Shipper Manifesto: Adelle DeWitt/Laurence Dominic
Fandom: Dollhouse
Pairing: Adelle DeWitt/Laurence Dominic
Blurb: I love this ship. It is one of my very few actual OTPs. I consider these two perfect for each other. Largely 'cause the encapsulate my two favorite dynamics; that of partnership and trust, and betrayal, hate, and confusion. These two characters, individually, are awesome. Adelle in her british, Head Bitch In Chargeness, and Dominic with his quiet judging and hilarity (that often goes overlooked until a rewatch, but seriously his expressions, priceless). They have a complicated relationship, but, as irony_rocks so wonderfully reminded us, "betrayal can only happen if you love." (See A Balance Struck, under Rec #2.)
Then there are all the superficial reasons to love them: the joint, sadistic love of torture, the power walking, the exasperation with every other living creature, the chemistry, the lack of personal space, THE EYESEX, the way elevators totally play a role in their relationship, the very elegant hand dropping of Getting Closer, all of that is awesome.
My Favorite Visual Reason
Now onto the reccing.
Fic Rec #1 - Best Drama Story: Crossing The Rubicon
Author: morgan72uk
Link: One woman declares war on an empire
Rating/Warning(s): R
Why This Must Be Read: It's title is a reference to the beginning of the Roman Civil War. This fic is AU for Epitaph One, and there is, eventually, happy DeWitt/Dominic. IT IS AMAZING!
Fic Rec #2 - Best Action/Adventure Story: A Balance Struck
Author: irony_rocks (currently busy being awesome but will be back later in the year, so leave her your comments even though it says she is bye-bye!)
Link: "The measure of a man's reach is the amount of devastation he can inflict when he leaves... and that upon his return." Laurence Dominic escapes, and takes Adelle with him.
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17 (sex, violence, language)
Why This Must Be Read: This is the fic that gave D/D the fantastic Le Carre epigram "Love is whatever you can still betray." It was written before Epitaph One came out, and it is brilliant. The first half is filled with all of this prose that just makes you go "oh my god, that is so Adelle." And then there is the interaction between Adelle and Laurence, it is so painfully in character. It's angry, violent, full of tension and hate and confusion. So basically: it is perfect.
Fic Rec #3 - Best Alternate Reality/Universe Story: One's Your Foe and One's Your Flame
Author: dollsome
Link: What would have happened if Dominic hadn't been caught in "A Spy in the House of Love"?
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: This is a scenario that I have wanted to see for ages and it is actually quite hard to find (though there might be one other) and dollsome writes it in character and with such a beautiful sense of grief. There is also some fantastically, haunting imagery in it. This is not a happy story, and is ridiculously strong for that fact.
Fic Rec #4 - Best Angst Story: The Haunting Of Adelle DeWitt
Author: blackmamba_esq
Link: Laurence Dominic isn’t the only one caught in a waking nightmare.
Rating/Warning(s): Strong R, Off Canon, Strong Sexual Content, Graphic Language, Dark Fic
Why This Must Be Read: It's just beautiful. It isn't the only head!Dominic fic out of there, but it is probably my favorite. The use of the word "haunting" in the title is not misleading. It's atmospheric and kind of creepy, and fantastic.
Fic Rec #5 - Best Fluff Story: Not The Kind Of Girl Who Gives Up Just Like That
Author: ladyvivien
Link: Adelle finally gets that beachside bar she was dreaming about in 'A Spy For Love', but there are some unforeseen complications.
Rating/Warning(s): PG
Why This Must Be Read: This is the definition of fluff, which is amazing considering it is DeWitt and Dominic.
Fic Rec #6 - Best Hurt/Comfort Story: Prelude To A Kiss
Author: irony_rocks
Link: The aftermath of Alpha's escape from the Dollhouse leaves Adelle frustrated and frayed around the edges. This is her house. This is her responsibility.
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: This, again, is the definition of the genre. This is pre-Spy In The House Of Love, and the closeness of the relationship shown here contrasted with what we know about Dominic is beautiful.
Fic Rec #7 - Best PWP/Kink Story: Looping Feedback
Author: smercy
Link: "Tell me what you want." (Archive Of Our Own link.)
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17 (sex, violence)
Why This Must Be Read: This is dark, and hurting, and definitely kinky.
Fic Rec #8 - Best Long Story: Waking Verse
Author: demonqueen666
Link: Link to the memories, but they aren't entirely in order, sorry.
Rating/Warning(s): Parts range from PG-R. Epic.
Why This Must Be Read: This is kind of, at least in my mind, a cornerstone of this small fandom, especially the first few chapters. It introduced us to the idea of Dominic in Victor's body before Briar Rose aired. It introduced us to the idea that Dominic loves Snoopy. It introduced us to one of the most epic depictions of the Topher/Dominic frenemy bromance of all time.
Fic Rec #9 - Best Short Story: My Body Is A Cage
Author: dollsome
Link: My body is a cage that keeps me from dancing with the one I love. Adelle and Dominic. In which fourteen years pass, and some connections never do quite fade.
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: This isn't a short story. This is a collection of vignettes. It is beautifully put together and in character. It is heartbreaking and lighthearted. It captures the partnership feeling of pre-Spy In The House of Love, and the FEELINGS and betrayals of post-Spy In The House Of Love. If you read any fic on here, or haven't read any D/D fic, start here. It gives you a taste of everything done by a really good writer.
Fic Rec #10 - Best Humor: Prove My Love (Professionally Speaking)
Author: dollsome
Link: If you try to woo Adelle DeWitt, Laurence Dominic might actually kill you. Like, for real. (A tale of classy British imprints, vexed Heads of Security, and Dollhouse behaving in an overall disquietingly romcom-esque fashion, complete with fabulous gay guy interlude.)
Rating/Warning(s): PG
Why This Must Be Read: Look at that summary, just look at it and tell me you don't want to figure out how that fits into Dollhouse. And fit it does. For a slightly cracky, hilarious fic, it is horribly in character for these serious, morally gray, dark characters.
Fic Rec #11 - Best Crossover: The Invisible KOALA, the Poisonous Mushroom, and the Only (Two) Sane Man in the Room
Author: derevko_child
Link: (crossover with Better Off Ted) Ted convinces Veronica to attend a business luncheon with Rossum Corporation and she gets shocked when she meets their Rossum counterparts. Phil and Lem worry about their invention that got loose.
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: I kind of have no words to explain this pure awesome. But if you are familiar with both shows I assume you have already clicked out of pure fascination.
Fic Rec #12 - Best Cliche Premise Fic: What To Expect When (Nothing Is Expected)
Author: demonqueen666
Link: Pregnancy fic!
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: I am not a big fan of pregnancy fics. Not even for couples that have actually been pregnant, or seem like they're likely to be. It isn't my thing. But I read this because if it is D/D I will at least try to read it. And Oh. My. God. This was brilliant. It was dark, and real, and surprisingly believable given the mere fact of biology. I strongly recommend this. Even if you have no idea how this will work and don't particularly want to see, I still recommend it.
Fic Rec #13 - Best Crack: You Will Not Laugh At Survivorman
Author: derevko_child
Link: As the plane spirals out of control, the only thought running in Adelle DeWitt’s mind is that they were all going to die a fiery, horrible death.
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13 (implied sexiness)
Why This Must Be Read: Adelle DeWitt and Laurence Dominic on a desert island. I will give you a moment to process that.
It is in character, vaguely soppy at times and yet utterly charming. And hilarious.
Fic Rec #14 - Best Overall Romantic Story: What Was Left In The Box
Author: hairboo_smirks
Link: It’s a whole new world. The problem is having to live in it.
Rating/Warning(s): Hard R
Why This Must Be Read: This fic is, in regards to my OTP, how Epitaph One and Two should've gone. I love how full of vignettes and progression this story is. I love the simplicity of how feelings that should be really complex are displayed. And I think it is a really romantic story because it is so much about surviving the end of the world
Pairing: Adelle DeWitt/Laurence Dominic
Blurb: I love this ship. It is one of my very few actual OTPs. I consider these two perfect for each other. Largely 'cause the encapsulate my two favorite dynamics; that of partnership and trust, and betrayal, hate, and confusion. These two characters, individually, are awesome. Adelle in her british, Head Bitch In Chargeness, and Dominic with his quiet judging and hilarity (that often goes overlooked until a rewatch, but seriously his expressions, priceless). They have a complicated relationship, but, as irony_rocks so wonderfully reminded us, "betrayal can only happen if you love." (See A Balance Struck, under Rec #2.)
Then there are all the superficial reasons to love them: the joint, sadistic love of torture, the power walking, the exasperation with every other living creature, the chemistry, the lack of personal space, THE EYESEX, the way elevators totally play a role in their relationship, the very elegant hand dropping of Getting Closer, all of that is awesome.
My Favorite Visual Reason
Now onto the reccing.
Fic Rec #1 - Best Drama Story: Crossing The Rubicon
Author: morgan72uk
Link: One woman declares war on an empire
Rating/Warning(s): R
Why This Must Be Read: It's title is a reference to the beginning of the Roman Civil War. This fic is AU for Epitaph One, and there is, eventually, happy DeWitt/Dominic. IT IS AMAZING!
Fic Rec #2 - Best Action/Adventure Story: A Balance Struck
Author: irony_rocks (currently busy being awesome but will be back later in the year, so leave her your comments even though it says she is bye-bye!)
Link: "The measure of a man's reach is the amount of devastation he can inflict when he leaves... and that upon his return." Laurence Dominic escapes, and takes Adelle with him.
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17 (sex, violence, language)
Why This Must Be Read: This is the fic that gave D/D the fantastic Le Carre epigram "Love is whatever you can still betray." It was written before Epitaph One came out, and it is brilliant. The first half is filled with all of this prose that just makes you go "oh my god, that is so Adelle." And then there is the interaction between Adelle and Laurence, it is so painfully in character. It's angry, violent, full of tension and hate and confusion. So basically: it is perfect.
Fic Rec #3 - Best Alternate Reality/Universe Story: One's Your Foe and One's Your Flame
Author: dollsome
Link: What would have happened if Dominic hadn't been caught in "A Spy in the House of Love"?
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: This is a scenario that I have wanted to see for ages and it is actually quite hard to find (though there might be one other) and dollsome writes it in character and with such a beautiful sense of grief. There is also some fantastically, haunting imagery in it. This is not a happy story, and is ridiculously strong for that fact.
Fic Rec #4 - Best Angst Story: The Haunting Of Adelle DeWitt
Author: blackmamba_esq
Link: Laurence Dominic isn’t the only one caught in a waking nightmare.
Rating/Warning(s): Strong R, Off Canon, Strong Sexual Content, Graphic Language, Dark Fic
Why This Must Be Read: It's just beautiful. It isn't the only head!Dominic fic out of there, but it is probably my favorite. The use of the word "haunting" in the title is not misleading. It's atmospheric and kind of creepy, and fantastic.
Fic Rec #5 - Best Fluff Story: Not The Kind Of Girl Who Gives Up Just Like That
Author: ladyvivien
Link: Adelle finally gets that beachside bar she was dreaming about in 'A Spy For Love', but there are some unforeseen complications.
Rating/Warning(s): PG
Why This Must Be Read: This is the definition of fluff, which is amazing considering it is DeWitt and Dominic.
Fic Rec #6 - Best Hurt/Comfort Story: Prelude To A Kiss
Author: irony_rocks
Link: The aftermath of Alpha's escape from the Dollhouse leaves Adelle frustrated and frayed around the edges. This is her house. This is her responsibility.
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: This, again, is the definition of the genre. This is pre-Spy In The House Of Love, and the closeness of the relationship shown here contrasted with what we know about Dominic is beautiful.
Fic Rec #7 - Best PWP/Kink Story: Looping Feedback
Author: smercy
Link: "Tell me what you want." (Archive Of Our Own link.)
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17 (sex, violence)
Why This Must Be Read: This is dark, and hurting, and definitely kinky.
Fic Rec #8 - Best Long Story: Waking Verse
Author: demonqueen666
Link: Link to the memories, but they aren't entirely in order, sorry.
Rating/Warning(s): Parts range from PG-R. Epic.
Why This Must Be Read: This is kind of, at least in my mind, a cornerstone of this small fandom, especially the first few chapters. It introduced us to the idea of Dominic in Victor's body before Briar Rose aired. It introduced us to the idea that Dominic loves Snoopy. It introduced us to one of the most epic depictions of the Topher/Dominic frenemy bromance of all time.
Fic Rec #9 - Best Short Story: My Body Is A Cage
Author: dollsome
Link: My body is a cage that keeps me from dancing with the one I love. Adelle and Dominic. In which fourteen years pass, and some connections never do quite fade.
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: This isn't a short story. This is a collection of vignettes. It is beautifully put together and in character. It is heartbreaking and lighthearted. It captures the partnership feeling of pre-Spy In The House of Love, and the FEELINGS and betrayals of post-Spy In The House Of Love. If you read any fic on here, or haven't read any D/D fic, start here. It gives you a taste of everything done by a really good writer.
Fic Rec #10 - Best Humor: Prove My Love (Professionally Speaking)
Author: dollsome
Link: If you try to woo Adelle DeWitt, Laurence Dominic might actually kill you. Like, for real. (A tale of classy British imprints, vexed Heads of Security, and Dollhouse behaving in an overall disquietingly romcom-esque fashion, complete with fabulous gay guy interlude.)
Rating/Warning(s): PG
Why This Must Be Read: Look at that summary, just look at it and tell me you don't want to figure out how that fits into Dollhouse. And fit it does. For a slightly cracky, hilarious fic, it is horribly in character for these serious, morally gray, dark characters.
Fic Rec #11 - Best Crossover: The Invisible KOALA, the Poisonous Mushroom, and the Only (Two) Sane Man in the Room
Author: derevko_child
Link: (crossover with Better Off Ted) Ted convinces Veronica to attend a business luncheon with Rossum Corporation and she gets shocked when she meets their Rossum counterparts. Phil and Lem worry about their invention that got loose.
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: I kind of have no words to explain this pure awesome. But if you are familiar with both shows I assume you have already clicked out of pure fascination.
Fic Rec #12 - Best Cliche Premise Fic: What To Expect When (Nothing Is Expected)
Author: demonqueen666
Link: Pregnancy fic!
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: I am not a big fan of pregnancy fics. Not even for couples that have actually been pregnant, or seem like they're likely to be. It isn't my thing. But I read this because if it is D/D I will at least try to read it. And Oh. My. God. This was brilliant. It was dark, and real, and surprisingly believable given the mere fact of biology. I strongly recommend this. Even if you have no idea how this will work and don't particularly want to see, I still recommend it.
Fic Rec #13 - Best Crack: You Will Not Laugh At Survivorman
Author: derevko_child
Link: As the plane spirals out of control, the only thought running in Adelle DeWitt’s mind is that they were all going to die a fiery, horrible death.
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13 (implied sexiness)
Why This Must Be Read: Adelle DeWitt and Laurence Dominic on a desert island. I will give you a moment to process that.
It is in character, vaguely soppy at times and yet utterly charming. And hilarious.
Fic Rec #14 - Best Overall Romantic Story: What Was Left In The Box
Author: hairboo_smirks
Link: It’s a whole new world. The problem is having to live in it.
Rating/Warning(s): Hard R
Why This Must Be Read: This fic is, in regards to my OTP, how Epitaph One and Two should've gone. I love how full of vignettes and progression this story is. I love the simplicity of how feelings that should be really complex are displayed. And I think it is a really romantic story because it is so much about surviving the end of the world