Fanfiction Recommendations

Shadowhunter Rec

One step ahead by apathyinreverie on ao3 : What if Alec and Magnus had already met during that Pandemonium scene in the very first episode? Or, how things might have gone if Magnus and Alec had just had a few extra days to get to know each other, before Valentine's schemes, Clary's various crusades, Lightwood family history revelations and Clave-Downworld politics made everything more difficult for them than it really needed to be. It truly might have made all the difference in the world. COMPLETE

Best laid plans by SuperficialPeasant on ao3 : When a High Warlock looking to end his celibacy streak meets a Shadowhunter after no-baggage thrills, the two make a deal: anytime, anywhere, no strings attached. COMPLETE

The arranged union by AngelCastielRulesTheWorld on ao3 : To restore the Lightwood name, Alec must marry. The marriage must be to someone above reproach that would give stability and standing to his family. So how on earth did he end up marrying a male downworlder? A different meeting of Alec and Magnus. AU where the Clave aren't so stupid and are losing to Valentine and the Circle and Malec never met even with Clary around. COMPLETE

The sound of your voice by Aria_Lerendeair on ao3 : When Hodge tells them they're about to meet Magnus Bane - a warlock who is mute, Alec is glad that he knows sign language, and that he will make Clary much less of a problem in his life. He isn't expecting the warlock to be magnetic, teasing, kind and rather funny. For the first time in his life, he might believe someone when they tell him that he isn't broken. But with his mother demanding he marry the first eligible female who looks his way - Alec needs to find another option, and fast. Magnus, well. Might be willing to help. COMPLETE

Workings of fate by Juh_Nunes on ao3 : The Uprising showed to Shadowhunters and Downworlders that there was something irrevocably wrong with their way of living. The Downworlders united forces and refused to sign the Accords, they didn't want to be put down anymore, they demanded equality. The Clave, knowing that they wouldn't win in a war against the Downworlders, especially without the Mortal Cup, decided to work together with them, creating new laws. It would all be good, if almost seventeen years after the Uprising they weren't still having problems reaching an agreement. The Downworlders didn't trust that the Shadowhunters could see them as equals. A marriage was proposed. Alec had always known he would have to marry someone he didn't love one day, he had never imagined it would be like this, he had never imagined it would be a Downworlder. COMPLETE

Ahead of destiny by Juh_Nunes on ao3 : Two years after his arranged wedding, Alec was happy. He was the Head of the New York Institute during the most peaceful era Shadowhunters had ever experienced with Downworlders, he had a great team, a supportive family, and the best of it all, he had an amazing, gorgeous, perfect husband that he loved more than he could even measure. Alec was truly happy. So, of course, something had to go wrong. Or: Clary, Valentine, and the Circle show up to give Alec major headaches. COMPLETE

Max Two Verse by heartsdesire456 on ao3 : Alternate canon telling of Magnus and Alec's story. Set in the TV 'verse but without any of the main story of the books or TV show. There is no Valentine Circle Uprising Thing going on. It's pretty much just an alternative version of how Alec and Magnus and their child(ren) become the Lightwood-Bane family. COMPLETE

Magnus Bane : Certified BAMF by Aria_Lerendeair on ao3 : Five different times that Magnus was a certified BAMF, and one time he went above and beyond (that everyone noticed). COMPLETE

Sliding doors by gray_eyes on ao3 : Her eyes narrow. "So, what brings you to the Hunter's Moon?" She asks. Before Alec can swallow another sip of his cocoa and reply, a velvety voice behind him responds. "Don't worry, Maia dear, he's one of us." Alec turns to find Magnus, smiling down at him with his hands perched on his hips. Alexander Lightwood fades into the shadows, following orders and staying away from the Downworld. Yet, a seemingly routine mission results in new discoveries for Alec as he balances his conflicting loyalties and his burgeoning identity. COMPLETE

Catharsis (Having it out) by Aria_Lerendeair on ao3 : After everything, after all of it, Magnus and Alec are happily married, they've gone on a three week honeymoon around the world, and they have both been looking forward to coming home. Part of coming home also means having a conversation that they have been avoiding, and the boys finally sit down to talk about it. All of it. Magnus losing his magic, the deal, the breakup, what happened afterward, and how they came out on the other side. COMPLETE

Flawed design by GoldenDaydreams on ao3 : Alexander hates the entire concept of soulmate marks. From a young age, he's seen the flaw in their design. His father is his mother's soulmate, but she is not his, Isabelle's words are most certainly written by mundane, and the words on Jace's collarbone are not the first words Alec said to him. And when Alec's own mark comes in, he hates it all the more. COMPLETE

Love wreck thrill ride by AnjaWritingsx on ao3 : Magnus and Alec meet for the first time at the age of 8. They become instant best friends, but when the two head to High School, things quickly go downhill. COMPLETE

We bring the heat by ReneeWritesx on ao3 : FBI Special Agent Alec Lightwood is a methodical investigator with a long-standing reputation for excellence...and grumpiness. In contrast, foul-mouthed, hot-tempered detective Magnus Bane goes with his gut instincts and street smarts to remove criminals from the streets of Brooklyn. All hell breaks loose when these polar opposites have to work together to capture a drug lord, but in the process, they may find something together that no one expected. COMPLETE

The space between by KouriArashi on ao3 : Every warlock has a soulmate. 98% of the time it's another warlock, but sometimes it's a mundane, a seelie, or even a Shadowhunter. Until their name appears on the warlock's chest (and their corresponding soulmate's), there's no way to know. Enter Alec Lightwood, who wakes up at fourteen with a warlock's name on his chest. Horrified at what it means, he keeps it hidden. But five years later, Magnus Bane is captured by a team of Shadowhunters, and it's only a matter of time before someone sees Alec's name on his chest. COMPLETE