#animalec Fest 2023

[animalecfest]

Welcome everyone to Animalec Fest, a fanmade 12 days event for talented creators to showcase their talent and make fanwork for our beloved couple.

This event will be focused on malec with animal traits and features, or having the ability to shapeshift. Creators can opt for hybrid malec (tiger hybrid, cat hybrid, etc), them being under a curse/spell that put them through physical transformations, or malec as mythical creatures (siren, dragon, kitsune, pheonix,...). The only unsuitable version is cosplay/suit.

This event is free for all, there's no need to sign up. There will be a prompt for each day during the event, and no limit to how many prompts/dates you can participate. It's open for all dynamic and all versions of malec (book & show).

RULES & NOTICES

Fanfictions, fanarts, edits, gifs, moodboards, headcanons, poems, video edits are all acceptable fanwork for this event

Please treat others with kindness and respect. Our ship has sailed and as the sea monster if anyone is disrespectful I will eat block them

No Malec/ others. This is a Malec-only event

NSFW, as well as sensitive contents, are allowed, but appropriate taggings and warnings must be put up properly

Tag @animalecfest or post your work onto the Animalec Fest 2023 collection on ao3 (will be updated later)

The list of prompts will be coming soon! Follow this page for more exciting news and don't hesitate to send ask to @carelessflower or this page if you have any questions.

tag list (tell me if you wanna be removed or added):  @magnus-the-maqnificent @literallytypogod @ukisteria  @wildesummerchild @sociallyineptbibliophile @queenlilith43 @khaleesiofalicante @wandererbyheart  @raziyekroos  @onetimetwotimesthreetimess @alexandergideonslightwood @andrwminward @noah-herondale-lightwood @elettralightwood @dustandducks​@deliciousdetectivestranger​ @delightfullyterrible @letsgofortacos​ @kita-no​ @mxtthew-fxirchild-apologist  @thelightofthebane @secrettryst @pocketoffeels @cityofdownwardspirals @stupidfuckindinosaur @i-have-not-slept @rinadragomir @potato-jem @schreiberling2021 @thedamnephilimfangirl

[kasper-tag]

✨Here's a sneak peek of Meow and Forever's Epilogue!✨

Title: Meow and Forever

Pairing: Malec

Rating: Mature

No archive warnings apply

Word Count: 13.7k+ (still writing and editing)

Summary: When Alec returns home from a week-long work trip, Magnus is nowhere to be found. The doors are locked, there's a horrible, lingering smell in the loft, and a big black cat shows up out of nowhere. Alec tries his best to solve the surreal mystery he's faced with while questioning his sanity. Where did this weird cat come from, and where the hell is his husband?

Written for @animalecfest for the prompt: Lost

Epilogue coming soon! 🖤 You can read the first three chapters here while you wait:

Meow and Forever - Chapter 1 - Kasper_TAG - Shadowhunters (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

[carelessflower]

The flowers, albeit powerful, were abundant in their clan, as long as foxes proved themselves to Heart of Alicante Tree, their flower would bloom, ready to pick. Foxes must prove themselves, by using the power their clan had prided themselves on for thousands of years - successfully seducing and making at least two people fight over them.

Alec rested his head on the table, suddenly tired.

Of course he would struggle at something most foxes pulled through with ease.

Prompt: fighting for @animalecfest

Read one smile, a kingdom fall on AO3

tag list:  @magnus-the-maqnificent @literallytypogod @ukisteria  @wildesummerchild @sociallyineptbibliophile @queenlilith43 @khaleesiofalicante @wandererbyheart  @raziyekroos  @onetimetwotimesthreetimess @alexandergideonslightwood @andrwminward @noah-herondale-lightwood @elettralightwood @dustandducks​ @deliciousdetectivestranger @delightfullyterrible @letsgofortacos​ @kita-no @mxtthew-fxirchild-apologist  @thelightofthebane @secrettryst @pocketoffeels @cityofdownwardspirals @stupidfuckindinosaur @i-have-not-slept @rinadragomir @potato-jem @kasper-tag

[schreiberling2021]

The four underwater promts for a short story. @animalecfest

September 18 - Ring

For three weeks Magnus was on the water on his small research boat. Incessantly he circled the small island on which he had set up his research camp. Although camp was a very optimistic description for his tent with water tank and work bench. A large supply ship had dropped Magnus off near the island and would pick him up again in three weeks. Hopefully enough time to find evidence for his theory of a submerged island group with human civilization at this point in the Pacific. Yes, it sounded a lot like the search for Atlantis, but Magnus wasn't looking for an advanced civilization, just evidence of settlement. He had found circumstantial evidence in various historical writings. Even Darwin had briefly mentioned this small island. Only at that time it had been a group of five islands and the other four must have perished in the last two hundred years.

The islands were arranged as a ring, so Magnus had to come across their tracks at some point if he continued to search in widening circles into his starting island. It was the 22nd day of his journey just before sunset when he saw it for the first time. The sun made the water glisten like a dream and Magnus had sat down to admire the play of colours before heading back to his camp. There among the waves in crystal clear water were stones, large symmetrical stones. This was not a natural structure. Fascinated, Magnus stared at the waves, then his explorer brain kicked back in. He marked the spot with a buoy and noted the coordinates. Then he hurried to get back to his tent before complete darkness fell over him.

OoO

With barely enough light to make out his feet on the ground, Magnus jumped out of his sleeping bag and made his way to the spot he had marked last night. The sea was calm, the wind still, perfect conditions for diving. To his amazement, Magnus didn't have to go down very deep. After only a few meters, he came across the rocks he had seen yesterday. He took the coordinates of his first find and decided to look around first. The water was completely clear, not even a fish could be seen. The stone stood vertically up from the seabed like a column. And he was not alone. Every few meters, more stone pillars rose toward the sky; Magnus counted a total of fourteen pillars arranged in a circle. A ring of stones that immediately reminded the young man of Stonehenge. Curious, he swam at each of the stones, circling them and recording their data. They stood nearly four feet in the air, the water letting through just enough sun to cast an enchanted pattern on the stone slabs at the bottom. The ground was also laid out with worked slabs in an intricate mandala - mosaic that Magnus could not assign to any surrounding culture.

In all his fascination he did not notice how he was being watched. From a dark cave at the edge of the stone circle lurked a creature whose existence the explorer would have immediately denied. The red tentacles were almost brown, perfectly adapted to the environment. The torso of the octopus slowly transitioned into a human one. Both shoulders and muscular nurse suggested a strong swimmer and fighter. The dark hair tangled around his head and the brown eyes seemed almost black while watching the intruder in his realm.

[delightfullyterrible]

Day 6 of @animalecfest

Prompt: Lost

It was supposed to be a routine mission. The five of them would be down fighting off the demons and Magnus would go up and talk some sense into whichever miscreant was causing problems. Only when they had stepped off the elevator on top of the Empire State Building, there were scattered pieces of glass everywhere and no sign of Magnus. 

“Alright everyone spread out,” Jace said, immediately going into strategy mode. “Alec and I will search this floor. Izzy and Simon check downstairs. Clary, try tracking Magnus”.

They nodded and got to work. Except Simon, who was running his hands over the elevator’s button panel. 

Isabelle grabbed his arm. “Simon, what are you doing? Let's go”

“I’m just seeing if there’s some hidden panel anywhere here that might take us up,” Simon replied, still examining the elevator.

“Up where? This is the last floor,” Jace said.

“Usually in the movies, there is a hidden panel”

“Simon Lovelace,” Clary said furiously, “this is not the time to play out your spy movie fantasies” 

Isabelle and Clary pushed Simon into the elevator and took him down before Alec could throw something at him.

The three of them had returned later with no sightings of Magnus. None of the subsequent tracking attempts had been successful either. It was as if Magnus had simply disappeared. 

~~~~~~~~~

Magnus Bane, High Warlock of Brooklyn and Warlock representative of the Council is missing and Alec Lightwood does not know what to do or how to find him.

The only comfort in Alec's life right now is his two year old son Max and his new furry companion.

Will Alec be able to find Magnus or by a cruel twist of fate, is doomed to live out the rest of his life without him?

Read on to find out

[i-have-not-slept]

Animalec Fest 2023

September 24: Sacrifice

@animalecfest

The world seemed to be spinning around Magnus, everything feeling fleeting and insubstantial. Somehow he’d made it inside the castle and was sitting in the Great Hall, surrounded by Alec’s family. The one word gone, gone, gone kept repeating over and over in his head like a death knell. He was aware of people speaking, but all the voices sounded fuzzy, as if heard from underwater.

Focus, he told himself angrily. You’re the king. You need to be doing something to help. Focus!

He blinked, and the room swam back into view. His gaze flicked over the stone walls hung with tapestries, then the anxious faces around him. Isabelle was there, her face pale and tearstained. Her husband Simon was sitting next to her, his arm around her shoulders. Alec’s adoptive brother Jace was pacing the room, looking tense and strained. 

A door at the far end of the room opened, and Magnus’s stomach tightened with tension as Lydia entered. She was wearing a plain white gown, the blonde braids of her hair wound about her head like a crown. She saw Magnus and instantly made a beeline for him. 

“Your majesty.” she said. She glanced around at the rest of the room, then back at Magnus. “I would— like to speak with you in private, if you would permit.” 

Magnus nodded, and the room emptied. Jace hesitated for a moment, but Isabelle touched his arm and he left with her and Simon. As soon as they were alone, Lydia slumped onto the couch opposite Magnus and put her head in her hands. 

“My lady,” Magus said, rising in alarm. “Are you alright?”

“Please,” she said in a muffled voice, “no formalities, Magnus.” When she looked up at him, her eyes were rimmed with red. “I want us to talk openly about this.”

“As you wish.” Magnus said, confused. He sat down again and waited.

Lydia seemed to be hesitating, choosing her words carefully. “I know,” she said eventually, “that you have….feelings for my husband.” 

Magnus wasn’t entirely surprised. It wasn’t like he’d tried to be subtle, after all. “I’m sorry if I upset you.” he said softly. “Alec and I…. we never….” He waved his hand around awkwardly. “Nothing ever happened.” 

“It’s not that.” Lydia said. “I wasn’t jealous. Just… sad, I suppose.” She looked at Magnus steadily. “We got married for political reasons, as you know. Most people of our class do. I was fine with it. But Alec…” She sighed and stared out of the window for a moment.

“Alec wasn’t fine with it?” Magnus said gently.

Lydia shrugged. “He’s been in love with you for years.” she said simply. “I’ve known it since our wedding day. When you were performing the ceremony, the way Alec looked at you… He was wishing you were the one he was marrying instead.” 

Magnus felt his cheeks heat up. Hearing his own suspicions confirmed like this caused a mixture of joy and despair in his chest. Alec loved him. But what was the use of that when he had disappeared without trace?

“When we last spoke,” he said hesitantly, “Alec was— distressed. If I said anything that might have caused him to run away, I am so sorry.”

Lydia hesitated for a moment. “Alec and I might not have a— traditional marriage.” she said carefully. “But he is my closest friend, and I—” She scrubbed at her eyes with the sleeve of her white gown. “I am very afraid for him.” she said softly. “I don’t know where he is, or what’s happened. But I don’t think it was your doing, Magnus. There’s something else.” She seemed to be steeling herself for a confession.

“There was something I noticed about Alec.” Lydia said slowly. “Something very strange. For three nights of every month, he would disappear— go out into the forest and spend the entire night there. He was always back in our room before morning, so I was the only one who ever noticed he was gone.

At first I thought it was a tryst, that he was meeting someone. But the meetings were so regular, and when he came back he always seemed…” She shook her head. “He seemed dazed, like he couldn’t clearly remember what had happened. He always refused to tell me what he was doing.”

“No one else knew?” Magnus asked in.

“I told Isabelle and Jace, but no one else.” Lydia said. “We all tried at different times to ask Alec about it, but he brushed us off. Wouldn’t tell us anything.”

“And you think this has something to do with Alec disappearing now?” Magnus asked.

Lydia looked up at him, her gaze steady. “As I said, Alec would disappear for three nights in the middle of the month. During the day, he’d be at the castle as normal, but gone at night. Those three nights have just passed. He should have returned to the castle this morning, like he has every other time. But this time, he hasn’t returned.”

“So something’s changed.” Magnus said. “Something’s stopped him from coming back.” He forced back the possibility that Alec wasn’t just missing, that he was dead, gone forever. An image of Alec, lying still and cold in the forest, stole into his mind, and he felt a chill of horror. 

Lydia leaned forward and grabbed his hands. “Don’t think that he’s dead, Magnus. You have to have hope. I do. I believe he’ll come back to us.”

Magnus looked up at her, feeling a wave of gratitude. For the first time, he felt no sort of jealousy towards Lydia, but only a deep-seated warmth and friendship. There was a sad irony in the fact that the thing they were bonding over was the disappearance of someone they both loved.  

Hours later, Magnus rode away from the castle, his heart heavy. Jace, Isabelle and Lydia had planned to scour every inch of the barony, send out trackers into the forest and question every citizen of the region. Magnus didn’t know if they would find Alec. Didn’t know if Alec even wanted to be found. He didn’t even know if Alec wanted to be found.

What did I do to scare you off, Alec? I’m so sorry if I hurt you. Please come back to me.

Just two weeks ago, as he rode through this part of the country, Magnus had thought how beautiful it was. Now everything, from the hills to the sky, seemed grey and bleak.

He bowed his head over his horse’s neck and allowed a few tears to fall, tears of grief and confusion and longing. Then he took a deep, shuddering breath and looked up at the sky, blinking rapidly to dispel the remaining tears. Life had to go on. He was the king, and kings didn’t have the luxury to neglect their kingdoms for private grief. 

 I hope you’re safe, my Alexander. Wherever you are.

_______________________________________________

Three months passed, months in which Magnus tried to devote himself to the affairs of the kingdom. Every moment that he didn’t keep himself busy, thoughts of Alec floated into his head. Magnus wondered where he was, if he was safe, if he was even alive. If he missed Magnus.

He thought about Alec while in meetings with his council, while travelling to other parts of the kingdom, while signing treaties and while he tried to fall asleep.

Especially while he tried to fall asleep. 

It wasn’t like he was constantly obsessed with searching for Alec. But the thought of him was always— literally always— at the back of Magnus’s mind.

Winter came, and the first snows fell, blanketing the lands around Magnus’s castle. One day, when the snow was thick on the ground, several members of Magnus’s council came to him and suggested a hunt.

“The castle needs game for the winter, your majesty, and it might cheer you up.”

And Magnus, thinking that it might at least be a distraction, agreed. 

They rode out from the castle, a party of a dozen nobles on horseback, with their hawks and hounds. Everyone was dressed in warm fur-trimmed clothes against the winter chill, their breath steaming in the frosty air.

Magnus’s horse, Kalon, stamped nervously at the noise around him. Magnus swung up into the saddle, but before he could ride out a hand reached out and seized his bridle. Catarina was frowning at him from the back of her own horse. “My lord, I’m not sure you should be accompanying us on this hunt. You’ve been troubled in your mind since…well....”

Since Alexander disappeared. The words were unspoken, but Magnus heard them clearly. He smiled at his old friend and advisor, and if the smile was a bit forced, well, that was his business. “Cat, I can assure you that I feel fine.”

Catarina glanced around, then leaned in closer to him. “Magnus, I feel a sense of foreboding about this. I think it would be wiser for you to stay inside the castle.”

“And miss out on all the fun?” Magnus replied lightly. He was aware of Ragnor, his other oldest friend, a few metres away. He was clearly pretending not to listen to their conversation. “I need this, Cat. I need a distraction.”

She didn’t look quite convinced, but she released his horse, and the whole party set out. 

Winter had cast a blanket of silence over the forest. Their horses’ hooves thudded dully in the snow, accompanied by the jingling of metal and the creaking of leather. They rode for over an hour, but saw neither deer, bear or boar. The forest seemed empty, eerie in its blanket of white.

Magnus was on the point of suggesting they turn back when something caught his eye. A grey, hunched shape, almost hidden in the cluster of trees. As soon as he saw it, the thing darted away, slipping into the undergrowth.

Magnus couldn’t have said why, but a sudden instinct sent him galloping into the trees after it. He heard the startled cries of his nobles behind him as he urged Kalon through the forest, hardly knowing what he was doing. Within seconds, he was out of sight of the hunting party, and the sound of their voices faded to silence. 

Magnus charged through the forest after the skulking grey shape, but he had already lost sight of it. He slowed his horse to a walk, then stopped.

He was utterly alone. The forest stretched around him, cold and silent, and it occurred to Magnus that plunging wildly  into the depths of the woods might not have been such a good idea. 

He looked around once more, but there was no sign of the grey creature he’d been seeking. He was just about to turn his horse and head back to the hunting party when a low, shattering growl rumbled through the trees. Kalon screamed and reared in terror. Magnus was thrown from the saddle, crashing against the ground with an impact that drove the breath from his lungs. Dimly, he saw the horse galloping away in a panic, and he realised just how foolish he had been to charge off into the woods alone.

He tried to rise, but a lance of hot pain went through his ankle and he collapsed with a cry of pain. He must have hurt it in his fall. The low growl came from the trees again, and then Magnus’s stomach turned with terror as a hulking shape moved out of the trees into the clearing. 

A bear wouldn’t normally attack a human, but it had been a harsh winter and this one looked hungry. It approached Magnus, that harsh growl emanating from its throat. He scrambled backwards, all too aware that he had no weapons, not even his hunting dagger. His hands slipped in the snow and he sprawled awkwardly on the ground.

Magnus pressed himself against the ground, trying to make himself go limp. It was a slim chance, but he’d heard of bears leaving people alone if they lay still and silent. He could hear it moving closer to him and he felt panic rising up inside him.

Then there was a snarl, and a grey shape shot out of the trees and threw itself between Magnus and the bear. A huge wolf, bigger than any Magnus had ever seen. Grey and shaggy, with hackles raised and teeth bared.

Magnus stared in shock. The bear reared up on its hind legs with an angry snarl. It seemed as confused as Magnus was. He’d never heard of a wolf attacking a bear, certainly not a lone one. Although the wolf was the largest Magnus had ever seen, it was much smaller than the bear, who seemed to realise this. It jabbed a paw threateningly at the wolf, who growled threateningly in response. It was keeping itself between the bear and Magnus like a shield.

The bear lashed out with its claws, and the wolf yelped in pain as four red gashes opened on its flank. Then it rallied, snarling at the bear, teeth snapping. It lunged, and the bear staggered backward under the onslaught of claws and teeth, seeming baffled by the other beast’s ferocity. It knocked the wolf away, but in a second it was up again, leaping at the bear and tearing at its hide. 

As Magnus watched in terrified amazement, the bear actually retreated, dropping back to all fours and snuffling in confusion. The wolf snarled at it again, and the bear cowered, then turned and lumbered rapidly back into the trees. The wolf stood still for a moment, panting. Then its head swung back towards Magnus.

The fleeting relief he’d felt vanished, and he went cold with fear again. The wolf’s purpose was obvious-- it was hungry too, and had chased off the bear so it could eat Magnus instead. There was nowhere to run. Magnus pressed his cheek against the snow, trembling as the wolf padded towards him. He shut his eyes, scalding tears leaking out. Dimly, he wondered if it was in any way preferable to be devoured by a wolf rather than a bear. He really didn’t want to experience either.

He heard the soft crunch of the wolf’s paws as it approached, then the sound of its breath. He tensed, waiting for the searing agony of claws raking across his back, fangs tearing at his neck. 

There was no pain of teeth or claws. Magnus’s heart pounded. Then he felt the wolf’s hot breath on his hand, and he flinched, anticipating the bite. But instead, the wolf licked his hand and nudged it, a sound almost like a whine coming from its throat.

Magnus opened one eye, just a crack. The wolf sat back on its haunches, watching him intently. It made a soft whuffling sound and nudged against Magnus’s side with its muzzle. Magnus froze, and the wolf drew back and looked at him for a second, almost like it was….trying to reassure him? It repeated the action, pushing gently at Magnus and whining softly, almost a pained sound.

Magnus still wasn’t quite sure that the wolf would hurt him, but he took a deep breath and tried to rise to his feet. His injured ankle sent a burst of agony up his leg and he dropped again, gasping. The wolf’s concerned whining grew in pitch. It took a step towards Magnus, dipping its neck and butting gently against him. 

Magnus understood almost instantly what the wolf was trying to communicate. He also understood that there was something very, very strange about this wolf. It wasn’t behaving like a wild animal would at all. Rather, it seemed to be trying to help him.

Magnus breathed in again, then took hold of the thick ruff of fur around the wolf’s neck. In one shaky motion, he hauled himself to his feet. He swayed, the world swimming before his eyes, but his grip on the wolf’s fur steading him.

Leaning on the beast, he limped back towards where he’d left the hunting party, following the tracks his horse had left earlier.

It was slow going, but every time Magnus stumbled the wolf steadied him, taking more than half his weight. As they went, it— he— kept swinging his head from side to side, ears pricked and alert for danger. 

This is definitely not an ordinary wolf, Magnus thought. 

They passed through another thick tangle of branches, and then Magnus could see, through the trees, his nobles up ahead of them. He staggered forward gratefully, the wolf still supporting him.

Magnus stepped into the clearing, and there was a flurry of screams and shouts as his courtiers saw what they thought was their King at the mercy of a wild beast. To his horror, several had arrows nocked to their bows, about to fire at his friend.

“No!” Magnus shouted. He ranged himself in front of the wolf, throwing his arms out to shield him. “No, it’s alright! He saved me!”

Catarina was the first to lower her bow. “Magnus, what is this?”

Magnus raised his hands defensively. “I fell and was attacked by a bear. This wolf chased it away and saved me. He hasn’t hurt me at all.” He stepped forwards, but his ankle gave way and he slumped to his knees. Behind him, the wolf yelped in alarm.

Cat’s eyes widened. “You’re hurt.” She ran to Magnus, several lords trailing behind her. Catarina skidded to her knees in the snow beside him, her blue velvet dress billowing out around her. Magnus stretched out his leg and Cat prodded it experimentally with a healer’s gentleness.

“Sprained,” she said, “but not broken. It’ll be alright in a few days. We’ll need to treat it at the castle— I haven’t got the supplies out here.”

“I’ve got your horse.” Ragnor called. He came over, leading Kalon. “We found him wandering in the forest— though how you managed to fall off, I don’t know.”

“He bolted when the bear attacked.” Magnus said.

Ragnor snorted. “Then he has more sense than you, at least. What were you thinking, racing off like that?”

“Ragnor’s right.” Catarina said, which was not a statement she made often. “You’re an idiot, Magnus.”

Magnus wagged a finger at her. “That’s insubordination, talking to the king like that.” He drew himself up huffily. “I demand you show a little more respect to your liege.”

“Oh no, he’s hallucinating.” Catarina said dryly. “We need to get him back to the castle before he starts turning cartwheels and singing.” 

Magnus rolled his eyes at her, fondly, and allowed Ragnor to help him onto his horse. At that moment, the wolf, who had been standing silent until now, ran forwards and lunged up with his front paws, clutching at Magnus’s leg. In the back of his mind, Magnus noted that the beast had specifically reached for his uninjured ankle, so he didn’t cause Magnus pain. 

Definitely not an ordinary wolf. 

There were a few shouts from the courtiers, and Magnus saw one man’s hand drop to his sword. “Don’t you dare.” he snarled, rounding on him, and the lord flinched and moved back. 

Magnus looked down at the wolf. It was whimpering, clasping his leg in a gesture almost like a hug. He felt a wave of sympathy for his new friend. “Do you want to come with me?”

The wolf’s tail wagged, and Magnus laughed. “Alright, my friend. Come home with me.”

His courtiers were all staring at him, clearly of the opinion that had lost his reason. Several were inching away from him.

“Magnus.” Ragnor said in a slow, careful voice. “That is a wolf. Wolves are dangerous.” 

“Not this one.” Magnus argued. “He saved me. And he’s not an ordinary wolf— he’s far more intelligent. And look how gentle he is!” He reached down and scratched the wolf’s ears, and the beast gave a low rumble of contentment, eyes shutting in pleasure.

“It’s settled.” Magnus said. “He’s coming with us. The King decrees it.”

Magnus looked around at his courtiers, drawing someone to argue with him. No one did. He gave a satisfied nod and flicked the reins, leading the way back towards the castle. The wolf loped joyfully at his side. Several of the horses nickered in fear at the wolf’s presence, but their riders patted their necks and whispered to them until they were quiet.

Magnus looked down at his new companion, bounding along joyfully beside him. A smile tugged at his mouth. It seemed that he’d somehow acquired a wolf, and oddly enough, he felt nothing but happiness at the thought.

Back at the castle, Magnus’s ankle was quickly bandaged, and then he turned his attention to his wolf. The gashes down the animal’s side were still bleeding, and he wanted them tended to. None of the castle healers, not even Catarina, would go near the wolf, so Magnus heated water and washed the wound with his own hands. He smeared a healing salve along the wolf’s side and ran a hand through his fur. “Good as new, my friend.”

The wolf thumped his tail on the ground. Now that they were no longer in the woods, Magnus took a moment to study his new companion. The wolf’s fur was thick and shaggy, ash grey darkening to a black streak along his back. His eyes were an unusual shade of deep blue, filled with an almost human intelligence. Those eyes looked into Magnus’s trustingly, as if the wolf sensed he was safe. He didn’t tear or scratch at the wound either, as Magnus would have expected a wild animal to do. 

“There’s more to you than meets the eye, isn’t there?” Magnus murmured. He stroked the thick fur of the wolf’s neck. “You’re not exactly a normal wolf, are you?”

The wolf thumped his tail again, putting a paw on Magnus’s knee. He laughed and stood up. “Listen to me, talking to a wolf. Well, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you want, my friend. I’ll look after you.” 

The wolf sprang to his feet, tail wagging. He cuddled up to Magnus’s legs like a friendly dog, and Magnus smiled fondly.

He yawned, suddenly exhausted. It had been an absolute tumult of a day. He’d nearly died, been injured and made a new friend— a very strange friend, but no less welcome.

Magnus hesitated a moment, looking down at the wolf. “What am I going to do with you?” He didn’t know if putting the beast in the royal stables was the best idea. The castle’s hunting dogs were all trained to hunt down wolves, and Magnus didn’t want to risk his new friend getting hurt. 

He made a decision, beckoning to the wolf and setting off down the corridor. His friend followed beside him without a second’s hesitation.

They walked through the stone halls, dim and silent at this time of night, lit only by the torches on the walls. Magnus reached his own chamber and opened the door. He looked down at the wolf. “Does this suit you, my friend?”

The wolf answered the question by springing inside and looking back at Magnus expectantly. He laughed and followed it into the room, sighing in contentment as he took in the familiar surroundings. His room was decorated in rich scarlet, with thick tapestries hung on the walls to keep out the cold and a plush red rug. There was a fire crackling in the grate, dispelling the winter chill. His limbs sagged with exhaustion, craving sleep.

Magnus quickly readied for bed and crawled between the covers. He blinked sleepily at his wolf, still standing in the centre of the room. “You can come up here if you want.” He patted the end of the bed, expecting the wolf to curl up there like Magnus’s hunting dogs did sometimes.

The wolf seemed to consider, then seemed to shake his head. He crossed instead to the door and stretched himself out along the base of it, flopping down with his head on his paws. Like that, no one could enter the room without disturbing the wolf. The message was clear— he saw it as his mission to protect Magnus.

“Oh.” Magnus murmured. His heart felt very full suddenly. “Thank you, my friend.” The wolf glanced up at him and flicked his ears at Magnus, almost as if to say, Rest.

Magnus smiled and curled up, drawing the blankets around him. He fell asleep with his friend guarding him, feeling safer than he ever had before.

[malec-ao3feed]

Your Beauty Never Ever Scared Me

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/xVGdgmv by TheFoolsKnightDrabbles (TheFoolsKnight) Magnus lives in the sunny shallow waters of the tropics. Alec lives somewhere much deeper. Day 19 - Fighting Words: 606, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 2 of Animalec Fest 2023 Fandoms: The Mortal Instruments Series - Cassandra Clare, The Eldest Curses Series - Cassandra Clare, The Shadowhunter Chronicles - Cassandra Clare Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: M/M Relationships: Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood Additional Tags: Mild Gore, Cannibalism, Deep Sea Creature Alec Lightwood, Merman Magnus Bane, merman alec lightwood, Fluff, Size Difference read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/xVGdgmv

[animalecfest]

*+:｡.｡ Animalec Fest Prompt List Unveiled ｡.｡:+*

For 12 days, creators’s journey will start from the mysterious underwater kingdom, to the lively land, and to the never ending sky. The fanwork should match the prompt of the day and should have at least one person in malec to have their species/physical characteristics to match that of the surrounding environment. The prompt order will be as following

🌊 For underwater creatures:

September 18: Ring

September 19: Fighting

September 20: Storm

September 21: Treasure

🌳 For creatures on land:

September 22: Attached

September 23: Lost

September 24: Sacrifice

September 25: Mating

☁️ For creatures in the sky:

September 26: Egg

September 27: Burning

September 28: Prophecy

September 29: Family

Don’t hesitate to send me ask if you have any questions and have fun creating!!

tag list (tell me if you wanna be removed or added):  @magnus-the-maqnificent @literallytypogod @ukisteria  @wildesummerchild @sociallyineptbibliophile @queenlilith43 @khaleesiofalicante @wandererbyheart  @raziyekroos  @onetimetwotimesthreetimess @alexandergideonslightwood @andrwminward @noah-herondale-lightwood @elettralightwood @dustandducks​@deliciousdetectivestranger​ @delightfullyterrible @letsgofortacos​ @kita-no​ @mxtthew-fxirchild-apologist  @thelightofthebane @secrettryst @pocketoffeels @cityofdownwardspirals @stupidfuckindinosaur @i-have-not-slept @rinadragomir @potato-jem @schreiberling2021 @alexanderlightweight

[carelessflower]

Magnus arched one eyebrow. "Why do you think someone's chasing after me?"

"Because every ordinary man who's definitely not being after faints in the middle of nowhere." The man replied dryly.

Magnus couldn't help but laugh, albeit it was a weak one.

"How fortunate of me, my bleak circumstances brought me my handsome savior."

The man's beautiful lips turned to a scowl. "Do you flirt with everyone who saves you?"

"Only the pretty ones," Magnus winked.

-Or how cow Alec rescue bull Magnus, fall madly in love and somehow end up on his dick

Fill mating prompt for @animalecfest. Read Take A Bull By The Horn on AO3 and remember to check the tags before you read.

tag list:  @magnus-the-maqnificent @literallytypogod @ukisteria  @wildesummerchild @sociallyineptbibliophile @queenlilith43 @khaleesiofalicante @wandererbyheart  @raziyekroos  @onetimetwotimesthreetimess @alexandergideonslightwood @andrwminward @noah-herondale-lightwood @elettralightwood @dustandducks​ @deliciousdetectivestranger @delightfullyterrible @letsgofortacos @kita-no @mxtthew-fxirchild-apologist  @thelightofthebane @secrettryst @pocketoffeels @cityofdownwardspirals @stupidfuckindinosaur @i-have-not-slept @rinadragomir @potato-jem @kasper-tag

[carelessflower]

One lost one life

For September 24 prompt: sacrifice @animalecfest

Winds blew past Alec's hair, cold and wild, screeching down the bottom of the cliff, where none escaped, even the brightest beacon of light.

This was it. All of those nights, tangled up in each other's arms, hid away in places whose future wouldn't weigh them down.

Alec should have known better.

He suddenly got the urge to laugh, what use of tears anyway?

Alec should have known better, didn't he?

The cruelest joke he could delude himself in.

With his life.

Camille was still speaking, honey voice cutting through the air, the web of her poison dipped in victory.

Alec stared at the man he thought he knew, drank in every detail, the curve of his lips, the spark in his eyes, that fleck of hair falling into his star-lit eyes.

Axel was rendered useless like Alec but he wasn't shaking, Alec had no doubt. An honorable fighter,, his steely blue eyes determined, in spite of all the cuts and bruises on his face.

Axel was the moon, Alec was the bug who got lucky enough to fall in the holy light.

Axel. Alec. Magnus wasn’t even trying to hide it. Alec was just too much of a lovesick fool to stay awake.

"Didn't you want to date him for his heart? To save your precious Axel? Nine-tailed fox heart is quite the treat for immortality, you know." Camille sneered.

“Let them go,” Magnus replied calmly. “And you might go unharmed.”

“On the contrary my dear, I’m feeling a bit more generous today.” She sneered, and pointed towards where Axel and Alec were tied up. “I’ll release one, your pick. The other’s coming with me. Don’t try any funny business dear. You know I don’t like disobedience.” Her voice was sweet, the kind one could drown in.

Alec fixed his eyes on Magnus, that fleeting hope died every second. When Magnus spoke next, Alec knew fate had sign the death sentence for him

“—Release Axel.” Magnus was looking straight at Camille, then Axel. Not even sparing Alec a pitiful final glance.

Of course.

Of course.

“Poor Alexander,” Camille faked a sigh. “Never the first choice. Oh well, since you don’t want him, I guess there’s no use for him.”

She was about to push Alec’s off when he started laughing, hard. The sound wasn’t louder than a whisper, yet he laughed as if his life depended on it.

"I'll repay my debt to you, Magnus Bane." Alec smiled, using the only power left in him to pull the sword from Camille's hand. "From now on, we’re equal. I hope we never see each other again.”

Nine-tailed foxes had nine lives, their tails represented that. Cutting of one required a life.

A life for a life.

How fair.

The cold knife cut slashed like butter, it was the pain of millions of shards exploding, burying themselves in his chest, and rotten away the flesh. His every nerve was pulling itself apart, burned and writhed and torn, an infinite inferno.

Alec cried out in pain, body empty and lost.

When he fell, he heard a scream.

[carelessflower]

bound by fate

Magnus steeled himself against the cold, unmoving gaze of him. His tail swung back and forth against the cold water, spots of orange and purple dotted along a shimmering pattern of rich red and gold. He held a small, silver ring tightly in his palm, it appeared old, yet not worn, and waves parted around it like a prey around their predator.

The pattern etched around the ring mirrored the fire in the merman's eyes. He knew, that taking this risk would mean putting one foot at death's door, yet if things had started over, he would take it, again and again. 

"With the power of the moon, I hest thee, Alec Lightwood. To be owned or to be broken. With mine own blood, I hest thee, Alec Lightwood. To claim or to surrender. " 

The ring slid down the man's finger, smooth as silk. Then it tightened and squeezed, the crimson flame symbol moving as if coming to life. The man screamed and wailed, so loud it rattled the chains locking him and shocked the ocean's surface below.

Magnus waited with bated breath.

The layer thick of stones broke down one by one until the man was no longer trapped. His face was smooth jade, brighter than any pearl Magnus'd ever seen, the beauty of a thousand blooming springs. 

But those eyes promised only darkness.

"You better pray to your god I never escape this ring, little mermaid," Alec spoke for the first time, an almost amused sound cut through the water. "It would be unfortunate if the king lost another heir."

Magnus clenched his fists. "You will address me properly."

"Well then, what would you want me to do, master?" 

Link on AO3

day 18: prompt ring

@animalecfest

[kasper-tag]

✨It's time for a sneak peek of my new fic!✨

Title: Meow and Forever

Pairing: Malec

Rating: Mature

No archive warnings apply

Word Count: 3,000+ (still writing and editing)

About: post-canon, magical accidents, cats, fluff, comedy, immortality, soft malec

First chapter coming soon! 🖤

[kasper-tag]

✨Here's the second chapter of Meow and Forever!✨

Title: Meow and Forever

Pairing: Malec

Rating: Mature

No archive warnings apply

Word Count: 10,000+ (still writing and editing)

Summary: When Alec returns home from a week-long work trip, Magnus is nowhere to be found. The doors are locked, there's a horrible, lingering smell in the loft, and a big black cat shows up out of nowhere. Alec tries his best to solve the surreal mystery he's faced with while questioning his sanity. Where did this weird cat come from, and where the hell is his husband?

Written for @animalecfest for the prompt: Lost

[animalecfest]

Animalec Fest Countdown

Only to more days till the fun begin. Tell me which version of animal magnus you're hoping to see in this fest (｡´•ᴗ•̀｡)

🦋Introduction & rules

🦋List of prompts

🦋The Animalec Fest 2023 collection on AO3

[animalecfest]

Animalec Fest Countdown

It's officially September and we're only 19 days away from the opening of Animalec Fest 2023. For a quick check-up with our wonderful creators, if possible, please give an insight, general idea, or snippet into what you're working on 👀

🦋Introduction & rules

🦋List of prompts

🦋The Animalec Fest 2023 collection on AO3

[kasper-tag]

✨Here's a sneak peek of Meow and Forever, Chapter 3!✨

Title: Meow and Forever

Pairing: Malec

Rating: Mature

No archive warnings apply

Word Count: 12,000+ (still writing and editing)

Summary: When Alec returns home from a week-long work trip, Magnus is nowhere to be found. The doors are locked, there's a horrible, lingering smell in the loft, and a big black cat shows up out of nowhere. Alec tries his best to solve the surreal mystery he's faced with while questioning his sanity. Where did this weird cat come from, and where the hell is his husband?

Written for @animalecfest for the prompt: Lost

Chapter 3 coming soon! 🖤 You can read the first two chapters here while you wait: