“For the First Time Twice” by LikeMmmCookies (35k)
Charles loses his memories and becomes convinced he and Edwin are married.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/56387839/chapters/143274202
“I’ll Let You Go if You Kiss Me Goodbye” by shadowquill17 (5k)
Edwin pines for Charles without realizing that Charles thinks they’re dating.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/56649634
“Put Those Glasses On, They’ll See Us as We Have Never Been” by slyvir (1k)
A look at why Edwin’s disguise is a woman and Charles’ is a white man.
https://archiveofourown.org/collections/DeadBoyWeen_2024/works/59923933
“A Blue Cap and a Red Jacket” by williamvapespeare (5k)
Dealing with trauma in the wake of Edwin’s torture and Niko’s murder.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/58835761
I’ve seen a lot of people recommend “Made You Look” by Baby_Spinach in which a shapeshifter wearing Edwin’s face goes around kissing people, but my favorite of their works is “Spectral Rage” (7k) which features a case gone wrong, a nasty demon, and a ghost struggling not to turn into a vengeful spirit (plus the accompanying art they drew is cool): https://archiveofourown.org/works/56717944
“I Turned Back One Last Time (Just to Prove You Were There)” by isnt_that_wizard (17k)
Charles finds it difficult to let Edwin out of his sight after the events in canon.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/56498968/chapters/143583085
“Unidentified Affectionate Objects” by lyres (12k)
Features a curse that manifests emotions as physical objects.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/59553481/chapters/151885954
Canon-Divergent:
“Ghosts and Monsters” by justafandomfollower (42k)
Charles gets sacrificed and he and Edwin escape Hell together.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/58001086/chapters/147659806
“I Don’t Want to Rest in Peace” by handwrittenhello (4k)
Charles died alone and became a vengeful spirit and Edwin’s first case.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/59001805
“Ain’t It a Gentle Sound” by intrajanelle (45k)
Edwin falls through the portal to Hell on the Underground train and helps Niko escape while Crystal helps Charles figure out a way to bring him back. Also features Joanna Constantine from Sandman.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/58875760/chapters/150061042
“The Savior of the Broken, the Beaten and the Damned” by laqualaurelote (9k)
Niko keeps trying to save Edwin from dying tragically in alternate timelines.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/56578432/chapters/143800924
“A World Without You (Isn’t Meant for Me)” by fairest (9k)
Simon returns from Hell with Edwin, and Charles gets jealous.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/57062191
Alternate Universes (AUs):
“Your Fangs in My Neck (Like an Anchor Like a Vow)” by shadowquill17 (7k)
Vampire Edwin and immortal demigod Charles renegotiate their relationship.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/57740368
“Partridge in a Pear Tree” by Vamillepudding (25k)
Cinderella retelling featuring a magic shop, cursed music box, and some pretty nifty magical creatures.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/59382268/chapters/151440232
“Babe, Hold My Flower” by shadowquill17 (3k)
Edwin helps Charles out of a spot of trouble at school.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/58074100
“Can’t Buy Me Love” by Hse11z5 (29k)
It started as fake dating, but then they fell in love.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/58528072/chapters/149105566
“Cause What if I was in Love?” by lola_prongs (6k)
Charles worries he’s being homophobic about his roommate Edwin until he realizes he’s actually jealous.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/56272156
“I’m So Aces at Babysitting” by babyseraphim (4k)
The first chapter features adult Edwin babysitting a child Charles while the second chapter features adult Charles babysitting child Edwin. Also features Niko and Crystal.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/58510747/chapters/149059888#workskin
I Hope You Know CPR – LeGrinch (1k)
Normally I avoid soulmate AUs, but the premise for this one was too hilarious.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/58204885
Unfinished:
(Look, normally I try to avoid unfinished works and don’t go around recommending them but these are just too good not to mention.)
“Leads You Here, Despite Your Destination (Under the Milky Way Tonight)” by aletterinthenameofsanity (28k so far)
Time Lord Edwin and time-vortex-immortal Charles (Doctor Who AU).
https://archiveofourown.org/works/56651917/chapters/144004858
“Young Blood (Never Get Chained)” by ghostinthelibrary (29k so far)
College student and half-demon Charles interrupts a prank ritual that actually summoned a real demon and claims Edwin’s soul to protect him from Sa’al.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/58973998/chapters/150336991
Favorite Series:
I’m absolutely obsessed with the series of pre-canon boys’ adventures chronicled in “Who? You Mean Your Teammate in the Codependency World Cup?” by RoseGanymede95 which features cameos by John Constantine and his niece Joanna as well as some awesome original characters.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
If the prospect of starting a whole series is too daunting, try the first chapter of “Professional Networking” which is a stand-alone story less than six thousand (6k) words long: https://archiveofourown.org/works/57588106/chapters/146534119
And then we have the authors whose good works are so numerous that I can’t narrow it down to just a few favorites. Start literally anywhere. These are some of the best writers in the fandom:
It should be noted that this is not a properly complete list, as there are still many fics on my TBR list that I haven’t read yet, and doubtless many more out there that I haven’t discovered yet. So please, feel free to recommend your own favorites!
I dont know what I was expecting from the Corinthian's return in S2 of The Sandman but wanting Joanna Constantine to put him on a leash and walk him like a fucking dog wasn't on the cards. I am being consumed by this!!!
I don't know the details of decision making in production of The Sandman on Netflix, obviously, but it feels like some of these good changes were like...
'Hey maybe now that Constantine's ex girlfriend is a queer Black woman, she shouldn't also be a thief and an addict. Let's not fall into that stereotype.'
'And maybe the nonbinary Desire could get, like, quasi-dream-consent from Unity Kinkaid instead of just flat out raping her in her sleep...especially now that Unity is a Black woman. Actually, wouldn't Desire want Unity to...desire...them before fathering the child anyway.'
'And what if The Corinthian fucks a guy and doesn't kill him because, like, maybe let's separate his queerness from the fact that he's a nightmare & serial killer.'
Some folks might claim these kinds of changes are 'sanitizing' the story...and maybe so. But really, it feels like adjusting some of the 'edgy' 'grimdark' remnants from it's 90s origin.
Joanna: If you could kiss anyone in the world, who would it be?
Dream: My beautiful wife Calliope.
Joanna: She doesn't count! You do that anyway!
Dream: Hob Gadling
Summary: Dream and Neryssa sit and resume their long-overdue conversation when Dream presents her with the very item she wishes he would take and leave her in peace. We meet Neryssa's own avian companion, who left an unsuspecting Matthew slack-beaked.
Warnings: This piece is a work for readers 18+. Minors DNI!
Previous Chapter
The Next Day - In the Waking World
Neryssa woke well rested. She sat up in her bed with a start as it really settled into her mind just how rested she felt. She swore she could still smell the moon flowers from the Dreaming teasing her nose and feel the warmth of his hand in hers from a memory she had long considered buried and forgotten. She felt as if the touch had been real. As if the ghost of his touch, the warmth of his presence and the feel of his free hand on her cheek caressing it tenderly had all happened in her present. But she knew that to be a lie and fought to bury these feelings back into the pit she had shoved them in in the first place. Her love is gone, these memories only serve to mock what they once had.
She considered a lay in until the memories of the night before flashed before her mind’s eye. Dream of the Endless has returned, he is looking for his tools, and has found her in the process. She had no doubt he had found her through the ruby while it was under her possession. The question now was if she could just pull a disappearing act without him noticing. She breathed a scoff at the thought, he’d never noticed when it was that she left so why would he notice if she slipped back into the depths of the ocean once and for all? Or perhaps she could ask her father if there was room for her in his halls. But before she could give much more thought to her escape plan, she heard a tapping on her window.
She furrowed her brow, curious to see who in the hells would be tapping on the window of a second story building. She pulled the closed curtains to reveal Matthew on the other side of the window. Neryssa could not help but roll her eyes at him and considered leaving him outside. Matthew kept tapping on the window each one more desperate than the last until she finally opened her window to him.
“Thanks for letting me in,” he said, landing on her nightstand, “Lord Morpheus will be by to see you…unless he’s already here and waiting at the door.”
Neryssa breathed a deep sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose as annoyance made itself present. She focused on her breathing and kept her focus on Matthew.
“Can you understand sign?” She asked, her hands moving at a slow enough pace for him to understand…if he did understand that is.
“Yes,” replied Matthew, a relieved sigh leaving him, “I do understand. My sister, back when I was alive, taught sign and used me as a guinea pig when practicing or going over something.”
Neryssa nodded with a thankful smile. At least she didn’t have to keep a notepad on her at all times for the bird. Though talking to a bird in public would make her look mad.
“What do you mean he’s here?” She asked, curiosity now overriding her better judgement to just leave.
“He wants to talk to you,” Matthew stated vaguely, “And before you ask about what, you’ll have to hear it from him.”
Neryssa gave him a tired sigh in response but nodded in agreement. She knew she would have to face him sooner or later, she just wished it was the latter instead of the literal following day of him having appeared in her home to find her with his ruby.
Donning her sleeping robe, Neryssa offered Matthew her arm and made her way out of her room, her heart beating wildly in her chest at the prospect of once again having her estranged husband in her home. The scene she and Matthew walked in on was not one she expected.
Kaira, her avian companion, sat perched on the edge of her bookshelf staring daggers at Dream, who stood in the middle of her living area. The barn owl screeched loudly, her displeasure clear at having her mistress’ pain present.
“Kaira, please,” Neryssa called, power in her voice as she worked to center her friend.
Dream could not hide the astonishment on his face at the sound of her voice. She speaks? Then why did she not speak to him?
The dark feathered screech owl gave one last withering look at the Dream Lord and flew herself out leaving a neatly folded square of parchment. A screech filled with promise to return in her wake.
Matthew sunk into her shoulder as much as he could while trying to catch a glimpse of beauty who’d just flown out of his life like a whisp and, tried to nonchalantly, ask, “So…who was that?”
Neryssa looked at the raven and fought to contain her grin as she spotted him staring in the direction her companion had flewn in.
“You will have to ask her the next time you see her then,” she signed, her shoulders shaking with restrained laughter.
Matthew let out a sad gurgle and hopped off her shoulder to land close to where Dream was standing.
Neryssa crossed her arms over her middle, gaze shifting guardedly over to Dream.
Dream stared at her still stunned and wide eyed at what he just witnessed, which was not an easy thing to do in the first place. For the moment he does not know how proceed with what he’d come here to do.
“Uh, boss?” Matthew said carefully.
This seemed to have snapped Dream out of his stupor. His astonished expression neutralized, gaze shifted to hers trying to meet her eyes.
She in turn, avoided his eyes skillfully. Not wanting anger him, Neryssa focused her gaze on Matthew instead of meeting Dream’s eyes. That is not a good idea in her opinion…she preferred it if he just went on his way as a matter of fact. This wish would not come to fruition unfortunately for Dream if the Endless did not do things by halves. Dream closed the gap between them while maintaining a respectable amount of space between them.
“Queen Neryssa, Daughter of Hades, Song of the Dreaming,” he began formally, voice soft almost reverent, “You maintained and protected the realm to the best of your ability during my impended imprisonment and subsequent absence. You have persevered most admirably through one of the realm’s darkest moments and brings me great reprieve to find the very foundations you strengthened still holding strong.”
Her guard shifted ever so slightly as this once again brought to the forefront of her mind the shadows of what they once were. She took the liberty, in her own home, to take a seat on the arm of the nearest sofa.
Dream’s unwavering gaze followed her movements and though he’d never admit it even to himself, he hoped she would stay.
“It has also come to my knowledge that I have been remiss in my treatment of you as of late, and wish to build on the relationship we once had as rulers of the Dreaming,” Dream stated procuring the ruby from his coat pocket. He closed the gap between them once again, hand extended in invitation as he offered her the ruby with bated breath as he waited her response.
Neryssa looked from him to the ruby eyes cold and guarded as she processed what it is that he had said, coldness quickly giving way to confusion before settling on a feeling of aghast.
Looking to Matthew, she signed, “You might want to translate as I sign, I’ll do my best to not go too fast.”
“Thanks for keeping speed in my favor my Lady,” Matthew replied with a grateful nod.
“Surely you jest–”
She began, in disbelief before being briskly cut off.
“As the keeper of one of my tools of power, I am bestowing to you that which you have kept safe thus far as a symbol of trust and goodwill as your King and husband,” declared Dream, gaze unwavering and steadfast.
It’s started small, a snort and bouncing shoulders. Then it turned into a titter, a giggle, eventually evolving into a full body laugh that echoed through the apartment as his intentions became clear. Disdain, scorn and disbelief marring her features and
“You come to me, showering me in praise, pleading for forgiveness, and your olive branch is more responsibilities to do in your stead?” She signed in apparent disdain, “Have one hundred years truly dulled your memory? You think I enjoyed ruling your kingdom, your people, your land, by myself? Do your truly believe I enjoyed ruling with your nightmares and night terrors running wild, mocking and doing as they pleased? Knowing full well that in your neglect to declare me queen of your realm, I would be powerless against them. And you have the gall to invade my sanctuary and say this is a gift? You dare say that you are regretful of your actions and absence and then turn around and give me more work? Is your brain so smooth that your understanding of compassion and empathy just slide right off?”
Throughout her tangent, and justified crashout, Matthew faltered as he spoke. His was growing more agitated as her signing got wilder, her disdain, disbelief and outright anger filtering through. The poor raven believes he’ll need to find eminent shelter just to keep himself alive in fear that his lord lashes out too badly.
Dream, to his credit, remained silent throughout her tirade and took all that she had to say with a look of shocked disbelief. Had his own preconceived beliefs on her bled through to his subjects so much so that they would treat her with such cruelty? If so, why did she not bring these grievances to his attention?
“Would you have done anything?” Neryssa asked, eyes ablaze, “Would you have even taken into consideration intervening on my behalf?”
His silence spoke volumes, as he looked away with a clouded look covering his face. Outrage at her tirade melted into dark consideration as he replayed her words in his mind. A cold stripe of realization traveled down his spine as he came to the realization that she was right, he wouldn’t have stepped in…he wouldn’t have been impartial.
“That’s what I thought. I had to learn to tame them on my own without your help. And even the songs I sang barely kept the Corinthian from his more creative taunts,” she signed, her movements sharp, “Now if you have nothing more to say I must ask you to leave immediately. And don’t come back.”
He looked up stunned at her declaration, a strange heat igniting at the mention of the Corinthian.
Matthew looked on jaw, or rather beak, on the floor as the room grew dark despite it being morning.
“Hey Boss,” he said tentatively, “Ya might wanna tone down on the shadows.”
Dream, deaf to his companion’s please, clutched at the chain the ruby hung from.
“Oneirous!” Called Neryssa, voice hoarse from lack of use, the command to attention clear.
Dream came back to himself shocked to have heard her voice directed at him. He heard Matthew breath a sigh of relief and a pang of regret ran through him. It was unlike him to lose control as he almost did, and yet her dismissal of him left him wrong footed.
Neryssa looked to Matthew once again and nodded at him.
He nodded shakily, clearly uneasy with where this might go.
“Don’t get used to that,” she stated, now clearly tired of this, “Afterall, why would you want a monster in your realm let alone speak for it?”
“Why do you do that?” Dream asked, confused as to why she would call herself a monster, “You are the Song, Siren of the Dreaming.”
Neryssa breathed a soft laugh as she looked at him in outrage.
“When did you come to that conclusion?” She asked, Matthew’s own confusion leaking into the question, “Last I checked I am the beast you married out of duty. A burden to undertake for the sake of destiny as so written in your brother’s book and weaved to the tapestry.”
Realization washed over Dream like a sand storm.
“I…heard…everything…” she whispered, this time she couldn’t help how broken her voice came.
Dream was at a loss as to how to proceed from here. He’d come with the intention of drawing her back to the Dreaming under the pretense of courtship. He made his way to the table she was sitting at and took a seat on the empty chair across from her. Her words echoed in his mind, the fire behind her signing, the loneliness…and how he was the cause of it all.
“Leave us,” ordered Dream, turning to Matthew.
Matthew cocked his head, caught off guard by the request before looking to Neryssa.
Neryssa nodded and pulled her bathrobe tighter around her before crossing her arms over her middle.
This shift in posture, the defensiveness in which she now held herself was not lost on Dream. He couldn't remember a time where she held herself as such when it came to him. Quite the opposite, she had always been ready with conversation, wide happy smiles, ready ear and even songs for him to listen to. It wasn’t until after his discussion with Lucienne that all of that seemed to stop. She no longer approached him confidently but shrank into herself. Not even when he made the mistake of allowing himself to take lovers was she roused from her moroseness. He couldn’t even seem to recall when it was that she had last been in the Dreaming. Which now begged the question…
“Why did you leave?”
The question caught Neryssa off guard. She didn’t want to have a heart to heart with her estranged husband, nor did she want to get wrapped up in his life anymore than she already was. He’d made his intentions clear, she wasn’t at all keen on jumping back into him playing her for a fool as he did the first time she’d resided in the Dreaming.
“I know I do not deserve to hear you,” he began, trepidatiously, “I am also aware that I’ve never truly earned the honor of hearing your song properly. But I deserve to know the reason behind your departure.”
Neryssa sighed quietly, admitting to herself that he was right on that count.
“You…sent…her…to…hell,” she forced out, the thought of speaking to him at all making the act difficult, “Scared.”
Dream’s eyes widened as her words registered. Had he neglected her so thoroughly that she believed he would subject her to a fate equally as damning? He recalled his time in his glass prison, was that his penance for his sins? As memories of his time behind the glass flashed through his mind a sudden realization dawned. Throughout his 106 years of isolation, it was her song which made them bearable.
“I…” he attempted to say clearly at a loss for words, “You were afraid I would…”
She nodded mutely, her gaze steady on the table.
“Neryssa, I would never have turned on you,” he declared, fully believing the statement.
Neryssa shook her head with a sad grin.
“Monster,” she uttered equally as sad.
He shook his head in disagreement, she couldn’t truly believe he would turn on her. At this, he realized that he had to do something they are meant. It has been written, and he owes it to her to give them, give himself the opportunity to find what he has so desperately wanted and been looking for. With that thought firmly in mind, he procured the ruby once more.
//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//-//
(Notes: Thanks for taking the time to read this everyone! Feedback and reblogs are always appreciated!! Tags are open too just leave a comment dm!)
Tag List: @snowtargaryen, @dontpulltohardman @starkleila @deniixlovezelda @obsessedwithfakeguys @rpfann @totallysocially @talented-bitch
Season one, the Corinthian, who was a gay man in the comics, is made pansexual (I think) in the show, but it’s ok. I’m pan, love pan rep, and he’s still attracted to men, then didn’t just say he was pansexual and then write him straight yk? Cool
Joanna Constantine, a gender swapped version of John Constantine, one of my favorite characters of all time, played by one of my favorite actresses ever. Still a very tragic, queer character in season one. Awesome
Season two shoves them in this stupid fucking straight relationship that makes no fucking sense. I get that the Corinthian died and was recreated differently but they pretty much completely removed his attraction to men and had him turn into a total Joanna simp. Which would have been cute if it wasn’t total nonsense.(being a Joanna simp that is)
Where are my sluts? These are not the hoes I’ve grown to know and love!
Robin Goodfellow flirts with the Corinthian, makes several references to having sex with the previous Corinthian and this Corinthian…has no response to Robin and instead uses his words to flirt with Joanna.
And Joanna just magically likes him??? They don’t even have much screen time together and they’re suddenly yearning hard as fuck for each other???? After she has a severe dislike of the Corinthian???
On top of that, putting what was previously a gay male character in a relationship with a gender swapped version of a queer male character is so weird.
Like is that what you gender swapped her for? To shove her with the Corinthian??? Is that why he’s “pan” now, so they could have him magically fall in love with a woman after Dream killed him and remade him “better”??
I know that’s likely not what happened, but it still feels so weird.
Like if they had him end up with a different character that was already a woman and not gender swapped, I feel like I wouldn’t be this weirded out by it. But no, they took a queer male character, turned him into a woman, and put her into a stupid straight relationship that makes no sense.
