#Anna and Alex look just like cecily

[imherongraystairstrash]

I love how weak them Lightwood genes are loll

[zoyalannister]

Gracetopher week 2024

Day 5: First

@gracetopher-week

Read on Ao3

Since I already wrote in many fics the first meeting/”I love you”/kiss/time, I decided to go in a totally different and comedic direction.  Modern!AU where Christopher introduces for the first time his girlfriend Grace to the family, but the Six Nations is on and today's match is Wales vs England. 1032 words.

Grace was a bit nervous, but Christopher held her hand and kissed her on the cheek. 

“Don’t worry, my family will love you,” he said. 

She exhaled a shaky breath. 

She and Christopher had been dating for a few weeks, and now that they’d both finished the exams for their first semester of uni, they had decided it was time to meet his family. He talked about his family a lot, and she knew how close they were, and a little part of her couldn’t calm down the fear that they wouldn’t like her, despite Kit’s constant reassurances of the opposite. 

Christopher gave her a last kiss on the cheek and rang the doorbell. A few moments later, a woman opened the door. 

Grace stared at her: she was in her early forties, had black hair and blue eyes, and was wearing a Wales rugby jersey. 

The woman smiled and hugged her son as she said, “Kit, you came home just in time for the match.”

“Match?” he asked her, puzzled.

The woman let them in as she explained, “The Six Nations. It’s Wales versus England today.”

Christopher made a face that screamed he’d forgotten about it. It was entirely possible: they’d both been so immersed in their respective studies for their exams, neither of them had kept track of the sport events of the season or checked their social media. 

“She is Grace, my girlfriend,” he said, as if remembering why they’d gone to the Lightwoods’ in the first place.

The woman held out her hand to her. “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Grace. I’m Cecily, Christopher’s mother.”

“It’s a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Lightwood,” Grace replied. 

Cecily waved her hand. “No need to be so formal, you can call me by name.”

Grace and Christopher were led inside, but Grace had barely taken five steps when Cecily addressed her with, “So, Grace, are you supporting Wales or England?”

Before she could reply, a man got in the room. He was obviously Christopher’s father: he looked like an older version of him, except that he had green eyes and didn’t wear glasses. He was wearing an England rugby jersey and handed Christopher an identical one saying, “Kit! Here’s yours.”

Christopher hugged him before saying, “Dad, she is Grace, my girlfriend.”

“Gabriel Lightwood, nice to meet you.”

As they shook hands, Grace saw Kit quickly taking off his shirt to wear the white one his father had just given him.

“You’re supporting England, right?” Gabriel asked her.  

Grace glanced at Christopher for help. What was she supposed to say?

Was she supposed to pick England, like the two men? Or Wales, like his mother?

“Kit! You’re back!”

A little boy wearing Wales’s red jersey, not older than eight years old and with wild black hair and green eyes, ran towards them, and hugged Christopher tight.

“Hey, Alex, how are you?”

His little brother smiled. “I’m great! The match is starting, come here!”

Alex dragged Kit over to the living room, and Grace took her chance to avoid giving a reply to that million-pound question. 

While Christopher’s parents discussed what crisps and drinks to bring into the living room, Grace walked inside to find two women sitting on the sofa.

One looked so similar to Cecily, Grace only guessed she had to be Christopher’s sister. She kept her hair short and wasn’t wearing any jersey: instead, she had a Guns N’ Roses t-shirt. The girl next to her was Indian, and by the way she was holding the other woman’s hand, Grace guessed they were partners. Most importantly, she wasn’t wearing a jersey either.

“Grace, this is my sister Anna and her girlfriend Ari. You met Alex already, but he was too rude to introduce himself.”

“I’m not rude!” the child yelled. “I was just excited.”

Grace chuckled as she shook his hand before doing the same with Anna and Ari’s.

“Did Mom and Dad ask you to choose who you’re supporting?” Anna asked.

“Yes, they did,” Grace answered, then pointed at the other woman’s clothes and added, “Who are you supporting?”

Anna shrugged. “I support good sportsmanship.”

“It’s a fancy way to say that she changes sides according to who’s winning,” Christopher cut in. 

“I don’t support anyone,” Ari intervened. “We don’t have rugby in India, and I don’t understand the rules.”

Christopher rolled his eyes as he sat next to his sister and gestured at Grace to do the same before addressing Ari. “You’ve been living in London since you were a child. You just pretend not to understand rugby because Mom and Dad won’t doubt your word.”

Ari laughed at that. “It may be,” she said with a wink.

“Please, Ari, support Wales this time!” Alex exclaimed as he sat on the arm of the sofa next to the woman.

“I will see how the match goes.”

Grace felt a little twinge of envy looking at them. She’d never had a loving family, and she was a bit jealous of the ease with which Christopher, Anna, Ari and Alex talked to each other. 

But also…

Neutrality was an option.

When Cecily arrived, a few moments later, all the Lightwood siblings and Ari were lost in their talks about statistics, points and players, and so Grace got up to help Cecily put the soda and the packets of crisps on the coffee table. 

“Thanks, Grace.”

“No worries. Anyway, as for who I’m supporting, my family has never been into rugby and I wouldn’t know who to pick.”

Cecily just smiled at that answer. “Don’t worry, you’ll see that Wales is the best team when we crush England, and you’ll know who to support next time.”

“I love your confidence,” Gabriel Lightwood intervened, bringing more crisps and some bottles of beer on the table. “But you must know we are going to win.”

It turned into a full-on fight that involved the whole family. It wasn’t serious, but both the parents started listing the respective nation’s victories to each other, with their children chiming in and adding spice to the argument. 

Grace stayed out of it, but as the conversation unfolded, she smiled. 

For the first time, she finally felt at home.

[ladyhindsight]

After letting this book stew in the back of my mind a couple days, I've come to add some more points that I was thinking about after I first managed to unload most of my thoughts.

i. In one of the many examples of characters telling each other how much they've changed, Thomas tells Alastair that Alastair is not the same he was before. That Alastair wouldn't have rushed to help Thomas when he was arrested. Wouldn’t have followed Thomas the first place and to make sure he was safe. The person Alastair used to be wouldn’t have looked after Matthew and wouldn’t be reading book after book about paladins to try to help his sister. The first two, three points I can agree on, but that last part. Either Thomas knows nothing about Alastair and Cordelia's relationship, or the writing knows nothing about Alastair who did his everything so Cordelia had happy childhood with a loving father without the darkness behind it all. Seriously.

ii. In the end, it is told that Anna and Ari are looking to adopt kid(s) because there are many Nephilim orphans. Thomas and Alastair talk how they will never get to have kids, but it is never addressed why they couldn't adopt also.

iii. Jesse trains vigorously in order to build up strength, James is looking to train with someone else than Matthew. Why do we never see any adult Shadowhunters train in the series? As if they do not need to maintain and preserve their skills and strength.

iv. James and Alastair never conclude their feud or arrive to a truce.

v. James and Grace never arrive to any conclusion either with each other.

vi. James' story was so tied to Cordelia, Matthew, and Belial that all the other conflicts that were previously introduced weren't properly concluded. Just because James tells Cordelia he isn't angry and no longer cares or thinks about that stuff, in the narrative sense they still remain open with the characters he does not even interact with.

vii. Additionally to the Lightwoods not getting to grieve their children: When Gideon and Sophie appeared at the Iron Tombs, the writing didn't acknowledge them any more than making them present. No reaction, no emotion, nothing that even remotely touched the fact that their nephew had just died by Tatiana, that Gabriel and Cecily have now gone through the same incredibly awful loss as they had right before.

viii. There is similar passiveness in the narrative seen in Queen of Air and Darkness: When Robert has died, Alec rises from beside Robert's body and basically throws himself at Magnus, but Magnus isn't a participant in the action/has no reaction (for instance, doesn't hold Alec or embrace him back). When Isabelle cries because of Robert's death, she is sitting on a couch with Alec and is clinging to him and sobbing against his shoulder, but Alec, like Magnus in that scene mentioned above, isn't written doing anything. His lack of action (for instance, holding his arms around Isabelle or consoling her) just gives the image of him passively sitting there while Isabelle cries her heart out. Similarly Gabriel does have no reaction to Alex's kidnapping, he just holds Cecily who does. But then Cecily or Gabriel aren't allowed to have reaction to Kit actually dying.

ix. Cecily's absence in the final battle could be read as that she remained in Idris because of Alexander (and Kit's death), but having no mention of her or how she is fairing in the rest of the book is just insanely callous.

x. Lucie's secret about the ghosts in their parabatai ceremony rehearsal came out of nowhere since Lucie never really did show any apprehension for any reason becoming parabatai with Cordelia?

xi. The characters are once again attracted to each other's appearance.

xii. Anna's "slim curves" being a constant aspect told about her looks.

xiii. Why is that the Herondale kids (excluding the other part of the pair) are the only ones to have parabatai? It's so strange that such concept as parabatai is "rare" among the Nephilim when they could just benefit greatly from warrior partners who can draw strength from one another, draw stronger runes on one another, and just in general be stronger in battles.

xiv. Thomas is constantly comparing himself to James and Matthew (and no one else) :/ Wonder why...

xv. What meaningful thing did Matthew's character actually do as to the plot in this book? He had no integral part other than being James' voice after James is being possessed by Belial.

xvi. Why was the Blackthorn sword such a huge deal anyway? Wasn't there suppose to be a name for it?

xvii. Jesse's "stolen" runes are never addressed again, neither whether he got them stripped. Which either way raises the question of whether Shadowhunters stripped from their runes (which is told to be a painful procedure) and send into exile could have then reapplied just as well? Could someone like Edmund Herondale who was stripped of his Marks technically become a Shadowhunter once more?

xviii. Why were Lucie's and James' respective powers tied to Belial himself? Belial had no use for Lucie and says as such that he holds no interest over her. Why there is no actual consequence of having 1/4 of Greater Demon blood since their powers disappeared with Belial?

xix. Similarly to Gabriel and Cecily, Kit and Grace had more authentic build-up to a possible relationship whereas all the others were incredibly fabricated and contrived.

xx. There was an illustration (collector's first edition) of Cordelia holding the ice sword. It was supposed to be a tease for the readers waiting for the publication of the book, but then it was just one scene and didn't even really matter even though Cordelia slew Tatiana in Lilith's name.

xxi. Jesse berates and blames Grace for having a choice and making the wrong one as to the whole bracelet mess, but what would've become of Grace had she refused? This is never thought of or addressed by anyone, the least by Jesse. No one but Kit was interested in Grace's victimhood and healing.

xxii. Jesse and Grace's relationship is just left unaddressed the rest of the book (Aside that everyone is looking for James to know how to feel their independent feelings and ganging up on her) after Jesse gets mad at her. They become closer once more towards the end but the writing still rather leaves all things unsaid, so unconcluded.

xxiii. Alastair doesn't bond with anyone else than Thomas. Everyone is doing their missions with their romantic partners because that's how things always go in this series. Why care about mixing things up a bit and have different character interactions?

xxiv. Things that disappeared from previous installment: Ari's wish to befriend Grace, Grace's secret about Tatiana wanting her to seduce Jesse, the rumor/supposition/fact that Grace was bought by Tatiana.

xxv. James barely, if at all, grieves Kit or acknowledges his passing. Cordelia is the same. Matthew does a few times. Thomas was the only one to carry Kit's death with him to the end. It was absurd how quickly Kit's death was brushed aside. He didn't even get a funeral nor even as little as a mention of such.

xxvi. Kit and Grace would've become revolutionary inventors in the Shadowhunter spheres but that would've been too powerful, I guess. (Also great how the only big character described as not conventionally attractive dies??)

xxvii. James and Cordelia's relationship leans heavily on previously established feelings and lacks substance and chemistry, just words and physical desire.

xxviii. If Cordelia's bond with Lilith is ended the moment Belial dies by her blade, then how was she able to heal James with paladin sword?

xxix. Do all the protagonist need to go dimension-hopping as if not to be lesser than the previous ones? No matter, the TMI gang still holds the crown since they've been to Edom and Diyu. TID zero.

xxx. I'm assuming Clare thought it was better that Alec descended from Alex (just assuming since I don't yet know what the "real" family tree looks like), probably also because Kit and Grace don't have the HERONDALE HAIR and obviously their children possibly couldn't.

xxxi. All the unnecessary things in this book greatly outweigh the necessary ones. I don't see any re-read value in any of this. And I still don't know what the series name refers to.

[purple-haired-faerie]

Anna and Ari adoption HC

They weren't planning on adopting a child when they were in India meeting Aris family there, and initially they had only planned on adopting one child.

But that was before they met Saanvi and Prisha. They are sisters, Saanvi is 6 and Prisha is 3, and inseparable. It's one of the reasons they haven't been adopted.

The other is that, as a result of seeing her parents being murdered, Prisha became a self mute, and has really bad separation anxiety. Saanvi won't leave her little sister

They don't even really discuss it. These girls are coming home with them. And no one is going to talk them out of it.

They let everyone know, but ask that they don't come to Percy Street unless invited. These girls have been through enough and their friends and family can be a lot on a good day.

Flora is the first to come round. She brings them both a plushie Teddie and some story books Ari had liked when she was young. She's becomes the grandma that turns up randomly because she saw something in a shop she thought one of the girls might like.

Then Cecily, Gabriel and Alexander come round. Alex is thrilled to have someone his own age with to have as a playmate. Gabriel literally can't stop having an crisis he's "too young to be a grandfather". Cecily bless her heart is literally the only sane one offering actual practical advice "as long as your children are happy and healthy then everything else falls into place". She should know having raised Anna and Christopher

Gideon, Sophie and Eugenia come to visit. Gideon looks baffled on seeing the girls (despite having been told several times by Sophie) and Eugenia gushes at them. Again Sophie being the gem she is, having heard about what they have been through slips Anna a list of people who might be able to help them deal with their trauma. The list is a God's send and really helps both of them.

Will and Tessa invite them to the institute, so they can get used to the place. Saanvi asks loads of questions which Will answers and Tessa let's Prisha take her time and makes her feel safe.

Then the girls are subjected to introduced to their parents friends. James and Lucie bombard them with books, Mathew comes arms with clothes, Alistair and Thomas are just their for cuddles (Alistair will deny the fact), as does Cordelia. Jesse just let's Lucie ask a million and one questions. Grace comes for a short visit and on leaving simply says "let them know how much you love them"

And these girls really are loved. Anna and Ari don't force anything on them. Their expectations are reasonable; have manners but don't take fools lightly. Don't let anyone dull your light but that doesn't mean it has to be about you all the time.

In time, they both deal from their trauma. Prisha begins to talk again and doesn't have a meltdown and being separated. Saanvi was better at hiding her problems but she's ok

Plus they might not be related to Anna and Ari by blood but there is no doubt who they were raised by. Both are really accepting of anyone and everyone, and will stick up for the underdog.

Saanvi takes after Anna in the sense she's such a social gathering organiser and hoist. Parties, picnics, inventive games Saanvi is your girl. Whereas Prisha inherits Anna's listing ear. You need some to help you process something? Prisha is your girl. Both leant about healing from Ari.

But they are also their own people. Saanvi is an artist. She mostly sketches and paints watercolors. She also occasionally plays the piano with Ari.

Prisha however is a Gardener. She is particularly keen on growing plants that are native to India to keep that part of her heritage alive. She also enjoys cooking and baking a lot of Indian food as well for that very same reason.

[livia-dovehallow]

why would falling asleep in a carriage make him a bad father?

I saw some saying chot proved he didn’t care much because he didn’t do anything when Alex thing happened, which again was a super OOC scene in a book with many questionable narratives

no idea! i guess they're claiming that means he's ignoring his family which is insane honestly like can a man not sleep? he also just came from a boring ass dinner i would sleep too

in that exact same scene, Christopher is leaning on his dad's shoulder ALSO falling asleep and Anna refers to Gabriel as "Papa" which is a title of endearment (as opposed to Father)

that scene in CHOT cannot be used as an end-all-be-all of his character, especially when there are numerous other examples that contradict his behavior. here are my thoughts on it:

Would he have actually held Cecily back from rushing Tatiana to get Alex back? For a moment, yes, and I'll tell you why. In that exact moment, I would expect Cecily to think with her heart before her head to get her toddler son without anything to actually help her stop Tatiana. I think Gabriel would hold her back long enough to give her something useful then let her go again while being right behind her himself, saying something to Tatiana.

But he didn't even react! He reacted a little, and I think that it was woefully understated in CHOT than what we actually would expect from him and what I would consider actually in-character. He definitely was stated to look angry (as one would be when your psychotic sister is holding a knife to your child's throat), but where the track goes disasterous for his characterization is that he doesn't do anything about the anger except hold Cecily, who is described to be near-hysterical (also a bit out of character for her, too, even if she is canonically more affectionate in nature). If they were actually given the size of role they deserved in CHOT, Gabriel would have been the one speaking (angrily, but controlled enough not to immediately put Alex in more harm's way), and Cecily would have been actively scheming some kind of plan to get her son back safely. Gabriel and Cecily aren't stupid, and despite their tendency to be rash when younger, they've been parents for nearly 20 years at this point, and they would do what it takes to get their babies back BUT without putting them in even more harm's way. This is where I think people's anti-Gabriel/Cecily points just aren't valid. You can't expect them to immediately rush at someone who is inches away from killing their kid, even if they desperately want to. They have to be careful. Alex can't protect himself in his situation, unlike perhaps what Anna or Kit might have been able to do if it were them instead. They've trained--Anna is a full Shadowhunter as she is past the age of majority--and can actively help their parents get to them by mitigating risk factors. Alex is THREE. He CAN'T.

This turned into a much longer rant than I expected but god I hope none of y'all ever have to face such a situation with your own kids because obviously you think rushing into dangerous situations without a plan is a great idea

[purplesurveys]

709

Just another names survey, because there’s nothing like looking back at everyone you’ve ever met at 11:28 AM.

Do you know anyone with these names?

Sara: I know a Sarah from my college. She’s kind of a friend-ish? Like I’d say hi to her if we pass each other in the building but I wouldn’t get lunch with her or send her a meme. She also goes by Chloe, her second name. Gabby: Pretty common name. My girlfriend is a Gabie and I had another high school batchmate named Gaby; I also had an old friend from the wrestling fandom whose name is Gabbie. The last Gabbie also goes to UP but I’ve never met nor seen her in the four years I’ve studied there, which is still such a weird thing to me. Rochelle: My Language teacher (it’s basically a subject that taught us English grammar) in the 5th grade was a Rochelle and she was a massive bitch. She is the manifestation of small and cute but terrible, and she didn’t like me and made sure I knew it. I’m glad she aged terribly in the last few years. Alexis: Apparently my Uncle Alex’s full name is Alexis, but I didn’t know until today when I read the obituary for my grand aunt who had just passed. Aurora Summer: I have an orgmate/coursemate named Summer. She’s nice but I think she’s a little lazy and doesn’t make a good co-worker in projects.

Peyton Bianca: Also a common name, but it’s a pretty middle-class/white girl name too. I knew lots of Biancas from high school and all of them are studying in the more expensive university just beside ours. Jordan Eliana: I don’t know Elianas but close enough -  we have a current applicant for our org named Liana. Liberty: Eh, noun names like this one aren’t too common at all where I live. Meadow Cheyenne Acacia: Nah. The only Acacia I know is the name of one of the many dorms inside campus. Laurice and Jo used to live in Acacia but their applications got denied this year.  Erica: I used to ride the bus with an Ericka but it’s all very hazy - I was only in Grade 1 and I think she moved schools not long after, so I don’t have a lot of memories of her. I had a high school batchmate named Erycka but I never liked her either - just seemed too uppity and had a bit of an attitude for no reason. She used to be Gabie’s friend so when the two would hang out I would fuck off so that I didn’t have to deal with her loud ass. Chantell Shawna: Gabie has a coursemate(?) named Shauna. I don’t know her and I dunno if I’ve met her. I think I have, but I never talked to her. Suzy Maria: I can confidently tell you a good 70% of Filipino girls/women have Maria as their first names. No one uses it as their main name though; it’s usually just given to complement second names. Gretchen: Eh, I know a couple of popular personalities with this name but no one personal. Isabella: I have a second cousin named Isabella but I’ve never gotten to form a relationship with her because she was born and is being raised in Australia. Isabela is also the name of one of Gab’s sisters.

Skye: Someone I went to high school with has a kid nicknamed Sky... Skylar: ...because the kid’s whole name is Skyller. Cecily Paige: Nope but this did remind of the WWE wrestler Paige. Autumn Arielle: I went to grade school with an Aerielle. We lost touch for a bit when she had to drop out for a bit and ultimately moved schools, but we’ve since reconnected ever since she got into UP. She’s taking up journalism too. Brianna: Callo’s third name is Brianna. Her chaotic behavior on social media had pissed me off in the last few months so I cut ties with her. A little sad considering how incredibly close we were in high school, but I just have to remember how annoying she’s been and I feel ok again. Cassandra: I used to go to school with a Cassandra but she moved when we started the 1st grade, so I never actually got to talk or be close to her. Like Aerielle, it turns out she’s also in UP now and she’s in the football varsity too. I see her sometimes but given that we’ve never talked, the most we’ve given each other is a look of recognition of being in preschool together lmao. We also had a batchmate named Kassandra but she lives in Singapore now. Small, sweet, and just the nicest girl. Cassidy Sierra: Aya’s second name is Ciara, which is pretty close. Some of us say it similarly to Sierra, and others pronounce it as Sha-ra, so it varies. Cheri Shariah Savannah Greta: My sister had a batchmate named Greta and I remember her mostly because she’s the daughter of my high school’s old theatre manager/director/I never actually found out what his position was called, but basically he used to produce all of our school productions. Leandra Lauren: I went to grade school and high school with a Lauren. We were close as kids but she changed crowds in like the 6th or 7th grade and we lost touch from there. Austin Samantha: Lots of Samanthas were I’m from; it’s a fairly common middle-class name. I used to be best friends with a Sam; I had a high school batchmate named Sam; I knew someone a high school batch higher with the name; and I also currently go to college with a Sam. OH and I also have a cousin with this name hahahaha. She lives in New York but she visited the Philippines a couple of years ago and I was able to spend time with her then. Shayne: My sister’s kindergarten teacher was a Shane and all I remember is that she was really nice and motherly to my sister who did nothing in school but cry because she had bad separation anxiety. Seth: I have a cousin named Seth, but he lives in New York and I’ve never seen him. He’s the younger brother of my cousin Sam. Scott Ryan: I have a uncle with this name but I haven’t seen him since I was a little girl. He used to live with one of my aunts but I think he has since moved back to our home province. Maverick: One of our org’s alumni is a Maverick but he goes by Mawel. I’ve always thought he was intimidating so I’ve never approached nor talked to him. Dylan: My sister had a batchmated named Dylan which I think is a badass name for a girl. Anna: I had several former teachers named Anna. Two of them taught AP (social studies) and another taught us algebra. Katie: I will sometimes call Kate this, but I dunno anyone who legit goes by Katie. Jessica: Went to high school with one. Was always too boisterous and a little fake for me. She also loved to surround herself with boys as early as when we were 13 and while that’s never wrong I just never vibed with people like her. Lydia: I don’t know anyone with this name but this did remind me of the Breaking Bad character who was always a little bit annoying. Ellery Dakota Epiphany Galaxy Ariana: I think Yumi’s sister is an Ariana, but I’ll never know for sure because she always just calls her Ari. Gabriella: My girlfriend is a Gabriela. Rachel: My math teacher in Grade 1 was Ms. Rachel. I don’t have an opinion on her but I remember one time when our class was too noisy, she got way too pissed off and she spent the entire 45-minute period doing sign language to us to be petty. I never did like her after that. Amy: I go to college with an Aimee but I never get to see her on campus because her whole person screams Ateneo. I have no idea why she just didn’t enroll over there instead looooool, her boyfriend and all her friends are there and she’s always hanging out at their campus it’s so weird. My late grand-aunt Amet was also called Amy by some of her peers. Marissa: This is the second name of Kayla, someone I go to college with. Her schedule is weird though because she went on exchange in Canada two sems ago and she’s supposed to have been back a long time now, but I haven’t seen her at all. I have no idea if she’s still even in Canada or is back in the PH now and is just keeping her whereabouts on the down low. Taylor Rebecca: One of Rita’s older sister is named Rebecca but she goes by Becca. She graduated from my college last year, so I’m pretty familiar with her. We’re not close but I’ve encountered her a few times before and she’s reeeeally pretty and nice. The few times we’ve crashed at Rita’s place she had always greeted us out of familiarity from seeing us in our college building. Ashley: I had an STS class with an Ashley but I didn’t get to know her all that much. Allison: I used to have an instructor named Allison but I think she only taught so she could have extra cash because she’s also taking up her Master’s in the same college, so she wasn’t that good of a teacher. I do remember finding her pretty though. Oh and she also got into a really bad car accident in the middle of the sem and we didn’t have classes for like a month, so there’s that. Madison Abigail: My mom is named Abigail. Zachary: I have a cousin named Zachary but he mainly goes by James. Gabriel: Yep I have an orgmate with this name but we call him Gab. He’s...a bit of a character. Either you can tolerate his presence or you find him plain annoying. Used to play his music LOUD in Skywalk which annoyed the hell out of everybody. I’m still not sure what to feel about him so I just give him a nod when we see each other. Mitchell Joe: I have a friend named Jo but she’s a girl. I don’t think I know any guys named Joe. Corey Shawn: I know a friend of some of my friends is named Sean but we’ve never encountered each other. He’s into broadcasting and has done hosting gigs and I think he’s a junior jock in one of the local radio stations as well. Carly: Carley was my old internet best friend. We first found each other because we were huuuuge Stephanie McMahon fans on Tumblr a decade ago and we’d do edits and read fanfic and reblog photos of her, so a really close friendship blossomed from there. She had a rough life those days with a bit of an abusive mom (who has since passed) and I’d video chat her in the afternoon when I’d come home from school (by then she was preparing for school, since she’s from the US). After a while her schedule turned weird and she’d be offline for months at a time only to resurface for like two days then disappear again. She did this for like 3-4 years until I got tired and just stopped talking to her. She’s still my Facebook friend and she shares a lot of memes, but that’s all to it now. Carmen: I went to school with someone who had a very lengthy name and one of her names was Carmen, but she goes by Pam because she also has a Pamela in her name. She does streetdance and I was classmates with her once but we never really got to talk. Melissa: Eh, sure. Someone from high school. Lazy ass. Stephanie: The only IRL Stephanie I know is this girl who’s supposed to be enrolled this sem and is supposedly a classmate of mine in several classes, but never showed up from January through March. And now the lockdown hasn’t helped her case either. Shannon Selena: I have a cousin with this name but it’s spelled Selina. Also she goes by Bia because her other name is Bianca. Christine: Fairly common name. I know lots of Christines/Christina but I’m only close with one, who’s my orgmate and is the VP for Membership for the org, aka she’s the one in charge of recruiting new applicants for the two sems that she’s in charge of the committee. Paula: I went to grade school and high school with a Paula. She was SO painfully shy and quiet but friendly. She studies in Ateneo now but I wouldn’t know if she’s gotten extroverted in the last few years. Harmony Serenity Tessa: My prof in PR was Ma’am Tessa. One of the nicest, softest people ever who’s always down for anything. I think she’s in her 70s now but she’s definitely still kicking and doesn’t miss a single basketball and volleyball game during UAAP season. Claire: One of my very first guidance counselors was Ms. Claire. I remember her being motherly and she was also the counselor that intervened when I had a fight with one student in third grade that was big enough for both of us to land in the guidance office heh. Ruby Rhiannon Harper Riley Brandon Brayden Mystery Noelle: I vaguely remember going to school with a Noelle in kinder but she only stuck around the school for 1-2 years so I have no memories of her whatsoever. Destiny Darcy Dianne: Went to kinder, grade school, and high school with a Dianne. She was quiet for most of the years but she had a really blooming glow-up in high school, where she was part of the popular clique. Super smart and she’s now in business school in UP; also a terrific dancer. Felicity Grace: I have a grand-aunt named Grace. She’s very sweet and funny and is doting towards her grandkids and her grandnieces and nephews, but she and her sisters have notorious track records in the family for having a bit of an attitude and/or for making scenes, and she’s the pettiest of them all given that she’s the youngest. Despite that, all in all I have a soft spot for her. Hannah: One of my best friends in UP. We first met when she and Macy (my old high school friend) transferred to UPD from UPLB, but in the end Hannah and I ended up becoming closer friends because Macy has since struggled to adjust to the transfer and has pushed people away in the process, including me. ANYWAY I’m glad I was introduced to Hannah because she’s one of the most hilarious people I’ve ever met. She’s also insanely talented and a hell of a performer. I’ll miss her the most when I have to graduate. Kayla: That girl who went on an exchange program in Canada that I mentioned earlier mainly goes by Kayla. I remember her notably because she’s the first EVER person I talked to when I got officially enrolled in UP - we were seated together in the welcoming assembly for freshies back in 2016. It was nothing more than a random encounter though and we didn’t end up becoming close after that. Liam: My cousin Seth is also named Liam. Morgan Natasha: I went to school with a Natasha but we all called her Tashie. She had a bit of a larger build than the rest of us which made her look domineering, but she’s really nice and is a big softie if you get to know her. She posts workout videos from time to time and has since lost a lot of weight in college. Nathan Olivia: My future daughter loljk Bailey Emily Amanda: I have an orgmate named Amanda. She’s mostly shy and reserved and I haven’t really gotten the chance to know her since she’s quiet and always has to head home earlier than the rest of us. Addison Adrienne: An old classmate from high school has had her third kid that she named Adrienne. Molly Siona: I don’t know Sionas but I do know a Fiona, heh. Emerald Chelsea: Yeah Chelsea was one of my close friends in high school. We don’t talk these days but we’ll sometimes react on each other’s posts on Twitter or Facebook which is enough for me. We used to have parties and drinking sessions at her family’s gazebo behind her house, so even though we’ve mostly lost touch I’ll always have fond memories of her. Naomi Bethany: A very very very VERY old mutual on Tumblr had this name but we mostly called her Beth. She lives in the UK and I remember her being a CM Punk fan. Had unique eyebrows but was super pretty and she used to post webcam selfies all the time. Brittany Hope: Someone I went to kindergarten with had Hope as a middle name but she went by Maezelle. Super blurry memories of her as we were never close, but I remember her specifically for her teeth lmao - she had some cavities as a kid so she had a bunch of silver teeth. OK just checked Facebook and it turns out she lives in California now, as do most of my batchmates who migrated to the States as kids. Joy: I know several people who have Joy as a middle name but don’t go by it, like high school batchmates named AJ and CJ. Jade Aaron: Old friend from high school. Like Chelsea, he was a part of our friend group. He studies in UP too and we’ll say hi and hug when we see each other, but we aren’t personally close. Andrew: Coursemate, classmate, orgmate, groupmate in several projects, and now my thesis partner. At first I found him annoying and a bit too invasive and extroverted for my liking, but I gave him a chance and he’s turned out to be a really amazing, loyal, supportive friend. He’s an extremely talented writer, singer, performer, host, and radio jock. Wimpy drinker though haaaah. James: I have a cousin named James. He lives with his family in Vietnam and since his dad is from New Zealand, he’s picked up a bit of an accent as well. Jonathon Zachariah Malachi Victoria: I had a classmate in a polsci elective with this name, but I called her Jillian during that time cos it’s her first name. Judging from social media posts, she mainly goes by JV. Solomon Sorin Celia Heather: Went to high school with a Heather and is actually attending the same course as Jillian ^ in UP now. We were quite close in high school and she used to confide in me about relationship issues, back when she was seeing someone who had plans of transitioning. Heather’s parents were very strict against the idea and went to great lengths to forbid her from seeing him, so yeah that’s what she would rant to me late into the night about. We also bonded over One Direction and Joe Sugg for a time, and those days were a blast. She also got me to be in a Twitter DM thread with Caspar Lee for my 16th birthday which was a HELLUVA SURPRISE lmao. I’ve never forgotten those days with her and I’ll always remember her fondly even though we never talk anymore. Ivy: My prof in feature writing was named Ivy. She’s... a meh instructor at best. She loved telling HER stories and HER experiences and narrating HER interviews with famous people, politicians, celebrities, athletes, etc. but she left a few lessons behind which is really what we all enrolled for lmao, so I didn’t really learn anything from her class. Jasmine: Someone I went to high school with. She was into K-Pop, J-Pop, and anime back then and I think she still is. We were always good friends towards each other even though we were never close close. She’s taking up linguistics in UP now. Jasper Kaylee Anica: An instructor from the broadcast communication department in my college. Nothing much to say about her except she weirdly tags along with one of the other professors ALL THE TIME TO EVERYWHERE, including the washroom. I’m definitely not judging but yeah, it’s what I notice first when I think of her.

[missyhopps]

1, 5, 9, 13, 10

1. is there a muse that you wish gets more attention?

Honestly, Melissa. She is so chill and has her shit together probably more than the rest of them and I feel like i don’t always give her the attention she deserves. 

5. if you HAD to choose, who’s your least favorite muse?

Oh man this one is kinda tough but I’d have to go with Ella since she is so uptight and it frustrates the hell out if me lmao!! 

9. why were you drawn to each one of your characters?

Oh boy be prepared for one hella long answer (Under a read more for Reasons): 

Melissa: I really wanted to play Judy Hopps in an rp and I knew I had to use Daisy Ridley cause she just fit so well to me and I absolutely love her!! I didn’t really find any rps that I felt fit for me but then I stumbled across this one and I figured i’d give playing her daughter a shot instead. Honestly, it was the best decision I have ever made!! 

Blane: SO Captain Hook is like my favorite disney villain and I just love pirates so much I really wanted to play one!! As you guys know I am Star Wars trash and the idea of using Adam Driver (who’s my bae) as an FC popped into my head and  I couldn’t resist. I really love blane though because he is a huge grump but secretly underneath he has a heart of gold and If you couldn’t tell by now that is like my FAVORITE Trope!! 

Elliot: I really wanted a character from Frozen and I absolutely love Anna’s personality. She’s so loving yet feisty and I really wanted to transfer some of her personality into one of her kids. THUS Elliot came about!! He was actually originally meant to be a total smol but then the thing with Finn went down and he just kinda turned into an impulsive, fiery, goofball lmao!!

Aria: At the time when I brought Aria in, all the Olympus kids were really tough and just badass and then I got the idea of making an optimistic child from Olympus who was like the baby of the group and needed protecting and I knew I had to apply for her!! Also I really wanted a girl character since Melissa was my only one at the time. 

Simon:  I’ve always thought that Princess and the frog is grossly underrated and I just love that movie so much!! When I got the idea of playing Simon I couldn’t resist. He is just so shy and awkward yet loving and just ahhhhh he’s my little baby!! 

Violet: Okay so I had been wanting to Play the daughter of Victor and Victoria for a little while but I didn’t really act upon it until Whale had said that she wanted to bring in Emmy. Then I was like Okay I have to do it now lol!!  Honestly I love that she’s so gentle and vulnerable Even though I can be pretty awful to her for that very same reason. (Sorry Violet) 

Chloe: I had been wanting to play a really crazy party animal type of character but I had zero idea of where to put her. Then I saw that The fairy godmother slot was open and I just fell in love with the whole rebellious, out of control, youngest daughter aspect!! The rest just kinda fell into place after that!! I honestly have no idea how the whole batman thing started though but it’s became one of the staples of her personality!! XD 

Zelda: I really wanted to use KIm Taeyeon Cause she is bae!! I was tied between making her the daughter of Lucifer or Zero and I ultimately went with Zero because he’s like my fave and I lowkey wanted Halloweentown kid!! I think what I love the most about her is how clueless and excitable she is yet, she’s still endearing at the same time!!

  Ruby: I just really wanted a bitchy stuck up kinda character and I knew I wanted a daughter of the queen of hearts so then came Ruby!! I then started thinking of really dark headcanons for her and she kinda transformed from being this stuck up brat to being a lot more vulnerable and I honestly like it much better that way!!

Rooney: Before Rooney I used Alex turner for this really chill, flirty son of Jetsem but my muse for him just plummeted. I really wanted to use Alex Turner still though cause he’s a total babe! When Lucy wanted a sibling for Stevie I was totally sold!! I love that he is like a stereotypical bad boy type who is a total fuck boy (even though he isn’t really so much anymore) with an abusive father and Idk  I just really love him!! 

Warren: I’m going to be completely honest the idea for Playing Warren actucally came when I heard Grim Grinning Ghosts on a halloween playlist lmao XD!! I actually went to Disneyworld last summer and I rode Haunted Mansion like four times while I was there and it just made me think about how amazing it is!! Then I started coming up with headcanons and a backstory for one of the hitchhiking ghosts and I become obsessed with wanting to play him!! I am so glad I did though cause despite the little shit he is I love warren!! He is really different then most of my other characters and I really love playing this smug asshole!!

Cecily: Beauty and the Beast is my favorite movie of all time and I really wanted to play a princess character so badly so when the slot for Beast and Belle’s kid opened up I knew I had to play her!! The first time I played Cecily she was just all up in everyone’s business and Idk I didn’t really like that a whole lot. Then my muse for her just disappeared and I dropped her which I regretted. Luckily I picked her back up again and she turned out being a lot more gentler and sweet the second time around which I like a whole lot more!!

Ginger: I love Suzy so much and I really wanted to use her but I had no idea where. Then idea of making her a sugar rush kid came to me and I really liked it!!  Rancis is a little shit but I love him and the idea of him being this affectionate dad was one i fell in love with!!  Ginger was supposed to be a lot brattier then she is now but she ended up being this total sweetheart and i don’t know how that happened lol!!

Elise: Originally Primrose was my sweet flower obsessed blonde princess but I lost my muse for her and I just really missed the idea of having a sweet nature loving princess. Rapunzel is like one of  my favorite princesses and I just love her so much (Clearly, like I use her for my mascot and everything lol) So I got the idea of playing her and Flynn’s daughter and it was a total no brainer!! 

Archer: I honestly have no idea how I got the idea to make a son of Sitron cause he is such a small and obscure character but I did. I know I wanted a skittish smol from the isle who was an easy target. Park jinyoung is such a cutie and he seemed to really fit the bill and so Archer came to be!!

Bridget: TBH I HAD THE IDEA FOR BRIDGET FOREVER!!  Since last november I’m pretty sure.  The idea of an energetic sweetheart who had dyslexia and was actucally really insecure was one that wouldn’t leave me alone. Eventually I gave in  and the rest is History!!

Ella: Like Bridget Ella was one I had wanted for some time but just never had the strong enough muse to apply for. I also couldn’t for the life of me decide on a Fc for her. I thought of using Crystal Reed but then I ended up using her for Cecily. Then Rouge one came along and me being the trash I am, inspiration struck. Ella turned out to be a lot more of a pain then I had ever imagined she would be though lol!!

Olivia: Boo is adorable and I wanted to play a character who was just very childlike like that so I figured I’d play her daughter!! Plus Lee  Sung Kyung is just gorgeous!! 

Addie: My inspiration for Addie actucally came about when I was looking for Faceclaims to suggest on the Fc help blog. I stumbled Upon Ashley Moore and I thought Wow she could totally be the daughter of Coraline and Wybie. From there, I started thinking of a personality for her and headcanons and it just spiraled out of control  lmao!!

I got 13 in another ask actucally and If I put it on this one it will end up becoming a novel lol!!

10.which muse is the most fun to write for?

I think i’d have to say Warren cause he’s just such a little shit and an unapologetic asshole. He’s also pretty different from the rest of them and I love the whole aspect of him being a ghost it makes writing for him a lot of fun!! 

[imherongraystairstrash]

how do you think Kits death affected Gabriel as a shadowhunter? Do you think he had a period where like Thomas became reckless and in need of the adrenaline of the fight?

Hello! Could be, though only to a certain extent. I think the Lightwoods do have that tendency to show themselves with this hard exterior that no emotion penetrates, especially in times of extreme pain, and I'm pretty sure that comes from Gabriel and Gideon tbh 😂 I mean, if we take a look at Anna and Thomas' coping mecanisms in chot and coi, it's really disastrous.

So, it's not at all unfathomable that Gabriel would go through a reckless, crazy period of rampage demon killing, but I think that Gabriel, as an adult, can probably control this better than when he was younger. I do think that when he kills demons during patrol, he definitely puts A LOT more force than it necessary to slay the demon, but I don't think that he would distance himself from Cecily nor Alex and patrol every single night to kill demons.

I actually think Gabriel would sacrifice patrols and let Cecily go in his place while he stays home and takes care of Alexander, because he knows that she probably needs it, and spending time with his youngest son helps ease the pain of losing Kit, even if it's just a little.

But yes, without a doubt, I think that both Gabriel and Cecily become more... aggressive with their demon slays. I just don't think it would be "reckless" because they had a child to look after, and I think they definitely want to stay close to him and take care of him in times like these, if that makes any sense.

Sorry for taking so long to respond, but thanks so much for sending in the ask!

[livia-dovehallow]

chot asks!

i'm very curious to hear your thoughts on how [redacted] and [redacted] relationship may or may not change after [redacted]. do you have any headcanons or ideas?

**SPOILER WARNING**

original ask:

i'm very curious to hear your thoughts on how will and gabriel's relationship may or may not change after kit's death. do you have any headcanons or ideas?

//

this is such a good question! thanks for asking anon!

Their relationship is so interesting given their past and how their shared person is Cecily and all that so i definitely think their relationship is heavily reliant on keeping up that banter even though it's just for show at this point.

BUT I don't see Gabriel being able to do that for a long time after Kit's death. I think Will can recognize that and probably doesn't even try to play pranks or jokes or banter because he knows it won't land the way he intends for it to. (I have hope that 43-year-old Will can read a fucking room at this point).

I also think Will easily recognizes what Gabriel is doing in terms of repressing his own feelings in favor of Cecily's. This is where I think the actual brothers-in-law part of their relationship really comes into play. Will, I think, would put the effort into making sure Gabriel is okay alongside his sister because obviously Cecily really needs Gabriel and if Gabriel doesn't take care of himself too then he can't take care of Cecily. (Vice versa when Gabriel finally does break down later on since Gabrily is a very balanced, equal relationship IMO).

So some things I think that happen are:

Will handles the actual paperwork/bureaucracy of Kit's funeral for them so that they just take the time to themselves and Anna+Alex.

Will and Gideon pack and send their belongings from their London home to their home in Idris, since I don't think Gabriel or Cecily ever return to the London home.

Various family members, including Will, stop by regularly to make sure they're all eating and sleeping well. (I do also think Gabriel and Cecily did the same thing for Gideon and Sophie when they lost Barbara. There is no imbalance of love or unfairness in this family whatsoever besides, obviously, the fact that Lightwoods never catch a fucking break.)

Additionally, I think that the first person that Alex lets hold him after his parents+sister is his Uncle Will. Partially because of how much Will looks like Cecily, so Alex recognizes that familiarity and comfort because this man looks like his mother. So Will offers to watch Alex often for Gabriel and Cecily.

So there's my thought on that matter-- not necessarily any real material change in their relationship (since we know they do work well together and as partners), but more of a shift in emphasis for an extended period of time given the circumstances.

After a couple of years, I think, they slowly start to banter again. And I also really hope Will never calls Gabriel a Lightworm again. Christopher died a hero with the Lightwood name, and I don't think Will would disrespect his nephew like that.

[livia-dovehallow]

more gabrily fluff - lucie admires her uncle and aunt

i wrote this so long ago while writing all my "missing gabrily scenes from chain of iron" pieces just after i finished the book and now they get to see the light of day

“The way he looks at her is so romantic,” said Lucie quietly.

Anna hummed beside her, pretending to be uninterested, but there was a small smile on her face. “Father is devastatingly in love with Mother,” she said, picking at her nails as her chosen method of feigned disinterest. “I wager he looks at her like that all the waking hours of every day, wouldn’t you say, Kit?”

“What?” Christopher looked up from his notebook, his glasses one sharp move away from falling off his face. “Oh, yes, Father and Mother. She’s been in here all night.”

Lucie could only observe wistfully, and brokenheartedly, at the look of pure love and adoration Uncle Gabriel gave Aunt Cecily as she rose from his side to pour him a glass of water from the nearby pitcher. Lucie could not recall any moment in her life that her uncle ever looked at her aunt with anything other than pure affection. Even when he looked at her with exasperation, as she was indeed still a Herondale by blood, there was affection. “Your aunt is the only one for me,” Uncle Gabriel had told Lucie one day when she was young and asked a great many questions about love. “I love her very much.”

“Mother was very frightened,” Anna added to Christopher’s comment. She flicked aside an imaginary piece of dirt from underneath her fingernail and stood straight. “She is just as in love with him and he is with her. I can’t imagine what would have happened if we’d lost him.”

“I thought you did not believe in love?” Matthew asked blankly behind them. Lucie jumped slightly��she had forgotten Matthew was there at all.

Anna only shrugged. “In most cases, yes. Love is a drug that can only cause you misery. But what my parents have is something else, I think. Something that cannot be explained with words.” She turned to Matthew. “You thought I wouldn’t believe in my parent’s love? I wouldn’t exist if their love wasn’t real. Neither would Kit or Alex.”

Kit, who had not been listening, perked up at his name. “What ho? I don’t exist?”

Anna ruffled his hair affectionately. “Sometimes it seems you do not, dear Kit,” she said. “Come along. I’m sure Father wants to see us.”

[livia-dovehallow]

a headcanon request ask!

can you share some hc of how [redacted] were when they got [redated] back from [redacted], like once they had [redacted] again :)

**SPOILER WARNING**

request: can you share some hc of how gabrily were when they got Alex back from Tatiana, like once they had him in their arms again :)

I've both thought about this a lot and not at all LOL it's hard to think about knowing what comes later for them but we will ignore that part for the indefinite future

(also had to re read what happens once Anna has him bc I forgot and I've only read the book once so far)

I think that when Anna arrived back at the Institute, only her mother was still there. I fully believe Gabriel had gone out with the others in search of Alex. So when Anna comes back, holding a still-crying Alex in her arms, Cecily is the one who surges toward both of them

Cecily, still hysterically crying, begins to hum and soothe him just as Anna did (Anna learned it from somewhere!) and realizes what Tatiana did to him at the same time as Gabriel comes back.

Gabriel comes bursting through the doors and drops his sword in relief at the sight of Alex safely in Cecily's arms and Anna standing beside her. He explains that he came rushing back because someone reported seeing Anna with a baby running toward the Institute and all he could think about in the moments after was getting to them. Cecily just scream-sobs to him what Tatiana did to their baby and Gabriel rushes all of them to the infirmary, yelling for a Brother to come. [ROYALLY PISSED OFF, LIVID GABRIEL LIGHTWOOD EVERYONE]

"I should have known you would go off against the rules," they say to Anna, but they aren't angry with her in the slightest because she got her brother home before any more harm could be done to him.

Anna definitely was still bleeding from knocking broken glass out with her elbow but forgot about it because of all the adrenaline at getting her baby brother away from a madwoman and rushing him home to their parents. But she doesn't say anything or remember it until Alex is finally in the infirmary being looked at by Brother Shadrach and Cecily looks up to Anna and zeroes in on her bleeding elbow.

Cue renewed motherly anguish and Cecily forces Anna to sit down so they can pick out the glass and give her an iratze. This is one of those moments that Anna says nothing and lets Cecily fret all about her and call her her baby, too, and all that, because she knows her mother has been put through a terrible, terrible night, and if letting her treat her injuries like she was a child again was going to help Cecily, so be it.

Later, when Cecily brings Christopher and Ari up to see Alex, Cecily frets all about Kit, too, asking him where he was and if he's hurt and if he needs anything. I like to think Kit just gives his mom a really big hug, which earns him a proud smile and nod from his father (who is still royally pissed off and livid and boy if Gabriel ever sees that madwoman again so help him Raziel...)

That's all I can think of right now... I'm sure I'll come up with more later once I'm able to think about it separately from *THAT* event.

But yeah, I just get beyond royally pissed off, livid Gabriel vibes despite the fact that CC wrote him just STANDING THERE HOLDING CECILY because the Gabriel we all know and love would NOT have just stood there when someone had a knife to his child's throat no way jose

[livia-dovehallow]

maybe a scene of gabrily when she is preggo with Alex, I think you have never writed about that, like after they know it maybe a fluffly morning feeling him kick or whatever

it's 3:42 am. i felt it relevant to note that here. i shoud absolutely be asleep. that is all

Cecily went straight toward her bed when they'd arrived home. Gabriel trailed silently behind her, having opened and closed the door for her without a word. When she sat, she looked at him most concerned. In truth, his expression was difficult to read, but not impossible. He was surprised--and worried.

"Darling," Cecily called to him softly. Gabriel looked up from his stare at the floor to her, lips slightly parted as if wishing to ask something but not quite sure how. "It'll be all right, you know."

Gabriel's shoulders dropped. Finally, his face began to morph, and a timid smile grew across his handsome features. He looked very much like he did when they'd learned of Anna and Kit--excited, worried, nervous. He wrung his hands. "I know," he answered after a moment and stepped closer to her. "I'm only--extremely surprised."

"As am I." Cecily pat the bed beside her with an expectant raise of her eyebrow. Gabriel dutifully shuffled over and plopped beside her, sending her smaller frame bouncing on the mattress. She took his hand and brushed her thumb against the warm metal band around his fourth finger, a warm smile on her lips. "But, oh, Gabriel, I'm so happy my heart could burst."

His eyes were brighter than they had been moments ago, his smile still timid but sweet as he gazed down at her. "As far as the unexpected goes, I am glad this is a welcome surprise and not another fire incident."

"Can you call that unexpected when we do expect it?" Cecily wondered with a laugh and shake of her head. She squeezed his hand again. "I admit, I thought you may be more upset or anxious."

"I'm worried," Gabriel sighed. He took his hand from hers and wrapped it around her body instead, pulling her body into his side and head against his shoulder. She did like being there. "Just as I was with the other two. I want you to be all right. I want all of you to be all right."

Cecily craned her neck to meet his eyes at that angle. He was already looking at her. "We will be. I mean, honestly, I'm five months pregnant and we didn't know! Isn't that a good thing?"

His eyes swam with emotions, but he lifted his other hand and pressed it against her middle, smiling softly still. "It is," he conceded. "Words cannot describe how relieved I am that we've gone this long not having the slightest clue. That feels odd to say."

"I love you. Exhibit C."

Gabriel barked out a laugh, and she could hear his exasperation in it, but she knew both their hearts were so incredibly full. "I love you, too. And this will be interesting to share the news with Exhibits A and B."

"Oh!" Cecily cried out suddenly, looking up wide-eyed at her husband. Equally wide green eyes stared back.

"Was that?"

"A kick!"

"Incredible. Five months of silence and less than an hour of knowing later, we get this little one making a statement."

[livia-dovehallow]

Okay we know alex is a mommas boy, but what donyou think kit and anna were like when young?

i love this question

tbh i think they're all momma's babies only bc how can you not be when your mother is the queen herself?

BUT i don't think that means the kids don't have their preferences for their father too

for example, i think Anna was very close with her dad and followed him everywhere as much as she could. and I think that Gabriel put a lot of effort into making sure Anna still felt loved and included when Kit came along because babies require so much of their mothers during those first months that she wouldn't have had as much opportunity to spend time with Cecily during that period so Gabriel did his best to spend a lot of time with Anna while still helping Cecily with Kit. I don't think that effort goes unappreciated by Anna since she's still close with her parents at 19

Christopher I think was 50/50. he strikes me as the type of child who just wanted at least one of his parents around him at all times. he caused less trouble as an infant than Anna did (jokes on gabrily fr w that one later on) and preferred to sit quietly with his parents while they worked on whatever. now, he obviously has his preferences when he's very young for certain things. i think he preferred Cecily whenever he wasn't feeling well or felt sad or just wanted cuddles. i think he preferred Gabriel when he felt scared or intimidated. and I do think he looked (and still looks) up to Gabriel a great deal as just a general good example of being a man

let me know if you agree!

[livia-dovehallow]

continued answering anon asks here to redact spoilers!

tbh I dont want to think about [redacted] post tlh, but reading [redacted] made me I hated it, I can see them becoming very territorial with [redacted] and not wanting anyone [redacted] for a while, I can see [redacted] in a way to ease the pain and [redacted] as she can't look at her fav weapon anymore, I couldnt stop thinking of [redacted] trying to mess with [redacted] and him not responding [redacted]... Im so sad :(

Please if you keep writing do fics of [redacted] I dont want to think of them this way

**SPOILER WARNING**

:(

thinking about everything that happened to them throughout this entire goddamn book makes me so sad

I definitely agree that they would be insanely protective of Alex after that. likewise, I envision that for at least a couple of years, Alex doesn't let anyone hold him except for his parents or Anna (and occasionally Ari, since he would be more familiar with her as time went on)

and yes I do think that it is not possible that Gabriel or Cecily would go the rest of their lives without some sort of depression or ptsd. and absolutely i can see Cecily throwing away all her knives in a fit of rage and grief and Gabriel just letting her let it out while making sure she doesn't hurt herself in the process either

Gabriel being unable to go to council meetings anymore because to him, if he wasn't at that meeting, he could have saved his son because he would have still been in London. so he doesn't go to them anymore because now he associates them with something terrible happening to his family and it's enough to end his involvement with the political side of the shadowhunting world

I have these headcanons, but I will probably never write them, since literally I think that even though Gabrily survived, the worst things happened to them and writing those moments goes well beyond angst into just pure grief and i physically cried when i thought about it

i love them too much to write them like that

[livia-dovehallow]

Not to mention the racist micro aggressions Anna makes in regards to both Cordelia and Ariadne :/ I refuse to believe Gabrily would have taught her to be so disrespectful. Gabriel pre-CP was prejudiced but we know that he changed and he became better! And it was also thanks to queen Cecily who was so open to different cultures and people

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT ANON

Gabriel's character development is one of the most beautiful I've ever read in any book series or watched in any show or movie. Post-CP2 Gabriel Lightwood wouldn't DARE be so disrespectful.

In fact, I think Gabriel would be livid if his kids ever said such things. LIVID

Cecily absolutely has always been open and understanding of different people and, just as you said, she helped Gabriel grow as a person to be open and understanding like that, too

just... there's no way canon-Anna is their child. Especially if Kit and Alex turned out to be sweethearts as they did (despite their mischeviousness).

Christopher is absolutely Gabrily's child and it shows. Anna just doesn't exude any characteristics of her parents except for how she came out of the womb looking like a carbon copy of Cecily.

such wasted potential TBH

[imherongraystairstrash]

I know you write about relationships in TLH and TID that are rarely/seldom touched on in the books or extras, but I wanted to know if you would consider a Christopher and Thomas Lightwood fic. Maybe the first time they are both in the lab and Thomas experiences the first of the many explosions which Kit unintentionally created. You could follow it up with another scene: Thomas pointing out to Christopher what had led up to the explosion (a misidentified component or measurement).

Of course! I absolutely adore the Lightwood cousins! I put a tiny bit of all of them in this fic, but it's mostly focused of Thomas and Kit :)

Thomas and Kit:

Thomas’ sisters have been giggling for what felt like days. Not only giggling, but they kept pestering him, asking about what men fancied the most in women.

Oh, Tommy, do men like shorter hair or longer hair?

Do men prefer a woman who speaks softly or says what’s on her mind?

Thomas would always say the same thing: I don’t know.

Because, really, he didn’t. He’d never thought of women in that way, though the angel knew he’d tried. He simply couldn’t. His mind told him to like one thing, but his heart said otherwise. It was frustrating. And very confusing.

“Why can’t you just be yourselves?” Thomas said. “Who cares what the men think?”

They giggled again, which made Thomas furrow his eyebrows.

“Don’t you understand, Tom? You have to lure them in by attracting their attention, and then, once you have them wrapped around your finger—”

“Then, you can show your true colors.” Barbara finished.

“That’s a terrible idea.” Thomas said. “You’re just wasting your time.”

They both shook their heads in perfect synchronization.

“He’s too young.” Eugenia said.

“And innocent.” Barbara replied.

Thomas rolled his eyes as they giggled again, and began discussing possible bachelors.

Thomas could only tolerate two minutes before he felt suffocated and stood up, frustrated.

“Wait, we still need you.” Eugenia said.

“Where are you going, Tommy?” Barbara asked.

“Out.” He snapped, taking his coat from the hanger and tugging it on. He let the door close behind him, ignoring his urge to slam it, and quickly made his way down the steps of his house.

The cold air bit into his skin and made its way to his neck and down his back. He silently cursed his sisters for making him leave in such a rush that he forgot to take his scarf.

Thomas walked down the streets of London, letting movement cool his head.

He was tired of the world. Angry at it. The way his sisters embraced it and tried their very best to be a part of it. The way it would force him to live his life differently, with someone he could never truly love.

He wished it would disappear, leave him alone, and yet it was always there, floating over his head like a shadow.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets, and briskly crossed the street.

Most days, Thomas missed Idris; walking barefoot through the forest and simply being outside in the clean, rich air. In Idris, if he wanted to be alone, he could. He could lay on the grass and fill his lungs with it’s wonderful scent, or climb a tree and hum melodies of his own creation. Of course, he liked the fact that in London, he could be with his friends, but there are some things even friends can’t quite help with. His friends could calm his mind the way the soft breeze that ruffled his hair or singing of birds could.

Thomas didn’t realize where he was going until he was standing in front of his Aunt and Uncle’s house.

He knocked on the door, and when nobody answered, he shrugged and opened it.

He made his way through the house, poking his head in certain rooms, trying to find one of the residents. It was usually quiet today. He looked into the parlor and found Cecily with her back to him. She was swaying back and forth, her hair falling from it’s bun.

“Hello, Aunt Cecy.” Thomas said.

Cecily turned, and smiled when she saw him. Her eyes had bags under them, as she and Uncle Gabriel were very tired these days, the reason for which was soundly snoozing in Cecily’s arms. Thomas’ new baby cousin, Alexander (whom Kit had informed Thomas was very loud) apparently has lungs of steel. Cecily had said she looked like a raccoon these days, but Thomas thought she still looked as pretty as always. “Oh, hello Thomas. Have you come to see Christopher?” She asked, rearranging Alex’s blanket.

Thomas nodded, “is he here?”

“In his room. He’s been awfully quiet today.” She said, simply. Then she furrowed her eyebrows, as if realizing what she’d just said.

“Do make sure he's not partaking in something foolish while you’re there, Thomas, would you?”

“Yes, Aunt.” Thomas said, making his way up the stairs.

He hadn’t wanted to come any closer to his baby cousin, for fear that he’d wake him, and Aunt Cecy would have to put him to sleep again.

Thomas waved at Uncle Gabriel as he passed him in the study, as he walked down the hall. Gabriel waved back half-heartedly, as if the life had been sucked out of him.

When Thomas opened the door to Christopher’s room, he found him bent over the table in his room.

“You’re going to hurt your back if you stand like that.” Thomas said as a way of greeting.

His cousin looked up immediately.

“Shut the door,” he hissed.

Surprised and confused, Thomas did so, and Kit straightened.

“What ho! How wonderful that you are here, Tom. I was working on something fascinating.”

“Is it related to science in any way, because last time you tried something like it, you blew up one of Henry’s walls.”

“That was because I made a simple mistake.” Kit said, with a wave of his hand. “This time it’s different.”

Thomas wasn’t very convinced. He noted Kit’s askew cravat, his tousled hair, his glasses that sat crooked on his nose and his wide-eyed gaze and concluded that his cousin has officially lost his head.

“Why did you look like I’d committed the largest sin on the planet when I left the door open?” Thomas said, deciding to change the subject.

Kit scowled. “Alexander.”

Thomas blinked. “You’ll have to be a little bit more specific than that.”

“Any small amount of noise and Alexander will cry for hours.” Christopher said, scrawling something on a paper. “At least this way I don’t have to hear the racket so much.”

“Oh,” Thomas said.

“I don’t know why Mum and Dad even wanted another baby. They’re demonic creatures.”

“I thought you liked Alex.”

“When he didn’t cry so much.” Kit said, rather darkly.

Thomas had never seen his cousin so…gothic? Not only was he strangely gothic, but he has also thrown himself into science experiments, which didn’t settle well with Thomas. It was as if he were a mad scientist and Thomas, who’d read Frankenstein, didn’t think those two words were ever a good combination.

He cast an uneasy glance at Kit, who was biting his bottom lip as he combined two solutions.

“Kit, what are you even trying to accomplish?”

“Oh, erm, actually, I don’t know. I’m just observing what will happen if you combine— Oh, that’s not good,” Kit said.

“What’s not good?” Thomas asked, just as a large explosion answered the question for him.

“What the Hell was that?!” They heard Gabriel’s frantic voice call from the hall, just as Alexander began wailing and Cecily let out a noise that started out as frustration, then became something halfway between confusion and worry. Christopher, covered in soot, simply stared, dumbfounded, at the place where the vial had once been.

“Erm…” Thomas said, unsure of how to answer the question his uncle asked.

Not that it mattered, as Gabriel burst into the room a few seconds later. Much like his son, he blinked and just stared at the explosion site for the moment it took Cecily to come inside with a red faced Alexander in her arms. The latter was rubbing at his puffy eyes with his small fists, clearly not happy to have been woken up from his nap in such a way.

“Christopher Gideon Gabriel Lightwood, what in the name of Raziel have you done?” Cecily said, not hysterically, like most parents might ask, but more so weary, as though she wasn’t entirely surprised by the fact that there was an explosion in her residence on a Sunday morning.

Kit shrugged, still staring at the explosion site.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Thomas said, “but are these chemicals toxic? Shouldn’t we be evacuating?”

And for the first time in Thomas’ life, he saw his Uncle Gabriel and Aunt Cecily exchange a wide-eyed expression before Cecily ordered them all out of the room and briskly led them down the hallway.

She knocked on Anna’s door as they passed it. “Cariad, make haste, we’re evacuating the house.”

“Why?” Anna asked in a bored and strangely breathless voice, as if she were dancing.

“Your brother caused an explosion. Did you really not hear it?” Gabriel said.

“Oh, that’s what that was?”

“Yes, now come outside before you start glowing in the dark from the toxic fumes.” Cecily said firmly.

Anna groaned. “Alright. Let me get dre— I mean, I’ll be right down.”

Cecily sighed and continued down the hall.

…

Thomas waited outside with the Lightwoods, Anna climbing out of her window a short while later, not bothering to straighten her simple dress as she landed. If either Gabriel and Cecily were by any means surprised by Anna’s exit, neither remarked upon it. Nor did they mind that Anna was barefoot or that her wavy hair was unbound, waving in the wind like an ebony banner.

Gabriel and Cecily were simple folk, in that sense. They didn’t waste time trying to make their children conform to society, they just let them roam free.

Well, except for now, as they were scolding Kit, Cecily forbade him from any sort of experimentation within their house. They may differ from parents in many ways, but they were still parents, regardless.

Anna slumped down beside Thomas, watching the house.

“Another day, another dollar in the Lightwood residence.” Anna said mournfully.

Thomas just stared blankly ahead.

“One of these days, Tom, I’m going to get my own flat.”

Thomas nodded.

“And you can have my room here.” Anna said.

Thomas snorted. “Your room is pink. Very pink.”

Anna pressed her lips together. “Believe me, I’m aware.”

When Kit was done being scolded, he came over to them. Anna patted the grass next to where she was sitting and Kit plopped down beside her.

“How angry are they?” Anna asked.

Kit just frowned.

“At least they’re not disappointed.” Anna said, ruffling his hair.

Kit just pressed his lips together, identical to the way his sister had done shortly before. Anna and Kit looked very alike, despite their coloring. They always denied it, of course, just as Thomas always denies it when others say that he looks like his sisters.

“Well, you two are a dull bunch.” Anna said, getting up. “If neither of you are going to talk, I might as well leave.”

They watched her go to her father, most likely making a joke as she walked and despite everything that happened, Gabriel chuckled.

Kit scooted closer to Thomas, who put a hand on his cousin’s back.

“Maybe next time, you should study the chemicals better.” Thomas said, “see how they react to other chemicals. I don’t think spontaneity is something scientists encourage.”

Kit looked up.

“And maybe don’t do it in your room?” Thomas said.

Christopher nodded.

Thomas looked straight ahead, and they sat in a comfortable silence.

“Do you really hate Alex?” Thomas asked after a while.

“Not really.” Kit said. “He is just vexing sometimes.”

Thomas huffed a laugh. “I feel the same about Genia and Babs sometimes, if that makes you feel better.”

“I still like Alex, though.”

Thomas hummed. “Yes, I still love my sisters too.”

Thomas leaned back on his hands and closed his eyes. He may not be in Idris, but at least he still had his family. He may be different and the rest of the world might shun him, but at least his parents would still love him.

At least he was alive, and though sometimes it wasn’t always perfect, life was still good.

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