#maia is sick (again)

[proqhetic]

you’ll never guess who fell sick AGAIN…

[griffin-wood]

— maia wiseman; profile + timeline. (mindblind by @mindblindbard)

[nyancrimew]

confession: two weeks ago my friends got sick of me slowly cooking to death in my self-pitying emotional soup of heartbreak, took me out for drinks, and installed a dating app on my phone. we are all in the same degree at uni (i'm 25 + i promise this is relevant), in a faculty that is extremely quaint and mostly comprised of academics married to people with normal jobs. two years ago a teacher-couple joined our program's faculty, a fact that caused a minor riot within the teaching staff, who thought it was unfair to give two of four tenured jobs to a couple... unfortunately for them both of these profs are extremely beloved among the students and very good teachers at that. even if you've never taken classes from either of them, you know about this couple and probably whatever rumors are going around about them too. i've taken classes w/ both.

anyway. back to me on the dating app in the bar with my friends, pretty drunk, swiping though my bumble suggestions. for extra fun, we have set the minimum age to 30 and the gender to include "both" even though i am a lesbian. the whole table is viciously tearing down dating profiles, investigating their pictures, etc. i go to the bar to get another round for the group, am about to pay for our drinks when i hear a virtual SHRIEK from our corner. i get back, dish our drinks out. my phone is in the middle of the table, untouched by anyone like it's a cursed object. i look at the screen. it's them, our teacher couple. they have a shared dating profile, stating that they are "looking for someone to explore her bisexuality with". lesbian readers will know that this is not exactly an uncommon profile type to find, but still, seeing it from people who have taught basically everything you know about 19th century literature is... quite something. so naturally i decide to swipe right before anyone can stop me.

maia, i am so proud to report: i fucked that man's wife, she was absolutely lovely, and we will see each other again, and i am currently taking another class from her husband where the vibe is more than chill. my friends have been sworn to secrecy, but i know it's only a matter of time before someone slips up and the rumor mill starts churning... but who cares? i haven't thought about my ex since!

OH MY GOD HOLY SHIT

[bellezaycafe]

sunsets and self doubt (and words left unspoken) - 1.

Main AO3 tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, 2024 Formula 1 Season

Sadie's Faceclaim: Maia Mitchell (but you can visualise her howver you want :) )

warnings: swearing, mentions of a car accident.

comments: The revamped Get Your Shit Together is here! Let me know if you enjoy the new version :)

Sadie had to force a deep breath through her system. The podium sitters were not going to like the news she had. The cooldown room’s walls felt a little like they were closing in on her. 

“Alright, listen up!” She called, feeling a bit like she was talking to a random club team. “The stewards have finalised the penalties and we have two drivers dropping down.”

There was a quiet chorus of curses from Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. Oscar Piastri, quiet from his third place chair, frowned.

“Lance Stroll was given two 5-second penalties for track limits. I’m told that he served one in a pit-stop, but the other took him down to 9th.” Sadie tried to give them all a gentle smile.

It might not have come across that way as she braced herself for the next one.

“Max Verstappen, you, and Pierre Gasly, were both given a 10-second penalty for overtaking under yellow flag conditions.” A small cry of outrage came from Charles Leclerc. “This was decided during your last lap and was not conveyed to your engineers in time for them to tell you.”

Max Verstappen’s face pulled into a glare of fury, while Charles Leclerc buried his face in his hands.

“What do you mean, 10-second penalty?”

Sadie hoped he didn’t explode at her during the next piece of news. She looked down at the iPad in her hands and read the standings.

“Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc were all under ten seconds behind you, so you will now be P4.”

“What?! Are you serious?!” The world champion did explode. “Pierre overtook me and I was just taking it back!”

It had been a long weekend for Sadie. She had never been to an F1 race before, let alone volunteered at one; she knew she would be busy but she hadn’t expected to be thrust into learning something the hard way at 7 am. And again at 10. Again at 2. And now again at 4:28 pm.

“I understand that-“ She held up a placating hand, reining in a scathing reply.

“Obviously you don’t if you are giving me a penalty for -“

Sadie cut him off with a sharp laugh. “Who do you think I am, Verstappen? Huh?”

He stopped leaning towards her, something he hadn’t noticed himself doing.

She took advantage of his hesitation. “I am a volunteer. What power do you think I have to change this for you?” she spat.

A scowl appeared on his face as he began to lean in again. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

Out of the corner of her eye, Sadie saw Piastri start forward, his papaya suit around his hips. She put a hand out to stop him.

“I know who I am talking to. You are a three time world champion who will survive the depths of P4. You are Max Verstappen the reigning Champion, not Max Verstappen the upset child! Get your shit together!”

He stopped at that. All three, no four, as Lando Norris had appeared in the doorway, of the drivers did. Piastri and Leclerc looked ready to jump forward and restrain him.

Sadie saw the anger leave his eyes and said to everyone, “if you’re all sick of the FIA imposing these penalties just before interviews, maybe you should all say something. Together, as the drivers.”

It was Charles who shrugged. “If something happens in the final laps, it is fair for it to reach us after the race.”

“Yea,” Lando agreed. “But not half an hour after the chequered flag.”

All the drivers conceded that, recalling the penalties of Jeddah two weeks prior. 

“I’m going to read out your standings and you’re going to stand in that spot. Do not“ -Sadie glared at Max- “complain to me, I cannot help you.”

And read them out she did. Leclerc had won, Piastri had come a close second and Norris an even closer third. 

A few hundred metres away, and outside of the cooldown room, Verstappen silently simmered in his P4 position. When she left the room, Fernando Alonso smiled at Sadie from P5. Lewis Hamilton, in P6, held a fist out for a fist bump.

Sadie waited for her next job as the rest of the grid lined up in their order. They went out one by one and did their interviews.

Sadie sighed once they were all gone. At least, she’d thought they were all gone. Carlos Sainz, who had crashed out in lap 4, hadn’t gone out for his interviews yet.

“We all heard that. I don’t know if it was brave or stupid.”

Sadie jumped and shook her head. “I don’t know either and to be honest, I’m too tired to care. He was angry, I understand that, but my patience has been worn very thin.”

Sainz hummed thoughtfully as he left with a soft wave, red Ferrari suit right over his tensed shoulders.

Sadie pulled in a deep breath. Another volunteer told her that she was done for the day, and she gathered her gear. She’d be back in the morning to help pack down the equipment.

Sadie Leo needed some time to contemplate how she’d just yelled at Max fucking Verstappen.

--:--$--:--

“Charles!” The reporter called him over. “This is your first race of the season! How does that feel?”

“I mean,” he chuckled and scratched the back of his neck. “I found out in the cooldown room, we all did. I’m still shocked! I don’t know what happened with the penalty or the flags, I’m just happy to have another win!”

“You weren’t sure that you won?”

Charles laughed through his, “no!”

After a small pause he added, “I think a volunteer was given the standing from the stewards. She told us, and told some of us off for complaining.”

“We saw the beginning of an argument between an official and Max, but the feed was cut. What happened there?”

“Ah well, we are all pretty annoyed by the penalties; that safety car was twenty laps ago and we were only just being told. It is frustrating, we are all frustrated."

Oscar Piastri's interview was similar.

"That was very well done out there, Oscar. How does the P2 in your home race feel?"

"I'm still trying to process the fact that I scored a podium in my home race. It's an incredible feeling."

"You were standing here when Charles spoke about the late penalties. Do you agree with his sentiment?"

"Yeah," the Australian answered without hesitation. "Frustration is the right word for what we're all feeling."

With a nod and a thank you, he handed back the microphone and walked away.

Lando stepped up.

"Congratulations," the reporter began. "That is another double podium for McLaren, how does it feel?"

"I'm gonna be honest, undeserved. Don't get me wrong, I think I did well today and I'm proud of Oscar and our team, but I didn't cross that line in third. I don't know the full story about Max's penalty but it just seems undeserved, you know? He should have kept the win. I should be P4, not Max. The FIA needs to sort it out."

"Wow, that's a strong opinion. Will you get in trouble for saying that live?"

Lando shrugged and pursed his lips. "If I do, I do."

His PR manager pulled him away before he could say anything more incriminating.

Then Max stepped up, still fuming.

"Max," the reporter began.

"I know what you're going to ask," he interrupted. "Yes, I'm upset about the penalty. Gasly passed me under yellow flag conditions. I was told that I was allowed to take the position back. It is an unfair penalty."

"Charles told us that a volunteer told all the drivers off for complaining. Surely you have a right to complain?"

Max let out a surprised huff of laughter. "Charles is being Charles! That volunteer told me off. I blamed her for the penalty and she put me back in my place. Volunteers don't dictate penalties and can't change them."

Max shrugged and moved to hand the microphone back to the reporter. She held up a hand to ask one last question.

"Do you think the stewards should revoke the penalty?"

"Yes. They shouldn't have given me a penalty and they shouldn't have handed it out half an hour after the safety car. I think that all of the drivers are sick of being told what place we finished after the race."

"Thank you for your time, Max. It was still an incredible race."

He nodded his thanks and moved on.

It was the same reply over and over.

We are tired of the FIA handing out penalties well after the fact.

We are frustrated.

We are annoyed.

We. We. We.

Sadie never watched any of the interviews. She didn’t watch the footage from the cooldown room, in which her face is hidden but her voice is alarmingly clear. She didn't realise the impact she'd had on the drivers.

As she wiped a hand across her sweaty brow the next day, she wondered if they had said anything. She was about to ask her friend, Aurora, when a shadow fell over her.

She turned to see Max Verstappen.

"Hi?" She frowned.

"I'm sorry" he blurted, squeezing his eyes shut in mortification at his slip up.

"What?"

"About yesterday," he muttered, opening those blue eyes. "I shouldn't have tried to intimidate you."

Sadie laughed and put down the tent peg she'd been using to remove other tent pegs. "The key word there is tried."

Max smiled at her laughter. He chuckled a little and stared down at his feet in the dirt.

"But," Sadie continued, "thank you for apologising. I didn't take it to heart. You’re trying to break records. Yesterday, something probably slipped through your fingers and it made you angry. I know, so it's okay."

Max's eyes widened at her nonchalant statement about his motivation.

"What?" she asked impatiently. "I figured out your goal? It wasn't hard, Verstappen."

"No, it's not that."

"What, then?"

"You had already forgiven me?"

"Yes, I forgave you the moment you left the room. You were angry and that was your response to the anger."

"That doesn't make it okay," he pressed. He didn't know why he was pushing her, she’d already forgiven him.

"Which is why you will never do it again." She pointed a dangerous finger at his face.

"Okay," he chuckled, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Good. Now I’ve got things to do and you probably have somewhere you have to be.” Sadie pointed at the gazebo and then the bag it belonged to.

“Right, yes. I have a flight in a few hours, so I need to get to the airport. Have a great day, yeah? It was amazing to meet you.” He stepped backwards, with a thumbs up.

“It was an honour to meet you too Max Verstappen. Never forget who you are.”

Max had to take a deep breath as he strode away.

Never forget who you are.

You are Max Verstappen the world champion, not Max Verstappen the upset child.

He made a promise to himself then, and to Sadie, that he would hold himself to a higher standard. He could be better, he should be better, he would be better.

Let me know what you think!

credits to saradika-graphics for the banner :)

Masterlist | Series Masterlist | AO3 link

Taglist: @snubug @cmleitora @izzy-marvel @aquangxl @morenofilm @viennakarma @simpingcorner @leilanixx

[togrowoldinv]

Happily Ever After

Elizabeth Olsen x Female Reader

Your child calls Lizzie ‘mama’ for the first time

Note: idk I just got this random idea lol. It’s cute stuff! Enjoy!

Elizabeth Olsen Masterlist, Main Masterlist

Dating Elizabeth is your absolute best dream come true. She’s beautiful, she’s kind, she’s patient, and she loves you with her whole heart.

When you first met her, you knew she was perfect for you. And after a few months of dating you introduced her to your son.

She extended her love to your son immediately and the three of you have so much fun together. Elizabeth loves that his name is her middle name. A funny coincidence. They’re like two peas in a pod, you often joke, and they give you a run for your money.

The guest room at Lizzie’s house quickly became little Chase’s room. And recently, Lizzie had let him decide how he wanted to decorate it. Superheroes and baseball were his choices, and you weren’t at all surprised.

When you got a call in the middle of work today that your son was sick at school, you immediately panicked. You were dealing with a major client and couldn’t leave due to your job depending on it.

You called Lizzie and she jumped into action. Quickly, she got him from school and assured you that he was okay. Even sending you a video of him playing in his new room.

You find the two of them together in the kitchen when you finally get home from work.

“Hey baby!” Lizzie greets you with a kiss.

“Hey, there’s my two favorite people. How are you feeling, buddy?” You squat down and ask your son.

“Better!” He says. “Look we made cookies!” He points exaggeratedly to the counter.

“Wow! Awesome job! Those look delicious!” You tell him, dropping a kiss to his forehead before standing up again.

“He was good as soon as he got into the car,” Lizzie explains.

“Thank goodness.”

You move around the kitchen and grab a drink from the fridge as Lizzie opens up the oven to get dinner out.

“Hey Chase, will you go wash up for dinner please?” Lizzie asks your son.

“Okay Mama,” he says casually as he runs off.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” she says and then she realizes what he said.

Lizzie stops in her tracks and so do you.

“Did he just?”

“He did, babe. He called you mama,” you say with a smile. Lizzie looks at you and tears start to form in her eyes.

“Is that- it’s okay if he calls me that?” She asks shyly.

You walk closer to her and take her hands in yours. A soft brush of your thumbs against her knuckles makes her chest warm with affection.

“Of course, my love. I do intend on marrying you, so I’m okay with it. Are you ready for him to call you that?”

“Yeah, it felt really good. Natural even,” Lizzie says.

“It definitely made my heart swell to hear you two interact like that,” you tell her.

She leans in and kisses you gently, but long enough that Chase comes back into the room shouting an ‘ew’ at your public show of affection.

You two laugh and bring your son in for a group hug. Chase stays in Lizzie’s arms as you plate dinner for everyone.

And you love the view of your happily ever after.

Tag List: @gracebutnotgraceful @i-wished-for-you-too @be-missed @likefirenrain @mythosphere-x @hehehehannahthings @madamevirgo @xxxtwilightaxelxxx @yelenabelovaisthebettersister @mrswidowjohansson @alotofpockets @marvelwomen-simp @maia-lightwoood @mortallytremendoussandwich @xxromanoffxx @ggrangerdanger @peanutbutterprincess @picnicmic @wandaslittlewhore @when-wolves-howl @inluvwithfictionalwomen @fxckmiup @marie45019 @sammi1642 @jujuu23 @the-night-owl-blr @musicinourlips @strangegardentaco @avatarsnips @natashasilverfox @imthenatynat @red1culous @olsensnpm @harleysincairo @lovelyy-moonlight @rootbeerfaygo @carnagewidow @wandasbb @btay3115 @lenam07 @randomwriter1021 @wandsmxmff @itbeila @shin-conan-kun @notbornbutforged @makegoodchoices @theprinceofmarvel @blue-serendipityy @bookfrog242 @dopeyouth

[madebysimblr]

Sorella: Grammy? It's Sorella. How are you feeling?

Maia: [blinks a few times, breathes heavily.] Mmm.

Sorella: That good, huh? [unconvincing chuckle] I… I don't really know what to say. Other than I love you, and you need to get better soon.

-

Gloria: Well it was interesting to meet you. I need to go, mind informing Sorella?

Alex: No problem. I really hope Maia recovers.

Gloria: [heavy sigh] Thank you. So do I.

Alex: Els? Your aunt had to leave.

Sorella: [sighs] Right.

Alex: What do you want to do?

Sorella: I want to stay a little longer. Maybe speak to a doctor… That ok?

Alex: Of course.

-

About an hour later...

Sorella sobbing again

Alex: Els, they said that it's still too early to tell. She's being taken care of, it'll be ok.

Sorella: [gasping breath] She mi-ight be ok for a while, but not always. I'm n-not ready for her to go.

Alex: I know.

Sorella: [crying continues]

Alex: I wish i could fix this for you.

Sorella: [sniffles] No one can.

Alex: … I'm going to use all my sick days, all my vacation days. I'll work remote. If it's ok with your roommates, I'll stay until she leaves the hospital.

Sorella: [sniff sniffle] What if sh-she never leaves?

Alex: Then I'll never leave.

Sorella: Alex...

Alex: I'm here for you, Els. I'm not going anywhere.

[acesofspadess]

Extended Play

You were very surprised when Niall asked you to come with him to Calabasses. You knew he was filming today and didn’t know how important it had become to him that you were there.

The drive up wasn’t long, but it was early and you were still drinking your tea. Niall had asked for you to pack him different outfits and a couple for yourself for when it gets cold or you guys went out somewhere. Early into the drive Niall got a call from Joe.

“Hey man, Emily, she said she’s sick and can’t make it.” were the first words that were said. Emily played a key role, guitar, violin, and vocals. You and her had bonded over the instruments you both knew how to play. You tuned out of the conversation in your thoughts till Niall was squeezing your thigh. “How does that sound?” he asked with a hopeful grin. “I'm sorry, how does what sound?” you heard Joe chuckle through the car speaker and Niall giggled. “Can you play Emily's part?”

“I'm sorry what?” it wasn’t that you didn’t want to or that you didn’t know how to play it, you wanted to and did know, but what would everyone say. “I- Niall, Joe? What would that look like?” Niall seemed to know immediately what you meant. “It doesn’t matter. Everyone that matters knows you aren’t using me, we asked you because we want you to." Joe hummed through the speaker, “if it helps, it was Emily’s idea. We wouldn’t ever put you in that position.”

You sighed, taking a deep breath before smiling. “Fine, fine, if you guys want me so bad.” they both cheered with a laugh and you joined them. “Okay the other violinists have an extra so you can use theirs and everything else we can discuss when you guys get here. Maia, thank you so much.” you shrugged it off with a ‘no worries’  before Niall hung up and at the very next stop he leaned over the console and kissed you hard. “You're an angel, baby girl.” he kissed you again quickly before driving again and you were still in a daze. Kissing him would never fail to amaze you. “I think I'm gonna need that on a mug.” you joked lifting yours up knowing you were really going to need it.

Click to play 

“I probably won't be able to play it. This the- this is the piano isn’t it?”

“Yeah it is.”

As the gentle keys of the piano were heard Niall was shown playing it, or at least attempting to. His face was one of concentration until John started playing the harmonica and he chuckled.

I think this is my best cohesive work.

“It's been… 18 months in the making, if not longer.” Niall spoke into the camera. 

And i feel like this is… the album from where- for where i’m at now, and for where a lot of people are in the world, um, 

“and hopefully people grab hold of it, make it their own and then…” he was staring off into the landscape of the property getting lost in it as he spoke, “we get the opportunity to take it around the world.”

As you sat a few spaces away from the piano Niall was currently at, you marvelled at the etherealness of it all. The 11 am sun brought a proper glow over the room. It was just Niall and the piano at the start. 

Life is like a board game some of the time

Mistakes and heartbreaks are no crime

But there's a light creepin' through under broken skies

Got plans? Better hurry 'cause time flies

It was then, you and the other violinists started playing each of your additions. You were closest to him and very focused on the sheet music in front of you. 

Hold tight, get ready for the ride

If everythin' was easy, nothing ever broke

If everythin' was simple, how would we know?

How to fix your tears, how to fake a show

How to paint a smile, yeah, how would we know?

How good we have it though? Mm

Niall was properly lost in his music and you loved it

Life is like a dance floor some of the time

(Life is like a dance floor some of the time, mm)

Dancin' with the stars, oh, every night

And gravity comes and wraps her arms around you again

It's all fun and games until the party ends

Hold tight, get ready for the ride

You didn’t have vocals in this as you were the main violin and you were happy you got to play the majestic instrument.

If everythin' was easy, nothing ever broke

If everythin' was simple, how would we know?

How to fix your tears, how to fake a show

How to paint a smile, yeah, how would we know?

How good we have it though?

Looking at the sun our whole lives

We're blinded by the (lights)

Looking at the sun our whole lives

We're blinded by the lights, ooh

We're still not ready for the ride

If everythin' was easy, nothing ever broke

If everythin' was simple, how would we know?

How to fix your tears, how to fake a show

How to paint a smile, yeah, how would we know?

Oh, if everything was easy, nothing ever broke

If everything was simple, how would we know?

How to fix your tears, how to fake a show

How to paint a smile, yeah, how would we know?

How good we had it though?

How good we had it though?

So hold tight, get ready for the ride

‘The Show’ played on the speakers as he spoke

I wrote ‘The Show’ with Jamie Scott in London. I was, like, we should, um… 

He was seen walking around outside before the camera cut to him sitting

“See if Joe Little would like to get involved in this. I know he’s in New Zealand. Maybe he’ll have some spare time.” Niall laughed looking over to where Joe was sitting in front of him. 

They continued talking about the writing experience of ‘Meltdown’ and how it used to sound. It was very different from the one he finalised. The 5pm evening sun required lights around the room, but it was very sunny.

Niall walked down the stairs as you started to play the beginning notes on your own guitar. You were situated by the glass doors and the sun against your brown skin made you glow. You had vocals in this song and the mic stand was adjusted perfectly for you to sing and play.

Talkin' to yourself in the bathroom

Losin' your mind in the mirror like you have to

Ooh

Screamin' in your car in the driveway 

Spinnin' out think your life's going sideways 

Ooh

You sang the chorus lowly just to add onto Nialls angelic voice

One broken glass turns to total collapse 

Just know this too shall pass

I'm tellin' you now, tellin' you now

Woo

When it all melts down I'll be there 

Woo, woo

When it all melts down I'll be there 

I'm tellin' you now, tellin' you now

You and Niall both stopped playing for the next two lines letting his voice ring through

Sleep is so thin, outta habit

Hard to tell the real from the dreams you imagine

Ooh 

Nights when one broken glass turns to total collapse 

Just know this too shall pass

I'm tellin' you now, tellin' you now

Woo

When it all melts down I'll be there 

When it all melts down (woo) 

When it all melts down now (woo) 

When it all melts down I'll be there 

I'm tellin' you now, tellin' you now

When there's wolves on your track  (wolves on your track) 

Catchin' up fast  (catchin' up fast)

Baby, don't you look back  (don't you look back)

Don't you look back  (baby, don't you look back)

When you're hittin' a wall  (hittin' a wall)

And every star falls  (every star falls)

Don't you worry at all

Woo

When it all melts down I'll be there 

When it all melts down (woo) 

Niall smiled at being able to hear your voice stand out through the vocals

When it all melts down now (woo)

When it all melts down I'll be there 

He looked in your direction to check up on you. The sun was hot as you stood in front of the glass in denim

I'm tellin' you now, tellin' you now

Woo

When it all melts down I'll be there 

When it all melts down 

When it all melts down now (woo)

When it all melts down I'll be there 

I'm tellin' you now, tellin' you now

He finalised the closing with a final strum of the guitar and immediately looking your way with a smile.

Definitely didn’t realise how formative… 25 to 30 would be in love and life. It made me think on a larger scale. 

“I think we kind of lost…” he scratched his head as he thought, “a spot of that control that we like to have as humans. 

We as people always have moments of freak out and not knowing what happens next, and the unknown scares people. 

“I remember I was playing- I was sat in this chair, this was on the 15th of june 2022. It was just after we got back from Joshua tree. And Julian came into town. You remember?” as he got the agreement from the other men a body in the back was blurry.

“And i have this title is ‘all i am. Thats the title of this voice note.” As the figure became clear they handed him a water bottle and smiled up at them. “Thank you love.” you smiled back down at him and as you began to walk away he laced your finger with his bringing a kiss to your lips before pulling you around to sit on his lap with him. He pressed play and the well known tune of a now different title played. You all sat and listened to the past Niall mumble the tune. You all started to hum along to it as Niall looked up at you with a smile.

“That little spanish number.” he remembered reaching to grab the guitar carefully so as to not throw you off of his lap. You didn't know how he played with his arms wrapped around you but he did, and you couldn’t help but be turned on. 

“So we obviously- we wrote the song in like an hour.” Joel added to the conversation as you looked up at the new information. “Like, this was a great, like, collaboration. It was like we were all writing it together in like an hour, it was written. It was easy for us because you would not shut up about Miss Quinn, here.” you looked back down at Niall who was already looking up at you with doe eyes filled with admiration. You wrapped your hand around his jaw, grazing it softly as he smiled and leaned into it.   

“And I have these, like, harmonicas sitting here. And, like, as a joke. You know, I was like…” he played the harmonica goofily, “or something- I was, like, ‘let me see it’. And juts- it’s my favourite thing. Just like the one note, like, monotone, like, ignorant Bob Dylan.” Niall ‘yupped’ a few times causing you to smile at him. “No, ‘cause im sure- im sure you like- you could have-”

“I did a take and I was like-” Joel mimicked himself playing the harmonica very well in comparison to Niall’s. You all laughed because of the comparison. “And, like, this is so whack.”

“And you were like, ‘do what you would do’. And I was like, ‘I can’t play this thing’. And, uh, and you were like,” Niall switched his voice to sound like Joel, ‘but that's what makes it honest.” you all laughed at his impression as Jamie spoke up.

“Yeah, totally. It's so much cooler that- as simple as it is.” Niall nodded looking confused. “It���s literally- was it like four notes?” he now mimicked himself playing the simple notes dramatically. “Yeah it like 2 note.” Jamie laughed.

“And uh, that was like- that magic in it. Like, we had it all- Remember i was, i was ready to BV it up, and i was like, ‘No, we don't need to do that.’” he paused looking up at you before looking away to continue speaking to the boys. “I think once we’d written, ‘You Could Start A Cult’ to me, that was the end of the album.”

The 8pm sun casted a glow on Niall outside all alone on a little chair in a wheat field. You stood back behind the few crew members who were there. It was once again just him and his guitar, and the harmonica of course

Darlin', I will give up everything

Who I'll be and who I am

You can have it all

Baby, you could start a cult, you see

Anywhere you go, I'll be

Yeah you are so much more than beautiful to me

The camera followed him around in short circles adding an ethereal feeling to it all

Oh, I'll follow you 'til there's no tomorrow

I'll follow you 'til there's no tomorrow

I'll follow you 'til there's no tomorrow

I'll follow you

Swear you, you could start a war or two

Kingdoms fightin' over you

To wake up by your side is all I wanna do

Oh, I'll follow you 'til there's no tomorrow

I'll follow you 'til there's no tomorrow

I'll follow you 'til there's no tomorrow

I'll follow you

You couldn't help the tear that made there way to  your eyes as he played the harmonica

Baby, you could start a cult, you see

They will say that we're crazy

But you are so much more than beautiful to me

The crickets in the background added a beautiful feeling to the last song of the day. You were back playing violin as Niall walked through the house to the mic from outside.

Wantin' your summer skin pressed on mine

Fallin' like rain, ripplin' on by

Supermoon watch it dance in your eyes

My wildest of dreams, takin' on a new life

If it's this good way down here

Then what's it like up there high in heaven?

On a night like tonight

You would forever be amazed at his vocal range

Are we just two stars passin' by?

Wantin' your summer skin pressed on mine

Wanna know what your lovin' tastes like

On a night like tonight

Yeah

Yeah

He bounced around the room during the instrumental break and continued as he sang again

Innocent kisses, now our hearts on fire

Got me so high, walkin' on a wire, yeah

Baby, you, baby, you blow my mind

Tell me anything you like, except for goodbye

If it's this good way down here

Then what's it like up there high in heaven?

On a night like tonight 

(On a night, on a night, on a night)

Are we just two stars passin' by? 

You felt the camera on you a few times but were so focused on Niall’s voice you couldn't think about it

(Passin' by, passin' by, passin' by)

Wantin' your summer skin pressed on mine

Wanna know what your lovin' tastes like

On a night like tonight 

(On a night, on a night, on a night)

Yeah

Yeah

You felt your stomach drop in need as he moaned out both yeah’s

Wantin' your summer skin pressed on mine

Wanna know what your lovin' tastes like

Wantin' your summer skin pressed on mine

Pressed on mine, pressed on mine

Wantin' your summer skin pressed on mine

(On a night, on a night, on a night)

He ended outside and as instructed you set your violin down as you walked through the glass doors to join him outside. You wrapped your arms around his back to his front letting your head rest on his shoulder. He turned his head planting a kiss against your temple before everything went black.

tags:

@youcan-nolonger-run @ravenclawdirectioner

@luxiorchive  @superlegend216

comment if you want to be added to the taglist

[mysimsloveaffair]

Maia and I eat until every crumb of food is gone from our plates. If it were socially acceptable, I probably would have licked mine-the food was that good. We reluctantly leave and return home to a sick Hiro. Maia says she noticed that something was off about him this morning. It’s time for an emergency vet visit.

We’re greeted by Dr. Dyer once again when we arrive at the pet hospital.

Dr. Dyer: *to Hiro* Hey, my good friend! You’re back to see me once again.

[bi-disaster-kit-herondale]

The Mortal Instruments as Speak Now TV pt. 1/2

this is gonna flop since nobody really talks about tmi anymore, but I love them so much <3

Enchanted: Alec & Magnus (them. the entire song.)

“this is me praying that this was the very first page, not where the storyline ends. my thoughts will echo your name until I see you again. these are the words I held back as I was leaving too soon. I was enchanted to meet you.”

Mine: Jace & Clary

“you said, “I remember how we felt sitting by the water. and every time I look at you it’s like the first time. I fell in love with a careless man’s careful daughter. she is the best thing that’s every been mine. hold on, make it last.”

Ours: Simon & Izzy

“the jury’s out, but my choice is you. so don’t you worry your pretty, little mind. people throw rocks at things that shine. and life makes love look hard. the stakes are high, the water’s rough, but this love is ours.”

Back To December: Magnus & Alec (breakup)

“I watched you laughing from the passenger side and realized I loved you in the fall. and then the cold came, the dark days when fear crept into my mind. you gave me all your love and all I gave you was goodbye.”

Dear John: Jocelyn & Valentine

“well, maybe it’s me and my blind optimism to blame. or maybe it’s you and your sick need to give love then take it away. and you’ll add my name to your long list of traitors who don’t understand. and I’ll look back and regret how I ignored when they said ‘run as fast as you can’.”

The Story Of Us: Clary & Jace (sibling era 🤪)

“I’d tell you I miss you, but I don’t know how. I never heard silence quite this loud. now I’m standing alone in a crowded room and we’re not speaking. and I’m dying to know is it killing you like it’s killing me? I don’t know what to say since a twist of fate, when it all broke down.”

I Can See You: Izzy & Simon

“what would you do if we never made a sound? cause I can see you waiting down the hall from me. and I could see you up against the wall with me. and what would you do baby, if you only knew.”

Haunted: Maia & Jordan (tbh every verse is like a POV change and a different part of their story)

“something’s made your eyes go cold. come on, come on, don’t leave me like this. I thought I had you figured out. something’s gone terribly wrong, you’re all I wanted.”

When Emma Falls In Love: Izzy

“when emma falls apart it’s when she’s alone, she takes on the pain and bears it on her own. cause when emma falls in love she’s in it for keeps, she won’t walk away unless she knows she absolutely has to leave. and she’s the kind of book that you can’t put down.”

Innocent: Clary (this song is so james & matthew coded but i’ll give it to the other fairchild cuz she’s also been through a lot)

“wasn’t it beautiful runnin’ wild ‘til you fell asleep. before the monsters caught up to you? it’s alright, just wait and see. your string of lights is still bright to me. oh, who you are is not where you’ve been. you’re still an innocent.”

Long Live: Alec & Magnus

“I was screaming long live all the magic we made, and bring on all the pretenders, I’m not afraid. long live all the mountains we moved, I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you. and I was screaming long live that look on your face.”

part two!

[urwendii]

Part 7(alt): Mai Mae & Ossë Roadtrip in Middle Earth.

Look, it's disjointed as usual. I had Maedhros feelings. Rest of the serie can be found: here

It is a wonder really, that the fortress stands at all. Poised on jagged rocks, isolated in the middle of the ocean. Alone and solitary, a piece of the past mummified by distance, cradled by the winds ever changing.

They have to go there, somehow. It seems important. The journey is long and feels too much like pilgrimage to him. Ossë laughs, because the sea he says, the sea is singing loudly there. Mairon frowns and glares and glowers. He hates water and he especially hates isolated islands.

They enter Himring at dusk, bathed in Arien's golden rays, where shadows lengthen and threaten to catch Maedhros' mind.

It is not a good place to be. His former home in an otherwise sunken continent. Nothing has been displaced. It's eerily familiar in its ruin.

"The walls." The former Úmaia says, eyes narrowing as he leans forward and inspects the scratch paint. Fiery orange eyes find Maedhros, a hint of something almost like begrudge respect of a craftsman.

"They had to stand." Maedhros simply answers. Mairon nods, still unervingly watching him.

"No wonder we could not break you." He finally says. Maedhros smirks coldly. He has Sung himself his Will in Himring, to wistand time and evil. He wonders how him and Mairon can even stand within.

Ossë whines about something, Maedhros as usual ignores his antics.

"Why here then?"

The unpredictable Maia's attitude changes, his eyes holding Maedhros in. Sometimes he is rather sick of his two Maiar travel companions.

"There is evil here." Ossë states, voice going low, his words echoing with the otherworldlyness of his kind.

Maedhros says nothing. Lifts his right arm and wordlessly points his stump at Mairon without breaking eye contact with Ossë.

"Hilarious." Comes the deadpan reply but Ossë is cackling and Maedhros is genuinely smirking, self satisfied.

He asks again though, for even if joking, he is aware the only stain within these walls had been back then, himself and his brothers, the Oath churning in their blood.

Or maybe another sin of different nature. Maedhros had been weak and had kissed Fingon in his room, one winter night. Attached his lips to his cousin and doomed him to death by the same occasion. Sin of flesh of kin too close, he thinks, might be frown upon by those who are making the rules of Arda. Or used to.

"No. Ainur care not about bloodlines." Mairon's words hit Maedhros like a small tornado and scatters the rest of his thoughts. He cannot help the glance, a comfirmation toward the Maia. The other redhead simply rolls his eyes, then drags four fingers against the wall.

"If not this, then what?" He has learned long ago love can be a weapon, and it can break you. Or reforme you.

"Are you going to enlighten me on the nature of your puzzling conversation?" Ossë grumbles.

"Nelyafinwë fucking his cousin."

Maedhros let the words slide over him. Ossë blinks, then shrugs.

"Ah."

"That's not what Fishtail meant by evil."

Ossë's hiss at the insult only further Mairon's smirk.

"Surely it must be." Surely, because this is Maedhros' original sin. This infatuation, this desire, his inability to stay away from someone who should have, by all right, always remain happy. Not tied to whatever Maedhros had slowly become between the Exile and the Nirnaeth.

"He's mocking you."

He feels tired.

Ossë cackles, the sound of it like waves crashing against shores.

"I am, I am. But you shall remain here all the same. For healing. Or something. Lady Estë said."

He is sitting on the dusty floor, trying to block emotions.

"Lord Námo said the Oath had been voided." He remembers the burn of the Silmaril with enough clarity. "Himring was a beacon. My brothers they-"

He does not finish his sentence and bites his lips. "I could not go back here after the Tears. We had lost the lands." He thinks madly of a future where it had not, him back to his fortress, broken of heart but his people safe, his brothers managed. Fleetingly he pictures Dior's twins, safe and alive and maybe later-

Mairon press against his mind. Sharp and intent and Maedhros takes a sudden deep breath.

"The lands were ours. You would not have lasted. You could not have won."

He wants to think they could have.

"No. We only lost because Eönwë arrived."

They had been Doomed.

"You had killed."

Yes. And he did far worse later.

"I hated this place. I forced myself to ever look upon the Peaks." Then something blooms in the back of his mind. A small thread, threatening to unravel and slips between his fingers.

"It was punishment. I deserved the cold and the isolation."

"Did you?" Ossë chims, an almost gentle expression on his ever impish face.

"I had to go away. I wanted the Stones, it beckoned me. I had to."

He thinks of Fingon again. "I wanted him for myself. And I resented him for saving me. For forcing me to keep my word. But it was all me. Always. My own choices." The words are whispered, he stares inside the fireplace, dead and empty and tries to keep from breaking at the seams. Here, in this place again, he feels almost back into that old broken body, shoulder throbbing in constant pain, the Oath itching under his skin.

"Did you know," Mairon begins, somewhere to his right. Fire suddenly bursts into life in the hearth and cast long shadows on the walls. "That I wanted you dead."

Maedhros snorts.

"Melkor however," Mairon continues, his face showing the hint of a cutting smile, "designed a far cruellest idea. Foresight was not his strong suit, yet he guessed that allowing you back to the Noldor would later indirectly serve us."

Maedhros says nothing as he gazes upon the fire. At last, when a minute or two have passed and that even Ossë has taken a seat, he looks up and into Mairon's eyes and says with simple finality.

"I knew."

By the second Kinslaying, the irony of it had made him laugh in near madness as he buried his younger brothers.

"You should have killed me." He casually adds, after another pause.

"It was not for a lack of wanting to."

Outside Arien has vanished to let Tilion shows off.

"You two really have ruined the mood for the night."

[she-posts-nerdy-stuff]

[instead fic title here when I finally think of one]

Concept: Around ten years after the events of Crooked Kingdom, 25-year-old Captain Inej Ghafa frees Maya Olsen from a pleasure house in Ketterdam. Maya is looking for revenge against the man who out her in her position, a man who she knows nothing about except his name: Kaz Brekker.

Tags: @wraith--2 @lunarthecorvus @just2bubbly @real-fragments7 @ethereal-maia @cartoon-clifford

Content Warnings: in more general terms I want to remind people to be aware of the nature of Kaz and Inej's experiences and relationship since even if I'm not directly addressing these things they tend to be implicit in any writing about them, but specifically to this chapter there's sa references (not explicit), ptsd references, descriptions of blood and wounds (not very graphic), discussions of death, religious trauma, drug abuse, and a very short implication of suicidal thoughts (not explicit or graphic)

Chapter 4 - Maya

Maya had been 13 when she met Celina. She’d been in the city for just over a year and her Kerch was still rough around the edges; there are lots of words that 13 year old girls aren’t supposed to learn, and she had not yet learnt them when she arrived, confused, empty, and alone, on the doorstep of Yennefer Baars. Yen used a lot of words Maya didn’t know yet.

On Maya’s first night, it had been 17-year-old Celina who snuck into her room to dry her tears. It had been Celina who held back Maya’s hair the first time she was given drugs and spent the early hours of the morning bent over a sick bucket. It had been Celina who bandaged cuts on Maya’s arms and sat on the floor with her all night when Maya couldn’t face getting back into the bed. There were at least 30 girls at the Tulip Mill, Maya didn’t know them all, but she and Celina were the only Fjerdans. They were noticed in the parlour for their white blonde hair, for their porcelain skin, for their long limbs and tall backs. They were noticed by Fjerdan soldiers who wanted the illusion of a marriage, by men who like the idea of turning a modest Fjerdan girl into something else, by the Kerch and their fascination with anyone from anywhere else.

Maya was 15 and Celina 19, a man came to the Mill and told Yennefer that he wanted to feel like he was deflowering a modest Fjerdan girl before her marriage. He chose Maya. So Yen told Celina to braid Maya’s hair in the traditional way of unmarried Fjerdan women, and when Celina dared, stupidly, to say such things were sacred, Yen hit her. Then she hit her again. Maya remembered screaming for Celina before a blow landed on her as well, then, for a short time, darkness.

Maya had sat at the vanity in her little room, decorated like some kind of glitzy version of whaler’s cabin - which didn’t even make sense, because Fjerdans didn’t live in the cabins they just stayed in them during season, if they happened to be whalers. Celina stood behind her, fashioning her hair into a crown of braids. After about half the hairstyle had been completed in silence, Celina stopped and closed her eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“I can’t do the braids if I think about why you need them. My hands get all shaky. So I’m trying to pretend I’m preparing my little sister’s betrothal braids,”

“Is it working?”

“It feels more like I’m preparing you for burial,”

“You might as well be,” there was silence for a moment, before Maya said: “Perhaps I should find my own way to Djel. I’d rather be with him than be here,”

Celina gasped.

“Maya you cannot say such things! You cannot reach Djel if you take matters into your own hands,”

She continued to braid, pulling Maya’s hair a little. Maya didn’t think it was by accident.

For a while the quiet held between them. Maya watched Celina in the mirror as the braids began to take their final shape.

“Do you think Djel still loves us?” she ventured, finally, as if the words had been forced from her lips.

Even if she wasn’t sure whether she wanted an answer, there was some relief in asking the question out loud. It had been weighing in her chest since the first night.

Celina swallowed.

“Djel will always love us, for as long as we love Him,”

“But we have betrayed him,”

“No,”

“By not saving ourselves have we not failed him? Have we not -?”

“No!” Celina banged her free hand against the table, making Maya flinch so hard that her hair fell from the older girl’s grasp.

Maya had never heard Celina shout before.

Celina turned crimson as she gathered up the dropped hair and tried to fix the part of the braid she’d lost.

“Maya, listen to me,” her voice fell soft again, and Maya closed her eyes to breathe, “You can never fail Djel through something outside of your control. He knows this is not our choice, and he knows that we are good, and that we are devoted. And he knows how hard it is to stay that way when we are so forced to question Him, to question everything,” she finished the plait and knelt to Maya’s side, took her hand, “but because we stay devoted, even now, He will so greatly reward us afterwards,”

But Celina would never get an afterwards.

Maya took a breath. The woman with Inej had not been Celina. She couldn’t be. Maya knew that. She needed to concentrate. She needed to pull herself together. There was a demjin out there that needed to be destroyed, and she couldn’t do that if she fell to pieces every time she saw a Fjerdan girl who looked vaguely like Celina.

Think about better things. Think about killing the demjin.

She didn’t know what Kaz Brekker looked like, but dreams did not need faces. She imagined her fists meeting his stomach, her boot pressed against his neck. She imagined him on his knees, begging her for mercy that she would not give. Maya had already given Celina her revenge, now it was time to get her own.

She was struck by the painful thought that Celina may not have wanted vengeance, and tried to push it away. In the moments they could share, when neither of them were drugged or otherwise occupied, Celina would talk a lot about Djel. Maya didn’t mind that, but she thought that they saw Him differently to each other. Celina believed Djel would forgive her for everything that she had to do at the Mill, and that if she was ever free again it would be like having a clean slate in His eyes. Maya believed Djel demanded penance, but not from her. She could become Djel’s hand, use the gift he had given her to move against the monsters who’d taken his devoted and warped them into this. Because surely if she could ask Djel for forgiveness of this, she could ask him forgiveness of anything? He forgave this, Celina had told her, because they did not have a choice. What other reasons would he let slide? Maya thought revenge was definitely one of them, because she still had no choice. She had to enact this vengeance or it would eat her from inside out, so Djel would understand whatever she chose to do to be rid of it. Wouldn’t He?

Someone was knocking on the door. Maya jumped out of her skin, then with horror realised she’d been crying.

“Maya?”

Inej’s voice.

“I… one second - one…”

“You don’t have to come out, I just wanted to tell you that Fiona is going to be here a little longer than she thought. Are you okay?”

“Still breathing,” Maya called; her head was between her knees and she was panting raggedly, but the statement was technically true.

“Can I get you anything?”

“No. Thank you.”

She heard Inej’s footsteps recede and threw her head back to lean against the wall.

Perhaps she should let her herself cry. It had been a long time since she’d dared to.

She thought about Celina stood behind her at the vanity, fingers moving slowly through her hair. It felt so long ago. The edges of Celina’s face were starting to feel blurry. Maya could not let that happen. She could not just remember her as blue eyes and blonde hair. She forced herself to think of the arch in Celina’s brows, the little freckle on her forehead. But it always ended with Celina’s blood. On the floor, on Maya’s hands, seeping in long blonde hair splayed out across the tiles.

Maya thought she might throw up. She put her head back between her knees and tried to think of revenge. She would carve her name into Kaz Brekker’s bones.

It would not bring her father back. But for as long as Maya was alive and Celina we still very much dead, she would hunt the demjin to the ends of the earth and beyond. She would find his gang, find some way to eat away at his business, let his empire collapse around him. And then she would… her mind could concoct a thousand different methods of torture, murder. None sufficed. Nothing was good enough for him. But she would find something. She had Djel’s gift, after all.

Perhaps she could drown him from the inside out. She thought that might be possible. There was water everywhere, she just had to find it. If she could pull water from the air already in his lungs… she could barely hold a bubble for more than a few seconds. Maya may know this was Djel’s gift but that didn’t mean all his followers did; she had no training, barely any knowledge of it was she could do. She’d been practically useless in the Grisha workshop of her first indenture - the merch had wanted her to find a way of removing salt from sea water, she supposed so that instead of being so reliant on rivers people became reliant on him. But Maya could not sense the difference between the water and the salt, she could barely lift water from one container to another. She would sit for hours with a container of fresh water and a container of seawater, hands held out above them. She could feel that they were different, but she could not feel the exact edges of what needed to be changed. And then the mercher died, and suddenly water and salt became very distant, very foolish things to be worrying about.

Maya thought of seawater, of Celina’s hands in her hair, of steaming tea in glass mugs, of the smell of blood in the air. She gagged. Djel, was she really going to throw up? She hadn’t done since the first time Yen had made her drink the tea, when she was 13. The steam had risen from the surface in swirling patterns, and still with her little girl’s mind Maya thought they looked like monsters. Yen had leant forward, elbow on the table, chin balanced on her hand. Maya thought Yen was beautiful.

“I heard you struggled last night,” she’d said, voice silk but with something more to it as well, “Clients don’t like it when girls cry. So as a rule, my girls do not cry.”

Maya had nothing to say. It was her second day at the Tulip Mill, she felt hollow and alone and all she could think of was whether Djel would still accept her after what she did the previous night.

“I want to make it easier for you. Drink your tea, my dear. It will help you relax,”

Maya didn’t move for a moment and Yen’s eyes grew hard. She darted to take the cup and lifted it to her lips. It was too hot to drink yet and it burned the roof of her mouth and her tongue, creating a mask for its own bitter taste. She felt like she was being strangled.

“That’s right,” murmured Yen, her voice becoming discordant notes as more and more of the liquid found its way down Maya’s throat, “Deep breaths. Drink up, now. Good girl,”

Maya’s next memory was throwing up, Celina holding back her hair. Maya had cried, but who was there to care?

Images were flashing through Maya’s mind as she tried to breathe; tea in glass cups, someone holding her wrist so tightly her hand went numb, Yen smiling as she called Celina forward, sweat dripping down her neck, a stranger in a black, mercher’s suit. She held on until she couldn’t anymore, until she gagged again and felt herself lurch sideways. Unsure of whether or not she’d meant to, she found herself banging on the door and screaming for Inej.

[proqhetic]

was planning on finishing writing and posting an inbox req or two but i um well am slightly sick 😭😭 and with school starting up my energy has been so low i’m sorry guys ☹️ but more things coming very soon !!! thank u for waiting

[alexanderlightweight]

Howdy, hope your week has been kind.

A Wednesday prompt: Alec's first birthday since he and Magnus got together. Preferably not super focused on immortality (angst or not)

Thanks! 💛

angst with a happy ending! no immortality angst because obviously Alec is going to be immortal at some point. i only write immortal husbands, though how they get Alec immortal can sometimes be left open to interpretation.

thank you! it has been a busy week with a couple unexpected dust storms that kicked allergies off and my asthma into gear so i spent like 18 hours yesterday in that 'i am medicated and semi-aware of the world but not really' stage and snapped out of it mostly in time to write today so i'm happy! i hope you are having a good week!

<3 lumine

-

Alec sighs in relief as he finally gets to the loft and when he enters, he hisses as the scent and presence of other nephilim and people hit him.

Magnus is standing there, splendid and magnificent and with a soft smile on his face… and he’s surrounded by Alec’s family and more shadowhunters and warlocks and even Maia.

“Nope.” Is all Alec says and he turns and walks out of the room, leaving to go for the rooftop stairs that had better still be warded to keep out pests. Because Alec is not in the mood for a party, surprise or otherwise and if anyone thinks he’s going to give in, they have another thing coming to them.

“Alec!” Izzy calls behind him, running to catch up and her strong, elegant and painted fingers catch on his elbow. “Hermano, it’s your birthday. Come on, we’re all here to celebrate.”

“And yet, I don’t want to.” Is all Alec says and he pushes her hand off and steps into the staircase, pleased when the door seals behind him.

He shrugs off his weapons as he climbs and leaves his boots and jacket on the bench near the roof door. He’s not sure what’s going on below, but he doesn’t care.

Alec’s made it clear that he doesn’t want a party, that he wanted to spend his first birthday with Magnus just the two of them. Especially when this week has been one exhaustion after the other and yet apparently, once again everyone else’s opinion matters more than his.

“Alexander—” Magnus says, when he opens the roof door less than ten minutes later.

“Are they gone?” Alec asks, interrupting him coolly and refusing to turn to look at Magnus.

“Yes, of course darling. If I’d realized how much you’d dislike it, I wouldn’t have listened to Izzy and Jace.”

“So why did you?” Alec bites out, because he can’t help himself. “I told you what I wanted and what I didn’t want, Magnus. So why did you even bother asking me if you were just going to ignore me? Why are Izzy and Jace’s opinions more important than my own? Especially when it comes to me?” Alec scoffs, “Izzy told me I owed it to myself and you to have a party the other day. I laughed at her, because you and I had already agreed to just take a day to ourselves. Now I realize it was her way of telling me to buck up and accept it, to just deal with the party.”

“Alec,” Magnus offers, and Alec just sighs and steps further into the garden and away from Magnus.

“I’m guessing the plans we actually made got canceled?�� He asks and he can’t help that he’s being so terse. This is the first birthday he’s actually been looking forward to for ages and it’s once again ruined by his family.  The same way it is every year.

“Darling, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even consider how it might feel for you, Isabelle and Jace were so sure this would be what you wanted.”

“So, you cancelled them. Because Izzy convinced you she knew best. Which I don’t understand how she managed that, because you know how I feel about her ignoring what I want.”

“I know how much you love your family.” Magnus says, almost helplessly and Alec is getting really sick of his love for people being the reason why nothing he says matters.

“So? What does loving them have to do with always have to be punished for that love? I can’t have anything I enjoy? I don’t get to make choices? It’s all picked for me based on that love.” Alec sighs, “I was looking forward to tonight, for once. Now I just want to sleep and hope this day never comes again, the same way I’ve felt the last decade and a half.”

Magnus makes an involuntary noise and Alec ignores it, “I wanted to have this day, just with you. So I could enjoy it for once and now—” Alec sighs. “I think I’m going to take a walk, Magnus. I’ll be back later.”

Arms wrap around his waist before he can even think of heading to the edge of the roof and jumping off and then Alec is being bodily picked up and tossed through a portal.

“Magnus!” He yelps as he lands in sand, because this isn’t something he expected from his boyfriend. Magnus is normally great about giving him space when needed, a little too great sometimes.

“Yes, yes. You need to take a walk.” Magnus tells him, utterly sincere and his golden eyes calm and patient and filled with remorse. “This Isle is uncharted and undocumented to all but a few in the Spiral Labryinth, you can walk as much as you want for as far as you want. Around the whole Isle if you need to, there are no demons here to watch out for.” Magnus reaches out and then lets his hands fall with a soft, sad sigh.

“I got too swept up in the idea of showing you off, of proving how well we’re working together. Despite what we’ve talked about, it never occurred to me that Isabelle would be so inconsiderate as to…” Magnus pauses and sighs, “ah. In hindsight, that is something I should have realized sooner. I suppose I let my own hubris get to me, Alexander. Which isn’t an excuse, but I am sorry beloved. I never meant to corner you, especially not in our home.”

“Is it?” Alec asks quietly, because Magnus has never said or offered and Alec isn’t brave enough to go for it, not yet.

“Is it what?”

“Our home?”

“Of course, sayang.” And Magnus looks heartbroken, “have I never told you?” He asks, as if it’s unimaginable and when Alec shakes his head, Magnus reaches up his hands before he pauses. Unwilling to touch without permission when Alec is this upset.

Alec leans into the hold and sighs as Magnus’ warm hands cup his face and then he’s pulled so that they can both press their foreheads against each other.

“Walk with me?” Alec whispers, “I can’t talk. Not yet, but you can. If you want. Tell me about the plants and animals here? What kind of experiments you’ve done? Something just us, please?”

“Oh, darling. The stories I’m about to tell you.” Magnus promises him gently and his eyes crinkle like little gold moons when Alec takes Magnus’ hand.

This isn’t how he wanted it.

But this is what he wanted.

Magnus and he without any pressure of the future, just enjoying each other and learning more… after all.

It’s still new.

-

gonna be real, i get uncomfortable in the fics where izzy and jace pressure alec to do things he doesn't want to do and then he does them and meets magnus or makes magnus happy and alec's like 'wow yes i'm so glad my boundaries were ignored and my opinion mocked and it was totally worth being made intensely uncomfortable because i met magnus'.

and like, mood to meeting magnus but not mood to 'hey we know better than you because you're an introvert and a repressed queer so you need to listen to us because we know best' because i've had that vibe directed at me and it's so gross. and it's used in canon show too and never called out as manipulative and ick.

sorry to ramble on a fic fill and i don't think people should stop writing fics like that if they want them, i just tend to avoid them especially because it's a canon show trait that i hate and write out of my fics.

[animatorweirdo]

The Feast of the Stars

A lot has come to happen after a whole week has passed. Luthien invites you to join a feast beneath the stars and Maglor finally decides on his feelings for you.

Warnings: sending letters to each other, healing from your wounds and a crack in the head, pining, Luthien teases you, you decide to accept her invitation, Maedhros has a serious talk with Maglor, mentions of heartbreak, dying of old age, you join a party, you have fun then Saeros kinda ruins it, deciding to be mischievous, longing and missing people.

Chapter 18

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

It had now been a whole week since you arrived in Doriath. Nelle had taken good care of your head and wounds. You no longer suffered from prolonged headaches, and the bite wounds left by the vampires had become no more than fading scars. It could be because Nelle was a Maia or that the medicines of the Sindar elves were much more effective than the ordinary ones. Nevertheless, you were well enough that Nelle even allowed you to go outside again, albeit with supervision, since you were still sensitive to the sun's heat.

You had exchanged letters with Maglor during the course of the week. The delivery was effective since Doriath wasn’t too far from Himring. 

You mostly wrote to him about how things were going, how you met your two friends when you were imprisoned, and that you got help finding the new medicine from Melian herself. You couldn't stop yourself from telling him everything, and he seemed relieved and happy for you. However, he constantly told you to be cautious around the Sindar, since they were known to be quick to jump into things. You figured he was still worried someone might incidentally discover your secret and tell Thingol, and tried to assure him many times that your secret was safe. 

His way of expressing his worry made your heart pound warmly, so you sometimes tried to add a joke at the end of your letters in hopes of putting him at ease. 

When you would wait for his reply, you would sometimes stare at his previous letters and daydream a little. It was a bit strange, but for some reason, reading his handwriting gave you comfort, unlike Camilla’s, since they were pretty cold. Not that you received any more letters from her. She simply told you in the first letter to take the chance to get any help possible and ensure that Melian would help you find the new medicine.

Nelle and Melui sometimes came to chat with you. Nelle would check on your wounds, and Melui would bring short books for you to read. The two would then sometimes chat among themselves, and you would watch with a smile. You had a feeling Melui had a thing for the stoic Maia, and Nelle also seemed softer toward the elf.

Luthien would also come to chat with you and then invite you for a walk. You would usually agree, and Nelle would then force you to take a flask of water with you. Going outside did good for you, and you had become close friends with Luthien. You had doubts that she had better things to do than entertain you, but she confessed you were a good reason for her to ditch duties and simply have fun in the forest. She was quite adventurous, and you adored that, but for the sake of your safety, you told her to do it occasionally. You did not want her father to think you were being a bad influence on her.

Melian finally summoned you to talk with her after a whole week. You two exchanged greetings before she shared that she had looked into things and wanted to learn the previous methods you used to contain the wendigo. You told her all you knew, and then she sent you away, telling you she would invite you once she created the medicine.

Things started really looking up to you. 

You were sitting on your bed, reading a reply from Maglor. It was his reaction to the joke in your previous letter, and he added his own joke, which made you snicker and swing your feet like a love-sick fool.

You failed to notice Luthien as she snuck behind you and peeked at your letter. 

“Seems like he has a good sense of humor,” Luthien smiled, making you jump and cover your letter in a fluster. 

“Hey! Don’t go peaking over like that! Some privacy please!” you whined, making her chuckle. 

“You have been sending letters since day one,” Luthien stated. “Who is he if I may ask? He sounds like someone important to you?” she questioned. 

“Just… a close friend. That’s all,” you answered. 

“He doesn’t seem like just a friend. You seem quite happy when you receive a reply and the way he wrote the letter seems like he might feel more toward you as well,” she said. 

“And what is that supposed to mean?” you rolled your eyes at her while setting the letter in the drawer next to you. 

“It seems like you two might be in love. I can see it in the way you keep staring at the letters with that adoring look,” Luthien grinned. 

Your face warmed up. “Get off my back! This is a private matter!” you pushed her playfully, making her chuckle. 

"Anyway..." Luthien started. "There is a feast tomorrow at midnight, and since Nelle has deemed you well enough to go outside, would you like to join? It's a feast we hold each year when the stars are at their highest," she explained.

“Oh, is it something like a summer celebration?” you asked. 

“Exactly, so what’s your answer? It would be quite an opportunity for a human to join a celebration like this one” she asked. 

“I can believe that,” you chuckled. 

“I would love to join. But unfortunately, I’m not really a party type, and I also don’t have anything nice to wear,” you said. 

“I can lend you some clothes, so don’t worry about that,” Luthien smiled. “And it would feel nice for my new friend to join a party held by my kin,” she said.

You wanted to decline, but after she said that, you couldn't bring yourself to do it.

“Okay… if you insist,” you answered despite your reluctance.

“Great. We can look for your clothes tomorrow. Rest well tonight,” Luthien said as she began leaving. “You too,” you smiled as she left the healer’s halls. 

When she was gone, you released an exasperated sigh. It would be the first time you appear before the elves since the court fiasco. You're not entirely sure how you would fare, but you didn't really want to disappoint Luthien, even though she would have most likely understood if you said no.

Maglor was in the garden, reading the letter he had received from you in the morning. The flowers in the garden have come into full bloom and given color to the gray pavements and stones. 

He read in your letter how the princess of Doriath had invited you to a feast, and that you agreed to it not to appear rude. It seemed you two had become good friends, and it eased his heart, knowing you would have her support if something happened to you. But it did not banish the worry he still felt for you. You have assured him many times that your secret was safe, but he could still remember the day when Thingol learned about the deeds of his house and how his mother tongue got banned from all over Beleriand. He could only imagine what would happen if the elf king learned about your curse.

Maglor’s attention was then drawn when he heard footsteps approaching him. He looked over your letter and saw his red-haired brother walking toward him. 

“I have been spending quite a lot of time here,” Maedhros started. 

“Well, I have to go somewhere to find peace and quiet. And my study is not exactly a good place to think about other things than the work you keep dropping on me,” Maglor answered, trying to sound humorous. 

“Say what you say, maintaining a fortress is not an easy job. You should know that better than anyone,” Maedhros stated, causing Maglor to roll his eyes. 

“You have also been sending letters these days,” Maedhros added. 

“Well, I have been writing with (Name). I did tell you that she was recovering in Doriath from her injuries after the Sindar found her,” Maglor explained. 

“You did tell me, and I am glad she’s recovering,” Maedhros said. 

Maedhros then looked serious. “There’s something I need to talk about with you, and it’s about your relationship with (Name),” Maedhros stated, making Maglor look at him with a frown. 

“Is there a problem?” Maglor questioned. 

“I am not going to push around it. I’ve noticed how much time you started spending with her, and even though your private affairs are not my concern. I think this is important because you are catching feelings for a human,” Maedhros explained. 

Maglor frowned. “So, what if I’m falling for a human?” he questioned.  

"I’m not trying to ridicule you or talk you down. I only wish that you understand if you decide to pursue her, you will most likely curse yourself with heartbreak. She’s not immortal like us. She will not live for thousands of years. She will eventually grow old, and then there will be a time when she will depart from this world. Her spirit will not go to the Blessed Realm, which means you will never see her again after she’s gone,” Maedhros explained.

“I know the risks, and I know she will not remain in this world forever,” Maglor answered quietly. 

“I am glad to hear that,” Maedhros said. “(Name) seems like a good person, and I can see how much you have grown to care for her, which is why I am letting you decide where to go from here. I only hope you are prepared to take the path you choose,” he added.

Maglor thought about it quietly. “And what if I do not pick the choice you would expect me to pick?” he asked. 

“Like I said, I am letting you decide. I only wanted to make sure you know the consequences and the pain that may fall upon you,” Maedhros answered.

“I am happy that you found happiness with someone, but I do not wish for you to get severely hurt by the bad sides that follow it,” he said with a gentle look. 

“I… Understand completely, and I am willing to bear the consequences of my own decision,” Maglor said. 

“That’s good. That’s all I had to say,” Maedhros nodded and began walking away from the garden. 

Maglor thought to himself while his brother left. 

“And if you do decide to court her…” Maedhros stopped and turned toward him. Maglor looked at him, waiting to hear what he had to say. “I… will support your decision. Our brothers might put opposition if they learned about it, so try to keep quiet about it with them around,” Maedhros finished. 

Maglor chuckled. 

“Thank you, Maedhros. And I keep our brothers in mind,” he said. 

Maedhros nodded. “Don’t forget to sign the documents today. They need to be done before next week,” he said, leaving the garden. Maglor rolled his eyes at his brother and returned his gaze toward your letter. 

He thought about you and his feelings. His mind then returned to Camilla’s question and if he considered his feelings for you as love. There was no denying it anymore. He had feelings for you. Even though there were downsides to it, he could not bring himself to push you away. 

He finally had his answer, an answer he was ready to accept. He only hoped Camilla would be accepting of it as well. 

The corridors were dimly lit. Your and Luthien’s footsteps echoed across the walls as you arrived at the hall where the feast was held. You were wearing a comfortable dress Luthien helped you find, and she also helped you style your hair nicely, even convincing you to add a few lovely stones to decorate it. She was really good at convincing you, or you just didn’t have the heart to tell her no.

You would consider your attire pretty simple, but even you agreed that you looked really nice. You wonder what Camilla and Maglor would think if they saw you right now.

You two arrived at a pair of doors. 

“Here we are. Are you ready?” Luthien asked. 

“Ready as I will ever be,” you shrugged your shoulders. 

Luthien chuckled and pushed the doors open. You were then amazed by what you saw. The hall was decorated with flowers and stones. All the elves were dressed in fine attires and the atmosphere felt surprisingly welcoming. However, despite the welcoming atmosphere, you couldn’t help but feel nervous. You were the only human in the kingdom after all. 

“Well, this is it. What do you think?” Luthien asked as you two stood at the entrance. 

“It's definitely fancy,” you answered. 

Luthien seemed to have noticed your nervousness. 

“You will be fine. I’m going to be with you after all,” she said as she grabbed your hand. 

“I know, I know… And I’m glad,” you answered, not minding the touch of her hand. 

“Now, come on. Let me show you the food. I think you like them the most,” Luthien said as she began to pull you.  

“I think you just read my mind,” you said, allowing her to pull you into the crowd. 

The feast started well. You two spent time tasting the food and listening to the music and songs. They were lively, and you had to admit that the Sindar knew how to throw a party that kept the crowd on their toes. The Noldor usually threw very formal ones and not many things happened at them.

You once teased Luthien if she wanted to dance with you and she unfortunately got excited by the idea, pulling you along and making you dance with her in front of all the elves. Luckily, they did not seem to mind and some even joined in. 

You eventually had fun with it and even agreed to dance with her to a couple of more songs. 

After dancing so much, you and Luthien stood on the side, telling funny stories until a servant came to her. 

“My princess, your father wished to see you,” the servant said. 

Luthien groaned. “I might have to go see him what he has to say. Will you be alright?” she looked at you. 

“Yeah, I will be fine. Don’t worry about me,” you replied. 

“Great, I hope this won’t take long,” Luthien said, and then left to find her father. 

You took in a deep breath. You honestly felt a little panic at being left alone, especially when you didn’t know anyone else at the party. Your eyes then noticed Melui and Nelle on the other side of the hall. Melui waved you over and you were more than happy to walk over to them than be left alone. 

“Hey, guys! Looking good,” you greeted them. 

“Thank you. You look lovely as well,” Melui smiled. 

“Thank you, but I’m kinda glad I picked a dress with long sleeves. It's kinda cold in here. I think this is a perfect temperature for a polar bear,” you said while rubbing your shoulders. 

“Well, it is kinda cool in here. But it’s barely anything compared to the north, or the cold breezes of the sea,” Melui said, taking a drink from his goblet. 

“Yeah, you’re kinda right about that. Too bad I also live in the north, and I hate the cold for obvious reasons,” you replied, making him chuckle. 

“So, how's the party for you?” you looked at Melui.  

“You seem to be enjoying but Nelle is still grumpy as ever,” you pointed at the stoic Maia. 

“Well, before even my own capture. I did not attend feasts like these. I see it more effective to do important things, which reminds me,” She looked at you. “Your head is not bothering you, isn’t it?” she asked. 

“No, I’m doing great. I barely feel anything at all,” you shook your head. 

“That’s good. It would be a lot of bother if you suddenly passed out on the floor,” she said. 

“If that were to happen then I would be too embarrassed to join any parties in the future,” you stated. 

“I don’t think it would be that bad,” Melui smiled. 

“It would definitely be a talk for years to come if that occurred,” someone said and to your displeasure, it was the elf from before. 

“Lord Saeros. It's a pleasure to see you here,” Melui replied respectfully. 

“Likewise, good Melui. I hope your arm has been recovering well,” Saeros nodded. 

“It has. Thank you for asking,” Melui smiled. 

Saeros then looked at you. In his eyes, you could see him sneering down on you. 

“I must say, you are quite bold to show your face here,” he stated. 

“Well, I was invited by the princess. I didn’t want to be rude by refusing her,” you said.  

“Wise decision. Not many humans are permitted to enter Menegroth, so enjoy this opportunity while you can. You might not enjoy something like this in your limited life,” he said, taking a sip from his wine. 

“Oh, I am enjoying…” you said with a fake smile, trying to avoid uttering how your enjoyment was already ruined by his face. 

“I see you are well accountant with good Melui and lady Nelle,” he stated. 

“Oh, (Name) is actually our old friend,” Melui smiled. “It was thanks to her we were able to escape the orcs and find refuge here,” he added. 

“Unfortunately it led to our separations, so I am glad fate allowed her to come to Doriath and have us reunited despite the circumstances of her arrival,” Melui said.

You softly smiled at him. 

“Oh, really now. I guess I then owe you an apology for our previous meeting,” Saeros bowed his head but you saw the fakeness in his eyes. 

“It’s fine. There’s nothing to worry about,” you said back with an equally fake smile. 

“I’m glad. You must have many talents if you were able to help Lady Nelle and Melui escape the orcs and survive attacking vampires,” he said. 

“What can I say? I am a talented person,” you remarked, hoping he would already leave you be.

“Thought not talented enough since you seem prone to getting injured all the time. I guess you should work on that,” he commented. 

Since when have people been able to survive orcs and vampires unscathed without armor or weapons of any sort? You felt blood rushing through your head the longer you continued conversing with the stuck-up elf. 

You then had an idea. 

“Well, I have one uncanny talent that helps me avoid harm when needed,” you stated. 

“Oh? And what that may be?” Saeros looked at you and now even Nelle and Melui looked at you curious. 

“I can mimic voices perfectly,” you answered. 

Saeros scoffed. “Really? And how does that help avoid harm?” he asked. 

“Quite easily. You can use it to distract or scare away the unwanted creatures,” you said. 

“And you can copy the voices like the real things?” he questioned. 

“I can,” you smiled. 

“Really show me?” he dared you. 

“Like… the nightingales,” you said then used your voice to chirp and tweet, sounding perfectly like the birds. 

“Like a rabbit…” you started clicking your teeth and sounding like a rabbit eating grass. 

Some of the bystanding elves began to look toward you with interest. 

Your friends looked impressed, and Saeros looked baffled. 

“I can also mimic a person’s voice, especially if I have heard them talk before. Like your friend Daeron,” you said then coughed up your throat. 

“Greeting. I hope you have a pleasant stay in our kingdom,” you said with a perfectly mimicked male voice. 

Melui clapped excitedly, and even Nelle looked impressed. 

“I can also mimic the sound of a warg,” you said with a mischievous smile. 

“I think I have heard en—!” you startled him with a loud growl of a warg, making him spill his wine on his tunic. Some of the other elves were startled by the sound, but soon enough continued enjoying the feast.

“Oops! Sorry, I did not mean to startle you,” you hid your grin as he stared at the red stain on his fine tunic with shock. 

He looked at you angrily. 

“This won’t be over, you vile woman,” he pointed at you then left, walking through the crowds who looked at him and the stain on his clothes. 

“Good grief— he should learn how to unclench his ass once in a while,” you said and looked at your friends. 

“That was a bit mean, (Name),” Melui looked at you scoldingly, but you knew he was amused by the little prank you pulled. 

You sighed, feeling tired. 

“I think I’m gonna go hit the bed. You elves might stay up late at night, but humans need to rest after hours of doing things the whole day,” you said as you began to make your way toward the main doors. 

“Do you need someone to take you back?” Melui asked. 

“I think I will be fine. This place is not too far from the healer’s wing,” you shook your head. 

“Alright, rest well,” Melui said. 

“Thanks, have fun,” you said as you left the feast and began your journey back to your room. 

During your walk through the empty corridors, your mind was slightly bothered. You could not help but miss Camilla and Maglor. Their presence would have made the night ten times better. Maglor then became the main subject of your thoughts. 

Your heart swelled for him. He was in your every thought and you could only imagine if he was the one you danced with on the dance floor. But could he truly ever love someone like you? 

You brushed your thoughts away and returned to your room.

[ladyhindsight]

The title refers to the point in this chapter where Jace takes Clary to witness the Wild Hunt riding across the night sky. Which, I would’ve liked to believe, was more foresight in terms of the rest of the story whenever new concepts appear, but then I remembered the Wild Hunt will be relevant right in the next book. So not a lot of foresight after all. Disappointment more like since this is the first time it is mentioned in the whole of TSC.

This chapter opens up with Jordan and Maia in the Praetor House. They are feeling awkward together so Jordan goes to take a shower and Maia is left pondering on things.

→ What still is beyond my understanding is why Maia (and Jordan) are so invested in Jace. They have no comprehensible connection nor a relationship, and the last time Maia and Jace had any meaningful interaction, it was in City of Ashes when Jace antagonized the whole pack of werewolved because of his self-imposed angst fest.

→ “She sprung up.” Because adverbs < actual verbs

→ The shadows were closing in. Because filtering < not separating reader from the action

Maia then joins Jordan in the shower and they do the yucky-yuck. We cut to the Team Good where Jocelyn finally learns that Clary has left to join Jace and Sebastian. Jocelyn blames Simon for letting Clary leave so easily. Then Magnus tells Jocelyn that no one can stop Clary for doing what she thinks is right and that Clary is a great deal like her mother. Which supposedly serves as a burn.

I don’t know what it is, why Jocelyn must be called “Clary’s mother” every given opportunity (or Clary Jocelyn’s daughter for that matter) when we know who she is, and, for example, Maryse is mostly always called Maryse. I am sick of it.

→ of course Magnus must have known Jocelyn/her when she was young, (also thank you, Simon, for explaining the obvious.)

→ I also feel that recap to be incredibly unnecessary, so just: when she betrayed Valentine and the Circle. Because who are you trying to win sympathy points for here?

Isabelle then stands up for Simon and berates Jocelyn.

It’s worthy to note that Clary’s own decisions and consequences on those decisions are blamed on everyone else available than her. Clary is reckless because of Jocelyn trying to protect her, not that Clary has a brain or mind of her own, yet the blame never lands on her. I would regard this more leniently if Isabelle threw some selfishness into the mix, like “if her actions meant that she would get her brother back then so be it”, but as of now, it has nothing to do with anything else than other characters sticking up for Clary for the sake of sticking up for Clary because no blame, no matter what, will fall on her.

Also, when had Clary ever said that, and also once again, with their trackrecord, they don't know each other or have known each other long enough for Clary to make such statements. Are you sure you aren't trying to just tell me stuff again?

Jocelyn is upset and gets more upset, and of course her upset with Simon especially could be read as that she can’t berate Clary for making such dangerous moves at the moment. But none of that will ever come anyway, so I dislike this whole conversation no matter what.

Even if Jocelyn is trying to scare them with consequences of their secrecy (or rather, Simon’s) and punishment by the Clave, it’s still so counterproductive. The Clave has given up on Jace. Jace, currently, is to be killed on sight alongside Sebastian. What on earth does Jocelyn think the Clave is going to do to Clary who joined these people on her own volition once it learns her part in this?

Jocelyn throws a tantrum while leaving, and Magnus suggests they get to the summoning of Azazel, the Prince of Hell who makes weapons, to inquire about one that could separate Jace from Sebastian.

We then cut to Clary and Jace on their date and it’s all incredibly boring.

Nu-uh. The em-dash serves no purpose when the only following clause includes just one thing.

→ Jace and Clary spent the day wandering through mazelike tiny streets that ran along…

Ha ha. Straight men joking about being gay. Funny. Also tasteless and gross as to getting someone drunk for sex.

Nu-uh. There's a lot of these throughout the book but gotta point them out every once in a while.

Cut back to Jordan and Maia who have had their steamy moment in the shower and are now lying in Jordan’s bed. They are talking when someone knocks on the door and calls for Jordan to go see Praetor Scott.

Their whole interaction in this chapter has been canoodling each other, and the urgency to help Luke has disappeared entirely. No, they don’t have all the time in the world when they specifically came to the Praetor House to help Luke from dying which he is rather actively doing at the moment. Though Maia probably means they have all the time they need in general, not just in this moment, it is still put up against the urgency in the story, which does not work.

Team Good is preparing to summon Azazel. Simon laments how animals don’t like him anymore now that he is a vampire but Chairman Meow is unbothered.

This doesn’t really fit in here. It cuts the flow between two sentences that should be consecutive.

→ Simon was taking a moment to rest and drink some coffee; it stayed down well, and the caffeine took the edge off the beginning prickles of hunger. Magnus, as it turns out, hadn’t been joking about the candles. All afternoon, they had been helping Magnus set the scene for raising Azazel.

It’s still clunky, but at least the effects of caffeine that are so far removed from the rest of the idea in this paragraph don’t interrupt each other.

Magnus then calls for them—Simon, Alec, and Isabelle—to gather around. We then cut to Maia and Jordan, and I’m so disappointed every time that happens. Praetor Scott presents them with the cure for Luke’s problem. Then Raphael makes an appearance to complain about Maureen having gone rogue and how the Praetor Lupus hasn’t made any headway as to her because they’ve (or Nick who is assigned to her case) been unable to find her.

These are teenage characters, I'll give you that, but this is also incredibly juvenile way to discuss sex or people having it. The idea that someone has to take notice, an adult no less, is weird and frankly also gross. Why does Scott need to care what the hell two horny teenagers are up to or even comment on it or even take notice?

It's closely related to Clare's need to have her intercharacter relationships and intimacy validated by an audience. Someone has to see or know, and it is so tiring that nothing can happen without constantly bringing it into focus or it being treated as a newsletter.

How has Sebastian and the disappearance of Jace incapacitated the whole of the Clave—all of the Nephilim—that they are unable to even continue with their daily duties? Clave sucks and that is the message Clare does put forward a lot, but how come the whole entire earth is so unable to take action, to aid New York, since their Conclave is so busy dealing with this disappearance that they aren’t even doing anything substantial about?

The Clave has no structure other than the Inquisitor, the Consul, and then the heads of the Institutes that lead their own Conclaves. It’s inadequate and unorganized and this will not change no matter how much Clare complains about the Clave she herself created. No one calls for more structure, does not create more positions to take on the load. There is essentially no progress because I don't think Clare sees this as one of the many flaws of the Clave. I think Clare believes this to be solid organization structure.

Why didn’t Raphael handle this himself in the first place? Even if he wanted to utilize “legal” or professional avenues first, he’s still going to handle it himself if these fail, so why not cut to the chase? Because we wouldn’t know about Maureen otherwise, though this knowledge comes at the expense of Raphael being a pretty ineffective leader of his clan.

Then the rest of the chapter is about Clary and Jace and their date and their canoodling because that’s pretty much all they do in their one-on-one scenes. Here Jace takes Clary to a boat to see the Wild Hunt, and then they have to escape because the boat owner comes, and yep. A lot happens in this chapter but at the same time it’s filled up with a lot of unnecessary and stupid prose.

[afaramir]

did you guys understand what i meant in my tragedy of the psychic warfare post when i said i will not be your banner. i need to make sure you understood because just the thought of it has been genuinely fucking me up ever since. i just. denethor definitely knows the story of the end of the second age, and more specifically, what banner the armies of sauron carried onto the battlefield. and if you need a refresher, its celebrimbor’s dead body. tortured and mutilated and probably stripped naked (someone fact check me on that one) and stuck on a standard to be carried into battle. and. well. god i cant even say it. even thinking of it makes me visualize it in my head and i genuinely get nauseous. ok just. if gondor falls denethor’s death will not be easy. he has been too much of a thorn in sauron’s side for far too long. and. alright you draw the Logical Conclusion from the facts ive presented while i go and cry for a minute.

now sauron has famously had a lot of enemies, and yet he only did the banner thing once. so you might ask well what’s my rationale for thinking he might do it again? well pure sick deranged angst of course. but i do have AN argument although i do not promise it is bulletproof.

i think that he chose to do it to celebrimbor as a final act of desecration. he’s taken the rings they made together and all of the art of their creation and corrupted them and used that great craft to forge a tool solely of domination. he’s tortured him, personally, to death. and THEN he turns his body into a banner and marches on the last alliance. its an act of specific psychological horror every elf on that battlefield knows exactly who that is, hanging from the standard.

and denethor? well - sauron destroyed numenor, did he not? not directly, but i think he claims it as his victory because otherwise the loss of his fair appearance and his physical form to the alkallabeth would be too heavy of a blow to his ego lol. and now here is this man - nay, this numenorean, who is the first person in centuries who has dared vie with him directly. who not only contests him mentally but HOLDS OUT, for DECADES, where saruman, also a literal maia, greatest of the order of the wizards, could not. who poses a genuine threat to him, while also standing as a bulwark between him and the rest of middle-earth. denethor’s entire existence fucks with him so much. because he thinks oh, numenor was easily corruptible. men are easy to enslave or turn to my will. and then here is denethor, single-handedly proving him wrong. by the end of the war sauron has so many sick revenge fantasies against him in his head. i really don’t think its too much of a stretch to think that bannering him is one of them.

further...i also think part of the thing with choosing celebrimbor is that the final battle was upon them. it was sort of expedient. well i need a banner for this battle and CONVENIENTLY i also have this guy i hate whom ive tortured. and what is sauron going to do once gondor falls? march on the rest of middle-earth. with the lord of its first line of defense, its forlorn hope, as. well you see what i mean. i typed it out and then HAD to delete it.

and oh my GOD he KNOWS. AND HE KNOWS!!! HES SEEN HIMSELF ON THAT STANDARD!!! I FEEL! I FEEL!!!! anyway yeah i picture it and i wish for death!