#wowp fanfiction

[literally-noone83]

Learn to Take a Break

Justin Russo × Fem!reader

About: Justin is know for his intelligence and ceaseless academic success. As his girlfriend you have become mindful of when his "effortless efforts" become a little too much. You just hadn't realised he'd do the same for you...

Word Count: Short and sweet (in my opinion).

Warnings: None.

Author's Note: It's been too long. I have just finished exams and currently still working on outside projects. I already take a long time to write and with extra things on top, leisurely writing has been little to none. This Justin fic is an old one I wrote. I was going to do more with it but the scenario was small and I thought where it ended was fine; concise and sweet. So, why not post it. I have other fics lined up and started, hopefully I'll be able to finish a few of them over the weekends.

OK enjoy!

Justin always seemed to excell in everything with ease.

Wizarding homework? Done.

High school assignment? All good.

Extracurricular activities? All planned.

Secondary wizardry studies? On the job.

Yes, there were mornings—most mornings—he'd announce the immense importance of an upcoming task; exam, project, paper, competition and of its integral part I plays for him a student, a wizard, a student body president and most significantly, as himself. His parents would nod thoughtfully or sigh at their son's dramatisation though nevertheless glad. Max would be clueless, until Alex makes her groan or snide comment diminishing the entire fiasco and then he'd agreeing.

You knew this was the routine. It was just how things worked. But when lucky enough to be present, bored enough to have shown up just a little bit earlier just to see him and walk with him, you'd ask what's it about. Whether he told you with lit eyes or stressed creased over his complexion, you'd grab his hand discretely in front of his family—always a little shy from public affection—gliding your thumb over his knuckles before assuring him it'll be great...

Becoming his girlfriend, you've been allowed to see different sides to the perfect Russo member.

Despite the prestine and perfect image he's built himself, and despite true to his confident and at time self righteousness, to get there was built of stress and the crippling fear of failure.

The hours he'd spend quizzing himself had worried you the moment you found his asleep at his desk, palm cards stuck to his face. At most times, you'd notice he'd get so caught up in a particular project fixation he'd forget to eat in spite of his advocacy for healthy balances. One day building a diorama of a play and you visited to hang out, a casual question of what he had to lunch revealed he hadn't even eaten a proper meal all day—frighteningly casual and perpetually distracted. There were times you'd have to spend a large amount of time at the edge of his bed reminding him—face down on his pillow, wallowing after a day of outrage and devastation—that a B is still great!

Justin wasn't a child, he could mane his own decisions and his drive and ambition is admirable. But it grew as a habit; anytime you'd notice he was a little too focus on a task, meaning hasn't moved in hours kinda focus—his eyes narrowed, brows forever wrinkled tightly, lips thin or a tongue poked out in concentration—you found a small peck on the cheek brought him back. Soft and quick, the small action made him sit back or hum to let you know he's still conscious. Gently asking him how's he going, to remind him of the present. Not to push so hard or be so constraint on himself.

Almost second nature. When you'd rant to him about something that happened that day, the weird interaction with some stranger, or the banter with his siblings, or some frivolous topic or hobby you wanted to vent about your fascination with it—when you realised he'd gone silent. Without even meaning to, he'd drift off on something bugging him or weighing on his mind, you'd approach him casually before pecking him, "What are you thinking about?" you'd whisper. He'd always blink a few times before answering. Quick to apologise and explain. Other times you'd walk in on him studying or what not and you'd duck down to him and plant one on him. "Have you taken a break yet?" and he'd lie before giving in from the innate guilt then promising he would in about 10 minutes.

His vacant, distant eyes, he always appeared to be in a different world. So vastly out of reach from you, at some point you believed he hadn't even noticed you were doing this. You thought he couldn't even feel your lips. He probably didn't even notice.

Late afternoon, the sun hung low. The rays if sunset, it's warmth slowly seeped out from the windows. Drawing away from your never moving figure on the couch. The loss of light prompted the dawning of loss fall over your mind and stomach. The day was coming to a close and it churned your insides painfully.

You had an assignment you had to finish. You were never as pedantic or forward as Justin, so today was the day you spent majority of sun light working on it. It always took longer than it ever needs to be, and it didn't help that time was clearly escaping you.

Hasty steps to the light switch to grant sight, hasty steps back amidst all the papers and text books laid over the coffee table and floor.

Suddenly the door clicked open. It was Theresa and Jerry, Mrs Russo bantering this time about the very questionable hygiene of her husband after witnessing him eat a chip from the ground. Of course, realising your presence they chimed a polite 'Oh hey Y/n' before resuming in the kitchen. Max walked in joyed to see you, glad informing you of some new strange encounter he had with some stranger—made a bet with some guy in a fast food mascot suit and now he's his 'mortal enemies' he plans to show up with his own hot dog costume. Alex and Harper wondered it, only for Alex to groan at your studious state, 'ugh not you too', accompanied by the red head's unrelenting chipper greeting, before following her friend to grab a snack.

Last was Justin. You heard his voice you missed too much to say—he was eager to see you, going about how in their wizard lesson he had progressed another level, his joyous one upping on Alex and so on. You could only hum as you did with the others, eyes still strained on your paper, your hand still cramped from continuously running the led along the page. He stopped, noticing your distance.

"Y/n, have you... been doing this all day?"

Sat on the couch, he stared at the back of your head, just catching your answering hum.

"Babe," he said seriously, leaning forward to see your face, "have you even taken a break?"

Your small pause before making another noise, he already knew that meant you hadn't.

He stood up to walk around you, "You need to have periodic increments of rest, or you'll exhaust yourself." He said mindfully, picking up a strayed textbook.

You scoffed at him, and he looked at you. Eyes still gliding over the blocks of texts, chaste and frantic cross-checking as you wrote. "So hypocritical." You said loud enough for him to hear and Justin rolled his eyes admittedly.

He closed the book and placed it down. He carefully shuffled some books out of the way, conscious in making sure you still can see the pages you left open. Then moved to sit beside you on the floor, criss crossed, his knee nudges yours softly. Justin waits. He looks back at his family too absorbed in their own conversations before resting on your concentrating self. Brows furrowed, thined lips and darting distant eyes. You're stressed, you're tired. He could see it, he could feel it.

He leans in close, and his breath fans your face and his lips are pressed against your cheek softly. His ever so fleetingly gentle his lips is sudden against your skin and your pulled from your work. He moves away just enough to see your face, "You're right, I am." He's smug, smiling as he finally greets your gaze. "But someone told me it's not good to push yourself so hard."

You wiped your cheeks and let out a breathy laugh to cover up your redness. The method was much more effective than you thought. "They sound smart."

"She is, very smart. But she's also tired and stressed."

As his voice grew serious you finally faced him. He was centimetres apart, and each of you let your eyes dance around your complexions, soaking in your presence.

"Didn't realise how effective that..."

"It's very effective."

The chatter in the background, the aroma of the beginning of dinner. It felt like a blanket was over the two and you couldn't help but indulge in just being there with him. A long awaited break—the hole in your chest seemed to relent, dissipating as you drank in his warmth. So this is how it felt. You didn't realise how much you needed it till that moment with him.

"I missed you."

The peaks of his lips tugged, smiling at you as his eyes landed briefly on your lips.

"Me too." He said before connecting his small smile to yours.

[becauseitsyouandi]

i have been wanting to do a Jalex edit with Wildflower for so long but then my computer broke. dont ask me what the common thread between these clips are.. the bounces in WOWP timeline in these clips is craazy. i was really basing this all on vibes and vibes alone

anyways anyways my general vibe for this edit when i made it is that Justin is sad and pining waaah. if you've read the AMAZING (legitimately life-altering) fanfic "OTP" by Save vs. Magic, I kept thinking of when Justin writes fanfiction to work through his complicated feelings for Alex (you really need to read this if you haven't, it's amazingly written)

tw for mason's face sorry. love Gregg, but the fact that the show's main love interest for Alex was a 300+ year old werewolf that hung around a high school and dated her when she was 16 is craaazy. (yes--same with Juliet) i think we're supposed to suspend disbelief (one would say WOWP is perhaps a childrens show. idk about that tho), buuut talk about a literal wolf in sheep's clothing !!?? mason greyback u are a predator fr. i didnt even like Malex when i was growing up, they were so toxic

[xxxangelstormxxx]

The Wizard Files

I just dipped back into writing fanfiction with a request/prompt fic for Wizards of Waverly Place! This is my first time writing for this fandom, and although I haven't seen the new show yet, just hearing about it brought me back to this beloved childhood show.

[browneyesandhair]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Wizards of Waverly Place Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Harper Finkle/Alex Russo, Jerry Russo/Theresa Russo, Marty Finkle/Elaine Finkle Characters: Alex Russo, Harper Finkle Additional Tags: You’re telling me there are only 6 stories in the Alex Russo/Harper Finkle tag?, Grammarly said this is ok to post, lol, #wowp, #harperandalex Summary:

Harper was stuck with Justin. And, Justin was fine. There was nothing inherently wrong with Justin. He just wasn’t Alex. That was it. Well, he got on her nerves. Justin refused to believe in the best of Alex, and Harper couldn’t understand how someone so smart could miss the obvious. Alex was absolutely incredible.

[fanfic-lover-girl]

To be blunt, the Wizards of Waverly Place fandom is so disappointing. WOWP is no Harry Potter, but you would assume that the fanfics based on a show about magic (with so many plotholes and lore issues ripe for the picking) would offer more than incest plots.

Why are there so many Jalex stories?! Where are my fantastical plots about the wizarding world? Where are the insane time travel stories? Where are the fun, random, crazy plotlines about weird events like character A being trapped in character B's mind or something?

I have read more interesting plotlines from Suite Life! Seriously! Although...the twincest over there is strong as well. Ugh.

[angelsafez]

ABOUT ME

— 23y, born and raised in Portugal

HOGWARTS HOUSE: Slytherin; Ravenclaw is my second house.

ASTROLOGY:

Sign: Aquarius

Moon: Leo

Rising: Scorpio

MBTI TYPE: INTJ

FAVORITE COLOR: I don't have one, I believe it depends on my humor; but more usually than not is a dark cold color.

FAVORITE FOODS: 'Bacalhau à brás', 'Cozido à Portuguesa', Russian Salad, Bolognese and Carbonara

FAVORITE DESERTS: I've a sweet tooth, so I like the majority; but I'd say my favs – at the moment – are 'Bola de Berlin', 'Pastel de Nata', Mille-feuille, strawberry cheesecake and well-made macaroons [not even worth it to mention ice-cream, tell me a person who can have it and doesn't like it?]

FAVORITE DRINK: 7up/Sprite, lemonade, water [forbidden of having caffeine due to health issues]

FAVORITE APPS/WEBSITES: AO3, YouTube, Instagram, Tumblr, Tiktok, Pinterest [rip twitter]

FAVORITE ANIMAL: Felines – especially cats, they are so 🥺 –, Puppies – can't have cuz my cats are very territorial especially one of the female ones –, Horse, Bunnies...

TV SHOWS/MOVIES WATCHED BEFORE: TVD, Lucifer, OBX, HP, WOWP, W.I.T.C.H., Winx Club, Riverdale... [so yah, I normally just jump right into fanfiction & don't lose my time in the canon]

FAV TAGS ON AO3: depends of the show/movie and/or ship; enemies to lovers, age gap, older man/younger woman [if the couple is the type 'he will kill for her' or 'he hates everyone, except her' even better] ...

COMFORT FICS:

If You Could See What I See by minnimoi [SBxHG]

Marriage Act of 1998 by maisey2k10 [OWxHG]

MUSIC

— it's not cuz I like a singer/band, that I am a fan of them or I like them as a person, I might not even follow them in a personal basis.

Fav Genre: Apop, Reggaeton, Funk; speedup remixes

Fav Singers: Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Maluma, J Balvin, Halsey...

Fav Bands: Maneskin, 1D, Little Mix, 5H

Fav Songs: 'Beautiful Liar' by Beyonce & Shakira [spedup remix]; 'Human' by Rag'n'Bone Man; 'All of Us' by Labrinth & Zendaya [those are the ones that I'm more obsessed nowadays, there's more of course but I'd say these 3 are the MAIN ones]

I believe that's all, leave a comment if you think I forgot anything else.

Have a good day, with love...

ღ Viicktoria ♡

[alwaysrunningoutoftime]

On The Mount of The Universe (Justin Russo/Alex Russo)

Picture this: a girl and a boy stand at the mount of the universe. So high, only clouds coloured in hues of purple greet them.

(The idea came to me when I listened to August 21, 2017: Total Solar Eclipse - Sleeping At Last for the first time. A transcending song that just kept building and felt very monumental.)

Playlist:

Arctic - Sleeping at Last August 21, 2017: Total Solar Eclipse - Sleeping At Last Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso OST: 18 - Yuujin A kun wo Watashi no Bansousha ni Ninmei Shimasu

[jalexshipping]

Today’s Jalex fic rec

[discreetkitty]

Jalex (Alex x Justin from WOWP)

How many people shipped Alex and Justin from Wizards of Waverly Place?

[adriansboyfriend]

I really need more fanfiction for Mason. He’s so under appreciated! I started rewatching WoWP and forgot how much I loved him. 🥺

[mrs-n-uzumaki]

So of course I decided to get into the fandom when it’s long over.

But I don’t care I’m having a blast writing this with my friend. To summarise, I’m setting this fic during adulthood (their 20s) and basically I’m splitting the story into many arcs (like in an actual series), hence why I couldn’t give this fic a specific title - I thought about adding “All Grown Up” to it but it sounded like rugrats.

Read it, don’t read it, whatevs.

but if you do read it please review thaaaaaanks :)

[literally-noone83]

A Wish to Stay this Close Forever

Justin Russo × Fem!reader

Word count: 1k ish

Warnings: None! Just fluff, essentially comfort fic after a long day.

Author's note: Sup losers. Kinda have a current fixation on wowp, and I realised it's kinda dry on tumblr fics in the wowp fandom. So I'm going to fix that. Yes this is about Justin, No idc if you don't like him, this is my blog. Have a nice day <3

The day was long and arduous. The sun hung low and the streets of Waverly place was lessened with people. Day stores were closing, some waving your way in nice greetings from a familiar face, others were just opening for the night noise.

You've walked this path more times you can count. Passing the small park you used to spend time chasing the Russo kids as a child; giggles echoe distantly. It was also emptied.

The school bag weighed on your shoulders. Heavier and heavier by the minute. Years of high school, carrying these books so many times walking with Justin and Alex. Running early in the morning rush, accidentally slept in, as did poor Justin enduring the consequences of indulging your antics and studying late at night. You walked by one of his study post cards still wedged in a bring wall from when he dropped his stack in attempt to revise on the way. It was stained and dirtied now. 

The sub station came into view, it's front door signed "closed". Pushing through the doors, you were gladly met with Thereasa cleaning, "We're closed!" her stern voice rang only to switch at your appearance, "Oh, hey sweetie." You gave her a meek smile. Your sluggish step, your wordless greeting, Theresa has known you nearly as long as she's raised her own kids, instantly she knew and awed at your tired state. She stopped mopping momentarily, "he's upstairs on the couch, preparing for his essay competition."

You pulled a thumbs up gratefully. Heading towards the twirling stairs, Max came down.

"Y/n! just the cool person I needed to talk to. I was thinking of a new sandwich name for my triple bacon, fudge-" you interrupted his ramble with a affectionate ruffle of his head, before moving up the stairs right past him.

You heard his mother explain 'she's tired, Mijo, she'll talk to you later'.

Up and up, your mind was blank. Drained of all energy from the afternoon classes you took. Today was particularly harder, and all that remained lingering in your head was the thought of resting with him.

Heavier feet sounded before you, and as you guessed it was Jerry. He was always sweet, just like Theresa, they posed as second parents to you really. And instinctively he asked, "What's going on with you kiddo? looking a bit flat." You hummed at him and he smiled sympathetically. He knew, just like his wife. And he let you pass without a fuss. "He's in the kitchen, but watch out him and Alex might be arguing."

You let out a small breathy chuckle, because of course they would be.

The door seemed so far away. Reaching it felt like touching gold, twisting the knob and pulling it open. The gust of air brushed your face, inhaling the smell of familiarity and warmth inside this apartment, this home you've visited and at times practically lived in for years.

Alex's muffled voice became clear. The snarkiness starkly interwoven in her speech, the certain type of sadistically yet playful jeer in her tone that you knew all too well, but you supposed Justin who typically lay victim knew it best.

His back was towards you. Sat on the couch with all his text books laid open, pens and highlighter all over the table top with balls of scrunched up 'failed' or 'flawed' attempts at his perfect essay on the floor. You could hear his voice but not his words, noticing the way he gestured hands at Alex as he normally did when irritated by her; arguing with a pen in his hands, dancing between narrowing his eyes at her or hunchinh over his piece of paper.

Zeroing in on his presence, a beacon of a safe haven, a long overdue surrender into comfort, your aching shoulders dropped in its true exhaustion. Slipping your bag off your back, it fell with a thud. It caught the Russos attention, only moments before.

"Well you can stop whining, your girlfriend is here." Alex said.

"What? I dont have-"

Justin could only assume Alex was either referring to Harper, Zeke or- suddenly, Justin felt hands snake around his torso firmly, gentle hands he unmistakeably knew was your's. He felt your body laid against his, leaning into his frame; face pressed into his upper back, chest against his lower as your arms after a quick squeeze loosened into a comfortable hold. Face surely smushed, hair in a disarray, your exasperated breath heated a spot on his skin.

All at once, it was like all muscle tension released. Every bad thought expelled. And ounce of strength that upkept her stature, fell away, and he could feel you slowly sink into him.

Turning his head to the side, trying to see your face, he asked "Hey when did you get here?"

You hummed, before mustering up a few words. "It's me, not zeke."

You heard Alex's giggle burst out—your reliable audience member to every Justin tease you gave.

You felt him snap his head, surely glaring towards his little sister before rolling his eyes at you.  

"Still so funny after a full day's work huh," he commented and you smiled against the felt of his plaid shirt. "Just for you," you mumbled and Alex was quick to gag in the background.

"Well you two lovebirds have fun. Enjoy your Justin Hug day, Y/n." Her teasing voice wafted away along with her clicking heels up to her room. Justin seethed at her suggestiveness, only for her to wave before the sound of her door slamming shut.

"She's insufferable."

"You don't mean that."

"Whatever..."

Letting silence prevail, you imagined he resumed his study, his dedication at work. However, his hand had glided over your arms comfortingly. Soothing you with one hand, his soft fingertips trailed up over your knuckles, intertwining fingers gently.

He whispered, "Long day?"

"Yea..." you responded just as softly.

"Mrs Thompson rowdy like before?"

"Just the usual."

He hummed.

"You ok?"

You paused, and your silence made him tilt his head to the side in worry, gently egging on your words.

"...tired." your voice grew smaller.

Justin waited for a moment. "Want to talk about it?" he asked seriously but you didn't answer. Instead he felt your face shift against his shoulder blade as you shook your head for 'no'. He knew it wasn't the time. And so he breathed out an 'ok', squeezing your hand in reassurance that it's alright, it can wait. 'You can rest'.

Situations like this with Justin happened occasionally.

Ever since you were little kids, maybe it was due to age or the fact you made a particularly closer connection to Justin first, but when you were mad, sad or scared you always gravitated to the little boy. And vice versa. There was photos Mr and Mrs Russo kept of you and Justin holding hands whenever you were in a crying fit or Justin was petrified from little things like a bug crossing the pavement.

Continued to stay attached to the hip, while childish affections like that dialed down growing up, high school was vastly different. Years of venturing their own paths while still knowing each other, some things just got a little too difficult to handle on their own. It took a few pivotal moments of breakdowns unintentionally witnessed and relationship dilemmas to evoke the necessity of simple hug. There was solace they could only find in each others company which they realised they subconsciously needed.

And so, on the days things were getting a little too overwhelming or tiresome, they sought the other out. The rest of the family caught on; Theresa thought it was adorable, reminiscent on younger days, while after overcoming the initial stage of embarrassment, Alex and Max enjoyed teasing the two about it. At the sight of a tired Justin or Y/n, they were directed to the other. Alex would frequently hush an angered Justin with a 'looks like someone needs a Y/n-huggy' or Max, when he could, would bombard the two with a thrid-wheeling cuddle. 

You indulged the two, teasingly embracing the angered Russo for a laugh, or moving to squeeze the youngest with an indulgent hug as asked. Justin was also too flushed in the face annoyed by them to do otherwise.

But on this rare occasion, they were left alone. And you thanked the wizarding Gods for it, because today... you really needed it.

On the rarest occasion, you noted, Justin's right hand never left yours. Instead of letting go and busying himself with the luxury of both hands, he held yours, settling for just one as he worked. Nonchalantly rubbing his thumb over your skin, he soothed your thoughts.

The constant action made your heart soar un-admittedly, causing you to bury your face into his shirt even more. 

He stopped his movements and small minstrations, "Do you want to go to bed? I'm going to be here for a while so-" 

"No no, please. I'll stop moving, I promise."

"Y/n, are you sure?"

"I promise," you affirmed.

Staring down at your hands that momentarily grew a little tighter in persistence, an irresistible smile slipped onto his lips. Silently glad thay you didn't want to leave him just yet.

Because he didn't want you to leave either.

[becauseitsyouandi]

"there's a bull and a matador dueling in the sky. inhale, in Hell there is Heaven" Solo, Frank Ocean

i have made 2 edits now this past week on the movie.. can't help it all these tiktok trending audios are so wowp movie-coded.. IMO Justin is looking at Alex's lips in the last frame hehe LOL

[becauseitsyouandi]

"He don't care for me, but he cares for me." --Nikes, Frank Ocean

IDK if anyone has seen this edit trend floating around tiktok but this really feels like pre-Jalex to me. 8/4--- REMADE because geesh that was horrendous and this is only mildly less horrendous but its enuff

[becauseitsyouandi]

im 98% sure i already posted this but i have no idea if it was taken down or i deleted it... anyways song: "things to do" by Alex G.

i feel so bad for these kids </3

i like in Jalex fanfictions where Alex worries that she didn't really 'set the world 100% right' when her and Justin get closer in season 3/post movie. also the theme where Justin is the only person besides Alex to really remember how traumatic that entire plot was. Alsoooo when Alex and/or Justin start to feel more romantic feelings for the other in the rainforest because they're losing their memories. I love the WOWP movie so so much for all the scenarios that could be created with it

[alwaysrunningoutoftime]

(Pictures: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9)

Your Friendly Neighbourhood, Wizard. (Alex Russo/Justin Russo Fanfiction)

Prologue

Pairing: Superhero! Alex Russo x Justin Russo, Slowburn.

Genre: Action, Humour,  Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Romance

Warnings: mild/explicit language, Injuries, sisterxbrother.

Set: After Season 4x10 "Wizards Vs. Angels" (Which is somewhat heavily involved in both Alex and Justin’s separate storylines.) + “Back to Max”.

Est. Length: 8 Chapters.

Summary: After defeating the dark angels, Justin continues to teach his delinquent class unconsciously suppressing his guilt over the ramifications of the moral compass. Simultaneously, Alex unconventionally stumbles into a superhero gig. Inept and unprepared, great power and an even greater burden is placed on her shoulders. Bothered by his sisters reoccurring absence, Justin determinedly investigates her distant behaviour. Meanwhile, Alex is forced to face a truth she’d always buried, discovering it unwillingly from a formidable powerful being she will have to defeat.

Disclaimer/Author's Note: I’ve been brainstorming this fic probably since quarantine started. It’s mostly inspired by Spiderman! Into the Spiderverse, Holland! Spiderman and Garfield! Spiderman. As well as the looks and feel of DC Comic’s Raven and Marvel’s Scarlet Witch. Other inspirations include music from Birds of Prey, On My Block, Euphoria. All of which I do not own. In addition, I sadly do not own Wizards of Waverly Place.

However, Alex’s origin story is wholly my own that I personally thought up myself (so let’s hope it’s believable) and if it correlates with any other superhero storyline it’s purely coincidental. The OC’s are also obviously my own creation.

“Do you know why you’re here, Alex Russo?”

“Ummm…” Alex backed up at the man's intense stare. She was pretty sure he was going for intimidation, but it fell short landing right on uncomfortable. “Not really…”

“Well, young lady,” His words were layered thick with haughtiness. Alex had just met the man today and she already knew she disliked him. “It seems you were part of a riot in central park.”

“No…” She narrowed her eyes at him, shook her head, even elongated the word in an attempt to get it through his thick skull. “I was trying to get home.”

She was actually trying to find her wand, but he didn’t need to know that. The wand that Rosie and Gorog decided to fling off the dark realm tower.  The detailed image of it glowing magic in the night sky as it twirled to its doom stayed seared to the front of her mind. She could even hear her own cry for it as everyone watched it go. My wand.

“So what were you doing in Central Park?” Right after returning the moral compass she searched Central Park assuming it had landed there. Key word: assuming. It was hard to calculate where objects falling off towers landed. For her, it was hard to calculate in general.

“A girl can’t go to one of New York City's finest parks just for the fuc- fun of it.” She replied with a smile, catching herself before she swore. It was just her luck to get the arrogant, novice, goody-two-shoes, by-the-book cop. They didn’t enjoy it when she did that.

“And you just happened to be hanging out with an enraged mob?” He asked mockingly. Okay so...she did get mixed up in a riot. Which wasn’t her fault. She was too focused at the task at hand to pay any attention to the crowd of screaming people she had walked through. What was more concerning was that one of those fuckers was stepping all over her wand, or worse one of them had already snapped its cherry redness in two.

“I wasn’t hanging out with them-”

“Yeah, instead you were disturbing the peace and provoking assaults.” Alex had to stay low to the ground for any sign of her wand which perhaps caused a few people to accidentally trip over her. There was also a minor possibility that her assertive bumping into others unintentionally started some fights. This all lead to Richard here (according to his desk tag), cuffing her and bringing her to the NYPD Central Park precinct. Meaning her wand had been left behind, defenceless against the grimy boots of crabby New Yorkers...if it was even there to begin with.

“How do you disturb the peace in a riot?” Alex fired back.

“Ms. Russo, you’ve had a record since you were twelve.” He said, abruptly switching topics and ignoring her. Rude much. To prove his point he made a show of flailing her folder around. It was a decent size for her age, Alex inwardly complimented herself. The first crime listed there was in summer 2004, when she sold those fake broadway tickets to unsuspecting tourists. That summer was a blast: hundreds of ice cream sandwiches and magazines.

“This behaviour is to be expected.” He finished. Alex suppressed an eye roll, this dude was getting on her nerves. Yes, she had a few run ins with the cops, but that didn’t mean she was always guilty of doing something vaguely illegal. Ever since she became a wizard, she'd barely caused any trouble with the mortals, Alex commended herself. Her last record was a good year ago, with a little vandalism and conning going under the radar but that was it. In their eyes, she could have set herself straight since then. Which she did.

What happened to the benefit of the doubt, what happened to believing people could change. Screw him and his patterns. And screw her wand for not being in Central Park. Now she’d have to buy a new one she sulked, slouching lower in the hard chair.

“I don’t like your attitude, Missy.” He said, noting her behaviour. ”Kids these days, not respecting the police.”

Oh my gosh, I just wanna go home. Richard Owens (what a lame name) continued typing at his computer, probably adding ‘riot starter’ to her record. He’d been holding her here for an hour now, still trying to gather evidence and witness accounts to file in her record. So far he had zero, zip, nada, not a single thing. Since everyone's memory seemed to be fuzzy, which she guessed was due to the moral compass.

Alex was annoyed at him and his cockiness. Annoyed at this hard chair that was making her butt fall asleep. Annoyed at the amount of people in this room, and how overly hot it. Would it kill them to crack open a window or turn up the air conditioning.

“Is that you, Alex Russo?” A woman said, approaching the desk. Oh finally her saviour.

“Wassup, June!” Alex grinned up at Song Namjoo, or June, as Alex called her. Much to Namjoo's displeasure. Not so much the name as it was Alex being an annoying little shit.

“What’d you do now?” She asked, placing a hand behind Alex’s chair, leaning forward to scan over the computer. The woman had her hair pulled down into its signature low bun, not a hair out of place. Her pristine police sergeant uniform was pressed to perfection with not a single crease, something Justin would greatly admire.

“No way, June you passed your Police Sergeant Exam!” Alex exclaimed. “You look dope.” She nodded in approval.

“Yeah.” June modeled for a second, before straightening her posture. “Passed about six months ago.”

“Well congratulations.” Alex smiled, genuinely proud. June was her life saver, and lowkey pain in her ass. Wherever she caused a ruckus (exclusively non magical) June would shortly be there. June had stopped a lot of unwanted things from going on her record, and also had a way of calming down Jerry and Theresa when they threatened to send her to the military. On the other hand, it's like she had some sort of Alex specific third eyes always managing to catch her in the act. Plus, her lectures were lengthy and boring and she didn't even allow Alex the option to sleep through them. In a way, she was Justin, if he were in the police force and was, you know, a Korean woman.

She shivered at the thought. Sure, Justin saved her a few too many times but that was because he was her brother. June was altruistic, she held herself with poise and grace. Like a cool aunt who'd let you off the hook halfway then let you decide for yourself the rest of the way. Besides, June was high-key a badass and Justin still cried over 'Mantooth'.

She felt a light pinch on her arm, automatically ready to shout 'POLICE BRUTALITY!' catching herself as she connected eyes with June.

June subtly raised an eyebrow in question towards Alex as if to say ‘What did you do now?’ Alex shrugged in response, her face saying ‘I’m innocent I swear’. June in turn gave her a half believing/ half disbelieving expression, before rolling her eyes. Which was always code for ‘Fine, I believe you’. After knowing June for a good 5 years they'd learned to read each others facial expressions pretty well. It helped with her record, it definitely helped with the parents.

“Okay really Richard a riot starter.” June stared at the man with clear judgement on her face. “Leave the girl alone. We have bigger things to worry about then a riot starter.”

“Oh, like what, June?” Richard goaded. First he disrespects Alex, and now June. Alex doesn’t know a lot of things she will admit, but she picked up on workplace professionalism. To begin with June was a higher ranking officer meaning she was above him. And Richard said her name without its formal title, displaying a lack of respect. Alex watched as June’s expression turned perplexed, or more accurately her ‘bitch, what did you just say?’ look. Alex wished she had popcorn now and a comfy chair.

“First of all, that is Sergeant Song to you Richard. Secondly, maybe you’ve been on desk duty for too long but we’re dealing with a lot more than riots.” June started. This was gonna be good. “There have been innumerable cases of aggravated assaults, burglaries, thefts, property crimes, arsons, and attempted murders. The crime rate has exponentially increased on this day alone. It’s worst than the 80s, Richard.” As the venom dripped from June’s mouth, Alex was quickly realizing what truly happened this night. “Every precinct in New York is packed to the brim and every hospital too. There are more citizens than staff members. And to top it off, a lot of these people had no previous record before this night. No explanation why they would do this and barely any remembrance of what they did. Not even a full moon could explain this utter fuckery!” She exclaimed, motioning around the precinct.

Alex cringed, knowing exactly what had caused this, or more accurately who. She didn’t realize how serious turning that moral compass was. It had only felt like a game of tug a war with her brother like what they did as kids. She even played around with him, tricking him into thinking he had broken the thing so she’d gain the upper hand. When they were flying above the dark realm tower, pulling and pushing they felt so far removed from the world. It was literal child’s play, no throwing punches, no broken bones just like a high school grip test.

But, she could see the damage they caused now. The place was overfilled with people. At each desk, in the cells, standing around. Some bleeding out, others with lost expressions on their faces, the ones she couldn’t even look at were the people crying. All these people had done something bad or suffered because of it. All because that moral compass pointed in the wrong direction a little too long.

“And out of everyone in that riot you chose the person farthest from the action, a clear bystander.” Alex wanted to laugh bitterly at that, if only these people knew just how involved she really was in this. If only they knew their desire to do good relied on a floppy arrow on a disk. But, she’d never tell them this, she’d let people continue to believe they had a bigger choice in their lives. That’s what she had to do as a wizard. As long as it saved her ass. As long as it didn’t affect her.

“So yes Richard there are bigger things than a 17 year old girl.”  June finished. The room was completely silent, all eyes staring at Richard. It was so quiet Alex could hear the sound of Richard’s ego deflating like a balloon, saw his face turning as red as a tomato until he resembled a sheepish boy who had just been scolded by his mom in front of all his friends. She couldn’t even take pleasure in his pain, now faced with her own mistakes.

Ha, take that dick. She tried to lighten her spirits. Cause like dick is the nickname for Richard. It didn’t work that well.

And…

Richard let her go, with no new record of ‘inciting a riot’, all thanks to June and how she completely dragged him through the mud.

June walked her to the front door of the precinct, stopping at the door.

“Okay bye Alex. I wish I didn’t have to say this…” June said, taking a deep breathe and closing her eyes to ground herself. “See you soon.” She gave a fake smile.

“You know me so well June. I’ll be sure to bring my best stuff next time, though.” Alex replied back keeping her humour up. She was still a little unsettled at the amount of people she saw on her way out.

“Aha.” June laughed drily, clearly not amused. “Stay in school, kid." And then she was pushed out of the building.

Just as Alex took her first steps away from the precinct, "Hey! The streets are worse tonight, stay safe Alex.” June shouted before shutting the door.

Alex looked back, a sigh heavy on her lips. She composed herself, her mood quickly lightening at the prospect of going home. Which meant her bed, which meant lying down, which meant sleep.

She wouldn’t walk of course. Use magic, definitely. If someone thought she was gonna walk home, they were sadly mistaken.

Looking around to see if anyone was watching she backed into the nearest alley.

“Woah, watch out kid!-”

She was pushed with brute force into the alley wall. Are you kidding me? She smacked right into the bricks, her elbows preventing her face from getting smashed. Hadn’t she been jostled enough today. She stiffened as she felt a bolt of magic graze past her, causing the hairs on her arms to stand up.

Wait a minute… Magic? There was a wizard.

She turned around to see a woman in a Kevlar black suit push a man further into the alleyway. The woman threw a punch to the man’s face, a crackle of blue magic extended through her fist causing the man to crash into the wall.

“What the fuck.” Alex whispered. She must have actually hit her head because this couldn’t be real.

The woman turned to Alex, her dark blue boxer braids swinging with the movement. A mask covered half her face, but all Alex could see were her eyes glowing blue in the dark, as if rimmed with the magic. “Leave, now-“

“Watch out!” Alex screamed back, seeing the man getting up already. A bright pulse of white magic extended through his fingertips towards the masked woman, who quickly ducked dodging it, giving a swift kick to the man's stomach.

He was thrown off balance, long enough for the woman to turn to Alex shooting a burst of blue magic into her direction.

Alex brought her hand in front of her as if to stop it. Was this woman trying to kill her? She closed her eyes, ready for impact.

Then opened them to silence and a vast space of whiteness. She was in the wizard portal. The masked lady had teleported her here.

So, the blue magic lady was a wizard and a superhero…and people were still being bad even after the moral compass was returned.

Alex thought about it for a moment. Then with a shrug of her shoulders she brushed it off, beginning to walk to the lair.

Frankly, Alex was exhausted: her back hurt from flapping those wings, her knees were sore from all of the heavy landings she endured with the wings, her arms ached from that tug-a-war contest she had with Justin, her butt was sore from that hard chair, her feet ached from all the walking she did and she nearly got zapped in the face with magic. On top of all of that, she still didn’t know where her wand went.

Alex sighed in relief when she finally got to the lair. All that walking was making her even more tired. She pushed the door open, determined to get to bed and collapse. But her steps faltered when she was greeted by the sight of her brother looking down at a white feather.

It didn’t take a genius to realize the feather was Rosie’s. Alex was worried at the sight of him, grasping a feather from another lost love wasn’t a good sign. And more than that he hadn’t been himself for the past week. She’d barely talked to him for the past week, so she was nervous to see how he was after everything.

“Justin…” She began, confusion laced in her tone. He turned at her voice.“What are you doing still up? It’s late.” And also past his appointed bedtime.

“I stayed up because I owe you something.” He began. Her cherry red wand in his hand. Her glorious cherry red wand she’d been looking everywhere for. Finally, reunited with what had been plaguing her mind all night her eyes immediately brightened at the sight of it. She grasped at it with both hand, smiling down at her wand.

“I found it in Washington Square Park.” Oh, Washington Square Park. Damn she really did suck at calculating. Nevermind, the fact that it was in the complete opposite direction. “A two-headed dog had it. Pretty sure he didn’t start out that way.”

So her wand was chilling in lower Manhattan with a two headed dog as she searched the grounds of upper Manhattan, tripping people over and starting fights, and getting caught by the police. She giggled at that, amused with what her night turned into.

“Thank you.” She genuinely meant it. “What about your wand?”

“I, uh…” He held his wand up, inspecting it for a moment just to show her the sad state it was in; snapped in half with duct tape barely holding it together. She laughed at her brother’s antics. Secretly, relieved to have her brother back. Him and even his humour. Yup, he was still Justin. “I’ll find a spell to fix it.”

He set his wand down and turned to face her, an earnest expression on his face. Alex was taken aback by the swift change in atmosphere, the room suddenly feeling more serious. “And I owe you something else.”

He came forward. Her eyes flickering at his movement. Oh, And we’re hugging.

His arms wrapped around her, bending down to rest his chin on her shoulder. He quietly uttered, “Thank you for saving me.” while comfortingly rubbing her back as he always did. Ever since they were children, it was a soothing motion he always did when he hugged her. A distinct movement they could focus on together to calm down. She nodded slightly, silently appreciating the moment.

“It’s for all the times that you saved me when I wasn’t so good.”

Countless images were brought to mind, most prominent of all: a campfire in the rainforest. She began to feel nostalgic and a bit anxious. Not fond of the emotions, she quickly lightened the atmosphere. “And for a couple more times in the future, so we’re even.” She finished with a smile, satisfied with her little joke.

“No, we’re not.” Justin replied, coming to sit down on the desk beside her. “You saved the world today.”

She studied him for a moment, silently disagreeing with his words. She was only trying to get him back, everything else, saving the world was secondary to that.

She’d never admit how anxious she felt seeing Justin so unlike himself: stealing flowers, using magic in public, and stomping on people's groceries. Overall being a jerk. The worst of it was when she revealed Rosie's true nature, he still chose her, a girl he’d known for less than a month than his own sister. A dark angel, whose values would never align with his own. And when she tried one last desperate time to get him back he still chose darkness. Only turning good because of that girl. It hurt more than she thought it would.

But Alex had to remind herself of something very important: that Justin was the one influenced by dark angels. That he wasn’t himself at the time and that scarily some powers are greater than her connection to her brother. So she’d keep it to herself, shove it in the back of her mind like she usually did with all of her emotions, and ignore it, until she’d be forced to confront it.

Instead, she focused on the reassurance she’d gotten when Justin finally came back. How happy she was when he immediately told her to put the moral compass back, in that commanding voice he used when he would clean her messes. The ease she felt now that he was once again right beside her. Like a puzzle piece clicking back into place (and screw him for making her think of boring puzzles). This is where he was meant to be.

She would never say that out loud so she said, “You gave up a girl to protect it” instead.

She watched a faraway expression take on his face, familiar to the one he wore in Transylvania when he lost Juliet. He’d lost Rosie now, and a few weeks ago she'd learned she wasn't meant to be with Mason. It’s like they were both cursed to never have a happy ending. Only ending up with the comfort of each other.

She didn’t think about how established this felt. Or the strange notion that perhaps this was how her happy ending was supposed to be.

In an attempt to stop herself from wandering too far back in her mind, she asked him. “Why do we have to keep dealing with stuff like this?” He was Justin and he always had the answer. She could always count on him.

“We’re wizards.” And it was like that was the be all, end all. “I don’t think we have a choice.” The plain and simple answer.

It was horrible how that answer alone made complete sense to her. How she’d just thought about it in that overpacked precinct. All of her mistakes and losses were always tied into being a wizard.

So, maybe she was past the point of caring, past sadness and moving into delirium with a little sprinkle dead tiredness because she smiled instead. She smiled up at him and he caught her before she turned away. He bumped her with his shoulder, bouncing her away and back to him.

They were settling back into their pattern. Just the two of them: Justin and Alex. She sighed contentedly and a little tiredly resting her head on her big brother's shoulder, feeling his head rest on hers.

For all her mistakes and all her losses at least she always had her Justin.

And she hoped he knew for all his mistakes and all his losses he’d always have his Alex.

She closed her eyes, fully ready to sleep.

“We’ll be okay, right?” Justin quietly asked.

Alex yawned, furrowing her brows slightly at the unexpected question. Maybe they should have been more aware in this moment, appreciated it more. Maybe she could have helped him better if she’d paid more attention. Maybe, he could have protected her better from darker things than angels.

“Yeah, we’ll be fine.”

For Alex would soon face a burden so great it would compromise her relationship with those around her. After all, with great power comes great responsibility.