Shipper Manifesto: Tina Cohen-Chang/Mike Chang (Glee)
Fandom: Glee
Pairing: Tina Cohen-Chang/Mike Chang
Blurb: Tina/Mike was the crack!ship I never expected to happen. They had a bunch of cute little background moments together during Season 1, but their biggest moment was their tap dance number (pardon the video quality) for "Dream a Little Dream of Me" (Ep. 1.19, "Ballads") which finished with a rather romantic dip that made me give a little "Aw". Aside from that, I didn't give much thought to the possibility of them as a couple given that Tina was with Artie.
Then came the premiere of the first episode of Season 2 (for which I was completely unspoiled), and this happened:
My jaw absolutely dropped. That moment was everything I never knew I wanted.
Then along came the flashback to the moment they hooked up:
And by the time we got to the end of the episode and this adorable little scene,
I was completely sold. For a couple that pretty much came out of nowhere, there was something about them that seemed so right together. Mike clearly worshiped the ground Tina walked on and I had never seen Tina so happy.
In the beginning, it seemed that the writers had matched Tina and Mike together merely as a temporary plot point, and early Season 2 was full of speculation about possible Artie/Tina/Mike drama, but the response to Tina and Mike as a couple from the viewing public was so overwhelmingly positive, that they just never got around to breaking them up. Since then they've been Glee's most stable and functional couple and they are adorable. I love how much they adore each other. I love how they dance together. I love how they make out with each other all over the damn place. I love that they're each other's biggest fans and that they'd do anything to support their partner. I love how they laugh together. I love how they comfort one another. I love that they inspire each other to be a better person and to reach for their dreams. I love that they're not afraid to argue and disagree with each other. And not only are they so strong together as a couple, but as individuals, they've grown so much. They are my absolute favorite part of the show.
HERE, HAVE SOME MORE CUTE GIFS.
Despite how well-received they are in fandom, there isn't really a lot of Tina/Mike fic out there considering how long they've been a couple. (Y U NO WRITE FIC FOR THEM GLEE FANDOM???) Nevertheless, there are a few very dedicated Tina/Mike writers, who are all fantastic. In my following recs, I did my best to feature fic from 10 different writers, but definitely check out some of the authors' other works for more Tina/Mike goodness.
Fic Rec #1: Untitled fill for the prompt meme at mike_tina
Author: cometotheedge
Link: http://mike-tina.livejournal.com/19652.html?thread=362436#t362436
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: It's pretty common in fic about Mike/Tina to assume that Tina is insecure about not being cool or popular enough to date Mike. This lovely little ficlet touches on that but also makes the opposite assumption--that Mike worries that he's too "square" and vanilla for Tina, which I thought was delightfully subversive and refreshing. It's an affectionately humorous read and the author has a wonderful handle on both the characters.
Fic Rec #2 A Distant Wood
Author: katy_moon_beam/wildpeace
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7477558/1/A_Distant_Wood
Rating/Warning(s): M/NC-17, Warnings for explicit sex
Why This Must Be Read: This is an incredible AU wherein the Glee members had never grown up together in Lima. Now they're all adults living in NYC and after a LGBTQ rally gone wrong, Tina goes to the ER where she meets Dr. Michael Chang. I can't praise this story enough. It's such a fascinating premise and I love that this Tina actually does have a stutter. Highly recommended. Also, definitely check out katy_moon_beam's other Tina/Mike stories.
Fic Rec #3: You're the Nicest Thing I've Seen
Author: skintightsocks
Link: http://skintightsocks.livejournal.com/13071.html
Rating/Warning(s): M/NC-17, Warnings for explicit sex
Why This Must Be Read: I love this story. I love how much Mike enjoys pleasing Tina and how Tina is all about reciprocity. Yay, reciprocity! Not only is this story hot, but the humor and the characterization is delightful.
Fic Rec #4: Apologies & Addendums
Author: alonemirage2see
Link: http://alonemirage2see.livejournal.com/29682.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG
Why This Must Be Read: This is a missing scene set during Episode 2.04: "Duets". It's lovely and showcases Tina and Mike at their best--talking things out and being supportive of each other.
Fic Rec #5: Model Minority (Stereotype A)
Author: lookninjas
Link: http://lookninjas.livejournal.com/110615.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG
Why This Must Be Read: I love everything lookninjas has written but this fic is my absolute favorite of hers. This story delves into Asian-American issues and stereotypes, and how they have affected and shaped (and continue to influence) Mike and Tina as people. As a Chinese-American, I immediately recognized similar events and issues from my own experience and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the author isn't actually Asian herself. (Proof again that White authors shouldn't be afraid to try to write Characters of Color.) This was written early during Season 2, so some of the backstory is no longer congruent with current canon, but it's a really sensitive and impressive read. I wholeheartedly recommend this and her other Tina/Mike fics.
Fic Rec #6: Navigating These Waters
Author: svz_insanity
Link: http://crack-lore.livejournal.com/54435.html#cutid1
Rating/Warning(s): PG
Why This Must Be Read: Mike and Tina have a strong relationship but it isn't perfect. This story takes an honest look at both characters, describing both their strengths and their frailties, their insecurities and the effort they make to compromise and nurture their relationship. svz_insanity has her own headcanon about Mike, which has since been jossed by Season 3, but I personally love her backstory. Definitely recommend checking out her other fics as well.
Fic Rec #7: Let Me Feel You Inside Out
Author: preromantics
Link: http://preromantics.livejournal.com/152332.html
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17, Warnings for (semi-?)public naughtiness
Why This Must Be Read: Written for the Glee kink meme, Tina + a convenient skirt + a devious Mike + dinner with friends at Breadstix= a hot little PWP. Yowza.
Fic Rec #8: Sepia-Colored Memories
Author: psykonaut07
Link: http://mike-tina.livejournal.com/78821.html#cutid1
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: This is a nice little throwback to Season 1. The author essentially writes a drabble for each episode of the first season through Tina/Mike lenses.
Fic Rec #9: Tackling 101
Author: kaitybear
Link: http://kaitybear.livejournal.com/16453.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, Warnings for implied sexy times
Why This Must Be Read: kaitybear is possibly the most prolific Tina/Mike writer in Glee fandom and she's most famous for her Asian Kiss series. But one of my favorite fics of hers is based on Episode 2.11 where the girls join the football team temporarily, and which contains some of my favorite Tina and Mike moments. The dialogue is fun and snappy and the ending line made me snort. :P
Fic Rec #10: Pardon the Way that I Stare
Author: agoldencharm
Link: http://agoldencharm.livejournal.com/3964.html#cutid1
Rating/Warning(s): T/PG-13, Warnings for Tina's less-than-chaste thoughts about her ridiculously hot boyfriend
Why This Must Be Read: Mike is ridiculously hot. We all know this to be true. However, he's sometimes unaware of his own appeal. In this fic, Mike, quite unintentionally, teases Tina to the point that she has no choice but to jump his bones, as any right-thinking girl would do. A fun, sexy read.
Pairing: Tina Cohen-Chang/Mike Chang
Blurb: Tina/Mike was the crack!ship I never expected to happen. They had a bunch of cute little background moments together during Season 1, but their biggest moment was their tap dance number (pardon the video quality) for "Dream a Little Dream of Me" (Ep. 1.19, "Ballads") which finished with a rather romantic dip that made me give a little "Aw". Aside from that, I didn't give much thought to the possibility of them as a couple given that Tina was with Artie.
Then came the premiere of the first episode of Season 2 (for which I was completely unspoiled), and this happened:
My jaw absolutely dropped. That moment was everything I never knew I wanted.
Then along came the flashback to the moment they hooked up:
And by the time we got to the end of the episode and this adorable little scene,
I was completely sold. For a couple that pretty much came out of nowhere, there was something about them that seemed so right together. Mike clearly worshiped the ground Tina walked on and I had never seen Tina so happy.
In the beginning, it seemed that the writers had matched Tina and Mike together merely as a temporary plot point, and early Season 2 was full of speculation about possible Artie/Tina/Mike drama, but the response to Tina and Mike as a couple from the viewing public was so overwhelmingly positive, that they just never got around to breaking them up. Since then they've been Glee's most stable and functional couple and they are adorable. I love how much they adore each other. I love how they dance together. I love how they make out with each other all over the damn place. I love that they're each other's biggest fans and that they'd do anything to support their partner. I love how they laugh together. I love how they comfort one another. I love that they inspire each other to be a better person and to reach for their dreams. I love that they're not afraid to argue and disagree with each other. And not only are they so strong together as a couple, but as individuals, they've grown so much. They are my absolute favorite part of the show.
HERE, HAVE SOME MORE CUTE GIFS.
Despite how well-received they are in fandom, there isn't really a lot of Tina/Mike fic out there considering how long they've been a couple. (Y U NO WRITE FIC FOR THEM GLEE FANDOM???) Nevertheless, there are a few very dedicated Tina/Mike writers, who are all fantastic. In my following recs, I did my best to feature fic from 10 different writers, but definitely check out some of the authors' other works for more Tina/Mike goodness.
Fic Rec #1: Untitled fill for the prompt meme at mike_tina
Author: cometotheedge
Link: http://mike-tina.livejournal.com/19652.html?thread=362436#t362436
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: It's pretty common in fic about Mike/Tina to assume that Tina is insecure about not being cool or popular enough to date Mike. This lovely little ficlet touches on that but also makes the opposite assumption--that Mike worries that he's too "square" and vanilla for Tina, which I thought was delightfully subversive and refreshing. It's an affectionately humorous read and the author has a wonderful handle on both the characters.
Fic Rec #2 A Distant Wood
Author: katy_moon_beam/wildpeace
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7477558/1/A_Distant_Wood
Rating/Warning(s): M/NC-17, Warnings for explicit sex
Why This Must Be Read: This is an incredible AU wherein the Glee members had never grown up together in Lima. Now they're all adults living in NYC and after a LGBTQ rally gone wrong, Tina goes to the ER where she meets Dr. Michael Chang. I can't praise this story enough. It's such a fascinating premise and I love that this Tina actually does have a stutter. Highly recommended. Also, definitely check out katy_moon_beam's other Tina/Mike stories.
Fic Rec #3: You're the Nicest Thing I've Seen
Author: skintightsocks
Link: http://skintightsocks.livejournal.com/13071.html
Rating/Warning(s): M/NC-17, Warnings for explicit sex
Why This Must Be Read: I love this story. I love how much Mike enjoys pleasing Tina and how Tina is all about reciprocity. Yay, reciprocity! Not only is this story hot, but the humor and the characterization is delightful.
Fic Rec #4: Apologies & Addendums
Author: alonemirage2see
Link: http://alonemirage2see.livejournal.com/29682.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG
Why This Must Be Read: This is a missing scene set during Episode 2.04: "Duets". It's lovely and showcases Tina and Mike at their best--talking things out and being supportive of each other.
Fic Rec #5: Model Minority (Stereotype A)
Author: lookninjas
Link: http://lookninjas.livejournal.com/110615.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG
Why This Must Be Read: I love everything lookninjas has written but this fic is my absolute favorite of hers. This story delves into Asian-American issues and stereotypes, and how they have affected and shaped (and continue to influence) Mike and Tina as people. As a Chinese-American, I immediately recognized similar events and issues from my own experience and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the author isn't actually Asian herself. (Proof again that White authors shouldn't be afraid to try to write Characters of Color.) This was written early during Season 2, so some of the backstory is no longer congruent with current canon, but it's a really sensitive and impressive read. I wholeheartedly recommend this and her other Tina/Mike fics.
Fic Rec #6: Navigating These Waters
Author: svz_insanity
Link: http://crack-lore.livejournal.com/54435.html#cutid1
Rating/Warning(s): PG
Why This Must Be Read: Mike and Tina have a strong relationship but it isn't perfect. This story takes an honest look at both characters, describing both their strengths and their frailties, their insecurities and the effort they make to compromise and nurture their relationship. svz_insanity has her own headcanon about Mike, which has since been jossed by Season 3, but I personally love her backstory. Definitely recommend checking out her other fics as well.
Fic Rec #7: Let Me Feel You Inside Out
Author: preromantics
Link: http://preromantics.livejournal.com/152332.html
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17, Warnings for (semi-?)public naughtiness
Why This Must Be Read: Written for the Glee kink meme, Tina + a convenient skirt + a devious Mike + dinner with friends at Breadstix= a hot little PWP. Yowza.
Fic Rec #8: Sepia-Colored Memories
Author: psykonaut07
Link: http://mike-tina.livejournal.com/78821.html#cutid1
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: This is a nice little throwback to Season 1. The author essentially writes a drabble for each episode of the first season through Tina/Mike lenses.
Fic Rec #9: Tackling 101
Author: kaitybear
Link: http://kaitybear.livejournal.com/16453.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, Warnings for implied sexy times
Why This Must Be Read: kaitybear is possibly the most prolific Tina/Mike writer in Glee fandom and she's most famous for her Asian Kiss series. But one of my favorite fics of hers is based on Episode 2.11 where the girls join the football team temporarily, and which contains some of my favorite Tina and Mike moments. The dialogue is fun and snappy and the ending line made me snort. :P
Fic Rec #10: Pardon the Way that I Stare
Author: agoldencharm
Link: http://agoldencharm.livejournal.com/3964.html#cutid1
Rating/Warning(s): T/PG-13, Warnings for Tina's less-than-chaste thoughts about her ridiculously hot boyfriend
Why This Must Be Read: Mike is ridiculously hot. We all know this to be true. However, he's sometimes unaware of his own appeal. In this fic, Mike, quite unintentionally, teases Tina to the point that she has no choice but to jump his bones, as any right-thinking girl would do. A fun, sexy read.