didn’t we agree to meet up in front of your school for ice cream? How did you even get there by yourself?

There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line and then the voice said:

“I’m sorry, but I think you’ve got the wrong number.”

A voice Alec had just realized sounded nothing like his brother’s. His blood froze for a moment before rushing all to his face once he realized he had just yelled at and scolded a stranger over the phone, all his brain cells shifting into overdrive from embarrassment and sheer panic.

“I- I’m so sorry, I thought, my brother Max just got his first phone yesterday and I was trying to call him and, and I thought I remembered the number but I guess I didn’t, I’m so sorry.”

He must have sounded even more panicked than he thought, because when the voice on the other side spoke again, the tone was much more gentle, though still a bit startled.

“Hey, it’s okay, it happens. God knows I have called my fair share of wrong numbers and told unspeakable things to them when I was drunk.”

“I, I’m not drunk!”, Alec felt the need to clarify, still in a panic, and now worried the other would think he was a hooligan that was day drinking before going to meet his younger brother on top of all things. God, this day was starting to be even worse than he had imagined it. And… did the guy on the other end of the line just laugh?

“Easy there, tiger, I didn’t say you were. I said I have done this sometimes when I was drunk. Don’t worry, I am not mad, you didn’t inconvenience me, this happens, so relax, okay? I also had no idea you were a stranger at first, I know too many people to keep track of all the numbers and, what’s your brother’s name, again?”

“It’s... It’s Max.”

“Ah, there, see? I thought you had said “Mags”, so I was just answering like normal. Though now that I think of it, I should have known then there was something wrong. No one calls me “Mags”, and if they did I’d be forced to gather an army of cats and let them loose in the person’s closet to puke colourful fur balls all over the offender’s clothes.”

Alec couldn’t help but imagine the picture, and he didn’t know if it was that or the guy’s absolutely affronted voice as he said it but he found himself laughing, his panic and embarrassment reducing considerably. The guy was right, these things happened, and if the other could knowingly say something ridiculous like that to someone he didn’t even know, he thought he could be excused for a small mistake.

“Now that’s much better. Not to sound creepy or anything but you have a nice laugh, Mr. Stranger.”

That got Alec embarrassed again, though now for a completely different reason. Again, he caught himself smiling, finding it much easier when the other couldn’t see him.

“It’s Alec, actually.”

“Alec, also a very nice name. I am Magnus.”

“Magnus?”, he asked, finding the name somewhat odd.

“Yes, the magnificent Magnus Bane, at your disposal,” the other laughed again and Alec caught himself wanting to say he also had a very nice laugh, but he held himself back, too embarrassed to actually say it. “Now, while it’s been a pleasure getting acquainted with you, Alec, I think you have a younger brother to find, right?”

“Shit!”, Alec paled. With all the trouble he had gotten himself into with this phone call, he had completely forgotten about Max. He looked back at the school gate, finding Izzy still alone and looking annoyed at him now as well. Great. “Sorry, I just, you are right, I have to call him. Uh, thank you for being so cool with this and sorry again for the trouble.”

“Don’t worry about it. And, I have to say, whether by another accident or not, I wouldn’t mind at all to hear your voice again sometime soon. Good bye, Alexander.”

The use of his full name left him too stunned to answer and when the beep of the line disconnecting sounded, he realized two very important things: one, his brother’s phone ended in 36, not 26; and two, a stranger on the phone had basically just told him to “call me, maybe”, and as ridiculous as it sounded… He really, really wanted to.

--//--

Throughout all the rest of the day Alec found himself obsessively staring at his phone. He kept telling himself that it was ridiculous, that he didn’t even know who Magnus was, that he had just talked to him for 2 minutes on the phone out of pure accident, that it was ridiculous that he had developed a crush under those circumstances and that the other was probably just being nice with what he said and didn’t even mean it, but it was of no use.

After Max had kept them waiting for half an hour just to – as he had predicted – show off his phone to his friends, Izzy had instituted a no phones rule under the penalty of death during their time together and even the short time they took to eat the ice cream and then walk home had already been torture, his mind and fingers practically buzzing with the need to take out his phone and dial Magnus’ number. But once they had gotten home and he was safe and sound inside his room with his phone in his hand and the finger hovering over the dial button, he found out he just… couldn’t.

He couldn’t do it, he couldn’t press the button, he was too big of a coward for that. He kept thinking that Magnus didn’t really want him to, that he had just been playing with him, that he had no reason to actually want to talk more to a loser like him, to someone he didn’t even know. He knew so many people already that he couldn’t fit all the numbers in his phone, hadn’t he said that? So there was no reason for him to want or need to talk to Alec.

Alec didn’t even know why he wanted to talk to him so much either.

But he really, really wanted to.

Uuuurghhhh.

He spent the rest of that day and the next one as well moping and avoiding his sister’s questions about what was wrong. He had told her his friend Jace had called before he talked to Max to cover up his embarrassment for the wrong call, and he wasn’t about to admit that any more than he was about to admit just how pathetic he was and ask her for dating advice.

Which wasn’t even what was going on at all, the problem was that Alec didn’t even know what was going on.

During a burst of courage, he had actually saved Magnus’ number to his phone, but that was as far as it lasted. Now, instead of just staring at a sequence of numbers he had pretty much committed to memory either way he kept staring at the other’s name on his phone and he didn’t know if that was actually better or worse.

Now he was lying on his bed, waiting for his mother to call for dinner and staring up at the device with the sinking realization that he would never be able to actually go through with it dawning on him. It had been a nice fantasy as it lasted, imagining himself calling Magnus and the conversation they might have, but he should let go of it now, delete the number from his phone and hope it didn’t take too long for it to be deleted from his brain as well…

The sudden ring and buzz from the device startled him so much he dropped it on his face, cursing loudly as the edge clacked on his teeth. He caught it again, pain only furthering his bad mood, until the name on the screen made him freeze for the second time in two days.

It was Magnus.

Magnus was calling him.

Oh God, what should he do?

He swiped and took the call without even thinking, worried it might go to voice mail if he missed another second and cleared his throat before bringing the phone to his ear.

“Hello?”

“Good evening, I’d like to place an order.”

Wait, what?

“Uhh, Magnus?”

“……Alec?”

“Yes?”

Magnus muttered something then that he couldn’t understand very well but that sounded like “Damn, Catarina”. He had no idea what that was supposed to mean. He hoped Catarina wasn’t his girlfriend.

“Uhh, is this you pretending to call me as a wrong number so I can see there’s really not a problem with it and feel at ease?”

It sounded like a reasonable explanation to him, he had no idea why Magnus seemed to be laughing again.

“It flatters me you think I’d do something like that, but, no actually… I asked my now ex-friend Catarina to dial the pizzeria number while I grabbed my wallet and she called you instead, because I might… Have been talking to her all day about how much I wished you would call and I might have annoyed her a bit.”

“Try a lot!”, a muffled woman’s voice yelled from behind Magnus and the other groaned in exasperation. Alec didn’t know what to do with this information, he would never imagine he had caused as big an impression on the guy as he had caused on him, what with confusing him with a middle grader and all… That.

“I wanted to call,” he admitted, “but I didn’t think you had actually meant what you said or that you would actually want to talk to me.”

“Why would I have told you to call if I didn’t actually want you to?”, Magnus replied, sounding genuinely baffled, and once again Alec felt his worries easing like it was magic. Now he had no idea why he had been so nervous to call, and even a bit silly over it all.

“I, uh, had a bunch of very good reasons, but I can’t think of a single one of them now.”

Magnus chuckled again, and Alec felt very proud of himself for some reason. He really did have a very nice laugh and also sounded like a very nice guy, he felt his maybe-not-so-hopeless crush get just a bit worse.

“Listen, I know you had no way of knowing this, but I never say anything I don’t mean. I wanted you to call me when I said so yesterday and I’d very much like you to call me again tomorrow when it’s not so late and I don’t have an annoying guest to feed and we can talk properly. You sound like an interesting person, I’d like to know you better.”

“I don’t know if I’m really all that interesting…”

“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that? So, will you call?”

“I will.” Alec promised, then paused briefly, having a better idea. “Do you have Whatsapp?”

Magnus scoffed. “And just like that, the magic dies, killed by the practicality of modern technology. Another thing you should know about me, Alexander, is that I love a good theatricality.”

“He means he is a drama queen!”, Catarina interjected again from behind Magnus and it was Alec’s turn to laugh as Magnus shushed her and they bickered for a while.

“Well… I can learn about that and anything else you want to tell through whatsapp so I can prepare myself for the call tomorrow.”

That caught Magnus’ attention back.

“That sounds absolutely perfect. Then, I will talk to you very soon, Alexander. Bye.”

“Bye,” Alec replied, beginning to smile again. When his phone disconnected the call, he saw there was already a new text message waiting for him on the app, and that it was from Magnus, and that brought butterflies to his stomach, but of the good kind now. He didn’t know what this would bring or even if he had really gone completely crazy, but for once… He didn’t really think he cared at all.

--//--

“Alec, stop fidgeting.”

“I am not!”

“Yes, you are, I get that you are nervous, but I can’t fix your hair like this, so keep still.”

“I am not nervous,” he argued again, but even he knew it was a lie. Today was the day he was meeting Magnus in person for the first time, after a whole month of texting and chatting and calling. To say he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown would be an understatement.

“I don’t know why. You guys have been talking for ages, you have video chatted, you know each other already, this won’t be any surprise, it’s just… The next step.”

“You can’t just know a person in only a month, Izzy. What if he doesn’t like the way I act? Or how my voice sounds live? Or how I chew my food or-“

“Oh, for God’s sake, can you hear what you are saying? That doesn’t even make any sense. There are probably a thousand motives why you and Magnus will fight once this freakishly long honeymoon phase is over, but the way you chew won’t be one of them.”

“Gee, thanks for the motivation, Izzy.”

“Just keeping it real, big bro. There, you are all set. Now go get your man and make me proud!”

She slapped his shoulder as Alec sputtered, face completely red.

“Izzy!”, he chastised, but she was already gone out the door and on her way back to her own room.

Alec took a deep breath and looked himself in the mirror. He didn’t think he was anything out of the extraordinary, but he had to admit he looked better than he had since… Well, ever.

His phone buzzed and he dived for it, unlocking it to see the message from Magnus: “I’m here!”

“I’m going out. DO NOT ring the doorbell, or my sister will get there first!”

He grabbed his wallet and rushed downstairs, ignoring Izzy’s questioning voice behind him. Without giving himself time to think too much or even breath, he yanked the front door open and stepped out.

He saw Magnus there and he was even more breathtaking than the pictures or even their video chats had let on. He was gorgeous, and beautiful, and smiling and real, and Alec’s, and he was looking at him with the same amount of awe Alec was.

“Wow, hi,”, Magnus started, but if he was going to say something more, Alec never found out, because he leaped forward and kissed him, passing his arms around his neck and pulling him close, reeling when Magnus’ arms circled his waist and pressed them closer still, kissing him back with just as much passion and desperation and happiness.

He distantly heard Izzy cheering behind them, but he found that in that moment he didn’t really care.