P&R Fic: This is a Set-Up

[lizzledpink]

Title: This is a Set-Up
Author: lizzledpink
Rating: PG-13
Pairing/Characters: Ben/Leslie, Ann
Summary: In which Leslie tries to resent her mom for setting her up like this, but it doesn’t quite work out that way. Or, that time I tried to reconcile season one Leslie with the rest of Leslie. Or, the one where Ben and Leslie get off on the right foot for

Comments

[lizzledpink]

[deleted scene]
Ben Wyatt taps his foot against the ground nervously and watches the people around him. When that fails to distract him sufficiently, he props open the menu and thinks about what he wants to order.

There are three things he knows right now.

The first is that he is never agreeing to go out with mysterious daughters again.

The second is that it’s very early to be working on details like the budget for a park on a plot of land that hasn’t even left the stage of potentially deadly hazard yet, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some other preliminary things he could possibly assist on, and it’d be an interesting break from the wider governmental scope of his usual assignments.

The third is that Leslie Knope is kind of gorgeous, seems to really enjoy her work in the government, and is clearly one of the most straightforward women he’s ever met. All three of these are slight turn-ons. She’s a very charming individual who isn’t on a date with him, exactly.

Great.

[bowlsohard]

AHHH! Wow. I loved this prompt when I saw it but honestly, I didn't know it could be this good. I mean, I really didn't think so. But this is so perfect. I really like Ben in this, and of course this kind of thing would happen to him. It's just so true in my mind that there is not a AU or AT where these two aren't perfect for each other. Please tell me this is a multi-chapter fic. Please! Oh! and what is this... "And cucumbers, Leslie knows from startling, unpleasant experience, are extremely cool".... is it what I think it is?!?! LOL. Oh no, oh Leslie.

[lizzledpink]

Wow, thanks so much!! It might stay a one-shot, and it might not. I have a general plan-ish-type-thing for how a short "part two" would go, but we'll see. :)

I don't really believe in soulmates much, but Ben and Leslie are one of those pairings of mine where, while I believe they can certainly be happy with other people in alternate universes, in all universes where they meet, they will have a romance. Sometimes it won't work out, but most of the time it does. So... they're maybe not fated to be together, but they're fated to love or at least really really like each other. Which is kind of great.

I have no idea what it is. I just feel like Leslie would find the most awkward way to discover how cool cucumbers are. Also, cucumbers are vegetables, so that's a strike on them already. I do not think Leslie is a fan of cucumbers.

But seriously, thanks! :3

[lizzledpink]

OhhhhhHHHHHHHhhhhh. THAT'S what that was referring to.

I'M TECHNICALLY ASEXUAL AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED ON TO REGULARLY PICK UP ON THESE THINGS! (though normally I would have caught that one so I don't even know and I'm just going to flutter away on a cloud of missing the obvious now)

[c00kie]

Oh wow, this is so charming! I often wonder what would have happened if they had met under different and less antagonizing circumstances and this was a lovely depiction of that.

[lizzledpink]

Aww, thanks! I have to admit, that was half my motivation/interest in writing it in the first place. Seeing how it would go. :D

[anonymous]

This idea is amazing and so well executed! DO A SECOND PART PLEEEASE. Hahah, keep it up and thanks.

[lizzledpink]

I can't take all the credit for the idea when such a lovely prompt provided the basis, but thank you nonetheless! :3

[ashisfriendly]

AH! I loved this immensely. Wonderful work, great stuff.

[lizzledpink]

Thank you so very much! :D