An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
At long last, the linguistics shadowgast fic is done.
Peace is a precious thing, and a fragile thing too. When the unexpected finally strikes Essek's delicate new life, he and Caleb are left adrift and alone and very, very, vulnerable. What are two wizards without magic to do?
Rating: E
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Language: English
Published: 2025-11-28
Completed: 2026-07-27
Words: 105,169
Chapters: 23/23
Additional tags: Post-Campaign, Developing Relationship, There Was Only One Bed, Languages and Linguistics, Yearning, Bathing Together, Love Confessions. (See AO3 page for full list)
The next chapter of master stroke is officially complete (now in the editing stage) and contains, if I’m allowed to stay so, some of the funniest sentences I’ve ever written. I hope it’s worth the wait.
Heyyy, I'm a big fan of your work (your vampire Au was my favourite) and honestly it has inspired me to start writing my own fics (I have a google doc with almost 100 fanfic ideas but it's basically the same thing right? ☠️) I wanted to ask if you have any general writing tips or anything special about your writing process? You're amazing, keep up the good work
Thank you!!! I'm so happy you've started writing (the best news anyone who writes can get).
The bad news is that there isn't anything special about my process, besides the fact that it's the way that I write, and it's probably not the same way anyone else does it. Everyone will write and edit differently. I've figured out what works best for me over a decade of writing fics and stuff and attending dozens of writing workshops, though, so I'm pretty confident in my ability to give general writing advice lmao.
Here be a bunch of random tips ⬇️
Master grammar and syntax. Like music theory and calculus, it's not exciting, but it is necessary. The simple fact is that so long as your spelling is sound, you know the difference between they're/there/their, and you can put a comma in the right place, the quality of your writing will be fundamentally elevated.
You would not believe how many students in a Masters degree for Creative Writing do not know how to format their dialogue correctly. It's frustrating and disappointing (kind of like finding out a really good artist has somehow got this far without knowing the basics of colour theory). Study up, put commas and periods in the right places, and fear not the semi-colon.
Read widely. Read stuff you don't think you'll like. Read stuff that isn't like anything else you've ever read. Read non-fiction and read essays. Think of your inspiration like a garden; if there's only one kind of plant growing in it, it can't be all that healthy.
Workshop your writing. If you have the opportunity to join a writing workshop in school/university/whatever, do it. The process of reading others' work and building critique will strengthen your editing muscles just as much as receiving critique will improve your writing. Otherwise, paying close attention to what your beta-readers/writing friends tell you in feedback will do just as well.
Cut 'distancing' words. This is something I've only noticed by myself, so I have no better way to explain it. Words like "felt" "saw" "heard" can act as a film or filter between the reader and POV character. If you want the action to feel immediate, consider cutting these kinds of words in your edit.
e.g.
She saw the door open and watched the man cross the room.
vs.
The door opened and the man crossed the room.
Especially if you're writing in 1st person, these words will subconsciously distance the reader from the character experiencing these sensations. I.e. it should be assumed that if we're being told the door is opening, the character who is narrating this scene is aware of it happening.
This is not to say that you should never ever use these 'sensing' words. Only that they can potentially hinder scenes of intensity. Use this advice wisely.
5. Readers typically pay most attention to the first and last sentences of a paragraph. If you want to draw attention to a specific phrase or sentence, there is no need to have it float alone on the page. You might only need to place it at the nose or tail of a paragraph.
6. STEAL!!! Be a writing magpie. If something you're reading does something cool, examine it, dissect it, chew on it like a dogtoy. Figure out why it made your brain explode and STEAL that technique. Try to use it yourself. Don't copy the text itself, of course, but do your best to understand why the good writing is good, and download that technique for yourself.
If you do this right, congratulations, you've just practiced close reading. Now do it again.
These are my most general tips that I can think of right now. The more specific this sort of advice gets, the less helpful I find it becomes, since it's always tailored to a particular person or particular style of writing. But the more you write, the more you'll understand your own process! Good luck, and I'm very glad to get you started!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
word count: 1,596
chapter 4 of 4
Essek drives himself back into Berlin and sits in the apartment surrounded by the few of Caleb’s treasures which were never donated to a museum.
Essek does not cry. Perhaps spending a hundred years preparing for inevitable grief dries the tears in advance, or the tears are sweated out slowly like an invisible mist. He doesn’t think too hard about it.
Instead the grief comes and swallows him like a whale, and he is held there in the dark damp belly for a while. Nothing moves him and he moves little.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
word count: 1,347
chapter 3 of 4
Caleb chuckles and leans down to kiss his lips, moving his hand up to the soft hair on the back of Essek’s head. Cradling his skull like this, Caleb briefly experiences every other moment like it from the past three hundred years, folded and pressed together like sheaves of paper in a novel. Again and again and again, all at once, he is kissing Essek Thelyss.
“We will have so much more time together,” he whispers against Essek’s lips. “I don’t want to make you sad anymore.”
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
rating: E
relationships: Essek/Caleb
additional tags: Alternate Universe - historical, Immortality, Vampirism, lifespan angst, lovers to enemies back to lovers
word count: 2,015
chapter 2 of 4
Caleb is unable to stop himself from imagining the place his mother and father were buried, four hundred years ago. Their gravestones are almost worn smooth now, and their names were never recorded in any local registry. Does he want his own name preserved in stone someday? He’s not sure.
He looks out at the blue-black sky, away from the new city blocks, the electric glows, the industry.
“It might not be long now,” he says aloud, and knows Essek understands what he means.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
rating: M
relationships: Essek/Caleb
additional tags: Alternate Universe - historical, Immortality, Vampirism, blood drinking
word count: 3,716
part 4 of the glory of hell and the virtue of sin
CW: graphic violence
“Essek?”
Essek lifts his head, and much of the hunter’s throat comes up with him. His mouth and chin are drenched in blood and his eyes are big and shine lamp-like. The bullet hole in his stomach is still gently sizzling. When he looks at Caleb, a little recognition lights up his face, but not much. He blinks, a mite of tension leaves his shoulders, and he goes back to drinking from the dead hunter.
summary: 1892, Chicago.
Only a few years after their reunion, as they're barely re-igniting their relationship, Essek and Caleb run afoul of a vampire-hunter.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
rating: E
relationships: Essek/Caleb
additional tags: Alternate Universe - historical, Immortality, Vampirism, lifespan angst, lovers to enemies back to lovers
word count: 2,277
sequel to spare me the brimstone and hell towards heaven's door.
chapter 1 of 4
Caleb stares at the pouch. “Bullets?”
“They were taken from the corpse of a paranoid man in Paris, apparently,” Essek says. “He believed he was being hunted by supernatural beasts. It came to pass that he was, but the bullets never left the barrel of his gun, and they landed in my possession last winter.” He holds the pouch out to Caleb. “Take them.”
Caleb does not take the pouch. “Why would I need them?”
“Because I love you more than anything, and these bullets kill monsters. I would like to see you safe from harm.”
summary: The years pass, and Essek spends another glorious century by Caleb's side. But the future is due to arrive eventually, inevitably, and he's made a promise to Caleb to help find a cure for his immortality. So, one day, Caleb will be human again, and Essek will still be Essek.
This week, we have seventeen recs featuring Beau and Caleb's friendship! Check them out under the cut, and don't forget to comment or kudos if you like them!
Courting of the Caleb by VexedVixen (17417, Mature)
Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn
Essek is courting Caleb, though Beau has to point that out to Caleb.
Reccer says: I like cultural differences, and Beau is the best wingman who notices all. But she'd never admit it and also never wants to hear about it. Overal very sweet, a little funny and very well written.
like 80/20 on the kinsey scale by Jakia (2772, Teen)
Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes
Caleb needs professional lesbian input about his sexuality
Reccer says: I do just like sexuality talk, little freakouts and coming out to people, especially if it goes well.
Cold night out by Fafsernir (2330, Teen)
Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes
Caleb and Beau huddle for warmth and talk about what it means to move forward in relationships with complicated histories.
Reccer says: All the little touches that made me go, "Oh, yeah, that's Beau." (And the little touches that made me go, "Oh, yeah, that's gotta be what that mechanic really feels like.") Caleb's playfulness counterbalanced by his gravity and how much himself he is in both. They're having a conversation about other people and how to let themselves love them, but it's also a process by which they're each using the other as their compass to move forward, however small the steps.
Hard Mouth by road_rhythm (216143, Explicit)
Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn, Graphic Depictions of Violence, Rape/Non-con
In the wake of the Battle of Cognouza, Caleb comes under attack from something in his dreams. Essek and Beau are forced to cooperate in a race to save him.
Reccer says: This is a Shadowgast fic, but all of the Nein get their due, and the Empire Kids are as important a relationship as Shadowgast is. It has such a great Beau: tough and vulnerable, insecure but brave--and she plays off of Caleb and Essek to great effect.
widogast's magic mosaic by burningdarkfire (8402, Teen)
Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes
After Aeor, the Mighty Nein go their separate ways - but Caleb carries the lessons they've taught him everywhere. Eight things the Mighty Nein have taught Caleb (and that he teaches them in turn).
Reccer says: Each of the vignettes that make up the fic has so much happiness in it. It strikes me as a fic *about* happiness. But that happiness often feels laborious. It is work. And that's what makes it feel real, and vital, and rewarding.
The Worlds Between Us by Nellaplanet (159375, Mature)
Reccer's Content Notes: Graphic Depictions of Violence
Caleb and Beau just wanted to live their life with their weird friends next door, but they're already very deeply entrenshed into the magical other planes that they know nothing of yet. They find out quickly once Caleb gets kidnapped by the Shadowhand.
Reccer says: Caleb desperate to find out more about his past, Nott being so protective, Beau being so protective, Essek having the horrifying realisation of developping a conscience, Jester not realising why Beau would freak the fuck out once she realises not her friends are not actually normal human beings who are a bit weird, Caleb honeypotting, Essek honeypotting, difficult relationships. This fic has everything.
Deception and Other Party Games by Sethrial (27318, Not Rated)
Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn
The Empire slaves have been given to Essek, because obviously he doesn't have enough to do. He doesn't particularly want them, but he shall simply have to make the most of it.
Reccer says: The characterization, worldbuilding, sexual tension, and dramatic irony in this are all choice. There's so much that happens off-page but is instantly legible--which only enhances the sense of how well the M9 work together. It's hard to say which dynamic is tastier: the honeypot 4 honeypot of the Shadowgast or the seamless communication of the Empire kids.
The Devil's Hands are Idle Playthings by Sethrial (16871, Mature)
Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn
Caleb died. That's something he has to come to terms with. He died and went to hell, and now he's back with a job to do and a demon gently reminding him to do it.
Reccer says: "In a modern 'verse, Caleb comes back from the dead seeing a demon named Mollymauk. Does taking his meds help? Hard to say. Molly won't leave him alone for long, because he has these little jobs for Caleb to do--small things. Negligible things. A bit too much soap in his mop bucket at his night job, a few twists of fate, and hey, presto: a dead body. That sort of thing. No sane person would call that murder, but psychotic or not, Caleb's under no illusions. Then one day he meets a girl named Beau--and Beau has a demon, too. As fantastic as its premise is, what stands out to me most about Devil's Hands is how incredibly real it feels. Caleb's insomnia, his hit-or-miss coping strategies, the shape and texture of his night job and his useless past achievements and his life are all so vivid and relatable that they're equal parts enthralling and exhausting to read. The underlying mystery is compelling, and Caleb and Beau's partnership is a cocktail of deeply weird, half unwilling, and meant to be (maybe). WIP.
Illumination guides your purpose by Beleriandings (5192, General)
Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn
Beau asks Caleb to take a look at a relic of the Calamity with her. Together with Yasha and Essek, they bear witness.
Reccer says: Patia's sphere is always a rich vein for fic, and I particularly love how this fic frames its central event—the characters confronting the sphere's message and contents—and also how it uses that in turn to frame the life and work all four of them are about to embark on.
Show me your teeth by VexedVixen (1141, Mature)
Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn
Essek has fangs and Yasha wants to know how it feels. Beau does not want to hear about Caleb's sex life.
Reccer says: It is very funny and honestly who of us hasn't wondered. I'll always like Beau being disgusted by hearing anything about Caleb's intimate life.
Unfinished by road_rhythm (101718, Explicit)
Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn
Eleven years after something went wrong and shattered the Nein and Caleb and Essek's relationship, Essek and Beau track down Caleb to try to unravel a conspiracy in the Cerberus Assembly.
Reccer says: It's raw and twisty and the world-building is so, so good. I gasped out loud more than once (this fic is a wip.) This is also my favorite Beau - she's a badass and a mess all at once, and you can feel how much they care about each other even when they're furious with each other.
dreaming I'm alive by lakrisrot (enheduane) (8620, Teen)
Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes
Beau spars with Essek. Caleb watches.
Reccer says: I liked it!
I'll Show You What It Means to be Spared by thetickingclock (4543, Teen)
Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes
Beau, Astrid, Eadwulf, and Caleb go after a rogue Scourger. It goes about as well as you'd expect.
Reccer says: A visceral dive into how Beau relates to the wizards in her life and to their whole insular, unsavory, mega-traumatic *deal.* Deft character studies of everybody, particularly Beau and Astrid, and of how Caleb relies on Beau and the faith he places in her. Shadowgast and Beau/Yasha are comparatively minor in this, but those relationships are still the stable foundation that allows Caleb and Beau to be their present selves and not their past.
oh, by the way by eeveev (932, General)
Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes
Caleb drops the “Essek-and-I-are-dating” bomb on Beauregard, and his timing is, as always, impeccable.
Reccer says: short and sweet empire siblings, with caleb being a troll <3
Like a Haunting by thetickingclock (2161, Teen)
Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes
Caleb navigates the straits between that happenstance name and Bren Aldric Ermendrud.
Reccer says: It really gets at the trust and intimacy of Caleb placing his story in Beau's hands, both the first time and after the fight at the Blooming Grove, as well as what Essek means to how he creates (and destroys) himself in the present.
Fucking Up (On Purpose) by devil_seabird_king (ShaaKi) (1884, Teen)
Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes
Beau has a question for Yasha but nerves bring her to Caleb's door instead, where she gets advice from an unexpected source.
Reccer says: I liked it!
And two recs for this final one!
things that gods despise by dawl_and_dapple (113496, Mature)
Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes
A modern AU where Beau and Caleb are both working in Geneva in the 1980's, and find out that magic is real
Reccer 1 says: I love the world building in this fic, it is especially interesting mixing the magic of D&D with physics. the relationship that Caleb and Beau is just stellar, with so much good dialogue between the two!
Reccer 2 says: It's been a while since I read it, but I remember it being very good. The relationship between Beau and Caleb is definitely one of the highlights because they do grow together like siblings. Also featuring Nott, who is always to love and Essek and Caleb being a little shady.
Aeor is for Lovers is an 18+ Shadowgast Discord server. The above fanfic recommendations were pulled from our community for this weekly event. All fics, unless otherwise specified, will primarily feature Shadowgast. Have any questions about what this is? Check out the FAQ! Next week, we’ll be back with Sickfic!
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