DEAR YULETIDE WRITER
Thanks very much for your patience, dear mystery author, and I hope this letter was worth waiting for. :-)
I love everything I've requested this year, so whatever you choose to write will be a delight. (Please don't read anything into the fact that some sections of this letter may be more polished than others -- all it means is that some perennial faves have been repeated from past letters. Likewise, if I've received fic in a given fandom in prior Yuletides or any other exchange it means I still love it and would always enjoy more of it.)
Feel free to work with the spirit rather than the letter of any prompts, or to use anything I suggest to set the mood rather than dictate a plot. I don't want to cramp your style too much, so please just take this as a wish list that you can mix and match from as suits you. Hopefully I've given you somewhere to start.
General Likes:
• found family/families of choice
• fast friendships/camaraderie
• loyalty
• friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, enemies to friends to lovers, friends to enemies to lovers
• characters knowing each other really well
• you and me against the world
• reconciliations after rifts
• breakups followed by makeups
• first times
• identity porn
• size/strength difference even when it's only a bit or especially if it's surprising
• fork in the road AUs
• historical or period or location details
General Dislikes:
• infidelity
• non-con
• unasked for kinks
• bdsm
• parental incest or any related kink (sibling/cousin is fine)
• major character death
• mundane/modern AUs
• obliviousness/drawn out pining/misunderstandings
Some General Comments about Fic:
Speaking very broadly I'm more into characterisation and relationships than complicated plots. That's not to say I won't love and appreciate a well-plotted story, just that 'casefic' isn't really my thing, and I prefer to focus on characters' personal lives and the way they interact with each other.
I dislike mundane and/or modern AUs, so please keep the characters in their own settings or time periods and retain their own backstories and abilities/powers. Also, please, no non-con, no infidelity, no unasked for kinks. I do enjoy reading explicit sex scenes in fic, though as a general rule as part of character development rather than pure PWP, so if you enjoy writing them please go ahead. If you prefer lower ratings then super intense feelings and emotions tickle my id just as well.
I have a basic preference for third person narration, and also for a fairly tight POV, rather than an omniscient narrator. That’s not a hard and fast rule though, so don’t feel bound by it if it doesn’t suit the story you want to tell.
*****
The Dukes of Hazzard (TV)
Bo Duke, Luke Duke
I'm going to just cut right to the chase and say that I am in a mood to have my cherished childhood memories utterly debauched. I have no real ideas for a plot, nor do I really require one unless something calls out to you, in which case feel free. Any sort of caper or mcguffin would do the trick. Include as many car chases, exploding arrows, and Boss Hogg shenanigans as you see fit, or spend most of your focus on Bo and Luke's little shared bedroom at the farmhouse with its gingham curtains and twin beds (or the stables, or the back of the General Lee, or out by the creek, or anywhere else that takes your fancy).
Speaking of debauchery...
I would love to see any sort of scenario where Bo and Luke realise their feelings towards each other aren't exactly cousinly. Love, lust, and all the associated guilt that comes with it, thanks both to the 'cousin thing' and also the 'guy thing'. I can't imagine either of the cousins having modern ideas about sexuality or the terminology to express them, so however clumsily they fumble through these realisations and come to act upon them is fine. Inclusion of both internalised homophobia and the fear of discovery by a hostile community both also fine. If you wanted to use Boss and Roscoe and the fact that the boys are technically still on parole as a serious threat and legitimate source of fear then that would be welcome too, but again not necessary.
I like first times but don't kink on virginity, so inexperience coupled with enthusiasm would be preferred. If Luke has some experience from his time in the Marines that'd be cool, but I'm not into age gaps or power imbalances, so playing up his feelings as the older cousin corrupting Bo isn't really something that would do much for me. I'd prefer they both stumble along on an even-ish playing field there. That said, I feel like I'm getting a bit prescriptive now, so really, wherever the muse takes you would be great. Explicit fic very welcome, pile on as much angst as you like, ultimately a happy-ish ending would be great, but bittersweet with ongoing secrecy fine too.
One last thought: I'd prefer to think of Hazzard County as a fairytale place somewhat out of time, divorced from real world context or historical background. There's enough reality in real life right now.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Will Hunting, Chuckie Sullivan
I love this film so much, and more than anything I adore Will and Chuckie's relationship. Chuckie's part in the movie is comparatively small, but he speaks a thousand words with every grin, smirk, and glare, and I am an absolute sucker for his brand of love and loyalty combined with straight talking and the ability to give a shove where required. It seems very obvious, without much exposition, that he and Will have known each other forever, and always been there for each other through thick and thin. He's also a big enough person to let Will go - heck, make him go - though of course I am selfishly asking you to undo that somehow and get them back together. Sorry, not sorry.
Sean summed it up well when Lambeau was complaining about Will's choice to hang out with a "retarded gorilla" and he responded, "That retarded gorilla would take a bat to your head if he asked him to." [We've come quite some way in understanding inappropriate slurs since 1997 but I think the sentiment is still clear.] Likewise when one of the other boys hesitates about getting into a fight to support Will, and Chuckie says something to the effect, "When I'm done with them I'm coming for you." It's like catnip to my love of found family, "you and me against the world" friendships, and undying loyalty in the face of all common sense.
Anyway, there is so little fic available featuring these two that pretty much anything you can come up with would be very welcome indeed. I would love any sort of fic where Will and Chuckie are together, whether they get together before, during, or after the film. I'd prefer for them not to permanently break up, though I'm more than happy for them to make up or get back together after a separation. I'd prefer Skylar be dealt with as briefly and respectfully as possible, whether via off screen break up or simple, time honoured, assuming that's been dealt with and moving forward.
I guess my major question is: where to from the end of the movie? What happens next? Given that Chuckie was so set on Will leaving, and more importantly not wasting his gifts and opportunities, it seems like he wouldn't accept Will just giving up on California and coming home to the same old same old. So what changes? Does Chuckie follow him out there? Does Will come home but to a new life in Boston? Can Will help Chuckie realise a few dreams of his own? What kind of life can they build together? Is it, by choice or necessity, a closeted life? When and how does that change?
That brings me to one of the other things that intrigues me, namely how much the world has and hasn't changed between 1997 and 2017. [I can't believe this film was twenty years old this year! Where did the time go???] So I'm interested in that too. If you want to set your fic in 1997 or shortly thereafter, great; if you want to look in at what the guys are doing now, that'd also be awesome. Please, please, don't write them as having not spoken or seen each other for huge chunks of time in those intervening years though, I can't bear that thought.
Oh, if you do want to go early? Underage is fine, though I'd prefer it if we stick with 16+.
If you are interested in writing smut for this pairing you are a hero indeed, so please feel free to check out the relevant section of my letter for Smut Swap where I waxed somewhat lyrical on the subject.
The Nice Guys (2016)
Jackson Healy, Holland March
I just watched this movie for the first time a couple of weeks ago and was instantly charmed by it. I loved all the little period and setting details -- the ubiquity of porn ads in public places, the pollution, the casual smoking and drinking (and driving!), the architecture, the clothes, the cars, etc etc. I'm not American so I don't really know how historically accurate that all was, but it certainly made for a colourful backdrop, and I'd love to see elements of that included in a fic.
I'm a bit of a sucker for characters discovering they're better than not just others but they themselves think they are, and that was a through line of the film I really enjoyed: both Jackson getting to realise what wasn't even a dream he'd really acknowledged of being a real detective instead of an enforcer, and Holland getting over his guilt and self destructive ways and using his genuine talents constructively.
I found the chemistry between the leads to be a hoot, and I didn't even need my foe!yay glasses given how quickly they went from rivals to grudging colleagues to friends and partners. I'd enjoy any sort of getting together fic, whether set against the backdrop of some sort of caper or otherwise. I'm not hugely into casefic so a complicated plot isn't necessary, but I do love classic mcguffins that serve to mirror developments in the personal lives of characters. If you're in the mood to write explicit fic I'd certainly be happy to read it! If not, then stick to ratings that you're comfortable with.
One last thought: Holly was a lovely character and I'd be happy to see her included in a story, but I'm not a huge fan of kidfic so would prefer she not be a major focus.
Alexander the Great RPF
Alexander, Hephaistion, Ptolemy, Perdikkas
Alexander and the whole late classical/early Hellenistic period is my abiding passion, history wise, so I'd love pretty much anything here. I do teach it, but don't let that put you off! Feel free to include as much or as little recognisable detail from the historians as you like, but I'm also more than willing to take your interpretations of characterisation and events on board. I picked historical rpf as a tag rather than one of the fictionalised canons because I'd rather get your take on things than Renault's or Stone's or Manfredi's or anyone else's.
As a partial exception to my likes/dislikes about settings: Despite my general dislike of AUs I do very much enjoy a light hand and sense of irreverence when dealing with Alexander's more histrionic fervours, so if the muse drags you that way I would not be averse. That said, I 100% enjoy a serious period piece played straight as well, so the field is open to you here.
I don't at all require all four characters in one story if they don't fit naturally, and would be open to two separate scenarios: I ship Alexander and Hephaistion like fire and would enjoy a story focused on their relationship, but I also enjoy Ptolemy and Perdikkas' bitter rivalry and would be interested in seeing that unfold. Were they better friends once and fell out? Secret lovers? Does rivalry and ambition trump gentler feelings? Is it all jealousy in the end, personal or professional?
Any time period, be it schooldays, the early days of the campaign, the latter days of empire, or indeed post Alexander's death if you take the Ptolemy/Perdikkas option, would be equally welcome. (Obvious exception to my deathfic dnw in this case.) I'm totally here for explicit fic in either configuration, but no mixing and matching please!
Midnighter | Midnighter and Apollo (Orlando)
Apollo, Midnighter
I really like the new continuity established in the Orlando run of Midnighter and the Midnighter and Apollo mini, and I'd love to receive just about anything set there. There's still a lot of gaps to fill and mysteries to explore, and I'd enjoy anything from first meetings, to first times, to the first time back together after the breakup... It's all pretty open to interpretation, and just crying out for fic. Whatever story you want to tell would be very welcome.
Between retcons, mind wipes, and galactic resets, we never really find out enough about either Apollo or Midnighter, or their previous lives, in any continuity. Feel free to mix and match or cherry pick from existing canon, or come up with something new, as far as backstory goes. I've read all the prior incarnations so would be happy to have elements of past continuities included, but the current one is my favourite at the moment so I'd prefer that as the basic framework.
With all our reboots we've never seen the actual get together play out in full -- the closest was in Stormwatch, but even then things were a bit confused by the end. Or, of course, the second get together, the reconciliation after the break up, if you prefer.
Are there wedding bells in the future? Comfortable "old marrieds" several years down the track? Are they perfectly happy with the way things are, thank you very much? Is someone gearing up to propose?
I am absolutely here for some wall breaking superpowered sex too, if you're so inclined. Please feel free to check out the relevant section of my letter for Smut Swap where I waxed somewhat lyrical on the subject.
X-Factor (Comics)
Julio Richter, Shatterstar
Rictor and Shatterstar’s relationship was always central to both of their characters, and yet at the same time it got pretty short shrift as far as actual plot went. I’d dearly love to see it fleshed out and explored. How much longer can Rictor put up with Shatterstar’s ideas about open relationships? Is that actually what Shatterstar really wanted, or was it all a misunderstanding? Does he even know, finally, what he does want? They’ve broken up several times in the past, are they going to make it this time and stay together? (Spoiler: I hope so. I love a bit of angst along the rocky path to true love, but would prefer an ultimately happy ending. I love break ups that end in make ups though. And make up sex…)
With the end of Vol 3, the boys are essentially in comic book limbo (eta: apart from one very brief reappearance and some dodgy moustaches) so I’d like to know where to from here? What do they do after Mojoworld? Do they stay there to fight the good fight? Do they go on dimension hopping adventures? Do they come back to Earth and try to settle down? (For a value of settling down that these two crazy kids are capable of achieving, which I somehow imagine involves sudden sword fights through the newly renovated apartment.)
That said, I do love the histrionics and drama of their young days, so if the whim takes you, I'd enjoy fic set in earlier continuities they've shared too. First times, and all those break ups and makeups on the road to the final one.
We’re talking about mutants/extra-dimensional beings/superheroes here, so a bit of wall slamming, furniture breaking, Olympic style stamina and fortitude wouldn’t go astray in any sex scenes...
Thanks very much in advance, and I can't wait to see what you come up with.
I love everything I've requested this year, so whatever you choose to write will be a delight. (Please don't read anything into the fact that some sections of this letter may be more polished than others -- all it means is that some perennial faves have been repeated from past letters. Likewise, if I've received fic in a given fandom in prior Yuletides or any other exchange it means I still love it and would always enjoy more of it.)
Feel free to work with the spirit rather than the letter of any prompts, or to use anything I suggest to set the mood rather than dictate a plot. I don't want to cramp your style too much, so please just take this as a wish list that you can mix and match from as suits you. Hopefully I've given you somewhere to start.
General Likes:
• found family/families of choice
• fast friendships/camaraderie
• loyalty
• friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, enemies to friends to lovers, friends to enemies to lovers
• characters knowing each other really well
• you and me against the world
• reconciliations after rifts
• breakups followed by makeups
• first times
• identity porn
• size/strength difference even when it's only a bit or especially if it's surprising
• fork in the road AUs
• historical or period or location details
General Dislikes:
• infidelity
• non-con
• unasked for kinks
• bdsm
• parental incest or any related kink (sibling/cousin is fine)
• major character death
• mundane/modern AUs
• obliviousness/drawn out pining/misunderstandings
Some General Comments about Fic:
Speaking very broadly I'm more into characterisation and relationships than complicated plots. That's not to say I won't love and appreciate a well-plotted story, just that 'casefic' isn't really my thing, and I prefer to focus on characters' personal lives and the way they interact with each other.
I dislike mundane and/or modern AUs, so please keep the characters in their own settings or time periods and retain their own backstories and abilities/powers. Also, please, no non-con, no infidelity, no unasked for kinks. I do enjoy reading explicit sex scenes in fic, though as a general rule as part of character development rather than pure PWP, so if you enjoy writing them please go ahead. If you prefer lower ratings then super intense feelings and emotions tickle my id just as well.
I have a basic preference for third person narration, and also for a fairly tight POV, rather than an omniscient narrator. That’s not a hard and fast rule though, so don’t feel bound by it if it doesn’t suit the story you want to tell.
*****
The Dukes of Hazzard (TV)
Bo Duke, Luke Duke
I'm going to just cut right to the chase and say that I am in a mood to have my cherished childhood memories utterly debauched. I have no real ideas for a plot, nor do I really require one unless something calls out to you, in which case feel free. Any sort of caper or mcguffin would do the trick. Include as many car chases, exploding arrows, and Boss Hogg shenanigans as you see fit, or spend most of your focus on Bo and Luke's little shared bedroom at the farmhouse with its gingham curtains and twin beds (or the stables, or the back of the General Lee, or out by the creek, or anywhere else that takes your fancy).
Speaking of debauchery...
I would love to see any sort of scenario where Bo and Luke realise their feelings towards each other aren't exactly cousinly. Love, lust, and all the associated guilt that comes with it, thanks both to the 'cousin thing' and also the 'guy thing'. I can't imagine either of the cousins having modern ideas about sexuality or the terminology to express them, so however clumsily they fumble through these realisations and come to act upon them is fine. Inclusion of both internalised homophobia and the fear of discovery by a hostile community both also fine. If you wanted to use Boss and Roscoe and the fact that the boys are technically still on parole as a serious threat and legitimate source of fear then that would be welcome too, but again not necessary.
I like first times but don't kink on virginity, so inexperience coupled with enthusiasm would be preferred. If Luke has some experience from his time in the Marines that'd be cool, but I'm not into age gaps or power imbalances, so playing up his feelings as the older cousin corrupting Bo isn't really something that would do much for me. I'd prefer they both stumble along on an even-ish playing field there. That said, I feel like I'm getting a bit prescriptive now, so really, wherever the muse takes you would be great. Explicit fic very welcome, pile on as much angst as you like, ultimately a happy-ish ending would be great, but bittersweet with ongoing secrecy fine too.
One last thought: I'd prefer to think of Hazzard County as a fairytale place somewhat out of time, divorced from real world context or historical background. There's enough reality in real life right now.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Will Hunting, Chuckie Sullivan
I love this film so much, and more than anything I adore Will and Chuckie's relationship. Chuckie's part in the movie is comparatively small, but he speaks a thousand words with every grin, smirk, and glare, and I am an absolute sucker for his brand of love and loyalty combined with straight talking and the ability to give a shove where required. It seems very obvious, without much exposition, that he and Will have known each other forever, and always been there for each other through thick and thin. He's also a big enough person to let Will go - heck, make him go - though of course I am selfishly asking you to undo that somehow and get them back together. Sorry, not sorry.
Sean summed it up well when Lambeau was complaining about Will's choice to hang out with a "retarded gorilla" and he responded, "That retarded gorilla would take a bat to your head if he asked him to." [We've come quite some way in understanding inappropriate slurs since 1997 but I think the sentiment is still clear.] Likewise when one of the other boys hesitates about getting into a fight to support Will, and Chuckie says something to the effect, "When I'm done with them I'm coming for you." It's like catnip to my love of found family, "you and me against the world" friendships, and undying loyalty in the face of all common sense.
Anyway, there is so little fic available featuring these two that pretty much anything you can come up with would be very welcome indeed. I would love any sort of fic where Will and Chuckie are together, whether they get together before, during, or after the film. I'd prefer for them not to permanently break up, though I'm more than happy for them to make up or get back together after a separation. I'd prefer Skylar be dealt with as briefly and respectfully as possible, whether via off screen break up or simple, time honoured, assuming that's been dealt with and moving forward.
I guess my major question is: where to from the end of the movie? What happens next? Given that Chuckie was so set on Will leaving, and more importantly not wasting his gifts and opportunities, it seems like he wouldn't accept Will just giving up on California and coming home to the same old same old. So what changes? Does Chuckie follow him out there? Does Will come home but to a new life in Boston? Can Will help Chuckie realise a few dreams of his own? What kind of life can they build together? Is it, by choice or necessity, a closeted life? When and how does that change?
That brings me to one of the other things that intrigues me, namely how much the world has and hasn't changed between 1997 and 2017. [I can't believe this film was twenty years old this year! Where did the time go???] So I'm interested in that too. If you want to set your fic in 1997 or shortly thereafter, great; if you want to look in at what the guys are doing now, that'd also be awesome. Please, please, don't write them as having not spoken or seen each other for huge chunks of time in those intervening years though, I can't bear that thought.
Oh, if you do want to go early? Underage is fine, though I'd prefer it if we stick with 16+.
If you are interested in writing smut for this pairing you are a hero indeed, so please feel free to check out the relevant section of my letter for Smut Swap where I waxed somewhat lyrical on the subject.
The Nice Guys (2016)
Jackson Healy, Holland March
I just watched this movie for the first time a couple of weeks ago and was instantly charmed by it. I loved all the little period and setting details -- the ubiquity of porn ads in public places, the pollution, the casual smoking and drinking (and driving!), the architecture, the clothes, the cars, etc etc. I'm not American so I don't really know how historically accurate that all was, but it certainly made for a colourful backdrop, and I'd love to see elements of that included in a fic.
I'm a bit of a sucker for characters discovering they're better than not just others but they themselves think they are, and that was a through line of the film I really enjoyed: both Jackson getting to realise what wasn't even a dream he'd really acknowledged of being a real detective instead of an enforcer, and Holland getting over his guilt and self destructive ways and using his genuine talents constructively.
I found the chemistry between the leads to be a hoot, and I didn't even need my foe!yay glasses given how quickly they went from rivals to grudging colleagues to friends and partners. I'd enjoy any sort of getting together fic, whether set against the backdrop of some sort of caper or otherwise. I'm not hugely into casefic so a complicated plot isn't necessary, but I do love classic mcguffins that serve to mirror developments in the personal lives of characters. If you're in the mood to write explicit fic I'd certainly be happy to read it! If not, then stick to ratings that you're comfortable with.
One last thought: Holly was a lovely character and I'd be happy to see her included in a story, but I'm not a huge fan of kidfic so would prefer she not be a major focus.
Alexander the Great RPF
Alexander, Hephaistion, Ptolemy, Perdikkas
Alexander and the whole late classical/early Hellenistic period is my abiding passion, history wise, so I'd love pretty much anything here. I do teach it, but don't let that put you off! Feel free to include as much or as little recognisable detail from the historians as you like, but I'm also more than willing to take your interpretations of characterisation and events on board. I picked historical rpf as a tag rather than one of the fictionalised canons because I'd rather get your take on things than Renault's or Stone's or Manfredi's or anyone else's.
As a partial exception to my likes/dislikes about settings: Despite my general dislike of AUs I do very much enjoy a light hand and sense of irreverence when dealing with Alexander's more histrionic fervours, so if the muse drags you that way I would not be averse. That said, I 100% enjoy a serious period piece played straight as well, so the field is open to you here.
I don't at all require all four characters in one story if they don't fit naturally, and would be open to two separate scenarios: I ship Alexander and Hephaistion like fire and would enjoy a story focused on their relationship, but I also enjoy Ptolemy and Perdikkas' bitter rivalry and would be interested in seeing that unfold. Were they better friends once and fell out? Secret lovers? Does rivalry and ambition trump gentler feelings? Is it all jealousy in the end, personal or professional?
Any time period, be it schooldays, the early days of the campaign, the latter days of empire, or indeed post Alexander's death if you take the Ptolemy/Perdikkas option, would be equally welcome. (Obvious exception to my deathfic dnw in this case.) I'm totally here for explicit fic in either configuration, but no mixing and matching please!
Midnighter | Midnighter and Apollo (Orlando)
Apollo, Midnighter
I really like the new continuity established in the Orlando run of Midnighter and the Midnighter and Apollo mini, and I'd love to receive just about anything set there. There's still a lot of gaps to fill and mysteries to explore, and I'd enjoy anything from first meetings, to first times, to the first time back together after the breakup... It's all pretty open to interpretation, and just crying out for fic. Whatever story you want to tell would be very welcome.
Between retcons, mind wipes, and galactic resets, we never really find out enough about either Apollo or Midnighter, or their previous lives, in any continuity. Feel free to mix and match or cherry pick from existing canon, or come up with something new, as far as backstory goes. I've read all the prior incarnations so would be happy to have elements of past continuities included, but the current one is my favourite at the moment so I'd prefer that as the basic framework.
With all our reboots we've never seen the actual get together play out in full -- the closest was in Stormwatch, but even then things were a bit confused by the end. Or, of course, the second get together, the reconciliation after the break up, if you prefer.
Are there wedding bells in the future? Comfortable "old marrieds" several years down the track? Are they perfectly happy with the way things are, thank you very much? Is someone gearing up to propose?
I am absolutely here for some wall breaking superpowered sex too, if you're so inclined. Please feel free to check out the relevant section of my letter for Smut Swap where I waxed somewhat lyrical on the subject.
X-Factor (Comics)
Julio Richter, Shatterstar
Rictor and Shatterstar’s relationship was always central to both of their characters, and yet at the same time it got pretty short shrift as far as actual plot went. I’d dearly love to see it fleshed out and explored. How much longer can Rictor put up with Shatterstar’s ideas about open relationships? Is that actually what Shatterstar really wanted, or was it all a misunderstanding? Does he even know, finally, what he does want? They’ve broken up several times in the past, are they going to make it this time and stay together? (Spoiler: I hope so. I love a bit of angst along the rocky path to true love, but would prefer an ultimately happy ending. I love break ups that end in make ups though. And make up sex…)
With the end of Vol 3, the boys are essentially in comic book limbo (eta: apart from one very brief reappearance and some dodgy moustaches) so I’d like to know where to from here? What do they do after Mojoworld? Do they stay there to fight the good fight? Do they go on dimension hopping adventures? Do they come back to Earth and try to settle down? (For a value of settling down that these two crazy kids are capable of achieving, which I somehow imagine involves sudden sword fights through the newly renovated apartment.)
That said, I do love the histrionics and drama of their young days, so if the whim takes you, I'd enjoy fic set in earlier continuities they've shared too. First times, and all those break ups and makeups on the road to the final one.
We’re talking about mutants/extra-dimensional beings/superheroes here, so a bit of wall slamming, furniture breaking, Olympic style stamina and fortitude wouldn’t go astray in any sex scenes...
Thanks very much in advance, and I can't wait to see what you come up with.