#Izzy and Alec and Max are his real family

[swanqueenelmaxshadowhunters]

I'm once again down the rabbit role that is sizzy and shadowhunters - well, I never really left, but sometimes I put them a bit aside to enjoy other passions - anyway...

I'm once again thinking about - and feeling very angry about how Izzy's feeling regarding Max's death were poorly handled and put aside to give more importance to Malec and Clace love conflicts - and yes, I get that they were kinda the centre of everything, but still - and even more angry with the fact that when Izzy needed Alec the most he decided to go on vacation with his boyfriend. And how Jace was too busy following Clary around like a lost puppy

and the only person who saw her, who was there to comfort her, was Simon. scrawny little mundane bastard, Simon. except he was not. scrawny. or a mundane. (see what I did here?) anyway, Simon was the ONLY ONE by her side when she needed the most. the only person who actually understood her, her pain... Simon was the only person to tell Izzy that what happened to Max wasn't her fault.

that's why Simon was the first and only person Izzy really opened up to. like for real. the only person to who she felt comfortable enough to tell one of her family's big secret - the fact that Robert had cheated on Maryse and was going to leave them, and only stayed bc of Max. Simon, who never expected anything from her, who loved her for who she was and never tried to change her, never wanted to change her.

anyway, I'm losing my train of thoughts now so I'll stop talking

[faejilly]

i absolutely love your sh meta so i was wondering what are your thoughts on Alec’d relationship with his sexuality bc i always sort of read it as him knowing that he was gay but absolutely not saying it out loud

absofuckinglutely nonny

There's an excellent post by amorverus that I cannot find the original of so have my reblog HERE that articulates it really well

I even wrote a fic about it! #shameless self promotion [tumblr / ao3] (That is, in fact, one of my favorite things I've ever written.)

I do strongly believe that Alec knew that he was gay, and felt no shame about that in and of itself. He is not offended by Magnus flirting with him, would not, I think, be offended by anyone else flirting with him, regardless of gender. (Tho prior to Magnus I also think he just... wasn't interested, but that's a separate conversation.) He knew, however, that it was not allowed in his culture and it would hurt his family and not just him if it came out.

(This is why Izzy makes me so uncomfortable in s1 regarding Alec, tbqh, because she lives there too, but refuses to see the danger to herself and, more egregiously in Alec's mind, because obviously she can chose to risk herself for him if she wants, for all he doesn't like it, but she's causing risk for their little brother if Alec is outed, and that's unacceptable. Even if I'm quite sure Max would agree with her priorities.)

I do, however, think Alec felt a lot of shame regarding his attraction to Jace. Jace was hurting and was supposed to be his brother and yet... Alec felt an attraction that he knew Jace wouldn't return. So he's got all the societal pressure on him not to be gay, and all this personal pressure not to manipulate or abuse someone in a vulnerable situation (because Jace was, even if he wouldn't admit it), PLUS all the normal human issues with feeling attraction for someone who is important enough to you that you can't lose them, and you can legitimately be terrified that if you can't get it under control you MIGHT... (Even more so for him than a mundane romantic vs platonic situation, obviously, because there's questions of command and exile and punishment, not just ruining an interpersonal dynamic in a way it never quite recovers from.)

Plus Alec's kind of also Jace's commanding officer which is yet ANOTHER unequal power dynamic, and he's supposed to be protecting an entire Institute, not just this one person, but he can't stop thinking about it because it's fucked up and he knows he should stop and he can't.

(Because, he realizes with the benefit of hindsight after he meets Magnus, by fixating on Jace he was safe, he was never going to fall in love for real with someone he might have a chance with, would never have to actually choose between his culture and his personal desires, while still telling himself that he already had, that he'd chosen his family and it was fine, he was FINE.

(He was so not fine.))

And so, even though he truly believes there's nothing wrong with being gay in general, he does believes there is something Very Wrong with him specifically being gay.

But he still never has any doubt about it. He never tries to project heterosexual interest in anyone, is very up front with Lydia about the terms of their engagement. (It seems clear, even if we never see that conversation, that they're both aware that their marriage would never be romantic or sexual unless they mutually decided to go the so-called traditional route for children.) And she agreed to it! She, unlike Jace & Izzy, had zero illusions about her relationship with Alec, and I ADORE HER FOR THAT.

And I've totally lost the thread of this rambling, I'm not sure I have a conclusion for you? 😅😅😅

Alec is, imo, refreshingly self-aware about most things, and many of his issues are legitimately external stupidity punishing him into a life of self-recrimination rather than him having internal bigotry or biases against his own sexuality in and of itself.

[onetimetwotimesthreetimess]

The first time Lrhwy Alec comes back from deployment after adopting Max 🥹

okay chapter 2 actually begins with this scene and I’ve been wanting to write it for the longest time. Here’s a snippet for you.

——————————————————————————

Alec’s been skipping on his feet since morning. Since yesterday.

All week actually.

It’s impossible not to feel that way when today is the day. He’s only waited seven months for this. To be back home, back to his family again.

Their entire unit is at the airport right now, waiting to be picked up by their family members.

Alec cannot wait to see Magnus but there’s nothing new about this. He’s always excited to see Magnus.

But this time, Alec’s longing to see someone more than Magnus.

Max.

His Max. His baby.

It still doesn’t feel real sometimes that he is a dad. That he has an actual child to love.

The past few months without Max have been painful in a way that nothing has ever felt. Being away from Magnus is hard enough but there’s something cosmically different about missing his own kid.

He sees and talks to Max on video calls all the time but there’s nothing that can compare to actually holding his baby.

Also, Max is three so he can’t really hold a conversation. He’s always just saying gibberish between bouts of ‘daddy, daddy’ all the time.

Mom, Jace, Izzy, Magnus and Max are coming to pick him up.

Alec’s never been more in hurry to get home.

It’s 3:35 when his flight lands and by the time Alec is out, it’s almost 4. Magnus should be here soon.

“Alec!!” Jace yells and Alec turns up to find his mom, brother and sister there. Alec rushes towards them and envelopes his mom in his arms. Then Jace and Izzy. When Jace holds his face in his hands like the dramatic bitch he is, Alec almost cried with happiness.

“Where’s Magnus?” He asks when there’s still no sign of his boyfriend and son.

“I don’t know. We can’t reach them.”

“What?” Alec asks, a little worried.

He takes out his phone and checks Magnus’s last text

It’s a photo of Max and him, cuddled up in the morning.

We can’t wait to see you.

I miss you darling.

Magnus has been doing a countdown since the last 48 hours.

48 hours until I see you.

20 hours until I get to hug you.

2 hours until I get to kiss you.

I miss you.

I love you.

Alec calls him but Magnus doesn’t answer.

He calls him again. And again. Until he sighs.

Maybe they’re stuck in traffic.

“They’re probably stuck in traffic,” mom says.

Alec nods.

They wait for another half an hour, but Magnus still doesn’t arrive and Alec’s worry rises.

“We should go home. We’ll drop a text and let him know that we’re home. You can meet him there,” Izzy murmurs.

But what if Alec leaves and Magnus arrives and it’s another hour before they see each other again. He doesn’t think he can wait another hour.

His entire body is longing to see them. Alec can’t wait. If he doesn’t see Magnus and Max in the next thirty seconds, he will jump off a window.

But another half an hour passes without the sight of his baby and his other baby and Alec just wants to cry.

He hugs his mom, a little too tightly as he whispers, “Let’s go home.”

Jace takes his bag and they all turn to leave when a voice, the voice calls him.

“Alexander!!!!!”

Alec turns and his entire body sighs, relaxes, and somehow gets alive again.

Magnus stands there with Max in his arms. A huge smile appears on his face and his shakes his head to the side, opening his arms.

Max squirms in his arms so his boyfriend puts him down, exchanging a look at Jace, who makes his way towards the small boy.

Max is a chaotic little shit and he can go from anywhere to anywhere in a matter of three second.

“Magnus,” he whispers as Magnus comes running towards him, crashing their bodies together.

Alec doesn’t try to hide the tears that leave his eyes as he touches, and holds the love of his life in his arms again.

“I’m so sorry. There was a small accident and we got late,” Magnus says hurriedly and the words accident raises up his blood pressure suddenly. He pushes back and glances at his boyfriend’s body and only then he notices how disheveled he looks. There’s some light bruising on his arms and his shirt looks like it hasn’t been washed in days

Magnus is going to have an aneurysm if someone captures a picture of him looking like this and it goes viral.

“What? What happened?” He asks.

Magnus shakes his head, “I’ll tell you later,” he says and cups Alec’s face. Alec closes his eyes as he feels Magnus’s lips against his and breathes. And he wonders for a second how he ever lived without doing this for seven months. They kiss for barely a few seconds and Alec wants nothing but to do this for the rest of his life but there’s something, a huge voice inside his chest still and it’s not going to be filled until he holds his son.

Alec’s scared though. He is so, so scared that Max is not going to recognise him.

When Alec went for his deployment, Max was barely two and a half years old. Now he’s 3 and three years old are babies and don’t have the best memory and what if his baby doesn’t remember him?

There wasn’t a single second that Max left Alec alone before, always clutched to Alec’s side. Always with Alec but that was seven months ago.

And sure, Alec’s been talking to him on calls but what does a three year old even remember?

Maybe Magnus can see his worry because the man holds his face and smiles, “Don’t worry, sweetheart. He’s very, very excited to see you. He missed you like crazy.”

Alec exhales. He believes Magnus. Always does.

They release each other from their hold and Alec makes his way towards Max, who is clutching Jace, a nervous expression on his face.

Max is never nervous and Alec’s heart breaks a bit. He doesn’t want his kid to ever be worried.

He crouches down infront of his son and gently, touches his head.

“Hi, my baby,” Alec whispers.

Max, who’s been looking all worried until now suddenly perks up.

“Daddy in phone,” he says pointing towards Jace’s phone.

Alec chuckles softly, his heart breaking at Max’s surprise to see his dad infront of him, instead of a phone.

Magnus is crouching next to them too and he smiles at the two of them.

“Daddy’s here now, Blueberry.”

Max looks at him for a good few seconds before the damn breaks and he bursts into huge, loud tears.

“Daddy here?” He hiccups as he falls into Alec’s arms, clutching onto his uniform.

Alec starts crying too as he holds his baby.

“I’m here, Max. I’m here. I’m so sorry for leaving you,” Alec whispers, holding onto his son like his life depends on it.

“Da-daddy..” Max continues saying daddy, like it’s the only word he understands right now.

Alec puts him back on the ground and cradles his face. “I missed you, baby.”

Max beams through the tears and Alec can’t wonder how fast he’s growing up.

“Missed you daddy,” Max says as he jumps into Alec’s arms again.

And it feels like Alec can finally breathe again.

[foodsies4me]

Magnus saying ‘I don’t know’ because he imagined his rship with Alec to be very distant. Now he actually likes him and how soft he is and accepting and basically the rookies unofficial big brother/parent. Good bye Magnus’ resolve 🙃

Obsessed with Alec being a magnet for tired children who just wanna cuddle and feel safe 🥹 When the trainees appear it’s gonna be chaos for who gets to hold Alec’s hand and sit on his shoulders and use his blue blanket!! (the Max duo might have a bit of leverage here)

Malec holding hands for 2.0 seconds! They both gonna be thinking about that allllll week. Now the pining official begins 😬 I’m glad they got to talk for a moment cause those feelings gonna hit them real quick.

Woooooo more Malec and smol rookies being cute (me ignoring the whole plot and the fact Magnus half forced Alec into a marriage then took him away from his family + Institute cause angst)

Honestly, you are so valid for ignoring the plot and everything with it.😂

Magnus is having a lot of co flirting emotions and those emotions are having emotions about it. The only thing they all have in common is that they’re currently centered around Alec and that Magnus isn’t enjoying experiencing them because of ✨plotty reasons.✨

Alec is friend shaped and cozy teddy bear shaped in toddler eyes which means he’s the perfect spot to cuddle up to when sleepy. This superpower also works on babies as Steph’s parents know, which is why Alec spent the first year of Steph’s life with a baby strapped to his chest or back whenever she got colicky because he was the only one she would stop crying at.

Steph’s mom was initially miffed, but now she’s just happy that know Steph has a good godparent to take care of in case anything happens. Alec…isn’t aware he’s legally Steph’s godfather and has been since before she turned 1 year old. Jace and Izzy are just waiting for him to find out and cackling in the background.

[ghoulie-67-baby]

Shadows - Lightwood siblings

Summary: You have vivid nightmares but you’re family is there to soothe you.

Warnings: Nightmares, angst, blood, graphic dream description, crying.

Pairing: GN!Reader x Lightwood siblings (platonic).

Word count: 1,642.

Shadows. Always with the shadowy demons. No breaks, no mercy, just Shadows.

That was my nightmare, day in and day out, it never changed. I was born into a Shadowhunter family but I couldn't help thinking this life didn't agree with me. Whether I failed in training, got injured in the field or couldn't escape my dreams, life just never seemed to go the way I wanted it to. It was tiring, draining and I wasn't sure how much longer I would last.

My family had worked at the institute for centuries so I had grown up alongside the other children whose parents worked here like the Lightwood children. Alec and I were the same age and as we'd all grown, they became my siblings. When Jace joined the family it was no different, I just had an extra brother now. He was my family, just as much as the other three and that would never change.

Every day seemed to pass in a blur of lights and sounds, without ever seeming to become clear. Colours seemed to get blander as though my energy and colour were being drained from the world until all that remained were purple bags under my eyes, pale gaunt expressions and bruises from countless failures to dodge hits. If it wasn't for the loyalty of my family, I doubt I'd even be allowed to stay anymore. I was a liability to everyone especially my siblings and the thought of them getting hurt because of me, shattered my very soul. I lived for my family and the nightmares knew exactly that, perfect fuel to torture me.

Like right now, I knew I was dreaming, knew the street I was running down wasn't real, and the distant figures of my four siblings were actually tucked nice and warm in their beds but it felt so real. The dark, gruelling world in this dream had no end, just suffering and I was in for a night full of it. I tried to force myself awake, to see I was in the comfort of my own bedroom, Izzy just next door and the boys a little further down but my body refused to see it.

And so I was stuck suffering, barely hanging on, trying to pinch myself awake with the fear of being a failure looming as I watched them laughing together.

Shadows beneath my siblings' feet began to swirl and I hauled in a deep breath to prepare. Claws emerged from the shadows, scratching and scraping at their clothes and skin. Though I knew I would never win I tried to run, faster than I ever could but never seemed to get closer as the floor seemed to become treadmill-like. Eventually, my shadow sunk its claws into my arms, holding me back, locking me in place so I had to watch as the claws drew blood, splashing in rivulets on the floor, as it all mixed into one growing pool.

Alec's face was painted with determination as he tried to grab his siblings and Parabatai though his calves and ankles were shredded. Jaces was one of horror as it dawned on him that he couldn't save them. Izzy was in shock as she clambered to hold little Max and lift him away from the horror. Max was pure terror, the pain on his childish features as shadows morphed around his body and ripped his body into ribbons of flesh and muscle. I couldn't move, I was paralysed by the sight and no amount of willpower could make me escape as the shadows screeched taunts of my fauliure.

My jaw ached, my chest convulsing, with the scream of anguish, pain, loss and anger, red hot tears scorching my face like lava.

"Y/N! Y/N please." Izzy's voice called to me through the screams, a fresh wave of pain dousing me and taking my breath. Her shouts seemed to unlock my senses as the stench of blood and suffering filtered through as the fight seemed to leave my siblings' bodies. My knees caved under me, stopping me from getting closer to save them.

"Y/N," Alec's voice was gentle and calm, an awful contrast to the bare bone on his arms and the tortured look on his face. "You're safe, you're okay, just come back." I shook my head as dark rivers of blood oozed from his mouth, lips moving in time with the voice. I couldn't squeeze my eyes shut as their eyes started to dull and they sank to the floor in the huge puddle. "Come on, wake up, we're here." The reassurance echoed in my ears despite the dead eyes of my four siblings staring up at me.

I knew this wasn't real, but it seemed like it was. From the expressions of pain, the way they fought to protect each other and the way their life force seemed to drain before me. But, my siblings were shouting for me, calling me back to them, back to the land of the living.

"Y/N, you're scaring me." I struggled in the direction of Max's voice, towards my baby brother who sounded as if he was on the verge of breaking. Slowly but surely, feeling started to seep back into my body. The bed around me dipped with the weight of the four of them. I could tell by each touch who was where and it warmed my heart. Izzy's fingers were laced with mine, Jace sitting near my legs with a hand on my calf, Alec's Hand brushed my hair from my face and Max was just to my side, his small hands shaking my arm.

"I'm here little guy," my throat burned as I muttered to the child. "Didn't mean to scare you, Maxie, I'm here." He usually protested he was too old for the nicknames but right now he was a scared little boy and couldn't care less. I shakily slid myself up so I could face him and he buried himself in my chest. No matter how big he was, he had his moments where he was an ordinary child who got scared and sometimes just needed reassurance and a cuddle. I could never deny him that.

"It's okay, just a bad dream, I've got you." I lifted his chin, wiping his tears before he shuffled to lay beside me with his face on my chest and little arms wrapped around me. I couldn't tell if this was comfort for him or me but nonetheless, it was more than welcome. We all waited patiently for him to settle down, hiccups fading into long deep breaths and muscles relaxing as he went back to his own dreamland. I wouldn't talk about it in front of him whilst he was awake, id scared him enough for one night.

Once I was certain he was sleeping, I let out a long shaky breath, staring up at the ceiling as tears filled my eyes.

"Hey," Jace cooed, his thumb rubbing my calf to comfort me. "You're okay now." My chest ached as a few tears fell, squeezing my eyes shut for a moment. "Shadows again?" I nodded silently before opening my eyes.

"It seemed so real, it was awful. I knew it wasn't real but it seemed like it was." I shuddered, trying not to jostle Max too much. "Guessing I woke you guys up?" I already knew the answer, and judging by the movement in the hallway they weren't the only ones I had woken up.

"I heard you and woke Jace and Alec, it was worse than usual," Izzy admitted with a small smile. "Max heard us rushing in and followed us. He refused to leave until he knew you were okay." Her words melted my heart a little and I smiled down at his sleeping form.

"Every time, no matter what I try, I can't save any of you. I'm not strong enough, not good enough to fight them off and every time I watch the life drain from you, it's like I lose a piece of myself." My head pounded as I tried to hold in my sobs, comforted by the feeling of them around me. "I'm so sorry I woke you all up." I knew it wouldn't be the last time it happened but I still hated disturbing their sleep.

"You are good enough Y/N, you can't help what you dream about. You'll always be good enough." Alec's voice was tight, as though he was holding back his own emotions and I smiled up at him, taking hold of his hand with a squeeze. "You don't have to apologise for waking us, we're always here for you no matter what time of day it is, just like you always have been for us." I nodded and pressed a kiss to Max's head as the effects of my dream caught up with me, making me slump in exhaustion and stifle a yawn.

"I think we're gonna stay the night. Max isn't for shifting and you might sleep better with us here. Plus, I'm comfy now." I peered down at Izzy as she huddled under my arm and rested on my shoulder. I didn't mind them staying, my bed was sure big enough for a cuddle pile and I wouldn't complain about the company or warmth. We all scooted around getting comfy, my head lay against Alec who curled up on my other side, Max resting against us both and Jace manoeuvred himself to lay against my thigh without being kicked in the head by Izzy.

"I think I could do with the cuddles." I joked, huffing out a small laugh as sleep started to take hold. "Y'know I would do anything for you guys, right? You're my family and I love you all so much."

"We know Y/N," Izzy whispered sleepily. "We love you so much too. "

[my-nameless-bliss]

Hello :) I just wanted to talk about latest sh episode and jace, wen he heard 'youre just like your father.' I'm worried for him that granny herondale is seeing what she wants to see and this is gonna rly hurt him later when he doesn't agree w her decisions/thoughts. And he looked so emotional when she put that necklace on him :(((( idk I'm just worried

I know you sent this after 2x12, but honestly, now that 2x13 has happened it’s even more relevant. It seems like your worries are perfectly founded, which is unfortunate.

I know Jace has been struggling with the concept of family pretty much his entire life, and it’s clear that finding an actual blood relative was so important to him. And that makes perfect sense, and I totally understand it. But at the same time, I think it’s really disappointing that his biological family is already affecting him so much. I know shadowhunters love to fall at the Herondales’ feet and kiss their crusty-ass boots but let’s be honest, the Herondales are historically a trash family. We know enough about nephilim culture to know that anyone considered ‘Shadowhunter Royalty’ is gonna have some serious issues. And Imogen’s actions as the Inquisitor are ample proof of that. It’s super disheartening that Jace is feeding into those ideals so quickly, now that he knows it’s what his family wants.

Luckily, him defying Imogen and giving control of the Institute to Alec was a MASSIVE relief, and it’s very encouraging for how the rest of this story will play out. Ever since Jace found out he’s a Herondale, I’ve been waiting for him to have some sort of moment where he acknowledges that he’s a Lightwood too, and they’re just as much his family as Imogen is. I’m still very hopeful that this’ll happen at some point in the season. I know being a Herondale is important to him, but I still fully believe that the Lightwoods are his real family, and I hope Jace will think the same.

Also, if Imogen says “You’re just like your father” one more time I’m gonna set something on fire. Sorry, Imogen, but Stephen Herondale was a piece of garbage and you know it. Stop insulting Jace like that.

[paracosm-draw]

@malectober day 8.

Day 8 : Fire

Warnings : Hello, it's angst again ! But with a happy end this time.

Also I'd like to thank you so much for all the reposts, likes and reactions to my little stories. It's the first time I go this far on an October challenge and it's mostly because of the feedbacks I receive. Also that's so hard to express what you have in mind in another langage. So thank you for the support (even if I make you suffer at least 6 day out of 7) it really means a lot ♥

Also special thanks for the better hilarious tags provided by @magnus-the-maqnificent @carelessflower and @i-have-not-slept You guys give me life, for real

______________________________________________________________

For as long as he can remember, Alec had always liked the fire. It reminded him of the long evenings spent on his father office, listening to politics and strategy, sitting by the fireplace, envelopped by a nice warmth. Izzy was usually curled up on the sofa sleeping, as she was not so much interested by the complex issues that governed the Clave's policy towards downworlders. Jace was unable to sit still for five minutes and usually left the room after half an hour to go and train or do whatever.

Alec really liked those evenings, listening carefully as his father told him about the history of the Clave, about the shadowhunters and their close ties to the downworld, about how to be a fair and upright leader, about the compromises he would have to make as the future head of the Institute.

Years later, as he was finally running the New-York Institute, he continued spending a lot of time by the fireplace in his office when he had to think or resolve complex issues. However, another type of fire had found its way into his life. A metaphorical flame that burned in his chest in the colours of a certain warlock's pretty eyes.

A small, trembling flame that he had tried to blow out during his adolescence, as it did not correspond to what was expected of him. He thought his chest contained nothing but ashes until he met Magnus and an inferno flared up inside him, out of control. He had been afraid of getting burned, but the bite of the flames was the most pleasant he had ever felt in his all life. Since then, the fire has never been extinguished, in fact it burns with a little more intensity every day.

No, he had never been afraid of fire, he had even learned to cherish it.

Except for this one time.

The time the fire turned into something letal over which he had no control, petrifying him on the spot.

He knew that being a Consul, let alone such a progressive one was likely to expose him to different attempts to sideline him. Whether because of his inclusive policy or the fact that he married a warlock. Or the fact that they had adopted one few months ago. He expected that his career and personal choices would be criticised, and that some people would try to bring him down, he was prepared to this eventuality. In fact, he was watching his back more than before. His siblings were too.

What he did not anticipate was that these people would go after his family behind his back.

He felt the rush of panick of Magnus through their wedding ring just before his husband called him on the phone. He picked up immediatly, an icy chill running down his spine.

« Magnus, what happened ?! »

« They took him, Alec. Magnus was sobbing uncontrollably, his words choked with terror. They took Max, I couldn't... I didn't... »

Alec felt a horrible fear form a knot in his gut. He forced himself not to let it take him over completely. He had to think. Quickly.

« Are you hurt ? Where are you ? »

« No, I... We were sitting at the park. Alec, I swear I... I took my eyes off him for only two seconds... »

To hear his husband's voice so painfully tinged with guilt and fear broke Alec's heart.

« Baby. Magnus. Tell me where you are, I'm on my way. Please stay where you are. It's not your fault. »

Magnus was crying so much that Alec stayed on the phone with him until he joined him at the park. He had brought Jace at Izzy with him for backups.

The warlock collapsed in his arms as soon as he arrived, while his siblings were already searching for clues around the place.

« Baby, tell me what happened...  Alec asked gently, doing his best not to let his fear make him panic even more. Did you see them ? »

« Yes. No. They had some kind of masks... Magnus answered with a sob, makeup running down his cheeks. It happened so fast, I didn't had the time to do something. Alec, I'm so sorry... »

« It's not your fault. Alec repeated, gently wiping the underside of his eyes with his thumbs. You were alone. You're still getting your strength back, remember? They must have known. »

« They... They were probably warlocks. Or they had a warlock with them to open a portal. Magnus said, trying to put himself back together. I don't know where they took him. My baby... »

« We'll find him. They probably want something in return. Alec said, clenching his teeth. We're gonna track them down and bring him back home. »

« Alec ? Jace was walking towards them, a little fox plush in the hand. Is it Max's ? »

« Yes. » Magnus gasped, rushing to take it against him.

« Right, We'll use it to parabatai track him. »

Alec rolled up his sleeves and held out his hand to Jace who activated their rune with his stele.

« Baby ? »

He held out his hand for Magnus to give him the stuffed animal, but the wizard held the fox close against his chest.

« I should be able to do it. It's all my fault, I should have been able to stop them. »

« May I remind you that you just foiled an assassination attempt on Alec like three days ago? Izzy interjected. That fucking spell was powerful enough to suck the life out of you. You shoukd take it easy, Magnus. They got it. »

« We're talking about my son ! Magnus retorted angrily. I want to help ! »

Alec reached over and took his husband's hand in his.

"We're talking about our son. Of course you're helping. Come closer. »

Magnus sniffed and grabbed Alec's hand before handing him the plush. Alec felt his magic pouring into them as Jace began the tracking. Soon, they spotted a location that seemed to be at the opposite side of the city. They were on site in no time.

The place looked like an abandoned warehouse, with rusty containers outside, stacks of cardboard piled against the walls and half-faded signs hanging against the main door. Magnus gasped.

« I can feel him inside. »

It was at that moment that Alec was afraid of fire for the first time in his life. When his eyes fell on their baby, crying alone inside a circle of flames in the darkness of the building.

He held Magnus back as he rushed towards their son, when his instinct screamed at him to do the same.

« That's a trap. »

Izzy and Jace had deployed into the building to search for the kidnappers. Except for Max's crying, everything was quiet. Too quiet. Alec was afraid that the slightest movement on their part would trigger something terrible.

« Alec, we have to do something. » Pressed Magnus, eyes unable to leave their son.

They had to. Alec didn't know what to do. He felt petrified.

Then they heard a scream and everything turned into chaos. He didn't know who attacked them first but there were suddenly a dozen of people surrounding them. Vampires, werewolves, warlocks and others that had masks hiding their faces. And their son was in the middle of the fight. Their intentions were pretty clear as they didn't even tried to speak before attacking.

They were clearly outnumbered. Magnus had not yet recovered all his powers and Alec was doing his best to protect him while trying to reach their son. But there was always someone standing in front of him, forcing him to back down to defend himself. His heart was pounding as he saw no way out of this fight. They were soon all beginning to accumulate injuries and fatigue.

Jace was badly injured in the thigh and Izzy had blood on her face. He didn't know if it was hers or the man lying at his feet. He himself had sustained some injuries while protecting his husband with his body. But what drove him crazy was not being able to reach Max.

Before he could figure out what was going on, their baby was in the arms of a female warlock.

"Stop ! She shouted, drawing all eyes to her. Or I'll kill this pretty little blue thing."

At these words, she brought her fingers topped with a dancing flame close to the little warlock's face, who began to cry even harder.

« NO ! Magnus yelled, as Alec's heart stopped. Please... Please don't hurt him. We'll give you what you want. Please... »

« What we want. She repeated with a smile colder than ice. We want you dead. You and all the shadowhunters that agreed on the stupid accords you just wrote.»

« Take me, let him go. Magnus begged, taking a step forward. It's just a baby... He has nothing to do with all of that.»

What ? No ! Alec eyes widened. He was not going to lost any of them.

« Magnus ! »

But the warlock continued to approach, hands in evidence.

« Please, let him be. Take me instead. You want us dead, right ? Take me and let my son go. »

« That's so pathetic. The woman laughed, fingers still to close to Max's face. What that stupid love made you do... Would you really be willing to sacrifice yourself for this insignificant th... »

There was a sudden blinding flash of light, accompanied by an explosion and a shockwave that propelled them all to the ground.

Alec got up first, disoriented, his ears ringing and his vision blurred.

« Magnus ! » He screamed as his husband shouted their son's name at the same time.

Max was sitting of the floor, on a pile of dust. There was no flame circle anymore. He seemed... Fine.

Magnus reached him first, taking him in his arms to hold him tightly, quietly sobbing.

« My baby... »

Alec looked around him, astounded. In place of their attackers were small piles of ash. Izzy and Jace were glowing softly, even Magnus, now that he was looking closer.

« What the... » Jace starred at Alec in shock.

Alec shook his head in incomprehension and joined Magnus who was cuddling their son with shaky hands.

« I... I think he did that. The warlock whispered. I think Max protected us and... And lashed out on the others. Just like me when my stepfather tried to drown me. »

Alec blinked and looked at their son huddled against Magnus' chest, eyes wet.

« You think he can do that... ? »

« It was not me, so... »

« Oh my god... Alec leaned and took them in his arms. Let's go back home. »

[khaleesiofalicante]

How did you manage to make me cry again...?

You should know that I've been reading fanfiction for over 10 years and I can count the fanfics that have actually made me cry on one hand! So the same fanfic making me cry multiple times in quite an achievement...

Because of your warning, I actually got through the first two timelines without falling apart. While I was horrified when Alec almost send that mail and also when he received Magnus' letter in the second timeline, I was still an emotionally functioning human being. And then the third timeline started out so well with Izzy and Alec's conversation that I was expecting the scene where Shinyun reassures Alec of Magnus' love... so I was expecting something happy or at least hopeful. And then everything that happened afterwards just hit me out of the blue and I broke.

I can still only think: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Why did Alec have to see the kiss? I thought he would only see them in the papers, but in real life? When he just thought about kissing Magnus himself?! That is horrific! When he kept on throwing up, my heart just shattered.... I was so hopeful like 2 minutes earlier that they would finally get their shit together and that Alec would finally try to work on them as a family.. and then... I can't believe you would torture us like that!

And if that wasn't enough, then came one - if not The - most heart-breaking scene in the entire story! How dare you confront Max with literally his worst nightmare?! I just wanted to hug the shit out of Max and let him know that it's not his fault! I could just feel Max' desperation.. and I still can't... And then Max lost David.... how could you destroy both Magnus&Alec and Max&David in the same chapter?! That is just so cruel! I feel like my soul just left my body... I am devastated!

And Rafe feeling abandoned (at least that's what I am assuming is going on)... Don't you DARE go near him and Anjali! I NEED them to be still happy! They're my only life line for the third timeline...

I can't wait for you to break my heart again on Friday xD

P.S.: In case it didn't become obvious: this chapter was amazing(ly painful) and you really didn't promise too much!

P.P.S.: My snippet ask for this chapter depends on what kind of genre you want to write:

if you want something happy: third timeline Magnus thinking/day dreaming about kissing Alec again (basically the equivalent to Alec's thoughts when he thought that he might be able to kiss Magnus again)

if you want to write something devastating: David's POV of the last scene

The door slams shut with a thud. 

Max, very slowly, sits back on his heels. 

David just stands there, his heart thudding in his chest, for a whole different reason now. 

He has been waiting for this for a while. 

Well. Not this! But something like this. 

He had known that it was only a matter of time until Miss Fairchild or Mr. Lightwood found out and…and everything went to hell. 

He had thought Mr. Lightwood would be angry. 

But he didn’t look angry though. 

Shocked. Definitely. And rightly so. 

But he looked…he had looked a little broken. 

It wasn’t the face of a man who was thinking “how dare you do this?” as David had thought. 

It was a face that said “please don’t do this to me”. 

Max gets off the bed and pulls on a pair of discarded shorts. He looks at David. “I’m gonna go downstairs and handle this.”

Then he tries to walk away. David grabs his arm and pulls him back. 

He shakes his head. 

He doesn’t want Max to go. 

He fears if Max leaves, then he might not come back. 

Not in the same way that he left. 

“David,” Max says gently. “I’ll be right back. Okay?”

David shakes his head again. 

“Hey,” the other boy whispers. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m scared,” David whispers back. 

Max smiles at that. He leans over the bed and pulls one of the blankets and wraps it around David. 

“Stay like this,” Max kisses his forehead softly. “Nothing can hurt Blanket David.”

“Max,” David whispers. 

“I’m going to talk to Dad. He’ll understand,” Max tells him. “I promise. You don’t have to worry about him, okay?”

Then he kisses David softly and walks out of the door. 

“It’s not him I’m worried about,” David whispers to the empty room. 

[alecmagnuslwb]

What about Alec being a warlock? A ritual for it? Valentine experimented on him too? Maybe he is like Tessa but more Shadowhunter then warlock?

I'd definitely think it'd be a ritual for Alec becoming a warlock. Specifically in my head it always would go the route of the alliance rune.

Let's be real Alec and Magnus would use it a lot, probably more than anyone ever intended for a variety of reasons™. And I think there'd be longterm effects because of that.

Alright, now let's go under the cut, cause once again this got long!

And magic is intrisic, you don't just do it by accident, so Alec wouldn't even notice at first, neither of them would. It's like the effects of continually using it slowly start to seep in. He doesn't just start doing magic suddenly one day.

Maybe it starts with the aging. Jace starts getting grey's in his hair, the lines around his eyes are little more noticebale and he's got laughter lines that weren't there before and Alec just doesn't seem to experience any of that. They brush it off though and Alec just jokes that this is fates gift to him for Jace, Izzy and Max trying to make him go grey before he turned 20.

Then one day Alec wishes he had more coffee and moves a hand and suddenly his half empty cup is filled. He decides he's probably just tired and imagining things and downs the coffee and heads home. And then little things start happening more and more, Magnus wants some of his favorite yogurt and Alec makes a motion opens the fridge and magically there's some in the there. It's a whole round and round thing that Alec just assumes is Magnus being his magical self.

And then the time comes around when he can't just ignore it all anymore. I think it'd be in the middle of a battle, something big and unexpected. They forgot to use the alliance rune they were in such a rush. In the heat of battle something comes behind Magnus, Alec reaches for an arrow and he's out. He's never run out, but this is Magnus on the line so he rushes at him ready to take the demon down his fists at the ready and before he even makes contact a wave of magic hits the demon. And it's not from Magnus.

They survive the battle and then after that it's a lot of testing, Cat comes in, Madzie's old enough she can help now. Every warlock friend Magnus has helps them figure it out and then of course it all comes down to the same answer, the rune. The rune Clary was never supposed to create, that went against the angel's wishes becoming a symbol of their bond, of their closeness, of how their literal souls were attached and now they're just even moreso attached than before.

The alliance rune making Alec essentially part warlock/part shadowhunter (he can still use runes etc. which could also be tied to the fact that the warlock he's been tying himself to is a child of Asmodeus.) so kinda like Tessa. He's linked to Magnus fully and completely, magic, immmortaility, love all of it.

Clary can't explain, no one can totally explain it cause it's not like it's ever happened before. But it happened and Alec couldn't be happier, because I like to think that Alec was searching for a way to stay. For years, enlisting Cat, Madzie and Izzy into a secret mission to find a way to make Alec immortal and boom there it was forming inside of him all along.

As Alanis Morisette once said, isn't that ironic?

He obviously adapts to this very, very easily. He's surrounded by warlocks who love him who can help him learn how to use the magic. Plus using the alliance rune so much has harbored some skill over time.

Much like I said with Vampire Alec his whole family would support him to hell and back, even more so since this really wouldn't change Alec.

I think he wouldn't use the magic for little things, he's so adept to doing things the normal way he wouldn't see a point in changing it. Plus he's got all the time in the world now. But in battle and for making the people he loves happy oh, he'd love using his new permanent abilities.

He'd also relish in being able to do some of the things Magnus has been doing for him for years. Spur of the moment portals to surprise lunches or weekends; little favorite things appearing in a snap of fingers.

So, in summary Warlock Alec would thrive!

[pansexualravenclawshadowhunter]

I just finished TLBotW and OMG!!!

Such an awesome book. The writing as usual was on point and there was good character development and usual Magnus's words of wisdom.

A few of my favorite parts were:

•Mature Clace. Honestly, I was never a fan of their relationship in TMI. Mainly because they were way too angsty for my liking. But as they matured, their characters became so much more interesting. I loved reading about them in this book and also in TDA. They're so cute as a steady couple.

• When CC addressed Simon's mental health (especially after George's passing😭😭). I would love to see more of Simon and Izzy. Izzy's character arc from TMI has been amazing. Personally, I'd love to read a whole series with her as the main character. She's so badass, she's a skilled warrior and she has so much leadership potential.

•Alec and Magnus as parents. The way that they became a happy family and the way that they look out for each other is so beautiful to read about and it made me cry at many instances. Both of them deserve so much happiness and peace. I'm so glad that they have Max and Raphe (and I hope that the real Raphael meets Raphe in TWP).

•Alec being impulsive to save the man he loves. That part was honestly one of the most surprising to me as I never expected something so crazy from Alec. I loved it.

•Sammael's talk show host persona. I know it sounds weird, but after so many boring and plain evil Princes of Hell, I was glad that Sammael seemed to have charisma along with his evil agendas. I'd like to know more about his goals and plans in TWP so that he doesn't end up a one dimensional villain. Plus, I liked the Lilith/Sammael romance.

•Maryse and Kadir were so wonderfully adorable!!! I don't know if it's canon that they're together, but I ship them so much!!! They're so cute together!!!

Overall, a great book with superb characters, dialog and plot.

[neverendingtrove]

What I like about Robert and Maryse Lightwood in Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy is that they don't have a perfect relationship. In Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy Robert's POV reveals that he is not sure what he's feeling for Maryse, but he stays with her because he likes how she makes him feel. Considering his brief affair before Max was born, Robert's relationship with Maryse feels like a realistic one.

They were not the perfect couple as teens, they do not fit the "made for each other" trope CC loves, they have their struggles and ups and downs. Even more realistic is how they choose to stay together for their kids. Once Max dies, the need to separate is something that does happen in real life: sometimes the death of a child can affect the parents differently and can lead to separation. In the case of Robert and Maryse, Max dying was the breaking point of their romantic relationship and that is okay.

Of course, the separation affects Izzy and Alec, but they are both old enough to understand and accept their parents' decision. Also realistic is the fact that Maryse and Robert maintain a somewhat good relationship, so their son and daughter are still their main concern.

Overall, Maryse and Robert, although separated, together with Izzy and Alec are still a family. And I think it's amazing that CC portrayed a disfunctional family that people reading the series can relate to on a certain level.

[youngreckless]

What a fun ask game! 😊 can I have 🎄 for Malec? 🖤

this accidentally turned into lightwood-banes/tmi gang christmas headcanons 😭 i hope you still like them 🥺

🎄 lightwood-bane family christmas headcanons 🎄

everyone is in charge of something. magnus magics lights and decorations around the house. alec writes the postcards that are to be sent to their friends and family. rafe and max put up their stockings.

magnus, as the one in charge of the decoration, sees it as his responsibility and his right to put up mistletoes hidden all over the house. and when alec and him are caught under one, he pretends he doesn't know where it came from, making alec roll his eyes before kissing him.

tree decoration has to be done together. there's a lot of teasing, a lot of kissing, a lot of laughter, and a lot of love. their tree would look messy to any outsider, but for those who know them, it's full of love and joy, and they can figure out which ornament was put up by whom.

of course they get matching PJs (and onesies for rafe and max). it wouldn't be a lightwood-bane christmas without them. this year, they got ones that had "the snuggle is real" written on the back and a picture of two mugs of hot chocolate smiling and cuddling on the front.

they bake cookies together every christmas. which basically means that alec and magnus do the baking; rafe and max do the decorating with frosting.

when they go to the new york institute on christmas, rafe and max always meet santa there. but they're too smart, and they jump straight on the santa because they know it's not the real santa, just uncle jace dressed as one.

christmas carols and songs can be heard playing from the lightwood-bane's house all through december. sometimes alec and magnus dance too, moving slowly in each other's arms while the kids jump and run around them.

during christmas time, magnus changes the nightlight of max and rafe's room to something christmas related. from a tree, to a gingerbread man, to a snowflake, to a reindeer, every night there is something different glowing in their room.

max and rafe made christmas cards for everyone – their dad and papa, uncle jace, auntie izzy, auntie clary, uncle simon, and their grandma (and also one for uncle kadir). their drawing and handwriting was messy, but everyone fell in love with their card.

they always go to see the snow with the whole gang. max and rafe love making snow angels, and auntie clary joins them. someone (jace) also starts a snowball fight every year, but alec and magnus sneak away in the middle of it to a hidden corner to make out.

a week before christmas, max and rafe go to the institute to spend a few days there. magnus and alec absolutely make the most of it.

one christmas they had a "holiday couples baking competition," of which max and rafe were the judges. clary and jace won, only because theirs was the only decent cake as simon was too scared to tell izzy that adding too much baking powder will not make the cake fluffier, and alec and magnus were too busy flirting to notice when the timer on the oven went off.

[livsoulsecrets]

Kit Herondale Fic - Am I Enough?

Summary: Kit wonders if he has what it takes to be the big brother Mina deserves and goes to Alec for some advice, which proves to be really useful.

-

It was funny, Kit thought as he got up from Magnus’ fancy couch, leaving his parents happily chatting with Jace as he retold some of his favorite memories with Alec. Everyone saw Jace as this untouchable hero, an example of glory and fierceness, even Jace himself thought that, Kit was certain, but nobody was more worth of admiration to Jace than Alec, that much was clear in the way he looked at his parabatai for affirmation every time he spoke in public, the anchoring hand he would always lay on Alec’s shoulder before battle and the softness of the words whispered between them.  

Alec was Jace’s hero in every sense of the world. Alec was everything Kit hoped he could be to Mina, little Mina that would hang on to his finger like her life depended on it, who would smile at him every time he picked her up, Mina, who he would die for and live for and do anything and everything for. His light and wild rose, she was so much more than he deserved, but Kit was determined to be exactly who she needed.  

That determination is what kept Kit going as he walked into Magnus and Alec’s kitchen, finding the Consul of the Shadowhunters, the highest authority of their people, one of their most skilled and wisest members, with glitter all over his hair and a well-intended, but still tragically messy rainbow on his cheek, courtesy of his son, Rafael, who looked quite proud of himself.  

— Yes, now you are ready for the party! — Rafe announces, putting the paint-brush down.  

— Thank you for that, I am sure I look... — Alec stops, looking over to Kit, noticing his presence. — Interesting? — He completes, hesitant.  

— That is one way to put it. — Kit answers, barely containing a laugh.  

— He looks gay! — Rafael says, fiercely, crossing his arms.  

— I look what now? — Alec asks, confused, but still entertained.  

— You heard the kid. — Kit is laughing now, not being able to help it.  

— Gay, dad. Papa told me gay means happy as well! He said you would be gay twice if I made you happy on your birthday! — Rafael explains, looking offended his point wasn’t understood. — I know how much you like my drawings, so I made you a gay one, like the flag we bought last week. — Kit feels like he is intruding a lovely family moment, but he is too touched by Rafe’s dedication to miss the scene. Alec smiles and bows down to kiss his son’s forehead.  

— Gracias, hijo. — He says, messing his hair up in sequence. — I do love your drawings and I love you even more. — Rafe smiles back to his dad, pleased with himself. He gets off the table, where he was sitting to be able to paint his dad’s face, and runs to the living room.  

— He is adorable, you know. — Kit says and Alec smirks.  

— Yeah, he really is. I’m lucky. — Alec’s words are simple and direct, like many things about him are, but they stick with Kit. Before he met his family, he used to think love was a complicated, painful and disastrous thing, like what his dad seemed to feel for his mom and for Kit himself, like the lies and betrayal he saw in the Shadow Market, like the tricks he pulled as well. It was only after getting to know Tessa and Jem that Kit noticed love was quite simple, that good, real love was calm and peaceful and felt like home. The trust and the care he learned from them made Kit understand that loving somebody is not about the big gestures and dramatic moves, it is about knowing someone inside out and still staying, not because you desperately needed them, but because you desperately wanted them.  

Alec’s love for his family was a lot like the one Jem and Tessa had, the love they shared with Mina and Kit. That is what prompted Kit to come after Alec today, seeking some guidance in how to present this very same type of love to his little sister.  

— Alec, could I ask you something? I know it is your birthday and I don’t want to bother you, but I promise it will be fast-  

— Kit, just ask it. You’re not bothering me. — Alec cuts his rambling off and Kit is grateful for that, not even understanding why he is so nervous. Ever since he moved in with Tessa and Jem, he had met Alec many times and grew quite close with his family as well, since Tessa was one of Magnus’ oldest friends. If there was one thing he knew, it was that Alec could never be anything other than kind towards him.  

— Okay, sure. Good. — He answers, eyes casting down. — This is probably a weird question, but... How did you make sure you were the brother your siblings needed? Because, honestly, Jace and Izzy adore you and it seems so effortless to you that it blows my mind. I have known Mina her whole life, which is not much, you know? She is only one. But, for her, it is a lot of time! Still, I don’t know what I’m doing.  I feel like- By the Angel, like she needs so much more than I can give her. That is insane, I get it, her favorite word at the moment is poop and she adores to scream it at the top of her lungs every time we’re out, of course she doesn’t have great expectations right now, but she  will someday and I don’t think I will be able to be who she needs me to be. Will I even deserve all the trust she puts in me? All the love she gives me? Will I even-  

— Kit, stop. — Alec firmly demands and Kit is so shocked by the action that he finally turns to look at him. It is quite astonishing to find a sly smile on Alec’s lips. — Just stop, okay? You’re overthinking away too much, trust me: I have been there. It was never effortless to me, quite the opposite. I spent most of my life doubting I could be the right person to keep my siblings safe. When Max-  

He stops, swallows dryly, seeming to gather himself for what he is about to say before speaking again.  

— When Max died, I was destroyed. I felt like I failed him. Somedays I still do, so does Izzy, so does Jace. Still, I know Max would never think that of us, he knows Sebastian is the only one to blame for what happened. —  His expression softens for a moment and Kit hopes he didn’t bring out any hard memories on such a happy day. — What I’m trying to say is that you will never feel like you’re enough or like you know what you’re doing, it will always be hard and the idea of letting Mina down will always be scary. There is no running away from that.  

— So, I will just feel this terrified forever? — He is well aware of how disturbed he sounds, but can’t help it when Alec just dropped this bomb on him.  

— No, not if you learn one little thing, that took me many years to understand. — Alec’s voice is soft now; the tone Kit only ever saw him use around his family.  

— And what is that?  

— Mina already thinks you’re the everything she needs. She already thinks you deserve all the love and trust she gives to you. You know why? — Alec questioned and Kit just stared blankly at him, not knowing what to say. — Because, every single day, you get up and choose to try your best to make her happy and keep her safe. That is all she needs from you: to never stop trying. She doesn’t want you to drive yourself crazy or sacrifice anything for her. I once thought the same, I was sure I could never be myself or be happy, if I wanted my siblings to be proud of me. I thought that was the only way I could protect them. Angel, how I was wrong. All they ever wanted was for me to be exactly who I am. — He glares at Jace laughing loudly in the living room, Izzy rolling her eyes at him, but still smiling softly at her brother shortly after, and something shifts inside of Kit.  

That is what he wants for his and Mina’s future. He wants her to laugh at him until they are both out of breath, he wants her look at him with the just right combination of exasperation and affection, to still grab his hand when she is scared and run to his arms when she is happy.  

— So... You are saying that I should just be myself? — Kit queries and Alec nods, as if he just asked him if the sky was blue.  

— Yes, as cheesy as it sounds, just keep doing what you’re doing and I’m sure you will be fine.  

— But what if who I am is not enough, Alec? — His voice cracks and he hates how obvious his uncertainty is, but Alec doesn’t shudder.  

— Kit, you are more than enough. The fact you even question it already shows you are, that is why you care so much. Still, I know, better than most, that I can’t be the one to tell you that. Any words will fall flat if you don’t believe in it. Look, I wouldn’t worry too much about Mina if I were you. She already adores you. Maybe just focus on believing in yourself, make sure you see why she does. Do that, kid, and I can assure you all these doubts will vanish. — He lays a hand in his shoulder and squeezes it, dropping it shortly after.  

— That was really... Wise. — Kit blurted out, trying to absorb what he just heard.  

— Don’t sound so surprised. — Alec jokes and Kit can’t help but fell an overwhelming sense of gratitude settling in his chest.  

— Thank you for saying all of that. It really helped, like, you have no idea how much. — Kit thanked him; glad he had gone to Alec with his questions.  

— You’re welcome. — He calmly responded, just as Izzy entered the kitchen with an empty glass.

— Alec, where do you keep the wine? Because I’m sure Magnus is hiding the good stuff from me! — She claims, coming to rest against the door way.  

— If I told you where he keeps it, I will probably have divorce files on my desk by morning. — Alec playfully provokes his sister, that just waves his concern away with a hand.  

— Fine, for the sake of your marriage, I will just have you ask him for me. — Then, upon realizing Alec’s lack of interest in the idea, she pouts, moving to hang on Alec’s shoulder. — Please? — He looks down at her and sighs.  

— As you please. — She claps in excitement and kisses him in the cheek.  

— I’ll be waiting! — Izzy announces, before leaving the kitchen.  

— Are you good? — Alec asks Kit once his sister disappears into the living room.  

— I will be. — Kit answers and he is only half faking the confidence in his voice, so he takes that as a win.  

— Yeah, you will. — Alec confirms as he walks away, Kit on his tow. He drops himself back in the couch, deep in thought. He is startled when a tiny hand grabs his left leg. Once Kit looks down, he finds Mina holding on tight to him to push herself up. He smiles down at her as she stands, her grip on Kit so strong he wonders if that is some sort of Shadowhunter-Warlock baby superpower.

— Min-Min, you are getting though. — He proudly states. Mina giggles, as if she understands what he’s saying and puts both of her hands up, a common indication she wants to be picked up by him.  

Kit gladly does so, placing his sister in his lap. She wiggles her little feet up as she rests her head against his chest, one of her hands coming to grip the collar of his shirt. She must probably be tired, her nap time coming up, but Kit tells himself he’ll soon put her down in Rafe’s bed like Magnus offered, even though he knows he most likely won’t. He holds her against his heart as she dozes off, feeling her hand relaxing the grip in order to rest against his heart, her five little perfect fingers going up and down with every heartbeat beneath them.  

In that moment, he’s absolutely sure they’ll be just fine, not because he’s perfect or sure he will never make mistakes, but simply because he loves her away too much to be anything other than his very best self.  

[beclynn-herondale]

jace + taking care of baby son alone for the first time please!!

Thank you, I love writing dad Jace

This is long but worth it

"well buddy it's just me and you, mommy took your sisters to the store," Jace said to his 6 month old son. And he smiled at Jace, that sweet innocent smile that babies and kids have, the smile of them not yet knowing the hardships of life, Jace and Clary swore they would give their kids the best life they could and they would make it easier for them.

And one of Jace's favorite thing about being a dad is his kids smile at him with the smile of knowing exactly who he is, He's dada

Jace read many books about pregnancy when Clary was pregnant with their first baby and he knew Clary would get super emotional but so did he.

He let his son grap his finger and swing it around like babies do, it's funny how at one point in your life all you want is constant fighting and being a hero and then after all that all you wanted was a family and once you have that family there really isn't anything more important.

Clary and the kids were Jace's world now and they are a world he would protect and love until dies.

"you know I love you right bud," Jace said. Stephen squealed and blew raspberries at Jace "I'll take that as a yes," Jace said with the loving and gentle smile he had for the ones he loved, he kissed his son on the cheek

Jace stuck his tongue out at him, and Stephen giggled, Jace started laughing as well, this is why being a parent made him feel so fulfilled, those laughs your kids gave you when you were being silly

The way they trusted you and loved you without a second thought and in return you give them love and take care of them and make sure they know their trust is safe with you, Jace wouldn't be anything less to his kids, he would always make sure they knew he loved and supported them no matter what, and that they can always trust him.

"listen chickpea, you need to stop being so cute and getting bigger, I want to snuggle you forever," Jace told his son while tearing up cause Stephen was already six months and he doesn't know how it's already been six months since he came into the world and they added another precious light to their life.

When Jace and Clary found out they were having another kid they were both overjoyed, Jace got Clary to agree to a big family, after they had their first kid and Celine started getting bigger, Clary came to Jace with tears saying 'she's getting so big it's not fair' at first Jace thought Clary was hurting and his instincts were to take her into his arms but then he found why and he started crying 'i know it seems like yesterday she was a newborn'

And then they met Eleanora who's parents had been killed on a mission and they took her in, Jace and Clary made sure she knew that she was just as much their daughter as Celine was, Jace having an adopted family himself didn't hesitate taking her in, and then a year later Clary found out she was pregnant with their son

And now Jace was here married with the most amazing and beautiful wife he could ever ask for, who is also the best mom ever in his opinion, and with 3 amazing kids who he will give all the love he can to, he had to admit he was nervous, he knew how to be a dad to girls but not a son yet, sure Max and Rafe are boys but that's different, their his nephews, Jace now had a son and he knew he will teach him to be a good man, he will teach his children to be better then he has been and make sure that they know how proud he is of them no matter what.

Jace decided to take Stephen to the greenhouse, "see chickpea, all these plants are beautiful, they all have a purpose and they all are different," Jace was telling his son as he bent down by a Basil plant "see this you use to cook with to give good flavor, one day dada will make you something with it," Jace said beamingly.

"one day I will teach you how to do all kinds of things, but for now you need to stay little," Jace said as he tickled his son, and was given that adorable baby laugh in return.

"you know, you really are precious, and I swear I will be the best dada I can be to you and your sisters, mommy will too, she's great you know, she also loves to the moon and would do anything for you, and she is the strongest person I know," Jace told his son

"oh, and then there's your uncle Alec, he is amazing and he's making the world a better place for the babies like you, he is the truest person I know and he loves you very much, Alec is a very important person to me and he doesn't get enough recognition, but I know you will look up to him just like I do," he said with a fond smile "also if anyone ever hurts you, your aunt Izzy will fight them, she loves you so much as well and she is one of the most amazing women you will ever meet, tho I suppose I am biased, but most of all Izzy will protect you no matter what," Jace said as sat down with his son in his arms and looked him in the eyes, they were Clary's green eyes.

"and your uncle Magnus will teach you how to put eyeliner on some day, and I want you to know that no one else can show you how to do it better, he'll also give you glitter and you will probably make a mess but you'll have a lot of fun doing that, you get that from me, I like to cause trouble," he said teasingly "and your uncle Simon will get you into all kinds of Mundane movies and comic books and I have no idea what they are about, but I'll listen when you come to tell me about them," he said with a smile

"and then there's grandma Maryse, she is another amazing woman, your surrounded by amazing women, she'll sing to you and play with you and spoil you, she'll read to you and make sure you feel safe, she is my mom and she tried her best to make me feel safe, so I know she will for you too," he said as he was starting to tear up.

"and now we talk about Max and Rafe, your cousins, Max is gonna get you into trouble and Rafe will get you both out of it, and you all will have many stories to tell and you'll be close and always have each other's backs, and they love you so much as well."

"and there's Tessa and Jem they are beautiful people who are so kind and loving you wonder if they are real, you know if you ever need them they'll come with hesitation, and they love you, then we have Kit and Mina, Kit will always make sure you have cookies and Mina will play with you and give you bandages if you need one," he said and saw that Stephen was staring at him like he was listening "and there's aunt Emma, she's gonna spoil you along with your sisters, she calls you and your sisters super angel babies, and she will smoother you in kisses so you better watch out, but she is kind and badass and you'll love her."

"and aunt Lily will say she'll eat you cause your so cute but she won't really I promise, aunt Lily is another amazing woman, and she is a savage, trust me she'll teach you things, and there's aunt Maia, I was not so nice to her when we first met but I grew on her and I apologised, and she loves you, she says she doesn't know how I made such cute babies, but i have to admit your mama had a big part in that," he said with a laugh.

"oh and there's Aline and Helen, they'll love you as well, Aline is another badass and amazing woman and Helen is fierce and kind, Aline will also show you how to throw a good lunch but don't tell mama I told you that, and Helen will make your oatmeal with love," Jace said with fondness.

"and there's Mark and Cristina, they are in charge of the Downworlder-Shadowhunter alliance,and Mark will make you weird sandwiches but he makes them with love, and he'll give you strawberries, and Cristina will sing you to sleep with spanish lullabies, your surrounded by so many people who love you, and you'll grow up to know these amazing people," he said emotionally.

"ah, there's my boys," Clary said as she walked up to them. "What's dada telling you chickpea?" She said as she picked their son up and kissed his temple

"I was telling him he is surrounded by good people who will love him," he said

"yes, so many, sometimes I wonder if you'll even know what to do with it all," Clary said with a grateful and loving smile.

"dada! dada!," Called Cece and Nora, Jace saw them running up to him and they tackle hugged him.

"hey my girls," he said as he took them both in his arms and they told him about their visit to the store and Clary took Stephen to go feed him, cause he was now hungry.

Fatherhood was an adventure and it's a adventure he hoped to be on forever, "alright girls let's go get dinner ready while mama takes care of baby chickpea," he said to them.

And they went and made dinner and Jace would never know what he did to deserve this love he now had but he knew he would forever be grateful and make sure he gives as much love back.

Tagging @khaleesiofalicante cause I know you'll be emotions with me

This got long but I couldn't help myself and I wanted to write about them as a family nas wellz hopefully you enjoy anon and hopefully this isn't too bad 🧡💛🧡💛

[normal-thoughts-official]

I’ve seen people argue that Alec wouldn’t choose immortality because of his family (by which they mean his siblings and parents), but I find that… weird because it tells me they don’t consider Magnus Alec’s family. You can’t talk about Magnus and Alec marrying and possibly adopting children, and then suggest that his husband and kids if they decide to have them don’t count as his family.

Besides, “Alec at his core is about family so he wouldn’t want to live without his family (aka the Lightwoods)” has such an uncomfortable flavour to it. Why are same gender unions apparently seen as lesser or inferior to the extent that a gay man is literally expected to follow his ‘real’ family (by which fandom means his parents and siblings) to their grave? Yikes 😬

not to b like "mortal alec stans dont think things through" but mortal alec stans dont think things through like this argument makes no sense??? mortal alec would also have to live without his family

even leaving the part where they are shadowhunters and dying young is kinda their thing, losing ur family and loved ones is literally a part of anybody's life? the whole "curse of immortality" thing isnt because u have to lose ur loved ones, per se, it's because you are doomed to be always alone. but in alec's case that wouldnt be true because he wouldn't be alone, he has magnus and plenty of other immortals he knows, so like 😬

but there is an extremely high chance that, mortal or not, alec will have to live without his family (it's almost guaranteed that his parents and jace will die before him, could go either way with izzy but the chance that she dies first is far from small, the only one that u could say is not likely to die before alec is max and even then........ its not that unlikely. i mean, originally, he was gonna be the only one who would canonically die on alec so jdndjdndksms), and alec not only knows this, but is ready for it? i mean, he was literally ready to kill jace. that was a thing that happened. when he was taken by the owl, alec was going to kill him, he demanded to be the one to kill him. jace also canonically died and alec canonically knew this and he canonically was able to deal with it. i mean sure he was brought back right afterwards but let's be real, alec wasn't despairing, not knowing what to do with his life or how to live without him or whatever

also alec's already been presented that choice and he already chose magnus so? he was gonna become a vampire to be able to rescue him, that means immortality. not only that, but his original (really dumb, very bad) plan was to stay in edom with magnus after that, and presumably he wouldn't make jace, izzy and max stay there with him, so like? he's already canonically chose leaving his siblings over leaving magnus. we already know what he would do if he had that choice

PLUS everything u said like... yes alec is a family man, and magnus is his family. they are fucking married, and more than this being about some concept of biological family, alec's thing with family is about loyalty to the ones he loves, not about blood. i mean, if it involved blood, he wouldn't have fought his (bio) mom over his (adopted) brother. his thing is loyalty, it's devotion, and it's about the people he chooses to keep in his life. let's not forget that he was completely willing to fight and even turn his back on his mother over magnus. that shows that this is not about some "family over anyone else" philosophy, it's about keeping loyal to those he loves. and that undoubtedly includes magnus, there's just no way to argue otherwise

in short: this argument falls apart at literally EVERY seam, being a mortal wouldn't change the fact that he's gonna have to live without his family, his character core is not about valuing blood over anything else, it's about being loyal to those he loves, magnus is his family, and we already know he's willing to pick abandoning them over abandoning magnus. if u want mortal alec pick something else to hit me with cuz that ain't a good one luv

[faejilly]

back-to-back

today’s fictober is from the OTPtober list [here].

It’s a continuation of my Shadowhunters post-canon Clizzy collection girls who can’t breathe air, only fire. (This takes place during the time skip, and the ficlets will be increasingly canon divergent as I manage more of them).

aka Alec Lightwood & Isabelle Lightwood and what even is a soulmate?

“We were going to try and be parabatai.” Izzy hadn’t meant to say that, but she heard her voice echo through the almost empty armory, and barely held in the wince.

She refused to turn her head to look at Alec directly, but even just out of the corner of her eye she could see him blink at her, then at the kindjals on the table in front of her. 

She could see when he figured out what she was talking about, the oh practically audible in the way his eyes widened.

She couldn’t tell what he thought about it though, his expression mostly blank but vaguely... heavy. “I’m sorry?”

Izzy leaned back in her chair and sighed, and stared at the ceiling as if it would make more sense than her thoughts. “You sure about that?”

“Obviously.” Alec scoffed, and she lifted her head in surprise. He was leaning on the edge of the table now, close enough she could reach out and touch him; if she tried to twist her chair she’d bump her knees right up against his legs. “I was just surprised. You never wanted a parabatai when we were growing up.”

She shrugged, and Alec’s lips twitched into that small fond smile he only ever aimed at her or Jace or Max. “You should have seen your face when Jace first tried to bring it up to us, you were so horrified.”

“Well, I knew he didn’t want to be my parabatai, I didn’t have to think it was a good idea.” She sighed. “It worked out for you two, though.”

“Eventually.” Alec’s voice was dry as a desert, and she shrugged again.

“Told you it would.”

He kicked her chair, not hard enough to make it move, but enough she couldn’t miss it.

She stuck her tongue out at him.

He raised his eyebrows, but he was still smiling, warm and soothing.

“How’d you know?” Izzy asked. “When Jace asked, that you should say yes?”

His eyebrows lifted even higher. “If I recall correctly, I didn’t, you did.”

She shook her head. “Before that. Not the ceremony itself, that was just nerves, you made it all the way to the finish line yourself.”

“And then you pushed me across it when I almost tripped?”

“Yeah.” She nudged him with her knee. “Wasn’t about to let my brothers embarrass me in public like that.”

He snorted, clearly not falling for that act. “Like you weren’t cheering when I embarrassed the family name much more dramatically and even more in public with Magnus.”

“Simon was the only one who cheered.” He gave her a very unimpressed face, and she couldn’t help the giggle. “You know what I mean.”

“Hmmm.” He tilted his head, clearly giving it more thought than she’d expected. Though she wasn’t sure why that surprised her, he always gave things more thought than she would. That was, in fact, why she was asking him. “I almost didn’t.”

She blinked. She hadn’t realized that; he’d seemed happy about it, at first.

“I was sure he actually wanted to be your parabatai and was only asking me because you weren’t interested.”

Izzy’s mouth opened, but she couldn’t manage words, could barely manage breathing. She shook her head a little, and managed to mouth a what?

Alec huffed out a breath, clearly amused by her expression. “You have got to remember how good he was at everything Hodge and Mom asked him to do, and you’ve always been brilliant, the smartest person in the room and we all knew it. I always felt like I was playing catch-up to my younger siblings, it was exhausting.”

Jace worshipped you, she thought, but she swallowed the words. She’d always thought that that had been the real why behind Alec’s unfortunate crush, that having someone look at him like he was the center of the universe had to be intoxicating, and now, to realize he hadn’t even noticed...

She didn’t know what to say to that, or even if she should, now, over ten years too late.

“But he was family, regardless of how confusing my own feelings were, and I knew he needed help remembering that.” Alec shrugged. “He needed to be a Lightwood, and I needed him to know we were here for him.”

Izzy frowned, trying to reconcile that with the glee with which they fought together, how broken they’d both been when they’d damaged the bond when Clary showed up, when Valentine came back, the sound Alec had made when Jace had died by Lake Lyn.

“That doesn’t sound like a good enough reason for a soul bond.” It sounded... too pragmatic.

Alec shook his head. “It’s the only reason for a soul bond. You have to know that you wouldn’t be the same person if you lost them, they have to already be too important to live without, or you’ll hate that second heart-beat in your chest rather than treasuring it.”

Izzy swallowed. She’d always thought of the parabatai ceremony, or a wedding, or a serious relationship, as a leap of faith, as things that could break your heart, that they were the beginning of the risk, not the end, not... not that they were just admitting out loud something that had already happened.

Alec waited, silent and steady.

“Why’d you listen to me?” She whispered this time, edging close to something she wasn’t sure she was ready to consider just to herself, much less out loud and to Alec. But Alec was the only person who might... who might know what she meant. “When I told you to be his brother and try and forget the rest?”

“Because at some level I knew you were right.” His voice was calm, no pause at all before he’d answered.

He hadn’t been surprised by her question.

“What if I’m wrong about--” she had to swallow to get her voice to work, “--about Clary?”

“You’re not.” Alec put his hand over hers, and she jerked in surprise; she hadn’t even realized she’d put her hand on his leg, her fingers starting to dig into his thigh as she tensed. “Do you want her to know that she’ll always be a Lightwood, that we’ll always be there for her... or do you want her to be yours?”

Oh.

Izzy closed her eyes.

“Shit.”