#Alec deserved so much more

[im-out-of-it]

part three of season 1, episode 13 continued

41. well, at least Lydia remembered hodge was the one who whacked her

42. “No way. we’ve known him our entire lives.”- well Izzy, never say never

43. well what would you know Izzy 😭

44. it’s one thing for hodge to be a traitor but for Maryse and Robert to be traitors is a stretch jace. I don’t agree with everything they do but they’re always focused on doing what the clave needs. if they’re doing anything enough, it’s having the clave’s best interests

45. my double standard I see often is the stuff Alec says or does vs jace. Alec outed his parents of being members of the circle and jace and Izzy thought that was crazy. Alec was messed up after and apparently was the bad person after his choices with meliorn. (not defending his actions) but when jace says “that’s what you said about hodge” about being traitors, no one bats an eye or defends them

46. look, I’m not Maryse’s or Roberts biggest fan but it’s a huge stretch to make. I get that jace is upset he let Valentine go and that hodge turned out to be playing them but why doesn’t anyone say anything vs when Alec did, suddenly he’s gone mad????? Alec had every right to be mad that he didn’t know about his family’s history and jace can be mad about Valentine but it’s the double standard for me

47. just because hodge ends up being a traitor, it does not mean that everyone they know is. literally jace was so hard on Alec this whole season and then when jace does similar shit, it’s okay????? because he’s been through a lot????? it irritates me that no one ever smacks the shit out of jace. Alec has had nothing but issues all season

a. he’s had to sort through feelings or feelings of friendship for jace

b. found out his parents were in the circle and never told him

c. had an arranged marriage

d. wasn’t sure if he should come out or not

e. taking the blame for every decision jace and clary made

f. all the shit he dealt with Jace and clary- watching jace fall in love with her while babysitting her and taking the blame and all the hurtful words Maryse and jace threw at him

g. Maryse practically disowning Alec for doing something for himself

48. like I could literally go on. Alec has had nothing but snide remarks and bullshit all season and this has only been a few days. it’s the fact that almost no one says anything to jace when he throws tantrums and all the fucked shit he does. and Alec does get better treatment later on. but I can’t stand the way Alec gets treated vs jace. he practically gets away with any type of behavior

49. side note- show jace is at least better than book jace. but he almost pays zero consequences for any decisions he makes and it’s like everyone is expected to drop everything to save him. literally goes off to join Valentine, a decision he made and almost everyone is like omg let’s save him!

50. honestly it’s easy to see why hodge does what he does. I love my lightwoods but he was basically banned to spend all his life in the institute while the lightwoods got off for probably doing worse 😬 it’s not very often I call out my fav family but I try to look at things from all pov possible. (punishment for Maryse and Robert tends to be incomplete though at this stage) but it’s understandable why hodge does what he does. Alec and Izzy thought they treated hodge like family but that’s not the way hodge felt about it

51. just because you think you treat someone well, it doesn’t mean it’s how they feel. look at alec and jace. alec does about everything for jace no questions asked cause wE’rE pArAbAtAi (ban this word please) and jace treats him like utter shit- and Jace doesn’t see anything wrong with his behavior. I mean, he’s toxic on a whole but he thinks he treats alec fine if I would guess. just like clary and Simon, as well as clary and Izzy. she does hurtful things to both but in her mind, she treats them well. these comparisons obviously aren’t all equal to each other- but point being, you never know what someone is going through and how their actions affect you. either because that person is a dick, shit at communicating, not paying attention, or some other reason. sorry for my rant!!!!!! (am I though?)

52. point being, so many treated Alec shitty in season one and I didn’t see much apologies or changed behavior towards Alec. MY BOY DID NOT DESERVE THAT

53. I haven’t noticed this in forever but apparently they have a Russian flag just hanging at the place Valentine is in???? На хую видеть 💀

54. Valentines actions will never make sense to me

55. “I hate downworlders but I’m going to inject my children with demon and angel blood so they can be the ultimate warriors” so you want them to be downworlders then? IM SORRY HIS ACTIONS DO NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME

56. “when I was trying to find my mom, I didn’t care about anything else”- clary. are we missing some development on clary because I don’t see it. like did she just magically change or something????? because she still seems pretty selfish to me. was she not the one two days ago that was trying to rummage around ragnors stuff when he had just died???? or having Simon have to go to Camille for the book of the white? like am I missing something lmao

57. Jace is like I already have this evil inside of me (we already knew you’re a dick, this isn’t news to us) and clary has to remind jace they’re related lmao

58. nothing like a good reminder that the girl you “love” is really your sister 💀 that’s some good old fashioned karma

59. why does jace have to be like stop thinking with your stele to Alec? so sue a man if he wants to see his boyfriend

60. how nice of Luke to use his wolves for his own agenda. not saying he can’t use them but he’s always telling them to do what HE WANTS but when it comes to keeping them safe, he’s like y’all are on your own bye

61. “the shadowhunters have no business interfering in the night children’s affairs”- tell clary off Raphael 🔥 I mean, they really don’t

62. Hodge: I was a prisoner. not agreeing with his choices but I understand in a way. I don’t agree with what he’s doing because putting the cup in valentines hands is asking for a war but I understand why he did it

63. BEAT HIS ASS HODGE! BEAT HIS ASS HODGE! BEAT HIS ASS HODGE! now y’all got me rooting for hodge lmao

64. why is jace’s facial expressions so weird?

65. it’s so extra lmao I don’t know if it’s because I can’t stand the character but it’s so cringe to me

66. “he’s a traitor, he deserves to pay.”- jace. at least when Alec was following claves orders, he wasn’t actively cutting off meliorns hand. (AGAIN NOT DEFENDING) and jace went out on his own

67. went from “Robert and Maryse raised me to my mother is Maryse to Robert and Maryse aren’t my parents” in short of 10 episodes. well, make up your mind jace. I get he’s going through a crisis or whatever but I can’t sympathize

68. I’m tired of seeing the “I’m going through something” trope so I can do or say whatever. like if you want to be a villain? wonderful! I could probably sympathize but when you go through that villain stage and you don’t adapt, grow, and use excuses. I’m not sorry but get out of here. and that’s all jace does. everyone is constantly fighting for him and saving his life and he’s like ahhhhhh I’m about to go do more reckless shit because I can

69. he’s just as bad as clary doing whatever he feels like while everyone else pays the consequences (mainly Alec)

70. RAPHAEL 🥰 (couldn’t find the gif but I love Raphael’s iconic lines)

71. Raphael and Camille are some of the characters I felt were also underutilized. I understand why they decided not to keep Camille around and Raphael at least gets his storylines but I wished to see more. I think the show could have turned things around and done more for the downworlders or featured them more. yes it’s called shadowhunters but show some growth for fucks sake

and Camille is super iconic and was in like four episodes

72. “Valentine really messed with his head. He went through a lot recently.”-alec. I guess he gets a pass?????

73. CAMILLE IS BACK

74. Simon: I beg your fucking pardon?

75. Camille: you’re such a predictable lot

76!!!!!!!!!! I’m going to forget that but part 4 coming soon!

I’m sorry this one was so long. Jace breathes and irritates me so I rant

[ghostlyarchaeologist]

A collection of Eliot's 'Dammit, _______'s over the years!

Honourable mention:

[lyspunkt-star]

Broadchurch ramble 2

Sometimes I wonder whether BLOODY Tess ever told Daisy the truth about Sandbrook, about HER cheating, the evidence SHE lost, the family SHE destroyed. Instead of Alec Hardy.

And I don’t think she did. She prefers to selfishly keep the truth hidden forever. Or she will lose Daisy for good, at least I believe so. Because look at S3, there’s something missing between Alec and Daisy. Yes, maybe it’s due to their long time apart, they need to warm up and adjust to each other, and Alec was busy. But still, their relationship didn’t seem to get any better compared to S2, still distant (Daisy), awkward and cautious (Alec) until S3E8.

And tbh I really don’t think Daisy would be willing to go back to Tess after knowing the truth. She gave up Alec so easily that she didn’t even want to give her dad a chance to do something. It REALLY broke my heart to see this…how would Alec feel…

There’re so many things unsaid between them in S3. And I do believe something actually happened before S3E8.

God I really can’t stop thinking about this and have already written pieces. And this AU I’m currently writing now is SO much longer than I thought.

Ah, one last thing. Tess will always be Daisy’s mum, she loves Daisy, she and Alec loved each other once, nothing will change these.

But Tess in S2 and now? God no! I don’t know what was she like before, but Tess in and maybe after S2 is awful to me. Really. The way she made fun of Alec when he called her ‘love’ subconsciously in the cut… and OMG she even didn’t have the decency to help Alec to repair his relationship with his own daughter, especially it wasn’t Alec’s fault at the very beginning for god’s sake! What kind of person would do that! Hasn't she hurt him enough??

Christ, she’s so selfish and mean and awful and self-centered now. Alec and Daisy both deserve so much better than her.

[booksandmore]

i’m a slut for the tragic gays sorry not sorry

[nobodyfamousposts]

Scarlet Lady Top 10 Favorite Characters: Number 10

For @zoe-oneesama

Number 9 Here

Okay, I realized as I was writing these that there is way way WAY too much to each of these and why to be able to put them all into one post, so I'm breaking them down into individual essays focusing on each one to keep them palatable.

So without further ado....

Number 10: EVERYONE

Yeah, I know it may be cheating but at this point it was the only choice I could make.

I came to regret making this list, specifically because I couldn’t seem to make up my mind as far as who all would be on it. I reread the entire series. I kept switching people in and out as I was reminded of characters or scenes I loved. And I came to a realization that there is no character in the whole of this series I didn’t enjoy to some extent that they didn't deserve some love in this list and I kind of wish I could have added all of them just to give them all some spotlight.

Yes, it is partly because everyone is vastly improved compared to Canon. But as I reread the series, it came to mind that if Canon didn’t exist and I didn’t have the comparison between the characters, I still very much would have loved this series and everyone in it.

Cause and Effect Exist

It's important to have a setting in which the characters and their actions make sense for the world they live in. When the setting is supposed to be modern day earth, we need the people to be able to show that they are capable of surviving in it on a day to day basis without being so massively incompetent that they would do something like accidentally ingesting poison. Or forgetting how to breathe.

I would think it would be obvious, but sometimes Canon makes me wonder. Which is never a good look for a show that is supposed to have some level of seriousness and involve superheroes.

Here’s the thing Canon can’t seem to get: when a majority of the things that go wrong in a plot are because of everyone having to be stupid to make the plot work, you have a problem with the writing. Changing the material in a story so that younger people can enjoy it does NOT mean dumbing down the characters and throwing in arbitrary lessons with no real reason to them. Even if the show itself is geared towards kids, you can’t treat the audience like they’re stupid.

In Scarlet Lady, the people aren’t stupid.

Silly, yes. Wrong, often. Overdramatic, definitely. But while they may make stupid choices sometimes, they aren’t so dumb that anyone should have concerns about their ability to function at a higher level than an overcaffinated 2 year old.

They’re fooled initially the way many of us would be with a biased story that hits the news first. Oblivious to the problems in a situation that they logically wouldn’t have much direct insight into. Prone to making mistakes and incorrect judgement the way that anyone would. That's normal. That's expected.

But they’re not so incapable as to forget things that happen right in front of them between one day and the next. Or even between one scene and the next.

Things carry over. We see cause and effect. We see consequences—bad and good. And those consequences extend not only for the episode or season but for the entire series.

Aurore KNOWs Alec cheated her before and maintains a tight control over him and prevents more of his antics.

Adrien and Alya maintain a cold attitude towards Lila for some time after her reveal as a liar. And it even remains a point against her as used by Chloe as herself and as Scar to discount what she says.

The boys of the class remember Adrien’s “love letter to Marigold” and try to win him her merch because they’re bros like that. 

Adrien himself remembers the instances of his dad being a massive prick and instead of being surprised and “sad boi uwuwu” each time it happens like it’s supposed to be a surprise that the massive prick would choose to be a prick, he very clearly moves through the stages of grief to the point of a sort of acceptance that involves planning around and even for him.

Gabriel’s horrible parenting and general lack of concern for Adrien or his wellbeing as he ends up a casualty of various akuma attacks was played off for laughs when such incidents occurred. Then they were brutally called out against him in the Finale as a way to counter his claims of doing everything for Adrien’s sake. And the big reveal of the Birthday Scarf…utilized in the last way anyone would have wanted.

And Chloe is perhaps the biggest example as her antics ARE NOT forgotten or ignored by anyone. The classmates still interact with Chloe and are relatively nice to her, but they don’t just forget that she’s treated them horribly. They don’t act surprised when she does anything horrible. Nor does anyone just laugh it off or excuse it as “just who she is”. We see follow up to her behavior—the class fully expecting her to cause trouble and actively try to plan around it. People calling her out on past behaviors. And even bigger consequences as time goes on. Such as Adrien breaking off the friendship. And a blink and you miss it fridge logic moment in Ikari Gozen when you realize that when they said she was banned from all future Gabriel-involved competitions, they meant it.

The fact that by the time the big reveal happened that Chloe was Scarlet Lady, no one was shocked.

Story-wise, this is showing the passage of time and the effect the events of the story are having. It’s showing that there is lasting impact and that what happens to the characters matters.

Meta-wise, this is Zoe rewarding us for paying attention.

Continuity exists in Scarlet Lady. Time exists. The people exist. When anyone does anything, you get the sense that they aren’t operating in a vacuum. The things they do matter. There are consequences. There is an impact. And if there is an impact in the story, there will be an impact on the audience.

Which leads to…

Character Depth/Character Growth

Usually in TV shows of this nature, if there ARE character arcs for the side characters, they only occur over the course of a single episode devoted to focusing on them before moving on elsewhere. 

Canon didn’t give us that much at all in favor of having every episode that should focus on other characters learning and growing instead forcing Marinette to be wrong in some way and learn an arbitrary lesson that often would have better served for someone else.

In Scarlet Lady, the arcs we get are impressive for all that they’re relatively unobtrusive. They aren’t big. They aren’t world-ending. And the thing is, most change in life isn’t. It can just FEEL that way.

Like the way it felt for Kim when he first found out Ondine liked him and then had his confession to her screwed up.

And the way it felt for Kagami when she lost that first match against Adrien.

Then there’s the way it felt for Chloe when she was dismissed by her mother, had her popularity go downhill, and ended up losing her Miraculous.

…or the way it felt for Adrien when he discovered his dad was Hawk Moth.

The reactions we witness are in a great part due to actions outside of the characters’ control, but are ultimately a result of the experiences they have had and the ways they have changed as a result.

The question becomes: are the characters that we meet at the beginning pretty much identical to how they are at the end? Is the world?

The answer in Scarlet Lady is no.

Whether because the characters themselves change or our perception of them does, we can see that they have all undergone some sort of events that create a difference between the start and end points.

Not all of them HAVE to undergo some big emotional arc. Not all of them NEED to. But the characters still mostly go through some sort of growth by the end that I feel make them stronger and healthier people.

You’ve got the big life-altering changes like Lila and Sabrina.

You’ve got the little changes like Nino and Ivan.

You’ve even got the most minuscule, beginning stages of change in Chloe.

You’ve got growth that creates such perfect setup with Mylene when she starts off scared and traumatized by how things went with Stoneheart then is the one who confronts him in the end. And the parallel between the finale and the beginning when she returns him to normal by kissing him just like they did in that first episode to change him back then, too! (Just….GOD, I CANNOT GET OVER THIS!)

You’ve got them reaching out and making friends and relating to people they hadn’t before.

And by the end of it all, we get characters who feel like people rather than props.

They don’t all have to change. They don’t necessarily need to go through an entire emotional arc and back again. They just need to be part of the world they’re in.

Nino doesn’t just pop into existence when Adrien or Alya need someone to interact with. Kagami isn’t just a non-horrible or non-evil love rival for Adrien or a stepping stool for him to “practice“ at being in a relationship before it’s time for him to try the “real thing” with his endgame pairing. Luka isn’t just a decent guy who is the only actual form of support for the female lead and yet only lacking that precious “male lead” title or all around just not “Adrien enough” to fill the role.

Adrien isn’t just a “sad boy” meant to be a main love interest, Villain’s Morality Pet, and the one everyone idolizes and chases after just cuz he’s the male lead and that’s how you show he’s desirable I guess. Marinette isn’t the atlas keeping the story alive because no one else is apparently capable of learning lessons and changing, or even just the bare basics of functioning as individuals. Chloe isn’t just there to be horrible for no reason and get away with it so she can continue to be horrible until the writers suddenly need her to be sympathetic.

And the rest of the classmates aren’t just some Greek chorus there to fill the background.

We see them interact. We see them making jokes or jabs. We see them even…*gasp* having different opinions!

And on something as major and life-controlling as feelings about the “Hero of the City” no less! Why, that’s the sort of thing that would break up friendships and determine who you can sit next to at the cafeteria! The horror! The scandal!

And…oh hey. This puts the characters in different groups. It links them with characters other their Canonically designated pairings and groups. This lets them disagree on things and not need to vilify any of them. This creates implications that add depth to the story and to the people in it.

The characters can disagree without being enemies. They can be wrong without having to be evil. They can make mistakes without having to be stupid. And they can change and grow—both for better and worse.

And we see both and in different ways. SO many different ways.

Adrien goes from excited and impulsive to buckling under the forced responsibility and weight of a partner who hinders more than she helps.

Lila goes from selfishly bad and self-serving to selfish but friendly with better direction of her talents in a less self-serving way.

And Chloe just goes from selfish and bad to selfish and worse..

I mean, it says something that the combination of Lila’s growth and Chloe’s fall from grace resulted in Hawk Moth being unable to use Lila as a tool for his Heroes Day plot like he originally intended.

The key is that whether they necessarily grow or become better people, these characters are still IMPACTED by the events around them and AFFECTED as a natural result of the world they live in. 

You can’t help but feel for them in some way as a result. It’s part of why I love them.

The other part of why I love them is a bit more epic though…

Crowning Moments of Awesome

If there’s one thing I love, it’s seeing characters be awesome. I love it when characters get to be awesome. I would love to see more of it. Especially when the ones involved are characters you wouldn’t normally expect or get to see have a chance to shine.

And it’s when you see these characters be awesome that you really get the sense that yes, this character would work as a hero.

Seeing Max help against Robustus. Seeing Kim help against Odine. Alix stepping in during Pharaoh, calling out her brother’s fan fiction, and helping the heroes escape the security system at the Lourve. Alya stepping in during Copycat to clue Chat in to what’s going on and later keeping Anansi distracted to keep her away from Chat while he’s trapped. Rose kicking Nightmare!Chat in the face to defend Marinette even when she’s dealing with her own nightmares in Sandboy. Luka leading groups twice to stepping in and helping the heroes deal with akumas. Nathaniel standing up for Marinette and Sabrina when they’re accused in Rogercop and then helping the heroes in Reverser. Seeing the entire class step up to try and protect Marinette in Befana. Seeing all the friends working together to compete in the Friendship Contest in order to protect Adrien from a less serious but still potentially terrifying outcome.

These little moments of support make such a big different and really make it make sense that the heroes would trust these people with magical jewelry to help them in battle.

And the little moments of characters being petty or strong or smart or turning the tables or just showing off what they’re capable of. Even without superpowers.

Adrien getting petty revenge for Nino and finding a tactic to counter Gabriel in the future.

The Police Force in Rogercop just saying “Nope” to obeying an obvious akuma. 

Zoe manipulating akumas twice to help the heroes. Her two Reasons You Suck Speeches to her mom and Bustier.

Every instance of payback that Tikki gets against Chloe.

Everyone in the Finale. Just…EVERYONE in the Finale. The characters who manage to avoid akumatization by either spotting the flaws in the illusion or refusing to give in to fear and even protecting others. Nora smacking any akuma that enters the home. Claudie pulling off Power Mom and ordering Max to stop attacking the city then helping to calm him down. Prince Ali and Juleka freeing Rose by kissing her! Chris, Ella, Etta, and Manon saving Mylene! Mylene saving Ivan with a kiss in a direct callback to how they first got together in Stoneheart! (Yes, I am still stuck on that!) Ondine saving Kim! Lila and Sabrina saving Alix! Luka facing Riposte alone and unarmed and then Kitty Section saving Kagami! ALL of the Heroes making a final comeback to help take down Hawk Moth for good! Just—AAAAAH!

How could Miraculous have peaked with this in Season 2 when this is Grand Finale material? Because there are few things more awesome than getting to see ALL the characters the heroes met and befriended and helped throughout the course of the story stepping up at the final battle to help take the Big Bad down!

Like…can we just take a moment to appreciate how everyone gets a chance to stand out in some way? Not all of them necessarily good, exactly (looking at you Andre). But still stand out and be memorable. Even characters who didn’t originally get much focus. Especially characters who were originally functioning as cardboard cutouts to fill a scene.

Anyone remember Aurore? How for the FIRST akuma in the pilot of the series and one who is quite frankly the most interesting and noteworthy, we don’t really get to see her again except in the background.

In Scarlet Lady, we got to actually look in to the contest and how she lost as well as the aftermath. She wasn’t some arrogant showoff who deserved to lose to the “sweet down to earth rival”, she was a girl who legitimately tried her best and had valid reason to be upset. Seeing her get revenge on Alec for cheating and humiliating her on live TV was well worth it.

Or how about the Photographer? Just there to take photos of Adrien in the park for a photo shoot or be the school photographer, but otherwise has no personality and is only remembered for his weird “spaghetti” line.

In Scarlet Lady, his role is two-fold. He acts as a sort of supporter for Adrien in his crush. Taking really good pictures of him being happy with the girl he likes. Taking more class photos at the behest of this girl for the sake of a friend who missed out on the class picture. And then there’s his OTHER role as a sort of antagonist to Chloe. He becomes one of the only ones in the early seasons willing and capable of dismissing her tantrums.

They’re both given more character. They get moments to stand out and BE awesome. So is everyone.

EVERYONE. From the classmates and big named characters we see regularly to the side characters who only appear once or twice. They all get some good scenes and focus that give them their own identities. All of them are memorable. None of them can really be ignored or forgotten. And part of what made making this list so difficult was that I found myself getting attached to pretty much everyone as I came across each of them that I couldn’t quite make up my mind.

Everyone in this fic has done something to make me happy and warrant my approval. Even the characters I normally wouldn’t like at all had their moments to shine and elicit an “okay, that was cool” from me.

Thus I grant this spot to everyone. To all the characters I don’t get the chance to mention. To all the ones I like albeit somewhat less than others. To all the ones I know are horrible but can’t help but like regardless. To all the ones I fought with myself for THREE MONTHS over which one would get this spot.

I love all of them.

[tarysande]

There are a couple more Garrus-Vakarian-related hills I'm willing to die on.

Maybe this particular bit of fanon has faded over the years, but there used to be a lot of insistence that Garrus is young and somehow inexperienced when he meets Shepard. Canon doesn't really support this. Turians start their mandatory service at 15. Garrus has at least a decade of experience. Even if he's 2-4 of years younger than Shepard (according to Patrick Weekes), he's got at least as much field experience as she does by dint of the difference in turian and human "enlistment" ages.

Garrus is really damn good at his job at C-Sec. You don't give the Case of Investigating the Rogue Spectre to a greenhorn. You give it to your best, most tenacious agent. Pallin may not always approve of Garrus's actions, but that doesn't actually stop him from putting Garrus on the tough case. Also, we don't know much about how C-Sec works but we do know a bit about how the turian hierarchy works, and we know C-Sec was essentially a turian initiative. That means it's a meritocracy where failure reflects on the superior, not the one who failed. So, in roughly a decade (Shepard's 29 in ME1; I always think of Garrus as about 27), Garrus has not only done shipboard military service, but he's also risen to be one of C-Sec's top investigators; Pallin wouldn't risk having Garrus's "failure" reflect poorly on HIM otherwise. I'd say that actually makes Garrus as remarkable in civilian law enforcement terms as Shepard is considered to be within the ranks of the Alliance military.

Of course Garrus was scouted by the Spectre program. And honestly, if his dad hadn't stepped in, I think Garrus would have become a Spectre, no problem. Especially for a turian, he's cut from precisely the cloth the Spectres would be looking for: extremely skilled, extremely capable, and--most importantly--he's a turian not just able but willing to work outside the chains of command that turians are taught from birth to revere and be loyal to above all else. This is the reason Pallin is leery about Spectres: he's a good turian. Good turians follow straight lines; they don't carve out their own paths.

Garrus's dad's not dumb, and he's not cruel, and he, too, rose to the top of the C-Sec hierarchy. He took one look at his kid, I think, and said, "I love my child, but I'd say it's a 50-50 chance he ends up a shooting-first-asking-questions-later Spectre like Saren Arterius, and I don't want to see that happen." Yeah, he uses his parental influence to try and jam square-peg-Garrus into round-hole-C-Sec and Garrus resents him for it, but there's no way he did it just to stop his son from getting his way or because he doesn't like Spectres. I expect Vakarian Sr. had to clean up more post-Spectre-interference messes than we can possibly imagine. But we also know he and Alec Ryder were pals later.

So the importance of what Garrus learns from a Paragon Spectre Shepard is this: You can't just do what you want and claim the ends always justify the means. That's what Saren does. Over and over again. Garrus's code and his idealism and his sense of justice and his ability to work alone should make him a great Spectre, actually, but he needs Paragon Spectre Shepard's actions to show him the lesson he tells her he's learned during ME1: "If the people I'm sworn to protect can't trust me... well, then I don't deserve to be the one protecting them." (And the seed of Archangel was planted.) I think for the first time he realizes that even though he believes his sense of justice to be correct, it doesn't matter for shit if he can't show others why that's so. And that's where the trust comes in. (Also, ow, the extra level of importance this gives their exchange where she tells him she trusts him and he tells her she's about the only friend he has left is... a lot. Cool, cool. I'm totally fine. Nothing to see here.)

When Shepard asks him what happened on Omega, he replies, "My feelings got in the way of my better judgement." Something tells me that this never happens to "good" turians, which just makes the line so much more devastating. And although the lesson some might take away from this is "feelings bad; no feelings ever," the "grey" that Garrus has to learn to deal with is precisely the grey of recognizing feelings, validating them even, but not acting on them until they've been examined. (Which is why my Shepard stands between him and Sidonis; she doesn't give a shit about Sidonis. But Garrus has refused to process his own feelings of failure and self-loathing, so they have to take the therapy session to the Citadel and deal with it there.)

Ahh yes. The mountain range of character analysis.

[malevoreenthusiast]

Parasocial Predator

Hey all! Had this idea earlier and quickly wrote this out. The celebrity I used is Alec Benjamin (a pop artist you should definitely check out), but they’re really interchangeable with any other celebrity. As always, send any requests you may have and let me know how I can improve! Enjoy.

The first thing I need to get out of the way is that in no way is this a parasocial relationship. Alec knows who I am: he’s liked my comments on his posts, I met him at a meet and greet once, and he’s seen me drive through his neighborhood a couple of times when I make sure he stays safe. One time, Alec even responded to one of my comments on Instagram with, “I love you, thanks for the support!” which validates that, in fact, this is a very real relationship that Alec and I have forged over the past several years. He knows who I am—his number one fan—and I know he loves me. Unfortunately, as a celebrity, he can’t show that, so that brings us to today. My plan, which will go off without a hitch, is to meet Alec in his tour bus in order to charm him and finally get together with him.

I’ve followed him on tour, eventually picking out his tour buses on the road and the one in which he stayed after several weeks. It was early afternoon, and he was supposed to perform tonight at a sold out show. He was such a rockstar. That’ll be the second thing I do: congratulate him for being so great. First though, I wanted to ask which of his songs I’ve inspired because I can think of at least ten. He really is such a charmer. A huge portion of the fanbase doesn’t deserve to listen to him and how great he is, which is really unfortunate because Alec is too nice to tell them otherwise. Still, I’ve got a plan to sweep him off his feet and have us be together forever.

I waited quietly in the back of the bus. Alec and his team had stopped at a rest stop somewhere off a highway to go to the bathroom and get snacks and stretch their legs before finishing the journey. This absence from the bus meant that I could easily sneak on when nobody was looking. Honestly, I think Alec knew I would be coming because he left his sweatshirt for me on the seat of the bus. I put it on and took a deep whiff, smelling him so purely that I sighed in deep, deep pleasure. I got lost in his scent so much that I didn’t even notice Alec get back on the bus before anyone else.

“Who are you?” he asked, uncertainty in his voice. I knew he was cheeky, but playing this hard to get so early? Come on, sweetie, you can do better than that!

“Alec!” I bellowed and raced towards him in a hug. “It’s good to see you, gosh, you look so much better in person up-close,” I brushed his hair back and held him close to me. He gave me a wide-eyed look, probably in shock because he didn’t expect to meet me so soon. I get it, though, and I wasn’t going to hold it against him. I would be at a loss for words too if I had suddenly met the love of my life on the tour bus.

I positioned myself at the entrance to the bus so nobody could get in and come between us. Alec’s eyes shifted out the curtained windows, most likely making sure that nobody would see us in this illicit relationship. All of Alec’s trashy fans would probably get too jealous, so it only makes sense that he would make sure that no one else was around who could witness this. The next thing he did was somewhat confusing, but he brought out his phone and dialed a number. I could see he was shaking a little, and my fierce protectiveness for Alec kicked in. I strode up quickly to my beloved and snatched the phone out of his hand. He was calling his security (probably to make sure no one attacked us while we were in here), and he was scared as a lamb! 

“Oh, Alec,” I hugged him tight, smelling him more closely now, “it’s okay, let me take care of you. Here, I have just the thing.”

Now, before I tell you what I was about to do, let me explain myself. Alec is an amazing singer/songwriter, and the world doesn’t appreciate him as well as I do. Alec is also on the smaller side, so many dangerous things could hurt him and impact his ability to do what he most loves after me: music. To this end, I thought: “what better way to protect my love than keep him close to me at all times?” So, on that thought, I kissed him softly on the mouth and stretched my jaw over and around his head. He instantly started wildly thrashing, probably because my baby was excited to be in my stomach. I gulped heavily, bunching his shoulders up and sending them down my gullet. I could feel him yell with what I assumed was pleasure and excitement at being in his new boyfriend’s belly. My saliva soaked through his clothes, as admittedly, I had been wanting to do this for several years now, ever since I first saw him in concert. Now that my dreams had come true and he wanted to be in a relationship with me, I could finally do this! I swallowed again, sending Alec’s small torso down into my mouth. He really wasn’t that big (which is why he needed someone larger than him—me—to protect him), but he fit perfectly in my gut. I could already feel his head and shoulders spill into my stomach chamber, which felt really nice. Alec was wriggling already from the inside of my gut, unable to keep his excitement in, most likely. I choked down more of him quickly, as the position he was in was probably making some blood rush towards his head, and I was not going to facilitate any misfortune upon my sweet angel of a boyfriend. Slurping up his legs like noodles, I took off Alec’s shoes and gulped the rest of the singer into my stomach. It ballooned out heavily, but my six pack was something I was more than okay with parting with if it meant I got to be next to Alec at all times of the day. Alec’s sweatshirt clung on to my chest, but my belly was now far too big to be contained by the piece of clothing. Still, I wore it happily, knowing it was a gift from Alec.

“What are you doing?” Alec shouted from inside. “Let me go! Please!” 

I rubbed my belly and wore a pained expression. My sweet angel didn’t realize that this was for the best for him right now. Even though Alec was squirming around, making the heft of my gut sway and wobble slightly, I couldn’t help but notice how wonderfully he looked attached to my middle. Though, all of his movements were kicking up a lot of gas.

BBBUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRPPPPPPPPPPPP “---Sweetheart, please,” I chided. “Calm down in there. Let’s get you back home, okay?”

Some of you may believe that moving in together this soon is a little crazy, and to that I’d simply tell you that you don’t understand the bond Alec and I share. We’re (quite literally) inseparable. I got back into my car that I used to follow him on the road, and, somewhat uncomfortably, I maneuvered around my seat until my belly wasn't pressing up against the steering wheel. This would probably have to be how I drove from now on, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Love is full of sacrifices, you know. I spoke to Alec softly on the way home, asking him about his life so far, childhood memories, and all of the mundane, beautiful things about living. He seemed reluctant to answer, but I chalked that up to him being tired from a long day. Now that he was in my warm, comforting belly though, he would be able to rest peacefully and sleep as much as he wanted. 

Along the drive home, I bought some McDonalds, which wasn’t the healthiest for my baby, but on the road, you make do. I swallowed a few of the burgers whole, wrapper and all so Alec could have some dinner in his own tummy while I had mine already in there. Thinking about it now, it would be a little uncomfortable for Alec to be with me while I digested my other food (that’s what happened with my old roommate. He didn’t want Alec living with us, so he had to go), but again, love requires sacrifices. My belly was really noisy with the sounds of gurgling and churning, but I knew Alec wouldn’t digest. Still, that didn’t mean my belly didn’t want to assimilate him into my body. He was simply too important to digest, though. An idle hand rubbed my boyfriend-filled belly for the rest of the night-ride home with pure love and affection.

Getting back to my apartment, I undressed and flopped onto bed with Alec. The movement jostled my stomach heavily, waking him back up. I think he was having a bad dream about being captive and kidnapped, which frightened me tremendously, but that is precisely why Alec is safer in my stomach than the real world. People are crazy out there, and it could’ve easily happened to Alec. I rubbed my belly soothingly and told him time and time again that this was where he belonged, that I would treat him right, and no harm would come to him. Eventually, I drifted off to sleep, kissing my own belly and looking forward to Alec and I’s new life together.

[alexanderlightweight]

Your writing has made me come to love Wednesdays!

I've been thinking about when Alec had to raincheck Magnus on that date to wrangle Clary, the "playing hard to get, i do like a challenge" scene.

What if Magnus called again and got rainchecked again and instead of going with it he decided to magically ground Jace, Izzy, Clary, and Simon so he could whisk Alec away.

I too love Wednesdays because of the writing and have missed it so i'm hopeful that it will return to that feeling soon.

i had quite a bit of fun with the new verse this prompt inspired especially because I think season one malec just desperately deserved some time to get to know each other without constant interruptions before valentine returned and the shadowworld exploded and alec's parents returned and took away

i firmly believe that if Alec and Magnus had actually gone on a date or just spent some real uninterrupted time getting to know each other (not drinks and an exhausted night spent after sharing energy because of an emergency) Alec would never have taken his parents 'arranged marriage bullshit'. the minute Alec gets a taste of what actually being with Magnus and the happiness he could have is like there's no going back for him.

Also Alec is Tired and most of that is the fact he can't trust anyone to stay put.

the precipice of duty

-

Magnus blinks down at the now blank phone in his hand.  

This goes beyond playing hard-to-get and has entered the realm of ‘outside interference’.  Something that Magnus never allows when going after what he wants, especially when what he wants is someone.

He rearranges his schedule with a wave of his hands, sending out a flurry of fire messages as he snaps away his clothes and steps into his massive wardrobe.  Despite trying to appeal to Alexander in a softer way, Magnus thinks that perhaps it led to letting himself be misunderstood by others.  Hardly a crime yet unacceptable when it gives people the assumption of power in a game where they are nothing more than pawns between Magnus and his prize.

This is the third time that Alexander has agreed to go out with him only to cancel before they can even meet.  Each time, Alexander’s voice is more distracted, chipped away at with both guilt from canceling and exhaustion, as if in a mere span of days he’s been drained of energy.

It’s ludicrous and not something Magnus will stand for.

Do they expect him to keep helping when the benefits are only for themselves? Magnus is in this for one very specific reason and that is to woo his handsome shadowhunter.

The shirt he picks is a sleek abyssal black, embroidered with golden thread to match the buttons and pattern of the dark storm-blue coat he adds.  It flares when he walks and while the pants and shoes may be less of a statement, the black demon leather of his trousers and the sharp cut of his bone tipped boots are equally complementary and ominous.  

It’s a far cry from the softer look he’d presented Alexander with just days before, but it’s who Magnus is and pretending otherwise has never led to anything good.

Instead of looking overwhelmed or annoyed at Magnus’ arrival and presence, Alexander looks awed.  There is a reverence to his gaze as he drinks the entirety of Magnus in that threatens to undo Magnus’ tenuous self-control.  Perhaps Magnus has been overthinking Alexander’s interest to him this entire time.  Instead of attempting to flesh out what would hold Alexander’s interest, perhaps he should have just remembered the fact that their very first meeting — rushed though it was — had left Alexander speechless and stuttering at a mere introduction to Magnus.

Alexander leads Magnus away from the control room where everyone is very much out of control. There’s defeat in the slump of his shoulders as he again apologizes for canceling, the reason once again that despite promising to stay put, his siblings take off after a reckless Clary time and time again.

“And what if I laid a ward keeping them from leaving the Institute for a minimum of seventy-two hours?” Magnus offers, laying his hand on Alexander’s arm with a daring squeeze to the well-defined muscles of an archer.

“You would do that?” Alexander leans into Magnus’ touch as he asks not in doubt of Magnus’ abilities but incredulous that he’d offer.  

“I would insist upon it.  As much as I’d love to whisk you away for a meal across the world this instance, it’s clear you haven’t gotten any real sleep for days.” Magnus isn’t expecting to be as worried as he is but Alexander responds so sweetly to true concern and interest that he lets go of the instincts he’s been holding back.

There’s a moment where Alexander’s face falls, just a little before his serious expression wipes it away and Magnus has an idea, even as Alexander looks warily back at the control room he’d left the troublemakers constantly keeping Alexander from Magnus.

“And yet, if I leave you here I feel as if you won’t be any more rested by nightfall.”  It’s bold, but boldness seems to work well with Alexander — as long as he follows it with sincerity — and Magnus makes sure no one is around them even as his fingers cup Alexander’s jaw and his thumb brushes over the arch of his cheek. “Come back with me?”

“Come back with you, just so I can rest?” Alexander seems confused, as if the idea of Magnus  — of anyone truly — just wanting to ease the weary tension weighing him down is difficult to comprehend. 

“Just for sleep.” Magnus promises and he smirks and leans closer, “as much as I’d love for more, you need rest Alexander. One without constant interruptions.”

Magnus pulls his hand away and insead extends his palm out, a gentle and unassuming gesture for an offer that if Alexander takes, will change both of their lives.

There will be no turning back after this.  

As exhausted as he is, Alec is clearly conscious of the fact that taking Magnus up on his offer is a choice not hastily made.  To put himself in Magnus’ protection, to sleep in his lair for even just a day, is placing himself under the authority and protection of the High Warlock of Brooklyn.

It will be a declaration that even if secret, cannot be unmade.

Cool, calloused fingers take his own and Alexander takes his hand with an expression far calmer than the racing pulse beneath Magnus’ touch.

“I’ll send a message with my orders then.”

“You don’t need anything before we go?” Magnus asks before he can bite the question back, he doesn’t want to give Alexander any chance to change his mind.

There’s a moment where Alexander considers it but then he looks back again to the control room and shakes his head.  

“If you’re willing to go through all this trouble, I imagine you’re willing to help me with whatever I’ll need.”

Willing is putting it lightly, Magnus thinks to himself as he begins layering the ward that will let him finally have uninterrupted time with Alexander.

Knowing that Alexander will end up using Magnus’ own personal products and clothing is an extra gift that fills Magnus with glee.

This entire excursion is going far better than he thought it would.

Magnus had rearranged the loft before leaving and he’s glad he did as they passed through the portal and into the casually comfortable study Magnus had set up.

Alexander pulls his hand free and Magnus would have grabbed it back except Alec has messages to write and orders to give.  Instead Magnus distracts himself by snapping away his jacket and boots and rolling up his sleeves as he summons a book and a drink to the table he’d set up earlier.

Alexander’s face seems leaner than the last time they spoke and Magnus frowns and tugs at Alexander’s jacket the second he turns off his phone and slips it into his pocket. It’s easy to pull it off and then throw it and the phone it carries to the side.  If it slips away into a magical pocket then Magnus will just summon it back later, once a good amount of time has passed.

“When was the last time you ate?”

“I’ve been mostly using nourishment runes,” Alexander admits and he wrinkles his nose in agreement at Magnus’ admonishing look. “I do know they’re not healthy or maintainable but they’re better than nothing. Half time I normally use to eat, rest and do extra work is being taken up by the sudden flood of demonic and Circle activity and everything else is consumed by the Institute's current and main complication.”

“Clary.” 

“Yes.” Alexander sighs and rubs at his forehead as if to wipe away the thought of her.

“A nap first then, before something to eat.”

“Our dinner and drinks that I keep missing?” 

“Oh no, this is merely preparation for our outing together, darling.” Magnus feels daring as the pet name slides easily off his tongue. “A little slumber to give you some ease then a meal, shower and a true rest cycle.  Only then will I be satisfied that I'll have your full attention during our date.”

Instead of Magnus summoning a new room or leading Alexander to his own bed, he sits at the couch he’d enhanced earlier.  It’s magically comfortable in a way that eases aches and pains rather than adds to them.

“Indulge me?” He asks, offering his hand and Alexander’s brow arches in bemusement as he toes off his heavy hunting boots.  

“This is what you consider indulgence after everything you’ve given me?”

“Even if someone else has been bold enough to offer their lap and lair to you, I doubt you’d have accepted.  Is it so strange that I want what no one else has been given?.” It’s both a taunt and a test, because Magnus wants to know if he’s right.  If Alexander feels the strange connection that ties them together in ways deeper than Magnus can yet comprehend.

Magnus’ answer is Alexander’s startled but quiet laugh, the amusement that peeks through his exhaustion and instead of sitting down next to Magnus he lets himself lay down.  There’s a quick moment of hesitation before his cheek presses against Magnus’ thigh and the back of Alexander’s head tucks against Magnus' belly. 

“Do you trust me enough to sleep, Alexander?” 

Magnus boldly runs his fingers through Alexander’s hair and feels the hitch of his breath against Magnus’ thigh from the caress. 

Magnus’ answer to his teasing is in the way Alexander melts into him, a tired nod causing his cheek to rub against Magnus’ pants as sleep claims his coherency at last.

-

sleeping in front of something, trusting enough and lowering your guard is a huge deal. Magnus is absolutely thrilled and taking no chances in making sure Alexander will be coming back to him for rest and safety again and again

[curseofbunny]

things on my miraculous rewatch that i am noticing that are just. funny and help make things make sense in my brain

chloe and alya are both reaaaaally big into superheroes, alya with majestia as we all know and chloe not seeming to have had a favorite until ladybug/replacing her previous favorite entirely with ladybug if she had one, and chloe and sabrina being cosplayers.

it also seems like chloe is really good at making props and pretty passable at video editing, given malediktator and her 'lair' up on the roof/balcony. all of that background props for her little documentary (which is as endearing to me as it is lightly cringe-worthy, i love chloe so so much) were handmade and honestly looked really good, they must have taken aaaaages to make. me and my friend were also noticing that max looked upset during the 'making fun of chloe' scene in malediktator after chloe got hurt by sabrina laughing at her, and we were joking that he was disappointed it got turned off because the editing was good

kim really liked the alec cataldi's show 'alternative truth' in kwamibuster. him liking and looking up to alec cataldi makes so much sense for why his character is the way it is, why he does the dares and the teasing. it's really interesting seeing how the childhood bullying/harassment alec went through shaped his life, and then he in turn continued the cycle on a massive scale to the point where it could be said that he influenced more people to act just like him. i am not even coming into this from a salt perspective, it's entirely just fascinating that in that little bit from a s3 episode we can see part of why he is the way he is

chloe watching the news is such a common experience she's a news girliieeee i love that for herrr

accidentally got a fixation on how the tv studio in universe works. alec cataldi is a catty gay guy who runs a bunch of random slot-filler garbage tv. nadja chamack is a (seemingly single) mother, friend of sabine's, who is the primary news anchor. clara contard is her primary correspondent, who according to the wiki has an unnamed boyfriend/husband (i'm going to go with boyfriend) and unnamed son. obsessed with these three they're so good i love the ~vibes~ of the station crew

all problems in the later few seasons of the show would be lessened greatly if we let Luka Murder Bob Roth!!!

psychomedian should have been a season 2 episode. the plot, the vibes, the marinette characterization. everything besides the flashbacks in the beginning scream earlier actions. also they used flashbacks from the puppeteer 2 in that episode. which makes me confused. so the end lesson for mari in that ep was that adrien isn't good with jokes, and kind of wants to try being more serious because the girl he liked wasn't into funny guys. by using a clip from that episode, and specifically the clip where they're talking from the end of it from that same conversation where he says he doesn't get jokes very well, mari in psychomedian then extrapolates from a single video mention that nino showed adrien that clearly adrien is a huge huge superfan of harry's, and proceeded to hype herself up to try and do a comedy routine that is so specific and embarrassing that i physically couldn't watch that. girl do you even listen to the words from his mouthhh. i would have had less issues with this if that flashback didn't make me go "huh whats that from i've never seen that episode" and paused in the first minute of psychomedian to go watch the puppeter 2, then circled back to psychomedian, and only one of those episodes felt like they deserved to take place in the latter half of the show. on god.

back to the news crew tee em but this retroactively gives a lot of insight to me on how chloe and kim could have been friends and how their friend group was structured before a combination of marinette/ladybug and rampant akumatizations and teenage hormones destroyed the friend group over the course of season one and beginning of season two, but like. chloe and sabrina long term friends with their own particular dynamic and sabrina's crush on chloe. chloe is a news girlie and a superhero fan but keeps her cosplays on the low, only sharing that part of her life with sabrina. kim likes watching tv, specifically the more gossipy/gameshow type things. max is glued to kim's side and is his very close friend, and probably also liked working on nerd stuff with sabrina. alix was probably lumped in because she's athletic and friends with kim, and even if she isn't chloe's biggest fan they can still commiserate about being rich girls together. i know i'm extrapolating and halfway just wishing this was how it was, but it really did feel like that was the it group until they started slowly breaking off and chlobrina got isolated and then chloe got further isolated. in a perfect world this friend group would have stuck together and lila just joined the fold as a baby it girl trying to show off.

i'll shush for now but those are some babbles thank you for letting me refuse to shut the fuck up *bows* *bows*

[entitled-fangirl]

Two idiots in love. (P10)

Joel Miller x anemic!reader

Summary: the reader gets taken by David. And Joel will do anything to get her back.

Warnings: bruises, creepy comments, kidnapping, manipulation, name-calling, cursing

Author's note: I think 3 updates in one day is enough lmao

Masterlist

Part 1 and 11

.............................................................

Y/N woke up with a labored breath.

In fact, all of her breaths were harsh and painful.

And now that she had truly came to her senses, she couldn't remember taking her medication since Jackson.

She left her medication in Jackson.

"I started worrying you wouldn't wake up."

She sat up slowly, now realizing she was laying on cold tile in a fenced in area of the room.

And she knew that voice.

David.

She hummed, trying to collect her thoughts. 

Her shivering frame no longer had her winter coat.

Her torso was just left in a tank top and Joel's flannel.

She finally managed to look up at David.

He smiled, "Tess… is it?"

Her eyebrows furrowed. "…Tess?"

He shook his head, "Apparently not." He held up the piece of paper again, "…Y/N?"

She couldn't stop the small instinctual light up of her eyes.

He smiled again, "There she is… pretty Y/N."

In David's hands was Bill's note to Joel. She remembers Joel keeping the paper, and it must have ended up in her backpack. 

"So, is Tess the girl?"

"Stop saying that fucking name."

His eyebrows rose, "Alright. Touchy subject." He set the paper down, "I just want to get to know you. Understand you? Is that alright?"

"L…Let me out."

"Well, that's certainly the goal." She saw him grimace, "Sorry for that bruising. Can't imagine it feels nice. I talked to James about it, and I truly apologize on his behalf."

The struggle to breathe.

It was the bruising on her neck from her attempted escape.

"Are you hungry?"

"Wh…why am I in a cage?"

David shrugged, "Have you ever had a pet bird, Y/N? You have to make sure it'll stay before you let it out. Otherwise, it may fly away-"

"-Fuck you."

"Or," he continued more harshly, "More realistically, a dog. You're wild. But don't worry. We'll domesticate you. Make you obedient and respectful. Let you eat the scraps off of the table. The others want to kill you. But I saved you. I can help you. Let me protect you."

She shook her head, "We both know I'm not really on my own."

"Right," he nodded, "your family. Your husband, how is he?"

"He's not my fucking husband."

"Well, I can see how much you care about him, so I know it hurts. But that part of your life, it's ending. And what I'm offering you is a beginning. But if you can't find a way to trust me, then yes. You are alone."

Y/N let out a breath, pushing herself against the wall.

"Can I ask about that?" David asked.

"About what?" She replied coldly.

"That bruise on your arm. Is that… from him?"

A bruise in the shape of Joel's fingers laid around her wrist in a deep purple. It was from cleaning his wound only yesterday, and at the time, she didn't think anything of it.

She looked up at him.

"I see." He said, "You know, people that love you- truly love you- they don't hurt you."

"How the fuck would you know about love?"

"Well, I wouldn't hurt you, Y/N."

"The same bruises are on my neck."

"Those are from James. Not me. I would never hurt you. I think you're beautiful. And beauty is meant to be treasured."

"Joel wouldn't hurt me. He's not like that."

David scoffed, "Did you see what he did to Alec at the university? Snapped his neck. You think he wouldn't do that to you?"

"No. He wouldn't." She reasoned. 

"Be serious with yourself, Y/N. That man is dangerous and cruel. You deserve someone kind and protective."

"And you think that person is you?" She scoffed.

He let out a laugh, "Of course, I wish the pretty girl likes me. Who wouldn't? But, I think that's up to you to decide."

And he left her alone with her thoughts. 

…

Joel was livid.

He could barely see through the red that clouded his vision.

In the scheme of things, they had somehow taken Ellie, too. 

And Joel didn't like it when people touched his things.

He continued to punch the man taped to the chair.

"Please," the man pleased, "I don't know any woman."

Joel stabbed a blade through the man's knee.

"Marco-"

"No, no, no, no" Joel said softly, "He can't help you. You focus right here. Or I'll pop your fuckin' kneecap off."

The man took a deep breath, "She's alive."

Joel nodded, "Where?"

When the man wouldn't answer, Joel twisted the man's kneecap with his bare hands.

"Fuck, fuck! The town!"

"WHAT TOWN?!" Joel yelled.

"..S…Silver Lake."

Joel pulled out a map, setting it on the man's lap.

The same map Y/N had used in Bill's truck.

"It's not a real town name," the man said out of breath, "It's a resort."

"A resort?"

Joel sighed and pulled the blade from the man's knee, shoving the handle of it in the man's mouth harshly.

"You're gonna point to where we are, and where your "resort" is. And it better be the exact same spot you buddy over there points to."

The man did as Joel commanded, then he spit the blade out, "Go ask him. He'll tell you. I'm not lying."

Joel nodded, then shoved the knife into the man's stomach with no mercy.

The other man held hostage yelled out at the violent act. "Why did you do that? He told you what you wanted! I won't tell you SHIT!"

"That's okay," Joel said calmly as he walked to him and grabbed a bat, "I believe him."

Joel swung the bat with no remorse.

…

Y/N was sat on the floor in a panic.

A human fucking ear laid on the ground not too far from her cage.

They were cannibals.

David came in with a plate, setting it on the ground and sliding it to the hungry woman.

But the last thing she could do was eat after seeing what laid on the ground.

He noticed her gaze and followed it, then looked back with a clenched jaw, "For what it's worth, this is just deer meat. I swear."

She let out a small cry, "Are you gonna fucking eat me?"

"I'd rather not."

"How… how could you do this?"

"There are only a few of us that know." David said, "but, I would've told you. Sooner or later."

She let out another small cry.

"It was a last resort. You think this doesn't shame me?"

She sniffled lightly and looked up at him.

David grinned slightly at the eye contact, "Your friend is no different. Didn't he take another man's life to save yours?"

"He…he was defending himself."

"No, he was defending you."

Her eyes left his as she took in his words.

"Can I tell you something? Be honest with you, Y/N? I'm just a shepherd tending to my sheep. And all I want… is someone to share it with. A friend."

"What about my friend?"

He nodded, "I can tell the others to stop looking for him. They'll spare him."

"W…what?"

"If he leaves us in peace, they will just let him go. They do what I tell them to do."

"What about my daughter?"

He smiled, "About that…"

Her heart dropped, "Where is my girl, you sick fuck?"

"JAMES!"

James walked in with Ellie in tow. Her hands were tied behind her back and she fought against the man's movements until she saw Y/N.

David smiled, "A happy reunion, indeed."

Y/N stood and approached the bars as close as she could to Ellie. "Ellie! Are… Jesus, are you alright?"

Ellie nodded.

"Let her go, David. She didn't do anything. I'm the adult here. Blame me. Just… let her go, please. Don't touch her."

The preacher sighed, "Well, I really want to, sweetheart. But… I have to domesticate the dog, remember? So, I take something that the dog loves, like…. Ellie, you said?… and I dangle her in front of the dog's nose. The dog will now do anything I say to ensure it gets what it wants."

"I'm not a dog, David."

He smiles, "No…?"

James pulls on Ellie's hair, making her cry out.

"STOP IT!" Y/N yells, "STOP! Fine! I'll do anything. Anything, please. Don't touch her!"

"C'mere then."

She approached where David stood on the other side of the bars.

His hand wandered to her cheek.

It made her remember Joel's touch.

But they were nothing alike.

David smiled, letting his voice drop to in intimate volume due to the proximity, "And now, the pretty bitch bows to her master."

He turns around, "Put the girl in there."

When Ellie is thrown into the cage, Y/N immediately takes her in her arms.

They watch the men leave the room.

"Where are you hurt?!" Y/N asked frantically.

Ellie shakes her head, "I'm fine. Just… scared."

"And Joel?"

Ellie shrugs, "I heard voices, so I did what I could to lead them from the house. Got the horse shot. I'm sorry."

She shakes her head, "I don't give a shit about the horse. You're okay, and that's all the matters."

…

A few hours later, the two found themselves a little more relaxed.

David had left them alone for the last 4 hours.

"Y/N?" Ellie asked. "I have something to confess…"

The woman nods, "Okay."

"It's really bad…."

"Bad as in… you killed someone? That's not exactly considered bad anymore."

"No…I… I read the note."

Y/N froze. "What note?"

"The one Joel left for you in Jackson."

Y/N didn't know what to say, "How… when did you… Ellie…?"

"I saw it when I went to the bathroom before we left. I just… I don't know. Part of me hoped that Joel had left it for me. I understand why he left one for you, but…. I couldn't help myself. And I'm sorry for reading it."

"It's fine, Ellie. Really."

Silence.

"Did you want to know what it said?"

"Well," Y/N shrugged, "that depends. Is it something I have to know?"

Ellie considered the question, then shook her head. 

"Okay then. Is it something I'd want to know?"

Ellie immediately nodded.

"Hmm. Would this information change what I have with Joel? And with you?"

Ellie frowned in thought, then nodded, "Yeah. Big time."

Y/N sighed, "Well, I don't care then. I like what I have with you and Joel. I don't want to change it. I'd rather live life not knowing anything and having you two, then to know everything in the world and live without Joel and my daughter."

Ellie let out a shuddered breath at her response.

"Joel also said he loves you."

Y/N's head shoots up, "…what?"

"I won't get into details but… it was all mushy about how much he loves you and how you ground him… all the shit he'll never say out loud."

Y/N nodded. "I see. I hope Joel is out there looking for us then."

"Me, too."

If only they knew.

............................................................................

Tags: @lover-of-books-and-tea, @pedropascalfan221, @lottieellz101, @bambisweethearts, @hiroikegawa, @elliaze, @littleshadow17, @n7cje

[chasing-posts]

People who deserve redemption, according to Thomas Astruc, written from least to worst of a bad character.

Kim Lê Chiến

Dumbass teenage boy who could have killed Marinette with a dumb prank he was completely concious of, and willing to commit. The boy was also a brat/ bully throughout season 1, but after Dark Cupid had apparently decided to be nicer off screen. Became friends with Max and got a girlfriend... BUT still refers to Chloe as the funniest and prettiest girl, IN FRONT of said girlfriend. Sees nothing wtong with what he did to the point of getting upset enough to become akumatized over the issue. He was allowed to be a super hero without even apologizing to Marinette dor over a year, and did a lot of dumb stuff tht was also forgiven just because. Is also one of the most inconsistently written characters in tbe story.

Jagged Stone

Possibly the most likable man on the list. However this man abandoned his twins and didn't contact them for 14 years. He kept his identity a secret and it's not even known if he paid child support before coming back into their lives, and constantly having fights with their mother.

That said he's put low on the list because we don't know if he did or did not pay child support. He's not mean to his children or kids in general, he is legit trying to make up for his absence and he originally left because his life was too chaotic to have custody. There's a lot of ambiguity and behind the scenes drama that is not explored (*cough thought out cough cough*) in this family, and it's even possible the mom fought for full custody to keep him away after a big break up. The situation is too ambiguous to judge.

Sabrina Raincomprix

Sabrina has been Chloe's number 1 supporter and follower for almost a decade. They were childhood friends and wherever Chloe went, she went. She has been supporting Chloe bad deeds and even happily participating throughout most of them. There were two incidents in season 1 where they almost stopped being friends and Marinette made an attempt to leave the friendship once, but for the most part has stuck throigh and done everything Chloe has wanted her to do and loved doing it. This includes stealing, faking notes, doing her homework, coming up with schemes to bully, laughing at all the chaos, making grown women and other teens cry and so much more. She was even given the dog Miraculous in season 4, by Marinette, despite doing nothing to earn it and only being good at soccer and wanting to SAVE Chloe, so they could bully another day.

In the end she's given a redemption arc because she feels bad for stealing (all of a sudden), and because Chloe was becoming friends with Lilah. The fact she's an active participant in bullying who gets off on the power trip of putting others drown, is not brought up again

Alec Cataldi

Alec's career is based on putting other people down, and is responsible for the first akumatized victim in the show back in episode 1. For four seasons, his entire personality was finding people, mocking them, on television or in person, and getting views off it. He's a spiteful man who makes his living off the suffering of others.

However in season 4 we find out that his biggest dream was to become a drag queen when he was little, and he was mocked for it. After that happened he shaved his hair off and started putting down other people's passions, in the same way his had dreams had been squashed. After his first and only akumatization, he has a break down and epithany, decides to live his true self and raise people up instead instead. On paper, he has the best redemption arc so far.

Félix Fathom

Fèlix was introduced in season 3, and his first on-screen acts include destroying Adrien's things, trying to ruin his cousin's reputation and leave him friendless, sexually assaulting Ladybug, and stealing from the Agreste family. He continues his bad deeds in season four with identity theft, and stealing all the Miraculous' from Ladybug and giving them to Gabriel/ AKA Hawkmoth, in return for the Peacock Miraculous.

We learn in season 5 he's a sentimonster who's been acting out due to an abusive father and his fragile existence in the world. He uses his power to remove everyone in the world in a misplaced effort to make him and his cousin happy, before eventually being talked down by Kagami and Adrian.

He eventually starts stalking Kagami and after revealing himself, they start a relationship together. He seems socially inept and yet despite all his knowledge on his, Adrien's and Kagami's situation, he decides to never tell Adrian aboht what's happening and only Marinette in the most awkward dance number ever.

All in all Fèlix had every opportunity and all the power to reveal Hawkmoth's true identy from the start, but never took the steps to reveal his identity and work towards true redemption. And if he decided to tell Chat Noir/ Ladybug the whole story, the three of them could have defeated monarch. And Adrien and Kagami would nit have been forced to goto London.

André Bourgeois

Andrè is a corrupt mayor, who uses his elected title and money to regularly take advantage of the people of Paris. He has fired people without just cause (even his own "friends"), tried to steal things he was denied, abused funds, and enable his daughters worst decisions. He raised Chloe alone since she was 4-6, and has both neglected her emotional needs, refused to parent his child, rewarded her bad behavior with material possessions, and allowed her to idolize her mother, and even encouraged her to model her behavior after her mother she abandoned them, and then abandons her and hands her over to her abusive mother at the end of the series, while taking in her half sibling, who he has not raised and has no legal claim over.

Andrè blames the women in his life for how he's turned out. Claiming he only wanted to be a film director, and only left to be a successful business tirant and corrupt political figure, for his wife Audrey. Who he still stays married to after she cheats on him, and moves away for half a decade, abandoning hik and their own daughter. He chooses to stay married. Chose to stay in that career and chose to constantly rip off and screw over the people of paris. Often being the cause of akumatization, and ruinging big events for his daughter's whims. Keep in mind, the only reason Chloe is like this now, is because of Aundrè's parenting, yet he never takes responsibility for that, and instead decides to abdocate his position, illigally allow his daughter to take control of the city, let her take all the fall for HIS crimes, and then abandon her to live with his step daughter instead.

All this to say that Andrè may be the second worst on the list, but I hate him the most.

Gabriel Agreste

What can't you say about this man. This man loves being evil. He dances through the halls when a scheme looks like it's about to work. His entire power is taking advantage of people at thier worst, enslaving them and then making them do his bidding. His list of victims includes literal babies, children of all ages, the mentally ill, the elderly, and even his own son. The son which he claims to love but whom he actively manipulates, abuses and mistreats throughout the ENTIRE series. He literally controls him to make him do whatever he wants, and when he acts out or says something he does not like, he belittles him and will actively punish him if he gets less than perfect.

Gabriel also disrespects and will backstab all his allies. Has enslaved 2 kwami's and claims everything he does is for his dead wife, whose corpse he keeps locked away in his basement. He is actively going against her wishes to stay dead and manipulates the love of the women around him, like Natalie, to move forward with his evil plans.

Lastly when he says he does it all for his wife, he's lying. Because the when he has the opportunity to go back in time and save his wife, or fight Ladybug, he actively chooses the latter.

He constantly terrorizes Paris, actively makes situations worst for people to make more akumatized victims, destroys property, all while he hides away in the shadows. Then finally in season 5, when he is confronted by Ladybug, he is given the opportunity to reform and really think about what he did. To reflect on all he's done. He uses a moment of vulnerability and weakness to manipulate Marinette and treats her like the puppet she's named after. His last act of the show is stealing the Miraculous, using the cat and Ladybug to destroy and recreate the world how he wills, where he's the hero and no one knows he's the villain, and his son who he abused for 5 seasons and now has left parentless, now sees him as a hero.

[faejilly]

regret

so. literally seven years ago, I started a 'series of firsts' style fluff-fic(let collection) for Malec/Shadowhunters... and I think part of why I got stuck on it in particular (even beyond the not writing much for the last couple years) is because it is in fact supposed to be in chronological order following the show and I had hit a point where I needed a... not!fluff chapter, and I kept trying to just... skip the sad and write more fluff for the fluff fic.

But I'm writing a vignette series for a melodrama. So. Melodrama has been written, of Alec Lightwood Overthinking Things but not being wrong, so how is he supposed to stop? (This takes place after s2e12, which is the disaster of a body swap episode, for anyone not so obsessed with the show as to know that off the top of their heads)

It is not the first time Alec has known that he’s not good enough for Magnus. He’s always known that, since the first time he laid eyes on him.

It is the first time that he thinks Magnus might agree with him.

Magnus said he wanted some space. Tonight (just tonight implied but not stated by the softness of his voice, the brush of his fingers against the seam of Alec’s sleeve) Magnus wanted some quiet.

So Alec left Magnus alone, and now he’s standing in his institute bathroom staring into the institute mirror gripping the white porcelain edges of an institute sink, trying to decide if that was right.

He doesn’t think it was, but he’s not sure if it’s the space that’s wrong, or the just for tonight.

He knows which he wants it to be, but that’s irrelevant.

Magnus likes to retreat when he’s hurt, but that doesn’t mean that’s good for him; Alec might not have known Magnus for long, but he recognizes a protective flinch when he sees it. And if that’s the case, then Alec should in fact head right back out and refuse to let Magnus hide and hold him tight until Magnus feels like he's himself again.

But Alec didn’t believe what Magnus said too many times already, he can’t…

He can’t go against Magnus’ request, not now that he finally made one. Always letting Alec set the pace, waiting for Alec to reach out, for Alec to act, to ask, and when he finally lets himself say what he wants?

It’s less of Alec, rather than more.

Smart of him, of course. Alec would never blame him for it, especially not after Azazel and Valentine and Alec failing him in every way it was possible to fail. There has always been a disparity between what Magnus deserves and what Alec is capable of offering; perhaps it is too large of one to ever be overcome.

Only he knows he wants to keep trying.

He also knows that staring at his mirror and overthinking things is his own protective flinch.

Magnus said he doesn’t know what he needs. Alec is mostly sure that’s true, that if Magnus knew that Alec caused more harm than could possibly be worth it he would say so — but only mostly. Magnus has been abandoned too many times to be the person leaving unless he’s sure.

Not even then, perhaps.

Alec has some idea of how many times Magnus forgave Camille, and she was cruel on purpose, unlike Alec who keeps twisting the knife entirely by accident.

If Magnus won’t do it, Alec will have to. He refuses to walk Magnus down a road to hell paved by his own so-called “good intentions”. He’ll stay away forever if that’s better for Magnus, regardless of how Alec feels about it, will feel about it, will always feel about Magnus. It’s only right, not letting Magnus suffer the consequences of trying to be involved with–

Alec stops himself there.

Anything he thinks to call himself, any self-assessment he can manage right now, will be more severe than anything Magnus would think, or say, or even accept if Alec tried to say it, so it won’t help him decide what to do.

He has to figure out how to help in a way that Magnus will accept, and if he leads with a list of all his failures, Magnus will be happy to try and make Alec feel better and aggressively avoid letting Alec try to help him.

Alec doesn’t need to feel better. Aldertree’s gone, Isabelle’s back, (Imogen’s difficult but familiar), and Jace is, while still fucked up, at least not trying to smother the parabatai bond so tightly that Alec feels like he’s being strangled in his sleep every night.

So.

Alec sighs, lets go of the sink, forces his shoulders to relax.

This is the first time that Magnus has said he needs space, but considering the politics of their lives, even now that Valentine’s in custody (especially now, considering everything Herondale did to Magnus in Valentine’s name), it probably won’t be the last.

Alec can’t override that, not just because he’s sad and guilty and young and stupid.

He just has to learn better.

He’s always had to be better than he is, he’s not sure why he thought things with Magnus might be different.

That’s not Magnus’ fault though, and he can’t let himself start to think about it in terms of hopes dashed or desires failed because then he will be upset at the only person who has never ever let him down, despite all Alec’s failures and stumbles.

He doesn’t deserve Magnus, of course he doesn’t, but that’s all right. It’s Magnus’ turn to make a choice, and he can have all the time and space he needs to do so.

Alec will wait.

He’ll wait forever, if he has to.

He’ll wait past forever, this life and the next; he’s already made his choice.

[culiehua]

tsc gang as my fav foods (part 1?)

Alec - Fuzhou wan. Seemingly bland but godtier insides. It's the tastiest thing you've ever eaten. Eat 50, order 50 more. If your dad can make this, he deserves it.

Jace - Taiwanese popcorn chicken. Blonde. Crispy. Cheeky. Gorgeous. Seemingly simple but flavourly layered so well, you'll never look at another fried chicken again.

Clary - Seafood congee. Much like Oa Misua, it gives you a comfort that feels like a heated blanket. Spicy or mild, the creative freedom in choosing ur ingredients would make Michelangelo jealous.

Izzy - Sesame chicken broth. The staple soup. You eat it once and youre cured. Heart of the family. If all else fails, I know this soup's always got my back

Magnus - Dim sum. So much variety. Scrumptious 24/7. Ready for any occasion. Never a wrong choice.

Simon - Macao chicken cakes. Comfort meets unique. A nostalgic friend. You try it for fun but cant live without it now

Kit - Boba. Modern, sassy, iconic and knows it. Will steal your wallet. I can't live without you

Matthew - Oa misua. Eating a warm bowl on a cold day makes you feel cherished and more at home than family dinner on christmas eve. Misunderstood but loved

Jem - Peking duck. timeless. effortless. an absolute classic. i love you.

[whatever-imagines]

Can you we please get more Butch Wolverine?! Please?

Merry Christmas.

Literally

Rated: G

——

Logan scratch the back of her neck uncomfortably while staring at the party goers. There were too many sounds, too many smells, too much… everything happening all at once. She craved the solitude of her room; the distraction of you came to mind, maybe she could convince you to ditch the Christmas party all together and hide away from everyone.

Logan’s keen eyes seek you out and find you in the crowd. You’re dressed nice, cute; carrying a bag of presents as you distribute gifts to your friends and teammates. You looked so happy and thrilled to make everyone else happy and thrilled.

On second thought, maybe Logan should just pull a lone wolf card and leave by herself. You seemed to be enjoying yourself too much to have her pull you away for selfish reasons.

As she turns away though, she hears you call her name, hears you wrangling through the crowd, and Logan is equal parts thrilled and worried. What if you try and make her stay? Or worse, join in on the festivities.

“Lo! Logan, wait a sec, I have something for you!”

The Wolverine groans lowly. It wasn’t that she was hard to shop for, it’s just that people misinterpret what she wants, and then she feels bad about not wanting the useless crap given to her.

“Listen princess-“ she starts to protest, starts to stop you, but she couldn’t get a third word out before you toss a very small package at her.

Logan catches it mid air, effortlessly. The wrapping was buffalo plaid, no bows or tinsel or extra dress. With a questioning eyebrow, Logan gives you a look.

You stare at her all starry eyed and excited. “Well? Open it! It’s your present!”

The wolverine shift her step. “I’m not big on gifts-“

“Open it, Logan.” You demand.

The firmness of your voice makes her relent. It’s a rare occasion to see you stand up to her about anything.

With deft fingers, the wrapping was removed, unceremoniously dropped to the floor, and once the small black box was revealed, Logan worries the worst, jewellery.

Sucking in a silent anxious breath, she opens the box.

“A leather keychain?” Logan questions, also taking not of a silver knob looking thing attached to the ring.

“Open the leather bit, it’s a cigar cutter!” You exuberantly explain.

Logan pauses as you continue to ramble. “You always use your claws and I know sometimes you’re in a place you just can’t pop them out, so I got you this nice one instead! And that little silver one is a cigar puncher, you can unscrew it to use it.” You go into detail, moving closer to show off the present you thoughtfully gathered for your companion. “There in this keychain so you can add it to your carabiner. Merry Christmas!”

Logan stares at you intensely. This was… honestly the perfect gift for her. True, she uses her claws mostly to cut her cigars on the road, and if that wasn’t an option, her trusty pocket knife was always there, even if it did a shitty job. This was well thought out and personalised to her specifically. You even got a puncher, another form of to open up certain kinds of cigars. And in a fashion she could carry it with her constantly.

A little reminder of you and your thoughtfulness.

Logan purses her lips together to think carefully about what she’ll say next, all the while you stand there, pretty and perfect, waiting for her to respond.

“Thank you.” She settles on. No jokes, no smart Alec comment. You deserved sincerity at this moment. “I didn’t get you… anything-“

“Well, do you like your gift?” You ask.

She did, Logan really did. She loved it, she loved how the leather smelt like the sweat from your palms, you must’ve messed with it greatly before giving it to her.

“Yes, but-“

“Then that’s the best present you could’ve gotten me!” you chirp, delighted.

Logan wants to respond smoothly, wants to give a compliment suave enough it makes up for not having anything physical to give you, but you’re called away by a smiling and laughing Jean.

Before you leave, you rush Logan for a quick hug, which she reciprocates. The scent of you fills her and makes her almost giddy.

‘Merry Christmas, indeed.’ She thinks idly, looking for mistletoe hanging around and planning on pulling you under it.

[onetimetwotimesthreetimess]

Prompt - Alec being mad at Magnus (something minor, some domestic dispute like not washing the dishes or eating the dessert he'd kept for later in the fridge) and being petty about it ;P

“Will you come to bed?”

He doesn’t get a response. Only a slight huff in return.

Magnus rolls his eyes and pursues his lips, “Alexander. It’s 1 at night. You had a long shift.”

His husband turns over his shoulder and replies in a petulant tone, “Oh, now you remember I had a long shift?”

“You are such a child,” he replies.

If Magnus were to tell the world about the kind of man he is married to, no one would believe him. If were to really tell the world the kind of man, Alexander Gideon Lightwood really is—they would scoff and their eyes would widen with shock and with disdain at Magnus for fueling baseless rumours about their consul.

Because the world knows Alec Lightwood as the stoic but just and fair Consul. Or the abomination.

They don’t know the man behind the doors. Inside their loft.

The shadow world knows Alec, the consul. They don’t know Alec, the husband or the father or the brother.

He thinks that the world is poorer for it.

For Alec like this, with his nose scrunched up and a huge pout on his face is a delight to be with.

“Wow,” Alec says in mock offence. “First you hide something so huge from me, and now you’re calling me a child.”

“Being a child is a wondrous thing, darling,” he teases, just to annoy Alec some more.

“I hate you.”

“For what?” He asks, voice laced with amusement.

“For being a deceitful person.”

“For lying about using magic?”

Alec stands up from the couch, pointing a finger across at Magnus. “No. No. Do not phrase it like I have an issue with magic.”

“Then what’s the issue?”

“I asked you to wash the dishes with hand so that the boys could learn. And you’ve been lying to me about this for the entire week.”

Magnus tries to contain the grin from his face but he fails.

“Max is a warlock and he deserves to learn magic.”

“He does. He also needs to learn how to move from one room to another without magic,” Alec huffs.

“It’s just dishes Alexander.”

“Deceit,” Alec says, exaggeratedly.

Magnus crosses the distance and winds his arms around Alec’s waist. “Come on, come to bed.”

“No. No, absolutely not,” Alec breathes, and releases himself from Magnus’s hold; albeit with great difficulty.

“Are you really going to sleep alone?”

“I love sleeping alone.”

“Without me holding you?” Magnus grins.

“Yes. You’re all over me and suffocate me. I barely survive the nights,” Alec points out, but Magnus can see the crack through his facade.

“Really now?” Magnus raises an eyebrow.

“Hmmm. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings so kept it to myself all these years,” Alec says, a serious pout on his face. “But now that I have found out that I married a liar, I have no reason to keep it a secret.”

“You lie to me plenty, sweetheart.”

“Name one lie,” Alec challenges.

“Yesterday when you said you were ready for round two because you’re so young and have a great body. But I clearly saw you use the stamina runs.”

Alec scoffs indignantly. “I did not.”

Magnus married the pettiest of humans and he loves that.

“Or that time when you told me you were perfectly okay after the hunt but I clearly saw the bruises on your back.”

Alec opens his mouth and then shuts up.

“Or that time when you accidentally said ‘fuck’ in front of Rafael and lied to me about it when he—“

“Okay. Okay,” Alec raises his hand. “Fine.”

“Can we go to bed now?” Magnus laughs.

Alec thinks for a moment before replying. “Fine. But you’re not touching me.”

“Just to be clear, you are allowed to touch me as much as you want, love,” he smirks suggestively.

Magnus drags him to their room because as much as he loves the bantering, he knows Alec is tired and needs to sleep.

His husband creates a wall between them with pillows, separating the two.

He snorts at the pettiness. “You are something else.”

“I just prefer not to bed with liars.”

Alec is relentless if not anything so Magnus gives up, fully knowing it’s going to barely take a few minutes before Alec drags his Magnus’s body behind his.

He lies on his side but immediately shifts closer to Alec, poking his fingers over Alec’s ears.

“Stop.”

“Stop, what?”

He pushes a pillow from between and starts running his dingers through Alec’s hair, pulling a soft hum out of the shadowhunter.

“No touching.”

Magnus smirks because Alec’s body, like it always has, instinctively reacts to his touch and he shifts slightly closer to him.

“You need to sleep.”

“I’m trying. But you’re being annoying.”

He plants a loud kiss on the space right next to Alec’s mouth. “Come on.”

“No.”

“I promise that I will reach the kids to wash the dishes with their hands. Even though, I still do not understand the need for it.”

“Are you lying again?” Alec huffs. “Once a liar. Always a liar.”

“Stop being a baby,” Magnus snorts.

“You’re baby.”

“I know,” he replies. “And you haven’t call me one in two hours and I’m feeling sad now.”

“Lies.”

Magnus groans this time. “Alexanderrrrrrrr.”

“What?”

“Please forgive me,” Magnus accepts defeat, content with the realisation that he’s okay being defeated if it’s Alec on the other side. “I promise to teach our kids good habits.”

Alec turns on his side and looks at Magnus. He raises his finger in his direction, “Pinky Promise?”

He chuckles softly. It’s a thing he started as a joke years ago but has fully become a part of their household now.

You do not break a pinky promise in the Lightwood-Bane household.

“Pinky-promise,” he entwines their fingers, brings their joined fingers to his mouth and places a soft kiss on them.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

Alec nods. “I forgive you. You are allowed to cuddle me,” he replies, a grin turning on his face.

Magnus jumps on Alec, enveloping the shadowhunter’s body with his and peppers soft, warm, featherlight kisses al over his face. “Alexander, you are such a bitch sometimes.”

Alec breaks into laughter, squealing in between as Magnus keeps on attacking him with kisses.

“You love me.”

Magnus thinks for the nth time that if were to tell the world about this version of his husband, no one would believe him.

But that’s the thing. Magnus doesn’t want to tell the world, or anyone for that matters about this version of him. About the man inside their loft.

He wants to keep this all for himself.

This version of Alec Lightwood— the one who laughs, and cries and acts bitchy, the one Magnus is besottedly in love with, this, belongs to him and only him.

[alexanderlightweight]

Hullo! I hope all is well in the household and I hope Nightshade is getting all the (undoubtedly well-deserved) scritches and nose boops they deserve! :)

I've been happily re-reading a lot of your fic recently - I *adore* your writing and the dynamic you create between Alec and Magnus. I don't care what the plot is- I'll read anything you write because I know the characterization is going to be *chef's kiss* amazing!

After your fantabulous sentinel/guide promptlet that just posted, I went to re-read 'fire in his veins', your sentinel/guide AU on a03, and omg this section in particular just made me stop and live in the moment before continuing (I hope that makes sense outside my head). >> He has no right to defend himself and they both know it.  

He would apologize, but he would have to mean it. He would have to be sincerely sorry and he isn’t.  

He stays silent.  

For the first time in his life he faces death and regrets that life might end.

There is a low snarl, an enraged noise and he closes his eyes.  Acceptance is in every line body as he relaxes to meet his fate and a hot, rough tongue catches across his cheek as it brushes away a tear he didn’t realize he’d shed.  <<

If you have the dreamling for anything more in the sentinel/guide AU, whether 'fire in his veins' or 'gladiolus', I would very much love to read it :)

(no preference on nsfw/sfw)

ty!! it seems to be a steadying time finally? maybe? I feel like every time I say that something bad happens lol so I hesitate

Nightshade is getting all of the cuddles and noseboops and treats and had been very spoiled as of late. I mean he's always spoiled but we found some beef cheek rolls he loves and they make him super happy and help with his teeth which is nice!

i hope you are doing well and well, here is a very rare pov, one i'm not sure i've done before but I might have. uh, so I realize it could have easily been missed. part of why it was so easy for Alec to detach from the clave is because currently, aldertree is in charge. aldertree just isn't a guide/sentinel and has no way of legally blocking a powerful sentinel from visiting a place technically in his territory. Alec is also technically in a very odd position because Aldertree needs him around but also can't give him too much power because then no one will actually listen to aldertree. so I hope you enjoy!

<3 lumine

-

heartbeat like fire

Aldertree reads the message and then the official file attached to it one more time before he sighs, sitting back at his chair and wondering just how he’s going to spin this latest outcome.  There aren’t many choices left to him and the more time that passes, the more his options become limited.

It would be one thing if he could cover it up, but Alec Lightwood didn’t just send his resignation to Aldertree, he sent it to the Clave pride and the Clave.

Worse, Aldertree knows they’ll blame him. Say that it’s his fault and that it’s his fault he lost the Clave a guide.

Especially once they find out that Lightwood’s a guide strong enough to bond with Magnus Bane.

The High Warlock of Brooklyn has been a pain in Aldertree’s ass since he got here, but now just took the one person who Aldertree’s unfortunately been relying on to actually run this hellhole.

Oh, the New York Institute is a fine place. Full of well-trained and capable shadowhunters, but it’s a beast to keep track of, run and also maintain the angelic core. Aldertree won’t stay here long term, but without Lightwood helping run the place, he’ll need reinforcements.

Except, Aldertree isn’t sure how much he’ll be able to get away with Lightwood leaving.

Already Aldertree has been fighting back a lingering headache since he got here and took over. But now, since what Aldertree assumes is the minute Lightwood cut his ties and left the Institute — it turned into a full blown migraine.

 Lightwood grew up in this Institute. 

Aldertree and several others in his research divisions have seen patterns and it's rare that nephilim children are fully raised in an Institute. It affects them, especially un-awakened or latent children.

However with the way the Lightwood punishment worked, someone with their name and blood had to stay with the Institute in order for any other’s to go back to Idris. That means that it was the eldest who was left, often and longer and longer and now, the signs are here.

For whatever reason, he’s fairly sure that  the angelic core latched onto Lightwood’s psionic energy.  Enough that it satiated it and also Lightwood then automatically shielded the rest of the Institute from the normal side-effects of such a powerful core  at the same time.

Aldertree wonders if the relationship between the two was symbiotic, or parasitic.

They both mean things different things regarding Lightwood’s power and Aldertree doesn’t like either option.

 —

With the rest of the world locked away, behind magick and psionic shields, Magnus sheds all his glamours and clothes.

He gets Alexander on his bed and pinned and then reality presses hard against him.

Despite the urge to bond, Magnus suddenly needs both himself and Alexander clean before they do.

Especially now that the Institute is a hostile territory and they’re both covered in scents from it. Even the bed will need to be changed with magic after they shower, their combined scents not enough to calm Magnus as he suddenly feels as if his territory has been invaded.

It’s always bothered Magnus, how Alexander smells like the Institute but now, he has reason to erase those scents. Preventing them from ever clinging to his boy again.

"You can you know."

Alexander is still pinned and his hands are gentle from where he's cradling Magnus' face between his palms.

"You can and should do whatever is going to make you feel the most settled. Protecting us both will only help you settle."

With permission he didn't need but desperately wanted from both Alexander and his own instincts, Magnus takes a moment to listen to Alexander's heartbeat.

It's soothing and steady and he focuses on that feeling as he moves the location of the loft and activates the war-level wards on the building they move to.

All evidence of their presence in the place they left is gone.

Magic turns the water on and Magnus wastes no time in pulling Alexander up from the bed through the room and directly under the spray and before he even asks, Alexander is plucking the soap up and lathering it.

He wastes no time in scrubbing himself down as if he wants to scrub the Institute away as well. It’s only because the sight is so mesmerizing that Magnus wastes long moments where he could be washing Alexander himself.

A moment later, he pulls Alexander’s hands away and replaces them with his own. The feeling of bubbles lathering on the skin of Alexander’s back is intoxicating and for a moment, Magnus gets lost in the way his callouses catch on scars and pass over smooth muscles.

Alexander’s breath hitches as Magnus pushes too hard on a deep bruise and Magnus apologies with a kiss and magic, further healing the tender muscle even as Alexander presses back into his touch.

AN:

i can't write bonding sex on the same section as victor aldertree apparently. I was going to but I was like... they need decontamination. clearly. btw not mentioned here but right now Cahya and Bela

i actually have to change the ending on ao3 a bit to fit this better because I realized Magnus would want them to be safe and protected before they bonded.