This quote was inspired by Will Herondale’s character from The Shadowhunters Chronicles by Cassandra Clare. I thought of this quote when I think about Will’s character being described as this beautiful angelic boy with talent, beauty, skills, and intellect. We actually find this to be a common and defining trait of pretty much all Herondales – read the series, you’ll see haha.

But underneath this princely perfection, Will was broken and heartbroken inside. And though he hides his true self under the barrage of reckless behavior and sarcasm, there are parts of him that already have cracks that he so desperately tries to conceal from the world because he knows that it doesn’t take much force to push on those cracks and break him open completely.

Hard on the surface. Solid and stiff. A chill to the touch like a stone, like a heavenly statue meticulously handcrafted by the most talented hands. Always seemingly content on its own. Like its own little fortress that can withstand whatever weather hits it and continue to exist. Stones may be hard, may be resilient but stones can eventually break too.

We can search and search and finally find the most flawless and smooth stone. Because these are the prettiest to put in our collection, right? But no matter what, there will always be cracks. Even if it takes a while for us to see those cracks. It does take an open heart and mind to appreciate all stones because no one is greater than the other as these imperfections make each unique.

I figured beauty isn’t truly beauty without some cracks.