#Magnus has the best lines and Alec has the best facial expressions that’s all

[im-out-of-it]

part two of season two, episode four discussion post continued “day of wrath”

40. Magnus killing it in the fashion department in this episode

41. I like when they would put Magnus in more colorful attire. the black clothing is nice but Magnus is very versatile and can literally pull off anything. that’s why I think season one Magnus is super iconic because there isn’t a hairstyle or clothing that he wore that he didn’t look fantastic in. I just wish in the last two seasons, they would’ve spiced up his wardrobe and gave him different hairstyles. I like the spiked look but what about the pink hair, the different hairstyles?????

42. IM SORRY BUT SEASON ONE MAGS IS SO UNDERRATED SO CAN WE PLEASE APPRECIATE HIM??????

43. shit where was I???? oh that’s right, Simon is trying to open Camille’s little snake trapping protection box thing

44. Simon: ribs sound appetizing but not for me

45. also this is from last episode and Magnus’s facial expressions are always ON POINT

46. well good old hodge is the cell next to Jace. always fun when the person who cuts off your hand is now next to you in prison

47. ew hodge just told jace he’s the best. ADVIL PLEASE

48. I actually don’t mind the whole demons taking over shadowhunters bodies but I don’t like certain ones being blamed for the actions demons did (cough cough trying to make Alec feel guilty in a way clary)

49. Luke and Jocelyn have zero chemistry. I said what I said. I’m glad they got rid of her and put with Luke with someone else (don’t want to ruin anything for first time watchers)

50. also forgot to post this as well:

51. I love how everyone waits to be let in to Magnus’s loft and Alec just walks in as he owns the place lmao (I’m not sure if the bottom left is Alec just coming in but I wouldn’t be surprised.) Alec + Magnus’s loft = a package deal

52. to be fair, alec comes with the apartment (a little jest for season three) I just love how comfortable Alec is that he can just come in but technically, he’s been doing that before they got together. you can’t say no to Alec it’s impossible

53. BUT RAPHAEL CAN WE CRY FOR HIM YET

54. Simon is coming at the worst possible time

55. and before we get to Simon and Raphael fighting and causing Magnus a migraine, can we talk about the beautiful friendship Raphael has with Magnus? I didn’t like their friendship in the books. it was a very sarcastic but almost we aren’t that great of friends style in the books. I didn’t like it. I like how Raphael can come to Magnus in the show and not be embarrassed. I think they’re a lot closer in the show. I absolutely adore that some of the downworlders are Magnus’s children because he can’t have any children (biologically)

56. Magnus: revenge at its finest

57. and it’s so sweet to see Magnus catering to Raphael’s wounds. show Magnus will always have my heart. he’s constantly helping others even when his world is burning. literally has been through so much with Alec already and he’s been helping Alec out, Simon, and Raphael. there are no limits to Magnus and his kindness.

(helped clary try to get her memories, helped wake Jocelyn up, helped get book of the white and endured seeing Camille and magicking up a draft that sets Camille free, helps Simon face his fears, helps Raphael with his wounds, tracks Camille down knowing how difficult it’ll be, helps Alec with coming out and making sure he is comfortable, helps Luke with his wounds and this is just within 17 episodes) I’m just saying- there’s so much content they could’ve used with Magnus

58. Lydia’s back and not in the mood for raj

59. Magnus ended ya Raj so I would tread carefully lmao

60. asking Magnus to deliver Camille is a big ask because of their history. he definitely has a big choice although difficult one to make 😭 Camille hurt Magnus gravely but she also saved his life in a lot of ways. it’s not like “oh she’s my insane ex that I can’t wait to rid of” but at a time, they did have something beautiful. but when it comes to saving the downworlders vs Camille’s happiness, it sort of helps determine which choice is the best

61. Simon: how the fuck are you everywhere

62. ah just two sons of Magnus fighting

63. Magnus: children enough! if you’re going to fight, I’m going to need a drink 🍸 and we might as well make it a double

64. Raphael: this motherfucker has had Camille’s grave dirt all this time and I just find out?????? I WAS TORTURED FOR THIS? also to be fair, it’s not as though Simon went through vampire academy training 😭

65. see ya soon Camille

Simon: I portaled to freaking india and faced a cobra!!!!!! yeah Raphael, cut Simon some slack. he had to learn how to encanto while Magnus was shopping through his belongings lmao

stopping at 66 because I should remember that and will continue part three later

[bytheangell]

Top 5 malec moments? And top 5 Clary's outfits if you can? =)

I’m going to answer this one with a very heavy asterisk of *my favorites of ANYTHING changes on an almost daily basis. This is more like “5 Malec moments I love right this second” and I know the second I post this I’ll think of 5 more I’d want to add or switch out jfkdlsjfklsd. But right now off the top of my head we’re going to go with: 

1. 3x02. Is it cheating to pick ALL of 3x02? I suppose it is. So very specifically, the entire scene with Alec running diversion talking to Lorenzo while Magnus sneaks in and around while Alec and Lorenzo look upstairs. I loved every second of that entire thing and even though they don’t directly speak with one another the exasperated and exaggerated facial expressions are easily my favorite interaction between them. 

2. 1x10. Their interaction when Magnus is trying to get into the party in This World Inverted. I love the parallels (but reversed!) to what we saw of them so far in the normal timeline. That suave Alec? That oblivious Magnus? YES PLEASE. 

3. 3x15. I’m going to go ahead and throw the “Your handsome friend” “Underhill?” “So you think he’s handsome?!” scene in here. I love this scene for a lot of reasons: Magnus being honest about something bothering him when he could’ve easily brushed it off, and Alec really taking note of it to pay more attention to doing things like that in the future if it upsets him that much. And then the bewildered amusement Alec feels over the idea that Magnus is actually, honestly jealous?! Like, I’m positive this is the first time that thought ever crossed Alec’s mind, he wouldn’t even consider the possibility and it’s so pure. It’s also really nice to see them get to have normal relationship problems that aren’t ‘my dad’s a greater demon’ and ‘the world will literally end if we aren’t forced into separate planes of existence’. (I also like to imagine they went back and had a longer discussion about Magnus’ concerns since Simon’s call cut it short) 

4. 3x03. Alec cooking and being nervous before his mom shows up. That little glimpse of domestic Malec we get is the absolute best. Magnus plucking food out of Alec’s hair (Alec HOW?!), getting ready to host family, just a sweet little moment where the biggest thing Alec has to worry about is whether is mom is going to like the food and get along with his boyfriend, and the biggest thing Magnus has to worry about is Alec downing way too much wine before the dinner even starts out of nerves. It’s sweet, and such a nice glimpse into what they deserve: a little peace and happiness and normality. 

5. 1x12. And I mean, obviously the wedding kiss has to go here. Magnus putting himself out there and in a position to be very publicly humiliated if Alec ignores him or sends him off. Alec’s few moments of panic while he considers the possibility of putting himself and his personal wants and needs first for once. The tension is as high as the stakes and the payoff of Alec taking control and striding down that aisle to kiss his man - beautiful <3 

-------------

For Top 5 Clary outfits, I’m going to toss it under a cut so it isn’t too long/image heavy!

1. I love this romper so much?! I love fun sleeves, and tassels, and I have no idea why but I was just immediately very fond of this look. 

2. I adore everything about this. The ripped jeans, the tied-up shirt, the way she was just entirely in her comfort zone vibing to her headphones while she drew, a+++. 

3. I might be in the minority here, but I loved ‘One Year Later’ finale Clary’s look. The skirt and belt are the perfect simple/chic to go with the busy top (and I love that top?! a lot?!), and the bracelet with the danglies is such a nice extra touch (and I know we’re talking about clothes but I LIKED THE HAIR TOO, COME AT ME). Anyway. Finale Clary. Yes. 

4. This World Inverted Clary, which I apparently can’t find good photos of to save my life. The bright purple portal shard goes so well with that tank top, which feels like it has perfect ‘normal mundane artsy Clary’ vibes. This is one of those “I don’t know why I love this I just do’ ones for me. Maybe because it’s very ‘high school me’ feeling. I 100% would’ve owned this (hell, I’d probably buy it now). 

5. The Malec wedding dress. It’s so perfect for her, and I remember reading in an interview that they actually designed it for her, so that makes sense. It flows so well when she moves, and I love the little lines of fabric over the chest (which are harder to see here) and the simple criss-cross back, and I’m a sucker for dresses with uneven heights at the bottom (like this one, coming up higher on the sides, longer in the back, LOVE THAT). 

[lynne-monstr]

Writers Month Day 14: Fairy Tale

prompt requested by @ketzwrites (thanks!)

.

There’s a prince locked away in the tallest tower of Edom, kept prisoner by his evil demon father. Alec intends to rescue him and make him his husband.

“What, really?” Isabelle asks, arms crossed over her chest.

“I mean, not if he doesn’t want to,” Alec responds. “But come on, he’s got to be bored up there all alone. It’s a good deal. He’d be a fool to turn it down.”

“Wow, and they say romance is dead.”

“Not all of us were lucky enough to find love on the training field,” Alec shoots back.

Isabelle smiles in a way that softens her whole face. It’s widely known throughout the kingdom that the only thing more terrifying than Isabelle Lightwood on the training field is when she and her wife team up to take challengers. But the downside of her whirlwind marriage to Lydia Branwell is that it had knocked from the running the only contender who qualified by the Nephilim’s own ancient laws to share the throne with Alec by marriage.

Not that Prince Alec is upset by that. If anything, he’s relieved. With Lydia off the market, there’s no pressure on him to propose an unwanted match. It does, however, leave the throne vulnerable.

“So that’s your plan?” Isabelle asks. “Sneak into Edom and hope to get a marriage contract signed just for showing up and smiling.”

“And slaying the dragon.” Alec’s looking forward to that part. He has a new bow and everything. It shoots five arrows. Five.

Isabelle doesn’t look convinced. “How do you know this guy even likes men?”

Alec groans. “Come on, Izzy, I did my research in the archives. Magnus Bane once put a sign in front of his tower that read ‘Caution: Goes Both Ways.’ I think it’s safe to say he likes guys.”

The question is, would Magnus Bane like him? At least, would he like him enough to say yes. Alec is trying not to think too hard about the answer. He can’t afford to fail in this quest.

Isabelle looks impressed before her forehead scrunches up in a way Alec would never dare call adorable to her face. “How’d he do that if he’s locked up?”

“Magic, I guess? He’s a warlock.” Alec frowns. “Why are you so against this anyway? You know the laws as well as I do. If I don’t marry before I turn 25, the Morgensterns have legal grounds to challenge our right to the crown. I have to do this.”

“I know, Alec. It’s just…what about love? You deserve to be happy.”

“I’ll be happy when I secure the throne.” Alec grins and hopes it doesn’t look strained. Happiness was never in the cards for him. “Besides, it’s just Edom. And a dragon. How hard can it be?”

.

(Several Days Later. In Edom.)

Alec backs into the hard stone wall, his own arrow digging into his throat.

“I’m here to rescue you!” he shouts. The words cause the sharpened point to dig into his throat and he winces.

“Not another one,” Magnus Bane mutters. He’s on the opposite side of the room, his hands a matching red to the magic levitating Alec’s arrow. Both eyebrows arch upwards in a way that drips sarcasm. “How’s that going for you?”

Alec stops trying to duck around the arrow. It’s a lost cause. “Not great, but I think you can see that.”

There’s a spare dagger sheathed at his back but he doesn’t draw it. For all he’s being threatened, it’s more playful than hostile. The tip of his arrows are sharpened to a fine enough point to pierce any object, yet not a single drop of blood has been drawn from his throat.

Besides, he’s a little busy staring at Magnus Bane.

There are few sketches of the captive warlock in the archives and none of them do him justice. Captive warlock might be a slight misnomer, he corrects, mentally cursing the archives of Alicante. Nowhere in his research did it suggest that Magnus Bane has anywhere near the level of power he’s displaying. Whatever’s keeping him in this tower, it isn’t the scraps of low-level entrapment spells that barely cover the entrances.

He’s also the most beautiful man Prince Alec has ever laid eyes on. His dark hair is styled high on his head and his clothing is fine enough to cost a good chunk of Alec’s monthly household budget. The dramatic makeup isn’t something Alec usually sees on men, but it suits him. Silver metal glints on his fingers and his chest, swaying with him as he moves. He looks equal parts deadly and drop dead gorgeous.

Alec doesn’t realize his tongue has darted out to lick his lips until Magnus’ deeply lines eyes flicker down to look at his mouth. A surge of heat rushes downwards and he shifts against where he’s pressed against the wall.

“Um, can you let me go now?” Alec asks.

“Let you go?” Magnus’ expression darkens. “I should throw you in the dungeon for what you did to Harold.”

“Harold?”

Magnus gestures towards the injured dragon behind him. The beast has four arrows sticking out of its hide. As if sensing prying eyes, it whines in what sounds like pain and hides its head. “I don’t take lightly to people hurting my friends.”

“I was trying to rescue you!”

An whirlwind rages in Magnus’ eyes as he spits out each word.“You broke into my home. The only person I need to be rescued from is you.” He curls his lips as he adds, “And I’m doing a stellar job of it, if I do say so myself.”

He raises an arm and Alec tenses, ready to pull his blade and fight, but Magnus merely places his hand on the dragon’s hide. Moments later, the arrows fall to the floor and the wounds heal in a flash of bright blue.

The dragon makes a noise like an excited puppy and stretches out its long neck to nuzzle Magnus’ stomach. Magnus scratches under his dragon’s chin and turns back to Alec. “Now, where were we?”

“Prince Bane.” Alec draws himself up the way he was taught in his earliest etiquette lessons. “I’ve transgressed on your home and I offer my apologies to you and your—” Alec looks at the dragon, who has its eyes closed as Magnus lavishes it with attention, “—your friend,” he finishes, clearing his throat awkwardly.

Magnus’ face brightens. “Most people don’t include Harold in their apology.” He snaps a finger and the arrow at Alec’s neck falls to the ground, the red cloud holding it in place dissipating in a soft pop.

Alec rubs at his neck. “I take it you don’t need to be rescued.”

“Do you have any idea how many books are in this tower?” Magnus’ eyes light up. “I think it used to be a library in the days Before. There’s more magical knowledge here than in the whole of Edom. Why would I want to leave and set foot in my father’s kingdom that only knows war and suffering? I’m happy where I am.”

Each word is a blow and Alec struggles not to show his despair. His quest is a failure. There are other potential matches he can proposition, but the Lightwoods are running out of time and Magnus Bane was the closest available option. Alec doesn’t have time to try again.

“Don’t look so disappointed,” Magnus says, either not realizing or not caring that Alec’s world is falling apart. His shoulders sway slightly as his eyes graze over Alec from head to toe. “We can make the best of it, handsome. I can pretend, if that’s what you’re into. I do a great warlock in distress routine.” He taps his lip with the hand not petting Harold’s scales. “Play your cards right and you can even tie me up before you ‘save’ me.”

Alec nearly trips over his own feet at the realization of what Magnus is suggesting, his thoughts of mounting his family’s defense against the Morgensterns scattering to the oppressive Edom wind.

He can feel the blood rushing to his face. None of his research has prepared him for meeting Magnus Bane. He shakes away the image of Magnus bound up in rope the color of his magic. He’ll think about it later. Much later. When he’s back in his bed behind a locked door.

Right now he has more pressing matters at hand. Princely matters. “Actually, I was thinking marriage.” He came all this way, he may as well take his shot.

Magnus freezes. “Excuse me?”

“I mean,” Alec stumbles to halt. Because that’s exactly what he means. But now, standing in front of his intended, this whole matrimony in exchange for rescue thing seems a lot sketchier than it did in his etiquette books. What can he say to explain why he’d make a good husband. I stalked you, broke into your home, and attacked your friend isn’t exactly a rousing endorsement.

Did other princes really do this? And their princes and princesses agreed to it?

Nevertheless, he steels himself for rejection and explains his people’s predicament. Magnus looks in turn guarded and sympathetic as the full story tumbles out. It isn’t until Alec gets to the part about Valentine’s son Jonathan, whose secret plan is to summon the demon Lilith that Magnus startles.

“Lilith is an ancient enemy of my people as well.” For the first time, Magnus looks discomfited. “She can’t be allowed to roam free.”

“If you marry me, she won’t.”

“You really know how to lay the romance on thick, don’t you.” The words are eerily similar to Isabelle’s own admonition, days earlier. Alec misses her with a fierce ache in his heart but doesn’t have time to dwell on it as Magnus purses his lips and adds, “I’ll need my own closet.”

Alec nods. “Consider it done.”

“And Harold will be given free reign over the kingdom.”

“Naturally.”

“There’s only one last thing. A test, if you will. If you pass, consider my agreement given.”

Alec straightens, hands naturally falling to clasp behind him. “Name it.”

“A kiss.” Magnus takes a step forward, his eyes both an invitation and a challenge.

It’s a challenge Alec readily accepts. In a few long, confident strides he closes the space between them.

The Prince of Edom is a tall man, but those last couple inches mean that he has to look up to meet Alec’s gaze. Ever so gently, Alec curls his hands on either side of Magnus’ neck, thumbs pressing against the underside of his jaw until his head is tilted back enough for Alec’s liking.

Their kiss is the barest press of lips, but Alec feels like he’s drowning.

Magnus tastes like fruit from his lip balm, and the stubble of his facial hair scratches lightly against Alec’s chin. He can feel the racing pulse of Magnus’ throat against his fingers, along with the cool touch of the many necklaces against his palms. Magnus’ own hands clench a bruising grip around Alec’s hips, keeping him in place with a ferocity that lights a spark of hope within Alec, that perhaps Magnus feels the potential igniting between them.

After what feels like forever, they part.

Neither of them is eager to move and in a calculated risk, Alec lets his head drop so his forehead rests against Magnus. His hands uncurl, sliding down to a more appropriate place on Magnus’ shoulders. His very large, very muscular shoulders.

Please let him say yes.

Alec wants this match for the good of his people but, unexpectedly and for the first time, he wants it for himself. He wants Magnus. Not just his body, but his quick wit and his fire and his willingness to throw himself off into the arms of a stranger and a strange kingdom for his people’s safety.

Reluctantly, Alec pulls back into his own space.

“Did I pass?” Alec says.

“Oh that’s one word for it.” Magnus seems to remember himself and straightens so his posture matches Alec’s own. “I accept your offer, Prince Alec.”

Alec can’t help the small, hopeful grin that stretches across his face.

.

(“About the closet. How big is it, exactly?” Magnus asks, as he leads Alec deeper into his tower so they can start planning.)

.

Prince Alec returns to his land and he brings his husband Prince Magnus with him.

[adorealeclightwood]

Alec in 3x09.

Hey guys! 

I’m so sorry I kept you waiting. I received exactly 68 asks and 42 messages wondering when the hell I was going to have this posted. If you were worried about annoying me, please know that I wasn’t annoyed at all. It’s always nice seeing how many of you like reading what I have to say, so thanks for never letting me forget that. It means more to me than you’ll ever know. 

Now, enough with me being sappy. Let’s talk about Alec.

I’m going to start off with a scene the petty side of me really enjoyed. 

Alec’s talk with Lorenzo.

(Can we take a moment to appreciate how absolutely wonderful Matthew was in this? He does sophistication so well. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I could listen to that man speak for hours.) 

Back to Alec. 

Our man is back to doing what he does best, and that’s using his position as head of the Institute to make shit happen. Did anyone else swoon when he said my Institute? Ugh, my baby’s all grown up. He’s come so far. From constantly being left in charge when mommy and daddy were gone, to accepting that he’d never truly be the one to take over, to now. Now, it’s his Institute, and this time, he doesn’t have to be the distraction. Now, all he has to do is tick the right boxes. 

Which he does, quite beautifully. 

Address the issue? Check. 

Get Lorenzo nice and comfortable with his favorite tea? Check. 

Elaborate on the area of concern? Check. 

Outline a goal as well as the steps necessary to achieve said goal? Check. 

Provide information on how Lorenzo can help? Check. 

Conclude with an appeal to Lorenzo’s ego by reminding him of his own superiority? Fucking check.

They might as well start playing this scene in AP English classes across the country, because that, ladies and gentlemen, is ethos-pathos-logos in a nutshell.

Once all that was laid out, our man kept it classy (as always) and stuck to the facts. Lilith is a threat to everyone, not just the Shadowhunters. Lorenzo may have taken the credit for the ley lines, but we know exactly who put the work in. (Hint: last name Bane). 

Now, you guys know my stance on blackmail, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t hot when Alec Lightwood is the one doing the blackmailing. 

“Maybe your people deserve to know the truth too.”

The way his tone shifted from professional to slightly mocking? The look on his face? 

I would’ve been ready to do whatever he asked at that point, only, he doesn’t stop there. He decides to lay it on extra thick, and you can’t help but agree with him, because he’s right. 

Alec faced a lot of opposition when he decided to get the Institute involved with the ley line situation. Raj was even bold enough to lock Alec out of the system. Not only was Alec’s reputation on the line, but if things had gone wrong, the Institute itself could’ve been compromised. In the end, Magnus was the one to get things back in order, when in all actuality, it should’ve been Lorenzo, you know, new high warlock and all. Lorenzo, who was probably somewhere with his nose in the air, while Magnus - the one he claimed had been unfit for the job - was doing what needed to be done. If you ask me, he owes Alec and Magnus - big time. 

Lorenzo let all that sink in, put on a fake smile like everything was cool, and Alec was not having it. Again, his facial expression gave me life. Like, don’t kiss up to me, bitch, just get it done.

Now, on to my favorite scene.

Alec on the balcony with Magnus. 

As the great Magnus Bane said, it’s been a day. 

(Note: Alec’s little “is something burning?” was so cute to me.)

Magnus reveals that the warlocks are no longer an option, and Alec is visibly defeated. He’s not angry with Magnus or Lorenzo; he’s simply defeated, because this was their only option as far as he knew. 

So that’s it. Jace is trapped in his own personal hell, and I can’t get him out. 

He asked me to kill him, and I was too selfish to listen. 

For those of you who read Fix You, you know that I hinted at the possibility of Alec feeling selfish for not killing Jace when he begged him to, because in a way, it was. However, it’s important to understand that no matter how selfish it may have been, it was justified. 

Jace was going through actual hell, and Alec couldn’t bring himself to kill him, because Alec isn’t wired that way. He and Jace are parabatai; sworn to protect each other, no matter what. Would it have been easier to put Jace out of his misery? Absolutely, but Alec would rather do any and everything in his power to save him, because that’s what Alec does. It’s what he’s always done, only this time, things are different. 

I have to kill Jace, and I’ll be damned if I let anybody else do it. 

Guys. This is something I like to call painfully poetic. 

You have to remember, in Alec’s mind, this is all on him. He was the one who didn’t kill Jace when he had the chance (since Jace asked him first). He was the one who failed to keep his promise. He was the one who couldn’t save him, so for Alec, it’s only fitting for it all to come full circle, and he be the one to kill Jace once and for all. 

It also puts into perspective how fucked up things have to be to make Alec fucking Lightwood decide that killing Jace would be better than trying and failing to save him again. 

(Answer: Monumentally fucked up.) 

This is some serious shit, and Magnus picks up on how serious it is when he hears Alec say that he has to kill Jace. So, he throws him a lifeline, and Alec melts my heart yet again. 

He’d been feeling so guilty, so upset with himself over everything, so sure of himself in his decision to kill his parabatai, yet less than ten seconds after making that declaration, he’s spinning around to hear what Magnus has to say. 

He’s turning around, because there’s still a chance. 

Alec turns around because he still has hope. 

There’s one more thing they can try, but it isn’t pretty. It’s Asmodeus, who’s actually beyond pretty, but that’s not the point. 

The point is, they’re going to need help from the actual prince of hell, and for a second, Alec looks stunned, because that is not what he wanted to hear. It’s not something Magnus was exactly thrilled to say either, but like I said, he was throwing Alec a lifeline. 

We didn’t get to see much of Alec in this episode, but the parts we did see were everything. 

I’m going to love and protect him, always. 

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

[jaskiersbeloved]

3x03 What Lies Beneath

Warning: This review contains spoilers

1. JACE

Okay but like... Boy... You need to go to sleep... And stop using this damn stamina rune ffs, like it’s not the solution... Or maybe don’t because you are walking around attacking inncoent Mundanes.... But when you are NOT sleeping you are destroying dinners... Um... Generally STOP.

2.RAPHAEL

GIVE RAPHAEL A BREAK 2K18!!! Like omfg I pity him so much? First Rosa, then Simon and then Hedi? OMG? Really? And pretty much EVERYTHING at the course of what? One day? Holy hell, no wonder that he finally burst out on Simon. I mean this first talk with Rosa? I started to literally crying :( And then she died and I cried much more... But why he was keeping Hedi shut? Like??

3.SIMON

Poor boy, got wet in the river!! The Queen didn’t want ot see him, awww... No,okay, but seriosuly? Can those werewolves??? Just?? Stop???? They literally made Luke to get him out! A young freaking boy, after such a hard time? OMG? Just let him live, where will he live now? With his family? Or what??

4. MARYSE

DRUNK (?) HAPPY MARYSE IS MY FAV MARYSE! I mean omg, she grew so much, her charachter development is A++++? This entry? Legends only, I tell you that! Also... JUST YOU TOUCH MARYSE AND I WILL BURN DOWN CLAVE! I promise you that! Omg, how could you! Robert is the evil one in this family and yet Maryse is paying the price... I will chop their heads off. Holy damn, I wonder how the hell she is holding up... But I guess that if she had lived through Alec’s and Izzy’s cooking she can live through everything...  Also she looked so damn good this episode??? That?? I??? Can’t???

5. Alec

You cutie patootie, leave the kitchen please, if you don’t want to poison everyone that is <3 Omg, have you even SEEN his face when Maryse told that she actually didn’t like the strew? His whole life fell apart XD But also... Alec, you showed you have a lil Captain America burried inside of you, go all Cap from Winter Soldier and shut down Clave pls... I know you can’t but um... Ugh... Best son? Best son.

6. Magnus

HELLO, I WANT AN OSCAR FOR HARRY AND HIS FACIAL EXPRESSIONS IN THIS EPISODE?! AND NOT CHOKING ON THAT STREW? XDD I mean god bless him for saving this meal XD You know what geniually made me almost cry? Magnus laughing and his little smile after Maryse hugged him for the second time. That smile was so soft and warm that I was like !!! And damn, he and his generosity will be the death of me, I tell you that! He just simply offered his home? Damn, I’m in tears...

7. Malec

WHAT KIND OF FANFICTION WAS THIS ALL? Malec cooking? Being softies and totally married? OMG? Writers?? Helo? A word to the mic? No? Well, okay, I’ll gladly accept that. Also,Alec,sweetie, HOW THE HECK DID YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE THIS VEGTABLE IN YOUR HAIR? HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW?? And sweetheart, control your hearteyes, your mum’s watchng! :p But well this episode was mostly them making heart eyes at each other sooo... <3

8. IZZY

Lmao this scene in the Institute with Malec and her. Girl most certainly has already planned their wedding in her head :P Izzy was so supporting in this episode? Like this scene with Raphael? Omg. This was truley beautiful. She just simply offered her support to him, saying that she will be there at Rosa’s funreal and I’m like... Also this scene at Morgan’s party... Damn, you just won’t escape this guy now, will you :P

9. CLARY

Hi there, you look pretty. Bonus points for you for not keeping Jace’s... Um... Mania from everyone. I like that you worry and that you geniually made (at least I think so) an effort to help Simon with his... Um... Mark.

10. SEBASTIAN

Hello, hello, long time no see, haven’t missed you so much to be honest... But hey look, at least your mother loves you right? RIGHT?! I geniually enjoyed his fight with Jace though... It was... Pretty well done.

11. Hedi

Oh hello? You’re alive! Then why are you... Um... So freaking crazy? Like was she like this before? Or what? I really hope it will get explained! :/ Also side note: don’t play with your food and don’t touch Raphael. I am asking nicley... For now

12. Luke

Omg, poor him. He was really between the devil and the deep blue sea... Like there was not “good” way for him to made his way out of this situation. I’m just... It was just so... So hopless... I’m... Ugh...

13. SAIA

Asdfghjkl the cutest ship omg!! They are just so supportive! And Maia geniually cares about him, it’s just so, so sweet! <3 laso Maia raining out his jacket, lmao XD

14. MAIA

Lmao the best girl out there, really. Like she’s so supportive and strong and funny, I love that! <3

15. Charlie

Lmao, good for you dude XD At least you have the number now! I mean who wouldn’t give you their number, with pick-up lines like that? :P

16. Ollie

DAMNIT GIRL! Don’t put your girl in danger! Ffs, you should have known better than this!

17. OVERALL

This episode was mostly tears tears and tears. Malec was keeping a good balance in all of those tears, ebing cute as hell. I loved the scene between Jace and Sebastian. Like the use of the mirrors was so clever, okay?? So I’m going to give this episode 5/6 and go and swim in my tears <3

[ralfstrashcan]

3x05 Malec Scene Analysis

I already gushed about this scene in my reaction to that episode but honestly, there is so much to this that it needs a separate post. Here we go.

He says this so flatly, the implied question “Why didn't you answer?” isn't even a question anymore. I feel there is slight accusation in his voice, betraying his nerves, showing how on edge he is, before the box-immortality-topic is even addressed. This shows that it's been in his mind all day, since he first peeked into the box and it hasn't left his thoughts ever since.

*“I've been busy.” (Damn, incorrect subtitles, driving me crazy.)

Sure, Magnus, so busy with accounting you didn't have time to answer your boyfriend. You're not fooling anyone. With the knowledge that Magnus already knew that Alec had looked through his things I think it's pretty obvious that Magnus has been avoiding Alec. Why? Maybe he was hurt and/or angry that Alec would invade his privacy. Or maybe he couldn't bear the thought that he'd talk to Alec and Alec won't mention what he did, will lie about it, even if it's only lying by omission. I think after that whole Soul Sword Debacle it's safe to say that Magnus is a bit sensitive about that.

I love that Alec is so honest, because this is who he is. Even with that Soul Sword Debacle, he immediately admitted that he knew when Magnus confronted him.

First off, I hope that Magnus would have addressed this matter himself if Alec hadn't, but since Alec did we'll never know. Second off, notice how Magnus busies himself with things to do? He is clearly tense about this whole affair, and this is the first indication.

“I had no right. It was an invasion of your privacy and I'm sorry.”

I don't need to say anything to Alec's apology except it's very Alec: short and to the point, very accurate, and not trying to find excuses for what he did. He's taking full responsibility for his actions.

“Apology accepted.”

Magnus forgives easily, this isn't news, but I feel like he should have tagged on an “if it never happens again.” I don't think Alec would do something like this again and Magnus probably thinks that, too, but. I don't know. I feel like it should be acknowledged from Magnus as well that what Alec did here was a serious breach of privacy and this is something huge. Even if it is forgiven almost instantly I imagine Magnus was pretty worked up about it when he first found out and he should communicate that, because I feel like he tends to gloss over how much stuff affects him.

“He.. must be special.”

I love everything about the way this line is delivered. The hesitance to ask (curling his lip, glancing around), his tone... perfect. On any other occasion I would think it insolent to talk about something you found out by looking through another person's stuff without their permission, especially because Magnus's reaction earlier left no doubt that he didn't want Alec to know what was in the box. But in this situation I can't really fault Alec, because the way this must have been invading his thoughts all day is so relatable. His tone is vulnerable, he sounds wary, as if he's scared to ask. And I think he kind of is.

“He was. A brave soldier. Like someone else I know.”

I get it. Magnus is trying to lighten the mood or maybe trying to convey that he cares for Alec, but this is like the wrongest thing he could have said, and I honestly don't understand why he didn't realize that. If there is a way to make Alec feel like he's replaceable or maybe even being the replacement, comparing him to an ex Magnus obviously cared about is the best way to do that.

This pained face says it all. Alec tries to credit Magnus's attempt to cheer him up, but he can't. The fake smile falls right off his face because the implications of Magnus's words, or at least what Alec understands from them, hurts too much.

I don't really understand this smile, to be honest. It's not an “Ah dammit, that fell flat”-Smile and Alec's :l-face really doesn't warrant a real smile, so. I don't understand it. Suggestions?

Especially because Magnus senses the fraught mood and tries to distract with cocktails immediately after this. He wouldn't do that if he honestly thought everything was fine i.e. he believed Alec's fake smile.

>>fast forward>>

I love this. I feel like half the time Magnus's No. 1 Coping Mechanism with issues is Ignore It Until It Goes Away. (Just remember the Soul Sword Debacle: “It's all in the past.” Wtf dude it was literally two days ago and it was a big ass issue and not talking about it is really not helpful... but whatever, that's not the point here.) Magnus had the perfect set up to ignore the issue at hand. If he'd gone and come back with drinks I have no doubt that Alec would have let it go, put on an unaffected face and faked his way through, acting as if this didn't eat him up inside. Magnus probably knows this, too. This is the moment Magnus realizes he can't do this to Alec, to them. And even though it's the harder choice he chooses to address it.

“You're not jealous, are you?”

Perfect.

“You were weird before, when I asked about moving in.”

I love how this isn't objectively an answer to Magnus's question, but really is. This isn't about some soldier guy or jealousy. This is about Alec wondering if he's the only one currently residing in Magnus's heart. I love that the box wasn't the only cause for his wondering; the Moving In Talk was a different incident factoring into Alec's thoughts. He didn't see the box and freak out – he's trying to piece a picture together based on two unrelated events.

Magnus. This isn't an answer. The way he delivers it, dismissive head shake and all, is (in my opinion) a calculated move. It really doesn't seem that way, but Magnus is a good actor. (He gets that form Harry. Hahaha ok sorry for that li'l punch through the forth wall. Shutting up now.) I get why he does it. He must have realized by now that Alec is feeling insecure, and going into how these people still mean something to him, and how he kinda in a way maybe still loves them isn't really the right conversation topic for now... but you can't tell me he would just shake off a past lover like that, like the fact that he's been dead for a century means he lost his place in Magnus's heart. Just remember the reverent way with which Magnus touched the objects in the box earlier. He wouldn't do that, wouldn't have this box at all if he really meant that head shake.

*“The man's been dead for over a century.” Incorrect subtitles strike again, trying to smoothen that statement. “The man”? You can't convince me Magnus would talk like that about someone he loved once.

>>fast forward>>

Again, perfect delivery. There's impatience, incomprehension and undeniable tension. He could have made sense of all the stuff being George's, but to keep all these things from different people.. he can't understand it or doesn't want to understand what it means, and it's clearly alarming him.

Damn. You can see the pain of memories, the melancholy in his eyes.

*“Why do you keep it?”

I'm not too sure what to make of that line, because it lacks the urgency from before. Alec seems kinda relieved to know that the stuff didn't belong to one person alone, tho why? The only explanation that makes sense to me is that he doesn't expect a relationship to have that much of an impact past its expiration date. Like Magnus's life is divided into different compartments and now that he's with Alec, all the past relationships he's had are in closed boxes (pun not intended) and don't interfere. It's probably a naive way of looking at it, but this is Alec's first relationship and even though he is very mature in most aspects of his life I believe there are some things you have to experience to extend your expertise past a certain point.

Okay, thanks for casually breaking my heart. As an avid fan of Merlin and Doctor Who I'm no stranger to immortality angst, but this is the one aspect I tend to ignore because it's too painful to deal with. Outliving everything and everyone you know is one thing, but forgetting them? And being entirely helpless to do something against it? To be honest I'm very glad I'm mortal.

>>fast forward>>

“Well. Now that I've seen some of that history with my own eyes...”

The way he looks, the way he closes his eyes for a second, the way he swallows. He's scared of rejection. He's scared this will turn out to be a thing Alec can't deal with. All honesty wouldn't have helped. It would have all been in vain, and he's bracing himself for that.

I'm not usually one for symbolism, but this, this even I couldn't miss. The shot shows Alec and Magnus in opposite sides of the frame, with a thick black void between them. This is their argument, this shows how they fail to communicate and reach one another at this moment in the conversation. (Keep this in mind for later.)

Yeah, well. That is the face of a person that has spend a lot of time thinking about that exact thing already. In general, in other cases, and about Alec.

So first off I wanna give a shout out to that facial expression because it's both hilarious and wonderful. Second off, Alec completely disregards Magnus’s perspective here, which is understandable since he's only just started thinking about that whole thing and is therefore fixed on his own perspective.

It makes Magnus's outburst all the more understandable. Because Alec makes it sound as if moving on will be easy for him. His frustration is palpable, because he's been in this exact same position often enough already to know that the outcome is always the same. He lives on, his love dies. And nothing can change that.

Also I love that even though Magnus raises his voice, probably for the first time since they know each other, Alec doesn't flinch back or anything. He just looks at Magnus, assessing him.

“I am immortal! It's not as if I have a choice. I can't change what I am and neither can you.”

And here they are now. Raw.

This is Magnus, full on pleading to let the subject drop.

The way he slowly walks up to Alec and finally holds onto his jacket. Alec can't deny him. He nods those little nods that you do when you know you have no choice but to agree, but at the same time you wanna curl up somewhere and feel miserable for a while.

Also, remember that stuff about symbolism? Here we have the second part. Magnus crossed the void and they are on the same side now. I wouldn't say that the worst part of their conflict is over, but they've decided to take a break from it for now, and that itself is a small victory.

Alec doesn't answer, he leans in and kisses Magnus, though that is probably answer enough.

And while Magnus keeps his eyes closed (the way he almost always does after they kiss) and seems to look at least a little peaceful, Alec is watching him and thinking sad, serious, alec-y thoughts.

“You're right. I love you, too.”

Yeah, I feel like that 'you're right' part only means Magnus's implied 'I love you.'

That line. It's so much. It's continuing Magnus's theme of staying in the moment, but at the same time it's an allusion to Alec's “I'm not going anywhere.” Magnus isn't exactly reminding Alec of what he promised, it's more like he's repeating it to himself, a reassurance. Because he's the one that was reminded of his pending loss by this conversation.

Alec smiles, and it does look genuine. Despite his dark thoughts Magnus can bring out his happiness.

But as soon as Magnus leaves we get this

and it's clear that this is far from over.

Also I feel like the theme that played in the background was the same as during those Scenes where Magnus was contemplating his past with his mother killing herself and he killing his father, so yeah. Great mood reference.

(Gif Source)

[freakypumpkin]

[part 1] I totally agree with you about how badly they handled m!gnus' anger...if you even want to call it that. It honestly felt like we went directly from 2x17 with him hurling insults at A!ec, into 2x19 where he didn't seem to care about him at all. The tenderness (and maturity) he shows in 2x18 feels completely out of place. Also, I'm still at a loss on how people think the situation should have been handled. Has A!ec told him it would then have been M!gnus lying to his people -

[part 2] - about the deactivated soul sword. His actions (blindly siding with the seelie queen, ignoring mia been kidnapped) didn’t read to me like someone doing what’s best for his people. It very much felt like someone lashing out and making bad decisions based on hurt feelings. Which I guess would have made narrative sense had it not been for 2x18 where he actually feels like a leader making a rational if tough choice.

[part 3] No matter how I rationalizes this I really can’t. I was on board after 2x18, I thought we might finally get a nuanced storyline for them, but then 2x19 happened and I was left completely disenchanted. Anyways, sorry for this long message, I just have a lot of thoughts about how this whole thing was handled.

In response to this post

Thank you very much for sending me your opinion and for agreeing with my statement. 

I was on board after the end of Ep18, I thought, it would, be setting up an arc for Magnus to be torn between his people and Alec and eventually realizing, that he wants both, that he is ready to put in the extra work, to keep both things. (I don’t count that ‘turns out I can have both’-line at the end of Ep20, because I see a strict difference between ‘I can have both’ and ‘I want both’ or between that and ‘I don’t have to choose’.)I was even on board after Magnus went that way with the Seelie Queen, sort of, as I still don’t like the choice of those facial expressions, because it had the potential of leading to a conclusion, where Magnus would apologize to Alec, where he could grow and see, that - as you mentioned - his anger had blinded him. But what we got was the same dynamic we’ve already had over and over again, of Alec apologizing, being the one to bow his head, ask for forgiveness. 

If you’d just switch the dialogue in the final scene of Alec saying ‘No, it’s in the past, it’s okay’, and Magnus persisting on that apology, it would have been a much better conclusion. There was no audience, Magnus wouldn’t have to loose face in front of others, it could have been privately resolved between them, Alec could have gotten some recognition for being in a difficult decision, Magnus showing growth in admitting his missteps and in general providing a parallel to former scenes of Alec apologizing, and also changing the dynamic between them. 

And I think, all those theories about Magnus being a double agent or under some kind of spell by the Queen, speaks about how weird Magnus was written in these two Episodes. And none of these theories came true, his behavior was just shown as legitimate and accepted that way. 

The finale for Malec, in my eyes fell flat because there was no change of direction, no dynamic. We had a climax for the end of S1 with the wedding and their first kiss. Then 2A wit the first ‘I love you’, but 2B ended with the Alec’s 25th apology, the same pattern we’d already seen in season 2 over and over again was simply repeated, they got back together, yes, but honestly, on what kind of terms? It wasn’t the start of a new part of their relationship, just going back to how things were. 

The end of Ep18 showed a glimpse of what Magnus could have been as a leader, somebody with experience, but that was completely thrown out of the window the next episode. I would even say, that at the end of Ep18 Magnus wasn’t even mainly angry about the Soul Sword anymore, maybe that had shown him, that while he understood Alec’s reasoning, he was still experiencing that extreme anger because they were dating and he wasn’t exactly in the best place after everything that had happened to him. So, pulling away from the relationship could have been a way to be more open to just seeing Alec as the Head of the Institute, not his boyfriend. 

In the end, I’m mostly speculating and I don’t mind you’re long message, as I gave a pretty long answer myself as well. Sorry about that. 

Feel free to send me your thoughts about this or other things, if you’re scared of posting them on your blog or don’t know who to talk with. :) 

Sidenote: What also rubs me the wrong way is, that I have this feeling, that if Alec had told Magnus about the Sword right away, the story would have found a way to turn that into a mistake, too. It’s almost like Alec can’t do anything right because people expect him to control things, that are out of his control.

[bluephoenixdruidicprincess]

Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 19 Hail and Farewell Review

Time for another Shadowhunters review. I’m finally getting caught up, guys. This is exciting. Never again will I allow myself to fall this far behind on these reviews. This time we have Shadowhunters Season 2 Episode 19, Hail and Farewell. As with most of these episodes, plenty of enjoyment to be had but it does have its shortcomings.

This is going to be an honest review of my thoughts and feelings regarding this episode. If you’re the kind of Shadowhunters fan where you only want to hear positive things about the show, this is not the place for you. If you decide to stick around and get offended by what is said, then that’s on you. I warned you. Just know that if you send me any rude comments or messages, I will 100% ignore you. I find that’s the best way to deal with bullies. I work 14 hour days. Do you really think I want to waste my incredibly valuable free time dealing with derogatory comments? Hell no. This review will consist of my honest opinions. Opinions are never right or wrong. I’m not telling you how to think and feel. I’m telling you what I think and feel. So please, let’s discuss with dignity and respect. If I’m critical about the show, it’s only because I want it to get better. There is, in fact, a difference between hating a show and being critical of it. I do not hate Shadowhunters; I am being critical and analyzing the flaws as I would with any other show. There are positives but there are also negatives. It’s great if you want to promote positivity with this show (and I encourage you to do so) but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t acknowledge the things that are legitimately wrong with it. Also, keep in mind that despite the fact that I do love the books, me being critical of this show has nothing to do with my love of the books. I don’t really care if the show deviates from the source material as long as it’s good and it makes sense. My problems with this show are problems that I would have with any show or book for that matter. I think it’s perfectly reasonable to take issue with a show that has plot holes, shoddy world-building and inconsistent characters. There will be spoilers for the books and movies.

There was plenty of enjoyment to be found in this episode but I found a lot of shortcomings that were incredibly hard to ignore. But that’s the thing with this show, isn’t it? They have really nice moments but the show’s bad moments have a tendency to overshadow those. Just in general though, the dialogue felt very clunky. They were spoonfeeding us a lot and once again, I hate it when the show does that. Again, they’re looking at us like they think we’re dumb and that we can’t figure out what’s going on unless they actually say it three times over. I’m also looking back at Season 2 in general and have come to the realization, there really was absolutely no point to 2A. Pretty much all of the plots from 2A have been completely dropped. That makes me feel a little weird. Sure, Freeform has broken a 20 episode season in half, but 2B should still connect to 2A. Everything that happened in 2A should have been fueling things in 2B. But when I look at both of these half seasons, they feel extremely stand alone. But anyways, that was just a realization I had while watching this episode so I figured I’d mention it here. Hopefully Season 3 does a better job with the 20 episode season’s storytelling. I feel like what the showrunners were trying to do was close out a lot of the weird plot points that the season one writers were going for. I think that’s primarily why Season 2 has such a clunky feel to it.

Malec Funk

Let’s dive right into this business, shall we? So Malec had me really confused in this episode. Primarily Magnus. Initially in the previous episode, I liked how the Malec break-up was handled. I liked that Magnus’ reasoning for breaking up with Alec was less about him being hurt over what Alec did and more to do with him needing it to end so his mind would be clear to do the best thing for his people. Although, I don’t think siding with the Seelie Queen is necessarily what’s best for his people. He and his people have essentially lost all of their freedom. It also kind of feels like Magnus made this decision without talking to his people first. So you’re making a decision for a group of people that’s going to result in them losing all independent agency and you don’t even ask them if they think it’s a good idea? You just call a meeting and are all, “This is what I did, guys. Hope you’re cool with it but even if you aren’t, you don’t really have a choice.” It feels like they have no choice in this matter. That they have no choice but to follow Magnus into this very questionable decision. That they’re not independent people. Which is strange because of all of the downworlders, warlocks are the most independent. They don’t travel in packs or clans. They very much dance to the beat of their own drum. It just seems weird to me that Magnus makes this decision to take away their rights and they didn’t seem to even know until just now. But yeah, I was talking about the breakup. I liked how it was handled. Magnus saying that he still loves Alec but he can’t do what’s best for his people if he has to think about what’s best for Alec as well was really nice. But in this episode, that development was completely dropped. When Alec is talking to the Seelie Queen, Magnus is full on rolling his eyes and just making facial expressions that are incredibly rude and uncalled for; particularly to someone who in the previous episode you admitted you still loved. Then he has this plan to spring up wards along the city lines to keep Valentine from escaping. Which okay. That would’ve been fine if it weren’t also for the fact that apparently if a shadowhunter crosses these wards, the wards will incinerate them. And Magnus doesn’t warn Alec at all about this. Luke is the one who warns them. If Alec hadn’t known and tried to cross the city lines for any reasons, he would’ve died. Magnus would’ve caused Alec’s death. While I can understand Magnus’ anger and I can even let him get away with publicly humiliating Alec in front of the Seelie Queen and chalk it up to hurt feelings, I cannot defend Magnus in this. There is a very big difference between being angry with your ex about a break-up and not caring if they live or die. I can only hope there’s some sort of logical explanation for this in the finale. Maybe he’s under some sort of spell or he’s trying to prove to the Seelie Queen that he’s loyal but he’s actually going to double cross her later.

I’m really hoping there’s a hidden meaning behind all of this. If there isn’t and everything that Magnus is doing should be taken at face value, I’m definitely going to have to re-evaluate how I feel about Magnus and Malec as a couple. I also think it’s hilarious that I get bashed as an Alec sympathizer for defending him as a 20 something, newly out of the closet, in his first relationship – so he’s not going to be perfect at a relationship and do all of the right things, he’s still learning. But with Magnus’ behavior in this episode, we have the Magnus stans being all, “He’s human. He’s allowed to make mistakes”. 

Hmm. Pot? Have you met kettle? 

I’ve also come to this realization about what bugs me so much about Malec fights in this show. It’s not that they’re fighting. I actually like the conflicts that do pop up in their relationship. What I don’t like is how the show handles them. They turn it into something so overdramatic. The way these characters react to these conflicts and how they do or don’t get resolved feels extremely forced and not organic. It doesn’t feel like this is how real people would deal with these issues in these situations. 

The Obligatory Clace Scene

We got some Clace development in this episode. I’m sure everyone knows the scene I’m talking about. And first impressions about it? It was extremely overdramatic, awkward, and uncomfortable. I know that there are die hard fans that absolutely love that scene but I watched it and I felt so uncomfortable while watching it that I laughed at it. That’s what I do when I feel uncomfortable. I laugh. Please, Show Clace fans, don’t hate me. I don’t actually hate Show Clace. I have more of an apathy towards them. They do make me feel things sometimes. Here’s the thing. Dom and Kat have this very nice soft, breezy chemistry about them that works really well when they’re just chilling and hanging out and they’re slowly developing as a couple. They feel really real when they’re in those small little moments. However, the instant the show attempts to up the epicness and sexiness of their relationship, that’s when they falter as a couple. The show keeps on getting impatient with them. They want this big, bold, epic Clace relationship but Dom and Kat (in my opinion) don’t have an “epic” kind of chemistry. And that’s part of the reason why these big Clace moments fall a little flat. I’m not saying they’re not an epic couple, they could become epic if the show would just gradually develop the relationship instead of taking short cuts.  Even chemistry aside, this scene was ridiculously over the top. While I was watching it, it felt like the show was trying too hard. I get what the show was trying to get at. I do. They were trying to capitalize on the angelic connection with Clace. This scene could actually have been very nice and very impactful and it could’ve made me feel genuine emotion if it was produced a little differently. We didn’t really need a 360 camera spin on them, we didn’t need pop music swelling in the background, the gratuitous nakedness wasn’t really necessary. It could’ve just been them having this moment of a pure connection -- the scene would’ve been all about the actors selling the moment and I’m sure Kat and Dom can do it, maybe a small soft piano score playing in the background – if they needed to have voices swelling in the background, perhaps some low-key humming (kind of like what Doctor Who does with its background music from time to time). The scene we got felt like a typical, generic, YA love scene. The kind of scenes that give YA a bad reputation. And it was uncomfortable as hell for anyone who isn’t a hardcore Show Clace shipper, I’m sure. 

JC vs JC

This episode also marked Jonathon and Jace finding out who is truly the best. I gotta say, I liked the moments leading up to the fight way more than the actual fight itself. I loved that Jonathon is hanging Jace – he clearly has the upper hand – but Jace isn’t going to let him win completely. In Jace’s eyes, he may be about to die but he’s going to make sure he gets the last laugh. It’s’ very Book Jace and I’m always happy to see Book Jace snark come out a little. The show doesn’t do it nearly as much as I would like. I’m a sarcastic person so I’m not going to apologize for wanting Jace to be more actively sarcastic. I don’t necessarily mind Jace looking like he’s about to cry in every scene but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish for more snark from him. And this scene led me to the realization of the best running joke this show has. 

JONATHON: He’s coming back.

JACE: He made you spaghetti too? 

Be it intentional or not, the show has now made spaghetti the best running gag this show has ever done. Every time it’s referenced, I bust out laughing. When spaghetti was first mentioned in this show, it was one of those things that was written in such a ridiculous way that you couldn’t take it seriously. It was begging to be made of. But now, it’s turned into a genuine joke and I love it. Jace is then adding more insult to injury by pointing out that even though Valentine abandoned them both, he did come back for Jace which makes Jace the favored son despite not having any actual blood connection to Valentine. That’s gotta sting to Jonathon. It’s actually something that I always enjoyed about the dynamic of Book Valentine and how he looks at his children. He has no fondness for Clary. To him, all that Clary represents is the reason why Jocelyn left him and he hates Clary for that. Jonathon is the son he always dreamed of. Everything he did to Jonathon, he did out of a desire to make him the best. It was his dream to make the best soldier possible but like most dreams, when you actually achieve them, they can sometimes turn into a double-edged sword. He got what he wanted but in the worst way possible. Jonathon is a great soldier but the demon blood makes him unstable and unpredictable. Jonathon has no real understanding of human emotion which made him unsuitable for Valentine’s needs. Then he worked with Jace in the opposite direction and the exact opposite happened. He also got what he wanted but again in the worst way possible. Jace is a great soldier but his ability to love ran a little too deep and so he was also unsuitable for Valentine’s plans but on the flipside, that aspect of Jace that Valentine couldn’t use is what Valentine loves the most about Jace. It’s truly ironic that out of all three children Valentine is connected to, the one that he truly loves is the one he does not have a blood connection to. I just love the line Jonathon says in this scene, “If you’re trying to goad me into a fight; it’s working.” It’s just really showing just how unhinged Jonathon is getting. And then the actual fight happens and it’s well choreographed. I don’t dispute that. But when you’re toting one character around that can leap up buildings and move just like a demon and the other character can activate runes on his skin, you’re expecting something a little more than just a typical fight scene. 

I did enjoy Izzy entering the fight as she does in the books. She wasn’t nearly as bad-ass as I imagined her to be in that scene, though. Although, this is probably because their fight choreographer most likely doesn’t know how to fight with a whip. It’s probably why they decided to make it so it has the capability to turn into a fighting staff. Now granted, my martial arts training is much more hand-to-hand based. I don’t have a whole lot of training on weapons besides a basic understanding on how to disarm someone. But how I always imagined Izzy fighting with her whip is a much more physical fight than the show seems willing to do with her. The show treats the whip as if it’s just an offensive weapon when they should be treating it as an extension of her body. If you treat it as this offensive weapon only, there’s very little you can actually do with it. When she whips, the whip should grab on to what she wants to hit, shooting the electrum into that being and for a couple of seconds incapacitating her victim. Those couple of seconds gives her the time to move closer to them to place a well placed kick, punch, knee, elbow, whatever. I kind of wish Izzy’s whip fight scenes were more like that. If they’re not going to go all out with the whip, I would prefer they just keep the staff and drop the whip thing altogether. They’re not doing it right. Also, why was she whipping at nothing for a good five seconds? Did I miss something? Did she accomplish something with those moves that I didn’t notice? I hate puprposeless fight sequences. Whereas it was nice to see her go all vengeful towards Jonathon, it didn’t really hit the mark completely. This goes along with what I said in my previous review. Nothing permanently bad happened to Max so initially when you think about this scene, Izzy loses a lot of the impact of her personal vendetta. I get that she wants to avenge the real Sebastian Verlac but it also doesn’t really resonate with you because we never spent any time with the real Sebastian Verlac. In the books, Izzy is in an extremely dark place. Max is dead and she wants revenge, pure and simple. When you read the scene in the book, she is pissed off. She’s not taking no for an answer. She’s decided Jonathon is not going to leave here alive. It was so badass and kind of empowering in a way. I feel like the show was really trying to give Izzy this badass moment but there really wasn’t a whole lot going on with her on an emotional level to really resonate with her audience. She really wasn’t in a dark mindset. I did like that one line she said when Jonathon mentions how they’re fighting unfair, “You didn’t seem to have a problem with that when you attacked my little brother.” It was a really good line and it was delivered flawlessly by Emeraude but still the context of it could’ve been so much stronger if something bad actually had happened to Max. Yes, Max got hurt but then he miraculously got better so it kind of just lessens the blow.

And I’m just saying, “Looks like we both got the same birthday present that year” is a much more badass closing remark than the show’s, “That move…Valentine taught me too”. 

Side Mentions

As I mentioned in my introduction, this episode’s dialogue got a little clunky at times. There was a whole lot of obvious spoon feeding that I didn’t enjoy. We have Clary saying they’re going to make Jonathon pay for what he did to Sebastian when Izzy had already said it in an earlier scene. We didn’t need Clary to tell us again. We had Maia responding with, “Because” when the other werewolves ask her why they should listen to her. I just felt like it downplayed a lot about who she’s supposed to be as a character. She’s supposed to be this strong bad-ass person who’s not going to stand for anything less than the utmost respect and her just meekly saying “Because” instead of owning the situation felt a little off to me. And then Simon explaining to werewolves what a beta is was just plain dumb. I’m sure most of the audience knows what a beta is and it makes no sense for why the werewolves wouldn’t.  I could understand shadowhunters maybe not knowing because I get the feeling they spend a lot of time watching TV but werewolves are probably the closest to mundanes than any of the other downworlders. There’s no reason for them to not get that reference. It was also strange to me that Alec just saw Jace get taken by Jonathon but he’s waltzing in after saving his sister and Clary and he casually remarks, “BTW, Jace got taken, we need to find him.” Can we get a sense of urgency here? They’ve previously been showing that whatever happens to one, the other can somehow feel it. Alec felt it when Jace cut his own hand but he doesn’t feel that Jace is being strangled? The show really needs to establish some world building on their version of the parabatai bond. It’s extremely inconsistent. The rules keep on changing depending on the plot’s narrative at the time and I’m not down with that. There’s no excuse for that kind of inconsistency. It’s just lazy world-building and lazy writing in general. At the end of the episode, we have Maia waking up in the Seelie court and saying, “Someone drugged me.” Was that really necessary to say? I’m sure the audience is smart enough to infer that. There was just a lot of dialogue in this episode that was like that. Very clunky as I said.

I enjoyed Valentine and Jonathon’s interactions in this episode. I loved the power shift we had with their dynamic. Up until this point, Jonathon was the dominant one but as he’s becoming more and more unhinged, Valentine begins taking the power back. It was really interesting watching it happen. And then when Valentine manages to convince Jonathon to let him escape and convinces him that he’ll be back, I was like , “Shit. Valentine’s got the power back.” 

I found myself really enjoying Sarah Hyland as the Seelie Queen. I know, it’s an unpopular opinion. A lot of the fandom seemed to like the little girl. I wasn’t one of them. Actually, it’s not that I didn’t like the little girl. I liked the idea of the Seelie Queen being a little girl. However, the actual girl they got, I’m off and on about. You never really know what you’re going to get when casting children. I mean, this is the beginning of their career and they probably haven’t refined their craft yet at that age. And that is certainly the case with this young address. There are moments when she really gets the atmosphere of the Seelie Queen and she sells it perfectly but there are also other moments when I’m watching someone trying to be the Seelie Queen. Sarah Hyland gives a much more consistent performance and I really enjoyed the playful atmosphere she created. 

I liked the beginning of the episode when Luke and Raphael are with Magnus and Magnus tells them they should probably have a drink. I love the look Luke and Raphael share and they put the drinks down. Then Luke tells Magnus that just because he’s afraid to face Alec sober doesn’t mean that they should all be going into this drunk. I liked that line. It merited a little chuckle. But then for whatever reason, Magnus gets hurt about that comment and Luke apologizes for it. It really wasn’t all that hurtful. He was just stating what both he and Raphael were thinking and it was the truth. That’s something I don’t get with this show. Whenever someone calls someone out on their bull shit, that person usually ends up apologizing for it. Why is that? Guess what, sometimes you need to be called out on your bull shit. It’s how you know when you’re being an idiot. But Magnus reacted that way and I could tell from that moment forward, Magnus was going to be no fun this episode.

We also met Catarina and that was really nice. She’s pretty much exactly how I imagined her to be. Again, the show was spoon feeding us information on her though. They mentioned her working at a hospital a couple of times which really wasn’t all that necessary. We see her wearing scrubs with her hospital badge on. The audience can infer that she most likely just came in from working a shift at a hospital. Stop talking to me like you think I’m dumb. But she did have Catarina’s attitude and I enjoyed that. I’m interested in seeing more of her.

Rizzy was also brought back in this episode. I still don’t know how I really feel about their relationship. Even though through dialogue they’ve established that they have a connection that goes deeper then the whole addiction thing, I’m still not really content with the relationship. I guess my problems are that it wasn’t really developed. They rushed it and as a result I don’t have any strong feelings towards them as a couple. Yes, they both have nice chemistry with each other but that’s only one half of the equation. To ship a couple, I also want to see a love story unfold and the show really glossed over it. If the show is going to make Rizzy a thing, I’m fine with it, I just want the relationship to be developed. And not just have one scene where Raphael teaches Izzy how to cook and have the show be like, “Yup. That’s a good foundation for these two.” I want a little more than that.

I’d give this episode a B- again. There were a few scenes I enjoyed. But a lot of the things that went wrong with the episode, I had a hard time getting past. I got very frustrated with certain things. I’m a little nervous about this finale because it looks like it’s going to be incorporating a whole lot of different plot points and it’s a known fact that Shadowhunters doesn’t do very well when they have multiple storylines going on at the same time. Nevertheless, since the showrunners have been hyping this finale so much, I’m going to hope for the best. Whether the finale be good or bad, whether it closes out some conflicts or leaves them open, I’m still going to be excited for Season 3. As I said earlier, I feel like the showrunners have been using Season 2, as a whole, to close out a lot of the weird things that went on in Season 1. I feel like that’s been their goal for this entire season. So Season 3, they should have a cleaner slate to work with. I’m really excited to see where we’re going to stand with Season 3 and what the writing’s going to be like for Season 3. Especially since a lot of the controversial issues with the book material is done now.

Man, it feels good to be caught up on these now. I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions. Do you agree? Do you disagree? Just remember to be respectful of everyone’s opinions. 

[starwitness42]

Holding the Stick (3/?)

Alec Lightwood has dreamed of hoisting Lord Stanley since he was eight. It's in his blood. He's spent the last five years trying to make that dream a reality, only managing to fall short each time.

Until a scandal leads to a multi-team trade that sends Magnus Bane his way. One of the top performing wingers in the league. An up and coming star.

And the most handsome man Alec has ever met.

He's doomed.

Chapter One / Chapter Two

Alec has absolutely no idea what the hell happened to him. One minute he was pacing the lobby at the Ice House, waiting for Bane while trying to figure out what facial expression best conveys cordial welcome, and the next thing he knew he was tackling Jace and rubbing ice shavings in his face.

In between those two points there’d been something weird in the locker room. Not like find an adult weird, but just… different. And it had only been about his tattoo in the end, which isn’t the first time someone’s asked him about it. But he could’ve sworn he felt Bane’s eyes lingering on the spot even after he put on his pads and jersey. And he could’ve also sworn that his skin sort of burned where Bane had been looking long after they left the locker room.

Magnus. He wanted him to call him Magnus.

Usually he’s far more professional, is his point, especially where the team is concerned. But he’d just chalked it up to excitement. Because Raj is a great guy and all, real solid teammate, good in a pinch. But Raj hasn’t won the scoring title three years running on a team that can’t even break .500. That illustrious designation belongs to Magnus alone.

The skate had been freaking phenomenal, better than he could’ve expected. Coach G spent the majority of it focusing on line rushes, every minute practically geared toward making sure the new top line not only clicked but clicked with authority.

It was weird, again, how seamless it felt. Like there was always just one piece missing from the puzzle and someone finally found it hidden underneath a couch cushion. And even though it had a little couch lint on it, and the rest of the puzzle was put together so long ago there’s a thin layer of dust on top of it, the puzzle is freaking complete and now…

Well, he doesn’t really know how to end the puzzle analogy, but as far as hockey goes, now it’s time to see if practice chemistry can translate onto the ice when it really matters.

They’re playing Detroit tonight, one of their biggest rivals and the current defending Stanley Cup champs. And so even though the season isn’t all that old just yet, this is still a big game for them. A “test,” as the media loves to call it, and one Alec would very much like to pass.

Screw that. Not just pass. He wants a freaking A+ with, like, smiley face drawings and exclamation points.

The second they hit the ice for warmups, the whole place erupts in a, “Fuck Detroit,” chant that somehow manages to almost entirely drown out the opening chords of “Stranglehold” that usually greet them. The lyrics, “Here I come again now baby, like a dog in heat,” rebounding off the ice alongside the rabid screams of the crowd in a way that makes Alec’s blood literally feel like it’s boiling in his veins.

For some reason, his eyes slide to Magnus like they’re magnetized there. And once they land, he’s far from disappointed.

There’s this almost quizzical look on Magnus’ face as he stares up at the packed house, trailing his eyes around the stands that bleed red and black. And Alec doesn’t realize that he’s skating towards him until he’s directly in front of him, possibly too close to be entirely polite.

“Is this some sort of citywide mantra I don’t know about?” Magnus asks, his eyes still blinking up at the way the fans can’t seem to stay in their seats during warmups like they know on some level that tonight is different. Like they’re hungry.

Before Alec can answer him, Jace skates up and does it for him. Because a nosier ass never existed than the one belonging to Jace Wayland.

“Two things you gotta know about this city: Detroit will be fucked every time they’re mentioned, and St. Louis sucks so much they really should be the ones called the Blue Jackets instead of Columbus because. You know. BJs.”

Jace. Is. A. Fucking. Idiot. But Magnus doesn’t seem to be bothered by that fact as he finally lets his eyes slide back down to the people standing in front of him.

He looks at Alec first, even though Jace was the one talking to him. His gaze lingering for a second that somehow feels like longer before he raises an eyebrow and looks to Jace.  

“So fuck Detroit and blow St. Louis, is that what you’re saying?”

Jace beams. Alec grimaces. Seems like a pretty standard day in their life together.

“See? You’re catching on quick!” Jace says before skating up to Magnus so he can wrap his arm around his shoulders and lead him into the warmups cycling behind them. And the way Magnus shoots Alec this look that clearly says help me actually makes him crack a smile. On the ice. On game day. Like that’s somehow a thing he’s allowed to do now.  

The smile manages to remain on his face by some feat of either gravity or insanity as he shrugs his shoulders at Magnus in the international sign of that’s what happens when you feed a gremlin after midnight. And, to put it bluntly, Alec is pumped. There’s no other way to describe it.

Magnus’ facial expressions continue to enamor him, for lack of a better term, when they line up at center ice for the anthem. The roar of the crowd washing over them as the ice literally rumbles beneath their skates from the force of it.

His eyes are huge, Magnus’ are, like a deer caught in headlights. And Alec knows he’s heard this before – anyone that plays a game at the United Center hears this every damn time. But he’s got to imagine that there’s something different about it the first time you’re on the true receiving end of it.

To a visiting team, the way the crowd screams and claps during the anthem is a threat. But to the home team? It’s a freaking serenade.

“Pretty badass, right?” Alec says as he skates over to Magnus once the anthem is finished, bumping into his shoulder before backing up towards center ice so he can get ready for the opening faceoff.

Magnus doesn’t answer him, he just sort of stares blankly like he’s still a bit dazed by it all. And so Alec finds it in his captainly heart to say, “You’re one of us now!” because there’s a part of him that’s wondering if maybe, just maybe, Magnus doesn’t get that yet.

That he doesn’t even need to take one official pass for him to be one of them.

The game starts out just as rough as Alec expected, right from the first drop of the puck. Whenever they face Detroit, Alec’s line is inevitably shifted against Sebastian Morgenstern’s, because regardless of which coach gets last change, both G and Valentine seem to think watching Alec and Sebastian beat the crap out of each other all night is the best way to hockey.

Alec doesn’t mind. He may be the center on one of the top scoring lines in the league, but he’s a checking center at heart. And so there’s just something deeply satisfying about getting to run guys into the boards, especially if those guys are as big of a dick as Morgenstern.

Alec doesn’t hate many people. Or, well, okay, he kind of blanket hates all people. But if he ever had to make a list of the ones he officially hated for legitimate reasons other than breathing in my vicinity, that asshole would be at the top of it.

Valentine Morgenstern is a different coach than G, which means he’s not above telling his players, especially his prick of a son, to fight dirty. But the way to get around that is with skill and speed, and that’s something that Alec’s new line has in spades.  

For their first two shifts on the ice, they’re just getting their legs. But by their third shift, Magnus rifles this shot that almost takes the goalie’s head clean off. Literally. The ref even allows for one of those “the goalie needs a really slow drink of water but really he needs to take his mask off and make sure that his head is still attached to his neck” fake timeouts after it and Alec…

He knew Magnus was strong, that his shot was described by some as lethal, but that was a stealth missile fired from the freaking slot. And so if Alec’s blood was boiling before, it’s got to be hot enough to burn clear through his veins by this point.  

Their fifth time out on the ice together, Magnus scores his first goal as a Blackhawk. And to say that it’s a work of art is an understatement of epic proportions.

It’s the kind of thing that’s going to be on clips reels for the rest of the season, Alec can tell that before the puck even sails into the net. The way Magnus dekes around the defender in the slot, the way Alec’s pass hits the tape of his stick like it was drawn there by a supernatural force. The freaking spinorama Magnus employs like it’s just the easiest maneuver ever despite the fact that there are only a handful of guys in the league that can do something like that without losing the puck and looking like an ass.

And then there’s this half second opening, one in which Magnus manages to deke again, get the goalie to go low before he flicks his wrist and sends the puck sailing into the five inch opening just over the goalie’s left shoulder.

The stadium erupts. Again. “Chelsea Dagger” screaming over the loudspeakers as Jace flies from the corner and nearly tackles Magnus to the ice. And Alec is really glad that nobody is looking at him right now because he’s beaming. His cheeks actually hurt from how wide he’s smiling.

By the time Magnus scores his second goal, midway through the second period, the crowd is chanting his name like it’s their new favorite word. And Alec knows he shouldn’t hope. It’s only November. There are a lot of games between now and April. But when he hears Magnus’ name chanted like a war cry while Jace practically humps the guy against the boards, it’s hard not to imagine.

The Stanley Cup weighs thirty-five pounds, but they say that it’s lighter than air when you win it.

Alec and Jace make a silent agreement to spend the rest of the game doing everything in their power to get Magnus the Hat Trick. The game is a runaway anyways. When you enter the third period with a 4-1 lead, you can loosen your vigilance a little, play for a different goal. But it seems like instead of trying to actually win the game, the father and son duo of Morgenstern and Even Bigger Asshole Morgenstern seem to have taken it as their personal mission to make sure Magnus’ goal tally for the night remains at two and so it’s hard.

Valentine pulls their goalie at the end, though, conceding the don’t let Magnus score again battle in favor of trying to actually win the game. But as usually happens when the net is emptied for a sixth attacker, the puck always seems to find a way through.

It’s Jace this time, breaking away from the pack, speeding toward the empty net like a bullet. And Magnus’ pass is a thing of beauty, slipping through the legs of the D-man guarding him before he pivots off the guy and makes a dash for the other side of the ice as well. But even though Jace has a completely open shot, without a single defender between him and the net, he still makes a pass back to a half-guarded Magnus because…

Well, Alec doesn’t really know why. Because when it comes to scoring, Jace Wayland is a glory hog the likes of which Alec has never seen anywhere else in his life. But he gives it to Magnus this time, takes a goal that should’ve been his and hands it to Magnus on a silver freaking platter. And Alec would hug the guy if he didn’t want to retain the impression that he can’t stand Jace as far as he can throw him.

Magnus is tripped pretty badly as soon as the puck gets to him, but he still manages to throw his stick at it enough to get it to sail dead center on goal and honestly, Alec really isn’t all that surprised. On a night like tonight, Alec wouldn’t be shocked if Magnus moved the puck into the net with his mind like David freaking Blaine.

Alec has never heard the United Center louder than when Magnus scores a meaningless empty net goal in a 5-2 win. And as the hats rain down from the rafters, the smile returns to his face. Hell, maybe it hasn’t left all game, he hasn’t really noticed. Mostly because he was too busy watching his new linemate dismantle the opposition like an expert surgeon. But he can feel it now, pressing against his cheeks, against his lungs, and he’s not entirely sure if he’s ever felt this good in his entire life and it’s just one game.

One game.

What the hell are the rest going to feel like?  

The locker room is more crowded than usual after the game, and it takes Alec a few minutes to realize that it’s because there are national reporters here tonight alongside the normal beat ones. And that’s when he remembers why Magnus is here. And so any freaking jubilation he might have been feeling flushes out of him lightning quick as he settles in his stall and awaits the no doubt moronic questions he’s going to get.

It starts immediately.

“So what does it feel like to have the first openly gay player on your team?” someone asks. A face Alec doesn’t recognize and so not one of the beats that his parents have on such a tight leash you’d think they ran the organization like a dictatorship.

Who’s he kidding? This place is like the freaking Gestapo when it comes to what is allowed to leave the locker room.

“Actually, I’m pretty sure he’s bisexual, not gay,” Alec says through the rapidly increasing tightness in his jaw. “And after tonight’s game, I’d say it feels pretty damn good.”

He’s foolishly hoping that might be it, that his blanket statement might be enough for them to just back off the issue and talk about, you know, hockey. But it only gets worse from there, question after question, all of which are saying the same exact thing. And so by the time the twelfth reporter asks him some variation of are you sure this team is okay with the fact that Magnus sometimes likes to touch boys, Alec’s had enough.

“You know what, I’m glad he’s bisexual,” he says as brightly as he can. “Because somehow that got him to our team. If Winnipeg wants to run their organization on a foundation of homophobic bigotry, that’s their business. But if it results in us getting one of the top ten players in the league right now, I’m going to go ahead and thank them for their small-minded bullshit.”

There’s an actual hush falling around the locker room, working out from his stall, but Alec can’t seem to stop himself now that he’s started.

“And another thing,” he says as his fists clench at his sides. “Did you guys actually see him out there? Or were you too busy trying to think up these asinine questions? Because Magnus Bane was fucking magical tonight, and yet all you guys seem to want to talk about is who he likes to screw in his spare time.”

He takes a deep breath that does nothing to settle him.

“As far as I’m concerned, he could be fucking the Queen of England and I wouldn’t give two shits, as long as he keeps scoring goals like that.”

“Okay, I think that’s enough for tonight!” a voice cuts through to him. And even though he can’t yet see her through the crowd of reporters gathered in front of him, he can tell that his sister’s voice is far from pleased.

Izzy loves him enough to tolerate his bullshit on a daily basis, but Isabelle Lightwood, manager of public relations for the Chicago Blackhawks, doesn’t always feel the same about her team’s captain. It’s why he’s generally given a very limited set of topics that he’s allowed to discuss in front of cameras, microphones, or people not related to him.

“The boys have an early flight tomorrow, so I think we’re going to have to cut this a little short,” she continues as she pushes her way easily through a crowd that always seems to part like the Red Sea for her.

She literally shoos the reporters away from him, herding them towards the door like cattle before turning around and hissing, “Hit the showers and go home. I’ll deal with this.”

Alec would never admit out loud that he’s a little terrified of his sister, but Alec is a little terrified of his sister, and so he listens to her without even the slightest hint of backtalk.  

His whole team is watching him as he makes his way across the locker room. He can feel their eyes on him, boring holes in his skin. But despite the fact that he’s trying to keep his own eyes locked on the floor, when he gets about five feet from the door to the showers something pulls his gaze off track.

Magnus is staring at him, just like everyone else. But whereas he’s relatively certain he’d be able to read any of the other expressions like open books, he can’t yet gauge what’s in Magnus’ eyes.

A few months from now, once he’s had a chance to get to know the guy, he’s positive that his instincts will kick in just like they did with everyone else. That he’ll be able to tell with a single glance what his teammate is thinking, what his teammate needs. But right now all Alec is getting is static like he’s still a far cry from tuning into the right station.

He changes his mind about the shower, slipping back into his suit and heading straight home instead because he has a shower there. But even after he’s safely at home, clean and in his favorite pair of sweats, he still feels twisted up inside.

Tonight was too close. Those questions – it felt like they were attacking him. Which is stupid and melodramatic of him because no one outside his teammates and his family (minus his parents) even know he’s gay. Will probably ever know he’s gay until he retires, maybe, and can live a life that doesn’t involve scheduled hookups with discreet strangers once a month just to take the edge off. And so him being an over reactive baby about the whole thing when Magnus was twenty feet away, sitting on the edge of a life currently in the process of being picked apart by vultures, was too much, even for him.

It’s not about him. And that he let it be, even if it was only just for a few seconds and even if it was only inside his own head, is unforgivable.

When someone shows up at his place an hour later, he knows it’s his sister by the way she knocks on his door. Morse code, SOS, the same way they’ve been knocking on each other’s doors ever since they were kids and realized their parents were assholes.

“How bad was it?” he asks as soon as he opens the door, because the quicker he gets it out of the way, the better he’ll feel.

“You didn’t check?” she asks as she makes herself comfortable in his place because that’s what Izzy does. The second she walks into any room, she acts not only like she owns it, but like she built it.

“Been too afraid to turn on the TV,” he admits, because he’s never found any point in lying to her. Even if she weren’t pretty much the most important person in his life, and so the one person he wants to be honest with above all others, she’s far too good at reading his poker face for him to ever hope that he could squeak even the smallest of lies past her.

One time, when he was twelve, he finished a box of Lucky Charms even though he knew they were her favorite. And he didn’t even get the first word of his lie out of his mouth before she was pummeling him.

There’s a lightness about her when she collapses on his couch, reaching for his glass of water on the coffee table and smelling it before realizing it’s not, in fact, vodka and so not something she wants to drink.

“Mom and dad handled the beat reporters like usual,” she says casually, clearly intending to make Alec work for every bit of this.

“And the national?”

She sighs deeply, leans back into fine leather and puts her now bare feet up onto his coffee table, her six-inch stilettos discarded beneath her.

“Magnus took care of them.”

Something cold rushes through his veins when he asks, “Magnus? How?”

She stares at him for a few seconds, studying him in the dim light of the room. Her voice more solemn than it was before when she replies, “He offered to do an impromptu presser, full disclosure, if they agreed not to print your little tirade.”

“Why the hell would he do that?” Alec asks because honestly, he’s confused.

But Izzy doesn’t seem to be any less puzzled than he is when she shrugs and says, “That’s something you’re going to have to ask him. I’m sure I’ll be getting a lovely call from his agent at any moment, but in the meantime…”

She pats the cushion next to her with one hand while reaching for his remote with the other, the light of the TV flooding the room as he remains frozen in place and asks, “What are you doing?”

“I thought you might like to watch someone take a bullet for you.”

He doesn’t. Not really. To be perfectly honest, he’s feeling sick enough as is, knowing that Magnus willingly sat in front of a hungry pack of wolves with the preface that they could ask him any question their predatory minds could think up. But he still heads over to the couch regardless, still takes a seat and looks directly at the TV, because when someone takes a bullet for you, the least you can do is figure out just how bad the wound is so you know the correct size thank you basket to send to the hospital.

Izzy curls into his side almost instantly, pushing under his arm so she can wrap hers around his stomach, pillow her head on his chest. And it’s nice to have her here – his little sister, not his PR manager – as the NHL Network cycles back around to Magnus’ press conference.

The questions aren’t as invasive as Alec was expecting, but they’re not exactly softballs either. But regardless of what is thrown at him, Magnus seems to answer every single one of them with a smile on his face that Alec simply doesn’t understand. Because the type of stuff they’re asking? It’s personal, as in none of anyone’s damn business but Magnus���. And yet he takes it all in like a golden glove boxer, absorbing the hits, biding his time until he can complete the knockout.

It doesn’t come, though. Not on either side. The reporters don’t break him, but he doesn’t lash out either, doesn’t do anything to take them down apart from the subtle digs he gets in every now and again that the reporters themselves don’t even seem to pick up on. And so when Izzy says almost reverently at the end of the conference, “Damn, he’s good,” Alec can’t help but agree with her.

“He’s so much better than you are,” she continues as she disentangles herself from his arms before slipping back into her shoes. “Maybe we can ask him to coach you.”

“Hardy fucking har,” he says, but all he gets in return is a raised eyebrow.

“I wasn’t kidding.”

Alec glares at her for a long second before saying, “I hate you.”

She just leans in to kiss him on the cheek, though. Her voice far too chipper for a night like tonight when she replies, “I love you too, big brother.”

“I said hate.”

“Ah, your words said hate, but your eyes said love,” she says as she gets to her feet and heads towards his door. “Get some sleep. You actually do have an early flight tomorrow, and we all know how poorly you function if you don’t get at least six hours of uninterrupted sleep.”

“Iz,” he says before she can leave. And the way she looks at him with something like concern in her eyes means she easily caught the way his voice hitched around her name.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me,” she says before tipping her head toward the TV. “Thank him. And I mean that. Like. Expensive bottle of liquor type thank you. Offer him your never-going-to-exist first born child type thank you.”

He runs his hand over the back of his neck and ducks his head away, hiding his eyes from her when he says, “I’m sorry,” because those words never cease to make him feel anything other than grimy.

“Eh,” she says flippantly. “It’s not like it’s the first time you’ve stuck your foot in your mouth, and I doubt it’ll be the last. It just makes my job more interesting.”

He looks up at that, racking his brain for something else to say here. But all she does is smile at him and head out because apparently as far as she’s concerned, he’s said all that he needs to.

She was right about the thank you, though. He owes Magnus a huge one. But he’s having enough trouble trying to process the act in general, and so it’s likely going to take him a while to figure out how to make it up to him.

No one’s ever done anything like that for him before. Ever done anything to… like… protect him. And it would be weird enough, coming from someone like Izzy, whose job it is to shield him from stuff like this. Or from Jace, who’s a putz most of the time but who loves him like blood. But Magnus?

Magnus doesn’t even know him, and yet there he was tonight, grabbing the spotlight and dragging it back to him so that Alec could stay hidden in the shadows. And that’s just not something Alec gets. But it is, apparently, something capable of keeping Alec awake all night, tossing and turning. Because after twenty-three years spent protecting everyone around him like he was born to be the world’s shield, having an almost complete stranger return the favor is more than enough to steal an entire night of sleep from him.

Only something tells him that one night is just the beginning.  

[hiddlesgirl]

SH 107: Major Arcana

I felt that this episode was well paced and had good flow; there wasn’t too much going on or too much information being given at once. It was easy to keep track of where everyone was and where they were headed, but wasn’t boring. I really love the Izzy and Alec scenes in this episode, Izzy is definitely one of my favourites (I love them all but some are extra special; Simon, Magnus, Alec and Izzy).

A few minutes into the episode we see Maureen, and it is revealed that Simon is with her; I really love the comical way they reveal Simon with his hand appearing from underneath the covers as he tries to extract his limb from under Maureen. I was a little confused as to why Simon slept with Maureen though, he knows he is hung up on Clary and so does she; plus in the previous episodes he never really showed an interest in dating Maureen, even after she confronts him. However, I wonder if it was because of his current confused, anxious and insecure state of mind; plus he had just witnessed a very intimate moment between Clary and Jace. He feels lost, not just because of what’s happening but because he feels like Clary is drifting further and further away from him; he wanted to feel something real. Though I don’t condone sex as an emotional coping mechanism you can understand why he went there. Then he sees Clary in Maureen’s place, I think it was probably a combination of wishful thinking and Camille’s blood. I loved Maureen’s reaction to him saying Clary’s name “Was it my name? Because it’s Maureen.” The actress played that scene so well.

When then see Izzy putting away her fun, revealing clothes and her picture of Meliorn; my heart breaks for her in the scene, she is putting away all the things that she loves and that make her who she is, all of her self-expression in a case under her bed. She then covers for Alec with their Dad who comments that her mother will be pleased at her taking responsibility for the reports that need writing. Alec returns to the institute and Izzy, good naturedly, asks him if he stayed at Magnus’ and then gently pries for details. She tells him that he can talk to her about personal stuff when he’s ready. Alec says that he appreciates her trying to take some of the pressure off him but that she can’t change who she is, she replies with ‘And you can?’, which I love because she is non-aggressively challenging him on his repression. It really makes it clear that the whole reason Izzy is changing her clothes and attitude is for Alec. As we saw in episode 4, the person she loves most is Alec and she wants to help take some of the pressure of his shoulders. She knows that he is in line to receive the most punishment from the Clave for the recent events and wants to help him in any way she can, so she decides that the best way to do that is to become the perfect Shadowhunter, a mirror of her mother. I admire Izzy so much.

I thought that the scene in the police station where Clary hits Jace was quite funny; the look of Jace’s face after she hits him is hilarious. His lines in this scene are quite comical.

We see Simon at Java Jones watching a classic vampire movie and making two lists; reasons he is turning into a vampire and reasons he isn’t. This is a real indicator that he is deeply worried about what is happening to him; he is clearly anxious and jumpy. He then hallucinates that his coffee turns into blood, his whole demeanour indicates that he is close to really losing it; he is confused and scared. He calls Clary but she immediately tries to brush him off then Jace hangs up on him. I get really annoyed at this, Simon is clearly in distress but again Clary’s issues take precedence over his. Also, Jace showed concern about Simon’s condition last week but blows Simon off without thinking about when Simon could actually need. I just want to hug Simon; he is so lost and has no one to turn to. He is then ambushed by his mother and sister who increase his anxiety by arguing in front of him which leads to another surge of emotion leading to him breaking his desk.  You can see that his is terrified of what he has just done, the strength he has displayed and what the implications of that are.

I absolutely love the scene between Alec and Izzy inside the station and Alec trying to flirt with the desk officer. Alec needs to be the distraction, and Izzy says that it will be good practice for asking out Magnus (I love this line); I love the look of exasperation on Alec’s face and Izzy’s smirk. Alec trying to flirt with the officer is hilarious, one of my favourite scenes in the episode. Seriously “You come here often?” “I work here.” Brilliant, I love it. Also, Alec’s smile just makes you melt; Matt’s smiles are so beautiful and always make me smile and melt a little. I like the effects they used when Alec flicks the pass card to Izzy, it looked very cool.

Simon is getting increasing frantic as he, again, tries to contact Clary for help. He is clearly upset and scared; he hallucinates Camille and that he has fangs which lead to him destroying his mirror. I love Alberto’s acting in these emotional scenes, his body language and facial expressions sell it so much and makes my heart ache for Simon; seriously great acting.

Clary is able to use the Mortal Cup to escape the demons, it is the first time we see that the Cup can be used to control demons and I’m pretty sure that it has been talked about in previous episodes. She also manages to kill a demon disguised as Jace, I think this really brings her growing feelings to Jace to the front; she briefly felt what it would be like to lose him. He has guided and protected her through her rough transition into a Shadowhunter; she doesn’t want to lose the chance to explore their feelings for each other. So, when she gets back to the institute (with Alec) she kisses Jace.

I really feel for Alec in this scene, over the past few episodes we have seen the rift between Jace and Alec which is partially because of Alec’s repressed feelings for Jace and Jace’s growing feelings for Clary. He feels a little jealous and cannot watch them so he leaves, I think he is beginning to accept that he needs and can move on from his feelings for Jace but it is still hard to watch him kiss someone else. I also love watching Izzy in this scene; her eyes are on Alec until he leaves because she knows that this will affect him. She knows that he has feelings for Jace and that this will cause him pain; she knows it will be better for Alec to move on and she hates to see him hurting.

Simon, having nowhere else to turn, returns to the Hotel DuMort. Although to us it seems like a stupid decision, Simon is desperate for answers to what is happening to him and with Clary not answering the only place he knows that he will get an explanation is the place where it all started. Camille appears and tells him that everything he has been experiencing is just because he has some of her blood in his veins and it would eventually wear off. You can see the relief on Simon’s face, the weight lifts from his shoulders; his fear had been that he may have been becoming a vampire, but he now knows that he is still human. Unfortunately for Simon this is when Camille attacks.

I enjoyed this episode and as you can tell my favourite scenes were with Alec, Izzy and Simon. I love all three characters so much and I think Alberto was amazing in this episode.

[normal-thoughts-official]

At what exact moment do you think malec fall in love?that moment in 1×06 when Magnus uses Alec's strength and then falls down exhausted? It's such an underrated moment but one can write a whole essay on it

as a matter of fact, yes, i do believe it was the moment in 1.06 (there is a reason it is my header, after all) and im really glad u asked because its one of my favorite moments and Ive been thinking of making a post about it in forever but never got to it so [cracks knuckles]

well, actually, i think 1.06 was the moment magnus fell in love. i dont know when alec fell in love, to be honest - i think with him, it was just something that kind of settled and clicked into place, you know? there was that attraction and there was the fact that magnus was an amazing person who had amazing chemistry with alec and who fought for him and extended his hand and tried to comfort him without judgement when no one would really allow him to be himself - and who gave him a space to be more of him than any other. but i dont think there was a precise moment when it hit Alec, and suddenly he had fallen; i think he realised he loved magnus when he said he loved him, but at that point it was already cemented. alec is a steady, careful guy; when he falls, he falls hard and becomes an absolute imbecile but until then it kind of settles in slowly, lodges itself inside of him until its carefully in place, and he doesnt really know when it happened. honestly, i relate to that because that's how it works for me, too.

but with Magnus, it was a little different - he had closed himself off from love for centuries, and while obviously he only fell in love with alec because he was already on the pathway to recover and had been for a while now, sure and steady (alec is definitely the right person for him, but he also came at the right time, cuz if he hadnt Magnus wouldnt really be able to allow himself to give in to the obvious pull they had), breaking that kind of wall is hard and is, for many people, something that happens suddenly, all at once, like the crash of a tsunami wave; it kind of isnt there until it suddenly is, flooding out and filling you. and with magnus that's definitely what happened; he had a click moment, when suddenly his walls were down and he found himself feeling, despite himself

you can see a clear difference in how magnus treats alec in 1.04-05 and how he does in 1.06. in 1.04-05 hes flirty, yes, obviously interested, but hes doing it teasingly, playfully, confident in a way that is only possible when theres not much on the line. don't get me wrong, i dont think he was using alec or lying to him - that's not the kind of person Magnus is at all - i just think that it was harmless flirting and interest with not much at stake. he was keeping his kind of playboy, devil-may-care persona (with the exception of the moment when he told alec there was nothing to be ashamed of, because of course magnus "compulsive emotional support" bane would immediately drop the act when he sees someone struggle. ugh. and alec notices this, too, all right, he can see right through to the person magnus really is in that moment, even if he closes himself off). and that wasnt even just in front of Alec; the whole "playing hard to get, i love a challenge" thing was after alec had hung up, there was no one there, he was just talking to himself the dumb dork and it is clear there is not much at stake for him here; he isnt in love, so theres no chance of heartbreak

compare that to the way he acted during drinks with Alec in 1.06. its a completely different person. even in his posture, the way he looks at Alec and moves around him, his facial expressions, theres a softness and vulnerability that just wasnt there at any point before (did yall thank Harry Shum Jr for ur rights today? seriously the man is such a great actor his talent is unbelievable). and for magnus to allow himself to be vulnerable- well, that's big. that's what he was scared of, after all. that's what has brought him hurt and made him swear off romantic relationships for so long

and he says this; he opens up to alec, a person he barely knows, tells him a little about his past, tells Alec hes unlocked something in him. it's not harmless flirting anymore, its not just a mere pursuit of someone hes casually interested in; theres something way, way deeper going on, and this is abundantly clear throughout the whole scene and every single one of magnus' actions. magnus has fallen. this is serious now; hes feeling things he didnt even remember how to, and his entire demeanor changes.

and look, that's really important to me, okay, because i hate the whole love at first sight thing. so when i started watching sh, i was kind of turned off from malec because i was like "oh theyre gonna suddenly fall in love for no reason" but no. that's not what happened. they had attraction, and chemistry, yes, for sure, definitely, but the feelings that sparked inside of them were very much real and solid and built organically, even if quickly. malec is so powerful because their attraction and devotion to each other makes sense, and because their relationship is so trusting, happy, fun, and healthy.

so lets go to 1.06 - the defining moment, the big game changer for the both of them. i know the exact milisecond magnus falls in love - its this one

(gif isnt mine, i had it saved on my phone and dont remember who made it; if you do, please let me know so i can credit them)

bitch, you are seeing it happen!!! you're watching it, right now!! the way he looks up and his whole face changes; he goes from heavy breaths to these little puffs of air, looks up at alec in awe, and it's all over his face, the softness in his features, the open vulnerability hes showing for the very first time in the entire show - even when he was almost running out of magic, he still looked way more put together than he does in this moment; in here he is open, he has no masks, and hes absolutely soft and open and vulnerable. and you can see it dawn on him too, the realisation that he let alec in, just late enough for it to be too late. it's done. god, i cant fucking believe harry shum jr invented acting. like holy shit, dude

and alec sees it too; in this moment he looks down and he sees the vulnerability in magnus' face and he knows this is the real magnus; that's what he looks like without all the walls and masks, and it's just- beautiful. incredible. you can see the love and the softness inside of him and it's just so easy to find a home in those eyes of his, and ugh, i might be changing my mind, this was the moment alec fell in love too

but anygays, why now, right? what was the big gamechanger in this scene?

well, first of all, id like to stress again, just for good measure, that magnus was already well on his path to recovery from abuse and beginning to open up again; his journey through finding self love and strength to stand on his own feet and be able to open himself for others is his and his alone. alec could be his perfect match (and he is) (fuck it i dont care they are perfect for each other, i never really thought there was such a thing even in fictional couples but shit dude they really are as perfect as it gets, malec truly invented love its unbelievable) and it still wouldnt matter if magnus wasnt ready not only to open up, but to get in a relationship as his own person, and not putting himself down like with camille. of course, he still has a long way to go, and recovery is not a straight line, so he still does things like not tell him when hes hurt and downplay his own pain so as not to "annoy" him or whatever, but he is on equal ground. the very first thing that happens when they finally get together (after the whole wedding ordeal) is, they fight. because alec was being an asshole and treated magnus badly and was really rude and magnus was hurt and he was tired of always being the one to chase after Alec, and he told him that. that's extremely important, because it establishes that Magnus isnt just running after Alec or doing anything for him - he wants a mutually fulfilling relationship and hes willing to fight for it, demand it, not accept less than it. and that's fucking recovery right here, folks. it's so hard for previously abused people to do that. so hard. it still is hard for him, but hes doing it. so, again: Magnus' journey to opening up and finding space for a healthy relationship in his life is his and his alone. and they were lucky as shit to have met when they did.

so, with that being said: 1.06 (god, this answer is such a mess, im ndjdjdidicn). you can see magnus fall in love, right then and there. the moment it happens: when he falls, and realises Alec is still holding him, making sure hes steady. not just that, but holding his hand (despite that being totally unnecessary now), and asking him if he's okay.

it's really unsubtle symbolism (and i mean that in the best possible way): Alec holding him when he fell symbolizes support; holding his hand symbolizes caring, because he could just hold him as to not let him fall, but the fact that hes holding his hand shows that hes trying to support him not just physically, but emotionally; and asking if hes okay shows genuine worry and desire to listen to his needs. again, really unsubtle; but fuck it, that's also part of what makes it powerful, because when was the last time magnus had that, that open caring and supporting and reaching out for him? i mean, obviously Magnus has his friends who are amazing and great to him, but this feeling, of being cared for, so easily, so openly, so obviously, from someone who barely knows him, hell, from a shadowhunter - this is new. both because he hasnt really allowed it - after all, you need to fall for someone to catch you - and because he just. hasnt had that. every time before, when he showed vulnerability, he had his wounds open wide and used against him - with asmodeus after his mom, with Camille after whatever happened that made him consider suicide. and then suddenly this guy shows up, and Magnus didnt even mean to be vulnerable in front of him, not really, he was supposed to hold it, but he does and what he finds is just- caring. worrying. sweetness. a grounding presence and touch. alec is completely focused on him, and isnt rushing him to get back on his feet or anything - hes just holding him and being there for him. he wasnt even looking for it, and suddenly there it is - that trust and reciprocity hed been craving for so long.

and yeah, its unsubtle, but that's also there in more subtle ways; magnus asks for his help, and alec comes without questioning, even if he's mad with pretty much everyone involved. he asks Alec to give him his strength, and he does, openly, without walls - dude, that is so intimate, and you can see how easily the magic flows between them; that's something that can only happen so smoothly if the required trust is given without a second thought. alec is giving his life force to this guy, whom he barely knows, and he doesnt hold back at all - Magnus needs it, he gives it. easy, simple. trusting. an open, clear connection. hes worried about Magnus from the start; he gets in and his first reaction is yelling for magnus and kneeling beside him to make sure hes okay. hes already kind of holding magnus even before magnus falls; he puts himself in a position where hes kind of supporting magnus' weight, and just focuses on giving magnus what he needs. up to this point no one even bothered to ask magnus what he needs. and look, Alec isnt perfect, and he definitely still has his prejudices and ignorance at this point, but this is something special. having someone just give it their all to make sure ur okay, from the get-go, trusting you like that- that's not everyday. specially not for magnus. I think maybe Magnus wouldnt even have lowered his guard enough to have that stumble if Alec hadnt been so easily showing him hes in there together with him, as equals, without so much as a second thought- magnus' persona is polished. hes been through worse without stumbling both before and after. his guard was already down, because Alec had been showing himself to be trustworthy from the start.

and after that, it just keeps going. alec helps him clean up his apartment, without being asked, long after everyone else has already gone - he listens to Magnus talk about his past, attentively, without judgement. he even shows some vulnerability of his own - that fucked-stupid smile when magnus raised his hand to his lips, the glances he throws magnus' way, the way he even manages to talk a bit about his insecurities and confusion; hes opening himself up to Magnus, too. hes smitten. hes interested. the connection is established. he stays the night, and they end up talking all night long, despite the fact that Alec was called to work, and we dont even know about what. we know they are similarly competitive and have a good chemistry, so clearly this was a good, fun talk; but theres something running way deeper in there, too. magnus is showing alec a lot of himself, and alec is not only welcoming it, but reciprocating it as best as he can. that moment of spark isnt gone; it keeps growing, the bond that was formed gets stronger. at this point, Magnus has fallen (i firmly believe that he fell in that exact moment he looked up at Alec) but it gains shape and strength during that night and talk; its a little frustrating because Alec cant face what he wants, but the pull is real and strong enough for it to get stronger, the shapes clearer.

so- yeah. Magnus fell for Alec in 1.06, the moment he realised that he was willing to have his back, to see him as he was and welcome it and treat it with care; and to give him back in return. Magnus fell for Alec when he realised that, somehow, he had already formed the beginnings of a bond with him - the kind that's solid, that means trust and care and effort while also being easy, fun, nice. alec fell for magnus when he looked at him and saw someone that was also struggling with showing who he was, but who wasnt scared; someone who was kind, and good, and willing to listen to him and try to help him and who valued him. and that is so. fucking. important.

[bytheangell]

Dreaming Wide Awake: Chapter Five

(Read on AO3) (read from the start) 

Alec wakes up slowly the following morning, not wanting to move from the warmth of the body he's pressed up against. He buries his nose a little further into the soft hair it's nuzzled against…

...and then freezes, remembering where he is and, more importantly, who he's with. Alec swallows thickly before opening his eyes just barely enough to confirm that he's pressed up against Magnus, on top of the sheets, with an arm draped over him. At least magnus isn't awake yet - or if he is he isn't showing any signs of it, still motionless besides a slow, rhythmic breathing. 

Alec makes very slow, deliberate movements to remove his arm first, and then inch himself back towards the other side of the bed. There’s nothing he can do to prevent the shift in the mattress however, and Magnus stirs the moment their bodies aren’t connected, mumbling something a little incoherently while reaching back, still half-asleep, to grab at the now-missing source of heat. 

To grab at Alec. 

Part of Alec wants to let him, to move closer, wrap himself back up around Magnus and pretend he never woke up and tried to move away, but a second later Magnus is rolling over with a look of disorientation, followed by surprise as he pulls his arm back quickly. 

“Hey,” Alec says, internally cursing himself for the greeting. Hey? Really? “Sorry I woke you.” 

Magnus shakes his head. “It’s fine. I was only sleeping on and off anyway,” he says, but there’s something thoughtful in the statement that leaves Alec wondering how long Magnus was awake before. Was it while Alec had his arm wrapped around him? Had he done anything else throughout the night? 

“Why are we on top of the covers?” Alec asks instead, scrunching his face a bit in confusion over the realization. Alec doesn't always use the covers, he runs hot almost all of the time, but Magnus runs cold and has to be freezing on top of the comforter. 

“Because you were already snoring by the time I got out of the shower last night,” Magnus says. “It was too precious to wake up.”

 Alec feels a light flush creep across his cheeks. 

“I do not snore,” he insists, even though Magnus is far from the first person to tell him that he does and he knows it has to be true, no matter how vehemently he denies it each and every time. 

“You do. And, as previously stated, it’s precious,” Magnus emphasizes. Instead of reacting to that Alec decides to get up and head over to the bathroom to wash his face instead, hoping the cool water will take care of some of the redness in his cheeks in addition to waking him up a bit. 

A glance at his watch tells him it’s 11:00 am. “We didn’t quite sleep until noon, but we made a good attempt,” Alec calls out towards Magnus. 

“Well you could always come back to bed and we could give it another hour,” Magnus yells back from the other room. Alec can hear the smile in his words but he’s grateful to be in another room because he absolutely doesn’t control his facial expression at the suggestion, one that’s mostly pained over how much he wants to do just that even though he knows Magnus is only joking. 

“And miss brunch?” Alec calls back instead. 

“Mimosas it is,” Magnus agrees, and Alec allows himself to imagine he hears a bit of the disappointment he feels in Magnus’ tone, though he’s aware he’s just projecting. When Alec comes back out into the bedroom Magnus is already changed and flashing him a smile. 

Alec gets ready and fills Magnus in on anything he might need to know about his family and the area around the villa - that when it comes to Robert avoidance is the best technique, while occasionally Maryse can have her moments, and Max will grow on him fast… probably too fast, and then he won’t be able to shake him no matter how hard he wants to. 

“We’ll end up shopping with Isabelle at least four times this month,” Alec warns. “Which will be less of a punishment for you than it is for me probably,” he adds with a laugh. 

Magnus nods. “You’ll end up shopping with me at least four times this month,” Magnus points out. “Maybe you’ll get lucky and we can leave you behind a few trips.” 

Alec tenses, frowning at the suggestion. Not that he has anything against Magnus doing things with Isabelle, or even on his own, but it’s only the first day and the fact that Magnus is actively planning time away from him is more upsetting than he cares to admit. 

“I should be so lucky,” Alec recovers quickly, hoping Magnus doesn’t catch his hesitation. 

No one else is in the kitchen when they get downstairs to discover a spread of food left behind for them to eat. Some of the food is still fresh, other parts need to be warmed up which are most likely from his parents who always get the earliest start. While they eat, sitting across from one another at the table, Alec tries desperately not to think about how much he wishes he could have this every morning and not just for the month. 

Isabelle makes her way into the kitchen just then, already dressed in a bathing suit and coverup, bag slung over her shoulder carrying a towel, lotion, and a book to read. “You two joining me down at the beach?” She asks hopefully. 

“Would you hate me if I say I just want to stay around the house today?” Magnus asks. “I know I said I wanted to see everything right away but I’m a little wiped out from the travel, if I’m being honest. You can go do whatever without me if you want,” he adds quickly. 

Alec only shakes his head. “I’m good with staying here! I meant what I said yesterday - whatever you want to do, I’m here for it. Even if it’s just doing nothing. It isn’t a vacation if you run yourself ragged for a month.” He conveniently leaves out the bit that he really just wants to spend as much time with Magnus as possible while he has the built-in excuse to. 

Izzy laughs. “Yeah, if you wanted to exhaust yourself you could’ve just stayed back for that internship you got,” she chides him. 

Alec gives a sharp intake of breath, trying to shoot his sister a warning look that she misses entirely as she turns to rifle through the fridge for something. 

“Internship?” Magnus asks, quirking an eyebrow. 

“Yeah, that one at Morgenstern’s,” Izzy says casually. It isn’t until she turns around with the bottle of water she was looking for in hand that she notices the expressions on both of their faces - Alec’s wincing and Magnus’ shocked. 

“You got in?” Magnus asks, not without an undertone of accusation. 

Izzy has the decency to give Alec a quick, apologetic grimace before saying, “I should go before I miss the midday sun,” mouthing the word ‘sorry’ to Alec as she passes towards the door. 

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Magnus continues, not dropping the question, and Alec struggles to find an answer that justifies keeping it from him that isn’t the truth… because the truth is that they’d applied together and when Magnus didn’t get in he was heartbroken. Not only did Alec not want to do it without him, he certainly didn’t want to be a constant reminder of that missed opportunity, especially when Alec hadn’t even wanted it in the first place, not really. 

“Like Izzy said - I’d rather enjoy a summer off,” Alec deflects. 

“I didn’t ask why you didn’t go. I asked why you didn’t tell me,” Magnus points out, not having any of his attempts to side-step the question posed. 

Alec can only shrug. “It didn’t seem like a big deal if I wasn’t going to take it,”  he starts, but immediately knows that’s the wrong thing to say when Magnus’ lips press together into a thin, tense line. 

“Yeah. You're right, it isn’t a big deal. It’s your life. I guess I shouldn’t have assumed when you didn’t say anything about it.” 

Alec frowns, not sure if Magnus is more upset with the fact that Alec got in or the fact that Alec didn’t tell him that he got in.

“Magnus, I-” 

“So how about that pool?” Magnus cuts him off, and there’s nothing more Alec can say without feeling like he’s only inviting trouble while Magnus turns and walks off without giving Alec the chance to reply either way. 

The rest of the day continues on with a clear distance between them. They talk a little but not nearly as much as they did during breakfast, and there’s a new tension in Magnus that Alec can’t figure out. 

Thankfully things ease up once Isabelle returns, though Alec wonders how much of that is an act for the sake of keeping up appearances. He gets a few minutes alone with her when Magnus goes to wash up after a day in and out of the pool. 

“Sorry about earlier,” Izzy says the moment Magnus is out of earshot. “Didn’t mean to get you in trouble with your boyfriend.” 

Alec isn’t sure he’ll ever get used to hearing that word in association with Magnus… which is probably for the best, considering it’s only going to last a month. Maybe less if he keeps screwing up his real friendship. 

“You didn’t, it’s fine,” he says, hoping she’ll drop it. 

“Why didn’t Magnus know about the internship?” Izzy prys. 

“I wasn’t going, so it didn’t seem like a big deal,” Alec says, this time making sure his tone clearly conveys the fact that he’s done discussing it. 

Izzy gets the hint and drops the subject just as Magnus comes back out to tell them that their parents said it was time for dinner. 

It isn’t often that the Lightwoods are all in one place for a family dinner, even on vacation. At home, someone is always working late, or off at school, or at a friend’s house. Alec knows because he’s the one with an excuse to not be in that house as often as he can get away with it, which is pretty often. 

Alec and Magnus are the last two at the table, not that it matters because everyone left them seats next to one another anyway. 

“So, Magnus, tell us about yourself,” Maryse starts. 

“There isn’t much to tell, really,” Magnus says, causing Izzy to laugh. 

“Really? Apparently Alec didn’t get that memo since he talks about you all the time,” she says, tone light and teasing. 

Alec wants to sink into the floor. He doesn’t think he talks about Magnus that much, no more than any of his other friends, but… maybe that isn’t entirely true. He certainly never expected to be in a position where he’d be called out on it in front of Magnus. 

“Is that so?” Magnus asks, eyes glistening with amusement at Izzy’s statement - if he’s weirded out by it he certainly doesn’t show it. In fact, Magnus leans playfully against Alec’s shoulder, glancing up at him with a smile. Alec’s heart skips a beat or two at the look Magnus gives him, forgetting that it’s just an act for a moment or two. “Only good things, I hope?” Magnus asks with a wink. 

“Only the best,” Alec replies, hoping this might be a sign that Magnus forgives him for everything earlier with the internship. Or maybe he’s just a much better actor than Alec gives him credit for. Either way, Alec places his hand over Magnus’ where it rests on the table and gives a little squeeze. 

Izzy beams. 

Alec pulls his hand back away to take a bite of food. It’s just a little thing, but he already misses the casual contact, much the way he had rolling away from Magnus in bed that morning. 

“Maybe to you,” Robert says to Isabelle. “But I haven’t heard a word before this trip about him.” 

Alec sighs, fighting the urge to point out that he hadn’t held a proper conversation with Robert in months when he’s making it out like Alec is intentionally just keeping this one thing from him rather than actively avoiding as much contact as possible. 

Maryse catches Robert’s judgmental tone and attempts a bit of damage control. “Yes, I’d love to learn more about the boy who caught Alec’s heart so suddenly,” she chimes in, trying to reel the conversation back. 

Alec watches Magnus consider that statement. “Well, I’m focusing my studies on human rights law,” Magnus starts. It’s as far as he gets before Robert huffs out a derisive snort of breath through his nose. Alec’s hands ball into fists at his side; would it kill Robert to just pretend to be a decent human being for one goddamn second?! 

Alec opens his mouth to say something but before he can Magnus’ hand is over his own at his side, smoothing a comforting circle onto the back of his hand and giving Alec a small, almost imperceivable shake of his head. For a second Alec’s about to ignore Magnus’ silent call to stand down and jump to his defense but Magnus continues before he can. 

“However, I come from a long line of military commanders,” Magnus adds quickly. Alec can pick out the tension behind his words but it’s barely noticeable if you don’t know what to look for. 

Robert Lightwood certainly doesn’t, and perks up at the mention. “Military, eh?” 

“Yes, sir. My father’s still active duty, grandfather and great grandfather both retired generals.” 

“I see,” Robert says, clearly impressed with the discovery. “Tell them we appreciate their services. Have you considered enlisting after graduation? I’m sure they expect you to.” 

Magnus’ hand is still over Alec’s but the circles stop, grip tightening under the table at his side. Why is Magnus doing this, when it clearly bothers him? 

“It’s an option,” he says vaguely, finally letting go of Alec’s hand to reach for his wine and proceeding to down nearly half the glass in one go. 

The conversation shifts from there, but it’s clear Robert is a little more welcoming of Magnus after that, though Magnus quickly shuts down any further talk of his family with subject changes. 

Alec doesn’t get a chance to talk to him about it until much later as they change for bed. Alec was forced to stay back and help clean up after dinner, and Magnus was already in the bathroom when he got back to their room. This time, however, Alec’s determined not to fall asleep first despite the yawns he stifles while Magnus showers. 

“Hey,” Alec says, sitting up in bed when Magnus emerges in his robe. 

“Well, that could’ve gone worse,” Magnus points out. 

“It could’ve gone a lot better, too. You don’t have to humor him.” 

“Yes, I do. I’m a guest in his house for the next month and I don’t want him to hate me.” Magnus is clearly resigned to the idea of trying to win over the Lightwoods. Alec doesn’t know why he didn’t expect this, but he’s cursing himself for the oversight now. 

“But I don’t want you to feel like you have to be someone you aren’t around him. I do that because I’m his son and I have to. You, at least, should be spared.” Alec sighs. “I should’ve known better. I thought they could be civil for one fucking month, but of course they can’t, and now you’re stuck putting up with the same bullshit--” The longer Alec talks the more angry his tone grows, voice rising to dangerous levels considering the way the old house echoes. He starts to pace, thumbnail digging into his palm instinctively. He’s so wrapped up in venting his frustration that he doesn’t notice Magnus walk over and shut the door until Magnus is walking back towards him and taking Alec’s hands in each of his own, separating his nail from the irritated skin beneath it. 

“Hey, hey. Deep breaths, it’s all good. I mean it isn’t, because your dad is clearly an asshole, but I’m fine. This is fine.” Magnus gives Alec’s hand a squeeze. Their eyes meet, and for a moment Alec holds Magnus’ gaze, searching for any sign Magnus is just saying that to make him feel better. But then Magnus’ gaze drops down, lingering over the curve of Alec’s neck, his collarbone, his… 

“Why don’t we take your mind off all of that,” Magnus suggests, his words slow and suggestive, voice lower than normal as he takes a step forward to close the gap between them. Despite the shudder the sound brings down Alec’s spine he wants to shake his head and tell Magnus that what he really wants - what would really make him feel better just then - would be to fall asleep the same way he woke up this morning, wrapped around Magnus and taking comfort in the most mundane of bedroom interactions.

But he can’t say it because that isn’t what this is. That isn’t what they are, no matter how much Alec might wish it to be the case, and he knows that. 

So instead Alec nods, melting into Magnus’ touch as his lips (with just a hint of teeth) come to meet the side of Alec’s neck as Alec’s head drops back to expose as much surface area as possible for Magnus to work down. 

Alec allows himself to fall into bed with Magnus, taking what he can get... even when it isn’t what he needs.