#magick world au

[takeitwithgrace]

do you ever get so autistic over 2 pieces of media at the same-time, that you decided to create edits of the 2 of them combined?

(reblogs/likes? no problem! 👍)

[wheucto]

updated the wattpad cover of a fic i remembered existed

it's still a draft though. nothing out yet

[coconut-cluster]

2024-Lexi’s note on this is that I loved magic and love magic and fantasy and magic. thank you

wait why was virgil going to be executed?

Okay so one day the crew gets a little lost and ends up in a tiny town, right

It seems quaint at first!!! The buildings are cute, there’s a few shop fronts with pastries and tapestries in the windows, there are little kids playing hopscotch and patty-cake in the dirt road, it’s pretty run-of-the-mill and sweet.

But as the crew gets to the set of gates just outside the town, a guy with a big smile and embroidered insignia on his vest greets them.

He introduces himself as Carac, the overseer of the town, and tells them they’re all welcome into the village! So long as none of them are magic.

Of course, that’s kind of a weird thing to specify, considering almost every kingdom they know of kind of depends on magic users for certain duties - most kingdoms, in fact, have councils of sorcerers and wizards that function right along with their advisors and generals. Logan tells them later that he hadn’t heard of a magic-exclusionary settlement in years.

Janus is the first one to ask Carac why.

Carac eyes him for a moment - Janus smiles humorlessly and assures him the scales on half his face are the result of botched deal made by his father when he was born, not magic of his own, which seems to bring Carac back to his cheery self - and tells them a sob story about how their monarch was killed mercilessly by the magic population of the city when they revolted long ago. Since then, he says, “magic folk” aren’t even allowed in.

“What if they come in anyway?” Roman asks without thinking, holding in a wince as Janus elbows his side discreetly.

“Well,” Carac grins, “we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, won’t we?”

“If you come to it,” Logan says evenly from the back of the group. Carac brightens at him, then gives a hearty nod, surveying their group; his eyes linger on Virgil’s cloak.

“Exactly.”

--

"I don’t like the sound of their dealing with it,” Virgil tells them as soon as they’re past Carac and the gate.

They follow his gaze to a platform far down the road, empty but demanding attention, acknowledgement. They all stare at it as they walk - it isn’t until they see a little girl toss a robe-adorned doll off the side of the wooden box she’s dancing it across, her siblings cheering beside her, that they realize it’s a scaffold.

“Oh,” Patton breathes in, fingers curling tight around his satchel strap. “They just- parade them around? Like criminals?”

As they pass a set of guards and Janus points out a row of cakes in a window to draw attention away from them, Logan, Roman, and Virgil spot the ropes looped over the tree branches above the platform. Parading them around is the least of their worries.

All is well for the first day they’re there, though. Logan and Virgil walk through the town a few times, intentionally past guards, and talk as if they’re both just scribes for the queen (as suggested by Janus). Virgil leaves his cloak in the inn they’re staying at, hiding it beneath Patton’s satchel and Logan’s coat. They all avoid any mention of magic or sorcery or elements, period, as they go about gathering supplies and resting before they leave to continue their quest.

And then Patton’s sleeves catches just barely on a candle one night, and without thinking, Virgil waves the tiny flame away.

It takes them all a moment to process it, but as soon as they do, they go still.

Virgil’s heart is pounding in his chest as he stares at the plate of food in front of him, praying that everyone else had been busy with their own meals; Janus takes a casual look around the room to see who may have witnessed the fatal slip-up.

A second later, he returns to his food like nothing happened and mutters under his breath, “I think we’re good.”  

They all let out the breath they’d been holding and continue eating as nonchalantly as possible. They finish their meal in peace, get back to their rooms without fanfare, and late in the night, they decide it’s best to get out now before they risk another slip up with much less luck on their side.

They’re out of the inn easy, and set down the road to the exit gate of the town, quiet and quick.

It only takes one minute.

One minute, and Virgil realizes he’s left his cloak in the inn. One minute where he turns to go back for it without thinking, because he put so much work and time and comfort into that cloak so long ago, his most prized possession, there’s no doubt that he needs it. One minute for him to rush in and out off the inn, already shrugging it back on.

One minute behind the group, and then he’s cornered.

There’s men - only two of them, but taller than him, and even with the dim light of the moon, he recognizes the all-too-cheery face of Carac and the guard by his side.

“Well, what are you doing out so late?” Carac beams, adjusting his vest and brushing off the insignia as Virgil just stares at him, wide-eyed, his mind working too quickly and shakily to be of any help. “Had to get your cloak? It’s very well-made, I don’t blame you. Where’d you get it from?”

Virgil’s gaze flicks to the guard, to the sword at his side. “I made it,” he says after a second, low and forcibly calm.

“Oh! Well, it’s lovely. You know, I could have sworn I’ve seen that embroiderin’ style somewhere before. It was a long time ago, I’m not sure I can remember exactly what,” he says, tilting his head, “but you know what’s funny? I do believe I’ve seen it in a tapestry or two.”

“Tapestries tend to use embroidery,” Virgil deadpans.

Carac smiles brighter. “That they do, that they do. But did you know tapestries can tell stories? And the stories I always see those curly hems in are about our town’s poor revolt.”

“Interesting.” Carac narrows his eyes, his smile just a shadow. “If you don’t mind, though, I really need to go-”

“We know you’re magic, boy.” Virgil’s mouth snaps shut as Carac blocks his path, motioning for the guard to step forward. Just past their heads, Virgil can see the scaffold, can just make out the ropes dangling over the scuffed wood. His stomach sinks as he imagines that wood dropping from under his feet. “I thought our town rules were clear - we like to be courteous to our guests, you know. It really hurts when our hospitality is taken advantage of. But at least we’ll get a show tomorrow.”

And Virgil knows, as gutwrenching as it is in his chest to realize, that he has two choices and two choices only. He could try and run now, pray to whatever higher power existed that he could outrun Carac and the guard and whatever forces they had hiding in the shadows - or he could use his magic and prove his guilt, risking his friends and his life should the townspeople see him. Both feel like a death wish.

But if he’s going to die, as his moment of fight-or-flight tells him he might, then he’s going out on fight.

He digs his heels into the ground, focuses on the sensation of heat buzzing in his palms, readies the strongest flame his adrenaline and skill allow (and barely notices that fire usually doesn’t buzz)-

And then an arrow flies past his head.

It takes him a second to realize it wasn’t aimed at him - it skimmed Carac’s left ear, drawing blood and an indignant cry from the man as he and the guard whip around to face their assailant. Virgil’s flame dies out as he looks with them- and there’s Roman in the road with his bow, another arrow already knocked and aimed directly at Carac’s forehead.

“Nice to see you again, Carac,” he says brightly, like he isn’t ready to headshot a guy. “I’m terribly sorry to interrupt, but I need that fellow,” he nods his head to Virgil without moving the arrow from its target, “so our crew can be on our merry way. It’s getting late, you know, and we really need to get back on the road; I’m sure you understand.”

Carac’s lips curl.  The guard beside Carac places his hand on his sword’s handle, looking like a deer caught by its hunter when Roman’s gaze flicks to him for just a second. “He’s a sorcerer, in our town. He’s not going anywhere.”

Roman raises his eyebrows - it almost feels as if he’s mocking Carac, feigning surprise, though his bow stays steady. “Virgil, you should have told me. This whole time we’ve been spending hours trying to light fires and you could have just zapped one into existence for us? I feel betrayed.”

“Don’t play dumb,” Carac snaps, and Roman’s playful expression drops to something between boredom and annoyance. “We’ve been watching you lot since you walked up to the gates - we don’t take kindly to magic, and especially not when they lie to invade our town. I’d suggest you run along, pretty boy, and get out with the rest of your crew before we kill all of you for aiding a criminal.”

For a moment, the town is dead quiet; Roman just stares at him, his jaw set.

“I’d suggest letting him go,” Roman says quietly, slowly, as he pulls his arrow back farther, “before I give you a third eye.”

Carac stares right back. The guard beside him noticeably steps to the side, the hand on his sword handle dropping back down; Carac spares him a split second look with the fire of a betrayed commander in his eyes, before he glances at Virgil and back to Roman, his teeth grinding.  

Roman raises his chin, perfects his aim. “My arms are getting tired, so I’d act quickly if I were you.”

“Fine,” Carac hisses, reaching back to grab Virgil’s arm and shoving him into the street toward Roman. “You lot have one minute to get out of my town before I kill you all myself. If we ever see you here again, I won’t be so merciful.”

He grabs the guard by the arms, drags him into the nearest building, and slams the door.

“And you say I’m always getting myself into trouble,” Roman says brightly, finally lowering his bow.

Virgil stares at him, eyes wide and heart still threatening to beat out of his chest. He can’t tell if it’s the adrenaline or shock of the situation that renders him speechless, but instead of a reply, he just grabs Roman’s wrist and takes off down the road toward the exit gate - he doesn’t know if Carac’s one minute window was literal, but he’s not taking any chances.

When they get back to the group - the other three are waiting just by the gate, with Janus smiling brightly at a guard with a knife embedded in the wall by his head and Logan figuring out how to work the opening mechanisms. Patton lights up when he sees them and hurriedly motions for them to come closer, out of the shop lights’ view.

They don’t ask questions. Virgil is glad, because frankly, he doesn’t know if he’d be able to answer them; his wrists are still shaking by the time Logan gets the gate open, and his body is on high alert until the sun rises and they can’t see the little town behind them anymore; his mind flickers back to that grim platform long after that.  

Funny enough, though, he doesn’t think he’d even need to answer any questions, should they ask. Roman sends his sidelong glances as they walk, makes up random conversations whenever Virgil’s silence drags on longer than usual, responds to Logan and Janus’ curious looks with unreadable ones that seem to answer their questions enough.

Virgil and Roman had yet to get along on this godforsaken quest, but with this far less combatant side of Roman now being presented to him, it might be more feasible than Virgil thought.

And he did kind of owe Roman his life.

...He could manage some friendlier banter.

[bahablastplz]

SKZ Recs (NSFW)

As a chronic fanfic reader, I have a lot of recommendations. So, these are the ones I think about the most. All of them include smut, so they're 18+. Red text indicates fics on AO3. Go support these amazing authors!! Enjoy!! <3

Bang Chan 

The SKZ house @writeonwhiskey (Chan x reader x Hyunjin…SKZ but make it a frat… and also sexy) 

Silent cry @j-0ne25 (Fake dating/friends to lovers, live laugh hurt comfort… emphasis on the hurt) 

Love is intuitive @skzonthebrain (forbidden love and angst… so emotional and loving <3) 

Kinktober Day 8 @dreaming-medium (breeding, best friend, fake dating, so sweet and spicy) 

Summer in Seoul @writeonwhiskey (strangers to lovers, summer love, spicy and romantic) 

Saturday mornings @skzdarlings (Chan/reader/Seungmin where Seungmin is an absolute menace that gets reader in trouble… dom Chan is so good in this one omg) 

It’s cold out @therhythmafterthesummer (roommate Chan is going through his rut… oops there’s more ABO on this list than I realized sorry not sorry) 

Bodyguard: The first guard @skzdarlings (A sequel to the bodyguard, an ongoing work that has elements of enemies to lovers and great, in-depth world building and character development)

However you want it, lover-lover @cbini (you ask your bf Chan to step on you after watching spicy edits of him on tiktok omg)

More than just friends @kwanisms (roommate Chan is entering his rut... he's usually able to control himself but this time you're ovulating. sprinkle some brat taming in here as well and it's so delicious)

Lee Know 

The Experience Project @leeknowsallyoursecrets (Enemies to lovers Lee Know, really good plot and relationship building!) 

Sanguis Limerence @jl-micasea-fics (Vampire OT8, Lee Know x Reader x Chan, SUPER good world building, especially in their sequel with the backstories… I was so invested. And it’s super hot)

Barb Wired Brat @roseykat (BDSM Lee Know with reader going into subspace… awakened things in me) 

Audience @gimmeurtmi (2 min, wet dreams, exhibitionism, degradation… yeah) 

Well Shit @2chopsticks2eyes (Brother’s best friend, inexperienced reader, enemies to lovers and fwb… literally so good) 

Sea May Rise, Sky May Fall @skzms (Lee Know x Reader x Han, complete series, Pirate AU with beautiful world building, in-depth characters and GREAT smut. One of my all time favs)

rsvp @cbini (teasing dom vampire boyfriend Minho and you get the punishment you deserve... brat taming and so so so sexy like it's insane)

Changbin 

 The accidental acquisition of sugar @skzdarlings (accidental sugar daddy Changbin x reader that’s absolutely hilarious with great smut) 

Valentine’s series ‘do you really think you’re in a position to give orders’) @skzdarlings (forbidden love/romeo & juliet style but with gun play… um this was so hot tho) 

Close your eyes (...And count to seven) @MysteryBird (Possessive gang leader bf! Changbin that you’re trying to piss off by sleeping with the other members… 100k+ words and so delicious) 

Hyunjin 

Praise kink Hyunjin @dreaming-medium (A kinktober fic, enemies to lovers detective Hyunjin… absolutely delicious) 

Snowed In @moonjxsung (really artistic, heartfelt, and beautifully written)  

Jury’s still out @straywrds (rivals to hooking up/hate sex… super spicy and hot) 

Dressing down @jl-micasea-fics (shopping trip with best friend Hyunjin turns out spicy ahh the chemistry) 

Four of wands @straywrds (beautifully crafted story I was so immersed in!! witch Hyunjin and sex magick, the characters have so much depth! crazy tension)

Han 

Watch your six  @dreaming-medium (sensory deprivation kinktober ah this is engraved in my brain) 

The same but different @skzdarlings (ahh hanlix fairy au where they’re linked with great world building and is so funny… I maybeee think about this every day) 

Sea May Rise, Sky May Fall @skzms (Lee Know x Reader x Han, complete series, Pirate AU with beautiful world building, in-depth characters and GREAT smut. One of my all time favs)

Screen Identity: Mismatched Passion (SIMP) @leeknowsallyoursecrets (Spin-off series to the experience project! Jisung x reader enemies/academic rivals to lovers in which they’re both anonomously sexting each other on discord without knowing who’s on the other end of the screen!!! top tier level tension)

Felix 

The bodyguard @skzdarlings (Forced proximity, enemies to lovers, had me SUPER invested and made me cry) 

The same but different @skzdarlings (ahh hanlix fairy au where they’re linked with great world building and is so funny… I maybee think about this every day) 

Snap out of it @2baabbies (Felix gives you the option to either go home with your shitty boyfriend or go home with him at the end of the night ahhh!!) 

Seungmin 

Bet on it @skzonthebrain (Academic rivals, enemies to lovers and such good tension/chemistry) 

Audience @gimmeurtmi (2 min, wet dreams, exhibitionism, degradation… yeah) 

Saturday mornings @skzdarlings (Chan/reader/Seungmin where Seungmin is an absolute menace that gets reader in trouble… dom Chan is so good in this one omg) 

Seungmin + hairpulling @straykeedz (kinktober fic, best friend Seungmin finds out you have a thing for hairpulling and can't get you out of his head... this is taken straight from the deepest depths of my fantasies i s2g)

no nut november @gimmeurtmi (this whole nnn series is fantastic but seeing Seungmin lose his composure because of his breeding kink does something for me)

august is a fever @seungminheart (mean dom Seungmin... you don't think he is really into you so you see how far you can push him/I love mean dom Seungmin and I think this fic does it just right)

I.N. 

Lavender boy @hyunsvngs (A/B/O Alpha jeongin… super sexy and great dynamics) 

Clueless @jeongin-lvr (inexperienced big dick I.N. that just wants to make reader feel good… also omg he’s so hot in this pls) 

Better and better @seungminheart (sharing a bed, best friend Jeongin, amazing banter, soft dom Jeongin, brat taming, every trope from my hopes and dreams)

Third leg? @beesspacedotorg (huge dick alpha Innie... some brat taming, great banter and dynamics and sexy)

OT8 

Sharing a bed series @skzdarlings (Best trope ever and they really do it justice) (Chan's is linked but you should read all 8)

Sharing is caring @skzms (Minsung x reader x OT8… really well written spice) 

Fake texts @thefantasyden (I swear these are like crack I read them every single time) 

Kinktober23 @roseykat (one of the first SKZ blogs that I started reading that really brought me deep into the fandom… My fav from this is Table Manners and Bible Studies, and it has a part 2)

All Bark no Bite @doitforbangchan (Main pairing is Chan x Reader with some OT8, it's an ABO au with some really good spice)

Masterlist

[alacetor-the-duckies-deer]

I love all the art depicting Alastor and Lucifer posing like badasses ready for a fight, like the ones where Lucifer is up on Alastor's shoulders, wings spread wide open on full threat display.

I'm so glad we're all on the same page about that.

But please imagine- he just lives up there.

He's an angel he can just make himself weigh nothing, or Alastor's a demon, he's got inhuman strength. But I'm really leaning into Lucifer doing most of the magicking about it so he can sit is progressively more unbalanced positions, and in no way imped on Alastor adhd ass moving all around all the time.

Either way they're just walking around the hotel like that.

Making dinner? Lucifer's up there, legs wrapped around him to keep out of the way, as he stirs one pot, and Alastor checks another.

Running inspections on guests, because SOMEONE flooded the third floor trying to flush their stash? Lucifer's just sittting cross legged on one shoulder, reading a book.

Alastor's pacing his studio, talking with a regular caller, and Lucifer has slid down his back like a koala, legs kicking behind him, arms wrapped around Alastor's neck tight enough it should be choking him, but magic, so he can stick his ear to the other side of the phone cause he's a mess bitch too and he loves the gossip.

Like the other haven't seen Lucifer's feet on the ground in weeks.

Do they have some bet going? Are they playing the world's weirdest game of gay chicken??

Does Luicfer just like to feel tall?

Some one called it Stacked Dads

Stacked dads au!!!!!

[maniacwatchestheworld]

Things to do with Jack and Maddie without them being abusive

As someone who actually likes Jack and Maddie as characters (I'm a fervent shipper of Maddie/Jack/Vlad), it's a real bummer to see so many people out there deciding that for their DPxDC AUs that Jack and Maddie are abusive, when that really doesn't represent how they are in canon. Now I fully acknowledge that doing this can be a very useful tool for telling certain types of stories, and if you want to make a story about recovering from abuse and finding a new found family, all the more power to you for that! But for any other type of story where them being abusive isn't necessary for the backstory of the story you want to tell... It's just a bummer to do that, y'know? If you don't want to tell a story with Jack and Maddie in it, that's entirely fine! I'm not asking you to. But there are ways to get rid of them without making them abusive or dying. Of the two, I personally would prefer them dying (I just like the story potential of that, especially as far as Vlad is concerned). But there are plenty of easy things to do with them to keep them out of the story that don't require them being abusive or dead! So I'm here to give a list of things that can happen to them (that have precedent within either Danny Phantom itself or the DC universe) that keep them out of the story that don't require much explanation as well as some other ideas for what you can do with them if you have no idea what to do with them otherwise.

Lots of ideas under the cut! (Feel free to take what you want. As always, credit is appreciated, but not necessary. But I would love to see what you do with it!)

If you need them permanently absent so that Danny can get adopted

Fell into the Ghost Zone and cannot be found.

They are gone for whatever reason and Jazz is currently Danny's legal guardian (she's 18 or older and is therefore a legal adult).

While in the Ghost Zone, they accidentally traveled through time/got transported somewhere where they can't get home easily.

They got severely Joker gassed and are in medical care. (This is actually what happened to Duke's parents!)

They got severely Scarecrow gassed and are in medical care.

Went insane for some supervillain-related reason and are now missing/in medical care.

They were kidnapped by a villain for some reason.

They were kidnapped by a villain and are currently in a lotus-eaters simulation and therefore don't even know that they've gone missing.

Abducted by aliens.

They got wrapped up in some supervillain bullshit and now have amnesia and are unable to recognize Danny and Jazz.

They got magicked into something that can't take care of Danny and Jazz.

They were experimented on and are now incapable of taking care of Danny and Jazz.

Some cosmic entity did a whoopsie that effected Jack and Maddie and now they're in a condition/situation where they cannot take care of Danny and Jazz.

Got arrested and are in jail for some reason.

Were arrested and sent to jail for a long time. Have since joined Task Force X/the Suicide Squad for lienency.

Got hit by a stray Zeta-Beam and are now on some alien planet.

They got teleported somehow. We aren't certain about the details.

They fell into a hole to another world.

They no-clipped out of their normal reality.

Stranded with no way home.

They somehow ended up on a different planet. They are just hanging out with Space Cabbie now, who is just having a ROUGH day and can't find Earth for whatever reason.

Inducted into a Lantern Corps and are VERY busy because of it!

Coma.

Effected by a debilitating illness/disease/condition that makes them incapable of taking care of others.

They were forced to go undercover for some reason and therefore vanished. (Letting their kids know is optional)

They were forced to go undercover for some reason and were forced to fake their deaths.

They died, but came back to life. Danny has not been informed of this.

They got possessed by a superhero or supervillain who just wandered off with their bodies.

They got separated following a disaster and haven't been able to find each other again.

They've been retconned to hell and back again to the point where no one is entirely certain where they are, what they're doing, or even if they're alive anymore. Don't worry about it! Only mention them when it's relevant and the rest of the time we aren't going to bother explaining what's going on with them. If they are mentioned, accounts of where they are and what's going on with them are contradictory.

They're around, but will go unseen throughout this story

Any of the situations in the previous section, but it only happened to one of the parents, and the other is just too busy working and taking care of the kids by themselves.

The same as previous, but they also moved to Gotham.

Retcon things so that the events of Danny Phantom actually happened in Gotham City all along. (Maybe Amity Park is like... A suburb in the greater Gotham area.)

They went on vacation/were hired for a job that would take them away from home. They left Danny and Jazz to be taken care of by Vlad. Vlad is an asshole, so they ran away from him.

They went on vacation/were hired for a job that would take them away from home, but now that Jazz is over 18, she's been left in charge.

Put into Witness Protection by the government/the Guys in White.

Danny and friends have graduated from high school and are now legal adults, perhaps in college.

Danny's whole family moved to Gotham City. They're just at home/working during the events of this story.

Jack and Maddie have been hired to do some work with the Justice League and need to be away from home for an extended period of time. They have left a member of the Justice League to take care of Danny and Jazz in the meantime.

Fieldtrip/school trip to Gotham City.

Danny is old and responsible enough that Jack and Maddie trust Danny (and/or Jazz) to travel on their own. His parents are just a call away if he needs help.

Jack and Maddie are separated for whatever reason (one went missing/one is working abroad/they are divorced/one died) and the other moved to Gotham and is taking care of the kids in the meantime, but is busy and so will not appear.

Something happened to Fenton Works and the family needs to temporarily stay somewhere else while the problem with Fenton Works is sorted.

The family was driven out of town and they ran off to Gotham to escape the angry mob. (Or at least to wait until things cool down again.)

Jack or Maddie are able to work remotely and so they've moved to Gotham to do so. The kids came along/are visiting.

Jack and/or Maddie were hired for temporary work in Gotham and decided to bring the kids along.

One family member was taken to Arkham Asylum. They moved to Gotham to be closer.

Jazz went to Gotham for college. Danny is visiting.

Danny is sent to Gotham/Arkham for specialized health reasons.

Jack and Maddie have gotten in contact with a specialist that lives in Gotham and are visiting for work-related reasons.

They are on vacation in Gotham and brought the kids along. Danny and Jazz have been let off the leash to go where they want while Jack and Maddie do touristy stuff.

Visiting family/family friends living in Gotham.

They were passing through but are now unable to leave. (Bonus points if it's a No Man's Land situation.)

They were passing through, but were robbed. Jack and Maddie are dealing with the robbery stuff where Danny is off somewhere else.

They were just passing through, but Maddie and Jack got SEVERELY distracted by something and have run off to who knows where!

They are traveling with Vlad and expected Vlad to take care of and watch the kids!

Danny was abducted to Gotham.

Danny accidently ended up in Gotham somehow.

Danny somehow got transported/teleported to Gotham.

Doing an educational trip/apprenticeship/internship over in Gotham.

Danny ran away impulsively.

Some villain threatened Danny's family and forced him to run away from home.

Danny has revealed his secret to his parents, and while they might worry about Danny being a vigilante, believe in and trust Danny to do the right thing and allow him to do what he feels that he must to protect people.

The same as above, but Vlad also came out and is supervising.

They died.

I cannot understate the sheer JUICY storytelling potential that you can have by killing Jack and Maddie off! We already know how it might effect people and events from what we see in The Ultimate Enemy, but there really is limitless potential in terms of ways to twist, turn, and play with things to have different outcomes! Additionally, Jack and Maddie being genuinely good parents that die protecting Danny and Jazz offers lots of ways for Bruce to relate to Danny and Jazz! (He decided to become Batman so that no one would have to face what he did ever again... And he failed...) And the way that they die can offer some lovely different flavors of angst, coping mechanisms, motovations, and learning to deal with their loss. So here are some ideas for how to kill them off!

The universe exploded again, and when it was put back together, Jack and Maddie ceased to exist in current canon continuity. (This happens more often than you'd think.)

Vlad Wins.

They were killed in an apocalypse-level event.

They were killed in the crossfire of some superhero/supervillain fight.

They were taken by some villain. They were killed before the heroes could arrive.

They were killed in a random act of violence/crime. (Much like Batman's backstory. Do this to gain extra points from Bruce.)

Died in prison/after joining the Suicide Squad.

Gang violence.

Any of the previous but Gotham is just THAT dangerous!

Same as any gassing or supervillain plan, but they died instead of being missing or in medical care.

Got transported to a place where they died very far away from home.

They just died suddenly or because of an accident. It happens sometimes.

Things to note

Believe it or not, but your parents can still be in your life AND you can join the Batfamily AT THE SAME TIME! :D

Examples:

Barbra Gordon is very much in the Batfamily and both of her parents are alive and well. She's a very important part of the family, and in the comics, it is not uncommon to see her calling up her dad and talking to him! They'll even call each other if they need help with something. This does not take away from the fatherly role Bruce often has in her life. (She can have 2 dads and good for her for that!)

When Tim initially became Robin, his parents were alive and well. They would later die because comic writers are just like that, but being an orphan without loving parents in your life is not a prerequisite to being Robin.

Duke's parents are also alive! They are under the effects of Joker toxin, but they are alive, and if they ever find a cure for it, I imagine that they would be more than happy to have Duke back in their lives!

Terry from Batman Beyond is not an orphan and was taken under Bruce's wing to be the next Batman! Terry is even going to inherit a fair amount of Bruce's wealth for deciding to take on the responsibility of being Batman. But while his dad did die, his mom is still alive and well over the course of the series! And he has a little brother too! Terry may still be a teenager, but he is a bit of a breadwinner for his household while also still being an important part of Bruce's family. (He is often someone who helps Bruce take care of himself.)

But if the story you truly want to explore requires being adopted specifically... Well... You don't have to be a kid to be adopted! Jack and Maddie can still raise Danny and Jazz into adults and Bruce is able to adopt them later if he wants, once they have been well and established in his family! Hell, you don't even have to wait! As long as Bruce asks permission from Jack and Maddie, they can be alive AND he can adopt Danny! There is more than one way to be in a family, you know! And sometimes it takes a village! And really, would Jack and Maddie really object to Danny being adopted by billionaire Bruce Wayne, especially if Danny really is enjoying his time being a part of his family and if Bruce has been an absolutely lovely person to them whenever he visits?

So I hope that you're able to take some inspiration from all of this for your own stories! If you need some elaboration on what I mean with some of these, or want to ask who could be responsible for some of these and how, feel free to drop on by and send me an ask! I would be more than happy to go into some more detail about these! Happy writing!

[maziecrazycloud]

“Led Zeppelin are gods among men, and Aisling Cowan in their queen.”

-

In May of 1971, CREEM magazine’s journalist: Oliver Thorne set out to try and discern just who Aisling Cowan was, the elusive female guitarist of the intrepid LZ. Here is his interview and cover of LZ’s performance in Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

-

(OBVIOUSLY ALL OF THIS ISNT REAL FOR LEGAL REASONS) I hope you guys like it though. Both Aisling and Oliver are my OCs that I have created for the story I have been writing known as “Forest of Time”. In which a girl from the twenty first century gets pulled back into 1969 by the Seelie Court of Fae. She get sucked into the world of rock n roll when she meets Jimmy Page by chance. Or not👀. Strange magick is afoot. She changes history on accident and becomes a part of LZ, for good or worse. I haven’t written this specific part of the story yet. But I couldn’t resist creating just how much Aisling changes history. Enjoy!

Here is the link to my story if you’re interested!: https://archiveofourown.org/works/42940200/chapters/107881455

I really flexed my understanding of newspapers and i love CREEM, so ofc I had to make an alternate universe version of the magazine to fit my AU of Zeppelin! Cheers and Dark Tidings.🎸👹 (this may be the best thing ive ever made)

-

Article below!

Non vintage textured illustration of Aisling✌️

[holdmytesseract]

The Equation of Love

☆ The Baby Fever AU ☆

Loki x Y/N feat. Ella & Narfi

Summary: When fears and doubts overcome Loki and he starts to question a lot of things, you are his safe haven he can return to.

Warnings: fluff! a lot of fluff! a bit angst, tears, small 'hints' and 'references' to Ep. 6 - but no spoilers

Word Count: 1,8k

a/n: This story is me, trying to cope with the season finale. I don't know why, but my mind just led me here. To this universe. ❤️‍🩹

Baby Fever Crew: @lady-rose-moon @muddyorbsblr @chennqingg @smolvenger @alexakeyloveloki @ijuststareatstuffhereok89 @jennyggggrrr @stupidthoughtsinwriting @eleniblue @loz-3 @mishkatelwarriorgoddess @fictive-sl0th @iamlokisgloriouspurpose @lovingchoices14 @glitchquake @lokidbadguy @icytrickster17 @mandywholock1980 @november-rayne @xthatpottahfanx @simping-for-marvel @lou12346789 @aagn360 @anukulee @multifandom-worlds @hisredheadedgoddess28 @vbecker10 @jaidenhawke @km-ffluv @lokiforever @crimson25 @kimanne723 @cakesandtom @buttercupcookies-blog @salvinaa @javagirl328 @noideakitten @zombiesnips-blog @dustychinchilla74 @frzntrx @lokisgoodgirl @princess-ofthe-pages @coldnique @asgards-princess-of-mischief @lokisrealpurpous

Baby Fever Masterlist °☆• Loki Masterlist °☆• Masterlist

There was nothing. Just silence. No birds singing their songs, nor crickets chirping in the crisp air of the night. No loud voices, car horns or crying babies. Nothing. It was just Loki, his steaming cup of tea and the rising sun above New York City.

Peace... That was what he felt.

The god smiled; tired but happy eyes gazing out of the window to watch the sun replace the moon. Messy curls, tousled by sleep hung in his face. The hem of his green and black checked sleep trousers hung low, but comfortable snugly around his hips.

He wiggled his toes in his slippers; feeling the warmth of the fluffy socks he wore.

Loki took a deep breath - and a sip of his tea. His restless head had ripped him out of sleep; kind of forced him to get up. Sometimes, his mind could wander to very dark places. Especially at night. And he knew exactly that it was not good at all, but... Escaping the claws of your own fears and doubts wasn't easy. A battle the most people might already lose before it even started - and Loki was certainly one of them.

This is the here and now, Loki, he told himself. This is your present. Your future. Y/N and the kids are your future. You found your glorious purpose. Your place in the universe. This is exactly where you need and want to be. Don't revel in the past. It's history. Just a written chapter in the story of your life. Just a-

In order to silence the million voices in his head, he made himself a cup of tea, decided to watch the sunset and think about all the good things in his life... You. Ella. Little Narfi. His brother. His parents. The second chance life - and especially you gave him...

It was a tough process, but through the years, the god learned how to let the good thoughts overweight the bad ones. Nevertheless, was it a cruel battle every time.

"Daddy?"

The god ripped his eyes open at the call of the term that never failed to give him chills and causes his heart to beat just a little bit faster. Within the blink of an eye, he turned around; away from the large window pane in the living room - only to be greeted by the frame of his daughter. She was tiredly rubbing her eyes; cuddle blankie held by her in a death grip.

"Ella?" Loki said with a slight surprised voice; immediately magicked away his mug and squatted down to be on eye-level with the seven-year-old. "Princess, why are you awake?" "Wanted to cuddle you, but you were not there, so I looked for you." She slurred; voice thick with sleep. Ella had slept in yours and his bed tonight, because of a nightmare which had plagued her...

Loki’s heart jumped at the little girl's words; eyebrows slanting. "Oh no... Apologies, sweetheart. Daddy just... needed a moment to think." She yawned. "Think? About wha'?" He shook his head and opened his arms. "Nothing you should worry about, princess. Come here." Ella smiled almost deliriously, before she slurped into Loki's awaiting arms and cuddled against her father. He wrapped her up in a tight embrace; gently lifting her off of the group. Ella slung her legs around his back; even deepening the hug. "Love you, daddy."

Loki smiled; his heart pumping pure love through his veins. "I love you, too, princess."

He pressed a soft kiss against the crown of the girl's head and just held her.

Soon enough her grip on him slackened; legs no longer wound around his torso, but rather dangling loosely at his sides. Soft snores and deep, even breathes signalled the god that Ella had fallen asleep again... In his arms. His smile even widened, as he kissed the top of her head again; identical raven curls tickling his lips. His... She was his. One of the good things he accomplished in his life.

He smiled. "My love..."

Loki redirected his gaze on the rising sun again. It was almost over. The night was barely hanging on - just like the dark cloud above his head.

The god kept his gaze glued on the breathtaking skyline; totally lost in his thoughts once again. That was until he felt a pair of warm, familiar palms gliding over the small of his bare back and settling on his sides.

You pressed your chest gently against his muscular back and pressed soft kisses onto the skin of his shoulder blades; your lips leaving a tickling, sizzling sensation behind. It was magical.

He chuckled. "Well... Our princess came to look after me, too. She wanted to cuddle - and just slept in in my arms." Loki felt your lips on his skin again - and he could swear that you were smiling. "Thought so... My sweet daddy's girl." You whispered; lifting a hand to run your fingers gently through her loose, wild raven curls, as her head was resting on Loki's shoulder.

"What are you doing here, babe? This early on a Sunday morning?" You felt how he took a deep breath. "Thinking. And you?" You pressed your cheek against his bare skin; inhaling his scent. Home. He smelt like home.

"I just finished nursing our baby boy, and then decided to look where my husband and daughter vanished... The bed is way too big without you. And cold." Loki’s heart fluttered, before it felt like exploding - a firework of oxytocin and love.

A pleasant silence settled over the both of you for quite a few moments, in which you relished in closeness of the other.

"What's on your brilliant mind, huh?" Loki didn't answer you; only swallowed hard. And he did not have to say a single word to you. The sudden tension which built within his body was enough for you to tell what was going on.

You and Loki were in no need of words to communicate.

"I see... The clutches of your past wound themselves around you once more... Am I right?"

You heard your husband sigh deeply. "It's not just that, darling." "What else? Do you wish to talk about it?"

"The what if, darling."

The god stepped out of your hug and walked over to the sofa, on which he laid down Ella. He made sure that she was comfortable and draped a blanket over her, in order to keep her warm.

Then he returned to you; a longing look on his face. You welcomed him with open arms - and your husband didn’t hesitate for a moment; immediately sinking into your embrace and touch. You just held him with your hand buried in the soft raven curls on the back of his head. "What is bothering you, my love, if not the past?" You whispered and placed a sweet, reassuring kiss on the side of his neck. Loki needed another moment, before he answered you.

"The what if?" "Yes." You pulled back from the hug, just enough to look into his stunning, but tears clouded eyes; awaiting his further explanation. "What if... What if I've never been given a second chance? Here, on earth, to prove myself worthy of the mercy I received? What if I've never met you? What if you would've never given me a chance? What if... What if Thanos would've been successful?" He swallowed hard. "What would have happen to me? Where would my place in the universe be? Without you, Ella and Narfi... Where do I belong?"

You listened to his every word, patiently. His worries and fears send a jolt of pain through your heart; causing your expression to change. With furrowed eyebrows and tears in your eyes, you looked up to Loki. "Oh, my love..." You said; starting to gently comb your fingers through his long hair. "I wish I could give you an answer to all those questions, but... I'm afraid I can't. I understand why you are asking yourself this, though. Life has been not always very kind to you and left you standing more than just once at the abyss - and wherever your path may have led you without all the things that happened between us... Know that we were always destined to be. There's no version, no outcome of this - of our story, where we wouldn't have ended up together." You softly smiled at him through tears; lifting your other hand to cup his cheek.

"Besides, you are free now, my love. Free to make your own choices. No mind control. No one who decides for you. This..." You gestured around yourself. "Me, Ella and Narfi... This is yours. The story you've written and still writing. This is your story, Loki."

A few tears rolled down the god's cheeks; a breathless chuckle left his lips. "You... You truly think that, darling?" You couldn't help but smile even wider; your thumb gently wiping away his tears. "Know so." You whispered, before you leaned in and captured your husband's lips in a tender, almost feather-light kiss. "I am convinced that in every possible timeline, every parallel universe - if something like that exists, we are exactly where we belong... Together."

The god answered nothing, was too overwhelmed by your beautiful words and all the thoughts and feelings coursing through his mind and body. Instead, he dropped his forehead to rest on your shoulder; tears soaking into the fabric of your comfortable sleep shirt and hands holding onto your body for dear life. You let him cry; comforting him as best as you could.

You didn't know how much time had passed; how long you were standing there with Loki wrapped up in your arms, but at some point you decided to leaven the situation a bit. Once more wandered your hand into his wild locks. "You still here with me, baby?" All that you got was a low grunt. You giggled; twirling a strand of his curls around your finger. "Have I rendered you speechless, my love? Silver-tongue turned to lead?"

Loki couldn't suppress the small giggle, which bubbled up within his throat at your sentence. "N-No..." He lifted his head again; smiling, with dried tears on his cheeks and slightly red and puffy eyes. "I-I just... Your words touched me deeply. Thank you. Thank you for your advice. For your love. For being mine - and for giving me all this. A life, children... A purpose." This time, you were the one who didn't give him an answer. You pulled him in another kiss; letting him feel all the love you could give.

"I love you, Loki. Always have. Always will." Loki took your hands in his; fingers intertwining. "I love you, too. I just can't grasp all this sometimes. My mind needs a reminder from time to time that this is truly the reality." You squeezed his hands. "I know - and I'm here to remind your mind, because you deserve this... Happiness."

[laurancezvahlslefteyebrow]

well hello there

here is aphmau in my au/rewrite

i tried to draw her in as many of her iconic outfits as possible but good irene she has a lot [click for better quality]

so here are some changes and headcanons i have for aph in my au:

•she’s neurodivergent. not entirely sure what specifically, probably adhd. for sure dyslexic.

•she has sensory issues, which is why she’s usually in shorts. she feels like she can’t move properly in a dress for pants.

•so in my au she is irene just like regular canon. i gave her her markings but you might notice they’re different; here’s why: so in my au, scars and tattoos can both be used as runes to conduct magicks. scar runes amplify one’s existing magicks while tattoo runes bestow a certain magicks ability to a person (even if they already have one to begin with). though this practice is outdated and illegal in most parts of the world. because irene’s abilities existed prior to her become a divine warrior, she scarred herself to not only enhance said abilities but to also show her true dedication. nowadays no one, except maybe zoey, actually knows what they are or what they’re for exactly.

sorry that was a lot… ANYWAY

•when irene locked herself away, she tried to dress in a way she thought might help her blend in in whatever time she popped back out.

•she was wrong.

•phoenix drop gets really hot, especially in the summer, and it doesn’t snow there. aphmau uses it as an excuse to wear shorts all the time.

•when she first showed up she wasn’t as clueless as they made her seem in rebirth. she was just as aware as she was in the og beginning (except no she didn’t think she was playing minecraft) her reason for helping out the village was basically this: “oh look a village, cool i needed a place to stay. oh man these guys are in rough shape, they don’t have a lord?!? ah geez no one’s helping them, guess i gotta help them. oh shit they made me lord!” ok maybe not EXACTLY like that but yk

•she’s not a pick me in this universe :) and she doesn’t lead people on.

•when garroth first noticed how hard she was working on the village without even being asked, he bought her some gloves so she’d stop tearing up her hands. he bought some basic fingerless leather gloves but payed extra to have them dyed black and embroidered with lil purpley pink flowers. he hopes she’d like them and that his gesture wouldn’t come off as clunky or weird. she loved them and keeps them with her even when they’ve gotten too worn to wear.

•laurmau is endgame. aph and aaron never have any kind of romantic relationship. he’s more of a mentor to her. (i’m sorry garmau lovers i love y’all but laurance is my guy)

ok

so that’s all folks, i’m sure i have more headcanons and changes for aphmau but none come to mind right now. feel free to leave suggestions tho :)

garroth is next >:)

[beingsuneone]

Tragedy

PART ONE | PART TWO

SYNOPSIS: You hadn’t lived in the Spring Court for a long time, not since the Night Court murdered your entire family except yourself and your brother, Tamlin. You don’t think about it much, except when you argue with Rhysand, when it becomes a threat. You always promise him that you’re sick of him and you’re going to return to Spring but you never do. Until you do.

FANDOM: A Court Of Thorns And Roses

PAIRING(S): Rhysand x Tamlin’s Sister!Fem!Reader

RATING: G

CHARACTERS MENTIONED: Cassian, Azriel, Tamlin, Mor, Amren

GENRE/AU: Pre-Amarantha/cusp of, some fluff, some angst, Lost Royalty Au (Tamlin’s lost Sister)

WORD COUNT: 3.2k

WARNINGS: Physical Violence (thanks Tam), mentions of arguments. LITERAL PHYSICAL ABUSE. TAMLIN SLAPS YOU.

A/N: the dividers looks best on dark mode, also dividers and header made my me :) also, this is both the first thing I’ve finished and the first fic I’ve posted since last year!! (My old fics aren’t up anymore) I reeeallly wanna write a pt 2.

DEDICATIONS: n/a

CREDITS: n/a

The snow crunches softly under your feet, which are already halfway to freezing and you’re only fifty paces outside of the townhouse.

You’d just had another fight with Rhysand and had threatened— for the millionth time— that you were going to return to Spring Court and live with your brother, Tamlin. The only member of your blood family still alive.

Both Rhysand and yourself know it’s not true. You’ve never made it down the first street in Velaris before you’re crawling back and begging Rhysand to forgive you. (Or visca versa)

Partly because you love him and largely because you’re terrified to return to Spring, No matter how petty your pride wishes to be.

When you were a young Fae, you had gone for a walk in the garden with your guard; It was late at night and you had been up due to nightmares. However, when you got closer to the Manor in Spring you heard a distinct scream and several loud noises, and your guard had immediately herded you as far as he could from the manor. All the way out of spring, and through the wall.

There, you were shunned by humans, and hunted by many; until a small family took you in, not caring about your pointy ears or inhuman beauty. They didn’t mind the flowers you magicked into existence or how you made their human babies laugh by shape-shifting. You were never dangerous to them, so they protected you until the day they died.

That was the day you returned to Prythian, mourning the loss of the only real family you had ever known.

Eventually you ended up in Night Court, wandering aimlessly around the vast nothingness of the court; you wondered why such a large and powerful court would seem to have almost no Fae in it— or even civilizations, for that matter. All you could see for miles and miles was mountains, trees, grass… anything in nature but no Fae.

You settled into a cave on the side of a cliff and foraged whatever food you could find. It wasn’t much but it kept you alive.

Until one day, a large winged man at the entrance of the cave, scared the ever-loving shit out of you.

“Oh- my Cauldron!” You had exclaimed, staring at who you now know to be Cassian.

He had given you a weird look and rudely remarked. “You’re awfully small for a Fae.” Then he amended, “although Amren is much smaller.”

You hadn’t known who Amren was, or what in the world he was talking about. “Who are you?” You asked him skeptically.

Cassian had opened his mouth to reply but then Rhysand walked through the door.

“I feel we should be asking you the same question.” He said smoothly. You had been immediately taken by him, his Deep Purple eyes and shadowy aura.

So much so, you almost hadn’t noticed the Mating Bond snapping into place.

Your eyes widened and one of his twitched as his cool expression dropped a moment. Rhysand, as good as he is at masks, wiped his emotions from his face a moment later.

He said, “Why don't you come along with us and tell us along the way.” He had paused and looked you up and down. “Certainly, it will be better than staying in this cave?”

You had just stumbled to your feet and nodded, taking Rhysand’s hand when he had extended to you.

That’s the moment that breaks you every time, what makes you turn right back around into Rhysand’s arms.

You remind yourself that he’s been with you for centuries now and he’s helped you heal more than you ever could on your own.

He’s the one who told you, despite his history with your family, that Tamlin was still alive; he was honest about his Family’s and his involvement in your family’s murder.

It had been hard not to hold it against him but you eventually forgave the man he is, not the kid he used to be. Besides, Spring had killed his family first, so, you supposed it had become an even playing field.

“Love,” Rhysand’s voice comes from behind you. “Please come back, I’m sorry.”

You turn around slowly, your eyes stinging with tears that threaten to flow. “Why do I do this every time?”

He sighs, and gently laces his fingers with yours. “We don’t think rationally when we’re arguing, Darling. It’s okay,” He pulls you closer and you feel yourself relax.

“Besides,” he continues. “I think you should go visit your brother— as much as I hate the thought of it.”

You pull back and look up at him. “Surely, he can’t have grown to be that terrible, Rhysand, he was a good brother when I left.” You think back to before you’d left but it’s so long ago it feels a bit blurry and out-of-reach. “Maybe inattentive but certainly not mean.”

Rhysand looks into your eyes, there’s an emotion loaded in his that you don’t take the time to decipher it because you aren’t sure you want to know. “My personal feelings skew how I see him, Darling, you have to see for yourself.” He pushes a stand of hair out of your face, and gently kisses your forehead. “Maybe it will be different with his own sister.”

You rest your forehead on his chest and he wraps his arms around your waist.

“Can we go back inside now?” You ask quietly. “My feet are freezing.”

Rhysand just chuckles and disconnects from you, save for taking one of your hands and leading you back towards the townhouse. “My love, next time you threaten to run away, please wear a coat and proper shoes.” He says playfully, flashes you a teasing smile.

You mock-glare at him, but can’t stop the smile that spreads on your face. “No, actually, I think I’d quite like to freeze to death before I ever make it out of Night.”

“Of course you would.”

…..

“How far you make it this time?” Cassian smiles when you and Rhysand walk in the door, Azriel is already building a fire and Mor is smiling brightly in a chair in front of the budding flame. Amren is sitting in one of the other chairs grumbling about the lack of good blood to drink or something— you loved her but she’d always confused you.

“Didn’t make it down the block.” Rhysand says back to Cassian, before he sits you down in front of the fire to warm up.

You shrug him off, not needing him to baby you. “Knock it off, Cassian.” You say roughly, not actually mad but feeling even colder now that you’re in a warm space. You turn your head back to Rhysand, who's already leaning on a wall across the room. “And you, Mister Automatic-Heater, come back here.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” He says as Mor snickers at you. Rhysand sits down next to you and pulls you into him, using his magic to warm you up. You both know the fire never works fast enough.

You sit there for a long time, just lost in Rhysand’s presence, long enough that the others clear the room and go off to do their own things.

It’s only when everyone is finally out of earshot that Rhysand leans down, brushes his lips against the shell of your ear and whispers, “I love you, darling.”

You shiver and turn your head to face him before you place a kiss on his cheek and whisper back, “I love you more.”

“Impossible.” He shakes his head, pulling your face upwards, with two fingers under your jaw and his thumb under your chin.

You reach a hand over his and brush his hair out of his face, before you push his arm down and settle your hand on his cheek.

Then, you press your lips to his.

…..

“Okay,” Rhysand sighs, you know he’s nervous about leaving you here. “I probably shouldn’t enter Spring, so I’ll wait here. Use the bond if you need me, please.”

You place a hand on his cheek, and get closer to him. “Rhysand, I promise you, I’ll be okay.” You swipe your thumb soothingly on his cheeks. “I have to do this.”

He nods, placing his own hand over yours, while nuzzling into your hand. “I know, my love, you can absolutely handle yourself.” He pulls back, and gives you a reassuring smile. “Alright, go.”

You nod your head once and walk over the border to Spring; before you take another step, you turn back. “I love you, Rhysand.” You say, assuredly. The words have more weight to them than normal, like you’re trying to convince both yourself and Rhysand that everything is going be alright.

Luckily, the Manor rests right on one of the edges of spring, so it’s easy to find after all this time.

After a few minutes, you reach the front gates. A guard tilts his spear into your path so you have to stop.

“What is your business here?” He says gruffly.

You straighten your back and try to find the most regal parts of yourself. “I am Y/N of spring court, High Lord, Tamlin’s sister.” You're sure you said it so demandingly that he’d just let you in but the guard just looks you up and down.

“Spring Court High Fae… In Night Court Clothes?” He shakes his head. “Plus our Y/N died several Centuries ago.”

You sigh. “I don’t need to convince you, I just need to speak to Tamlin. Please.”

The guard stamps his spear, as if to tell you to go away.

So, you pull out your last playing card. “Okay, Fine. As the High Lady of the Night Court, I demand a meeting with your High Lord.” You pause. “Unless you’d like to directly deny both myself and my High Lord?”

This sends the guard into a tizzy. He opens the gate and leads you inside. He abandons you there though, and leaves you with a red-haired man.

“Who are you?” You ask.

He raises an eyebrow. “I am Lucien. Who are you, and how did you convince the guard to let you in?”

You straighten up once again. “I am Tamlin’s sister, Y/n.”

He looks you up and down and gives you a ‘you’re joking, right?’ Look. “You’re in Night Court clothes.”

You throw your arms in the air and let them fall back down. “Yes, thank you for stating the obvious. Obviously, I believed all my family to be dead and sought a home elsewhere.”

“In the Night Court. The home of the people who killed your family.” His voice is flat.

“I ended up there, but it is not where I originally went. My personal guard, Claude, took me to the human world to keep me safe from the previous High Lord of the Night Court. He was hunted down for being Fae.” You stop, feeling the annoyance bubbling under your skin; still, Lucien looks as though you’ve just spun an elaborate story. “Just let me see Tamlin, he will recognize me.”

Lucien doesn’t move.

You continue. “Do not make me use my status again please.”

This catches his attention. “What status? because if you really are from Spring Court, you certainly don’t have any.”

Rolling your eyes, you pull out the ‘High Lady’ card, once again. “If you must know, and I’d much prefer you leave me to tell this to Tamlin, but I am the High Lady of the Night Court, and that is how I got inside.” You stare at him for a moment. “Can I see my brother now, or must I find him myself?”

Lucien practically scoffs at this point. “Now I really don’t believe you. It’s unbelievable enough that Tamlin’s sister would live in Night Court but, High Lady? That is not even a real title.”

You are really starting to get annoyed. “Okay, well, first, I didn’t even know that Night Court was the one to kill my family until I’d already met Rhysand, and second, we’re mates! I don’t really get to choose that, do I?”

You’re about to say something else but you stop. “Why in the world am I arguing with you. I don’t even know you. Where is Tamlin?”

“I’m right here.” A new voice enters the conversation; it’s deep but familiar, and there’s a new edge to it that makes your skin crawl.

When you turn to face him, he stops in his tracks. His eyes widen a fraction, and his lips purse.

“Y/n?” He says, taking a tentative step towards you. “Is that you?”

You sigh in relief. “Yes, it is. Although I’ve had a hard time convincing everyone else of that.” You close the gap between yourself and your brother and hug him.

“I thought you were dead.” He says quietly. “We never found your body. I assumed the awful Night Court took your body just as our father took their wings.”

You freeze at the mention of the wings. They are Rhysand’s Mother’s and Sister’s wings. Then Tamlin seems to notice my attire. The air turns cold, a power you thought only Rhysand and maybe the Winter Court possessed.

“Why are you wearing Night Court clothes?” He says, tugging on your sleeve. You pull away from him, just a few paces.

“When I escaped,” you start, feeling inexplicably nervous as Tamlin stares down at you. “Claude took me to the human world. I lived there for at least a century before my human family died and I came back here.” You stop, gauging his reaction. “Then, I assumed everyone else had died that night and couldn’t bear to come back to spring, So…. I just walked, and walked, and— you get the point.

“Eventually I ended up in the Night Court and I lived in a cave for a long time before Rhysand found me and—”

Tamlin cuts you off. “Rhysand? Why do you talk about him with so much familiarity?” His teeth grind and he looks positively fuming. “You do know that he’s the reason our family is dead, right?”

“Well, yes, but—”

“You would betray our family like this and become part of the Court who caused our demise?”

“No, Tamlin—”

He turns his face away from you, his fists clenched. “No sister of mine would behave this way.”

Your mouth drops open, but you snap it shut. “Tamlin, when I met Rhysand, I didn’t know who killed our family.” You explain calmly. “I was just a starving woman, living in a Night Court cave.”

He glares down at you, an air of superiority hanging around his head. “And how did you learn that it was Night Court? Who killed them?”

You take a deep breath. “He told me. Honestly, truthfully, he simply told me.” You stretch your shoulders nervously, and prepare to tell him that thing that you suppose will anger him most.

It's a reasonable reaction, you think; after all, if you’d been in his place, you’d be plenty angry that your sister was conversing with people who killed your entire family.

Before you can get out though, Tamlin speaks again. “You will come live in Spring with me.” It’s not a question, he is telling you what you must do.

Your eyes soften. “I cannot do that.”

“You can and you will.” Tamlin says with a finality in his voice.

You give him a pointed look now and reiterate, “No, I cannot and I will not.” A tug on the bond pulls your attention away briefly, and you realize how sick with worry Rhysand must be. You tug back to reassure him. “Tamlin, I live in the Night Court, that is my home.”

You know sugar coating your situation will not help, but based on his reactions, it’s becoming hard to get out.

“This will be your home again.” He says it so plainly, and though he tries to leave no room for argument, you know that you must argue.

“I’m the High Lady of the Night Court, Tamlin. This cannot ever be my home again.” You say sternly.

He falls quiet and unmoving for just a moment before he explodes.

“Not only have you been cohorting with our enemies, but you have married the worst one of them all?” He roars, you haven’t heard someone yell at you so thoroughly for a very long time. Even when you argue, Rhysand never yells.

“Rhysand is not a bad man, Tamlin, no matter what you may think!” You snap back.

It takes you a moment to register what happens next, but, before you can, you're on the floor and your cheek has a harsh sting.

When you compose yourself and realize what happens, you whisper. “Rhysand was right about you.”

His face goes red once more but he just releases a strained breath and spits, “High Lady’s do not exist, no matter what he tells you, dear sister.” Then with the meanest sneer you’ve ever seen in your life, he says, “Do not come crawling back to me when your life falls into shambles.”

You rise to your feet, dust off your pants, and try to retain your composure. “You are not the brother I remember, Tamlin.” Then, you turn and begin walking to the door. “In fact, I am not sure you are that brother at all.”

The manor’s door shut behind you and you tredge back to Spring’s edge where you know Rhysand’s comforting arms will be waiting.

You see him before he sees you, but his jaw clenches as soon as he does.

“What did he do to you.” He says it so flatly it doesn’t sound like a question; he closes the distance between you two and runs his thumb over what you assume is a mark on your face.

You try to make light of the situation to hold back the tears that are gathering in your eyes. “Things got a bit physical.” You amend, “on his end, at least.”

Rhysand does not appreciate the joke. “I should’ve gone with you, he never would have tried anything in front of me.”

You shrug. “I suppose that shows the kind of man he is.”

Rhysand turns your cheeks to get a better look at the mark. “No, Darling, I think this does.”

He lets his hand fall from your face, and so you wrap your arms around his waist, burying your stinging face in his chest. “You were right, Rhys. I should have listened to you.”

You can feel him shake his head. “No, you needed to see for yourself; I should’ve been there to prevent the worst of it.”

You pull away from him and look back towards the Manor. You spot Tamlin watching the two of you from a balcony, but you are far enough away, you can’t make out his expression.

Rhysand stares back, a silent promise for retribution, one way or another.

“Can we please just go home?” You tug on Rhysand’s sleeve. “I want to rid my mind of this interaction.”

He looks back down at you and smiles tenderly. “Of course, my love.”

…..

You had fallen down into your shared bed with Rhysand and let the tears silently fall while Rhysand goes off to do whatever it is he needs to do.

You had told him you wanted a minute alone; after probably only ten minutes you had drifted off to sleep.

Now, you’re being shaken awake by Mor.

“Y/n, wake up.” She sounds panicked so you shoot up.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” You say, as your heart pounds, every fear you’ve ever had races through your mind.

She looks deep into your eyes. “We can’t leave Velaris,” her expression reflects sorrow. “And Rhysand is gone.”

All content belongs to @beingsuneone , do not repost, copy or post on other platforms without my permission.

[downbad4yoongi]

Bound By Magic | Chapter One

🪄Pairing: Namjoon x Reader

🪄AU/Genre: E2L, Magical AU, smut

🪄WC: 11,698

🪄Warnings: smut, minor character death

A/N: This is for @lo1k-diamonds as a part of @bangtanwritershq Sweet Tricks and Wicked Treats exchange.

Thank you to my betas: @colormepurplex2, @moonleeai, and @pars-ley

Summary:

In a world of magic, a centuries-old rivalry exists between two powerful witches. Their mutual animosity is intense, fueled by their constant competition and clashing personalities. Despite their hatred, they are inexplicably drawn to each other's power.

When a dark force threatens the magical realm, they are forced to unite against a common enemy. As they work together, a reluctant respect and attraction grows between them. A pivotal moment, where the witch heals the injured warlock, ignites a powerful connection.

Realizing their intertwined destinies, they embrace their love and combined magic to defeat the darkness. Their newfound unity proves that love can conquer even the deepest-rooted hatred, forging a powerful bond that will shape the future of the magical world.

Chapter One

You stood across the staged area of the arena from your longstanding adversary. You and Namjoon have been at each other’s throats for as long as you can remember. The two of you had been in a constant competition of one-upmanship that others may have considered friendly, but in reality, it was anything but.

The two of you were raised to view the opposite faction as the enemy due to superiority complexes, a mindset that hasn’t budged much for either of you despite those stereotypes being broken down decades ago. Witches’ magickal abilities were rooted in elements and nature, contradicting warlocks' more arcane-based magick. 

Eventually, witches and warlocks slowly began collaborating and breaking down the barriers that formerly held strong. This collaboration proved that great things could happen when the two factions worked together instead of against each other.  However, you and Namjoon were stubborn and locked in a continuous battle of wills. Every year, you were allowed to best the other at the annual magickal competition, The Spellbound Tournament.

You were fully prepared to show Namjoon who the better spellcaster was when a deafening blast tore through the air, searing heat and blinding light engulfing you. Instinctively, you lifted a shimmering shield against the shock wave that slammed into your body. Chaos erupted around you - panicked screams mingling with the crackle of flames and crumbling stones. As the ringing in your ears subsided, you blinked away the spots dancing before your eyes. The magickal stadium lay in ruins, ancient seats reduced to rubble. Acrid smoke stung your nostrils. Your heart raced wildly, pounding fiercely against your ribcage as if trying to break free, each beat echoing like a war drum in the silence of the moment.

Scanning the destruction, you spotted Namjoon staggering to his feet, robes tattered and face smudged with soot. His sharp gaze locked with yours, a flicker of concern behind the hardened exterior despite his often declared hatred of you. You nodded curtly, conveying a silent check - I'm alive, if not unscathed.

Haneul's voice, a sage wizard that everyone listens to without hesitation, cut through the din, commanding attention. "Quickly! Over here!" They stood atop a jutting stone slab, silver hair whipping around their face.

You and Namjoon picked your way over the rubble and debris, joined by other dazed survivors of the blast. Haneul's eyes, usually placid pools of wisdom, now churned urgently. Aching and battered, most gather in front of Hanuel as others take care of the ones who are gravely injured… or worse.

"This was no mere explosion," they declared gravely. "Wooshik has made his move. Even now, his dark forces mobilize to seize control."

A chill shivered down your spine at the mention of that name - the warlock whose ambitions threatened the very fabric of your world. You exchanged a tense glance with Namjoon, animosity temporarily forgotten in the face of this revelation.

"We...we have to stop him," you managed, voice rough from inhaled smoke. "Whatever it takes."

Haneul nodded solemnly. "Indeed. And it will require the two of you working together." They pierced you and Namjoon with a knowing glare, a glint in their eyes as if seeing a future only they could perceive. "Only your combined strengths can thwart Wooshik's scheme."

Namjoon's jaw clenched, a muscle ticking in his cheek. You could practically feel the waves of reluctance rolling off him, mirroring your own hesitation. Years of rivalry, of traded barbs and clashing magicks, hung between you - a chasm not easily bridged.

But Haneul's words rang with an ominous finality. The fate of everything you held dear hinged upon this tentative alliance with your sworn adversary. Failure was not an option.

Slowly, deliberately, you extended a hand to Namjoon. His obsidian eyes delved into yours, searching for any hint of deceit. You met his probing gaze unflinchingly, willing him to see the grim resolve within.

After a moment that stretched for an eternity, his larger palm enveloped yours. His skin, warm and callused against your own, sent a jolt of awareness through you.

"For the covens," he gritted out. "And the realm."

You squeezed his hand, sealing the pact. "For the realm," you echoed.

As you stood amidst the smoking ruins, hands clasped with your erstwhile enemy, a sense of destiny settled upon your shoulders. The path ahead promised peril and unknown challenges.

But one truth crystallized in your mind, sharp and unassailable - you would face them together or not at all.

A piercing shriek cracked through the air, shattering the newly formed yet fragile peace. Your head snapped up, instincts screaming of imminent danger. Beside you, Namjoon tensed, his hand falling from yours to the hilt of his blade.

From the depths of the swirling clouds of dust and debris, a ghastly creature emerged, its form writhing and shifting like a shadow in the dim light. Its eerie silhouette loomed larger as it stepped forward, eyes glinting with a malevolent glow. Gnarled limbs reached out, each movement echoing the horrors of forgotten nightmares. Its scales shimmered like polished obsidian, capturing and refracting the light in jagged glimmers. Each thunderous step echoed ominously, as razor-sharp talons drove deep into the earth, leaving behind jagged furrows that spoke of its immense power. Those menacing eyes, glowing with a sinister intelligence, locked onto you and Namjoon, radiating an unsettling awareness that sent chills coursing down your spine.

One of Wooshik's twisted creations unleashed to test your newfound alliance.

"Flank it from both sides!" Namjoon barked, his voice ringing with authority. 

You moved to obey, along with everyone else, muscle memory overriding the strangeness of taking orders from him. As you circled the beast, your magick hummed beneath your skin, yearning for release.

The creature lunged, a blur of shadow and fury. You lunged aside, feeling the whisper of its claws mere inches from your face. Namjoon retaliated with a blast of arcane energy, but the beast shrugged it off, its hide impervious to single attacks.

"We need to strike together!" you yelled, understanding eventually dawning. "Combine our magick!"

Namjoon's eyes met yours, a split-second of perfect understanding passing between you. You began to weave an intricate spell, your power intertwining with his: fire and ice, light and shadow, two opposites melding into a devastating whole.

The beast charged again, its roar shaking the very ground you stood on. You held your position. Namjoon moved behind you, a solid presence at your back, his arms bracketing yours. At the last possible moment, you released your spell, a searing bolt of energy that struck the creature head-on.

It stumbled, howling in pain and rage. Namjoon pressed, using the advantage, his blade flashing in a deadly arc. The creature's blood sprayed across the shattered earth, black and viscous.

But it wasn't enough. The beast rallied, its wounds knitting together with unnatural speed. It lashed out with its tail, catching Namjoon across the chest and sending him flying.

With a wordless shout, you unleashed the full might of your magick, pouring every ounce of your strength into a final, desperate assault. The air crackled with power, your veins burning with its force.

The creature staggered, its defenses crumbling beneath the onslaught. Namjoon, battered but unbroken, surged to his feet, his blade finding the beast's heart in a single, perfect thrust. 

As the creature fell, its dying scream echoing across the battlefield, you sagged to your knees, spent. Namjoon limped to your side, his hand finding your shoulder as he stood over you, hunched forward but managing to stay on his feet.

"We did it," he rasped, his voice tinged with something akin to wonder.

You nodded, too exhausted for words. But as you knelt there amidst the carnage and the chaos, you felt the first stirrings of something new, fragile, and profound.

A connection forged in the heat of battle. A partnership tempered by shared peril and sacrifice.

The dust settled around you, the eerie silence broken only by the ragged sound of your own breathing. Namjoon's hand tightened on your shoulder, his touch a lifeline in the aftermath of the chaos. You met his gaze and saw your own exhaustion and relief mirrored in those fathomless depths.

But there was no time to rest, no moment to savor your victory. The battle was far from over, and Wooshik's forces wouldn’t be far behind. They would need more support if they were ever to defeat Wooshik successfully.

As if summoned by your thoughts, three figures emerged from the shadows, their faces grim with determination. You instantly recognized them - Bae Suzy, Min Yoongi, and Hirai Momo. Momo and Suzy are members of your coven, the Daughters of Gaia, while Yoong is a member of Namjoon’s, The Inkwell Society.

"We came as soon as we heard," Suzy said, her voice low and urgent remorse laced through her voice from not attending the tournament in the first place. "Wooshik's creatures are everywhere, and his power grows by the moment."

Yoongi nodded, his cat-like eyes narrowed. "We have to stop him before it's too late."

Beside you, you watched Namjoon struggle to remain on his feet, but his jaw is set with determination. "Then we will," he said, his voice ringing with conviction as he straightened to his full height. "Together."

Momo stepped forward, her hands already glowing with the telltale shimmer of her healing magick. "Let me help," she murmured, her touch moving over Namjoon, caring for his injuries, before turning her attention to you. She ran her hands over you gently, mending your minor wounds and bruises.

You felt the warmth of her power flowing through you, knitting torn flesh and easing the ache of bruised bones and muscles. But even as your body mended, your mind raced with the enormity of the task before you.

Wooshik was a formidable foe, his mastery of the dark arts unmatched. And yet, as you looked around at the faces of your friends, at the determined set of Namjoon's shoulders, you felt a flicker of hope.

"We can do this," you said, your voice soft but certain. "We have to."

Suzy nodded, her green eyes glinting with resolve. "We'll stand with you," she said, her words a solemn vow. "Until the end."

Yoongi's lips quirked in a wry smile. "Well, let's just hope the end isn't today," he drawled, his dry humor a welcome respite from the tension.

Namjoon's hand found your shoulder again, gripping it firmly in a silent promise. "It won't be," he said, his voice low and fierce. "Not if we have anything to say about it."

And as you stood there, surrounded by your friends and temporary allies' strength and loyalty, you felt a surge of determination. Wooshik may have been powerful, but he had underestimated the true might of your covens.

🪄🪄🪄

You, along with Namjoon and your friends, infiltrated a coven of acolytes known to be loyal to Wooshik and overheard a hushed conversation between two of Wooshik’s most dedicated followers. The witches spoke in hushed tones, their words barely audible over the nearby crackling fire. 

“Have you heard the latest from Wooshik?” one of the witches asked. “He’s been searching high and low for that ancient artifact. It is said that it holds the power to reshape reality itself.”

“I’ve heard rumors,” the other replied. “They say it’s hidden deep within the ruins of the Shadow Keep, a place long forgotten by time.”

Hearts pounding with excitement and dread, you knew you had to act quickly. The artifact was the key to stopping Wooshik. From the overheard conversation, you understood that the journey would be full of treacherous terrain, ancient curses, and the watchful eyes of Wooshik’s minions. 

Undeterred, you set off on a quest to beat Wooshik to the artifact. The trek was grueling, filled with challenges at every turn. With determination, you all brave numerous treacherous mountain passes, crossed raging rivers and fought off attacks from monstrous creatures lurking in the shadows.

Finally, after days of arduous travel, the ancient ruins appeared before you. The once-grand structures were now crumbling, their spires reaching skyward like skeletal fingers grasping at the churning clouds. The stone walls were now covered in overgrown vines. The legends are undeniable. Seeing it before you, the walls pulsed with the immense power you all knew lay within. 

As you drew closer, an unnatural hush fell over your band, a sense of foreboding washed over all of you. The air was heavy with a strange, almost palpable energy, and the ruins seemed to watch you with an eerie silence. A chill ran down your spine as you realized you were not alone. Unseen eyes followed your every move, their presence lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Namjoon moved at your side, his presence comforting in this eerie stillness. Since your battle against Wooshik's beast, a subtle shift had occurred between you - an unspoken understanding, a shared purpose that transcended your rivalry. His gaze met yours, dark eyes reflecting your own unease even as his jaw set with determination.

“We’re almost there,” he murmured, his voice barely audible over the rustling of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl. “Just a little further.”

You nodded, your heart pounding in your chest. The ruins loomed ahead, their ancient stones casting long, menacing shadows. You shivered as you recalled the words of the acolytes who had led you here.

As you drew closer, the air grew even more oppressive. The once-vibrant colors of the forest seemed to fade, replaced by a sickly pallor. A low, guttural growl echoed from the depths of the ruins.

“Something’s wrong,” Namjoon said with his voice low. He tightened his grip on his sword, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger. 

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness ahead. It was a monstrous creature, its body a grotesque amalgamation of human and beast. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and its claws dripped with a foul, green substance, yet traces of its origin alluded to its fall from grace.

“A fallen guardian,” Namjoon hissed. “We have to be careful.”

With widened eyes, Momo gulps, “That doesn’t look like any guardian I’ve ever seen.”

Namjoon’s mouth flattened into a grim line. “Unfortunately, this one has been possessed and twisted into this demented creature.”

The creature let out a blood-curdling roar and lunged at your group. Namjoon met it with a flurry of sword strikes, his movements swift and precise. But the creature was incredibly strong, and it knocked Namjoon off his feet.

Before the creature could strike again, you leaped forward, your blade glinting in the moonlight. You managed to deflect the creature’s attack, but the force of the blow sent you reeling backward.

Yoongi, Suzy, and Momo joined the fray. As the creature was about to strike again, Yoongi unleashed a barrage of fireballs, forcing it to retreat. Suzy jumped in with her agility to dodge the creature’s attacks and landed a few blows of her own. Stepping up, Momo released her unique powers - just like she could heal with kind hands, she could use that same magick to find even the most minor injuries and transform them into gaping wounds.

The battle raged on, with the clash of metal on flesh and whizzing blasts of magick echoing through the ruins. You fought with everything you had,  fear fueling your determination. Namjoon, Yoongi, Suzy, and Momo also fought valiantly, their combined skills a formidable force against the monstrous creature.

You all fought with a ferocity that surprised even yourselves, the bond between your alliance growing stronger with each passing moment. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, you managed to land the critical blow that brought the beast to its knees. With a final agonizing roar, it collapses to the ground, finally dead.

The air was now thick with the stench of blood and sweat, and the ruins were bathed in a haunting silence.  Now exhausted but triumphant, you leaned against each other, struggling to remain on your feet. You braced yourselves and prepared for what lay ahead, sure this would not be the last hurdle. 

Yoongi’s rasp finally broke the silence, “We did it.” 

You all moved deeper into the ruins, hearts pounding anxiously. You knew the artifact was close and were determined to retrieve it before Wooshik could get his hands on it.

The path led you through a series of winding corridors, each one more labyrinthine than the last. The air was thick with dust, the faint smell of decay, and strange, alien symbols carved into the walls.

Finally, you came to a large, circular chamber. In the center of the chamber was a pedestal, upon which rested a glowing orb. The sphere pulsed with an otherworldly energy, and a sense of awe washed over you and your friends as you gazed upon it.

“This must be it,” Suzy breathed, her voice filled with wonder.

Before you could touch it, a sinister chuckle echoed through the chamber. A figure emerged from the shadows, his form shrouded in darkness. Wooshik. His eyes glowed with a malevolent light. 

“So, you’ve finally found it,” he taunted, his voice dripping with venom. “But it is too late. The artifact is mine now. Thank you for finding it for me.” You glower at him, the links clicking into place that you were used. A pawn in his game to find what he had sought for years since his corruptness prevented him from knowing where to find it. 

Namjoon stepped forward, placing himself between you and the dark warlock, a former member of his coven. No one had seen hide nor hair of him since he disappeared a few years ago after absconding away with The Crimson Grimoire, an ancient tome containing dark magick. "Your schemes end here, Wooshik," he snarled, power crackling around his clenched fists.

Wooshik raised his hand, a wave of dark energy seeping from his palm. The air seemed to vibrate with the force of his malice as several more warlocks stepped out from the shadows behind him.

Namjoon's hand found yours, gripping tightly. You met his gaze and saw the grim determination etched into every line of his face. In that moment, you understood each other perfectly - no matter what came next, you would face it together.

As one, you grabbed your wands, power surging through you like a raging flood. Suzy, Yoongi, and Momo fell into formation beside you, their magicks intertwining with yours until the very stones trembled beneath your feet.

Wooshik's face contorted in a rictus of rage, his eyes twin pits of obsidian madness. "You cannot stop me!" he roared, his voice reverberating through the chamber. "I will tear the power from your broken bodies and ascend to godhood!"

"Never!" Namjoon gritted out. “We will fight you to our last breath!"

Wooshik raised his hands, dark energy coalescing around him. The ground beneath your feet began to crack and splinter, the ancient ruins groaning as if in agony.

Namjoon's eyes met yours, a wealth of understanding passing between you in that split second. You knew what needed to be done, the sacrifice that victory would demand.

“Fine. Go ahead and cosign your death certificates. I am destined for godhood, for glory eternal.”

You prepared to defend yourselves but weren’t ready for the immense power emanating from Wooshik. Before you could strike first, a wave of energy threw everyone to the ground, adding to the injuries on your already battered and bruised bodies.

Just as Wooshik was about to seize the artifact, a blinding light filled the chamber. Looking up, eyes squinting and hand thrown up to lessen the intense light, a figure stood before them, clad in shimmering robes and radiating an aura of pure power. It was the ancient guardian of the artifact, awakened from its slumber by Wooshik’s intrusion.

The guardian raised his hand, and a beam of pure energy shot forth from his palm, striking Wooshik with a devastating force and sending him flying backward.  

With a groan, Wooshik achingly moved to sit up. “This…is impossible,” he gasped, his once commanding voice reduced to a wheezing rattle. “I am destined for godhood, for glory eternal…”

Namjoon shook his head, grim satisfaction in his eyes as he watched his foe crumble before the guardian here to defend the obscure artifact. “Your only destiny is oblivion, Wooshik. You’ve sown nothing but suffering and ruin. Now, you’ll reap the consequences.”

Wooshik’s eyes bulged, his handsome face contorting into a mask of pure hatred. With a final, desperate howl, he lunged to his feet and rushed at your group, hands outstretched like claws seeking to rend and tear.

But his strength was spent, his power broken. Yoongi’s blade flashed in a silver arc, biting deep into the dark warlock’s chest. Wooshik staggered back, a look of almost comical surprise on his face as he glanced down at the blooming crimson stain.

Before Yoongi could strike the killing blow, the remainder of Wooshik’s men grabbed the injured foe and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

The guardian turned to the remaining witches and warlocks, his eyes filled with a serene light. He gestured towards the artifact, and a gentle, unseen force lifted it into the air. The orb hovered above the guardian for a moment, then descended into his outstretched palm.

“Take it,” the guardian encouraged, his voice echoing through the chamber. “It is yours to protect.”

With wide, blinking eyes, you took the mysterious artifact from the guardian’s hand. A wave of power surged through you, filling you with a newfound strength and determination.

The guardian faded away as you stepped away from the dais. You turned back to the group, your eyes meeting theirs. A silent understanding passed between you. All of you knew that this fight was far from over. 

🪄🪄🪄

Hours later, you all settled around a campfire, nursing your wounds.

Namjoon looked at you as you both stood off to the side near where your tents were set up—something unreadable flickering in the depths of his dark eyes. “Well, at least we managed to injure him gravely. That should buy us time to recoup and end him for good,” he rasped, his voice hoarse from shouting.

You nodded, your heart heavy with a mixture of relief and dread. The battle had been exhausting both physically and emotionally. You were unsure if you had the strength to face Wooshik again, especially not after almost losing today.

His large hands cupped your shoulders, gently running his palms down your arms. “You’ve been quiet.”

You looked up, sadness echoing in your eyes. “I’ve been thinking about what happened. About how close we came to losing.”

“I’m scared, too,” Namjoon admitted. “Scared that we won’t be able to stop Wooshik. Scared that we’ll all die.”

You reached up, pulling his hand from your shoulder and cupping it in yours. “We won’t die,” you reassured, your voice firm. We’re too strong, too determined.”

A small smile spread his plump lips. “You’re right. We are.” A flicker of hope returned to his eyes.

Slowly, almost hesitantly, Namjoon leaned down, his forehead coming to rest against yours. His breath ghosted across your lips, and a gasp caught in your throat, a sudden swell of emotion threatening to overwhelm you. The walls you had so carefully constructed, the barriers you had erected to keep him at a distance, crumbled in the face of his raw honesty.

"Namjoon, I..." Your words trailed off, lost in the depths of his gaze.

And then, before you could think and he could second-guess himself, he was kissing you. His soft and insistent lips pressed against yours with a desperate urgency, a need that mirrored the ache in your own heart. Your eyes fluttered closed, and you surrendered to the sensation, your hands tangling in his hair, pulling him closer.

The kiss was electric, a spark that ignited a fire within you. Years of tension, of unspoken longing, poured into that single, searing moment. You could taste the salt of his sweat, the coppery tang of blood, but beneath it all, there was something else: something sweet and intoxicating, a promise of what could be.

"Ahem." A pointed cough shattered the spell, and you jerked apart, your cheeks flushed and your heart racing.

Suzy, Yoongi, and Momo sat a few feet away, their expressions a mix of surprise, amusement, and concern. Suzy's eyebrows were raised, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. Yoongi's face was carefully neutral, but you could see the calculations whirring behind his eyes. And Momo... Momo looked torn. Her gaze darted between you and Namjoon with a flicker of worry in her eyes.

"Well, that was... unexpected," Suzy drawled, her voice laced with barely contained laughter.

You felt heat rising in your cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and defiance. "I... we..."

"It's not what you think," Namjoon said, his voice steady despite the tension in his shoulders. "We were just... caught up in the moment."

Yoongi's eyes narrowed, his gaze probing. "And what, exactly, is this moment going to mean for our mission? For our team?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. You swallowed hard, your mind racing. What did this mean? For you, for Namjoon, for the battle that lay ahead?

"It means," you said slowly, choosing your words carefully, "that we're stronger together. That we'll face whatever comes, side by side."

Namjoon nodded in silent affirmation. 

The peace you all had found as you rested, recouping from the long day,  for the night was short-lived. A sudden, searing pain lanced through your skull, driving you to your knees. Distantly, you heard Namjoon cry out and felt his hands on your shoulders as he, too, crumpled under the onslaught.

Images flashed behind your eyelids, vivid and disjointed. A towering citadel, wreathed in shadow. Wooshik, his face contorted in a rictus of mad triumph. And a figure, cloaked and hooded, standing at the dark warlock's side.

As abruptly as it had come, the vision receded, leaving you gasping and disoriented. Namjoon's face swam into focus above you, his eyes wide with concern and a reflection of the same haunted knowledge.

"What… what was that?" Suzy demanded, her voice shaking slightly as she helped Momo to her feet.

"A warning," you managed, your tongue thick and clumsy in your mouth. "Wooshik… he's not alone. He has an ally, someone powerful."

Namjoon nodded grimly, his hand finding yours and gripping tight. "I saw it too. A dark citadel and a figure in the shadows..."

Yoongi's brow furrowed. "Another warlock? Or something worse?"

You shook your head, frustration welling in your chest. "I don't know. But whatever it is, we're running out of time. We need to get back to the others and warn them."

Chapter Two

[skyfullofpods]

Random Podcast Recommendations Mega-List Part 1!

Updated: 07/12/23

Collected here in part 1 because tumblr has a limit of 100 links per post of my alphabetical list are the fiction podcasts from A-M I've recommended so far for my random podcast recommendations! Part 2 is here

A A Ninth World Journal Afflicted Aishi Online Alba Salix Among the Stars and Bones Apollyon Arden ars PARADOXICA

B Back Again, Back Again The Ballad of Anne & Mary The Beacon Believer Black Friday Breaker Whiskey The Bright Sessions

C CARAVAN Chaika Chain of Being Civilized Coexistence Come On In, The Water's Fine Copperheart Counterbalance

D Death by Dying Desert Skies Desperado Diary of a Space Archivist Dining in the Void Directive Do You Copy Dos: After You Down

E The Earth Collective Elaine’s Cooking for the Soul Electromancy The End of Time and Other Bothers Ethics Town Exoplanetary Everything is Alive

F Falling Forward Fan Wars: The Empire Claps Back The Far Meridian Fireside Folktales Folxlore Forgive Me!

G Gay Future Georgie Romero Is Done For Girl in Space The Goblet Wire Gone Great & Terrible Greater Boston Greenhouse

H Hallway to Nowhere Hand in Glove Harlem Queen Hauntingly Humdrum Hello From the Hallowoods Hi Nay Hit the Bricks Human Error

I Immunities InCo Inhale Inn Between In Transit

J Janus Descending Jar of Rebuke Joy to the World Jupiter Saloon

K Kalila Stormfire's Economical Magick Services Kane and Feels Keep It Steady The Kingmaker Histories

L The Last Echoes Less is Morgue Liars & Leeches Life On Pause Light Hearts LIMBO Lost Terminal Love and Luck

M Margaret's Garden Margaritas & Donuts The McIlwraith Statements Me and AU Mercury: A Broadcast of Hope Meteor City Middle:Below Moonbase Theta, Out

[itsbrucey]

Was thinking more about my monster au and if it would have substance or just be " the dads are monsters" and I realized it would be funny if they were monsters from the forgotten realms and got sucked into the normal world to find their sons. Their sons haven't fully hit " monster puberty" or some dumb shit yet so they blend in easier and the dads have to find them in mundane and safe places where they stick out.

Also it would be funny to find out that Henry wasn't always a Harpy but got adopted by harpies as a baby and he kinda. Got magicked into one. Even funnier if Jodie is a demon upon showing up but finds out he's human and has a magical girl transformation to be normal,,,

Also I'm still not over Selkie Ron like Lark cooked so hard with that. My little seal fella,,,, he winds up in an aquarium and had to pretend to be so incredibly normal but ends up stealing a herring bucket.

DIGS NAILS INTO ARMREST. Also Werewolf Darryl transforming by accident bc of emotion..... Naga Glenn trying to hide with dresses and coats ( it does NOT work).

[copiummaximum]

Upside-down Diaries AU: KIND of a role reversal au? Or kind of more like a 'morals reversal' au. Basically, bad guys are good guys and vice versa. I have more written out for this but it's late so, here's this for now.

Aphmau: Unlike the courageous and confident natural leader that Aphmau normally is, this version of Aphmau is apprehensive and cowardly, seeking to avoid conflict by hiding behind higher powers. In this version of events she has been made to be the figurehead lord of Phoenix Drop while the likes of Garroth, Zoey, and Laurance run the real show. She is aware of her magic capabilities but struggles to use them due to light-based magic requiring confidence as an energy source. While she was convinced to be the figurehead of Phoenix Drop for free food and shelter, she's quickly come to regret the decision as O'khasis prepares for a war and she struggles to pose as the charismatic leader she's supposed to be. She tries to run away several times, but finds herself trapped by all the people trying to use her for their own self interest. If given the opportunity, she'd likely sell everyone out if it meant she wouldn't have to deal with it anymore.

Garroth: In contrast to Garroth’s canon status of a runaway prince in hiding because he hates the idea of being a ruler in any capacity, this version of Garroth is a power hungry disgraced prince who was banished from O’Khasis for his vision of O'khasis conquering the entire Ru'an region and creating an empire. He was not welcome anywhere but Phoenix Drop, which was too small of a town to catch wind of the news of his true character. Garroth murdered the old lord (and later framed Zenix for it) in an attempt to take control over Phoenix Drop as part of his larger revenge plan, but once Aphmau came into Phoenix Drop he decided that nurturing a nobody with no reputation into a pawn would be better than trying to fix his own reputation.

Laurance: Unlike his charismatic and loyal counterpart, this version of Laurance is a selfish and antagonistic mercenary and petty criminal that is a living pest in Meteli. While he has a soft spot for Aphmau, money and material items speak to him above all other things. In this version of events, Laurance only went to the Nether to retrieve Aphmau and Castor because he was paid to ensure their safe return. He only became trapped inside the Nether during a confrontation with Shad's spirit going south. ((which only Aphmau was meant to confront, if you watch the OG episode,,,)) Laurance is still saved by Ungrth, but with no Lord or anyone he truly cares about, Laurance finds himself stuck in his premature Shadow Knight state. Laurance only joins the Phoenix Alliance because Garroth and Zoey promised that they would help him reach maturity in exchange for his use as a Shadow Knight.

Zoey: Similar to her original counterpart, Zoey was exiled from Ygraddsil, but for meddling with the dark side of her barrier magicks and causing a massive patch of Void Infection in the forest. Initially this Zoey was like OG Zoey, but the tragic and sudden passing of husband and son made her obsessed with finding a way to resurrect them. Not phased by her exile, Zoey used the opportunity to travel the world in her efforts to continue her research and studies of dark magic. Eventually she wound up in Phoenix Drop, where she could sense the dark magic used by Garroth from a mile away. Fascinated by his knowledge of the Divine Warriors and the makeshift dark magic he's had to generate with the limited information on dark magic in Ru'an, Zoey becomes Garroth’s black magick mentor under the condition that once he acquires the relics, that he helps Zoey bring her family back to life.

[ebbpettier]

AU where the humdrum gets pinocchio'd into a real boy (small young simon) and SOMEONE'S gotta raise him, so ... ruth. (originalsimon has complicated feelings by this child that may essentially be his son but is mostly his little brother who almost destroyed the magickal world)

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Guys, guys...

What about a Dark version of my The Last Animus AU?

Perhaps Reader was the last animus in their past life, but was killed by or were killed due to the adult platonic yanderes?

Maybe Reader was their adopted dragonet from a random egg they found or were given. Maybe Reader is their flesh and blood dragonet, but who inherited the magic or was magicked into being an animus by one. Maybe Reader was a mysterious hatchling given to them by an ex (friend, lover, enemy, etc. ). Either way, some of them had Reader with them since they were itty bitty, if not in the egg. And maybe they weren't always nice to Reader, or maybe they did care about them, but the moment they discovered they had magic... that they were an animus... They grew colder. Meaner. More dangerous and volatile than they were before. Yet Reader, for some reason, doesn't leave then or hurt them, even if the adults goad at them to do it. To prove how wicked they are. How dangerous and unnatural they are, for being an animus...

It comes to a head when Reader, when asked if they ever made a spell for the adult platonic yans or enchanted something for them, answers they did... Yet before they can say anything besides yes, they're driven out. Roared at and almost attacked as they try to explain themselves. Reader flees into the night/dawn, flying as far away as they can...

Yet the adults don't leave it at that. All of their worst fears about animus dragons, about Reader, were true... So with thundering wings they go to form a group of animus hunters, with the intent to stop the "monster" they didn't kill when they should have... It takes a few weeks, perhaps even a few months, to hunt down Reader. And it doesn't take but a few false kind words, a couple of hollow apologies and white-washed promises, to coax them out...

And it only takes a moment to send sharp chakrams through their wings, grounding them, while one of them delivers the killing blow, driving a long, sharp spear through their chest, impaling them into the cold earth below...

And all Reader can do is cry, laying there as their sobs and wails echo into nothing in the wide emptiness around them, their tears stinging their eyes and chest hurting with each breath and shiver... Their eyes burn, as they lay there in their final moments, realizing too late that they were never accepted... Never cared about... Never loved...

Their cracked sobs soon turn to gasping whimpers, and those too soon turn to fading sighs... And then they're gone...

And the world turns to H*ll.

The ground around them, stained and wetted by their blood and tears, freezes over, sharp spikes and crystals sprouting from the dirt, almost impaling several of the hunters. The very skies darken, the sun or moons blocked by shadowy clouds, as freezing rain and crackling hailstones crash around them. As the hunters start to panic, the earth starts to crack open, fissures forming and sending rocks tumbling into their inner chasms as the remaining dragons take flight, hoping to outrun the chaos all around them. Yet as they all separate, nothing gets better...

The adult platonic yans end up having to detour through a few kingdoms as they try to head back home, only finding chaos and terror everywhere they go. Entire cities on fire by blazing lightning... swathes and swathes of dead, rotting prey... Bloodied rivers and lakes, with frozen shores and burning water... And it only grows worse each passing moon cycle...

They eventually make it back home, sheltering inside to wait out what can only be considered the end of the world... And they're left with nothing else to do except look through their things, until they reach Reader's small cave/room/section... The small area is dark, until they light up a small lamp to shed light. They find well-loved scrolls and books, mostly fantasy, about happier lives and friendships and family... Worn blankets, curled up into a corner of the room, lined with almost every item Reader owned, be it a raggedy stuffed dragon or hand-made necklace or small wood and stone carvings... It feels... surreal, beinh in the room of their old child... Yet as they look further... they find hidden inside a carved-out book a small scroll... But written on the scroll are spells... spells made by Reader...

One to keep the adults' food warm until they eat it... One to keep their blankets warm at the perfect temperature... A few that protect their rooms and home from any accidents or disasters... Two that will alert Reader to when they are upset, and when it is safe for Reader to approach them... And at the bottom, written in scratchy letters, is a spell that makes it so the adults are unable to be mortally wounded or able to die an unnatural death...

And suddenly...

They realize they made the worst mistake of their lives.

They'd... They'd thought Reader was evil- they were an animus, they could do anything or make anything reality- they even admitted to enchanting them-!

But they didn't think for a minute that Reader had only used their magic to help them, had they? They hadn't even given then the benefit of the doubt. They'd... they'd just... yelled at them. Chased them off... And they even... They...

They feel ice creep down their spines, pain biting and clawing ooen their hearts and chests, strangling the words from leaving their throats...

They'd... killed... them.

They'd killed their own kid.

And whatever excuses or denial they had came tumbling and crashing down, breaking them thoroughly inside and out, leaving nothing but a shell of who they used to be.

They... they had helped murder their own dragonet. One they'd raised, who they'd known for their entire life-! They'd just, they'd- their talons- the screams- the wailing- dark ichor bubbling out- frozen dirt and burning skies and they were dead and its all their fault.

They leave, hoping to escape the new h*ll they'd created. Yet over the years, the decades... dragonets are born less and less. Eggs start coming out cracked, never to hatch. The kingdoms fall into chaos and fear as their world slowly dies around them... Until a discovery is made, kickstarting the first bit of hope anyone had had in ages: Animus touched items are unaffected by the deaths of the animi.

Bowls that double anything put in them; holes in the ice that always gives a seal to the hungry talons reaching down; spears that heal wounds; jewels that let others talk in their dreams; earrings of protection; armbands that summon real, fresh rain and storms; the list goes on and on, but one things is clear to everyone: Whatever an animus enchanted is unaffected by their deaths. Whatever those items do is not cursed or double-edged.

This gives rise to the cults.

They start small, dragons preaching about how the moons and spirits and great dragons have left them, abandoning them due to their greed and cruelty. That the animus dragons must have been their chosen ones. And now that they're all gone, they have started to kill their world. Dragons start praying, offering small items and begging forgiveness and making promises to never do such a sin again. And it only grows from there, as soon sacrifices are made, leaders are chosen for the cults, and each one starts to dedicate themselves to certain animus or to several, each writing down what was known about them and their life. Hymns and oaths are written down, soon chanted through the temples that rise from the ashes of the old world... And then the final act that starts to renew the world around them, starts to heal it:

The execution of those who used, hunted, or spread lies of the animi.

Greedy queens are ripped from their thrones, cast into the tearing talons of their subjects, who rend them limb from limb, out of anger and fear and desperation, for letting their greed and bloodthirstiness help bring down the dragons who'd served them faithfully. Animus hunters are soon the hunted, being brought back to the temples and either killed or converted, leaving nothing much either way. Any dragon who speaks ill of animi is disposed of or corrected, and this is how the new age begins...

It takes centuries before the first animus reincarnates.

The enchantment Reader made to keep them alive is the only reason the adults are still around, as they can't bring themself to take off the one thing they have left from them, the one last thing Reader did for them... They've had all of that time to grow, to change, to remake themselves and to start fixing the world around them. Perhaps they help dragons in need; perhaps they travel and share stories of Reader; maybe they even run their own temple or two, ones dedicated to their dragonet...

But when they find the new animus dragonets, as they slowly pop up over the different kingdoms...

They decide to raise them. To care for them. To accept then and love them and protect them, the way they should have all those many years ago...

It's lonely, waiting for the day that Reader will come back...

But they'd wait another thousand years if it meant they got to see them again, to apologize... To try and be a family as they should have been from the start... And they have plenty of siblings and other parents for Reader, don't they? Enough dragons and dragonets so they'd never be lonely or wanting for anyone... Just... please.... They beg their dragonet to come back... This time they'll do better, they promise...