rare pair fest letter
Jun. 17th, 2014 07:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
naushikaDear Rarepairfest writer,
Thanks so much for writing me a fic!! I'm so excited to see what you'll do. :D
Optional details are optional, of course, so everything in this letter is just meant as a guide. If you have an idea already in mind, please feel free to run with it, even if it doesn't match anything in my letter. (I'd only ask you take note of my Do Not Wants, below.)
Do Not Wants:
- BDSM
- non-con
- excessive descriptions of non-canon-style violence or gore
- incest
- violence between partners (romantic or platonic)
- PWP (smut is fine, but I would prefer more non-smutty bits to smutty bits, basically)
It occurs to me I should note that none of these are triggers for me, merely squicks. If there are canon occurrences of these you can mention them. I just don't want them to be the focus, since, squicks and all that, haha.
General Likes:
- angst
- action/adventure
- AUs (all AUs, any kind of AUs, but special love for the tropetastic high school/coffee shop-or-similar-business/etc AU. Also I'm getting kinda into medieval-castles-and-magic kind of AUs lately.)
- hurt/comfort (physical or emotional)
- characters linked together (either physically, eg handcuffs, or mentally, eg can't-be-more-than-50-feet-apart or whatever)
- apocalypse and/or dystopia, zombies, surviving together
- time travel (normal flavor, time loops, butterfly effect stuff)
- amnesia
- dubcon (aliens made them do it, sex pollen, drunk sex, etc)
- people slowly discovering their love for each other
- friendships turned romantic relationships
Fandom-specific Ideas:
This is mostly just me rambling but I tried to include some prompts for each pairing.
Marvel Cinematic Universe_____________________________________________________________
Jane Foster/Loki
I love the idea of Jane/Loki in a somewhat specific way. I don't particularly enjoy smitten!Loki changing his ways because of his love for Jane (eg "Jane wouldn't like me to kill this person so I won't do it"). Instead, I love Jane challenging his viewpoints, surprising him due to her own intelligence and understanding of science/magic, and forcing him to re-evaluate how he views himself/his attitudes. Related to that, I don't need Loki redemption and happy endings; I recognize Loki for what he is. I just feel like they could both fascinate and irritate the hell out of each other and it would be fantastic.
To that end, I really enjoy Jane and Loki having to work together for whatever reason, and coming to mutually appreciate the other's intelligence and abilities. I think they're alike more than they're different, and that would be a huge thing for them both to realize. Any relationship they had would probably be pretty dysfunctional, but that's what I love about them. I would also really love a dark!Jane fic teaming up with Loki. In light of Thor 2 events, maybe a bit of the aether stayed with Jane and slowly turns her dark. I just want to see Jane use science for evil, just once, haha.
Bruce Banner/Jane Foster
Pretty much opposite to my Jane/Loki love, Bruce/Jane to me is one built on respect and similar personalities. For Bruce and Jane, I see them bonding over science, but I also see them bonding over feeling kind of like outsiders in this whole SHIELD/Avengers thing. Bruce might not feel entirely like an Avenger, because it's the Hulk they really want. Jane is constantly cut out and shipped off by SHIELD, so she doesn't really feel like they value her. I can see them bonding over that mutual experience.
Bruce and Jane Science Adventures are totally welcome and loved by me. It seems fairly logical to team these two up for science-related problem-solving casefic. (As an aside, Bruce, Jane, and Tony are my Science Brot3, so feel free to toss Tony in. I love the idea of the three of them together, Tony causing trouble and Bruce and Jane bonding over their mutual irritation of Tony's exuberance..) In my mind, Bruce and Jane would be immediately and totally comfortable with one another. They both want to focus on their work and crave isolation and tend to filter out the rest of the world. Maybe they'd be good for each other that way, and bring each other a bit more into the world. Orrrr maybe they'd both just get hyper-obsessed about a project together and forget to shower for days in a row. :D
Bruce Banner/Natasha Romanov
So my first foray into the entire Marvel universe was watching The Avengers. I didn't much understand what was going on plot-wise, but, what I did understand was how great Bruce and Natasha were as characters, both separately and together. I don't know what it is about them, just, something about Bruce's soft-spoken exterior belying the Hulk inside, and Natasha's cold spy persona which hides warmer, deeper emotions, and how the two of them played off each other. That contrast of their two personalities really works for me.
This is a pairing that practically begs for angst. Bruce is so sadly accepting about his missed chances at a family and a normal life, and Natasha is so damn practical about relationships and love. Would it work out between these two, or not? I love reading either scenario. For lighter fare, though, I also just enjoy teamy adventures with these two, and the bonding that results from this.
Agents of SHIELD____________________________________________________________________
Jemma Simmons/Grant Ward
Ohh, SHIELD, you made me love Ward, then you smashed his characterization to bits, and then it left me so conflicted and confused, haha. I shipped Jemma/Ward pretty early on in the show - I loved how he seemed to be so supportive and caring of her, and she seemed to be a bit smitten by him. Now, with things how they are, it's all taken a very dark turn. I can't see them as much of anything but angsty - he did try to kill her after all.
What if they started a relationship pre-HYDRA-reveal, and then they each had to deal with the fallout afterwards? Would the scene on the bus when Ward tosses Jemma and Fitz into the ocean go down any differently? I think Ward did come to care about Coulson's team, and I can see him falling in love, but that not taking precedent over his loyalty to Garrett. I'm not convinced Jemma could turn Ward away from HYDRA, but what lengths would she go to to try? Or even, now that Ward is in custody, maybe Jemma visits him in jail and they have Words™.
Jemma Simmons/Antoine Triplett
Instant chemistry with these two! I think the show might be going there with these two, and I am totally okay with that. I think Jemma likes Trip's action-y-ness, and Trip likes her drive and intelligence. It's not so much that they're opposites, but they're complements, in that way. I can see them becoming a very good team, romantic or otherwise.
They're still just getting to know each other, so how would that go? Post s1, poor Fitz is sick, and Jemma probably needs comfort. I can see her turning to the new guy because it's easier to talk about things with someone who's less entrenched in it all. Or, for less angsty fare, just the two of them on a mission. Team Coulson is off rebuilding SHIELD, and Jemma and Trip get paired up together and things get interesting.
Jemma Simmons/Skye
Oh, if it's not obvious yet, Jemma is kinda my AoS bicycle, haha. She just seems to have chemistry with everyone, and Skye is no exception. I of course love them as friends too (BAD GIRL SHENANIGANS!!), but they're so touchy-feely sometimes (so many hugs!), and honestly I was really sold by the time that Skye was near-death from the gunshots and Jemma wouldn't leave her bedside and cried over her. Yepppp. Show, if you were trying to sell these two as platonic.. you failed.
On-a-mission-together, like I mentioned above for Jemma/Trip, is always a good option! There's always room for tropey goodness in that sort of scenario. I think for Skimmons I'm especially fond of "forced together" type tropes. Handcuffed, or bonded, or bed-sharing. Something where they just have to get up into each other's spaces - I think because Jemma would be so British and shy about it and Skye would find that cute. Or they could get into some more shenanigans and go off on their own to try to find a way to cure Fitz, or find out something from Skye's past, in direct defiance of Coulson's orders.
--
(Btw, I mentioned Fitz here - I don't ship FitzSimmons, sorry to say. He's about the only one I don't ship her with, haha. I think they're best friends. Fitz obviously declared his love for Jemma, but, I don't think she loves him back *in that way*. That said, I still love Fitz a lot, and I would rather not seem him villainized or become a horrible jealousy monster. Currently he's in like.. a coma or whatever, so it's probably not relevant, but yeah. Just thought I'd say that. :D)
Arrow____________________________________________________________________________
John Diggle/Felicity Smoak
I feel like this pairing snuck up out of nowhere and bit me on the ass. I never really thought "that way" about them until this most recent season, where Diggle and Felicity have been interacting a lot more. Diggle's been all supportive and protective of Felicity, and it makes my heart go eeeeeee!! And Felicity is so comfortable around him - kind of a nice change from when she gets all awkward around other people. (Not that I don't like that too - that's who Felicity is, after all. But, you know. This season has given me the impression he's been kind of a rock for her, and that's lovely.)
After the episode where Diggle was standing vigil over Felicity's place in his car, I was struck with the amusing thought of Felicity paying him back in kind by standing vigil over Diggle's place. But in typical Felicity fashion, it would go awry somehow. ;) There's also plenty of room for them to bond over mutual irritation with Oliver Queen.
Sara Lance/Felicity Smoak
For Sara and Felicity, it's totally all about chemistry. I was into it from their first scene together. (How many times have they taken their clothes off in front of each other? Hah.) Felicity is a little awestruck by Sara, and Sara thinks Felicity is just so adorable. I can't get enough of that dynamic.
I loved the scene where Sara gave Felicity a couple tips about fighting technique. I would love for an expansion on that, like Felicity asks Sara to give her one on one training which totally develops into something more. All those nights together, getting sweaty. ;P Or maybe they have to team up to save Oliver's butt together. He gets himself into trouble often enough.
Sleepy Hollow______________________________________________________________________
Abbie Mills/Ichabod Crane
Yeah, I am in love with this pairing and I can't get enough, haha. I love their mutual respect they have, and the close relationship they have in canon without it being romantic. Buuuut I love friends-turned-lovers, so seeing their relationship develop further and further is something I really enjoy.
I love all kinds of fic for these two. Casefic is always fun. I also love slice-of-life stuff for them. I like Ichabod-vs-21st-century things, but in a canon-compliant way (ie, not over the top astounded with modern developments). I'd like to see Abbie taking Ichabod to experience something totally new. Like rollercoasters. I bet he would love those! I also like introspection fic for these two. One or both of them reflecting on the other.
Frank Irving/Jenny Mills
These two are kind of peas in a pod, if you ask me. Both have a dry wit, are not fond of taking shit from other people, and love guns. They got along so well, I shipped it instantly. They have such great chemistry. I really like that these two have a relationship all on their own, outside of Abbie and Ichabod. Irving respects Jenny, and that's big for someone who's been in and out of mental institutions.
Watching them kick ass and take names together was super fun. I'd love to see more of that. At the end of s1, Irving's been arrested for murder. Well, Jenny's pretty good at breaking out of things.. maybe she could spring Irving from jail and they could go on a bad guy hunting spree together, or go searching for relics to help in the fight against evil. Bonnie and Clyde-ing it up! Or something that takes place before the end of the season, with a canon episode-style team adventure where Jenny and Irving end up feeling Feelings.
Other stuff_________________________________________________________________________
Since I requested both MCU and Agents of Shield, if you're into crossovers with the entire universe, then I am totally open. Crossovers are super fun! :) It's not a requirement, of course. Just thought I'd mention it.
If you're looking for more guidance or ideas, you can check out my dear author tag here with letters from previous exchanges. But a lot of this letter is Frankensteined from past letters anyway, so really, that's just if you are desperate for more, haha.
ANYWAY, to wrap this up.. thank you, again, for writing me a fic! I'm looking forward to reading it! :)
Thanks so much for writing me a fic!! I'm so excited to see what you'll do. :D
Optional details are optional, of course, so everything in this letter is just meant as a guide. If you have an idea already in mind, please feel free to run with it, even if it doesn't match anything in my letter. (I'd only ask you take note of my Do Not Wants, below.)
Do Not Wants:
- BDSM
- non-con
- excessive descriptions of non-canon-style violence or gore
- incest
- violence between partners (romantic or platonic)
- PWP (smut is fine, but I would prefer more non-smutty bits to smutty bits, basically)
It occurs to me I should note that none of these are triggers for me, merely squicks. If there are canon occurrences of these you can mention them. I just don't want them to be the focus, since, squicks and all that, haha.
General Likes:
- angst
- action/adventure
- AUs (all AUs, any kind of AUs, but special love for the tropetastic high school/coffee shop-or-similar-business/etc AU. Also I'm getting kinda into medieval-castles-and-magic kind of AUs lately.)
- hurt/comfort (physical or emotional)
- characters linked together (either physically, eg handcuffs, or mentally, eg can't-be-more-than-50-feet-apart or whatever)
- apocalypse and/or dystopia, zombies, surviving together
- time travel (normal flavor, time loops, butterfly effect stuff)
- amnesia
- dubcon (aliens made them do it, sex pollen, drunk sex, etc)
- people slowly discovering their love for each other
- friendships turned romantic relationships
Fandom-specific Ideas:
This is mostly just me rambling but I tried to include some prompts for each pairing.
Marvel Cinematic Universe_____________________________________________________________
Jane Foster/Loki
I love the idea of Jane/Loki in a somewhat specific way. I don't particularly enjoy smitten!Loki changing his ways because of his love for Jane (eg "Jane wouldn't like me to kill this person so I won't do it"). Instead, I love Jane challenging his viewpoints, surprising him due to her own intelligence and understanding of science/magic, and forcing him to re-evaluate how he views himself/his attitudes. Related to that, I don't need Loki redemption and happy endings; I recognize Loki for what he is. I just feel like they could both fascinate and irritate the hell out of each other and it would be fantastic.
To that end, I really enjoy Jane and Loki having to work together for whatever reason, and coming to mutually appreciate the other's intelligence and abilities. I think they're alike more than they're different, and that would be a huge thing for them both to realize. Any relationship they had would probably be pretty dysfunctional, but that's what I love about them. I would also really love a dark!Jane fic teaming up with Loki. In light of Thor 2 events, maybe a bit of the aether stayed with Jane and slowly turns her dark. I just want to see Jane use science for evil, just once, haha.
Bruce Banner/Jane Foster
Pretty much opposite to my Jane/Loki love, Bruce/Jane to me is one built on respect and similar personalities. For Bruce and Jane, I see them bonding over science, but I also see them bonding over feeling kind of like outsiders in this whole SHIELD/Avengers thing. Bruce might not feel entirely like an Avenger, because it's the Hulk they really want. Jane is constantly cut out and shipped off by SHIELD, so she doesn't really feel like they value her. I can see them bonding over that mutual experience.
Bruce and Jane Science Adventures are totally welcome and loved by me. It seems fairly logical to team these two up for science-related problem-solving casefic. (As an aside, Bruce, Jane, and Tony are my Science Brot3, so feel free to toss Tony in. I love the idea of the three of them together, Tony causing trouble and Bruce and Jane bonding over their mutual irritation of Tony's exuberance..) In my mind, Bruce and Jane would be immediately and totally comfortable with one another. They both want to focus on their work and crave isolation and tend to filter out the rest of the world. Maybe they'd be good for each other that way, and bring each other a bit more into the world. Orrrr maybe they'd both just get hyper-obsessed about a project together and forget to shower for days in a row. :D
Bruce Banner/Natasha Romanov
So my first foray into the entire Marvel universe was watching The Avengers. I didn't much understand what was going on plot-wise, but, what I did understand was how great Bruce and Natasha were as characters, both separately and together. I don't know what it is about them, just, something about Bruce's soft-spoken exterior belying the Hulk inside, and Natasha's cold spy persona which hides warmer, deeper emotions, and how the two of them played off each other. That contrast of their two personalities really works for me.
This is a pairing that practically begs for angst. Bruce is so sadly accepting about his missed chances at a family and a normal life, and Natasha is so damn practical about relationships and love. Would it work out between these two, or not? I love reading either scenario. For lighter fare, though, I also just enjoy teamy adventures with these two, and the bonding that results from this.
Agents of SHIELD____________________________________________________________________
Jemma Simmons/Grant Ward
Ohh, SHIELD, you made me love Ward, then you smashed his characterization to bits, and then it left me so conflicted and confused, haha. I shipped Jemma/Ward pretty early on in the show - I loved how he seemed to be so supportive and caring of her, and she seemed to be a bit smitten by him. Now, with things how they are, it's all taken a very dark turn. I can't see them as much of anything but angsty - he did try to kill her after all.
What if they started a relationship pre-HYDRA-reveal, and then they each had to deal with the fallout afterwards? Would the scene on the bus when Ward tosses Jemma and Fitz into the ocean go down any differently? I think Ward did come to care about Coulson's team, and I can see him falling in love, but that not taking precedent over his loyalty to Garrett. I'm not convinced Jemma could turn Ward away from HYDRA, but what lengths would she go to to try? Or even, now that Ward is in custody, maybe Jemma visits him in jail and they have Words™.
Jemma Simmons/Antoine Triplett
Instant chemistry with these two! I think the show might be going there with these two, and I am totally okay with that. I think Jemma likes Trip's action-y-ness, and Trip likes her drive and intelligence. It's not so much that they're opposites, but they're complements, in that way. I can see them becoming a very good team, romantic or otherwise.
They're still just getting to know each other, so how would that go? Post s1, poor Fitz is sick, and Jemma probably needs comfort. I can see her turning to the new guy because it's easier to talk about things with someone who's less entrenched in it all. Or, for less angsty fare, just the two of them on a mission. Team Coulson is off rebuilding SHIELD, and Jemma and Trip get paired up together and things get interesting.
Jemma Simmons/Skye
Oh, if it's not obvious yet, Jemma is kinda my AoS bicycle, haha. She just seems to have chemistry with everyone, and Skye is no exception. I of course love them as friends too (BAD GIRL SHENANIGANS!!), but they're so touchy-feely sometimes (so many hugs!), and honestly I was really sold by the time that Skye was near-death from the gunshots and Jemma wouldn't leave her bedside and cried over her. Yepppp. Show, if you were trying to sell these two as platonic.. you failed.
On-a-mission-together, like I mentioned above for Jemma/Trip, is always a good option! There's always room for tropey goodness in that sort of scenario. I think for Skimmons I'm especially fond of "forced together" type tropes. Handcuffed, or bonded, or bed-sharing. Something where they just have to get up into each other's spaces - I think because Jemma would be so British and shy about it and Skye would find that cute. Or they could get into some more shenanigans and go off on their own to try to find a way to cure Fitz, or find out something from Skye's past, in direct defiance of Coulson's orders.
--
(Btw, I mentioned Fitz here - I don't ship FitzSimmons, sorry to say. He's about the only one I don't ship her with, haha. I think they're best friends. Fitz obviously declared his love for Jemma, but, I don't think she loves him back *in that way*. That said, I still love Fitz a lot, and I would rather not seem him villainized or become a horrible jealousy monster. Currently he's in like.. a coma or whatever, so it's probably not relevant, but yeah. Just thought I'd say that. :D)
Arrow____________________________________________________________________________
John Diggle/Felicity Smoak
I feel like this pairing snuck up out of nowhere and bit me on the ass. I never really thought "that way" about them until this most recent season, where Diggle and Felicity have been interacting a lot more. Diggle's been all supportive and protective of Felicity, and it makes my heart go eeeeeee!! And Felicity is so comfortable around him - kind of a nice change from when she gets all awkward around other people. (Not that I don't like that too - that's who Felicity is, after all. But, you know. This season has given me the impression he's been kind of a rock for her, and that's lovely.)
After the episode where Diggle was standing vigil over Felicity's place in his car, I was struck with the amusing thought of Felicity paying him back in kind by standing vigil over Diggle's place. But in typical Felicity fashion, it would go awry somehow. ;) There's also plenty of room for them to bond over mutual irritation with Oliver Queen.
Sara Lance/Felicity Smoak
For Sara and Felicity, it's totally all about chemistry. I was into it from their first scene together. (How many times have they taken their clothes off in front of each other? Hah.) Felicity is a little awestruck by Sara, and Sara thinks Felicity is just so adorable. I can't get enough of that dynamic.
I loved the scene where Sara gave Felicity a couple tips about fighting technique. I would love for an expansion on that, like Felicity asks Sara to give her one on one training which totally develops into something more. All those nights together, getting sweaty. ;P Or maybe they have to team up to save Oliver's butt together. He gets himself into trouble often enough.
Sleepy Hollow______________________________________________________________________
Abbie Mills/Ichabod Crane
Yeah, I am in love with this pairing and I can't get enough, haha. I love their mutual respect they have, and the close relationship they have in canon without it being romantic. Buuuut I love friends-turned-lovers, so seeing their relationship develop further and further is something I really enjoy.
I love all kinds of fic for these two. Casefic is always fun. I also love slice-of-life stuff for them. I like Ichabod-vs-21st-century things, but in a canon-compliant way (ie, not over the top astounded with modern developments). I'd like to see Abbie taking Ichabod to experience something totally new. Like rollercoasters. I bet he would love those! I also like introspection fic for these two. One or both of them reflecting on the other.
Frank Irving/Jenny Mills
These two are kind of peas in a pod, if you ask me. Both have a dry wit, are not fond of taking shit from other people, and love guns. They got along so well, I shipped it instantly. They have such great chemistry. I really like that these two have a relationship all on their own, outside of Abbie and Ichabod. Irving respects Jenny, and that's big for someone who's been in and out of mental institutions.
Watching them kick ass and take names together was super fun. I'd love to see more of that. At the end of s1, Irving's been arrested for murder. Well, Jenny's pretty good at breaking out of things.. maybe she could spring Irving from jail and they could go on a bad guy hunting spree together, or go searching for relics to help in the fight against evil. Bonnie and Clyde-ing it up! Or something that takes place before the end of the season, with a canon episode-style team adventure where Jenny and Irving end up feeling Feelings.
Other stuff_________________________________________________________________________
Since I requested both MCU and Agents of Shield, if you're into crossovers with the entire universe, then I am totally open. Crossovers are super fun! :) It's not a requirement, of course. Just thought I'd mention it.
If you're looking for more guidance or ideas, you can check out my dear author tag here with letters from previous exchanges. But a lot of this letter is Frankensteined from past letters anyway, so really, that's just if you are desperate for more, haha.
ANYWAY, to wrap this up.. thank you, again, for writing me a fic! I'm looking forward to reading it! :)
