Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Luz Noceda had been through many challenges in her life (prior to WaD timeskip).
The first, since the moment she first arrived in and found her second home, was dealing against an oppressive tyrant by the name of Belos, who in truth was a deranged zealot and self-proclaimed "witch hunter" from the 17th century. If Philip Wittebane, the true name he went by, was anything...he is well accurately described as these. False prophet, murderer, mentally inhuman, the physical incarnate of Hubris, a sorta literal Wendigo due to the physique he took on from the Palismen he defiled and consumed partially for sport, horror-level callous—with a mask of both false empathy and sympathy—to even his brother Caleb...whom which had given up most of his own childhood to raise him! And I don’t want to get started on this higher form of messiah complex where he constantly thought, especially before he found out the existence of actual witches, that he and he alone is the true son of— ...well, you’d get the big chalupa of things.🙄

First and-a-half...The Collector. A child of the stars, and the last of the equally-as-hubris-as-Belos Archivists who constantly destroyed planets and lifeforms with zero empathy claiming that “it’s all for the good of the universe” and all that load o' bison. Well, luckily Collector was almost the TOTAL OPPOSITE of their cosmic relatives and was more into playing games with lifeforms. When Lev, one of Luz’s best friends and a part-time sub at Hexside, wanted nothing more than to kill Belos, he freed the Collector with ease after making a pinky promise with them to play whatever games they want with him, King, and the rest of the Isles…within reason, of course. Lev admitted that true, his choice wasn’t well thought out due to such an unhealthy grudge he held against Belos all his life, but his friends and adopted father were in danger.
During the Hexsquad’s stay in the Human Realm as Luz was also trying to find a way back to the Isles, Lev and King also learned that the Collector was emotionally neglected by their ex-relatives especially before accidentally finding the Titans—the only entities that can kill the Archivists—and then got imprisoned by King’s father after being rashly accused of being involved with wiping out his entire species. Due to growing up sometimes teaching younger kids at Hexside, Lev already knew what to do and taught the Collector how to do more with their magic, and have sympathy for those who had been turned into their literal puppets—with the exception of Odalia, obviously—all the while shamelessly joining in the star child’s harmless happy fun-time chaos...some of the time.

Luz’s second challenge, both now that she is the full-fledged good witch she had always dreamed to be, and two years after befriending Collector...
Camila had gotten a Vet’s job offer down in the West Coast. While it was sad for Luz to leave her newfound friends—Boscha surprisingly included—as well as a comically overemotional ‘See you later’ for Lumity, due to the rest of the Hexsquad having difficulty of physically separating them, the Noceda gals eventually moved to Los Angeles, CA without any problems. But not without stopping at tourist locations on their road trip.
Their new house: the one Mr. and Mrs. Wu moved out of without even a sideways glance back. From what one of their new neighbors said, it must have been a promotion way too big for Mr. Wu to miss and/or postpone.
It was approximately the start of November that she found and reunited with Anne Boonchuy and the Plantars, all four of whom just arrived on Earth and are tired and devastated from their recent problems in their S2 finale. Luz, being the good witch she is and having had similar experience, vows to help her friends and save the worlds from the Frogvasion (as Anne would dub it). But not without some unpredicted help from a US Gov agent by the alias of Mr. X and his partner Jenny, both of whom have a friendly connection with Lev when they went to discover the folk legends of Gravesfield almost three years ago.

Indeed folks, my witchsona is FULL of surprises.😋

On a sorta unrelated topic, Luz also explained sometime early that the portal spell she and Eda once used not only sent them to Amphibia, but forward in time simultaneously. Hence why she’s about two years older than Anne.

After helping Anne, one of her two bffs now girlfriend Marcy, and Sasha save the worlds, well…the building where Camila’s new job may or may not have gotten destroyed during the failed Frogvasion. So, the Nocedas have to move back to Gravesfield, partially on Mr. X’s suggestion since there is going to be cleanup, but mostly because Luz wasn’t sure she can handle that much popularity from other humans this soon.

Indeed, to Luz those were challenging but also the most exciting and adventurous moments in her teenage life, making her current adulthood pretty mundane-ish but also tranquil all the same compared to all that worlds saving craziness. After what she, her friends and familia, even her bonita Amity had been and broke through together, no doubt they deserve quite the down time such as this.

Luz and Amity both agreed to get married straight away before she attends her classes at the University of Wild Magic, a college founded by her mentor/godmother Eda Clawthorne, so that she could get through that school life before the Loves Doves decide to settle and raise the possible first half-human half-witch(es) recorded in the Boiling Isles history.
But not before a few rounds of rock-paper-scissors on who gets to carry, and Lumity annoyingly agreeing to an Everlasting Oath by Lev that they wouldn’t name their future daughter Azura due to the existing franchise.
Of course there was a wee loophole to the Oath that doesn't mean they wouldn’t give the kid a middle name close to Azura, but he didn’t mind that one bit.

And so...came a much bigger challenge in Lumity’s life...possibly the top banana, the wily-nily rollercoaster compared to all her previous epic battles combined...

Pregnancy hormones. (Belt: "Dun, dun, DUuUuUuUuUunn~!")

Luz and Amity Noceda’s firstborn, Manuelito, was named in honor of the late Manny Noceda who was brought along by King’s dad to help Luz and co–albeit temporarily–save the Isles and finally kill Belos. Manni had Amity’s skintone that leaned a bit close to Caucasian, a well-balanced mixture of both his moms’ eye colors, and his madre’s hair. He was surprisingly chill for a newborn and only made fussy sounds depending on what he needed, but he also still cried a bit whenever he was scared or injured. Also, he has a face that undoubtably says ‘Demi-Aroace energy.’
(You might say there were times that Luz almost called him mini-Shoto 🤣)
As much as Luz and Amity wanted to wait to have a second kid, apparently Amity was preggers yet again. This time with a girl, much to the interspecies couple’s joy.

Luz spent hours, approximately 43, helping her cotton candy-haired goddess of a wife go through labor until finally their second-born came into the worlds.
About two days after Luz was told to go catch up on her sleep after helping Amity, she was well awake from her sleep but still lying sideways on the couch. A light buzz from her iScroll snapped her out of her chillaxed state and she picked it up to see a text.
It was from one of her human friends, Anne Boonhcuy, saying; Sorry we didn’t respond last night. Ready to bring back Manni.

In case you wondered; Luz had recently asked Anne and Marcy to babysit for two reasons. First was allowing Manni to embrace both Earth and the Boiling Isles so he would understand where his moms grew up. And mostly second, Luz’s godsister Girasol Clawthorne-Whispers, Eda, and the Blight twins lost that privilege after Manni unintentionally got involved with one of their recent farkakteh shenanigans. Even Lev didn’t want to risk being a part of that and face Camila’s thundering aura alongside them.

Finding where Luz last left her own Portal Key between both realms, she activates it, summoning an unfolding doorway. The half-tired herpetologist with Manni and his baby things in tow enters through after she opens the door from her side that leads to Marcanne residence.

“Wasn’t too much trouble, I hope?” Luz chuckled, seeing the contrast between Anne and Manni’s faces.

“Pfft–after mostly dying, meeting with the creator of the Calamity Stones and said stones’ chosen Deities, and then coming back from limbo alongside an anthropogenic tree frog for an adoptive little brother...no big.” Anne excused herself with a legendary gay hand gesture as she hands the half-blood back over into his Mami’s arms. “Though it does help get me and Mars thinking more on the whole ‘starting a family’ stage.”

Although Luz was still greeting Manni back in toddler gibberish causing him to giggle a bit, hearing Anne mentioning that last part (figuratively) lit the human witch’s face up. “Ustedes dos serían madres maravillosas~.” Luz cooed, “Speaking of, your fiancee still asnorin’?” She said as she peeked into the spacious apartment for two and a half, hearing some of Marcy’s snores and dreamy mumbles from another room. Anne simply responded with a “Yep.”
Saying their bye-byes, and Anne congratulating Luz and Amity once more about their new daughter before turning back to resume her sleep, Luz closed the portal.

Mami and Mijo had entered the bedroom where Amity was just stirring from her rest with a brief yawn, only for Manni to jump onto the bed and land on her healing stomach. Amity’s eyes bulged and looked like they would cartoonishly pop out as she tried not to let out a noise that could wake her newborn daughter, while Luz just flat out wheezed at the face her wife made without letting out a loud peep herself.
“Oh, sure~ Batata, it’s funny to you now until you get a turn at carrying,” Amity deadpanned whilst cracking a warm smile at the return of their son, who stares at her with twinkling eyes for getting to meet the new addition. “Course I can’t stay mad at either of you.” She heartily chuckled, giving Manni a loving boop to the nose, before asking him; “Did you have fun with your aunties in California?” Manni answered with a silent but fast nod.
Amity then gestures a ‘shush’ to him before to the high-chaired crib beside them. All three could hear a little fussing from Manni’s landing before it instantly quieted down. Manni crawled a bit to the edge of the bed to see his new sister.

Luz could see too as she gushed without second thoughts like there’s no tomorrow, trying so dang hard to not let out a squeal of joy, at the sight of their second born. The baby had Luz’s skin tone, if not a bit lighter, and a perfect mix of both her moms’ natural hair color. Even though the hair is only an adoringly messy tuft for now.
“Hermana?” Manni asked Luz, to which she answered; “That’s right, carino.” He notices the half-blood baby stretching out her hand by an inch for his fingers to carefully reach. The moment his sister’s hand grabbed one of them surprisingly tight, his eyes beamed again.

“Awesome...”
“I know, right!” Luz whispered, “Manuelito, meet your little sister... Phoebe Azurine Noceda.”
Both wives now moms of first half-blood witches in generations, since the unnamed child of Caleb and Evelyn Clawthorne, continue savoring this tranquil moment between their grown family—

“AE~YO!!! Where’s my lil’ niece!”

...And then 12 year-old Girasol bursts through the door, unwittingly spoiling the newborn’s peace.
😅😅😅😅

Chapter Text

“Tia and Auncle are coming over?”

“You betcha they are, carino.” Luz assured her equally excited daughter.
Whenever Luz and Amity take their kids round trips to the Human Realm, they’d usually visit Abuela Cami or Tia Vee, Luz’s adopted (Basilisk) sister. But getting to show her fellow half-and-half relative, Prima Hester, was always something Phoebe wanted to do. Hester is the first both biologically born Basilisk and first-born Half-Basilisk (even though that’s probably the same as saying Half-Human) in current history, and offspring of Vee & Masha Noceda. Ears a bit longer than Vee’s and shaped like those of a Lop Rabbit, mostly Masha’s skin color but with some Basilisk spot-like freckles whenever flushing or nervous, and hair whose color can be changed whenever they need to. They/She are mostly a quiet and distant type of person according to some people in her school, but always got along with her cousins since a few days after first meeting.

It wasn’t too long before her relatives had arrived. She and her brother, Manni, were the first to greet them, arms wide for a big hug which Tia and Auncle returned. Phoebe offered the same to her cousin, only for them to let a small wave. It was a bit unusual, to Phoebe mostly. Normally Hester enjoys her hugs, but seeing faded light in their eyes Phoebe wouldn’t need Oracle Magic to guess they might have had an off day…

“Is something wrong?” She asked her Aunt.
To which Vee replied with a lessen smile; “Not our place to say...right now, your cousin could use a little space before your extra love.”

“...M’k.” Both siblings took the answer like it was nothing, before deciding to attend whatever separate pre-teen business they had in mind.

“Hola, Hester,” Luz gently smiled in empathy as she crouched to her niece’s level. As soon as her daughter was in another room, “Is it school again?” To which Hester faintly pressed her lips with a nod. They were trying hard not to recall a recent memory, before their Tia offered them a hug that was accepted straight away. “Why not make yourself at home while the grown-ups talk. Aye?”

. . .

Her Hermana and sib-in-law left out zero detail. Yesterday, Vee and Masha were called by Hester’s school in the Human Realm about their daughter. The current principal there…let's just say Principal Stone was a problem peer pressure wise, even after Luz saved two worlds—helped save three counting Amphibia. But the new one after his retirement(?) Luz’s cussin’-en-espanol levels peaked tenfold the moment they told her that the new principal “offered Hester help” by trying to pressure her into conversion therapy, instead of dealing with the other students bullying her. Thankfully, to avoid the risk of the kids overhearing such a rainbow of vocab, Stringbean snakeshifted into some kind of ‘for swears only’ muffle for Luz before any of the stronger ones were let out from her mouth.

As to explain said bullying... After Vee–via humanoid form–gave birth to Hester, under the careful protection of Mr. X & Jenny, they were at first identified as male until they did a thorough double check. Apparently, it is what feels like one of a kind that Hester was born Intersex, but Vee and Masha decided to let their daughter come out when comfortable.

One session of cusses later, Luz had calmed down and Stringbean released her grasp, “*whoof* Lo siento... so, you were saying?”

. . .

It wasn’t until later when Phoebe double-takes and sees a slightly larger, coiled up serpentine-like creature on the couch. Turns out it was Hester in full Basilisk form. They take this form after something upsets her, or when they feel the need to get comfortable, and sometimes even sleep like that. “Hester?” Their cousin marveled, big stars on each of her eyes, as they could see from one of the coils, “Is that what you look like as a full Basilisk? Muy lindo!”
Indeed, had Phoebe once heard of and seen the resurrected magical species’ shapeshifting ability from Tia Vee, but rarely saw her as a full Basilisk since the specialized wedding ring Lev made for Vee to maintain her humanoid form without the risk of exhausting herself.

“Thanks...” Hester managed to make out with a small smile, “I usually get like this to get comfy.”

“That means you’re all better now, right?”

“Almost. If it helps me more, I was wondering what you like to play...?”

Phoebe smiles upon her cousin’s words, “Ay, lots! Pretend or Switch?”

. . .

Luz soon went to the living to check in on her niece, who is currently playing with Phoebe & Manni and showing their prodigal progress with shapeshifting. She smiled at the sight of her and Veesha’s kids’ happiness before knocking on wood–literally speaking–to get their attention. “I hope I’m not interrupting a spot-on impression of Kermit and the mechanical wind-up TV show host.” Hester then returned both halves of her body to full Basilisk as Luz walked in; “A’ight. Make room on the couch for Mama es Frijolita.” The siblings obliged without complaint, curious to know what Luz would say next. “Now, you both already know I said Hester would be visiting us, si?” The siblings nod. “Well...she, along Tia and Auncle, may crash here for a whil—”

“Will that mean Prima can go to Hexside?” Phoebe exclaimed, eyes and mostly pupils went full sparkly chibi. No doubt she learned that from Principal Lev when she was practicing Illusion magic.

“It’s most likely true,” Luz smiled with a visible anime sweat drop, “But remember, there’s also the fact they might attend another of the magic schools across the Isles...”

~*~*~Meanwhile. . .~*~*~
Lev was attending to whatever free time in his office when he let out a violent sneeze, shuddering like if the ac was on max afterwards. It was as if he felt a most dire disturbance. . .
~*~*~

“...So they wouldn’t get bullied by kids for being born who they are anymore.”

“I actually don’t mind going to school with my cousins,” replied Hester, a small smile of security on her face, “I still need to give it some thought, first, while I familiarize with Bonesborough.” Hearing mostly the first half of Hester’s answer, Phoebe wrapped her prima in for a tight hug of joy, but is careful enough not to accidentally suffocate them like last time. And then grabs her brother into the hug, who just smirks with a shrug and rolls with it.

“Welp, no arguments here,” Luz chuckled heartily, “What say we let your parents know.”

. . .

It wasn’t long before Amity and even Camila came back from a mission on one of the Blight Industries airships—still with the adorkable cat headed masts by Luz—and Luz filled them in on what happened recently. Camila was like “about time” as she had zero tolerance for Gravesfield High’s current “principal” being a load of...well, I’m sure we get whatever espanol cuss she could blurt out. As well as supportive, same as her mija-in-law Amity, of her grandniece’s choice.

As much as Phoebe wanted to have a sleepover with her cousin 24/7 until they and her parents had fully moved in, Amity openly invited them to crash in at Blight Manor and its many few guest rooms. Keeping the mansion was one of the beautiful perks Amity’s fam had since Alador’s long-awaited divorce with a certain natural-born F-slur/total excuse for an Oracle witch (who is currently on the run somewhere outside Papa Titan along with Terra Snapdragon, Adrian Graye Vensworth, and Vitimir).
They accepted the offer until they could find a house and/or some land big enough for their own, with help courtesy of the Construction Coven.

A month and a half later. . .
Checking their new Hexside uniform for the how many-eth time since after breakfast early in the morning, Hester tried a confident smile to her own reflection. Even in a literally whole other world where no one is judged for their sexual orientation, anyone can have the bejabbers being in a new school.

“Tia Luz is out front with your primos.” Masha spoke, after knocking to get her attention.

“Just wanna know…is my new uniform good?” Hester asked, a mild anxious tone in her voice. Their Nino gave a narrow-eyed examining look for what felt like a minute.

“Eh.”*shrugs*“Looks good to me.” They answered bluntly, before putting a hand of reassurance onto her shoulder. “Just remember one thing... Re. Lax~.
“It’s just gonna be like every other past first day of school. The only difference is it being in school that teaches Magic run by a principal with common sense... and a crazy sense of humor to sort of match.”

There are no arguments there regarding Bump’s adopted son. The moment he overheard Luz allowing Hester attend Hexside, most likely from some magic the Collector had taught him after their release, he allowed Hester to explore the school and familiarize themself with it before deciding which class(es) to take. According to an updated curriculum of his, each new student above “Baby Class grade” must start out with up to two different Magic Tracks, most likely to prevent causing school work-related stress on the students, before deciding whether or not they choose to learn more kinds of magic.

School bag equipped and readying out the door, Hester gave her parents a nose kiss adios before meeting up with Tia Luz, already boarded upon her Palisman.

“Your chariot awaits.” She said in typical Luz fashion, to which Hester snickered at. They situated themself upon Stringbean and behind Tia, before extending their Basilisk tail and wrapping around the two. “First time flying, eh...?” she says, even though already knew the answer. Hester nods, a little sheepish admitting they aren’t entirely sure of having a Palisman of their own one day. “I still gochu, carino. Juuust keep holding tight.” To which they did just as the two took off.

Keeping their eyes shut at first, Hester focused on the trick to maintain steady breathing before slowly opening her lids. Although still cleaning tight to Tia, she couldn’t resist mouthing a “wow” at the bird’s-eye-view of Bonesborough and the outstretch of Papa Titan. The flight to Hexside felt really long due to taking in the aerial scenery, but as they reached out front of the campus, Phoebe was waving her arms in excitement and for them to land.

“Did you decide what track or tracks you’re gonna practice yet?” She says in excitement after greeting her Mami and Prima in another tight hug, and while returned their tail to normal length so they could board off of Stringbean.

“You’ll find out soon, Mija,” Luz replies, “Besides, you got some classes yourself.”

Phoebe shrugged in half-compliance, but waved ‘ttyl’ to her prima as she ran to inside the school.

“And watch where you run.” Luz called out, keeping her smile, and then turning her head to Hester as they start walking. “I’m quite curious about that myself. What classes interested you before enrolling?”

“Come to think of it,” answered Hester, “There are a couple I might find easy...” Inside her school bag, is a small deck of Tarot cards Masha let her borrow, hinting one of the tracks of their interest...

Chapter Text

This was the Nauvoo-knows-how-many-eth time today.

Chrys Noceda-Park had always looked up to both her parents, especially with her dad’s inherited Palisman crafting skills. Wood carving in general was something that came from her human ancestor, Caleb Clawthorne, which in return was inherited in his descendants—which technically were clones, but still.
At the mo’, Chrys was in a silent sulk. Her face resting chin first on a carver’s table, eyeing directly at today’s attempt of practicing to carve Palisman like papa. She had to convince her great-grandpa Dell into doing so, being one hay of a softie for his great-grandkids he agreed...but only under his supervision.

“*soft whistle*...Stumped at the age of 11...” The sound of her dad’s voice–and mediocre choice of a flora-related pun–caught her completely off-guard, causing her to fall off the stool backwards with a tiny yelp. Thanks to quick reflexes honed from his time as a child soldier in the late Fa— *ahem* Emperor’s Coven, he prevented his daughter from colliding with the floor.
Looking up at her papa’s face, it was calm and collected...but the cocked brow and anime duck-face lips, she knows what that meant. Hunter then said bluntly, “You wouldn’t mind explaining a bit, aye?”

“...Carving...?”

“True, I can already see that...” he replied, noting the many other attempts around the room...one of them a successfully built birdhouse(???) “Least you weren’t using Palistrom wood.” ...before thoroughly checking Chrys’ hands for any splinters and/or other injuries after setting her back on the stool. “Hm... No splinters...no deep cuts...there are a couple good nicks from the first time using a carving knife,” He mumbled aloud, whilst internally he was trying not to let ‘panickin’ papa mode’ take over, “Other than that, nothing too serious, so I’m basically relieved.”

“I used fingered mittens out of my Abomination magic to prevent cutting my hands off. If that helps you to not worry...?” Chrys then adds, using said magic to briefly demonstrate. After a brief, awkward silence she was about to speak again when Hunter beat her to it.

“Dell kinda filled me in. If you wanted a Palisman, all you had to do was ask.”

Chrys meekly shrugged before Hunter continued, asking; “Do you not want one?”

“WH— No, of course I do!” She assured her father, before her eyes shifted to the side, as if trying to avoid making him mad like she once did when she was younger. “...I thought it’d be much cooler just making my own... Great gramps said I have talent, but you make the best Palismen in all the Isles.”

“You aren’t wrong about that, I do happen to be a master carver in my own right.” Hunter took the compliment with a smirk of pride, index and thumb to his chin while he spoke. Before resuming his collected look.

“...You’re not too mad, are you...?”

“Eh. Only the part where your great grandpa Clawthorne had to supervise instead of me~.” Hunter answered in mock disappointment, proceeding to poke his daughter’s cheeks in endearment, “What? Is your old man not good enough to teach you carving Palismen? I am shocked. Shocked, I tell you!” Chrys had let out a giggle, despite feeling a bit too old for the cheek thing, before her dad stopped to take something out of his apron pocket. Placing it on the table was another carving block. “...Well? If you plan on carving your own, I can give some pointers.”

An immediate smile of determination on her face w/ sparkling pupils, Chrys summoned her Abomination mits while her father brought out another block for himself.

“So, what kind of Palisman did you have in mind?”