#magnus bane one shot

[janescrazy]

for the malec prompts thing: Reverse AU? (shadowhunter magnus x warlock alec)

I had to think about this one for sure. I’ve never read any reverse AU for malec. I wasn’t sure who to keep as shadowhunters or to switch everything. I hope you like it!

“The man is 200 years old, and we don’t have one high quality picture of him?”

Hodge gives Magnus an exasperated look and carries on with the presentation, “Alec Lightwood is High Warlock of Brooklyn. As Magnus blatantly put it, he is 200 years old, which is deemed young for warlocks. The fact he has this position shows how intelligent, resourceful, and clever he is. He’s dangerous and sharp as a nail. If we’re going to find him and interrogate him, we’re going to need to be smart about this.”

Magnus rolls his eyes, flipping his dagger between his painted fingers. He squints at the pictures on the screen, presumably the only four photos they have of this Alec. One is of a group of French and American soldiers, and many of them have their arms bandaged and blood and dirt on their faces. They’re standing in rubble and smiling goofily at the camera. There is one man in the back with his face turned, blood and guck dirtying his face. His black hair is long and disheveled with a beret on top.

Magnus has no idea how anyone found this picture, or narrowed down the identification of the soldier to be Alec Lightwood. Though, the man in the photo was staring off and had a way about him that differentiated him from the others. His body posture and the one side of his exposed face was calculating, showing an envious amount of knowledge and experience. Like he knew something everyone else didn’t.

The other photos are of him on the battlefield with only half his face, and then one is a faraway photo of him standing in front of the Titanic when it was still docked in England. There are a few question marks on that photo, but Magnus highly doubts this extremely smart man who avoids cameras and attention like his life depends on it would sink a ship.

“Why do we need to find him anyway?” Catarina asks beside Magnus.

“The Consul needs to know where the warlocks are with Valentine. More and more of them are disappearing, whether from Valentine kidnapping them for his experiments or they’re going into hiding,” Hodge explains with a sigh. He scratches his neck. “Magnus helped us out with knowing Clary. She didn’t say where Alec lives, but she slipped and said a group of them are meeting at Pandemonium.”

“So he may not even be there,” Ragnor dulls, rolling his eyes. He stands with a dramatic huff, patting his pockets for his seraph blade.

“It’s our best chance,” Hodge clips. “We’re leaving in thirty.”

*****

Magnus goes to Pandemonium on a weekly basis. He tells Robert and Hodge he goes there for researching purposes, but he knows they know that’s complete bullshit. He’s a people person. Always will be. He enjoys being surrounded with fun people and partying the evening and night away. He may be a shadowhunter, but he will never say no to a round of shots and dancing.

The first night he had gotten dirty looks when they saw his runes, and he was ignored by most of them. It was fine with him. He can get down with any crowd. He knew a few vampires, including Raphael who introduced him to a group of vampires and werewolves there. Once they realized he wasn’t there to interrogate or had any shadowhunter gear on, they slowly loosened up and treated him like one of their own.

Safe to say it was weird walking into the club with his gear and runes on display. His throwing stars are hitched on his hips and lower thigh, and they glow in the neon room. His normal acquaintances throw him second glances, hesitance and worry on their pensive faces. They step back, their backs straight and ready for anything as he walks by.

Magnus already lost Cat in the crowd, and he can count on her to scout out the suspects. The only details they have on the High Warlock are black hair, pale skin, and he is slightly taller than Magnus.

The shadowhunter eyes up the taller men, taking note of their clothes. The man has to have either a good or an old taste in clothes, since he’s lived many decades. He also has to be rich based on his age. One doesn’t live for a very long time without learning how to make profit.

Nobody fits the bill, and he’s walked the entire building. Cat finds him in the middle and informs him she’s leaving. The warlock is obviously not here, and they’ll have to get in contact with Clary again if she’s willing. Magnus spots her dancing with a blond boy, Jace. If he wasn’t dressed and armed, he would make sure to shove into him. He’s never been a fan of him, and he hates how he’s immortal and will be a pain in the ass for a long time to come.

Magnus waltzes over to the bar and orders a hard drink for his troubles. Everyone avoids his stare, and he even has to call for the bartender a few times to be serviced. He takes a seat next to a man in a rugged gray sweater. He’s slouched over his drink like he’s protecting it, and he’s got his chin in his hands. A hood covers his hair, and black tufts poke out from underneath. They’re unruly and fluffy, and Magnus really wants to run his fingers through it. The AC in the room blows at the stranger’s hood.

Magnus turns and throws the stranger a wide charming smile, and he makes sure to tongue the thin red straw that’s used to stir his drink. The bartender must not have wanted to be bothered again because his whiskey is stronger than he expects.

“Hi, handsome,” the shadowhunter drawls, placing his chin on his hand and fluttering his lashes. Yup, very strong drink indeed.

The man tenses and gives him a blank stare, and his hazel eyes look Magnus over. Magnus really wishes he brought another set of clothes, especially when the man responds with an unimpressed, “Hi.”

Magnus is not one to give up easily, and he turns his body to face the hot stranger. “What are you drinking?”

The man blinks, appearing to have remembered he had a drink in the first place. He must be sitting right underneath a draft because his hood moves subtly, and he reaches to adjust it. He thumbs his own straw, “I don’t know. Something Meliorn made me.”

Magnus hums, taking a glance at the man’s hands and how large they are. His fingers are long and have an admiring way about them. The alcohol is getting to his head. He treads a thin line when he moves his chair an inch closer, “I’ve been here a lot. Regular customer really. I bet I can guess your drink.”

The man’s mouth twitches in what Magnus hopes to be humor, “Regular customer is an understatement.”

Magnus gapes in humiliation, before realizing what the man just admitted. He throws the stranger a wicked grin, daring to pull a fake piece of a lint off the man’s shoulder. “So you’ve been keeping an eye on me, handsome?”

The man doesn’t answer him right away. Magnus wonders if he’s going too far with this and making the man straightly uncomfortable, but all he does is fidget and straighten his back when Magnus starts playing footsie with him. “You’re, uh, usually wearing more colorful clothing.”

Magnus grins like a cat, becoming more daring and toying with the hood. The stranger’s cheeks are pink and flustered, and he’s always been a sucker for blushing men who don’t know what to do with their hands. His hazel eyes linger over his face, taking longer at his lips.

Magnus chugs the rest of his drink, purposely allowing a few droplets to slide down his chin. The man watches it happen, and his full lips part completely mesmerized. Magnus licks his lips for good measure and stands incredibly close to him. Their shared body heat rises in temperature, and Magnus wishes he would take off his sweater.

He fiddles with a string he finds, eyes never leaving the man, “I can wear whatever you’d like, baby.” The man shivers at his words, pupils enlarging and chest heaving faster as if he’s never been approached so unabashedly before. Shame, really, he’s blushing so pretty.

“Your sweater is cute and all,” Magnus whispers loud enough for only them to hear. “I would much rather see you take it off.” Maybe he’s too tipsy for this because the moment he touches the hood, the man’s hand snatches his wrist firmly. He is about to apologize, but then the man reaches out with his other hand, caressing Magnus’s cheek and bringing their lips together.

The kiss is awkward at first, as Magnus is more than tipsy right now. But once the room stops spinning, he goes all in. He tilts his head, fitting their lips together better and tasting the peach rum on his lips. The flavor is heavenly, and he curses the angels before slipping his tongue into the deepening kiss. The man sighs into his mouth, and Magnus feels uncertain hands on his waist.

Magnus must have climbed into the stranger’s lap because he’s towering over him now. He runs his hands down his chest, feeling the defined muscle hiding underneath. He doesn’t even know this man’s name, but he wants this man under him or on top of him. He’s not picky, and he smells so enticing.

“Hey!” an angry voice calls. “None of that here. I don’t care who you are. You can’t have sex in my bar.”

The man immediately tries to pull away, and Magnus has none of it. He grabs a hand and pulls him out of the chair and towards a hallway. “This way. Come on, beautiful.”

The man obliges and as soon as they’re out of view down the hall, Magnus shoves him into the wall and kisses him. He hears a deep groan, and it makes his legs weak. He needs to hear it again.

Without thinking, he reaches up and tugs on the man’s hair. The man groans, as he runs his fingers through his hair and slightly yanks. The noises he gets in return is encouraging, and he reaches farther up until he feels soft fur.

Wait.

His focus drifts from the kissing to the mass of soft fur twitching under his fingers. He leans back, sliding the hood off the stranger’s head and freezes.

Two cat ears black as their owner’s wild hair twitch and flutter under his gaze. Feeling his staring, they shift and lay flat against his head, hiding entirely in his hair. Magnus thinks of his own cat, Chairman, who lives outside and occasionally feeds when he turns up.

What a precious look on a beautiful man, who pulls his hood back up with a scowl not aimed at Magnus. His cheeks are rosy red and his eyes are downcasted in shame. “I’m sorry - I didn’t mean to let this get that far. Here, I’ll just go-“

“No, no, honeybun,” Magnus stops him gently and cups his heated cheeks. He should really ask for his name. “You are more adorable than I originally thought. What a precious warlock mark. Do you like to have them scratched?”

“I, uh, I don't know-“

“Alec?”

Alaska in January has nothing on the ice that grows throughout Magnus’s entire body the second he hears someone say that name.

Jace stands in the doorway of the hallway, protectiveness showing in the guarded way he’s standing. Magnus turns back to Alec, who refuses to look at him.

“Oh my angels,” Magnus mutters and backs away with his hands up. He curses, “I was just molesting the High Warlock of Brooklyn. Shit.”

Alec’s face hardens, “So what, you worry about titles now? Would you not have approached me if you knew who I was?”

“No!” Magnus scoffs and freezes when Alec gets more pissed. “I mean, uh, shit. I don’t know. You mean you don’t want to hex me?”

“Did I give off that I wanted to hex you?” Alec asks, appalled and annoyed. His fists are clenched and little sparks of purple filter the area around his hand.

“Well…no,” Magnus weakly answers. He runs his fingers through his hair nervously. “No one knew what the High Warlock of Brooklyn looked like, at least no shadowhunter. I didn’t expect you to look the way that you do.”

Alec pinches his nose irritably, “I’m so sorry I didn’t meet your standards.”

“No! I mean,” Magnus sighs. He waves over Alec’s still form, “You’re adorable and cute. I didn’t think…”

“The one correct thing you’ve said tonight,” Jace cuts in. Magnus flips him off.

“Just,” Magnus groans and gets back into Alec’s space. Thankfully, the warlock lets him, but anger still swims in his hazel eyes ready to snap like a coiled snake. “Let me take you out? I really like you. Please let me fix this?”

“Like him? Did you have a conversation I missed somehow?”

Magnus flips Jace off, and Alec throws him a look. “Fuck off. Go be miserable somewhere else, guard dog,” Magnus growls.

“Excuse me?”

“Jace,” Alec scowls before taking a deep breath. “Go. I’ll be right there.”

Magnus smiles wide at Jace when he finally leaves. He turns back to Alec, and the smile turns genuine. “Please? You just surprised me. I do like you, and you’re very cute.”

Alec blushes and nods a moment later, “Fine. I’ll text you my address.”

Magnus watches him leave before calling out, “You don’t have my phone number.”

Alec waves his hand, forming purple swirls in the air. There’s a grin on his face when he answers, “I got it.”

**********

Please send more prompts :) im on a writing high

[onetimetwotimesthreetimess]

“Where were you?” Alec asks sharply as soon as Magnus enters the loft.

“I had a client.”

“I thought you didn’t have any clients today.” Alec remarks.

“Sone kind of emergency.” Magnus replies and avoids Alec’s eyes.

Alec groans and pushes Magnus against the wall. “Why did you leave the party in between?”

Magnus rolls his eyes at him. “I just said there was an emergency.”

He pushes himself against Magnus’s body, pulling a moan out of him. “Stop lying, baby.”

“I’m not.”

“Did you kill him?”

His husband wounds his hands in his hair and pulls at them harshly. “What do you think?”

Alec groans and bites Magnus’s neck. “All he did was touch my arm.”

In a swift movement, Magnus turns them around so that his back was against the wall now. He removes the jacket from his shoulder and opens the first few buttons from his shirt.

“He touched your arm suggestively.” Magnus says heatedly.

“You’re insane.”

Magnus’s eyes darken at that and he snaps his fingers to remove Alec’s clothes. There’s dried up blood on his sleeves.

His husband holds it in his hands and speaks. “I wonder where all this blood came from.”

Alec rolls his eyes. “She was undressing you with her eyes. Right in front of me.”

“And what did you do to her?”

“What do you think?” Alec says, with a deep chill in his voice.

Magnus scratches at his back and leans closer towards his ear. “Who’s the insane one, my Alexander.”

-idk what this is but there’s one Annie who asked for yandere Malec so here it is.

[captainlilyuniverseworld]

100 Ways (I think you're beautiful)

A/N: These aren't in any order, I'm mainly just picking a line and then deciding on the pairings that fit. If you have any requests (fandoms I write for are in my prof) lemme know :)

50. I think you're beautiful

Pairing: Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood (role reversal, Alec is a high warlock, Magnus is a shadowhunter)

P.S shoutout to @p0ck3tf0x who's blog I found this awesome list on

***

I Think You're Beautiful

Alec knew three things about Magnus the first time they met each other. The most obvious one, Magnus, was a Shadowhunter. The second, he was an extreme flirt, and the second he saw Alec, all bets were off. And the third was Magnus wore contacts. Not a big deal. There were Shadowhunter’s who wore glasses.

Of course, Alec noticed more things about Magnus as their relationship progressed. He was strong, loyal, and smart. He prefered knives and daggers, up close and personal combat. Alec did not and tried introducing him to other types of weapons. Magnus failed and Alec discovered his may have a bit of a knife kink. (He’d deal with that later). 

Magnus was loyal to a fault, which Alec could understand. It made for heated discussions at times but they never left each other angry. Magnus was a Shadowhunter. It wasn’t bad per say, just not the best. Namely because it made Alec think about his mortality and death and really bad things. 

But, the one that really bugged Alec, though wasn't necessarily a bad quality, it was just annoying. He’d never seen Magnus without his contacts. He told Alec about them after Alec had asked why his eye color kept changing and since then Alec had been curious about his real eye color. He was not, however, prepared for when he actually saw them. 

It was still early when Alec woke up. Magnus was sprawled out on his side of the bed with his arms tucked under his head still sleeping. Alec reached over and ran his fingers through Magnus’s hair. 

“Too early,” Magnus mumbled and swatted at Alec’s hand. 

“Never too early to start the day,” Alec replied. 

“It is when you weren’t out patrolling until three in the morning,” Magnus yawned. 

“Poor thing,” Alec chuckled. “How about I make you a bath and give you a nice long massage afterwards?” 

“That sounds like an excellent idea,” Magnus smiled as he opened his eyes. 

Alec sucked in a sharp breath. Magnus wasn’t wearing his contacts. Magnus was in his bed, without clothes and without those damned contacts. 

“What?” Magnus asked. 

“You’re not wearing contacts,” Alec said. 

“Oh…” Magnus gave him a tense smile. “Right. I took them out before I went to bed...I’ll just go put some in.”

“No, don't do that,” Alec grabbed his arm. 

“Why? Most people see them and suddenly I’m the freak…” Magnus looked down. 

Alec reached up and cupped his cheek turning his head so Magnus looked at him. “I don’t believe you’re a freak. Never for one second have I ever thought that alright? Secondly,” he brushed his thumb over Magnus’s cheek bone. “I happen to think you are the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen in my hundreds of years.”

[anistarrose]

complimentary beverages

The hairs on the back of Taako’s neck stand on end, as the shot glass clatters to the ground from Bane’s hand. Silverpoint shoots through the Captain’s bulging veins, bringing convulsions — and the man himself falls, landing right atop the shards of glass. As he goes still, a red glow engulfs his body, coalescing into what Taako can only describe as puppet strings —

And those strings extend into the air, weaving themselves into a glowing red robe.

So. This mission that won’t end has culminated in some ghost, or perhaps ghoul, coming between Taako and a multi-hour nap he’s frankly owed — now, that’s a horror story. Yet the laugh that escapes that Red Robe isn’t deep and booming, nor even a maniacal cackle — not ghostly or ghoulish at all. No, Taako’s almost tempted to call it familiar — because this ghost-slash-ghoul just laughs like a guy.

He sounds excited, and more than a little incredulous. He really just laughs like a pleasantly bewildered guy — and he spreads his cloaked arms like he’s delighted to see someone. As if he were an adoring fan, at a Sizzle it Up meet and greet — and speaking of horror, there’s a sickening thought, because Taako’s still wearing a flawless disguise and everything! He’s Mongoose Man right now! No one should even recognize him —

“Boys! You’re hangin’ in there, right?” the Red Robe exclaims, with audible recognition in his voice. His eyes light up, like cold, white flames — and he shoots Taako a skeletal finger gun, which is disconcerting for all the wrong reasons. “Love the mask, by the way, Taako. Great fuckin’ choice, love a good mongoose. But, uh — shit, you guys okay? Y’all stayed out of the —”

He glances down at Bane’s corpse, poisoned puddle and all. “The, uh — sorry, geez, the whole splash zone?”

Magnus lets his axe fall back to his side, and huffs with indignation. “Dude, I had it!”

“Kill steal!” Merle chimes in, pointing and laughing — and the Red Robe sheepishly rubs his neck.

(keep reading on ao3!)

[foodsies4me]

July Malec fic rec!

Thanking the ever talented and wonderful @lawsofchaos1 for letting me barge in the DM’s to ask for help for this month's theme! This time the theme is a double one aka parabatai-feels/Alec&Jace friendship and religious themes! The same rules apply as always, one fic per author, even though all of these authors have other brilliant fics you should be reading and if you want to add your own recs in the comments, tags, or reblogs please feel free to do so! 💜

Also, I have tagged the authors whose Tumblr account I know (aka found on their AO3 profile), but if you'd prefer I not tag you, please tell me! I don't want these to be annoying for the authors.

One-shots:

3 Times Jace Feels Alec’s Happiness by fancyachatup: Just like the title says, three times Jace feels Alec being happy through their parabatai bond.

Summary:

3 times Jace realizes that Magnus is the best thing that's ever happened to Alec.

I cannot touch because they are too near by @faejilly: Still one of my favourite fics about the parabatai bond to date!

Summary:

If Magnus is going to love Alexander (which of course he is) then he's going to have to understand his parabatai and their bond, at least a little bit better than he does now. But he's not entirely sure how or where to start...

The Oddities of Sharing a Soul by @facialteeth: Another lovely Magnus learning some more about the parabatai-bond and what it means fic. Cute and fluffy and definitely recommended.

Summary:

Magnus goes to visit Alec and learns from Isabelle that there are some odd features to having a Parabatai Bond.

and miles to go before I sleep by ralf: Magnus meeting his kids in the past. This fic is just adorable and reading it never fails to bring a smile to my face.

Summary:

“Alec, can you come to the Institute?” That's Clary's voice, coming through the line in a low whisper. Alec tenses instantly. “What is it?” “It's Jace.”

Parabatai by SilasSolarius: A more eldritch as well as a queer platonic approach to the parabatai bond! Also, Ragnor lives because of course he does!

Summary:

Summary: Parabatai. Everyone, even downworlders were aware of the most sacred of the Nephilim's bonds, and yet very little is known about it. As far as most are concerned, the bond is merely a fancy way of calling each other brothers-in-arms, or best friends. Yet in reality, it is so much more. Ragnor Lives! AU

Multi-Chapters or Series

Angelus ex Machina by @bluemeridian: Rec-ced by lawsofchaos1, but I will 120% rec this series as well because it is just avdnz’gj’z’glg I love it so much, the way they parabatai bond is described is exquisite.

Summary:

Demons have disappeared from the city and the local Shadow World has discovered the hard way that the only thing worse than demons is an institute of Shadowhunters with no demons to fight. But that situation is (hopefully) temporary. The whole thing with the parabatai bond being weird is something else entirely.

Take Me To Church by j_writes: I don’t’ know how to describe this fic other than I love it, that’s all.

Summary:

Alec is the acting head of the Institute trying to deal with the new pressures this title brings. A string of Mundane murders and strange demonic markings leads him to seek help from the nearest High Warlock, Magnus Bane. Upon meeting him, Alec realizes that his secret is at risk of being revealed. He tries to keep his growing attraction for Magnus hidden as best as he can. With the support of his sister, Isabelle, who is trying to find love herself; they both try to discover if they can let their worries go and accept love with open arms.

The Whipping Boy (orphan account): This fic hurts. It just hurts.

Summary:

1. a boy brought up together with a young prince and required to take the punishment for the latter's misdeeds 2. scapegoat

The burden of command is one Alec shoulders gladly. When protecting his family has always meant taking responsibility for their actions, he's had a lifetime to prepare. 

It's the one thing he's good at. The one thing about himself he knows is worthy.

So, of course, Magnus and his siblings hate it.

The truth written on our souls by @to-the-stars-writing: Immortal Alec meets good parabatai Jace meets some religious imaginary meets magic gone wrong and worldbuilding which are the two things that make me go feral above all, so yessss!

Summary:

Be careful what you wish for.

That was a saying that was something most people threw around in a teasing sort of way. Something to chide another with, maybe, after something goes wrong. But when dealing with magic there were no truer words. Be careful what you wish for was a very clear warning. One that Alec had heard Magnus lament over people not heeding so many different times.

Today was only further proof of that.

They’d come into this planning on doing a spell to give Alec immortality. They’d done their research, prepared themselves as best they could, but they’d forgotten that basic tenant. Be careful what you wish for.

Holding Angels by @echo-bleu (Hi Echo, I love you💜💜💜): Alec tells the Clave he made the wish and not Clary. This fic hurts and is painful and I love it.

Summary:

The decision is anything but easy, but it’s simple. It’s suddenly limpid in Alec’s head, like this is the moment he’s been waiting for his whole life.

(He tries not to think about how morbid that thought is.)

“I would have done the same,” he repeats. She sniffles against his chest.

“In fact,” he continues, pushing her back gently to look at her, “that’s exactly what I did, as far as the Clave is concerned.”

Alec tells the Clave he's the one who made the Wish.

Laudanum by @lawsofchaos1 that I couldn’t not rec. (Sorry, Laws you had to know this was coming when you mentioned religious imaginary). While I generally try to limit myself to complete fics, this fic has had me by the jugular for years now and I am obsessed.

Face blank, Alec steps forward without a moment of hesitation to stand in front of the Inquisitor, his people parting respectfully before him to clear his path as he goes. He comes to a halt a few paces in front of the Clave representative and the guardsmen she’d brought from Alicante. A coiled leather whip hangs from the belt of the man at her left shoulder.

Shoulders drawn back and hands clasped behind his waist, Alec meets Imogen Herondale’s steel gaze. The words are ritual and although Alec has said them many times before, never before has he meant them less.

“That it may please the Angel to bring back into the way of righteousness all such as have erred, I place myself before you for Discipline.”

Imogen Herondale smiles.

[alexanderlightweight]

So for your Writing Wednesday, would it be possible to get a different meeting for Male where Magnus sees Alex for the first time as he 'deals' with an out of line Shadowhunter from a different area. All of Alec's Shadowhunters just cluck their tongues about poorly prepared outsiders (or something like that). I love reading all your stuff!

Ah I love seeing your kudos pictures and cookie!

Ahaha I kind of went off with this prompt because when I started writing i couldn’t stop

—

Magnus barely manages to duck the blade that nearly gets his arm, his spell fading as he avoids adamas.

He spits out a curse and shoves the shadowhunter away from him.

And then the shadowhunter is down, a harsh yelp coming from his lips and an arrow from his shoulder. And Magnus watches as his attacker is being stepped on, a boot sharply pressing into his spine.

There is a new, aggressively dressed and nearly heavily armed group of shadowhunters.

The one stepping on Magnus’ would-be-murderer is an archer from the bow he wields and the arrow he launched. The red of its feathers match the ones in his quiver and Magnus watches as he looks down and grinds his heel into vertebrae.

Magnus’ attacker's face is pressed into the dirt, his cries of pain muffled by ichor soaked dirt as the archer pulls out his arrow.

The archer, a nephilim commander by the respect he’s shown, scoffs and wipes the bloodied arrowhead on the downed shadowhunters back.

Magnus has seen shadowhunter punishments.

He’s been across and on the same battlefield as nephilim warriors enough times to recognize its brutal efficiency.

But he’s never had it directed or doled out on his behalf.

And there’s every likelihood that this is only a tactical choice, seeing as Magnus is the only one on sight who is capable of closing the rift.

But Magnus still finds himself charmed.

As Cat would say, the bar is lower than Edom for shadowhunters.

“Someone get this disappointment of a hunter off of my battlefield!” The shadowhunter says voice deep and low and it rings across the small strip of sand and mud that Magnus has been desperately protecting while trying to close a colossal rift.

Dark eyes glance to him and widen and Magnus and several shadowhunters watch in shock as he misses a step, his booted heel crushing the man’s hand.

Magnus’ hunter looks down in consternation before he rolls his eyes. “Useless.” He mutters like it’s the man’s fault for being shot and having his fingers and spine tap-danced on. “Track what Institute they came from and tell them to stay out of my territory unless I ask for help. Idiots can’t be trusted not to fire on obvious allies.”

He walks towards Magnus carefully, bow out but unnotched and blade inactive at his thigh.

“Alec Lightwood, acting Commander and Head of the New York Institute.” And he’s younger than Magnus thought, with a still-healing nick through his eyebrow and blood at his jaw.

To anyone else he might look terrifying, with his dark scowl and the nearly feral way he’s assessing his surroundings.

To Magnus, he looks terrifyingly brilliant, like a comet that you’ll miss if you blink.

“Magnus Bane,” Magnus doesn’t add his titles because any decent commander, acting or otherwise should know him by name.

Alec’s eyes widen a bit, he definitely knows of Magnus then, but he seems more relieved than horrified.

“So if my hunters keep them clear of you, you can close the rift?”

Magnus nods, sharp and serious because this commander — Alec, perhaps Alexander — did take down another shadowhunter on Magnus' behalf.

“Protect the High Warlock of Brooklyn at every cost.” Alexander says, turning to his teams. There is a heavy emphasis on Magnus’ title and two of his gathered seven teams break off to surround Magnus.

They don’t hesitate, putting their backs to Magnus like it’s a natural occurrence, to have a furious and magically explosive warlock at their backs.

“I’ve wasted quite a bit of magical power.” Magnus admits, and his voice is cold because it’s a weakness he doesn’t want to share. But passing out unconscious in a group of admittedly, not-yet-terrible shadowhunters is not something Magnus wants to risk.

It’s unspoken that Magnus wasted that power because he was protecting himself from the demons and shadowhunters, while also still helping the shadowhunters.

Instead of being able to focus on the rift.

“Mirai.” Alexander is ordering and a woman with tight curls and sharp brown eyes steps away from the circle around Magnus. “We’ll switch positions. I’ll direct from the rear—“ he turns to Magnhs and steps closer, his hand held out. “You can take what you need, just leave me alert enough to direct my people. They’re competent enough to protect us until the rift is closed.”

There was a hint of threat in his tone and the shadowhunter he called Mirai is saying something into her earpiece.

“Of course sir, I’ll keep everyone in line. If we fall, you’ll fall last.” And Mirai gives a perfunctory nod and then takes off to create a larger and more secure perimeter.

It’s the first time Magnus has been able to catch his breath since he portaled in and he takes a moment to just inhale and exhale.

A flask is being pressed to his hands and Magnus is about to use magic to check it for poison when it’s taken back and he watches as Alexander unscrews it and sips, several deep gulps and Magnus can see the shine of water against his lips.

Magnus is suddenly a man dying of thirst.

He takes the flask when it’s passed over this time and doesn’t have to use any magic, just drinks the surprisingly cool water and feels it soothe his throat.

He finishes it and when he hands it back, he watches Alexander screw the lid back on and toss it to one of his hunters.

Alec holds out a large, calloused hand and Magnus takes it.

It’s dusty and dry and Magnus never wants to let go.

“Let me fall if I start to waver.” Alexander tells him as he stands next to Magnus, covering his back and side as best he can. “I won’t get a concussion with ground this soft and my hunters won’t break the perimeter to ease my muscles. Better to concentrate on the rift and any stragglers.”

Magnus laughs, a sharp bold thing that breaks across the screams of demons and the swears of shadowhunters.

“I’d have to let you go, for you to fall.” Magnus quips as he tightens his grip on Alexander's hand. And Magnus smiles, a soft thing that’s not fit for a battlefield but that spreads softly across his mouth. “And I don’t think I’m inclined to that.”

[khaleesiofalicante]

Every once in a while I read a chapter from the bane chronicles. And it's so interesting. I know it's not as good as the tales of shadowhunter academy or gotsm but it's still very cool. Magnus FEELS immortal in it. I love how spontaneous Magnus is. And also kinda aloof (?). I don't know how to explain what it feels like but I love reading Magnus' experiences. I wish we had more stories that were centered around just Magnus. If you know any fanfics please share them.

The Bane Chronicles is definitely a top tsc book for me too. I love reading random stories from it at random moments - and going back to it after reading the new books too.

I can't think of any magnus-centric fics at the moment. I do remember I wrote some one shots on tumblr of Magnus and the warlock gang, but I can't seem to find them :(

If anyone has any recs, please help annie out!

[laufire]

august reading meme!

BOOKS

Burning Your Boats by Angela Carter. I got through this collection of short stories slowly but surely, and it cemented Angela Carter as one of my favourite authors. The Bloody Chamber will always have a special place in my heart, but each collection had stories that made my imagination run wild and enthralled me with their prose. Some of my favourites were "The Loves of Lady Purple," "Impressions: The Wrightsman Magdalene," or "The Scarlet House."

Olvidado Rey Gudú by Ana María Matute. This is my ASOIAF. What a long, meaty, enchanting tale, seriously. This book is the magnus opus of one of my favourite Spanish authors, and tells the story of the Kingdom of Olar from its birth to its end, over five tumultuous generations. It mixes the grounded medieval setting and outlandish fantastical elements in a very fluid prose, and following the tragic tale of woe in its pages over the last couple of months was a delight.

COMICS

The Cheshire Contract (Action Comics #613-618). I wanted to read the story of Lian going to live with Roy, for Reasons. It's good and fun and short (it occupies a small part of a larger issue, 8 pages each), so if it interests you, go for it.

Batman & Spiderman. This is part of a bunch of crossovers I haven't read, and don't plan to for now, so I was mixing some context, but I read it because Talia was there lol. I don't think DC and Marvel mix well, most of the time, but this little one-shot makes it work.

Jason Todd: Rebirth (2016-2020ish). It... had its moments. Waaaaay too much Lobdell, just as the New 52, but now that I've started the next phase to fall face-first into Cheer, of all arcs... yeah, neither is good lol. But one thing that really appealed to me was the dynamic between Jason and Bizarro; hence the cover. The other highlight was the (tragically few) interactions between Jason and Duke, especially in New Talent Showcase 2017. Give me mooooore, DC!! Other than that... well, there were many things that annoyed the hell out of me (Black Mask's writing, Bruce's EVERYTHING), but let's not get into it lol.

Green Arrow (2001). What a run. I've loved it from beginning to end, really (though a bit through the middle the art horrified me xD). It turned Mia into one of my favourite characters (and in reread, elevated a rareship into an OTP, because it really works for her character :P), which is not rare given that this is clearly where here best arcs are :D. Connor didn't have enough to do, tragically, but he's a great character and I look forward to read more about him; about Dinah&Ollie as well.

Batman: Bane of the Demon. Hi yeah just mentioning this arc to tell you guys about how Ra's apparently keeps cameras in Talia's bedroom :))) he might've been watching as she hooked up with Bane (who he unceremoneously decides she must marry to advance his plans). Let's all kill Ra's.

Batman: Death and the Maidens. A Rucka story, so you know it's good (though not particularly good to Talia lbr... I'm not bothered by *what* happens, I just wish we'd seen more of her perspective, during and especially after -though that's not a mmater of *this* run of course). Bruce's dream journey/possible visions of his parents's ghost were a highlight. Do recommend.

Truth & Justice: Hunted by the Past (#4). Way better than similar "Jason fears becoming the Joker!!!" stories, though that interpretation of the character is never going to be one I agree with. I liked seeing him with the helmet again, and the art is fun. The story gave Jason yet another pre-Robin childhood friend (this one got killed

Green Lantern/Green Arrow: Hard Travelling Heroes. A fascinating read, especially taking it in its context and comparing it to how timid DC is about politics in current comics, IMO. This run was messy and didn't always seem to know what it was doing, and some of what it included or argued feels wrong from a modern perspective, but it dared to take risks and that's always appreciated on my part. My favourite story was the one introducing John Stewart; both for John himself, of course, but also because it was unafraid to write Hal as someone that despite good intentions and despite being a ~heroic character, had racist biases he needed to face and overcome.

Kingdom Come. This is one of those ~iconic comics that feels like a must-read; it's meaty and it raises questions and it's a run you could really sink your teeth into. And I didn't like it at all LOL. It's so... nostalgic and regressive and downright reactionary. Its fluffy epilogue does it no favours, too (other than prompting this post of mine, ig).

No Man's Land. I finally read the whole thing!!!!!! It took me SIX MONTHS!!!!!!!! And speaking of reactionary beliefs añdslfkjasf. But I did like it and enjoyed it far more than Kingdom Come, tbf (except Dixon's issues omg whyyyyy is he everywheeeeere he's so boriiiiiing). Helena Bertinelli is the uncontested star of this event AFAIC, and I won't hear otherwise. Well, Leslie, Barbara and Cass definitely shined too. And Montoya and Essen. Aaaand Harley Quinn has her introduction. And Selina has a lot of fun stealing things and screwing with everyone!!! And Talia gets Bruce to get his head out of his ass!!! Ugh, there's so much I could say about this run. The Renee & Two-Face issue. Alfred's tale of himself as Bruce's squire. Lynx and Batman's brief team-up. The Secret Files and Origins tale about a man named Jason who thinks Gotham is speaking to him, and who thanks Barbara for her service to the city. There is a lot in this arc that I'd gladly rotate in my mind forever. But Helena is my darling and THEE best Bat(man). That is all.

[youre-not-my-type]

You Scared Me, Shadowhunter

(a #malec one-shot)

One moment there was silence, and then in another, a sickening gasp of an inhale, and Jace knew immediately something was horribly, horribly wrong.

He ripped his own blade from the chest of a demon and turned in time to see glinting metal protruding from the stomach of one Alec Lightwood-Bane, his parabatai’s eyes desperately wide as time seemed to slow. In the same instant that the curved scythe was pulled sharply from the man’s back, Jace had his seraph blade slicing cleanly at the fiend’s throat, red-hot anger and ice-cold fear coursing through him all at once. He was there to catch Alec then, when his parabatai’s knees buckled as ichor burst forth to coat them both, and it was with a difficult gentleness that Jace eased them both down to the ground, his hands already fumbling for his stele.

Alec’s breathing came in wheezing gasps, a sickening sound Jace was sure would haunt his nightmares, and the blond shadowhunter found himself stumbling over assurances as he drew a shaking iratze onto a blood-slick abdomen. “It’s okay, you’re alright, just-“ his words failed as soon as they’d begun, and Jace watched in distinct horror as the rune faded and sank away. Venom in the wound, and the institute was much, much farther away than it needed to be.

Another choking inhale and Jace snapped back to the present, eyes wide in a panic, only to find Alec looked resolute, if pallidly so, grasping weakly at his parabatai’s arm with bloodied fingers. “Magnus-“ He wheezed out, blood spattering pale lips, and whether or not it was the intention, the name renewed a distant sense of hope, futile as it might have seemed. Jace was sure tears were slick on his face, though he couldn’t find himself to care now as he huffed out an apology and readied a strong arm against his brother’s back, maneuvering an arm to settle against the blond’s shoulders. Alec groaned heavily as he was pulled upright, his one free arm wrapped tightly around his stomach. The warlock was closer, much closer, than the institute, and if Jace could keep Alec aware and on his feet for just a little bit longer, they’d be okay. Alec would be okay.

The walk was blessedly short, a mere couple of blocks, but Alec’s hold grew weaker progressively until Jace was all but carrying his parabatai, exhaustion threatening to take them both down. The blood had not slowed in its soaking of the raven-haired man’s battle gear, ripped to shreds as it was, and by the time they made it to Magnus’ door he was barely holding on, his breathing mere wheezes accompanied by an occasional gasp, one that typically heralded blood spatter against the man’s lips. Jace managed one sharp knock before Alec was slipping from his grasp, and then he was falling with his brother to the floor, using every bit of strength in himself to keep the dying shadowhunter upright. And that word, that thought, it chilled Jace to the bone. Dying. He wouldn’t, couldn’t, allow that.

~

Magnus Bane would have been lying if he said he hadn’t been enjoying his quiet evening, even as he tended to miss his husband when the man was away. There was always a distant worry, when Alec was in the field, but it was so commonplace that Magnus had learned rather early on to live with the feeling. And as much as he loved the shadowhunter, it could be nice to have an evening to himself. Of course, he’d spent it cooking in expectance of his husband’s return, using the time alone to think about the things they’d have time to do tonight, with tomorrow’s day off for the both of them to follow. Nothing in him was prepared for what would actually come next.

The knock was so brief he might have thought he’d imagined it, if Magnus wasn’t so certain he’d heard it. It was a very deliberate thing, and he could hear the distant touches of a commotion in the hall, warranting a reaction on the warlock’s behalf. He frowned and checked the time, confusion settling into his being. He wasn’t expecting company, and Alec had keys. Even if the man had left or lost them, he knew where the spare lived, and even beyond that could draw a rune on the door if he needed. So yes, Magnus was confused. He glanced at the oven, ensuring it was safe to leave it, and then with a blink of his eyes his hands were clean, his apron folded on the counter.

As he approached the door, the commotion fell to shuffling, murmured words of what sounded like encouragement, and when he caught a shock of blonde hair through the peephole Magnus felt his heart in his throat. The door was unlocked and opened before he could even think, and then… oh, fuck.

The look of relief that fell upon Jace’s expression when the door opened was short-lived, and it was easy to see why. Alec was all but unconscious, half-slumped to the floor, blood seeping in pools from god knew where. The warlock’s throat threatened to close up on itself and he took in a shuddering breath, fettering his panic. He could afford to panic later, but not now.

“What happened?” His voice was terse, clipped as he moved to aid Jace in getting Alec through the door. Within moments they had him situated on the couch, and Magnus couldn’t bring himself to care as deep crimson immediately took to soaking into the fabric. He hoped that he’d be afforded the opportunity to tease his husband about it later.

“Demon ran him through, there’s venom in the wound. Iratzes aren’t settling.” Jace’s voice was surprisingly steady in the moment, even where Magnus was sure the man would have preferred to cry or scream or hit something, likely all three at once. The warlock hummed in acknowledgement, and his cat-like eyes flashed a moment as his hand settled against the wound in his husband’s abdomen. Wound was putting it lightly, he thought distantly, grimly, as he felt his magic seep into the tearing, hemorrhaging thing. The sensation would not be pleasant, and it seemed in this moment to bring Alec back to the present now with another choking gasp.

“Hello, darling,” Magnus hummed, attempting nonchalance and sure he was failing miserably. His free hand sought one of Alec’s, who squeezed weakly. “There we are. You’re doing so well, my love.”

Another inhale that sounded more like choking, though as the moments passed by and the magic filtered through the shadowhunter’s system, chasing out the demonic venom, Alec’s heartbeat steadied from where it had begun to turn thready, and his coughing brought with it less and less blood, until finally, none at all. “Magnus-“ The attempt broke off into another hitching breath and the warlock shook his head, offering what must have been an incredibly tense, terrified smile. “I’m here, Alexander. You’re going to be just fine, darling.” His attention shifted as he felt the last of the venom receding. “Jace, please-”

Before he’d even spoken the blond’s name, the man was pulling his stele, applying an iratze above the wound, a handful more in surrounding areas to be safe. Magnus took a moment to wonder at the connection of parabatai, what it meant to be so closely bonded, enough so to feel the absence of venom in another’s body so surely you can act.

With the runes, Alec’s color began to return little by little, and though his eyelids fluttered his heartbeat grew stronger and his breathing steadier. Magnus released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, distantly wondered how long he’d been holding it. Had it been seconds, minutes, since the pair of shadowhunters had stumbled across the threshold of he and Alec’s door? A half hour? More? He didn’t know, wasn’t sure he wanted to know. He’d felt how weak Alec’s life force had been as they’d laid the man down just moments before. He didn’t want to think about what would have happened it had taken Jace five minutes longer to get the pair to his doorstep.

It was Jace’s turn to work now, and Magnus stepped back to give the blond shadowhunter the space he needed to activate the runes necessary; another handful of iratzes, several others the warlock could not bring himself to note. He felt drained, had poured so much into healing Alec so quickly, though Magnus would do it again in a heartbeat if he found it necessary. It wouldn’t be so, thankfully, not tonight at the very least. Alec’s heartbeat had returned to its regular rhythm, beating strongly, and even though Magnus could sense as such, as Jace pulled back finally the warlock kneeled down beside the sofa, taking his husband’s hand in his own. His thumb brushed against the pulse point of Alec’s wrist, and only then did the warlock release a trembling sigh, tears threatening to gather.

Alec’s own eyes, as startlingly blue as ever, opened in a flutter, the exhaustion in them evident. “Hi,” he rasped simply, bringing one calloused palm up to cup Magnus’ cheek, and the warlock leaned into it greedily, finding comfort in the warmth of his touch. He laughed wetly, tears slipping down his cheeks now, and took his husband’s hand in his own, bringing it to his lips. “Hi, yourself, shadowhunter.” A smile weighed down by exhaustion ghosted across Alec’s lips, and though he looked to want to say something else, dark eyelashes fluttered again and Magnus hummed a soft assurance. “Sleep, Alexander. I will still be here when you wake.” That was enough, and with a soft sigh and a gentle squeeze of his husband’s hand, Alec allowed sleep to win out, breathing deeply within moments.

Magnus blinked the remainder of his tears away, and when he was absolutely certain of his husband’s being well and truly asleep, he slowly and carefully removed his hand, standing with a soft groan.

“You alright?” Magnus jumped, whirling around. Christ, he’d forgotten Jace was there, somehow. The blond had settled back slightly, leaning against the wall with his eyes fixed on his parabatai’s sleeping form. He looked exhausted, and the warlock had the ability to really approach the man now, hesitating for a moment before taking Jace’s hand. The man looked startled, but didn’t move.

“Thank you,” Magnus offering quietly, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them again, willing away gathering tears. “For bringing him home, I mean.” He pulled back then, and there was a spark of understanding in Jace’s eyes. He didn’t speak, just nodded as his hand was released. Magnus cleared his throat then, brushing his hands off on his jeans. “Now,” he sighed, resuming his position as host for the time being, “I’m sure if I’m drained, you’re exhausted. You can stay here for the night, and then head back to make your report in the morning. You know where the guest room and shower are.” Jace eyed the warlock for his briskness but ultimately just nodded his thanks, and slowly but surely the house took on a semblance of quiet as Magnus was left to Alec’s side alone. Another blink, a hum of an incantation, and the blood that seemed to stain the back of Magnus’ eyes was gone. He pulled a blanket over his husband’s sleeping form and then settled in close by, in an armchair. Every bit of knowledge he held told him Alec was fine, would be perfectly well if a bit sore in the morning, but still he took up a position to watch over him, swallowing thickly as emotion and exhaustion both warred with one another. There wouldn’t be much sleep gained on his part tonight.

-

Alec was floating. Alec was floating and then he… well, then he wasn’t. He woke to a darkened room, his throat dry and every bit of him aching, and for a moment there was a tinge of panic, a feeling that he’d forgotten something important, the idea that he’d lost something close to him. And then his eyes adjusted, against the darkness of a sitting room he was beginning to realize as his own, and he recognized the figure dozing lightly in the chair nearest to him. His warlock, his Magnus. Relief seeped into him then, because if Magnus was here, sleeping, and it was quiet, then surely everything was okay. Surely they were safe.

The tension faded from his body, pulled tight as the string of his bow, and as the anxiety abated it was replaced with that aching he’d noticed earlier, only at tenfold. He moved to push himself upright and a soft groan escaped his lips, the muscles of his abdomen protesting at the exertion. He winced faintly but managed to sit, and it was then a hand came to rest against his upper arm, squeezing and helping to support him. Magnus, blinking sleep from those cat-like eyes, had snapped into awareness the moment he’d felt him shift, and even in the dark Alec could read the relief in his husband’s gaze.

“Careful. You took quite a hit, my love. Your body’s bound to be none too pleased with you right now.” Magnus’ voice, low and careful in the dead of night, roused memories in Alec’s mind, fleeting as they were. Jace’s panic, trudging through Brooklyn streets, his mind fading in and out as he moved. Magnus’ face, terrified. The pain, a shock and a numbness both at once. Alec swallowed thickly and his hand moved of its own volition to probe at his stomach, unclothed as his torso was. A new scar, thick and crescent-shaped, twisted its way in a manner reminiscent to that of a scythe. “Ah.”

“Ah,” Magnus repeated in a soft hum, echoing Alec’s conclusion. The warlock pulled his husband’s hand away from the reminder of a close call, instead bringing his palm to his lips, holding it there for a moment. “You scared me, shadowhunter.” The words seemed to echo in the quiet of the night, and Alec sighed. He knew it had to have been bad, for that sentence to be offered so honestly. And he could feel it, in his bones, in the stiffness of his musculature.

“I’m sorry,” Alec whispered, his eyes meeting Magnus’, and there was the recognition that he meant the words, as he meant them every time he offered them. It didn’t change the fact that inevitably, he’d wind up in a similar situation, scaring Magnus again and again. A hazard of the job. Still, as they sat together here now, one of Alec’s calloused hands held between both of Magnus’ smaller ones, there was no doubt that he meant the apology. And so, the response from the warlock made sense.

“I know, my darling. I know.” And for tonight, that was enough. The cycle would repeat itself eventually, but tonight it had stilled, coming to a halt. And that was enough.

[elettralightwood]

“The last time you were feeling heartbroken, you took shots at a chandelier with a mundane gun and nearly drowned yourself in the Serpentine.”

“I wasn’t trying to drown myself,” James pointed out. “Besides, Magnus Bane saved me.”

“Don’t mention that,” said Matthew, as James uncapped the flask. “You know how angry I am about that. I idolize Magnus Bane, you had one chance to meet him, and you embarrassed us all.”

“I’m quite sure I never mentioned any of you to him,” said James, and tipped the flask back.

“Even worse,” said Matthew.

The love Matthew has for Magnus is fucking iconic if u ask me

[carelessflower]

brewing troubles

"I've already told you. I'm here to meet Magnu- Mr. Lightwood-Bane. Please, tell him Alec drops by with his coffee. If he's busy I can come back another time." Alec refrained from not being too irritated with the man in front of him, who had refused to let him see Magnus. Alec appreciated Magnus's employees looking out for their boss, but frankly, this was starting to get ridiculous.

The man- Dustin, Alec recalled, scanned him from head to toe, scrutinizing his ruined sweater and otherwise disheveled appearance. It wasn't like Alec planned to get slashed when trying to chase down a mugger, sometimes stuff escalated outside his control. Still, the way Dustin inspected him, like some dirt stuck onto his boots and refused to give in, irritated Alec.

"Meeting Magnus? You? Please, don't they have any mirror where you come from?" Dustin snickered, his eyes sparked venom. "Geez, I'm impressed by the audacity alone. I've met plenty of social climbers, but none of them looked this boring."

Oh, oh.

With pieces connected, Alec didn't know whether to feel amused, exasperated, or angry. It appeared Magnus forgot to mention how one of his secretaries had the hots for him. Alec didn't blame them, except he did because well, Magnus was his. Plain and simple. Nathaniel and Erik and Laura and Dustin and other million names Alec definitely didn't give a shit about could suck it. 

When he had the two cups of coffee settled down on the table, Alec crossed his arms, putting up his best bitch impression. 

"I'm not aware the recruitment process has downgraded to this extent. Certainly, Catarina must have made better decisions, don't you agree?"

"You-" 

Alec was happy to hear the sound of a door opening, which cut off Dustin's response and revealed Magnus in all his glory. His husband was still as perfect as when Alec kissed him goodbye in their home, a dazzling grin plastered across his beautiful face.

"Alexander! What a lovely sight you make." Magnus crossed the hall to where Alec stood, pecking him on the cheek. Suddenly as if on cue, all thoughts that didn't include Magnus flew out of Alec's head. "I've been waiting for you. What took you so long?" Magnus continued.

Ideas crossing his mind, Alec put his hands around his husband's waist and smirked. "Unfortunately, a lowly social climber isn't allowed here, according to the boss's secretary. Such a shame too, I brought Mr. Lightwood-Bane his favorite caramel macchiato and I had no way to give it to him now." He pouted.

Magnus's eyebrows shot up before eyeing Alec and Dustin, realization slowly dawning on his face. 

"Darling, can you go inside and wait for me a few seconds? It seems to me I have some matters to attend to."

Picking up their coffee, Alec led himself to the office but not before kissing Magnus deeply (there might or might not be much more tongue involved than necessary, sue him). Alec was totally not showing off (except he definitely was).

for @malectober day 11 prompt coffee

[onetimetwotimesthreetimess]

Not a prompt, your post CoLS fic got me thinking... would lbotw really happen the same if Malec were broken up? I mean, it was Alec who called Catarina and later rallied the team together, Magnus on the other hand was hellbent on not asking anyone for help and was confident he and Alec could solve it on their own.

Anyway I imagine he just shows up at Alec’s house one night all like "Hi I kind of met Shinyun again and she stabbed me twice with this thorn thing and now I'm dying* and um anyways I kind of wanted to see you before I die."

*Dying because there's no way he'll take the third thorn and become Sammael's minion, he's way too stubborn for that. Plus his whole history of "I hope someone kills me if I ever become evil"

hello laks. Hi.

You got me thinking as well lol. I think it would’ve gone somehow similar but also quite different if malec had not gotten back together.

Like the plot would 100% definitely happen in my opinion. Shinyun and Sammael would still act like their crazy selves lol. But I think Magnus and Alec would def react a bit differently.

It would be less chiller in my opinion? Because remember TLBOTW Alec being horny as fuck??? my mans would be absolutely going insane if he didn’t get to kiss Magnus every five minutes. I think it would be somehow more angsty because like??? how do I express my undying love (from both of them) in a very chill and friendly way?

Magnus would resist more in opening up but what you said is so spot on—this unhinged man would definitely knock on Alec’s door five minutes after getting snapped.

And even if they’re not together, he’d still trust Alec to kill him if he were to turn fully evil. They’re just stupid and insane like that sjsjskskslllljsjs. But my mans alec would be 70000% more unhinged because they don’t have Max here to think about (even though he was unhinged even when max was in the picture lmao)

[malec-ao3feed]

Into the depths of the Spiral Labyrinth we go

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/7Jul3Bf by Malecfan09 “So, we have three possibilities. But there may still be others who either didn’t fight Ignatius, or are not as strong as him in battle and would have lost anyway, or who fought you.” Magnus sighs. “I’m going to have to make that trip to the Spiral Labyrinth to do some research. There must be some links somewhere.” “We,” Alec emphasises. Magnus looks at him and rolls his eyes. “We,” he replies, then grins and leans in for a kiss. “I’m not going anywhere without my knight in shinning armour.” “Armour is totally overrated,” Alec deadpans. “A thigh holster is much handier.” *** Magnus goes to the Spiral Labyrinth to look for information about someone who is trying to kill him. Alec goes with him. Is anyone surprised? *** This work was created for By the Angel Bingo: Presented by the Malec Discord Server" ****** Words: 6850, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 12 of Malec Prompts, Part 77 of Malec husband & family one-shots Fandoms: Shadowhunters (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: M/M Characters: Magnus Bane, Alec Lightwood, Other Shadowhunter Character(s), Original Characters Relationships: Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Established Relationship, Husbands, Protective Alec Lightwood, BAMF Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood, Magnus Bane’s magic loves Alec Lightwood, Alec Lightwood Loves Magnus Bane's Magic, Fluff, Alec Lightwood Loves Magnus Bane, Magnus Bane Loves Alec Lightwood read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/7Jul3Bf

[la-muerta]

Title: I've hungered for your touch [Read on Ao3]

Fandoms: Shadowhunters (TV)

Warnings: Rated E.

Relationships: Alec Lightwood x Magnus Bane

Words: 2,976, one-shot

Summary:  As Alec starts staying over more often, he can't help noticing that Magnus has trouble sleeping on some nights. Fortunately, Magnus doesn't have to stay up alone anymore.

(A fluffy update to Am I The Asshole?, where Magnus is an artist and starts with Magnus having been at loggerheads with Alec since high school)

Written in collaboration with @cheezieball-blog <3

[foodsies4me]

End of the Year Fic Recs!!!

thank you @echo-bleu for tagging me! <3

I adore this as a game because I love reccing fics (and really should do it more often because So. Much. Good.Fic). This is going to be all shadowhunters I'm afraid though because I am still very much in the shadowhunters brainrot stage and haven't read much of anything else. (Also, sorry to those I haven't left a comment for yet, I WILL, spoons have just been low this year...) Also, I'll try to keep it to one rec per author because there are so many wonderful authors, but definitely go check the other fics of these people (if you haven't already) they're all excellent.

Recommend up to 5 series or multi-chapter fics from 2023 that everyone should read (multi-year WIPs count, if the last update was in 2023).

Running from the Night by @to-the-stars-writing. My forever fic spouse and the fic I reread themost this year goes to the fantastic, angsty Alec goes to live in a small village to get away from the Clave because the poor dude is traumatized fic from to-the-stars. This fic is my fics spouse (yes I got @to-the-stars-writing's permission to marry this fic) and I love, love, love it so much.

Flames to Embers by @notcrypticbutcoy: teenage!Alec is poofed into the timeline of his older self and it is lovely, sad, and heartwarming all at the same time. Also, teenage Alec is delightfully grumpy and Adult Alec is even more delightfully Done with teenage!Alec's grumpiness.

starshine and moonlight by she_who_reads (all_fandoms_reader) A three +1 fic where Alec isn't enough until he finally is. This fic is angsty and delves into Alec's (not all that great) self-worth issues and it hurts. Might or might not have cried reading it.

The Warlock's Cat by @dreaming-marchling. I hesitated a while which one I should pick from Marchling, but I ended up choosing this one (that said PLEASE go read Bleed for Me as well it is so goooood). The Warlock's Cat is a delightful "Alec gets turned into a cat and ends up in Magnus's care" fic. I adore it, and while it has its angsty or whumpy spots, it's mostly a nice, feel-good read.

Magnus Bane: Menace by AceOnIce To give some reprieve from all of the angst in this list, here is a fic of pure, unabashed fluff. Starring: Warlock Alec and Shadowhunter Magnus, the latter of which writes some truly ridiculous mission reports to HOTI Ragnor's grief.

Recommend up to 5 single chapter fics/one-shots (long or short) from 2023 that everyone should read.

The river cannot go back by @lawsofchaos1. Alec being Alec and completely in love with Magnus which leads to him committing treason like it's nothing. It is a short, brilliant fic that had me screeching like any @lawsofchaos1 fic does.

I'm finding it hard to breath by Honey_Hued_Hermes This one is pretty heave, but it does have a Hopeful Ending. Alec never promised he would tell Magnus if things ever got that bad...and sadly they do. Diving into Alec's Suicidal Thoughts and his Self-Harm tendencies.

A Most Fundamental Truth by autisticalec A missing scene from 2X10 when Alec tells Magnus that he's never been as terrified as when he feared Magnus had died from the Soul Sword. This one-shot dives into the "Alec was really very not okay emotionally" in this scene, so go read it!

The Difficult Task by @dani-dabbles: Another Alec is going through it emotionally fic (there are quite a lot of these on this list I just realized, oops). Thankfully, Magnus is there to offer support when Alec needs it because Magnus is still the best boyfriend. (also the repeated "not good enough"is evil and I am suing for emotion damages, please and thank you very much)

come to me (in the night hours) by @moonlight-breeze-44 Izzy is a supportive sister and is there emotionally for Alec right before his wedding to Lydia. This fic left me feeling all sad and weepy. This fic is technically part of a series, but as no other parts have been posted yet I am posting this in the one-shot part.

Recommend up to 5 fics NOT from 2023 that everyone should read (oldies but goodies).

I've Always Dreamed of Meeting Someone Like You by ColorfulWarlock A non-magical Alternate Universe this time around. Single-dad, fashion designer, and CEO Magnus needs someone to draw his designs for him after a hit-and-run leaves him unable to draw for himself. Insert Alec, the wonderful babysitter, and game designer who seems to understand what Magnus envisions and draw them into reality!

Angelus ex Machina by BlueA The series starts with the sudden disappearance of demon activity and the way that lack of activity impacts the local Shadow World. I love the way the parabatai bond is portrayed in this fic (especially in the third installment).

through the fire and pain by alxndrlightwoods is another parabatai-bond deep-dive that goes deep into how a parabatai bond can change shadowhunters. It also explains why, if parabatai are so powerful, there aren't that many of them. Love this fic!

i cannot touch because they are too near by @faejilly nobody manages to write poetry without writing poetry quite like @faejilly for me, seriously the words are always so beautiful I am in awe. This fic has to be my absolute favorite though because deep-dives into the parabatai bond are interesting to begin with but the way Jilly decides to do so in this fic makes it go from interesting to absolutely brilliant.

Greater Love Hath No Man by @lawsofchaos1 Okay, I lied, here is a second Laws fic, but considering this fic led to the demise of my laptop, I felt that it deserved to be on the list. (No, that wasn't a joke). Dad!Alec is forced to send baby!Max away to a warlock orphanage when his magic grows too strong for him and leaves him injured. The pain is real and it is excruciating, tissues are advised.

Recommend up to 5 of your own fics (completed or WIP) from 2023 that everyone should read.

As much as I adore reccing fics, doing self-recs is awkward, so I'm going to keep this to one rec before I combust into flames.

All Was Golden (everyone has probably read that one already because it's my most-read fic which makes this slightly less awkward than reccing any other of my fics.) Anyway, soulmate AU with a kind of ugly meet that has some angst.

Tagging, without any kind of pressure, the authors I tagged in the rec-list (if they haven't participated already) as well as @miss-mouse.

[themagnusbane]

Murder at the New York Institute

Title: Murder at the New York Institute

Artist: @la-muerta

Rating: Mature (Chapter 7 only. Will give a heads-up)

Pairings: Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood, Clary Fray/Isabelle Lightwood, Jace Herondale/Simon Lewis

Word Count: ~27k

Summary: Pull out the Cluedo board they said. It would be fun to play they said. Nothing could possibly happen on Samhain they said. And now, Magnus and Alec, Clary and Izzy, Simon and Jace have been pulled into an alternate New York Institute, with no powers, no idea what has caused it, or who has brought them there. Oh. And there’s been a murder. Except, can you kill a dead man twice? And can Valentine Morgenstern just SHUT THE FUCK UP!

This fic was created for the Shadowhunters Reverse Bang 2024: Presented by the @malecdiscordserver

Chapter Four: Reverend Lightwood

One minute Alec Lightwood was trying to figure out how to stretch and bend his body just so; so he could reach Magnus and steal a kiss, and the next he was staring at Clary Fray, her mouth breaking into a grin at his pursed lips. 

He held out a finger. “Not a word out of you Fray.” He whirled around, catching a glimpse of purple highlights. “Magnu—“ And he had his boyfriend in his arms, deepening the kiss, as he felt Magnus sink his fingers into his hair. Alec groaned, hands spread, lightly over the top curve of Magnus’s ass, as their lips tangled. 

He made a small sound of dismay as he felt Magnus begin to break away, sighed softly as he felt Magnus nuzzle just beneath his chin. Teeth scraping lightly over his Adam’s apple.  And then they pulled apart. Soft smiles on both their faces. 

“I’ve missed you,” they said simultaneously. Smiles deepening.

“Yeah. Yeah. Take a number. We’ve all missed each other.”

Alec didn’t bother turning around. Just flipped Jace the bird and rounded over to Simon to poke him in the chest. “What. Did. You. Do?”

Simon had his hands up in surrender at the first poke. “Me??? Nothing! Really. I bought it at Target.”

Alec’s eyes narrowed. “Which Target?”

“The one at Flatbush!”

“139 or 1598?”

“139.”

The questions came in rapid fire beats, and Simon answered each one of them. Quickly, without dallying or going off on a tangent. 

It was that fact, that realization that Simon was taking this seriously, had been thinking and processing what had happened, and was figuring out a way to get them all back home, to somehow undo whatever spell had brought them to whatever world this was, that finally soothed his anger. 

He harrumphed and stepped away, catching Simon’s barely hidden sigh of relief as he fell into the arms of Jace, who shot Alec a glare. 

Alec ignored him. 

This was still Simon’s fault for buying the damn game, in the first place. 

Alec settled in place beside Magnus. “Is this a good time to point out that I TOLD YOU SO?” He ignored all the groans that greeted his words, and Magnus choked off laugh, and continued his rant. “Because I TOLD YOU SO! I told you all that the game made no sense. The Boddy dude was blackmailing them. Then he brought them all to his mansion. Why? Why would anyone in their right thinking mind agree to just show up to the house of their blackmailer?!”

“Well technically,” he heard Simon cut in, hands raised like he was trying to appease Alec. “They didn’t KNOW at the time that he was the one blackmailing them. They find out just before he is murdered. That’s why they are suspects, you see.”

“Yes. Suspects that would have gotten away with it. If they’d just agreed to collectively bury him. Why bother trying to find out why and how he died, instead of celebrating that he DIED and leaving his body to ROT????!”

“My thoughts exactly Alexander!” Alec heard Magnus’s voice echo, a distance away. Strange. Magnus had been right behind him when he turned to grill Simon about the board game, turned transporter. Why did he sound like he was on the other end of the room. 

He turned around to catch a quick shot of Magnus’s ass wiggling as he stretched all the way to the tip of his toes, until his fingers grasped a bottle of—was that bourbon?—and cheered when he brought it back down. 

“Seriously Magnus?”

“The only way we’re getting through this is if we all lose the rational caps and think outside of the box. I think that’s the solution to us getting out of this mess,” Magnus replied.

“What makes you say that?” Simon asked. 

Magnus shrugged. “What about the circumstances that brought us here, reads in any way logical to you Simon?”

“Fair point.”

Magnus held up the bottle. “Anyone want some bourbon?” He gave Izzy a thumbs up with the bottle in hand, at the sight of her digging up glasses from beneath the floorboards.

Alec sighed and dropped back into the seat beside Magnus. “I’ll have some.”

Magnus crowed and poured him in a generous hand of the whiskey. Alec downed it one gulp and held out his glass for another. 

Magnus smirked, “Easy there Tiger. Falling asleep tonight is not on the cards. Especially not when you’re dressed like that and I’ve got sins I desperately desperately want to atone for.”

“Which is a great segue for me to say this. Alec,” he heard Clary’s upbeat voice and braced himself as he turned around to see her. Sure enough, she had the biggest shit-eating grin on her face. He just knew she was about to say something that he would want so badly to smother her for. He narrowed his eyes. Hoping that the glare would deter her. 

It only makes her quirk her lips even more. 

Fuck.

“You’re wearing a priest’s garb.”

“Obviously. Thank you for stating the obvious Fray.”

She tsked, wagging her finger in his direction. “But, why are you specifically wearing a priest’s garb? Like, of course Izzy gets brought to this world, looking absolutely divine in a red dress that brings out her eyes, makes her skin glow, that blood red lip, and looks like she was poured into it. She’s here to see my fantasies realized.”

Alec heard his sister blow her girlfriend a kiss, and ignored her. Something about the direction of Clary’s thoughts, was screaming “mayday” at him, like he just knew she was about to say something even more idiotic and inappropriate than usual. 

“And then there’s Jace with that Colonel uniform that has Simon cross eyed, and staring at that belt buckle like he wants to loosen it with his teeth!”

Alec looked at Simon who was now actively staring at Jace’s pants like he could discover the secrets of the universe in between those spread legs. And with the way his brother and Parabatai leaned further back on the chair, angling his hips even wider, the smirk on his face, even more devious, it was clear those two were far into a world of their own. 

Alec sighed. His eyes drifted over to Magnus, caught and held. He knew that look. 

“And then there’s you. Dressed like a priest. And Magnus has been staring at you like he’s not sure if you’re his salvation, damnation or every filthy fantasy he’s ever had come to life.”

He recognized the loose languid way that Magnus had draped his frame over his seat. The hooded eyes. The way he kept twirling those rings, over his slender fingers. From one finger to the next. Curving and curling just so. Eyes raking over him like they were very much imagining him naked. 

He lifted his hands to adjust the collar, and stopped at the sight of one of Magnus’ fingers. “No. Keep it tight.” Magnus’s voice was a raspy caress. You know I like it that way.”

Fuck!

Fuck! 

FUCK!

They needed to stay on track. ALL of them! Even Clary who was now pushed up against Izzy, legs wrapped around his sister’s waist. A small roll and whine of her waist that he knew was setting them all off, down a path they could not take.

“No.” 

His voice came out low and hoarse. Like he hadn’t just used it barely minutes ago. He caught Magnus’s eyes. The smug smile, and cleared his throat to try again. “No.”

“We all need to stop thinking about sex, and start thinking about how to get the fuck out of here. This…” He motioned at his outfit. At Jace’s. At Izzy. “Is ALL a distraction.” We need to figure out how we got here, and how we are getting out. 

He heard Simon give a moan of disappointment, but pull away from Jace. Licking his lips as he fixed up the buttons of his shirt that had gotten undone, almost to his navel. “Alec is right.”

“Thank you Simon.”

He was about to resume his speech when Simon said the rest of his sentence. “And most importantly, I don’t think I feel very comfortable at the thought of Valentine watching me fuck my boyfriend.”

At the words, everyone froze. Eyes swinging over to Simon, whilst Izzy facepalmed. “Oh shit. I forgot.”

“I’m sorry, you said WHAT?!” Alec demanded. 

“Well, Valentine is here. With us. He was brought along too.” Simon shrugged, then turned his face up in the direction of the ceiling. “Say hello, Valentine.”

“Valentine, Valentine? Like my father Valentine?”

“Like the Valentine that Clary turned into  a pincushion Valentine?” Jace asked.

“Like the Valentine we ALL saw die, Valentine?” Alec asked. He knew he sounded incredulous, but Simon wasn’t making any sense. 

But then, he noticed Magnus nodding his head, alongside Izzy. “You’ve both seen him?”

“Less seen. More… Spoken with.” 

At the words, everyone collectively looked up. Alec didn’t know what he expected to see? The floating form of Valentine Morgenstern, motherfucker who refuses to stay dead? Or maybe a projector of some sort, with speakers that would prove that whoever had pulled them into this world was still playing a sort of prank on them. That was how Alec had felt after all, when he’d first arrived here, with no memories of how he’d gotten there, and feeling the wrongness of the Institute that looked everything like his, but felt nothing like his, in equal measure. 

And then he’d run into Magnus, after finally agreeing to the damn dice role from whatever voice had been instructing him. And just as he’d been figuring out how to kiss his boyfriend, because it does feel like forever when you’re confused about where you’re at, how you got there, and how you can possibly get back home, he and Magnus got pulled into the library by Simon and Clary, and now he’s been dropped another bombshell. 

He felt himself soften, immediately. 

Valentine Morgenstern was terrible for having or getting to keep an erection. 

A quick glance around the room confirmed that everyone else thought the same. And Clary looked like she was desperate to have another knife, so she could give stabbing her father yet another chance. 

Alec chuckled at the thought. 

It broke the tension and brought everyone’s eyes to him. Magnus with his brows raised in question. Simon looking confused. Jace’s eyes darting between him and the ceilings, clearly torn about who he should be giving the most of his attention to at the moment. Clary and Izzy, fingers intertwined, and heads cocked in a movement so similar to each other, it seemed almost telepathic. 

“What’s funny, Alexander?”

“Yes, what’s so funny, Alec?” Jace demanded. 

Alec shrugged. “The fact that we’re stuck in whatever alternate plane this is, with a peeping tom serial murderer watching us. What are the odds?”

“Exactly, the same question I’ve been asking Alec Lightwood. What are the odds?”

Alec ignored him. “The sooner we figure out what is happening and how to return home. The sooner we can get rid of Freddy Krueger—“

He heard Simon’s squeal of delight, and ignored the sound. But felt his lips pull in a small smile that Magnus winked at him for. 

Hmmph. 

“—The sooner we can be back home, and all of this would feel like a dream. So, suggestions? Anyone?”

“Well, I’ve been thinking, and I have an idea.”

Alec swallowed the knee-jerk sound of protest that had risen unbidden to his lips. Instead he said, “remember. Stay on track Simon. We don’t have much time.”

Simon nodded. “Right. So, we know that the original game was murder at Boddy mansion right?”

Everyone made sounds of agreement. 

“And that whatever or whoever brought us here, is merely playing around with elements of the game. Boddy’s mansion is now the New York Institute. And we have been brought in as the players.” He pointed to each of them in turn. “Miss. Lightwood. Miss. Fray.” 

He smirked slightly as he pointed at Alec. 

Alec glowered back at him, not like it affected Simon much. He simply continued. “Reverend Lightwood. Doctor Bane.”

His voice trailed off slightly as he turned to Jace, who smirked back at him. Simon stuck out his tongue, cleared his throat, and continued. “Colonel Herondale.” He pointed at himself. “And myself. Mr. Lewis. Is everyone clear on their identities?”

They all nodded. 

“Now. Clearly, we’re meant to inhabit these roles and characters, and figure out which one of us killed Valentine, who is the Mr. Boddy in this case. My guess is that once we make a correct accusation, the rules of this world would come into effect and we will be released back to our own city, in our plane, and our timeline.”

He looked around. “What do you think?”

“I think you’re right to a degree, Simon.” Magnus said. 

He sat forward, his eyes focused and serious. Gone was the playfulness and the jokes. This was the High Warlock of Brooklyn, taking stock of their situation, and figuring out their escape. 

“But we aren’t in a different plane. I’d snuck in the question to the voice of the system, and asked. I got confirmation that we are still in the same plane.” Magnus smirked. “And that our warden is not as omniscient as they might want us to believe.”

Alec felt his brows furrow as he looked at Magnus. 

Magnus grinned, and turned to Jace. “Remember, three nights ago. When Alec attempted to cook Pasta Carbonara, he instead made what you called “Pasta Carbo-never-again-should-you-attempt-to-cook-Alec?”

Jace laughed, and shook his head. “I think you got that a bit upside down Magnus. It was four nights ago, cuz that was the only night none of us were on patrol. And it was Izzy that made the Pasta Carbo-never-again-should-you-attempt-to-cook-Izzy.” He laughed and bumped shoulders with Isabelle who looked grumpy at first, but joined the rest of them in laughing. 

Magnus smiled. “Exactly. It was Izzy, not Alec. And it was four nights ago, not three.” But the system couldn’t call me out on the error, because the system simply doesn’t know. It’s not omniscient, like it might want us to think.”

They all nodded. 

Makes sense

“My belief is that this is merely a pocket world, superimposed on ours, to fulfill the requirements of whoever and whatever has brought us here, like Simon said. Once we’ve unraveled the mystery, this pocket will disintegrate, dropping us back to the location and time of our disappearance or capture,” Magnus concluded. 

“And you think we can trust the system?” Alec found himself asking. He trusted Magnus. He knew how good a judge of character his boyfriend was. You don’t manage that many Downworlders, seeing to their needs, and attending to their desires, whilst managing the egos of Shadowhunters, without getting very good at reading people. So, his question was more to clear away any doubt anyone else might have had in the room. 

Magnus winked at him. A bit of playfulness finding its way into the serious bent his face had taken. “Very. The system, as much as it tries, is not very good at lying.”

They all collectively felt the room’s temperature go up slightly. 

Magnus smiled. “See? She’s upset.”

“She?” Simon asked “Why she?”

Magnus’s smile widened as he leaned forward, whispering low, so they could catch it. “Just a hunch.”

Simon nodded. “I also noticed that she got very temperamental, when I spent more time talking with Valentine before she could make her entrance.” 

“Oh?” Magnus asked. 

“Yes.” Simon responded. “I got this feeling that she was huffing and annoyed that I ignored her for so long, to give my time and attention to Valentine.”

Magnus rubbed his chin in thought, as he smiled. “That makes sense. The pieces keep falling into place.”

Jace pulled back, rolling his eyes, and interrupting Magnus’s soliloquy. Alec barely held himself from sneering at his brother. He loved hearing Magnus have his stream of consciousness thoughts. Loved it when he got to process his thoughts aloud. And now it had been cut short, by Jace. 

Jace however, ignored Alec and continued speaking. “So, all we have to do is figure out who killed the already dead Valentine?” He looked around. “I mean, how hard can it be?” He pointed at Clary. “We know she did it the last time. It makes sense that she did it the second time.”

Clary sputtered, and pointed right back at Jace. “Or, since I did it the first time, and you never got the chance to stab him as many times as you wanted to, back then, this could be your chance to kill him again, for being the worst father figure, thief, and a positive prick.”

“Clarissa. You wound me.”

“Shut UP!” They all collectively said, eyes rolling as they turned their focus back on the conversation. 

“Fair point. So that means, it could either be me, or Clary. Anyone else have a motive?” Jace asked, looking around. 

“I would kill him just because.” Izzy said. “He hurt Clary. He kidnapped you. He’s a dick. Just having him breathe for a second longer is more than enough motivation for me to end him quickly.”

Clary giggled, and leaned over, to give Izzy a quick kiss, looking absolutely delighted. 

Jace chuckled. 

“Well, I would kill him just on principle.” Simon caught all their eyes and shrugged. “He hates Downworlders and has plans on killing us. Letting him live was never in the cards.” 

“True. And he’s killed way too many warlocks. His Circle members collected trophies. Of course I have more than enough reason to want him dead,” Magnus said. Then he smiled, dark and deep, and Alec knew that if he still had his magic, his eyes would have flashed feline gold. “But I wouldn’t kill him quick. Flaying a man and giving him enough magic to jolt him back from the brink every time, is a much better way to kill him than a quick stab.” Magnus leaned down and cupped Clary’s cheek. “Next time Biscuit, you need to make it last a bit longer.”

Clary nodded. “True. But at that time, I was running to kill him quickly before an angel showed up to grant his request, remember?”

“Ah true.” Magnus nodded sagely. “Raziel always did have terrible timing.”

“I personally find it disturbing that all of you are imagining the many ways in which you could kill me again.”

“NOBODY CARES!” They all collectively hollered, and then looked to Alec. 

“I guess Alec’s the only one we KNOW is NOT a suspect?” Simon asked. 

“Oh no. I definitely would kill him. In a heartbeat. Arrow through his eyes. Not even give him a chance to say a word.” 

“You can shoot him with an arrow love,” Magnus said. “After I’m done peeling off all his skin. Put him out of his misery. Straight through the eye.”

Alec grinned. “That’s why I love you.”

“That’s why I love you!”

“And that’s why we need to get out of here so we can all go back to loving those we love, in the privacy of closed doors and our apartments,” Jace groused. 

Alec slid his brother a side-eye, but was promptly ignored. He cleared his throat. “So, we’ve established that any of us would take the chance to kill Valentine. And clearly, we’ve all had very extensive thoughts on exactly how we would  do it.”

Everyone nodded. 

“I guess the next thing is, what’s our murder weapon?”

Izzy held up her candlestick. 

Simon held up a lead pipe. 

Magnus held up a glass of what Alec had thought was margarita. 

“Not a margarita?” Alec asked. 

Magnus smiled. “Not a margarita.”

Alec turned to Clary. “You?”

She held up a knife. “Figured I would continue with my brand.”

Alec nodded. “Makes sense. Jace?

He turned to see Jace pull out a revolver from his coat jacket. “Where did you get that?”

Jace jerked his chin downwards. “At the prison cell.” 

“See, that’s how I know that whoever came up with whatever this is, didn’t think things through. What inept Head of the Institute leaves a mundie weapon like a gun, in a place a prisoner can have easy access to?!!”

“Well…”

Alec narrowed his eyes on his sister. “There is absolutely no way you can attempt to justify that Izzy.”

“Well, it’s not like mundane guns can actually KILL us you know,” Izzy reminded them. 

“Yes. But they hurt like a motherfucker.” Jace and Alec said simultaneously, caught each other’s eyes, and burst out laughing. 

Ah. Those were the days. 

Clary Fray. Roll the dice to gain some movement.

“Ah. I guess the system is pissed that we’re not playing the game anymore?” Izzy asked. 

“Technically we are. Trying to figure out the murder weapons and our motives are all part of playing the game. Maybe it didn’t like Jace and Alec laughing,” Simon pointed out. 

“Maybe. But we need a plan,” Alec said. “We can’t just go off, half-cocked.”

“True. I suggest we zip our way across the different rooms. See the lay of the land. Figure out if that’s where the murder took place,” Magnus said. 

“Makes sense,” Izzy said. “We can rule out the library, because I don’t know about you. But the thought of getting Valentine’s blood, on any of these gorgeous books, just fills me with horror.” 

Alec found himself nodding. “Same.”

“Same.” Jace confirmed. 

“Me neither.” Magnus stated

Simon nodded and Clary gave a thumbs up.

“So we’re ruling out the library,” Alec said, grabbing a piece of paper and a pen as he rapidly wrote down different locations in the Institute: the infirmary. The head’s office. The Greenhouse. The prison cell—which he was more likely to believe was the murder location, but they needed to check other places first—the training room. The cafetria. And finally the war room.

“Simon, where did you come in from?” Alec asked. 

“The Greenhouse.”

Alec nodded. “All in favour of collectively agreeing that the plants deserve better than to have to purify Valentine Morgenstern’s blood from their leaves, say aye.”

“Aye!” 

It was unanimous. 

“The insults never seem to stop”

They all continued to ignore him. 

Well then. That left six rooms, with six of them. They could work with that. 

“Everyone. Just to confirm that these locations and areas are still as we remember them, we will each take a room. Follow the game to get us there. After we’re all done, let’s make our way back to the library. If you see any of us on your route, be sure to let them know if you’ve checked out your assigned room, and are on your way to the library. I want us all back here, in another hour, max TWO, so we can make the final accusation.” Alec looked down at his watch to confirm the time, and everyone echoed the act; taking note of theirs. “Anyone got any questions?”

They all shook their heads.

“Good,” Alec said. “Anybody have anything to add?”

“Remember that there are connecting pathways and rooms in the institute. If you need to get moving quickly,” Simon said. 

Alec inclined his head. “True. The prison cell connects to the head’s office.”

“The infirmary to the cafeteria,” Jace added. 

“And the weapons room to the war room.” Izzy finished. 

“Four rooms that are connected to four other rooms?” Magnus asked. He waggled his eyebrows at Alec who fought back a laugh. “Your institute is filled with many secrets, Alexander.”

Alec nodded. “That it is. It’s best we find all of them so we can find our way home.”

They all stood up. 

Alec gestured at Clary. “Clary. Your move.”

Clary nodded. “Roll the dice.”

You have rolled a sixteen, Miss. Fray. How do you want to proceed?

Clary leaned over to place a kiss on Izzy. It was quick. It was fast. It was deep. And it was over. Before Izzy could blink, Clary had stepped out of the door, in the direction of the prison cell, to see what secrets it might hold.