#theme: lightwood siblings

[captainkirkk]

✩ WEEKLY FIC ROUND-UP ✩

All the fics I’ve read and really enjoyed in the past week-ish. Reminder: This list features any and all ratings and themes.

ATLA

Boomerangs and Rainbows by Mindbending (+ podfic)

At Sokka’s behest, the Gaang skips rescuing Zuko during the Siege at the North Pole. Instead they leave him, unconscious, buried in the snow.

In completely unrelated news, Sokka’s haunted by a ghost now.

For Hearth And Home by Haicrescendo

[There’s a child underneath Fire Lord Zuko’s desk.

He doesn’t realize this until he sits down and tiny hands wrap themselves around his ankles, and Fire Lord Zuko definitely does not shriek and backpedal away at the unexpected touch.

He definitely does do that but Gou, the single guard he’s agreed to let shadow him, is kind enough not to mention it.]

Or: In which Fire Lord Zuko is a total mess and somehow people manage to love him for it anyway.

DC

For All The Just Alike Birds by SilverSkiesAtMidnight

It starts the stupidest way anything has ever gone wrong in Tim’s life.

It starts when he falls asleep in the shower.

Stranger Things

should i keep it on display, or redecorate? by RejectsCanon

The first thing Steve removes from his room is the random framed photograph of a car.

Before Steve realizes what he’s doing, he’s snatched that photo off the wall. It comes off easily, the only thing holding it in place is a nail haphazardly hammered into the wall. Picture in hand, Steve doesn’t pause to think, letting his body take over as he rushes down the stairs.

Steve stalks downstairs, wrenches open the back door, and smashes that obnoxious picture to the ground.

Or, Steve hates his room. He decides to change that.

The Sandman

the past, the future, the doorway by Chrome, stardreamertwo

thedreaming_comm writes:

Welcome to thedreaming_comm, a space for fans of Morpheus Endless’s The Dreaming series!

(A year after going missing, fantasy author Morpheus Endless is found alive. The internet has a lot to say.)

only the register by Chrome

As much as Hob likes this job, will be sorry to lose it, he’s not sorry for the punch.

Worlds collide at the British Museum. Hob Gadling gives into old instincts. Paul McGuire has regrets.

Shadowhunters

What's in a Name by Carmenlire

The dichotomy of Alec is endlessly fascinating to Magnus. He knows-- was confronted once upon a time-- that Alec is surly and can be downright brutal, his temper running hot or icy depending on the situation. He can be rude and standoffish and frighteningly cold to whomever hasn’t earned his respect. He’s a consummate professional, a brilliant leader and tactician, but there’s no denying that his boyfriend can be a bit of a dick.

But he's also soft and soaks affection up like a sponge, physically demonstrative in a way that Magnus could never have predicted.

A typical day in the life of Alec Lightwood.

Tell me I'm perfect (but tell me the truth) by SquaresAreNotCircles

"Totally whipped,” Jace says, even as he slings an arm over Alec’s shoulders to keep him steady on the way outside.

“Like cream,” Alec sighs.

Or: 5 times Alec tells his siblings how amazing Magnus is + 1 time Magnus finds out.

The Shadiest Thing by starkraving

Magnus is High Warlock, yeah, but he’s just a little bit gangster sometimes. Alec tags along on an errand and gets a real look at warlock culture, what it takes to be High Warlock, and the details of a ‘warlock duel’. Magnus can’t believe the stupid shit people leave on his voicemail. Between Season 2 & 3.

[di-daynamic]

I can't freaking wait for Better in Black and the first chapter of The Wicked Powers!! The ship list has finally been released for it.

Will and Tessa : Feeling kind of ambivalent about this. I love them, but I prefer Jessa anyway and we just got some content of them in The Last Hours so. . . . *shrugs* Can't say it's unexpected, though.

Clary and Jace: Yes!! YES YES YES!!! I mean, I was pretty sure they were going to be in this, since they're one of the main couples of TSC and the title of the book is from one of Jace's quotes, but still. I am so happy!! I hope this is from when they're being amazing badass heads of institute. Or maybe Lightwood family time?? Whatever, I don't care, I'm just glad one of my all-time OTPs is in.

Anna and Ariadne: My whole The Last Hours experience was weird, so I don't really remember much about them, but I loved them in Every Exquisite Thing and can't wait to see more!

James and Cordelia: Neutral about this one too. The whole James/Matthew/Cordelia love triangle and the way the three of them behaved in the second and third books ruined both Herondaisy and Fairstairs for me. Heronchild for the win!

Sebastian and the Seelie Queen: Weird choice, definitely not expected, but I can't wait to see what this story is about! From some Twitter screenshots I gather this is going to set at least something up for The Wicked Powers. And there is something intriguing about this couple and how they tie in to the whole theme of love in these short stories. The rest of the couples all have - mostly - healthy relationships, so this one should be different.

Emma and Julian: I adore these two and I'm always happy for more Blackstairs, but we literally just had Secrets of Blackthorn Hall?? Maybe it's a flashback from when they were kids, because I would love that. Then again, they are a main couple and all of those are here.

Thomas and Alastair : Yes!!! Hopefully Zachary is there too. Thomastair rom-com?? Sign me the hell up!

Mark, Kieran and Cristina: Faerie politics + an amazing ship. Expected since the couple or throuple thing, but still thrilled!

Simon and Isabelle: Finally some Sizzy content!! Awesome! We haven't had an Izzy POV since what, City of Heavenly Fire?? I really hope it's that. And I want to see Simon recruiting or helping with the new Academy at Luke's farm!

Luke and Jocelyn: Okay, not a fan, even if I liked the scene in City of Glass where they got together. But I do love some Circle content, and the two people who love and are loved by Valentine most during the time they realize how far off the rails he's going? Interesting. I'm hoping there'll be a flash present with an announcement that Clary's getting a sibling. (And how angsty will it be if it's a girl with red hair and blue eyes like in Clary's This World Inverted vision??) (Though I do get if Jocelyn is too traumatized to have more kids).

I was hoping so much for Gabrily and Haline, but these choices definitely do not disappoint. Three and a half of my five favourite TSC couples is definitely not a bad result. The anticipation will (hopefully maybe) get me through entrance exams hell.

[aceonice]

Inspired by @cloudburst-ink 's "Making every single one of these KimChay" post and for @soulless-baka

Too Many Beds

Magnus visits a small town, maybe getting snowed inn/his flight gets cancelled, and he discovers an inn run by Alec. Possibly, Alec runs the inn with his siblings and each room has a different theme. Magnus decides he needs to stay in each one before he leaves, and it's definitely not just an excuse to stay in the town he can't help but love with the captivating inn keeper.

Accidentally Kidnapping A Mafia Boss

When Mafia Boss Alec accidentally breaks into the wrong house, Magnus catches him off guard and manages to tie him up. Alec does his best to win Magnus over ("you should let me go so the mafia doesn't come after you, I can protect you from our rivals if you do <3") before Magnus calls the cops.

Really Nice Guy Who Hates Only You

Magnus is a warlock who's always going out of his way to help anyone who asks it of him--except Alec Lightwood. He's always avoiding Alec and making excuses not to help. A frustrated Alec tries to figure out why Magnus hates him so much. (It's probably a misunderstanding.)

Academic Rivals To Lovers Except It's Teachers Who Compete To Have The Best Class

This one is kind of my favorite/the one I'd be mostly likely to turn into a fic. Magnus teaches art at the same elementary school where Alec teaches music and they compete for kids to love their class most. Maybe they're competing to make the district newsletter for 'educator of the month'. Madzie is, of course, one of their students.

Divorce Of Convenience

The first thing that comes to mind is an angsty 'necessary divorce for disability benefits' or something but that's too depressingly realistic so let's do something more fun. Maybe a human au where Alec (or Magnus) gets left his family's business in the will but only if he divorces his husband so he and Magnus decide to divorce, let Alec inherit the business, and then promptly remarry. They celebrate by drinking champagne on the grave of Alec's parents. (Or go full on Mary Shelley with it).

Too Much Communication

My first thought with this is also angsty about immortal malec who run out of things to talk about and have to work to save their relationship. The relationship negotiation and non-traditional dynamics could be fun to explore with that. But it could also be something like before their first time, they're discussing everything but they go too in depth and it kind of kills the mood so they postpone. Or something with Jace giving Alec TMI about something.

True Hates Kiss

Alec accidentally pisses off the wrong warlock who knows of his and Magnus' feud and curses him. Alec has a "well guess I'll die then" mentality about it but his siblings bully him into asking Magnus for help. Alec kind of expects Magnus to say no but of course he doesn't. It's a surprisingly good kiss. Or make it all a secret relationship so the other warlock is like "to break the curse you have to kiss your enemy, Magnus Bane!" And Alec is like "oh no the horror" and goes home to his bf.

Dating Your Enemy's Sibling

Magnus and Isabelle own rival companies (tech startups maybe?), but that doesn't stop Alec from winning Magnus' heart. Izzy and Magnus eventually become friends and possibly merge their companies. Or Jace and Magnus with competing coffee shops, and tattoo artist or florist Alec who is doing his best to stay out of it (neither Jace or Magnus will let him buy coffee from their cafe, it's always 'on the house'). I think this could also be a fun one to make into a fic.

Lovers To Enemies

...idk if y'all actually wants this for malec but what about lovers to enemies to lovers? A second chance romance after Magnus and Alec's relationship falls apart, either after the soulsword incident or in super hero au where they learn each others identites realize they're fighting on opposite sides. The angst of still being in love while having to fight each other at every turn or the political strife.

Hate At First Sight

RWRB vibes here. Alec experiences gay panic, Magnus misunderstands, and mutal pining ensues. (IE they both *think* they hate each other.)

Love Triangle Where The Two Love Interests Get Together Instead

Okay but there's already an amazing malec fic with this premise?? Tbh I'd prefer to write this for a couple like Izzy/Maia after Simon cheats on them with each other. But something similar could be done with malec and being cheated on by their partner or some kind of thing where they both think the other is crushing on someone else?

Fake Amnesia

Magnus fakes amnesia to get out of working with the Institute but it backfires when they send a shadowhunter to attempt to jog his memory ("Or," Maryse says skeptically, "catch Bane in the lie."). Alec is a persistant annoyance who is slowly working his way into Magnus' heart.

Soulmates Who Are Fated To Kill Each Other

Very angsty. I feel like I'd have to get around the unhappy ending with time travel or resurrection or something. Maybe malec have to kill each other to save the world for plot reasons but an angel/demon is grateful and brings them back or they plan ahead and Magnus creates some kind of time travel spell. Or another kind of super hero au with mistaken identities where they don't realize who the other one is until they're killing each other, but of course I need a happy ending there too. Or they each have a different soul mate in an AU where your soulmate is the one you're destined to kill or be killed by and they help each other hunt down their murder soulmates.

Strangers To Enemies

Alec is running late to work and spills coffee on Magnus who is on his way to his new job. They end up feuding coworkers (until they end up kissing one day). Could be fun to have this set either in an office or a library or something less traditional.

Everyone Is Convinced You Aren't Actually Dating

Celebrities malec and everyone assumes it's a publicity stunt ("no couple is that perfect!!"). Maybe one of them is a musician who keeps writing songs about the other. Although this could work in canon with people thinking it's a political move since both have been working to advance relations in the shadow world.

Too Hot To Cuddle

Pretty simple but Alec wants cuddles but the AC breaks and the temperature keeps climbing. Maybe they end up at a pool.

Bimbo Love Interest Ceo Runs Business Into The Ground

Alec is struggling to keep his business running (he didn't plan to take over the family business after being disowned for being gay, but his parents die before they can revise their will and the company is left to him). Magnus is a high level employee who is annoyed that some outsider nepo baby is ruining everything. He's bitter and grumpy, but ultimately helps because he loves the company. Eventually, Alec retires because he knows he's doing more harm than good.

Nursing Home AU

Angsty version: second chance romance with teen malec who broke up for some reason and they end up in the same nursing home bonding over their lives and contemplating "what if"s. Happier version: Alec works at a nursing home where Magnus' mother lives. Magnus visits a lot, allowing them to get to know each other and fall in love.

REVERSE TROPE WRITING PROMPTS

Too many beds

Accidentally kidnapping a mafia boss

Really nice guy who hates only you

Academic rivals except it’s two teachers who compete to have the best class

Divorce of convenience

Too much communication

True hate’s kiss (only kissing your enemy can break a curse)

Dating your enemy’s sibling

Lovers to enemies

Hate at first sight

Love triangle where the two love interests get together instead

Fake amnesia

Soulmates who are fated to kill each other

Strangers to enemies

Instead of fake dating, everyone is convinced that you aren’t actually dating

Too hot to cuddle

Love interest CEO is a himbo/bimbo who runs their company into the ground

Nursing home au

[cl4ry]

a private and selective clarissa fairchild , torn from the pages of the mortal instruments. est. in 2018, re-established in 2023. inspired by the shadowhunter's codex, christian theology and various folklore traditions. focusing on themes such as: cain and able, avidly avoiding the mistakes your parent's made, and reckoning with the violence of your family's past. please be advised that this blog will touch on subjects such as g.enocide, war, and violence. fuck c. clare and her gross plots. important and necessary canon changes are notes below along with my temporary rules.

tw for addressing c.clare's bullshit in.cest plotlines:

first off, in.cest is gross and is not tolerated on this blog. it is important to acknowledge c. clare's history of writing and continuing to defend plot lines that are pro-in.cest. if you like those plot lines or write those plot lines, fuck you. they are wrong. they are gross. and they're not going to be found on this blog.

my changes to canon regarding the above mentioned are as follows:

valentine never makes the claim that jace and clary are biological siblings. he does mention that he raised jace up to a certain point, and this puts tension on jace and clary's relationship as jace fears he is both unloveable and incapable of showing love.

jonathan (clary's brother) never does anything to his sister outside of the god awful psychological warfare he unleashes upon her and her friends. just because he is a product of demon blood does not mean he would entertain the thought of anything else. it's fucking gross and does an incredible disservice to a character who is otherwise beautifully complex and horrifying.

fuck shipping jace with any of the lightwoods. they are adopted siblings. it is weird, it is gross, and it is another example of c. clare trying to normalize in.cest. if you ship jace / alec or jace / izzy, kindly stay far, far away from me. : )

okay, now that all of that is out of the way, hi. general rping rules apply. i chose to write clary as eighteen, but because a lot of pivotal moments happen when she is younger, i do not feel comfortable engaging in any 18+ content. nor do i really want too. she is, in my mind, a child.

my goal with this blog is to actually do some work on a character that meant a lot to me when i was younger, so things will probably change as i re-familiarize myself with her and the world she exists in. if you're cool with that, feel free to stick around.

my name is anna. i'm 26 and have been writing in the tumblr community for over 10 years. i'm genuinely a friendly person, but i am also incredibly busy offline.

[shadowhuntersficrecs]

Chapters: 10/? Fandom: Shadowhunters (TV) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Alec Lightwood & Isabelle Lightwood & Max Lightwood & Jace Wayland, Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood, Lydia Branwell & Alec Lightwood Characters: Alec Lightwood, Isabelle Lightwood, Max Lightwood, Raj (Shadowhunter Chronicles), Jace Wayland, Magnus Bane, Lydia Branwell, Victor Aldertree, Imogen Herondale, Clary Fray, Simon Lewis Additional Tags: Minor Original Character(s), Implied/Referenced Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Wakes & Funerals, Aftermath of Violence, Loss of Parent(s), Family Feels, Shadowhunter Culture, Mundane Culture, Nightmares, Alec Lightwood Is Doing His Best, Clave Bullshit, Politics, Diplomacy, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Raj Is Good With Kids, Alec Lightwood Would Do Anything For His Family, Implied/Referenced Infidelity, Grief Is Not Linear, Healing, Jace Wayland is a Lightwood, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Political Alliances, Scheming, Imogen Herondale is the Worst, Valentine is also the Worst, Emotional Manipulation, Insecure Alec Lightwood, BAMF Alec Lightwood, Lydia is a Good Friend, Books are Important, communication is key, Parabatai Feels, Pansexual Simon Lewis, Gretel Deserves Better, Abuse of Authority, Someone get these kids a therapist, Alec Lightwood Deserves Nice Things, Siblings, Slow Burn, Handwaving, Conspiracy, Self-Hatred, Anxiety, Child Abuse, Valentine Morganstern's A+ Parenting, Violence, Let Luke Garroway rest, Background Jocelyn Fairchild/Luke Garroway, Alec Lightwood & Maia Roberts Friendship, Parabatai Bond, Parabatai, Izzy Lightwood is Not Straight, Sibling Bonding, Brother-Sister Relationships, Internalized Homophobia, Alec Lightwood-centric, Lightwood Siblings Feels, Isabelle Lightwood Ships Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood, Downworlder Politics, Good Friend Lydia Branwell, Let Lydia Branwell sleep, Simon Lewis & Alec Lightwood Friendship, How Do I Tag, Angry Alec Lightwood, Hurt Alec, Magnus Bane Does Not Have Time For This Bullshit, BAMF Magnus Bane, Self-Sacrificing Alec Lightwood, Mind Games, Canon-Typical Violence Series: Part 3 of Mercy's Shadowhunters AU Mondays Summary:

Alec Lightwood is nineteen when it turns out that Valentine Morganstern isn’t dead. In fact, Valentine Morganstern is alive, well and hellbent on destroying everything Alec cares about. In less than 12 hours his entire life changes. His parents are dead, his parabatai is missing and every inch of his carefully planned future has crumbled to dust. Alec has no choice but to carry on. He will do anything to keep his family together but the process of healing is not easy and it just may take everything Alec has to give, and then some.

@bobbeedraper

This fic is amazing. It’s absolutely captivating. The depth and intensity of emotion is so beautifully portrayed here. I love the way that politics get pitted against loyalty and personal responsibility.

This fic is about survival on so many levels, not the least of which is surviving as a version of yourself that can be lived with. It’s raw and gorgeous and entrancing.

[you-are-my-neverland]

DAY 2 OF THE CHOG CHALLENGE

Q. FAVORITE FAMILY?

A. LIGHTWOODS

It was like being Marked all over again, defining who she was. This was Anna Lightwood.

[wingedshoes]

Share ten different favorite characters from ten different pieces of media in no particular order Then send this to 10 people (anon or not, your choice) 🎥🎬📺

hi Nivi ♥️ this sounds fun. I KNOW I WROTE A LOT BUT I WAS DOING SOUL SEARCHING and i hope you read all of it. No two from one piece huh? Alright then:

1. Haley James Scott from One Tree Hill

starting with the ones I kin the most, Haley (until she decided to give up her dream college and didn't get an abortion) is the most relatable character I've ever seen. I feel on the outside of a lot of things in life even though I can charm my way into everywhere, it takes a lot out of me in this way, being what people want you to be. Someone who also loves endlessly and unconditionally. That's what I admire the most in her.

2. Holly Golightly from Breakfast At Tiffany's (the BOOK NOT THE MOVIE)

Audrey's a fashion icon, there's no doubt but I've read the movie summary and they've butchered the soul of the book, its theme, its meaning-

if I were Truman Capote i would simply not write another book in my lifetime. ANYWAY. Holly is a sad, rude, gorgeous and lively spirit. The narrator of the book is unnamed and Holly calls him Fred for Fred, her long lost brother who was the only family she spoke of voluntarily. Holly's society card always says "miss holly Golightly- travelling" which can be interpreted in a myriad of ways, you can find your own once you read the book, Nivi. The narrator is also heavily implied to be queer and the only person who isn't sexually attracted to Holly and THEY RUINED THEIR RELATIONSHIP IN THE MOVIE. Do not get me started. Conclusion: Breakfast at tiffany's is the feminist Catcher in the Rye and also fuck hollywood.

3. Dream of the Endless - The Sandman, Netflix

I don't read comics so I just went into the show blind. And I want this show to eat me. It's so unpredictable and wild. Morpheus is a prideful entity first and foremost. A loyal one but petty beyond anything. I find his personality so very fitting considering he oversees both dreams and nightmares. I almost wrote about the Corinthian (I HAVE DONE MY BEST TO BE WHAT YOU MADE ME) but I don't understand them very well yet whereas Dream feels like my best friend. His fraught relationship with Calliope is so delicate I want to boop it to see if it'll blast.

4. Anne Shirley - Anne of Green Gables, Lucy maud Montgomery

Man, anne is who tween me was before the parental trauma hit. Talks too much, obsessed with my own hair, obsessed with literature, obsessed with violence against boys, romanticizes my name and my life to mean something anything. I could go on and on. But there's this line right before Matthew dies: something about this being the last day her heart would be light and full of pure happiness. Because once you lose someone to death, your heart is never the same.

5. Daenerys Targaryen

My GIRL DESERVES THE THRONE. Okay so i have the 7 book boxed set right? worst decision. ever. i gave up in the middle of second last one and I refuse to pick it up again until GRRM gives a real update on Winds of Winter. not to mention those last two books are unbearable because Dany has no chapters. THE PART WHERE SHE FREES THE SLAVES. I'm fully on board with her villain era but not the rushed way they killed her journey in the show idk tho i haven't seen the show. aaaaaaaaaaa-

6. Alec Lightwood

I read tmi so long ago and I felt this connection to Alec. It's probably the Older Sibling Of A Family Balanced On a Nail energy we have in common, where we just give away pieces of ourselves to keep others happy. It makes me happy to see him happy as an adult. It makes me feel like that could happen for me too.

7. Regina George from Mean Girls

Um, this was Edmund Pevensie five mins ago but you know what, I love Regina too much. Tina Fey's writing>>>>> and Rachel McAdams>>>>> and the way Regina never backs down from threats. Her manipulation is so subtle she doesn't even raise her voice or sound unpleasant until the end of the movie. I think Regina George and Kaz Brekker would learn from each other. Masters of the mind.

8. The Night Circus

Yeah. No characters, just the circus. The feeling of it. I think it's big enough don't you? Its immortality and love shines through even when one of the sisters is gone, when Marco and Celia are gone, they aren't, not really.

9. Mirabel from Starless Sea

There's a major part of who Mirabel actually is which is a huge spoiler, if you've read this book I'll tell you. But basically, I love how kind Mirabel tries to be given who she is.

10. Marinette Dupain Cheng from Miraculous Ladybug

my lady, my bestie, my twin sister. she's so anxious and carrying the weight of Paris with no one to share it with her except her cat partner. I just love this animated kids show and I wish other teens did too so I could talk about it more. My life these days revolves around fanfics of Marinette and Adrien. I debated choosing Adrien or Luka or Kagami because MLB has only relatable, sad teenagers trying to find love and fighting badly dressed super villains.

Hon. Mentions: Cher from Clueless, Aisha from Aisha (the sonam kapoor one) and Astrid from Crazy rich asians

[thomaslightwoodenthusiast]

hey you guys, here is a little something i’ve been working on! it’s going to be quite long so apologies, but i am going to eventually post it on wattpad too! enjoy!

(this piece revolves around thomastair, but is NOT thomastair only. they are going to be the main theme, but i don’t like writing pieces only on a ship. also it’s gonna be good anyways bc it has drunk and pining charles at one point)

A NOTE: i realised there is a problem. if i wrote the entire thing in a tumblr post, it will be far too long. but it also isn’t long enough for a work. i have decided i will upload in different parts. please let me know if after reading this you are still interested! if not, that’s fine and i’ll probably post it to wattpad lol. but i haven’t written in a while now and i am scared it’s not as good lol. anyways here u go

enjoy!

desc: in which christopher decides that everyone needs a pick me up after recent events, and concludes that the best way to do so is to hold a talent show at the institute. what could possibly happen?

———————————

Alastair scrunched up yet another ball of paper and threw it atop the ever increasing pile beside his desk. He had been trying for days- no, weeks now, to write a letter to Thomas. Despite feeling that he did the right thing in walking away, he could not scratch the feeling that he had hurt him. He wanted at least to apologise, and to let him know he believed it was the best decision for them both.

But was it? Alastair could not lie to himself. He did not feel as good as he thought he would. I’m doing this for his sake, he thought. He is more important to me than I will ever be to myself.

“So, what do you think?”

Alastair looked up. He’d almost forgotten about the ‘Talent Show’ Christopher Lightwood was arranging at the Institute. He was actually considering turning up to prove the point that he was not going to accept Matthew’s ill treatment of him, but he had little energy and currently could not be bothered to waste time on him. He knew that Cordelia was going. She and Lucie had chosen to audition together. They were going to act out a scene from ‘The Beautiful Cordelia’, with Lucie as Cordelia and his sister as one of her many lovers Lucie provided her with.

She was wearing his clothes.

“I think you look utterly mad. In a pleasant way, of course.” It was true. Cordelia looked amazing in his clothes. Not as good as he did, but a close second.

“Thank you, oh cheerful brother of mine. Are you quite alright? There is a rather large pile of paper beside you. Not to mention you look as if your eyes have cried the tears of the earth’s oceans,” she replied. There was the usual sibling tone of mockery in her voice, but also a tone of genuine concern. Alastair looked at himself in the window and realised Cordelia was right; he must have been crying, though he had no recollection of doing so.

“I am fine. Go and have fun. You deserve to, after this gargantuan mess.”

“Alastair, I am not stupid. I know when you are hurting. And what’s that on your desk?” she asked. Before he could stop her, Cordelia had made her way across the room and grabbed the piece of paper sitting in front of him. Alastair had not realised it, but he had written a few of his earlier thoughts on the page.

Cordelia frowned as she read out loud, “‘He is more important to me than I will ever be to myself.’ Alastair, I swear on all of the angels if this is about Ch-“

“It isn’t! It isn’t. I...well I suppose it’s just thoughts. Feelings.”

Cordelia was not having it. “If it’s not about him, who is it about?”

“Well, if you want a clue, his friend is the reason I cannot be at all bothered to attend tonight.”

Cordelia thought, and there was a long pause. She furrowed her brow. She seemed to be remembering something. “It’s not...is it Thomas?”

Alastair closed his eyes, as if the name pained him. “How did you guess?”

Cordelia had to admit; she wasn’t entirely sure. But a few observations she’d made over the past months had made her think. She remembered the time on the bridge when Thomas refused to show his tattoo- until Alastair had asked to see it. The time at Anna’s, when she had asked everyone what names they would want and Thomas had quietly admitted he would want only one, never saying who.

The time she and her brother had been speaking with Charles, only for her to notice Thomas had been staring at them.

“I don’t know. Sisterly instincts, I suppose. Do you want to tell me about it? Actually, no, hold on. I will not give you the option. You bottle up far too much, Alastair. Please, pray tell me, what this is about?”

Alastair sat for a moment, unsure where to start. “You remember the day, don’t you? When I defended Thomas in the Sanctuary? It starts long before that; but I fear if I tell it all you may miss out on your night. I had said that I followed him because you were fond of him. That was...” He trailed off. The words were not leaving his mouth. Cordelia smiled sympathetically. “It was only part of the truth. I came to find that I myself was indeed...quite fond of him. And I was afraid that if he went out alone with a murderer on the loose, something would happen. I couldn’t bear the thought of it being my fault; I have done enough damage. When I saw him being arrested I panicked and did the only rational thing I could think of.”

Cordelia raised her eyebrow. “Follow him the whole way to the Sanctuary risking getting caught by the Inquisitor, then further increase your risk of getting caught by sneaking into the Institute and hiding until you were needed?”

“What can I say?” her brother replied, seeming distant. “You do...odd things, when you care about someone.”

“Alastair, you risked your own safety doing what you did as well. I do not know what on earth I would do if something had happened to you without my knowledge.”

“My dear Layla. When one’s heart is so encompassed with love for another, rationality is quite frankly defenestrated.”

“What exactly does ‘defenestrated’ mean?”

“Thrown out the window,” Alastair replied, matter-of-factly. Cordelia moved towards the door of his room, realising she had to leave soon. “I only want to ask one more question. Is Thomas aware of your feelings for him?”

Alastair laughed to himself. “Quite. In fact, in the Sanctuary, I discovered that being held in confinement with someone who is as handsome as he is kind can result in interesting outcomes.”

Cordelia mocked a gasp. “Alastair Esfandiyār Carstairs, did you spend that whole night-“

“Ah ah! An honourable man does not kiss and tell.”

Cordelia’s eyes widened. “YOU KI-“

“Fine! Quieten down, lest mother is given a heart attack! Look, what happened is staying between us only. But I can tell you this; we did have a long conversation, in which he told me that he liked men. He also told me how he had figured that out; turns out that it was essentially me. I was quite shocked, because I thought he was referring to our school days when he mentioned feelings for me. I was, however, promptly proven wrong, shall we say.”

Cordelia’s face burst into a grin, before she sensed there was something else to the story. “Wait. What happened? What did you tell him?”

“You must understand, Layla, I really do care for him. But his friends- they hate me. Matthew cannot even be in the same room as me without hurling an insult. I cannot be with him; it is too complicated. I do not want to break that poor boy’s heart again, not after the Academy. I told him what I just told you, though I fear my last statement may have been too late. The letter you have in your hand and the paper you see on the floor are all my attempts at an apology. I just...walked away. Left him there. If only I had the chance to apologise to Matthew, this could have been different. But he will not accept it. He will not stop hounding me with comments, and I feel as though I can never stop being fifteen years old. I know I deserve better, but it can be tiring to fight when all your life you’ve been at war with yourself.”

Cordelia made a decision in that moment. She looked at Alastair and observed the similarities in how he and Thomas had been acting. Thomas looked a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, only to have one twice as heavy dropped on again. Alastair seemed even more quiet than usual. “You are coming with me. I don’t care when you turn up, you are turning up. I will ensure there is a piano nearby so that you can demonstrate your own incredible talent. If Matthew makes a jab at you, I will take care of it. If these rules are not met, you will be cut to pieces with Cortana. See you there,” she said, concluding her speech and leaving. Alastair watched as she left the house. He felt inspired by what she had said. He realised something within himself, too.

I cannot run from my past, but I cannot be forced to stay in it either. I am worth more than that.

And I’ll take any opportunity possible to make sure Matthew knows I refuse to take it anymore.

[talldarknsalty]

CHARACTER  SHEET.

repost,    don’t  reblog.

BASICS.

FULL  NAME : Alexander Gideon Lightwood ( Lightwood-Bane later ) NICKNAME(S) : darling (by magnus), tall dark and handsome (magnus) , alec (by most), big bro/brother (izzy) GENDER : Male, he/him pronouns  AGE : 23 ( born september 12th, 1999 )        ZODIAC : Virgo   (   strengths  :  rational, analytical, detail-oriented and practical    /  weaknesses  :  Obsessive, critical, excessive attention to insignificant details, cold & unapproachable, and a perfectionist  ) . SPOKEN  LANGUAGE(S) : English, Spanish, some French. 

PHYSICAL  CHARACTERISTICS.

HAIR  COLOUR : naturally dark brown (looks black)    EYE  COLOUR : hazel SKIN  TONE : fair skinned BODY  TYPE : tall, sturdy build.    HEIGHT : 6′3 DOMINANT  HAND : right handed, but uses both when wielding weapons.  POSTURE : military style, standing straight and tall, hands behind his back or folded across his chest.  SCARS : on his chest where jace/the owl stabbed him. a mark on his left eyebrow TATTOOS : the runes that cover his body. BIRTHMARKS : n/a

CHILDHOOD.

PLACE  OF  BIRTH : Alicante, Idris.  SIBLING(S) : Isabelle Lightwood, Jace Herondale, Max Lightwood. PARENTS : Maryse & Robert Lightwood.

ADULT  LIFE.

OCCUPATION :  Head of The New York Institute / Inquisitor in some verses   FRIENDS : Catarina Loss, Andrew Underhill, Clary Fairchild, Luke Garroway, Simon Lewis.      RELATIONSHIP  STATUS : dating magnus bane/married to magnus bane depending on verse. FINANCIAL  STATUS : stable    DRIVER’S  LICENSE : n/a     CRIMINAL  RECORD : n/a    

SEX  AND  ROMANCE.

ROMANTIC  ORIENTATION : demisexual   SEXUAL  ORIENTATION : homosexual PREFERRED  EMOTIONAL  ROLE : puts others before himself. PREFERRED  SEXUAL  ROLE : switch LIBIDO : average      TURN - ONS : cat eyes, hard worker, loyalty, kindness. ( basically only magnus bane sorry ) TURN - OFFS : anyone that’s not magnus bane.  LOVE  LANGUAGE : words of affirmation RELATIONSHIP  TENDENCIES : tends to overthink things, which leads to some issues arising in his relationship. 

MISCELLANEOUS.

CHARACTER’S  THEME  SONG : believer by imagine dragons HOBBIES  TO  PASS  TIME : reading, archery, training/sparring, sometimes he likes watching tv/movies.  MENTAL  ILLNESS(ES) : depression LEFT  OR  RIGHT - BRAINED : left brained PHOBIA(S) : spiders, losing someone he loves. SELF - CONFIDENCE  LEVEL : low/medium  

TAGGED  BY : my boo @magicsbane​

TAGGING : anyone who feels like it xoxo

[lifewouldbebetteronmars]

My Headcanons for Thomastair’s Children:

Their children include; their two adopted daughters Rosie and Harriet. Reminder that this is Modern AU, bu Jasper’s can be for either Modern or post TLH. I might do this for the other ships kids if people like this!

Rosie Lightwood-Carstairs (Age 5):

She was adopted when she was an infant, after being abandoned at a hospital by her biological mother

Rosie is named after Thomas’s deceased older sister, Barbara, and her full name is Barbara Rose Lightwood-Carstairs

She only goes by her middle name because she knows it makes Thomas sad and she doesn’t want to make her father sad

To her and Harriet, Alastair is “baba” and Thomas is “daddy”

Rosie is a social butterfly kind of child, along with being very curious, two things that don’t always go well together

She has a habit of accidentally wandering off while in public and which makes Thomas worry that she’s actually going to get lost some day

Even though she’s not biologically related to him, many people say that she looks a lot like Thomas, which is true

It’s because of her light brown curls and hazel eyes that people say that

Christopher is her godfather and Cordelia is her godmother

Matthew is her favorite uncle, much to Alastair’s chagrin

She doesn’t like to play music, but likes to sit with Alastair when he plays

Rosie likes to draw and paint (especially finger painting)

Alastair and Thomas always hang up her artwork on the refrigerator, they never throw gjem out, they just give them back to her when the fridge gets too full

Rosie usually ends up giving them to her siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, anyone who wants them

She totally has Gideon wrapped around her finger and Sophie likes to tease him about it

Cordelia nicknamed her “petal” and khoshgelam (“my beautiful” in Farsi)

Eugenia calls her “Little Babs”

Thomas calls her “Rosie Posie”, everyone else has also called her that on occasion

Thomas also calls both of his daughters princesa, which is Spanish for princess

Alastair calls her eshgham, which is love in Farsi

Everyone has gone to her princess themed tea parties at least once

Lucie once caught both Matthew and Alastair with tiaras on their heads and feather boas around their shoulders, all the while drinking invisible tea and eating invisible scones

She took a picture of them and sent it to Thomas, who promptly died of cuteness overload

It was on all of the TLH gang’s Instagrams by the end of the day

She is closest to Molly Fairchild out of all of her “cousins”, since they’re the closest together in age

Rosie also loves to play with Cordelia and James’s boys, always making sure that Owen and Michael don’t leave Elliot and Samuel out of their games

Harriet Lightwood-Carstairs (Age 3):

Her name was Harriet when Alastair and Thomas adopted her, but they gave her the middle name Sona to honor Alastair’s mother

She was officially adopted just before her second birthday, but had been with the Lightwood-Carstairs since she was ten months old

Harriet is actually Rosie’s biological sister

Thomas and Alastair were told of her existence from the person who fostered her before her adoption

They immediately wanted to adopt her and they didn’t think twice about it

She has so many nicknames (more than Rosie) that it’s a wonder she knows her real name

Rosie calls her “Harryo”

Alastair and Thomas call her “Hettie”

Isidore and Immy call her “Harry”

Thomas calls her princesa and querida mía (my darling)

Alastair calls her azizam (my dear)

Everyone else has their own nicknames for her

Eugenia and Ariadne are her godmothers (she has no godfather, just two godmothers)

She is shyest one out of the Lightwood-Carstairs kids and she really only comes out of her shell when around her family

Harriet is often seen being held by her parents or godparents

Almost everyone has been a victim of Harriet clinging onto them

It’s like a rite of passage at this point

She loves it when Alastair or Thomas sing to her and often attempts to sing along with them

Thomas swore it was the cutest thing he has ever seen when he walked in on Alastair singing a lullaby for Harriet during nap time and she attempted to sing along

Alastair thinks she’ll be an amazing muscian one day

She speaks with a small lisp that everyone finds adorable

Rosie often drags her along when doing things and says the two of them are partners in crime

In conclusion, Alastair and Thomas are happy and love their children. The end.

[la-muerta]

first lines: fic-writers meme

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favourite opening line. Then tag 10 of your favourite authors!

I was tagged by @poemsfromthealley ! Here goes, in order of most recently updated:

1. these violent delights [rated M; The Untamed/MDZS, a Romeo+Juliet AND 上海滩 (Shanghai Bund) AU]

The train pulls into the station with a wail of metal against metal and a choking cloud of dust and grey smoke.

2. Lost & Found // 有缘千里来相会 [rated T; The Untamed/MDZS, an airport meet-cute also exploring the themes of family, belonging, and the meaning of home. It’s set during Chinese New Year so there’s plenty of CNY traditions in there!]

It has been too long since Wei Ying has been back. 

3. walk the plank (into dark water) [rated M; The Untamed/MDZS, a “Pirates of the Caribbean”-inspired AU with Chinese mythology mixed in, Wangxian and YanQing]

"I think we're almost there," Wei Wuxian said, straining to peer through the thick fog that surrounded them.

4. what to expect when you’re expecting the unexpected [rated E; The Untamed/MDZS, a kinkmeme prompt fill for Pregnant!Lan Zhan, featuring modern cultivators, Chinese mythology, and Wangxian being idiots]

"Well, getting in here was easier than I expected," Wei Ying remarked as they stepped into the cool darkness of the cave.

5. we’ll be carrying each other [rated T; The Untamed/MDZS, a kinkmeme prompt fill for Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian accidentally swapping bodies, featuring a lot of Yunmeng-Jiang sibling feels/emotional baggage, junior quartet, and Wangxian being idiots]

"Children! Over here!" someone called out, their voice far too loud in the silent forest.

6. show me off [rated E; The Untamed/MDZS, a Kinktober fill as well as kinkmeme prompt fill for a Zoom meeting gone very right (for Wangxian at least)]

Wei Ying doesn't know how long he's been sitting in Lan Zhan's lap. 

7. Default Setting [rated E; The Untamed/MDZS, a Kinktober fill and part two of my AU where Wei Wuxian is a sexbot programmer]

Wei Ying brought his work home all the time.

8. take what you’re given [rated E; The Untamed/MDZS, a kinkmeme prompt fill for Lan Zhan fulfilling his husband’s sexual fantasies]

"Why did I agree to work with Mianmian again?" Wei Ying said with a groan, letting his head fall back as he sat down heavily on the couch.

9. Chaos Theory [rated E; The Untamed/MDZS, featuring superpowers, time travelling assassins, and mad scientist BFFs Wei Ying and Wen Qing]

Wei Ying knew better than to investigate strange noises coming from back alleys but he had never been able to leave well alone.

10. lovers be lost (but love shall not) [rated T; The Untamed/MDZS, an arranged ghost-marriage casefic set in 1910s Jiangsu, China]

"We're here, da-ye,” their driver announces as they come to a stop.

11. freak in the sheets // 人不可貌相 [rated E; The Untamed/MDZS, a kinkmeme prompt fill for gloryhole pwp featuring mistaken identities, office romance, and of course, Wangxian being idiots]

“This is possibly the worse idea you’ve ever come up with, and that’s saying something, Huaisang,” Wei Ying says, waggling a finger in the general direction of his friend. “I’m going to do it.”

12. burning bright [rated E; The Untamed/MDZS, a kinkmeme prompt fill for Dragon!Wei Ying knocking up Lan Zhan, featuring oviposition, consensual monster-fucking, and a proper Chinese dragon thank you very much]

His brother volunteers to be one of the men pushing the boat, but a part of Lan Zhan wishes he hadn't. 

13. Thunderstruck [rated E; Shadowhunters (!!), a motorcycle racers AU featuring Malec riding sexy speed machines and Maiabelle enemies-to-lovers flirting via engineering, as well as Lightwood siblings feels] 

Alec could smell the approaching storm, even above the ever-present stench of burning rubber, motor oil, and sun-baked tarmac.

14. Wishbone [rated E; The Untamed/MDZS, a kinkmeme prompt fill for canon-divergence when Lan Wangji decides to stay for dinner when he visits Wei Wuxian at the Burial Mounds]

Wei Wuxian finds the whole situation amusing at first, that tiny A-Yuan has Lan Zhan wrapped around his chubby little pinkie so easily.

15. No Refunds, Satisfaction Guaranteed [rated E; The Untamed/MDZS, part one of my AU where Wei Wuxian is a sexbot programmer, featuring Wangxian being idiots XD]

The bell at the entrance of the shop chimes softly, but it startles Wei Wuxian so much that he nearly falls out of his chair.

16. wrecking ball [rated E; The Untamed/MDZS, a kinkmeme prompt fill for Wei Ying “corrupting” good girl Lan Zhan, genderswap!Wangxian]

The boom from the bass is so loud that her teeth are rattling in her skull, and the harsh strobe lights are too jarring in the near-darkness of the club, but Lan Zhan thinks she's probably the only one who dislikes it.

17. to live this way is not for the meek [rated E; The Untamed/MDZS, a kinkmeme prompt fill for celebrity!Wei Ying and normal fan Lan Zhan, featuring clandestine backstage fucking and rockstar!Wei Ying]

There's still almost an hour before the concert starts, but the place is already packed to full capacity. 

18. One Year Later [rated T; Shadowhunters (!!), short post-canon fic exploring what happens in the morning after Clary remembers Jace in the series finale]

"Magnus!"

19. a place for you to love me [rated E; The Untamed, post-canon fix-it casefic where Wangxian investigate a strange forest together]

Wei Wuxian leaves. Lan Zhan does not come with him.

20. the song remains the same [rated T; The Untamed, post-canon, immortal!Lan Wangji meets a reincarnated version of Wei Wuxian]

They don't live here, so bring him with them to an inn. (A "hotel", they called it. The concept is not unfamiliar but the scale of it, like everything in this time, is intimidating.)

--

I’ve noticed that Wei Wuxian is my go-to for POV for my MDZS fic. Also, I tend to start fics with dialogue or some sort of sound, but almost always with sensory input (sight, smell, etc).

I think my favourite opening line is #11 freak in the sheets, because it makes me laugh :D

Tagging @sfjessii , @fleurdeliser , @widdershlns , @theleakypen , @wwxadhd if you want to play!

[livia-dovehallow]

my tsc playlist

this is the list i’ve created of songs that give me vibes about certain characters or make me picture a certain moment from the books! this is ongoing, so I’ll update it as I find more! (songs in bold are my favorites) || any fics I’ve written based on these songs are linked with the name!

last updated: friday, may 13, 2022

Gabrily (Gabriel Lightwood x Cecily Herondale)

Looking at Me - Sabrina Carpenter

Freaking Me Out - Ava Max

I’m Not Afraid - Tommee Profitt, Wondra

Supercut - Lorde

Kings & Queens - Ava Max

Stupid Love - Lady Gaga

Handmade Heaven - MARINA

Think About Us - Little Mix

Woman Like Me - Little Mix ft. Nicki Minaj

Adore You - Harry Styles

Blueberry Eyes - MAX ft. SUGA of BTS

Boy With Luv - BTS ft. Halsey

Cecily Herondale

Salt - Ava Max

My Way - Ava Max

I Lived - One Republic

you should see me in a crown - Billie Eillish

Queen - Loren Gray

Torn - Ava Max

Venus Fly Trap - MARINA

Tattoo - Ava Max

Born to the Night - Ava Max

I Did Something Bad - Taylor Swift

Groundhog Day - Em Beihold

Gabriel Lightwood

Kiwi - Harry Styles

Love is Mystical - Cold War Kids

Soldier - Fleurie

Somebody to You - Vampire Weekend ft. Demi Lovato

Sucker - Jonas Brothers

Iris - Goo Goo Dolls

I’m Still Here - John Rzeznik (from “Treasure Island”)

Gideon Lightwood

Sucker - Jonas Brothers

What A Man Gotta Do - Jonas Brothers

Simple Man - Lynyrd Synyrd

Lightwood Brothers (Gideon & Gabriel)

Make it Rain - Ed Sheeran

Wessa (Will Herondale x Tessa Gray)

I’m a Ruin - MARINA

Nicotine - Panic! at the Disco

Grenade - Bruno Mars

Will Herondale

The Good, the Bad and the Dirty - Panic! at the Disco

Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time - Panic! at the Disco

Karma - MARINA

Trade Mistakes - Panic! at the Disco

Original Herondale Siblings (Will & Cecily)

House of Memories - Panic! at the Disco

Don’t Start Now - Dua Lipa

Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye & Kimbra

James Herondale

Control - Halsey

My Head & My Heart - Ava Max

Lucie Herondale

Birthday Party - AJR

Blackdale (Lucie Herondale x Jesse Blackthorn)

This is Gospel - Panic! at the Disco

Far Too Young to Die - Panic! at the Disco

Ghost - Halsey

Candy - Robbie Williams

Once Upon a Dream - Lana Del Rey (from “Maleficent”)

Tatiana Blackthorn (née Lightwood)

Paint It, Black - Ciara

Charlotte Fairchild (Branwell)

The Man - Taylor Swift

Man’s World - MARINA

Matthew Fairchild

King of the Clouds - Panic! at the Disco

One of the Drunks - Panic! at the Disco

There’s a Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven’t Thought of It Yet - Panic! at the Disco

100 Bad Days - AJR

Anna Lightwood

Mother’s Daughter - Miley Cyrus

Primadonna - MARINA

Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) - Katy Perry

Christopher Lightwood

Bummerland - AJR

Three-Thirty - AJR

Call My Dad - AJR

Thomas Lightwood

Turning Out - AJR

Eugenia Lightwood

brutal - Olivia Rodrigo

Bubblegum Bitch - MARINA

Build a Bitch - Bella Poarch

The Merry Thieves (James H., Matthew F., Christopher L., Thomas L.)

London Beckoned Songs About Money Written by Machines - Panic! at the Disco

Bud Like You - AJR

The Infernal Devices (Theme)

Game of Survival - Ruelle

Start a War - Klergy, Valerie Broussard

The Last Hours (Theme)

Glory And Gore - Lorde

All the King’s Men - The Rigs

Julian Blackthorn

Emotional Machine - MARINA

Dying in LA - Panic! at the Disco

Humpty Dumpty - AJR

Emma Carstairs

Raising Hell - Kesha ft. Big Freedia

Dumb Blonde - Avril Lavinge ft. Nicki Minaj

Blackstairs (Julian Blackthorn x Emma Carstairs)

Medicine - Jennifer Lopez

Last Hurrah - Bebe Rexha

Happy - MARINA

I’m a Ruin - MARINA

Handmade Heaven - MARINA

Soft to be Strong- MARINA

Blood, Sweat & Tears - Ava Max

Blow Your Mind (Mwah) - Dua Lipa

Highly Emotional People - MARINA

Drusilla Blackthorn

My Play - AJR

Adventure Is Out There - AJR

[lex-malla-non-est-lex]

Been a while since I posted a possibly deranged TLH theory while on coffee withdrawal, so here we go.

I’M PRETTY SURE THE CLAVE IS CORRUPT (at least in some part)

And I’m not talking about the Clave in the Uprising/TDA era being infiltrated by bigots with inexplicable influence, I’m talking about the TLH era Clave, the one where Benedict Lightworm the demon-f***er was an influential figure.

Long ramble below:

A running TSC theme is that the Clave and adults in general appear to be useless or unavailable (hence why the young main characters do most of the important things on a series), but let’s be real, in TID the Clave, in its front, was an actual hassle for anyone trying to solve the issues with Mortmain.

It’s been a long time since I read TID, so I have to admit I could have missed some stuff, but he was, pardon my language, peak dumbass. He seemed more stupidly sexist / anti-Charlotte than likely to be involved with Benedict’s shenanigans (hence why threats of exposing Benedict did get Benedict to shut up about challenging Charlotte). So. Corrupt? Probably. Corrupt in the same sense as Benedict? Probably not.

So where does that leave us? The Clave, at presumably the peak of Mortmain’s run and at least 10 years prior, was being lead by Josiah Wayland, who I just called an idiot. Everything in relation to Tessa was treated with what can only be described as incompetence, and it says a lot that somehow the Downworlder-hating Aloysius Starkweather (rightfully) laughed in their face. So basically, the Clave was useless, and Benedict stood pretty high on their social totem pole.

And we know Benedict had friends in the Council. Who those friends were, is never stated, but they certainly existed. From what we see in TID, the Consul and Inquisitor were probably not among them.

You’re probably wondering, how does this rant lead up to the Clave being corrupt in TLH era, and my answer is, well, 24 years isn’t that long, especially if it’s some degree of ingrained corruption that involves demons.

I feel like the main clue is how much crap Tatiana gets away with. Benedict probably got away with a lot before literally turning into a worm. But we outright see Tatiana doing insane things.

Short list of indefensible things in relation to Tatiana:

Tried to blame the deaths of Rupert and Benedict on the London Institute (she got told off because of the literal Lightworm)

She got all the Lightwood money and stuff for some reason

She refused for her son to be runed. (which people appear to somehow ignore)

She adopts a girl she isn’t related to (despite her having living family)

Keeps both the kids in isolation

There are demons in her greenhouse and no one bats an eye (blame Benedict, yeah, yeah)

She gets caught for necromancy and gets off with a sentence of been sent to the Iron Sisters (and probably only got punished at all because she got exposed in public)

Gets to casually go back to her house to talk to Belial prior to being imprisoned like HOW IS THIS WOMAN LEFT UNSUPERVISED

Now, now, I can’t fully blame her siblings for thinking she’s a distraught, broken woman who lost her husband and son, but it’s almost like she’s purposefully allowed so much freedom so that she can continue doing stuff. And Belial seems confident in his ambiguous attack-from-within plan, so Tatiana will probably have some degree of freedom to do whatever their plan is, even while (allegedly) locked up.

You could argue, maybe they’re just the Clave being dumb, but are we supposed to assume that everything is directly Belial’s fault? Tatiana gets away with an insane amount of rules broken, and it’s not even like she hides it, no, everyone knows she’s the crazy daughter of Lightworm who lost her husband and son and does necromancy, but oh, she’s definitely gonna be safe to send to the Iron Sisters. Definitely.

There has to be a degree of corruption within the Shadowhunter community itself for all of this to be enabled. It’s too ridiculous to be caused purely by incompetence.

And sorry for any typos / fails, I’m not rly ok right now but needed to go do TLH rant theories. >:0

[hopesilverheart]

Meet me under the mistletoe

(read on ao3)

Pairing: Lydia/Catarina Rated: Gen Summary: “Oh god, never say that again,” Lydia mock-gagged. “And don’t mention kissing me when during half-time, you’re going to jinx us and then we’re going to have to-”

“And here’s our next lucky couple!” The announcement caught Lydia’s attention before she could finish her sentence and she felt herself pale dramatically as her eyes landed on the kiss-cam, perfectly zoomed onto Alec and her. “What do you say, love birds, fancy a kiss underneath the mistletoe?”

Or: A tale of bad luck, mistletoe, and Catarina as a knight in shining armour.

For the @malecdiscordserver Advent Calendar

If there was one thing Lydia loved about faking a relationship with Alec for their parents’ sake, it was the amazing dates they got out of the deal.

She wasn’t sure how the Lightwoods had obtained VIP tickets for a Yankees’ game, but she wasn’t about to complain. All Alec had had to do was mention how much Lydia loved baseball and his parents had handed the tickets over like they weren’t worth hundreds of dollars each. 

So as much as she hated having to pretend to date Alec to cover his secret gay love affair and her own preference for women, she had to admit it wasn’t all bad. At least not when their parents decided to spoil them with ‘couple gifts’ in an attempt to strengthen their relationship and ensure a marriage between the two of them. 

(Lydia would never admit it, but the increasingly extravagant presents were the main reason why she was still keeping up the charade.)

“You know, I’ve never actually been to a game before,” Alec said out of nowhere as half-time rolled around. “My parents always said I wouldn’t enjoy it and Izzy backed their statement, so I figured it was one of those things I just wouldn’t like.”

“And Magnus didn’t try to change your mind about that?” Lydia’s eyebrows flew up. She didn’t know Alec’s lover as much as she wanted to, but they’d had a few conversations about the Yankees and she found it hard to believe that he hadn’t already tried to plan a baseball game date with Alec.

“He did,” Alec shrugged sheepishly. “But I think he was also convinced I wouldn’t have a nice time, because he changed his mind pretty quickly. The only reason I’m even here is because of how excited you seemed to be about this game.”

“Of course I’m excited! The Yankees are my favourite team and these are VIP seats!” Lydia exclaimed, gesturing at the field in front of them emphatically. “Sometimes, I wonder how we’re even friends.”

“Pure obligation on my part,” Alec smirked, chuckling when Lydia slapped his arm playfully. “And the need for a fake girlfriend, of course.”

“Ah yes, now I remember,” Lydia hummed in agreement. “I certainly didn’t plan on keeping this friendship up after we dropped the charade. I hope you won’t be too heartbroken; I know you’ve always been a little more attached than me.”

“Very funny, Branwell,” Alec rolled his eyes, his face scrunching up in vague disgust as his eyes landed on something in the distance. “Oh god, they made the kiss-cam holiday themed.”

Intrigued, Lydia turned her gaze toward the game screens and felt an amused smile tug at her lips as she spotted the pictures of mistletoe framing the kiss-cam. She’s never been the biggest fan of the short romantic breaks during games, but she was a fan of Christmas, and anything related to it never failed to make her smile. 

“You’re such a sap,” Alec groaned, jolting her out of her thoughts. “Seriously, all it takes is one mention of Christmas and you get the dopiest look on your face. I get that the holidays are magical, but there’s no need for that much enthusiasm.”

“On the contrary,” Lydia grinned. “That way I get rid of all my happiness during the winter season and can go right back to scaring the interns as soon as mid-January hits. It’s the best way to keep them on their toes. I make all of them believe I’ve changed and let the spirit of Christmas turn me into a bundle of joy, and then I remind them that all good moods are temporary and should never be trusted. Not in our field, at least.”

“Brutal,” Alec grimaced. “Thank god we were interns at the same time. You would have terrified the hell out of me.”

“That’s the goal, Lightwood,” Lydia pointed out, catching a glimpse of a happy couple making out a little too intensely from the corner of her eye. “Some people really need to get a room.”

“They’re just feeling very festive, I’m sure,” Alec teased, raising his eyebrows at her. “Here I thought you were all about the Christmas season. Does it really only take a kiss to change your mind? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were jealous. Do you need me to kiss it better, darling?”

“Oh god, never say that again,” Lydia mock-gagged. “And don’t mention kissing me when during half-time, you’re going to jinx us and then we’re going to have to-”

“And here’s our next lucky couple!” The announcement caught Lydia’s attention before she could finish her sentence and she felt herself pale dramatically as her eyes landed on the kiss-cam, perfectly zoomed onto Alec and her. “What do you say, love birds, fancy a kiss underneath the mistletoe?”

Lydia gulped, hoping she didn’t look half as disgusted on camera as she felt on the inside. One of the many rules she and Alec had put in place when they’d started their fake relationship was a strict no-touching policy, and kisses definitely fit into that category. They barely even held hands in front of their parents, and that was already more than enough for Lydia. 

“You fucking jinxed it,” she hissed under her breath, plastering a smile onto her face as the came stubbornly remained in place. “Now what are we going to do? Because unless your dashing beau comes to our rescue by appearing next to you and making out with you very publicly, I don’t really know how we’re supposed to get out of this with dignity.”

“Surely they move on if the pair doesn’t do anything,” Alec frowned. “What happens if the cam lands on siblings?”

“Doesn’t happen half as often as you might think,” Lydia answered. “And it does move on, but I don’t want the entire stadium to think I’m a coward.”

“Oh my god, you and your stupid pride,” Alec muttered, sending her a disbelieving glare. “I may have jinxed us, but I’m not so prideful as to ignore our perfectly crafted rules for the sake of a kiss-cam.”

“Come on now, doesn’t a kiss under the mistletoe sound romantic?” The announcer continued, earning cheers from what felt like the entire crowd. 

Before Lydia could truly panic and ruin everything with Alec, she felt a gentle tapping on her shoulder and promptly lost her breath as she turned to stare at the neighbour to her left. She wasn’t even sure when the woman had gotten there, because she definitely hadn’t been around during the first half of the game. 

Lydia would have remembered a face as beautiful as hers. Hell, she probably wouldn’t have followed a single minute of the match if she’d known there was an angel sitting right next to her. 

“Feel free to refuse my offer, but you look like a deer caught in headlights and I could never forgive myself if I let you go through with something you’re clearly not comfortable doing,” the woman started, tilting her head in Alec’s direction. “Would a kiss from me be any better?”

“Absolutely,” Lydia blurted out, blushing brightly as the woman laughed delightedly. “I mean, it would be a shame not to take advantage of the mistletoe. Isn’t there some kind of curse that lands upon those who dare ignore mistletoe when it’s all but ordering them to kiss?”

“I certainly don’t want to test that theory,” the woman answered, her gaze softening as she cupped Lydia’s cheek and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, stealing Lydia’s breath away with a single touch. 

Around them, the crowd cheered and clapped as the announcer said something - undoubtedly ridiculous - before letting the cam move onto someone else. Not that Lydia noticed when it happened, too caught up in her savior’s dark eyes to focus on anything else. 

“Wow,” she whispered. “I mean, thanks. Thank you for that, for- For saving me from kissing my very gay best friend, I guess.”

“Anytime,” the woman chuckled. “It’s always a pleasure to help out fellow queers in need. Besides, my intentions were hardly selfless. I saw a pretty girl on the kiss-cam and thought it would be a shame to miss out on such a golden opportunity, especially given how discomfited you looked at the thought of kissing that lovely young man.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure his boyfriend would forgive me,” Lydia grimaced. “And I’m glad you decided to act on your selfish intentions.”

“So am I,” the woman replied. “I’m Catarina, by the way.”

“Lydia,” the blonde breathed out.

“Any chance this seat is free?” Catarina asked, gesturing at the chair she’d already claimed for herself.

“For you? Absolutely,” Lydia answered without hesitation, subtly kicking Alec in the shins as he burst into laughter before smiling back at Catarina.

When he excused himself ten minutes after the cam incident, however, Lydia told herself she’d have to apologise later and thank him for his sudden disappearance. No matter how good a fake boyfriend he was, Lydia had to admit that having a real date - or something of the sort - by her side was far better.

[faejilly]

SH 1x3: eye of the beholder

There’s a theme going on here somewhere, appearances and deceptions, watcher and watched. I’ll figured it out by the end of the season. Maybe. ANYWAYS. I really want to write about the Vampires here in season 1, about Camille and Raphael and Simon’s oft-ignored trauma, but... I think that might be a bigger story than I quite have a grasp on yet. So. UNTIL THEN. 

Have some Alec Lightwood, because I always go back to poor Alec Lightwood, and the contrast in this episode between him and Simon and Hodge, what it’s like to be the person left behind when the person you followed, the person you adored, the person you trusted, goes on without you.

Hodge, who’s locked up in the Institute paying for his own and everyone else’s sins, who’s the one to tell the Lightwood children what little they know about the Circle even when it tortures him, even though their parents no longer have Circle Runes, and could say anything and everything without consequence. Who despite everything else tried to train them well, clearly cares for Alec and Jace and Izzy, is cared for by them in return. 

Clary, who could only be stopped from rushing after Simon (despite knowing she’d probably get herself killed) when it was pointed out that she’d probably get Simon killed too. Whose very first instinct when she sees him again is to tell Simon not to die.

Jace’s first instinct when defending Alec was not that, wasn’t “I would do anything for him” but was instead “[Alec] would die for me”... and Jace isn’t wrong, and how terrible is that?  

Alec watches.

Alec always watches. He watches the approaches in any room, he watches the heights, the corners. He watches for danger. He makes himself aware...

And then Hodge startles him. 

Hodge knows about Clary. He tells Alec, warns him about the monster’s daughter. Hodge didn’t tell Izzy, didn’t tell Jace. Didn’t tell them all, waited until Alec was alone. Waited to report privately, with sensitive information. Waited... for the right moment? But why here, why now? 

Why go a step further, to show concern for the shadows Alec lives in, the life he’s chosen standing behind his siblings, watching out for them. Why warn Alec about Jace, Jace isn’t like Valentine, Jace could never... could never choose someone else over Alec and Izzy?

 It gnaws at him, even as he goes to meet Izzy, even as he thinks about the plan, such as it is, turns it over and over in his head. Distraction, aggression, counting on luck. 

It’s a terrible plan, but it’s not difficult to stand there and guard against Vampires, it isn’t enough to make him stop thinking about it.

How does everyone know? They risked the City of Bones to find Clary’s memories, and Hodge, Camille’s Vampires... they just knew. 

What else does everyone know? What else doesn’t Alec know? 

How can he protect them if he doesn’t know what else is coming next?

He tries.

He watches their backs.

He watches Izzy.

And Jace.

Always Jace, no matter how much he tries...

He watches Clary, and her poor mundane friend, and he thinks Jace is probably right.

She’s just a little girl who lost her mother, her home, her friends, the man she thought of as a father.

Found out about her actual father, which is probably almost worse than the rest.

But they don’t know, they can’t know, and for all Jace likes to rush into things, he’s never not let Alec say wait before. He may always do what he wants anyways, but he’s never not listened, never not let Alec work through a problem to figure out the angles, never not let Alec fret at him, a smile in his eyes as he waited for Alec to agree with him, but now he won’t even let Alec talk, and Alec...

Alec doesn’t know what to do with that, he just wants Jace to... stop looking at Clary for one moment, to stop watching her even when Alec’s talking. Just one minute, just one thought, just to let Alec finish one sentence... 

Despite everything else, they’d always been partners, but now?

Now Jace asks him why Alec helped, and he doesn’t know how to answer that, can’t even understand how Jace could ask the question. 

He leaves.

They can watch their own backs for once.

He pretends he doesn’t know that they probably won’t even notice, that him not protecting them will hurt him more than them. He pretends he doesn’t care.

He’s gotten good at that, over the years.

At least he’s good at something. 

[distant-rose]

Oh boy, have I got questions for you! I love the way you create OCs and turn 2D bit parts into Real People, where do you start with this? Are they based on people you know? Do you feel like you need a character who's like x and build from there? What comes first, the fic or the character?

Hi there,

Thank you for this! Really truly! I cannot believe the number of questions you’ve sent me. It’s gonna be a wild hour.

In truth, the character always, always, always, always comes first with me. Characters are what drive your story in my humble opinion. You can have the world’s shittiest plot but people will if you have some damn good characters. See comics. See OUAT. See literally everything.

As for OCs, it’s kinda hard to describe. When I made a character, it always starts with a motion or physical trait. Like a smirk or a toss of hair or a certain gait. It comes from more than a decade of me people watching and wondering who they are and what they’re like. With OCs, I get mannerisms first because it’s one of the first things I notice about people. Then I think of appearances and then I go to personality. I always think of at least four characteristics as cornerstones and two have to be bad and two have to be good. I usually put more emphasis on the bad because the bad is what makes people interesting. For example with Beth, I saw her defining traits as fearless, passionate, manipulative, and self-involved. Her focus was always on her and she wasn’t afraid to lie, cheat and steal to get what she wants. It’s a fun character to play with. With one of my newer characters, Bekka (I’m going with a theme here), I always see her as personable, generous, unforgiving, and hot-tempered. The amount of grudges and bullshit she pulls because of those two traits have led to a lot of interesting drama. 

But that’s just the bases of the characters. I do occasionally draw from real life and from fiction. However, I never go “I want this person to be exactly like X.” If anything, I pull different things from different characters and I’m not comfortable drawing inspiration from less than four sources per character. Like again with Beth, I think I drew from at least ten different characters for (Killian Jones, Elizabeth Swann, Asha Greyjoy, Jessica Jones, Elektra Natchios, Eleanor Guthrie, Beatrix Kiddo and Isabelle Lightwood were all inspirations for her) and even more with Wes (Off the top of my head, Emma Swan (season one), Kid Loki, Dark One Hook, Magnus Bane, Jack Rackham, Edward Elric, Reynard the Fox from French folklore, Tyrion Lannister, Jax Teller, Anakin Skywalker, Jareth from Labyrinth). I think it's impossible to say anything in life is completely origin because our stories come from our knowledge. 

However, more than that, I think about outside influences. People are not stagnant. We live in a web of relationships and when I think of characters, I think about them in relation to other characters and how they’ve affected them. Like Beth, idolizing her father and being relatively spoiled and unchallenged in life gave her romantic notions of piracy and a fearless “I’m untouchable” attitude that she wouldn’t have otherwise. With Olivier, (a character from @justanotherwannabeclassic and mine’s Marvel AU) he’s incredibly defined by his perceived failings to his sister Bekka and it leads him to be incredibly overbearing at times to the point of his younger siblings often chaffing and rebelling against him. Even with friendships, people change and sometimes take on the habits, mannerisms, and points of view of those they associate with. Those are also important. How do characters change each other? With Harrison, he changes so much because of his relationship with Nasira because she believes in him and gives him confidence. Gideon takes on more devious and unconventional ways to solve problems due to his relationship with Wes. I cannot stress how important relationships (romantic, familial, friendly, antagonistic, mentoring, etc, etc) are to character development.

I will get off my soapbox now but thank you for asking. 

send me asks about my writing process, wip/fics, or headcanons today