Dear RMSE Writer
A03 name: Alley_Skywalker
Dear Rare Male Slash Exchange Writer,
First, I would like to say thank you for the time and effort that you are willing to put into writing for me! Length of fandom sections or the order the fandoms are in no way indication of how much I want fic for any given fandom; I would be ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED to receive fic in any of the fandoms I asked for. Optional details are optional, but if you're like me and like to have lots of info to work with, I've tried to provide some details on the sorts of things I like (and don't) and give prompts for each of my fandoms/ships.
GENERAL STUFF'
Relationsihps/Sex/Ratings:
Likes:
Genres/Themes (and such):
Likes:
FANDOMS
Romeo and Juliet
Fandom DNWs: Benvolio/Mercutio
Romeo/Mercutio. Ahhhh ok like…I don’t care what Shakespeare intended? These are the two who are totally made for each other? I love their friendship and banter in canon - how well they know each other, how they’re completely on each other’s wavelength with jokes and puns and stuff, even if they have their differences elsewhere. Love, love, love Mercutio’s protectiveness.
This fandom/canon lends itself wonderfully to angst, and I love angst, yes, but I would also adore something fluffy and happy - either from their childhood/pre-canon or an AU happy ending where no one dies and they get together. Even just like…fluffy domesticity type things as long as there’s banter and dumb shenanigans, etc. Early-teens pranks and puppy love! Early teens pranks and angst over having a crush on your best friend and thinking it's not returned (even when it totally is). Is the Capulet ball the first party they've ever snuck into or have there been others? Did they ever end up snogging secretly just outside the party?
I just love the characterization of Mercutio as super protective, especially of Romeo. I love themes of loyalty and self-sacrifice - whether that’s the canon duel events or a totally different scenario. The “different scenario” could be something from their childhood/early teens, something more low stakes but their first taste of the feud…
This ship is ripe for all kinds of angst and h/c, but especially obvious, I think, is the Mercutio!lives AU. Just like…give me Mercutio who survives the duel but is still badly hurt and Romeo who doesn’t kill Tybalt and, ah, postpones his Juliet romance to take care of his best friend. Mercutio, who is deeply in love with Romeo and maybe a little embarrassed of needing care-taking, especially by the person he’s in love with, but doesn’t really have a choice. Mercutio who believes his love is unrequited (though, preferablely it isn’t, or eventually isn’t). Mercutio who, perhaps, asks for Romeo/confesses his feelings while delirious. And Romeo - Romeo who adores Mercutio but maybe doesn’t realize he’s in love with him until he almost loses him. Romeo, who makes Mercutio his priority, even if it kind of tears him in two at first. I’m totally open to any other AU elements that make a resolution easier (e.g. the duel happening before R/J manage to get married.)
Um, well, also Mercutio is a nuisance and probably gets into a lot of fights. And while they are obviously not always fetal, I imagine they would sometimes be taxing. So, basically, Mercutio showing up at Romeo’s in the middle of the night because he doesn’t want to go home where his parents/uncle/whoever will see and scold him for fighting again and making a mess, and Romeo cleans him up and lets him stay the night. And it’s mostly just fluff, but maybe also angst and pining?
I perfer this ship requited, even if they never manage to quite tell each other or don't completely realize their feelings until it's too late. But if one of them has to do more pining than the other/one's feelings are more focused on (because of POV or any other reason), I'm really really more into Mercutio pining desparately for Romeo than the other way around.
Feel free to include Benvolio and the Montacrew's friendship as a trio! I love the trio dynamics and would enjoy that being a part of the fic too, if you are so inclined!
I don't particularly care how you deal with Romeo/Juliet. Killing Juliet probably isn't the best idea nor the one I'd prefer, but they can break up or never meet or whatever really - whatever works best for the particular story. Feel free to handwave as needed. I would prefer to not have too much of a focus on their relationship to begin with.
War and Peace
Dolokhov/Anatole. I ship Dolokhov/Anatole SUPER HARD. Dolokhov obviously tries to take care of Anatole in his own way (see scene where he tries to talk Anatole out of running away with Natasha) and canon even says that Anatole “genuinely loves” Dolokhov. Personal headcanon is that Dolokhov takes not just a leading but protector-type role in this relationship, but you can play with that as you like. I think Dolokhov would secretly enjoy being someone’s hero - he’s good at taking care of people he actually loves. I also feel like Anatole would allow him to be himself in a way that he doesn’t get to do elsewhere, because Anatole doesn’t expect him to be righteous nor is he judgmental nor does he care much for things like rank and position. They share interests, they share friends. It just works. (If you’d like to see some of my notes/meta on Anatole’s characterization, here’s my Anatole tumblr tag. It’s not all useful but in case you’re interested and linking to there prevents letter-bloat. On a similar note, this is probably my most comprehensive Dolokhov characterization post. My general W&P tag is here.)
You could do anything with these two! Happy fluffy summertime fic, banter, first time, UST (especially at a ball), friendship-turned-more, drunk fooling around. All the hurt/comfort (post-war/Borodino, post-Natasha fiasco, post-duel). Or awfully angsty war!fic. What about that whole Anatole/Natasha thing? How does that fit in? Did it cause a rupture in their relationship or was it a catalyst for realizing they have feelings for each other? Maybe Anatole has a teenage crush on Dolokhov, who ignores it at first because they have a significant age difference. Anatole goes away for some time (abroad?) and comes back a few years later. Suddenly, they’re both adults and maybe this time the tables have turned?
For something more “serious” - having to hide their relationship; maybe Anatole is in denial about having romantic feelings for men? There are some major socioeconomic imbalances in this relationship, but Dolokhov has the upper hand personality and intellect wise and an exploration of how all that translates into power dynamics within the relationship would be cool. Not to say that their relationship has to be flawless. With someone like Dolokhov it’s never going to be. I’m sure there would be plenty of jealousy and cheating and hurting each other (probably unintentional on Anatole’s end and intentional on Dolokhov’s). I’d be up for a kinda-fix-it where Anatole survives the war and well…that’s going to cause its own slew of problems and issues, but maybe a happy ending of sorts if you go in this direction? I do want these two to be happy, but their angst has the potential to be extremely delicious.
Harry Potter
Remus Lupin/Evan Rosier: I think what I like the most about this pairing is the possibilities and impossibilities that it presents. Different houses, backgrounds, ideologies etc and to see how that can work together would be wonderful. I suppose it would start as an accident of some sort or perhaps a bet or a set up or something and then evolve into something more. Maybe a situation where they're forced to work together to insure their own survival or something of that sort, and then they end up appreciating things about each other they never thought they would.
My personal headcanons re: Evan add to the whole potential opposites attract thing, as in my head, Evan is the happy, extroverted, attractive, popular kid from a rich, happy family. And then there's Remus who's quiet and a bit dorky and forced to be a bit secretive even if that wouldn't be his first choice. I can definitely see Remus as a bit awkward as a teenager, with a depressive streak which he suppresses to keep up with James and Sirius, who love him but tend to be oblivious. And I can see Remus being drawn to Evan like a moth to a (very dangerous) flame and Even seeing something he likes and going after it, Houses and sides of barricades be damned. But, of course, I'd love to see other interpretations of them as well.
I think both of them are too dedicated to their respective causes to ever switch sides which, I suppose, would preclude a happy ending but I think that's the beauty of this ship - it can be so deliciously psychologically messed up and complicated. It's all about war and hate and desire and could-have-beens.
Severus Snape/Evan Rosier: This has always been one of my main HP OTPs. I love the angst potential here. I wouldn’t mind fluff either, though, if you want. I would love to see these two during the First War, perhaps a progression of their relationship. I would seriously like this to be mutual. You don’t have to ignore canon/Lily, I’m all for Severus/Lily, but once she’s out of the picture, I would love to see Sev having a fulfilling relationship with Evan. Oh, yes, hurt/comfort is your friend :D That being said, how does Sev’s betrayal fit into this? How does that effect him emotionally - knowing you’re betraying your friends and your lover? Does Evan have suspicions? And if he does but can’t bring himself to tell/confront Sev - oh the glorious angst! I wouldn’t mind seeing Sev’s reaction to Evan’s death.
Maybe some school-era shenanigans. A bit of a war with the marauders. (I like the idea of Slytherins sticking up for their own against non-Slytherins.) For something a little more plot heavy - a mission fic during the First War. Maybe they get captured and need to find a way to escape before they get handed over to the Ministry. Getting-together fics, especially set against the background of war, are great! Feel free to include Regulus and Barty as much as you like :)
It's all about war and coping together and loyalty and conflicted loyalty and maybe some opposites attract (I headcanon Evan as a sort of relatively carefree outgoing social butterfly).
Екатерина | Catherine (TV 2014)
This show has aired three seasons. A fansub for S1 and S2 is avaliable here. All seasons are also up on Amazon: S1, S2, S3.
Peter/Brockdorff. These two! Brockdorff is always in the background but also always around, even when it doesn’t seem like he has a “duty” to be. (Or any comprehensible reason? Like when Peter is woken up in the middle of the night to go watch Catherine give birth and Brockdorff is there with him. I mean, other than like providing moral support, why would he be there?) Brockdorff seems to be the one person who is always exclusively on Peter’s side. (Well, Liza too.) There are just so many little, subtle things. But the potential in this ship for loyalty kink and hurt/comfort and kinda awkward/messed up power dynamics is through the roof. This could even be a one-sided ship. I love the dynamic of the emotionally vulnerable, mildly daft Prince and his loyal and more competent/composed underling (chamberlain in this case).
You could go fluffy - private, happy moments. Maybe they fly that kite (and watch it burn up in the air!). Maybe the reason Peter mentioned the kite at all as something that would make him happy is because that’s something he and Brockdorff would do as kids back in Holstein before things got complicated. Pre-canon childhood fic in general! Triumphant moments/success during Peter’s short rule and/or grand plans for a brighter future. (Oooh! Their first kiss?) Some cute scenes with Paul maybe? If they get into a relationship, when/how do they make the switch from formality to informality? (Especially Brockdorff, as Peter is already all over the place with his yous and thous. but Brockdorff is always overproper and I'd love to see how that formality may break down in intense/intimate moments.)
Or all the angst! Brockdorff’s one-sided love or a complicated relationship made even more complicated by Peter’s constantly worsening paranoia and dissatisfaction with everything. Peter having to leave home (Holstein) and everyone/everything he knows behind. Brockdorff dealing with the coup and Peter’s death - when you’ve basically committed and built your entire life around someone, that’s a lot of empty space to suddenly fill when they’re gone. Having to say goodbye when Peter is first called away to Russia (and Brockdorff swearing he’ll come and join him as soon as he can?).
Hurt/comfort would be amazing <3 Aftermath of Peter’s smallpox and all the emotional fallout and insecurity there and/or remaining physical weakness, for more tradition h/c. Or maybe Brockdorff walks in on Peter during a private breakdown/vulnerable moment after he finds out that Catherine is going to have a child after all and that child might very well not be his. Peter’s constantly dealing with a lot - social pressures of being the heir, insecurity/sense of inferiority instilled by Elizabeth’s constant disappointment, homesickness (especially during his first years in Russia), a failed marriage, constant fears about the future. It’s ripe for some hurt/comfort!
Dear Rare Male Slash Exchange Writer,
First, I would like to say thank you for the time and effort that you are willing to put into writing for me! Length of fandom sections or the order the fandoms are in no way indication of how much I want fic for any given fandom; I would be ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED to receive fic in any of the fandoms I asked for. Optional details are optional, but if you're like me and like to have lots of info to work with, I've tried to provide some details on the sorts of things I like (and don't) and give prompts for each of my fandoms/ships.
GENERAL STUFF'
Relationsihps/Sex/Ratings:
Likes:
- Outside of any ships I ask for specifically, I have a preference for slash as a general rule. I'm good with slash, het or fem for background ships!
- All ratings up to R.
- A focus on the romantic/emotional aspect of a relationship and some semblance of a plot/point rather than just sex.
- Mutual pining, especially if it's secretly requited pining and the parties think it's unrequited. (Actual unrequited pining is cool too.)
- Complicated relationship dynamics, love triangles, relationships that take some effort/time to work, loving each other but because [insert reasons here] not always being able to be together/communicate those feelings, etc in this vain.
- UST. Eventually resolved is probably better than not, however, not a must-have.
- Conversely from the above - romantic partners who just can’t help but adore each other.
- Kissing, hugging, holding hands, non-sexual physical contact in general.
- Praise kink (in the sense that there’s a lot of emotional investment in and getting-off on getting praised or otherwise acknowledged as worthwhile. Works especially well with characters who are deeply insecure. I’m generally fond of other related things, such as body worship, partners being encouraging during sex in a very sweet, reassuring way, etc).
- Threesomes/moresomes and polyamory, unless specifically requested/prompted.
- Incest (unless specifically requested or explicitly canon; this DNW does not include cousins).
- Parings with large age disparity (over 15 years) unless specifically requested.
- Minors under 16 in sexual/romantic relationships with adults; one-sided teenage crushes on adults are fine. I'd rather not read about teenagers under 16 having sex, even if both are 14/15, but romance/kissing and some groping and whatnot is fine; references to off-screen sexual experimentation/sex is fine if it's something that fits the characters/story.
- NC-17 and PWPs.
- Healing cock.
- BDSM, omegaverse, and most kink. (NOT included in this: foreplay; bantery/lighthearted roleplay for the purposes of foreplay; preferences for a certain sexual position, fascination with a partner’s physical trait, such as, e.g., preferring redheads or virgins or younger partners or being fascinated by someone’s shoulders; rough/aggressive/desperate sex or outside-of-bedroom inequalities that transfer into the bedroom, even though there may be pining down of wrists or some other element that could be considered a kink or part of BDSM; anything specifically listed as a “like”).
- Foot fetishes (I know I said liking specific body parts is fine, but feet are the exception).
- Humiliation (both sexual and not).
- Non-con/rape (dub-con that leans toward/ends up as consensual is ok).
- Mpreg.
Genres/Themes (and such):
Likes:
- Angst, drama. (Please don’t try to use this as a challenge to see how many angst/dark tropes you can fit into a single fic. I have no issue with dark themes, angst is my crack and things like character death don’t bother me, but if it feels like it’s just a marathon of horrible things happening…that’s a little too intense for me. Exceptions apply if a specific prompt calls for dark!fic or similar endless angst.)
- Humor is fun too, but I like it more as an element in the story rather than a story that sets out to be funny first and foremost.
- Hurt/comfort.
- LOYALTY KINK! Themes of loyalty and devotion in general. Protectiveness. I have a special place in my heart for the loylaty kink + rank difference combination, especially in M/M.
- Friendship, family (dynamics), platonic love.
- Fluff, banter, cuddling/snuggling, kissing, general adorableness (and adoration!).
- Well-rounded characters, characters with emotions/sympathetic motives; the “other side of the story”.
- Politics, intrigue; plot (if you already happen to be that way inclined).
- Crack!fic, parody.
- AUs that subvert the universe or drastically change the setting (eg: setting a modern fandom as a fairytale, turning a historical fandom all Sifi, Coffee Shop/College AUs, etc. This includes stuff like A/B/O and inserting magic/supernatural elements into a non-magic/supernatural universe).
- Crossovers
- Time travel.
- Apocalypse/post-apocalypse scenarios, regardless of whether done as an AU or some kind of post-canon possibility thing. (Exception for when this setting is explicitly canon.)
- Character bashing. (Especially with requested characters.)
- Horror.
- Torture. (Mentions are fine if torture is something that happens in canon. BUT no deaths/executions by torture - eg: drawing and quartering - whatsoever.)
- Humiliation; any sort of glorification of bullying.
- Ccross-dressing; genderbending/genderswap; non-canonical genders and gender headcanons in general.
- Issuefic.
- Narrative implications that “sex = love” or that romantic partners HAVE to have sex to have a “valid” relationship or to be “really” in love with each other.
FANDOMS
Romeo and Juliet
Fandom DNWs: Benvolio/Mercutio
Romeo/Mercutio. Ahhhh ok like…I don’t care what Shakespeare intended? These are the two who are totally made for each other? I love their friendship and banter in canon - how well they know each other, how they’re completely on each other’s wavelength with jokes and puns and stuff, even if they have their differences elsewhere. Love, love, love Mercutio’s protectiveness.
This fandom/canon lends itself wonderfully to angst, and I love angst, yes, but I would also adore something fluffy and happy - either from their childhood/pre-canon or an AU happy ending where no one dies and they get together. Even just like…fluffy domesticity type things as long as there’s banter and dumb shenanigans, etc. Early-teens pranks and puppy love! Early teens pranks and angst over having a crush on your best friend and thinking it's not returned (even when it totally is). Is the Capulet ball the first party they've ever snuck into or have there been others? Did they ever end up snogging secretly just outside the party?
I just love the characterization of Mercutio as super protective, especially of Romeo. I love themes of loyalty and self-sacrifice - whether that’s the canon duel events or a totally different scenario. The “different scenario” could be something from their childhood/early teens, something more low stakes but their first taste of the feud…
This ship is ripe for all kinds of angst and h/c, but especially obvious, I think, is the Mercutio!lives AU. Just like…give me Mercutio who survives the duel but is still badly hurt and Romeo who doesn’t kill Tybalt and, ah, postpones his Juliet romance to take care of his best friend. Mercutio, who is deeply in love with Romeo and maybe a little embarrassed of needing care-taking, especially by the person he’s in love with, but doesn’t really have a choice. Mercutio who believes his love is unrequited (though, preferablely it isn’t, or eventually isn’t). Mercutio who, perhaps, asks for Romeo/confesses his feelings while delirious. And Romeo - Romeo who adores Mercutio but maybe doesn’t realize he’s in love with him until he almost loses him. Romeo, who makes Mercutio his priority, even if it kind of tears him in two at first. I’m totally open to any other AU elements that make a resolution easier (e.g. the duel happening before R/J manage to get married.)
Um, well, also Mercutio is a nuisance and probably gets into a lot of fights. And while they are obviously not always fetal, I imagine they would sometimes be taxing. So, basically, Mercutio showing up at Romeo’s in the middle of the night because he doesn’t want to go home where his parents/uncle/whoever will see and scold him for fighting again and making a mess, and Romeo cleans him up and lets him stay the night. And it’s mostly just fluff, but maybe also angst and pining?
I perfer this ship requited, even if they never manage to quite tell each other or don't completely realize their feelings until it's too late. But if one of them has to do more pining than the other/one's feelings are more focused on (because of POV or any other reason), I'm really really more into Mercutio pining desparately for Romeo than the other way around.
Feel free to include Benvolio and the Montacrew's friendship as a trio! I love the trio dynamics and would enjoy that being a part of the fic too, if you are so inclined!
I don't particularly care how you deal with Romeo/Juliet. Killing Juliet probably isn't the best idea nor the one I'd prefer, but they can break up or never meet or whatever really - whatever works best for the particular story. Feel free to handwave as needed. I would prefer to not have too much of a focus on their relationship to begin with.
War and Peace
Dolokhov/Anatole. I ship Dolokhov/Anatole SUPER HARD. Dolokhov obviously tries to take care of Anatole in his own way (see scene where he tries to talk Anatole out of running away with Natasha) and canon even says that Anatole “genuinely loves” Dolokhov. Personal headcanon is that Dolokhov takes not just a leading but protector-type role in this relationship, but you can play with that as you like. I think Dolokhov would secretly enjoy being someone’s hero - he’s good at taking care of people he actually loves. I also feel like Anatole would allow him to be himself in a way that he doesn’t get to do elsewhere, because Anatole doesn’t expect him to be righteous nor is he judgmental nor does he care much for things like rank and position. They share interests, they share friends. It just works. (If you’d like to see some of my notes/meta on Anatole’s characterization, here’s my Anatole tumblr tag. It’s not all useful but in case you’re interested and linking to there prevents letter-bloat. On a similar note, this is probably my most comprehensive Dolokhov characterization post. My general W&P tag is here.)
You could do anything with these two! Happy fluffy summertime fic, banter, first time, UST (especially at a ball), friendship-turned-more, drunk fooling around. All the hurt/comfort (post-war/Borodino, post-Natasha fiasco, post-duel). Or awfully angsty war!fic. What about that whole Anatole/Natasha thing? How does that fit in? Did it cause a rupture in their relationship or was it a catalyst for realizing they have feelings for each other? Maybe Anatole has a teenage crush on Dolokhov, who ignores it at first because they have a significant age difference. Anatole goes away for some time (abroad?) and comes back a few years later. Suddenly, they’re both adults and maybe this time the tables have turned?
For something more “serious” - having to hide their relationship; maybe Anatole is in denial about having romantic feelings for men? There are some major socioeconomic imbalances in this relationship, but Dolokhov has the upper hand personality and intellect wise and an exploration of how all that translates into power dynamics within the relationship would be cool. Not to say that their relationship has to be flawless. With someone like Dolokhov it’s never going to be. I’m sure there would be plenty of jealousy and cheating and hurting each other (probably unintentional on Anatole’s end and intentional on Dolokhov’s). I’d be up for a kinda-fix-it where Anatole survives the war and well…that’s going to cause its own slew of problems and issues, but maybe a happy ending of sorts if you go in this direction? I do want these two to be happy, but their angst has the potential to be extremely delicious.
Harry Potter
Remus Lupin/Evan Rosier: I think what I like the most about this pairing is the possibilities and impossibilities that it presents. Different houses, backgrounds, ideologies etc and to see how that can work together would be wonderful. I suppose it would start as an accident of some sort or perhaps a bet or a set up or something and then evolve into something more. Maybe a situation where they're forced to work together to insure their own survival or something of that sort, and then they end up appreciating things about each other they never thought they would.
My personal headcanons re: Evan add to the whole potential opposites attract thing, as in my head, Evan is the happy, extroverted, attractive, popular kid from a rich, happy family. And then there's Remus who's quiet and a bit dorky and forced to be a bit secretive even if that wouldn't be his first choice. I can definitely see Remus as a bit awkward as a teenager, with a depressive streak which he suppresses to keep up with James and Sirius, who love him but tend to be oblivious. And I can see Remus being drawn to Evan like a moth to a (very dangerous) flame and Even seeing something he likes and going after it, Houses and sides of barricades be damned. But, of course, I'd love to see other interpretations of them as well.
I think both of them are too dedicated to their respective causes to ever switch sides which, I suppose, would preclude a happy ending but I think that's the beauty of this ship - it can be so deliciously psychologically messed up and complicated. It's all about war and hate and desire and could-have-beens.
Severus Snape/Evan Rosier: This has always been one of my main HP OTPs. I love the angst potential here. I wouldn’t mind fluff either, though, if you want. I would love to see these two during the First War, perhaps a progression of their relationship. I would seriously like this to be mutual. You don’t have to ignore canon/Lily, I’m all for Severus/Lily, but once she’s out of the picture, I would love to see Sev having a fulfilling relationship with Evan. Oh, yes, hurt/comfort is your friend :D That being said, how does Sev’s betrayal fit into this? How does that effect him emotionally - knowing you’re betraying your friends and your lover? Does Evan have suspicions? And if he does but can’t bring himself to tell/confront Sev - oh the glorious angst! I wouldn’t mind seeing Sev’s reaction to Evan’s death.
Maybe some school-era shenanigans. A bit of a war with the marauders. (I like the idea of Slytherins sticking up for their own against non-Slytherins.) For something a little more plot heavy - a mission fic during the First War. Maybe they get captured and need to find a way to escape before they get handed over to the Ministry. Getting-together fics, especially set against the background of war, are great! Feel free to include Regulus and Barty as much as you like :)
It's all about war and coping together and loyalty and conflicted loyalty and maybe some opposites attract (I headcanon Evan as a sort of relatively carefree outgoing social butterfly).
Екатерина | Catherine (TV 2014)
This show has aired three seasons. A fansub for S1 and S2 is avaliable here. All seasons are also up on Amazon: S1, S2, S3.
Peter/Brockdorff. These two! Brockdorff is always in the background but also always around, even when it doesn’t seem like he has a “duty” to be. (Or any comprehensible reason? Like when Peter is woken up in the middle of the night to go watch Catherine give birth and Brockdorff is there with him. I mean, other than like providing moral support, why would he be there?) Brockdorff seems to be the one person who is always exclusively on Peter’s side. (Well, Liza too.) There are just so many little, subtle things. But the potential in this ship for loyalty kink and hurt/comfort and kinda awkward/messed up power dynamics is through the roof. This could even be a one-sided ship. I love the dynamic of the emotionally vulnerable, mildly daft Prince and his loyal and more competent/composed underling (chamberlain in this case).
You could go fluffy - private, happy moments. Maybe they fly that kite (and watch it burn up in the air!). Maybe the reason Peter mentioned the kite at all as something that would make him happy is because that’s something he and Brockdorff would do as kids back in Holstein before things got complicated. Pre-canon childhood fic in general! Triumphant moments/success during Peter’s short rule and/or grand plans for a brighter future. (Oooh! Their first kiss?) Some cute scenes with Paul maybe? If they get into a relationship, when/how do they make the switch from formality to informality? (Especially Brockdorff, as Peter is already all over the place with his yous and thous. but Brockdorff is always overproper and I'd love to see how that formality may break down in intense/intimate moments.)
Or all the angst! Brockdorff’s one-sided love or a complicated relationship made even more complicated by Peter’s constantly worsening paranoia and dissatisfaction with everything. Peter having to leave home (Holstein) and everyone/everything he knows behind. Brockdorff dealing with the coup and Peter’s death - when you’ve basically committed and built your entire life around someone, that’s a lot of empty space to suddenly fill when they’re gone. Having to say goodbye when Peter is first called away to Russia (and Brockdorff swearing he’ll come and join him as soon as he can?).
Hurt/comfort would be amazing <3 Aftermath of Peter’s smallpox and all the emotional fallout and insecurity there and/or remaining physical weakness, for more tradition h/c. Or maybe Brockdorff walks in on Peter during a private breakdown/vulnerable moment after he finds out that Catherine is going to have a child after all and that child might very well not be his. Peter’s constantly dealing with a lot - social pressures of being the heir, insecurity/sense of inferiority instilled by Elizabeth’s constant disappointment, homesickness (especially during his first years in Russia), a failed marriage, constant fears about the future. It’s ripe for some hurt/comfort!