SURPRISE BOOKSY!!! This was supposed to be for your birthday, but my stuff crashed around noon-ish on the actual day when I was making final edits and I lost a very large chunk of this, but I worked at it (despite the following months being VERY hectic with my Grad Trip and a handful of other nonsense that kept popping up) and here it is! You have no idea how hard it was to keep this a secret! I hope you like it! I know it’s been a hot minute since I’ve been properly posting, but I’m hoping to get more stuff out soon!@booksrbetterthanpeople @imsparky2002 @nerdy-chocomallow @thefcguy
Welcome back, my story-inclined friends! It seems it’s that time again. The multiverse is full of love stories, and I’ve found the perfect one to share this time around! Today, we’ll get a look at a love born between a spirited thespian and a sweet-natured baker, seemingly opposite in every way but yet perfect for each other. Shall we?
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HEROVERSE: Jeanzco & JasAustin
Standing trapped in a conversation with some snobby Arendellian noble, Austin subtly rolled his eyes for what felt like the tenth time that day. He hated having to attend these stupid parties, filled with people who thought they were better than everyone else and seemed to have nothing better to talk about than their latest pointless political ventures and acquisitions of expensive new furnishings that they didn’t need. It was mind-numbingly dull.
Honestly, there was nothing more the young prince wished he could do than just scream his lungs out before running from the room, maybe after knocking over a table. But no, that wasn’t ’becoming’ of the heir to the throne of Agrabah. So he unfortunately had no other choice but to endure at least four more hours of this psychological torture.
But it was then that, looking across the room, he spotted something that always managed to make his day a little bit brighter. His boyfriend, the young presiding ruler of the Inca Empire, dressed in their signature bright red robes, and looking every bit as bored out of his mind as Austin did.
It was at that moment that Jean’s eyes met Austin’s own and he gave his partner a look of very overdramatic exasperation, before making a gagging gesture. The heir to the throne of the desert kingdom couldn’t stop a small giggle from getting out. Seeing this, Jean smiled and began to mimic the motions and overly posturing gestures of the Arendelle noble the prince was still trapped speaking with, making it nearly impossible for Austin to hold back his laughter.
Eventually, the nobleman was called over by who Austin assumed was his wife, and the prince breathed a huge sigh of relief at finally gaining his freedom. Looking back over at his boyfriend, he saw Jean giving him a smug and playful grin. The young emperor tilted his head meaningfully towards a small door in the back of the room that lead out through the kitchens, and his grin grew wider as Austin returned it. Without needing another word, they both quickly hustled to the door, leaving the boring bureaucrats behind without a second thought.
VILLAINVERSE: Jeanatoa & Sheriff Austin
Jean laughed as he and his boyfriend dashed into his dorm room at the stupid ‘reform’ school they were forced to attend, both carrying bags full of various shinies and trinkets that they had snatched off those pathetic ‘heroes’ and spineless ‘neutrals’ that unfortunately had to infest the campus. It was always such a pleasure to rob them blind, knowing there was absolutely nothing they could do about it.
Dropping down onto the patch of soft, fluffy coral and sand that made up his bed, the two dumped their bags out to survey the haul and assess what they had been able to grab. The crab hybrid smiled as he looked at the various bracelets, watches, rings and other shining pieces of jewelry they had been able to swipe. Never a bad time to add to the ever-growing collection of treasure.
He then took a moment to look over at their boyfriend’s haul, and hummed thoughtfully. Mostly wallets and cash, but there were a few shiny trinkets in there! Jean couldn’t help but feel proud, he was learning! Money was all well and good, but why not just go straight for the things that you could get with it? Diamonds lasted way longer than paper after all!
“Looks like we both nabbed a good haul!”, Austin said with that adorable crooked smile that showed off his fangs, never failing to make the shiniest villain in their troop’s heart skip a beat. He looked so proud of himself that it made Jean want to pull him in for a kiss that would knock him off his furry feet.
“By the way, I got something for you!”, the wolf hybrid then grinned, before he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a glamorous necklace made of multicolored diamonds that belonged to one of richer young women at the school. Jean gasped and squealed. He had been eyeing it for weeks but the girl never let it out of her sight. And his magnificent, darling wolfy had managed to get it for them! And with that in mind, the crab didn’t waste another second, lunging over to kiss his boyfriend as a thank you.
MONSTERVERSE: OperJean & Austin Grim
As it often was so, hauntingly beautiful music could be heard floating up from the deep caverns of the DuPont catacombs. The notes came from the large pipe organ in the middle of the grand but dilapidated old concert hall, and sitting at the chair of the great instrument was the young phantom of the school auditorium, Jean, enjoying the feel of the keys on his fingers as his boyfriend lovingly watched on.
The young reaper was perched on the other end of the piano, his eyes closed as he smiled and lightly moved his head to the rhythm. In a rare moment, his dark hood was down and his ghostly white curls were on display, falling perfectly around his face. His scythe was resting next to him, propped against the piano’s side, showing that he truly felt safe and at ease in this moment. Jean was utterly enraptured by how beautiful his love was, and an idea drifted into their mind.
Austin’s smile grew as a blush spread over his face when he recognized the song that Jean was playing. It was an original piece, ‘Of Love and Death’, that Jean had written especially for him. And one could say that this particular tune carried a lot of memories for the both of them. After all, it was playing this very song that Jean had first asked Austin to be his boyfriend. They had professed their love in front of the entire school, and of course the reaper could give no other answer but yes.
Given that he knew the melody by heart, Austin began to softly hum along with the phantom’s playing, making the latter’s heart begin to beat even harder as he was reminded of what a gorgeous voice their partner possessed. It was softer and more subtle than the powerful belt of most phantoms, having a gentle, almost haunting quality that almost made it sound like a lullaby. Fitting for someone whose job it was to bring people to their final resting place.
As the song drew to a close, the young harbinger of death and his musically-inclined love looked at each other with nothing but pure adoration. And all Jean could think was that he would write a thousand more love songs if it only got Austin to see that he was the best thing in their life.
GODSVERSE: ThalJean & Ausrene (Tau)
Even after all his ages performing, somehow Jean, hallowed muse of comedic theater, still felt the rattle of nerves in his chest as they prepared to take the stage to perform a set of hymns for a seasonal festival honoring Juleka and Luka with his fellow muses, who also happened to be their siblings. How could he be nervous? They always blew everyone away with their songs, so there was no reason to fear, right? Almost ironic, for a muse to feel this way.
But it was then that he felt a familiar soft hand grasp their own, squeezing in a comforting manner and rubbing circles on the back of his palm. He turned to look and saw their beloved fiancé, Austin, giving him a reassuring smile. Jean turned to face him and leaned in to rest their foreheads against one another as he gave a somewhat strained laugh.
“Hard to believe that after all this time performing I still feel nervous. I’m one of the two muses of theater, you’d think that I would be used to it by now!”, Jean said, his voice having the slightest bit of shake to it, before he felt Austin cup their cheek and lift their face up to meet his eyes once more.
“Love, everyone gets nervous from time to time, no matter how experienced they are at what they’re doing, especially when it’s an important event with lots of people watching.”, Austin gently reassured, the soft, ringing cadence of his voice soothing his immortal partner, “But you have nothing to worry about, you and the others are going to be amazing as always!”
It was at that moment that the dramatic deity’s fiancé pulled him in for a kiss that made all their nerves melt away in an instant, replacing them with a warm feeling and a shot of confidence that was all he needed to get onstage and blow those mortals away. It was only when Jean heard Clara call his name, signaling it was time to go on that they broke the kiss, and they bid their beloved goodbye with a playful bow before joining his siblings for the show.
DCVERSE: Spellbound & Jade Lantern
“Woah!”, Jade Lantern cried as he dodged another swipe from Croc King’s claws. ‘For such a big guy, he’s hella fast!’, the hero then thought to himself as he was forced to maneuver back at forth at practically warp speed to avoid getting hit by the villain’s scaly fists. And from the looks of it, Croc was getting annoyed at being unable to hit the flying hero, if the way he was growling was any indication. Or maybe he was just annoyed that they had interrupted his time with his girlfriend.
In the brief moment of respite he had from the Crocodilian villain’s blows, he managed a glance over at his boyfriend, currently locked in magical combat with the red-haired sorceress. As usual, the two furiously flung hexes and bolts of energy at each other, both trying to prove themselves the superior magic user. Their rivalry had gone on for ages, and it wasn’t likely to end anytime soon.
Austin was quickly forced to snap to attention again as Croc King’s tail swung towards his knees, looking to shatter them. The green-clad hero quickly jumped out of the way and fired an emerald-hued beam of energy, which the scaled villain just barely managed to dodge. He and Sea Enchantress had been wrecking the downtown area for some reason or another, probably what the villains considered a date (Max must have been busy, or he’d likely be there as well), and Jade Lantern and Spellbound had been the closest heroes on hand.
It was at that moment that the youngest member of the Lantern Corps managed to lock eyes with the Homo Magi hero he loved, and with no words being needed, they quickly formed a strategy to execute in order to subdue the villains. Austin quickly fired a beam that flew past the sorceress’ head, effectively turning her attention to him with an angry look…long enough for Jean to fire a powerful hex that sent her flying through at least three walls of a nearby building with a cry of surprise.
“‘DINE!”, Croc King roared as he watched his girlfriend crash through the brick, before turning to Spellbound, his face a mask of rage, “YOU SON OF A-“, but it was at that moment that Jade Lantern hit him with a wicked left hook via his energy-armored fist, throwing the villain to the ground and knocking him out cold. With the threat taken care of, Austin took a second to breath before he bent down and put an inhibitor collar around the villain’s neck, as his boyfriend did the same with Ondine, who he had brought out of the demolished bricks.
“Nice job, babe!”, the young sorcerer told his boyfriend, leaning in for a kiss as they waited for the authorities to arrive and escort the troublemakers back to the asylum they stayed in out of school hours. It was always good to fight with someone you knew would have your back and who you could read like a book, that was for sure.
“Couldn’t have done it without you, Magic Man!”, their partner answered with a smile.
MARVELVERSE: Mariner & Lunar Soldier
Another day, another battle with the forces of less than morally sound values had gone by, and it was after this battle, allowing his scrapes and bruises to set in that the aquatic young hero (more of an anti-hero, really), Mariner, sat on the ridge of a nearby building, watching emergency services scramble to attend to the injured and police officers keeping back reporters and photo hounds from getting too close. Humans were naturally drawn to disaster, after all.
There were often times when he wondered why they bothered saving people who obviously didn’t know how to keep themselves safe. Even at this very moment, they could see several young wannabe influencers filming the scene, getting way too close to the still crumbling buildings that were left behind in the aftermath of the attack. He shook his head at the display of foolishness. All just to gain some notoriety.
It was then that he heard someone alight beside him, standing on the edge of the building. He would recognize that slight chill that filled the air in a moment, and he turned to look at his boyfriend, the white hood shading his beautiful features as he looked down at the scene below. Mariner knew him better than anyone, and he knew that beneath that controlled exterior, there brewed an inner turmoil. That tended to happen when you had multiple people warring within you. He loved and cared for every piece of their partner, and only wished he could do the same.
“Sometimes I wonder why we do it, you know?”, the aquatic anti-hero mused out loud, causing his partner to turn to face them, “Saving people, even the ones who definitely don’t deserve it, and the ones who are eager to put themselves back into danger the second we turn our backs, just for a moment in the spotlight. Sometimes it all just seems like a waste of time, don’t you think?”, he asked, turning to look at the white-clad hero standing beside him and awaiting his answer.
“Because even if we don’t always want to do it, we know it’s the right thing to do.”, Lunar Soldier answered after a moment of pause and contemplation, “Because we can do things that other people can’t and that gives us certain responsibilities. And I guess…deep down, because helping people helps us feel less…wrong, messed up…”, he trailed off, only to smile softly when he felt his boyfriend move over and take his hand, tracing his knuckles. Maybe there were some pretty good reasons why they did this, Jean thought to himself.
AKUMAVERSE: Magician of Misfortune & Love Bug
The screams of terrified Parisian citizens were music to the Magician of Misfortune’s ears as he sent huge, dagger sharp playing cards flying every which way, slicing up buildings and smashing cars. With a smirk and a snap of their fingers, one of the cards promptly caught on fire, igniting itself on the trees in the center of a busy park and putting numerous lives in immediate danger. Hilarious.
It was then that he heard a familiar, positively adorable giggle from behind him, and turned to see the light of their dark days, his boyfriend Love Bug, whose wings were fluttering rapidly in excitement as he watched his partner wreak havoc on the pathetic weaklings below. Never one to deny his darling a show, the magician gave a playful bow before turning to prepare his next wicked spell, which would be sure to impress.
He summoned up a blood red rose to their hand, flashing a devilish grin to his boyfriend before crumpling it up and tossing the petals to the ground. Where each one touched down, a bramble of dark vines with huge thorns sprung up and entrapped people, holding them fast and squeezing them until their bones broke. Jean looked back at his dear buggy and saw him laughing with glee and clapping his hands, delighted with the trick as usual.
“That was amazing, darling! You always know how to put on the best show!”, Love Bug squealed, his large pink eyes sparkling as he gripped his wand and bounced up and down on his heels. It was always so thrilling to watch his beloved magician tear apart the lives of those insignificant gnats that called themselves ‘good’ citizens. They made for fantastic entertainment and Jean was one of the best when it came to tormenting them, without question or doubt.
“If it would mean to put a smile on your face, my butterfly of devotion, I would set the whole world ablaze and let it burn to ash.”, Magician of Misfortune answered, before taking his boyfriend’s hand and pulling out to hover over the burning streets, and the two began to waltz through the air, twirling in absolute bliss to the tune of terrified screams echoing from below.
FARMVERSE: Jeacaw & Deerstin
There was no denying that afternoons in the forest around the farm were a truly beautiful thing, and strolling through the trees at a leisurely pace this time of day was undoubtedly one of Austin’s favorite things about living so close to the woods. He loved feeling the soft breeze rustle through his antlers, watching the shapes that the light made as it peeked through the leafy treetops, and of course, the company that often joined him on these late-day treks.
The young deer turned his head back to look at his beloved mate, perched serenely on his back and taking in their surroundings. The way the evening sun’s rays danced off of Jean’s brilliant feathers, creating a miniature light show was mesmerizing to Austin. He truly felt there could be no creature in the world more beautiful than his darling macaw. And peaceful moments like this, they only made it all the easier to admire him.
“It really is beautiful out here.”, Jean mused, stretching out his wings as they looked around and took in the blissful scene. Everything was normally so fast-paced for the young macaw, always wanting to be doing something, entertaining people and animals alike. It was rare that they took moments like this to just relax and enjoy a quiet rest with the one he loved. And that made these times all the more precious to Austin, the young deer looking forward to them with all his heart.
“Not as beautiful as you, Pretty Bird.”, Austin responded, making the macaw’s cheeks flush red below his brilliant scarlet feathers. Their darling deer always knew the best time to give compliments to fluster him so. With a soft giggle, he hid his face in their wings. And with that he alighted to fly over the clearing and admire his mate from a high vantage point. The sun glinting through the trees and off his graceful antlers made him look like a majestic forest spirit. Perfect, in every way. The bright-feathered bird swooped down and nuzzled his partner’s face before returning to their perch on his back, allowing them to continue their walk.
MYTHICVERSE: Sirean & Austincore
The midday sun beat down on the land below, bathing everything in light and warmth, one of which being a young manticore with a basket in his hands. Smiling blissfully, Austin knelt down in the patch of bittergrass, and began to pick some to take home for his cooking, as when ground up it made a wonderful and rich spice. He often went out to do this, gather up naturally growing things for ingredients, it made for a fulfilling afternoon.
It was then that a sound cut through the quiet air of the scene, a hauntingly beautiful voice floating through the breeze from the nearby shore and giving the moment a more enchanting feel than it had possessed just seconds before. The teenaged beast smiled, his barbed tail flicking happily, because he would recognize that voice anywhere. He made his way over to the edge of the cliffside he had been walking along and sure enough, there he was.
Lounging on a rock just off the edge of the sand was a familiar siren, with dark curls and an unusually shimmering tail. His partner, Jean. The young merrow looked blissful and at peace as he laid out in the sun, soaking up its rays as they airily sang the notes to an old ode of the sea, of which the sirens had many. Austin couldn’t help but think how beautiful he looked there, and soon his basket was placed at his side and abandoned in favor of watching his beloved.
It was only when Jean had finished the song that he looked up and spied his darling partner watching him from above. A smile graced their lips as he gave the manticore a playful wave with his tail as he sat up. The manticore smiled in response, showing off his sharp teeth as his tail flicked in a pleased manner. With a swoosh of his leathery wings, he swooped down to perch on the rock just a few feet from the siren, admiring the beautiful sight before him.
“Fancy seeing you here, darling!”, Jean said in a sing-song tone, as he turned over to rest on his front so they could face Austin. He beckoned him over with a playful grin, and the manticore obliged, climbing down from his perch to stop just inches from his water-bound love. Sharing another tender smile, the two leaned forward to meet in a kiss. After they parted, Jean began to sing another song, one that he knew was Austin’s favorite.
‘CANON’ 69826: Jean & Austin T
Cookies. Jean had simply wanted to make a single batch of cookies for his dad’s birthday, and yet the universe always seemed to have other plans, namely of the screwing-with-you-in-every-way-imaginable variety. Following the instructions had seemed simple enough, and yet every attempt they made at the white fudge cookies his dad loved came out horribly mangled in some way.
And so, he had called in the services of a professional. Namely, his boyfriend. Which was how they found themselves in his current situation, watching completely enchanted as Austin hummed a cute little tune to himself as he mixed the cookie batter in a large bowl. God, he was adorable. He always looked so happy and at peace whenever he was baking something.
“Jean?”, Austin had suddenly said, causing his partner to snap to attention, “Can you get the cookie sheet out? I think the batter is ready!”, and Jean nodded, heading over to the cabinet to pull out a flat tray for them to bake the cookies on. Working together, the two then spooned the batter out onto the cookie sheet while the oven heated, before placing them in to bake. They soon fell into chatting about this, that and the other as the timer ticked down.
It was moments like this between them that were the best, Jean couldn’t help but think were…kind of magic. Where they could both just relax and enjoy an activity together without having to worry about anything else. The dramatic thespian couldn’t help but think how beautiful his boyfriend looked in that moment. His happy laughter, the twinkle in his eyes behind his glasses, and that adorably lopsided smile. He really was perfect.
Only a few minutes later, the timer went off and Austin put on a pair of oven mitts to take out the cookies. With his expert assistance, they had came out lovely, and Jean breathed a sigh of relief. He wouldn’t disappoint his dear father after all! As their boyfriend set the tray down on the counter, the singer came over and planted a kiss on his cheek in thanks, making him turn a bright pink hue. The cookies really had come out perfect, just the two of them together.
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It seems that once again, our journey has come to an end. Despite being so different, it’s clear that these two bring out the best in each other. Whether fairytale royalty or mythical beasts, frightful monsters or farm-dwelling creatures, nothing will ever be able to break the bond between them. I’ll see you next time!
