Dear Trick or Treat Writer
Sep. 18th, 2017 20:57![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mimmDear Trick or Treat writer,
Sorry if you already dropped by to check the letter and found this locked. It's taking me a while to gather my thoughts, as usual. One day I will make a one-size-fits-all letter.
Hi there, fandom sharer! :D I hope this wall of text won't scare you away. If it does, you should be fine, though. Apart from DNWs, anything you write is welcome, so reading this isn't necessary. This'll be a patchy Frankenstein's monster version made from my previous letter(s) and newer stuff, so any wonkiness you may notice is probably due to that. Well, that or my inability to be coherent.
Feel free to dig up some of the older letters for further likes and dislikes if you want. They may not fit this specific challenge (for example, supernatural elements in regular fandoms tend to be a no for me, but for this ficathon they're definitely welcome) but you get the general idea. They're tagged with Dear Writer, mostly on LJ, but the recent one's also on DW.
I know the minimum length required is 300 words. Some of these ideas would need more space to evolve (unless you just give a brief glimpse, a snapshot, which is something I really like, so yay), but I added them anyway in case you want broader ideas like I often do.
Fandoms and characters under the cut:
AGENTS OF SHIELD: Skye | Daisy Johnson // Framework Grant Ward // Leo Fitz // Jemma Simmons
BABYLON 5: Alfred Bester // Michael Garibaldi // Lyta Alexander // Mr. Morden
DARK MATTER: Three | Marcus Boone // Four | Ishida Ryo // One | Derrick Moss // Kyle Kierken
GOTHAM: Alfred Pennyworth // Oswald Cobblepot // Bruce Wayne // Edward Nygma // Jim Gordon
LEGENDS OF TOMORROW: Gideon // Rip Hunter // Martin Stein // Mick Rory // Leonard Snart // Ray Palmer
MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE: Peggy Carter // Steve Rogers // James "Bucky" Barnes // Yondu Udonta // Peter Quill // Loki // Thor
STAR TREK DS9: Julian Bashir // Elim Garak // Miles O'Brien // Jadzia Dax
STAR TREK TNG: Reginald Barclay // Data // Ro Laren
STARGATE ATLANTIS: Jack O'Neill // Daniel Jackson // Cameron Mitchell // Laura Cadman // Evan Lorne // Todd the Wraith // Rodney McKay // Kate Heightmeyer // John Sheppard
I requested fic for all of these. With some I tagged just treats, with some both treats and tricks, but that's not so much a strict rule as a suggestion. Some fandoms just lend themselves to tricks more easily than others, but treats work with anything. :) If someone wants to write extra gifts, I'm more than fine with either type, I promise. And if someone's inspired to do fanart? I definitely wouldn't turn it down!
General likes:
I like shippy fic and lean heavily towards m/m, though I do love some f/f and m/f as well (the latter more when I'm watching or reading the source canon, not so much with fanfic, a tendency I can't explain even to myself), but I'm perfectly fine with gen if ships are not your thing. It's not a requirement, and I mostly mentioned ships in my sign-up to give you an idea of what dynamics I like. Any of them would be great as friendships, or combine them for ensemble stuff. In case you do ships, I like getting together fics and first times but don't really need the sex. I like it (a lot) but it's rarely the reason I read fic. And in the off chance that we only matched on one single character and you hate everyone else (hey, it could happen :D), you're always free to focus on just that one character and forget all the ships and friendships. I mean, these are all individual entities that can exist on their own so why not. :)
Examples of things I tend to go for: Drama, angst, hurt/comfort (mental and physical), bonding, pining, UST/RST, getting together, first times, romance, humour and banter, sweetness and happy/hopeful endings, fix-its, what-ifs, canon divergence, missing scenes, adventure, mission/casefic, various scifi tropes where applicable (for example: wormholes, time travel, reliving bits of time, telepathy, invisibility due to accident, clones, androids, alien tech, alternate timelines). Also other tropes like confined spaces, forced intimacy, accidentally finding out secrets, enemies and/or friends to lovers, masquerades or other types of hidden identities, going undercover, and lots more I can't even think of right now. If it's not soulbonding or wingfic you're probably fine with anything. :D
General dislikes:
DNWs: Strong kinks (BDSM, fisting, animal play, scat), size/age/daddy kink, genderswap, rape/noncon between requested characters. Overly fluffy stuff, curtainfic, children (pregnancy or raising them). No rotting zombies (boring), werewolf type bestiality, necrophilia or tentacle monsters.
These are the DNWs I mentioned, but none of them are actual triggers, just things I'm not terribly excited to read about with these characters. Normally I don't care for vampires, werewolves or zombies in fandoms where they don't already exist, but here they'd be fine. Other than these, I don't like character bashing or humiliation done by characters I like (awkwardness and embarrassment are ok).
About tricks and treats:
I like horror, suspense and supernatural elements, but I'm afraid you won't scare or even disgust me with gore or rotting body parts or spiders or even clowns. :) It's pretty difficult to scare me in fic form, to be honest, but you're likelier to do it with psychological stuff.
I have a thing for ghosts and hauntings, of past creeping up on you one way or another, but I also have a thing for aliens and abductions and everything paranormal. Monsters are welcome too. I love mysteries. Losing time. Creatures you can't see but know are there. People going missing or dying without explanation. I usually don't want my fics supernatural, unless the canon is that already, but for this challenge I'm definitely up for all of it. Or it could be more realistic horror, disturbing or dark themes like war trauma or being faced with impossible choices. I love nightmares and dream sequences that are a bizarre combination of symbolism and reality. Mind control via telepathy or maybe hypnosis? Possesssion? Yup, good. Pod people and Stepford wives? Creepy. I like.
I also like love and romance in general. Like I said above, I have a thing for ghosts and hauntings, and I mean that also in a nicer sense. Like seeing the lost loved ones again, however briefly it may be (this may be a bit of self-insertion and living through fic but whatever). Bittersweetness makes me sad but it's also beautiful. Or the returning could be more permanent, like a second chance, and there's a happy ending instead of a zombie apocalypse. But you can also leave out the paranormal altogether and just make it an everyday story that takes place in the canon world and follows regular rules of physics and nothing unexplainable ever happens. :)
PROMPTS:
These are just ideas. You can totally ignore them if they don't speak to you or they make you distressed and worried, or if you just happen to have a better idea (very likely). Or if a prompt in one fandom gives you an idea for another fandom, take it and run with it.
These are in alphabetical order. Some have longer notes, some shorter, but I promise there is not a single character I don't want to read about. Even if it is the very last one mentioned in the very last of the prompts, it's here because I wanted so.
AGENTS OF SHIELD
Skye | Daisy Johnson // Framework Grant Ward // Leo Fitz // Jemma Simmons
Feature one, feature all, I'll be happy. Treat preferred, but only because I prefer them to have a happy-ish ending rather than doom and gloom and darkness. But if you can turn a trick situation into that, go for it. I really liked the framework plot line so you can do more of that, add a twist to it, or just go with the real world. I'm fine with all.
Ships: Skye/Framework!Grant, Skye/Jemma, Skye/Natasha Romanov, Skye/Melinda, Jemma/Leo, Jemma/Will, Leo/Mack, Leo/Framework!Grant, plus friendships between just about everyone (esp. Coulson).
Skye: One of my favourites since the beginning. I don't always agree with her choices, but I always care about her and wish things go well for her. Any point in time would be nice, pre-powers, post-powers. I mostly added f/f ships here, but I totally don't mind her canon relationships either, so go wherever you want.
Framework!Grant: I really like this version of him. This is the one I want in real life, not that nazi bastard he turned out to be. I get that people have issues liking either Grant, but I fully believe this one to be a good guy, so I like him. Please treat him as such. The story can take place in either world. If real world, maybe focus on him trying to deal with the fact that everyone's ready to hate and doubt him?
Leo: I don't think you can get a guy sweeter than Leo. :) He's adorable. Even when he's being really frustrating he's just... likeable. Him and Jemma are pretty OTP for me, but I adore his friendship with Mack, esp. during the earlier seasons, and I sort of shipped him with Ward as well. I'm intrigued by the idea of him and this other version of Ward bonding, and would love to see how that goes.
Jemma: I love Jemma. She's sweet, she's smart, she's strong. Like with the others above, I just want her to be happy. I ship her with Leo because I'm obvious like that, but I'd be curious to see how her and Will could work. 4722 Hours is still one of the best eps I've seen, so feel free to revisit that world in any shape or form.
BABYLON 5
Alfred Bester // Michael Garibaldi // Lyta Alexander // Mr. Morden
Any character will make me happy. Trick or treat. I love this show and I love this cast. I chose only a few people here but only because I thought they'd work well as the focus or the, you know, glue that keeps things together. But when I say I love the cast, I really mean it. You can also use book canon if you want.
Ships: Bester/Garibaldi, Bester/Byron, Bester/Carolyn, Garibaldi/Sinclair, Garibaldi/Sheridan, Lyta/Byron, Lyta/Susan, and various friendships. Just about everyone else in offered character set (and outside it) is very welcome, except I really dislike Lochley. (Though I won't mind her showing up as a random side character. I mean, she exists.)
Bester: I love him. He's such a bastard and he has such a lovely sense of humour. I feel sympathy towards him, especially with Carolyn (and there's more in the books if you've read them -- I won't add any of it here) and his determination to make the world a better place for his kind, his family, but then he's perfectly fine with spacing mundanes, and it's such a chilling combination I sort of feel sick for liking him. But I do. I'd take anything that shows just how cruel he can be, or something that shows that he can be caring to those he deems worthy. I love his visits on Babylon 5, so one of those would be nice. I think I could read a whole fic about him getting held up by Zack who refuses to let him on board.
As for the pairings, I've wanted Bester/Garibaldi for years, especially with something that focuses on or mentions the brainwash. Did something else happen that Bester conveniently wiped out of his memory? Dubcon's a very likely premise, as is anything dark, but I'd prefer it if it wasn't full on noncon. Even if Michael reluctantly enjoys it makes it better.
I'm also intrigued by his relationship with Byron. Right now I can't remember what's in the show and what's in the Psi-Corps books, so I'm sorry if I spoil or randomly confuse you. I'd love to read about their sort of mentor/student, father/son experiences, at any point in time.
And of course him and Carolyn, like I mentioned earlier. Any glimpse of that would be lovely.
Garibaldi: My favourite character on the whole show. He's a complex guy who has a tough past and a tough life, and he has weaknesses and temperament issues, but he's also loyal and good at his job. I'd take anything with him. His friendship (or a deeper relationship) with Sinclair. His first struggles with alcoholism (brutally realistic but hey, I said anything). Him and Stephen bonding over addiction. Him clashing with Sheridan. A vacation he took alone or with someone. How he discovered Daffy Duck. Anything. Really.
Lyta: She's my favourite telepath on the show apart from Bester. I love that she goes rogue and chooses her own path over settling with an easier life with the Psi-Corps. I love how incredibly strong she becomes due to Vorlons. Her experiences with them intrigue me. I do like her relationship with Byron, but I also ship her with Susan, and if you can somehow make Lyta/Talia a thing? I'd watch. :D Lyta and G'Kar roaming the galaxy? Yup. Just not romantic, please. G'Kar belongs to Londo.
Morden: Ha. Ahaha. He's awesome. :D I loved seeing him in the tag set! He's so irritating and grating and creepy and still so damn charismatic. I'd take anything with him and his... company. It could be something from the early days, before he met with his associates, but it doesn't have to be. As a side note, I will always love Vir's handwave. It's perfection.
For all, I would also like a Day of the Dead story. Maybe Michael had a different visitor. If Bester had been there, who would he have seen? Or Lyta? Or did someone see Morden? What's it like beyond the Rim? Is it like what Heaven's always pictured, an actual place where they live forever, and who are there?
Or maybe a dark, dystopian AU where not only Londo but many others get Keepers as well, and they have to find a way to get their lives back? I didn't add Londo and G'Kar to my requests, but I love their OTPness (and G'Kar's path to semi-sainthood, and Londo's path to doom, and their symmetrical deaths), so I'm totally fine if you incorporate them in any of these ideas.
DARK MATTER
Three | Marcus Boone // Four | Ishida Ryo // One | Derrick Moss // Kyle Kierken
I'm still stuck in the middle of S3, so there's probably plenty of stuff I don't know of yet. If you've seen all, some of these could sound a bit odd to you. I'm fairly certain I will have watched all of S3 by the time of fic reveals, so don't fear spoilers. That said, I'm always fine with stories that take place in the past (pre-show, earlier seasons) or post-series or even in a parallel timeline that doesn't even exist in canon. Tricks or treats both welcome.
Ships: Three/One, Three/Four, Three/Kierken, Three/Anders, Three/Six, Four/Teku, Four/Hiro, Three & Two, Three & Five, and friendships between the crew
Ah, this show, this crew, this world. ♥ Three and Two are my favourite characters, but I'm very fond of the whole crew and several of the minor characters and guests. I miss One and would love to have him back somehow. I have issues with Ryo because I really liked Four and Ryo is not like him at all. And Kierken, I feel for him on his manhunt. :) Any glimpse at his everyday life would be welcome.
I ship Three with guys. It's not only because it would look super hot but because, for me, it somehow suits his personality that he'd go for either gender (or other) if he thinks the other person needs protection or is hard-headed enough to challenge him and thus earn his respect. While I do see why Three/Two would be lovely, I prefer to not read fic about it and keep them friends instead. And with Five, they're just the greatest friends, and I'm not sure I want to see anything happen between them even when she's older (though I do have weak moments when I see it happening, so a one-sided crush wouldn't be frowned upon).
Four's complicated, like I said, but I'm starting to not actively hate Ryo during S3. Yaaay. His relationship with Teku intrigues me, and I'd love a take on their teacher/student dynamics, either from earlier days or during S3. I don't even know if Teku gets to live through the next episode I watch, let alone the season, but I want to believe he does. I want to believe that Ryo can care about a person instead of seeing everyone as an expendable pawn in his game. With Hiro, things ended horribly, but I'm sure they had their nicer days, so maybe show me some of that? Or have him come back for vengeance, for answers, for second chances, for anything?
GOTHAM
Alfred Pennyworth // Oswald Cobblepot // Bruce Wayne // Edward Nygma // Jim Gordon
I chose these characters and left out several I like, but again, it's not because I don't want to read about them. I just thought these would be the best people to use as the focus or POV. I prefer treats, just because I want these people to be happy, but trick elements are always welcome as long as the result isn't a dark and depressing mess.
Ships: Alfred/Bruce, Alfred/ex military mates, Oswald/Edward, Oswald/Jim, Oswald & Ivy, Edward/Lucius, Jim/Harvey, Jim & Alfred, Jim/Lee
I think Oswald's my favourite character. It's not because he's the most likeable but because I often find him very relateable. Difference is, he acts on his impulses rather than keeps them in check. I like seeing him interact with the other characters, and I like him winning whatever fight or mini-war he's having. My favourite parts so far have been him beating Fish (so to speak), him finding a family (even if briefly), and him realizing he needs other people. Not as things to use but to bond with. It would be nice to have someone care about him.
I'm also very fond of Alfred, because he's loyal and charming and lethal. Gotham only shows the beginning of him and Bruce, but just knowing that he'll be there for decades to come is just... I love it. He's seen a lot already, but he'll be seeing a lot more.
It's fun seeing how The Riddler is born (he's my favourite in the 60s show). I also like how Lucius is the one person who gets him, gets his riddles, gets the way that mind works. I'd definitely like reading about that bond. Or the hate/possibly-deeply-in-denial-love relationship between him and Oswald.
And then there's Jim the good guy. He may not be special and he may not have the most OTT personality, but he's likeable and dependable and that's enough. I like him with Harvey as work mates but I also wouldn't mind seeing them becoming more. Or just have him and Alfred talk about grown-up stuff because Alfred needs to see people other than Bruce.
While I like all these ships, it's possible we only share one characters and you don't ship him with anyone, and that's ok. I'm equally fine with a story that focuses on them alone. Even Bruce, who didn't get a paragraph of his own. I like the kid and I'm curious to see how he becomes Batman. Just don't have him do anything too excplicit before he's at least 16-17 and you'll be fine.
This is a universe where weird things can happen, dead come to life, monsters exist, and supernatural elements are real, so you could go with anything and it would work great. Just avoid that depressing mess I mentioned. Or if there is one, clean it up by the last sentence and all's good.
LEGENDS OF TOMORROW
Gideon // Rip Hunter // Martin Stein // Mick Rory // Leonard Snart // Ray Palmer
Trick or treat, though a happier end is preferred. Add all the monsters and hauntings you want, or stick to canon type events, or do something entirely different. It's all good. You can never go wrong with time travel trouble. I like the whole crew so don't feel like you have to leave the ladies out. You definitely do not. :)
Ships: Rip/Gideon, Mick/Leonard, Mick/Ray, Stein/Ronnie, Stein/Jax (or even Stein/guy of your choice)
This is probably going to be the more open-ended prompt section in this letter, without any proper prompts. I'm open to read just about anything that pops into your mind.
I'd love to see Rip and Gideon becoming a couple in some shape or form, because it hits on my lifelong kink for AI/android/robot beings and the unclear line between what's human and what's not. And there's just something incredibly romantic about falling for something that's basically just a mind without form.
Of course I'd be happy to read about either one separately. Like I said, AIs and androids fascinate me to no end, so anything about Gideon on her own would make me happy. As would anything about Rip trying to survive under the burden of everything he's been through and seen.
Same goes for the others. I'd enjoy reading about any of them separately, Mick preferably as the slightly changed version. I like Mick/Leonard for the strong bond they have, and I like Mick/Ray for their bromance that could be more. Stein's a very charming man, and while I do think he and his wife are adorable together, I'd love to read him with someone that's not her. Firestorm as a bonding element is really intimate and I love the idea of where it could go.
MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
Peggy Carter // Steve Rogers // James "Bucky" Barnes // Yondu Udonta // Peter Quill // Loki // Thor
Trick or treat welcome, as long as you don't permanently break any of them. They're all rather tragic, aren't they? Some of these are from earlier prompts and letters, some are newer ones.
Ships: Steve/Peggy, Steve/Bucky, Thor/Loki. Peter with a dad, or a ghost of one (this one non-romantic, please).
Note: I have yet to watch Agent Carter. I said it last year and I say it this year, and I'm well past knowing why I haven't watched it when I adore Peggy. Maybe I subconsciously know that me not watching it is the only thing keeping this world from imploding? Who knows.
Peggy: I like how strong she is, making it in a world considered to belong to men. Give me a moment when she doubts herself. Or a moment when she realizes she's just as strong as she decides to be. Or have her investigate a random flying saucer crashing down. Think vintage X-Files but with a link to SHIELD's projects.
Steve: He spent decades in ice, blissfully oblivious to the world around him changing. Until he starts having nightmares and realizes they're flashbacks. I ship him with Bucky and/or Peggy, so it's ok to add either one, or both, or neither.
Bucky: He wakes up from a blackout and sees Steve in front of him, dead. What happened? Or is it really Steve? What are his missions like for him? What, if anything, does he remember afterwards? Or just give me a really soothing and comforting moment with Steve where everything's fine with the world.
Peter and Yondu: Fix-its and what-ifs preferred to actual reality, unless you choose to go with ghosts and haunting. Both would be adored. :) Or do something with them separately if you want, having their own adventures.
Loki and Thor: Literally anything, as long as Loki's not the evilest evil that ever evilled. I prefer him redeemed, as much as it annoys some people. If you can't do that, at least don't make him seem like he doesn't have a heart or a conscience. If you only focus on Thor, I prefer no Thor/Sif references (Thor & Sif friendship's fine).
STAR TREK DS9
Julian Bashir // Elim Garak // Miles O'Brien // Jadzia Dax
Treats preferred, though as with others you can add some trick elements here if you feel inspired. For example, the episode where Miles thinks he's been imprisoned for decades and really isn't is one that I love because it's so twisted and heart-breaking and still has a sort of nice ending. You know, considering the amount of therapy one needs after that.
Ships: Julian/Miles, Julian/Garak, Jadzia/Lenara, Jadzia & Kira, Julian & Jadzia
This is another short prompt section, because I don't have anything super specific in mind. I like all of these characters and most of the other cast as well, so anything set in this universe with these people would be lovely.
I like Julian's relationship with both guys. They're different - with Garak there's a certain distance and a pull, with Miles there's a loving friendship. I'd love him trying to pursue either relationship. I have to admit that during my rewatch this time I wish Julian didn't turn out to be genetically enhanced. The retcon feel of it just doesn't feel right this time around. You don't have to ignore it but maybe don't make that the focus of the story?
With Jadzia, I wish she and Lenara had been allowed to be together. What if they were? For a night? For a week? For longer? Any scenario's welcome, and the ending doesn't have to be happy. It can go the canon way. I also like her friendships with Kira and Julian, and sure, I do like her with Worf as well. :)
I'd also be very happy with a story focusing on just one of these people, or any two you want to combine. I like them all.
STAR TREK TNG
Reginald Barclay // Data // Ro Laren
Treats preferred, trick elements also welcome.
Ships: Barclay/Geordi, Barclay/Data, Barclay/OMC (or choose another cast mate from a ST show), Data/Geordi, Ro/OFC (or, say, Ro/Jadzia, Ro/Ezri, or Ro/Kira?)
I'd take anything if it has these people. I love Barclay's awkwardness and how he manages to push through despite a ton of anxiety (and how smart he is). I love Data's continuous journey to figure out how to be human. And Ro, she's one of my earlier girl crushes, because how can she not be when she's the strong, beautiful woman that she is?
Any ST-style story would be lovely. Missions on planets, being marooned in space, Enterprise being haunted by this week's entity in the computer system, holodeck adventures, diplomatic trips gone wrong, mundane events of a lonely night shift, anything's good. :)
STARGATE ATLANTIS
Jack O'Neill // Daniel Jackson // Cameron Mitchell // Laura Cadman // Evan Lorne // Todd the Wraith // Rodney McKay // Kate Heightmeyer // John Sheppard
Tricks or treats. Feel free to use any SG-1 or SGA or even SGU characters you feel necessary to include. I've seen them all, I've liked them all (SGU had its issues but oh well).
Ships: Jack/Daniel, Daniel/Cameron, Cameron/Sheppard, Sheppard/McKay, Sheppard/Lorne, Sheppard/Ronon, Sheppard/Todd, Sheppard/Michael, Ronon/Lorne, any combination of Heightmeyer/Cadman/Vega/Keller, also Sam & Jennifer and Rodney & Jeannie and various friendshippy ensembles (not big on Ford, sorry)
In addition to those, Daniel/Paul Davis (I can't believe I forgot this! Probably because it's SG-1 and this is SGA, but since Daniel's here then, you know, why not?) and Heightmeyer/Teyla (I didn't add Teyla because I can't quite relate to her, but that ship's practically canon for me). And Rodney & Zelenka endlessly bickering and trying to outsmart each other. :) It's a little odd to have Jack/Daniel here, but I'd love to have them visit, or make an AU where they join the expedition, however long it may last. Some of my favourite moments on the show(s) are when these two worlds collide and we have things like Ronon and Teal'c meeting each other.
I could've almost listed "any" here because I like most of them, so really, choose anyone and you're set. I like all of those combinations I listed, either shippy or friendshippy or as parts of teams on a mission. As with ST, I'd like any show-style story, the space travels and new cultures and the various perils they find themselves in. It can be set in Atlantis or you can drag the people to our galaxy if you feel like it. Add some Wraith stuff in the mix if you want. Do something with Ascension or parallel universes. Have the dead come back, use replicators to cause more chaos, clone a few people, mix the Goa'uld with Wraith and destroy a planet or two. :D Or, you know, describe the painful few minutes John and Ronon stand in line at a grocery store.
edit a few days later: Omg, I was just struck by the paranoid thought that someone might think "my favourite character is" means I only want to read them and others are somehow lesser characters. O_O And that's so far from the truth it's not even funny. I read tons of characters and enjoy reading them, so if I call someone my favourite or say that 'these are my top 3' it doesn't mean the rest I've listed are just fillers. Gah, so not true.
Sorry if you already dropped by to check the letter and found this locked. It's taking me a while to gather my thoughts, as usual. One day I will make a one-size-fits-all letter.
Hi there, fandom sharer! :D I hope this wall of text won't scare you away. If it does, you should be fine, though. Apart from DNWs, anything you write is welcome, so reading this isn't necessary. This'll be a patchy Frankenstein's monster version made from my previous letter(s) and newer stuff, so any wonkiness you may notice is probably due to that. Well, that or my inability to be coherent.
Feel free to dig up some of the older letters for further likes and dislikes if you want. They may not fit this specific challenge (for example, supernatural elements in regular fandoms tend to be a no for me, but for this ficathon they're definitely welcome) but you get the general idea. They're tagged with Dear Writer, mostly on LJ, but the recent one's also on DW.
I know the minimum length required is 300 words. Some of these ideas would need more space to evolve (unless you just give a brief glimpse, a snapshot, which is something I really like, so yay), but I added them anyway in case you want broader ideas like I often do.
Fandoms and characters under the cut:
AGENTS OF SHIELD: Skye | Daisy Johnson // Framework Grant Ward // Leo Fitz // Jemma Simmons
BABYLON 5: Alfred Bester // Michael Garibaldi // Lyta Alexander // Mr. Morden
DARK MATTER: Three | Marcus Boone // Four | Ishida Ryo // One | Derrick Moss // Kyle Kierken
GOTHAM: Alfred Pennyworth // Oswald Cobblepot // Bruce Wayne // Edward Nygma // Jim Gordon
LEGENDS OF TOMORROW: Gideon // Rip Hunter // Martin Stein // Mick Rory // Leonard Snart // Ray Palmer
MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE: Peggy Carter // Steve Rogers // James "Bucky" Barnes // Yondu Udonta // Peter Quill // Loki // Thor
STAR TREK DS9: Julian Bashir // Elim Garak // Miles O'Brien // Jadzia Dax
STAR TREK TNG: Reginald Barclay // Data // Ro Laren
STARGATE ATLANTIS: Jack O'Neill // Daniel Jackson // Cameron Mitchell // Laura Cadman // Evan Lorne // Todd the Wraith // Rodney McKay // Kate Heightmeyer // John Sheppard
I requested fic for all of these. With some I tagged just treats, with some both treats and tricks, but that's not so much a strict rule as a suggestion. Some fandoms just lend themselves to tricks more easily than others, but treats work with anything. :) If someone wants to write extra gifts, I'm more than fine with either type, I promise. And if someone's inspired to do fanart? I definitely wouldn't turn it down!
General likes:
I like shippy fic and lean heavily towards m/m, though I do love some f/f and m/f as well (the latter more when I'm watching or reading the source canon, not so much with fanfic, a tendency I can't explain even to myself), but I'm perfectly fine with gen if ships are not your thing. It's not a requirement, and I mostly mentioned ships in my sign-up to give you an idea of what dynamics I like. Any of them would be great as friendships, or combine them for ensemble stuff. In case you do ships, I like getting together fics and first times but don't really need the sex. I like it (a lot) but it's rarely the reason I read fic. And in the off chance that we only matched on one single character and you hate everyone else (hey, it could happen :D), you're always free to focus on just that one character and forget all the ships and friendships. I mean, these are all individual entities that can exist on their own so why not. :)
Examples of things I tend to go for: Drama, angst, hurt/comfort (mental and physical), bonding, pining, UST/RST, getting together, first times, romance, humour and banter, sweetness and happy/hopeful endings, fix-its, what-ifs, canon divergence, missing scenes, adventure, mission/casefic, various scifi tropes where applicable (for example: wormholes, time travel, reliving bits of time, telepathy, invisibility due to accident, clones, androids, alien tech, alternate timelines). Also other tropes like confined spaces, forced intimacy, accidentally finding out secrets, enemies and/or friends to lovers, masquerades or other types of hidden identities, going undercover, and lots more I can't even think of right now. If it's not soulbonding or wingfic you're probably fine with anything. :D
General dislikes:
DNWs: Strong kinks (BDSM, fisting, animal play, scat), size/age/daddy kink, genderswap, rape/noncon between requested characters. Overly fluffy stuff, curtainfic, children (pregnancy or raising them). No rotting zombies (boring), werewolf type bestiality, necrophilia or tentacle monsters.
These are the DNWs I mentioned, but none of them are actual triggers, just things I'm not terribly excited to read about with these characters. Normally I don't care for vampires, werewolves or zombies in fandoms where they don't already exist, but here they'd be fine. Other than these, I don't like character bashing or humiliation done by characters I like (awkwardness and embarrassment are ok).
About tricks and treats:
I like horror, suspense and supernatural elements, but I'm afraid you won't scare or even disgust me with gore or rotting body parts or spiders or even clowns. :) It's pretty difficult to scare me in fic form, to be honest, but you're likelier to do it with psychological stuff.
I have a thing for ghosts and hauntings, of past creeping up on you one way or another, but I also have a thing for aliens and abductions and everything paranormal. Monsters are welcome too. I love mysteries. Losing time. Creatures you can't see but know are there. People going missing or dying without explanation. I usually don't want my fics supernatural, unless the canon is that already, but for this challenge I'm definitely up for all of it. Or it could be more realistic horror, disturbing or dark themes like war trauma or being faced with impossible choices. I love nightmares and dream sequences that are a bizarre combination of symbolism and reality. Mind control via telepathy or maybe hypnosis? Possesssion? Yup, good. Pod people and Stepford wives? Creepy. I like.
I also like love and romance in general. Like I said above, I have a thing for ghosts and hauntings, and I mean that also in a nicer sense. Like seeing the lost loved ones again, however briefly it may be (this may be a bit of self-insertion and living through fic but whatever). Bittersweetness makes me sad but it's also beautiful. Or the returning could be more permanent, like a second chance, and there's a happy ending instead of a zombie apocalypse. But you can also leave out the paranormal altogether and just make it an everyday story that takes place in the canon world and follows regular rules of physics and nothing unexplainable ever happens. :)
PROMPTS:
These are just ideas. You can totally ignore them if they don't speak to you or they make you distressed and worried, or if you just happen to have a better idea (very likely). Or if a prompt in one fandom gives you an idea for another fandom, take it and run with it.
These are in alphabetical order. Some have longer notes, some shorter, but I promise there is not a single character I don't want to read about. Even if it is the very last one mentioned in the very last of the prompts, it's here because I wanted so.
AGENTS OF SHIELD
Skye | Daisy Johnson // Framework Grant Ward // Leo Fitz // Jemma Simmons
Feature one, feature all, I'll be happy. Treat preferred, but only because I prefer them to have a happy-ish ending rather than doom and gloom and darkness. But if you can turn a trick situation into that, go for it. I really liked the framework plot line so you can do more of that, add a twist to it, or just go with the real world. I'm fine with all.
Ships: Skye/Framework!Grant, Skye/Jemma, Skye/Natasha Romanov, Skye/Melinda, Jemma/Leo, Jemma/Will, Leo/Mack, Leo/Framework!Grant, plus friendships between just about everyone (esp. Coulson).
Skye: One of my favourites since the beginning. I don't always agree with her choices, but I always care about her and wish things go well for her. Any point in time would be nice, pre-powers, post-powers. I mostly added f/f ships here, but I totally don't mind her canon relationships either, so go wherever you want.
Framework!Grant: I really like this version of him. This is the one I want in real life, not that nazi bastard he turned out to be. I get that people have issues liking either Grant, but I fully believe this one to be a good guy, so I like him. Please treat him as such. The story can take place in either world. If real world, maybe focus on him trying to deal with the fact that everyone's ready to hate and doubt him?
Leo: I don't think you can get a guy sweeter than Leo. :) He's adorable. Even when he's being really frustrating he's just... likeable. Him and Jemma are pretty OTP for me, but I adore his friendship with Mack, esp. during the earlier seasons, and I sort of shipped him with Ward as well. I'm intrigued by the idea of him and this other version of Ward bonding, and would love to see how that goes.
Jemma: I love Jemma. She's sweet, she's smart, she's strong. Like with the others above, I just want her to be happy. I ship her with Leo because I'm obvious like that, but I'd be curious to see how her and Will could work. 4722 Hours is still one of the best eps I've seen, so feel free to revisit that world in any shape or form.
BABYLON 5
Alfred Bester // Michael Garibaldi // Lyta Alexander // Mr. Morden
Any character will make me happy. Trick or treat. I love this show and I love this cast. I chose only a few people here but only because I thought they'd work well as the focus or the, you know, glue that keeps things together. But when I say I love the cast, I really mean it. You can also use book canon if you want.
Ships: Bester/Garibaldi, Bester/Byron, Bester/Carolyn, Garibaldi/Sinclair, Garibaldi/Sheridan, Lyta/Byron, Lyta/Susan, and various friendships. Just about everyone else in offered character set (and outside it) is very welcome, except I really dislike Lochley. (Though I won't mind her showing up as a random side character. I mean, she exists.)
Bester: I love him. He's such a bastard and he has such a lovely sense of humour. I feel sympathy towards him, especially with Carolyn (and there's more in the books if you've read them -- I won't add any of it here) and his determination to make the world a better place for his kind, his family, but then he's perfectly fine with spacing mundanes, and it's such a chilling combination I sort of feel sick for liking him. But I do. I'd take anything that shows just how cruel he can be, or something that shows that he can be caring to those he deems worthy. I love his visits on Babylon 5, so one of those would be nice. I think I could read a whole fic about him getting held up by Zack who refuses to let him on board.
As for the pairings, I've wanted Bester/Garibaldi for years, especially with something that focuses on or mentions the brainwash. Did something else happen that Bester conveniently wiped out of his memory? Dubcon's a very likely premise, as is anything dark, but I'd prefer it if it wasn't full on noncon. Even if Michael reluctantly enjoys it makes it better.
I'm also intrigued by his relationship with Byron. Right now I can't remember what's in the show and what's in the Psi-Corps books, so I'm sorry if I spoil or randomly confuse you. I'd love to read about their sort of mentor/student, father/son experiences, at any point in time.
And of course him and Carolyn, like I mentioned earlier. Any glimpse of that would be lovely.
Garibaldi: My favourite character on the whole show. He's a complex guy who has a tough past and a tough life, and he has weaknesses and temperament issues, but he's also loyal and good at his job. I'd take anything with him. His friendship (or a deeper relationship) with Sinclair. His first struggles with alcoholism (brutally realistic but hey, I said anything). Him and Stephen bonding over addiction. Him clashing with Sheridan. A vacation he took alone or with someone. How he discovered Daffy Duck. Anything. Really.
Lyta: She's my favourite telepath on the show apart from Bester. I love that she goes rogue and chooses her own path over settling with an easier life with the Psi-Corps. I love how incredibly strong she becomes due to Vorlons. Her experiences with them intrigue me. I do like her relationship with Byron, but I also ship her with Susan, and if you can somehow make Lyta/Talia a thing? I'd watch. :D Lyta and G'Kar roaming the galaxy? Yup. Just not romantic, please. G'Kar belongs to Londo.
Morden: Ha. Ahaha. He's awesome. :D I loved seeing him in the tag set! He's so irritating and grating and creepy and still so damn charismatic. I'd take anything with him and his... company. It could be something from the early days, before he met with his associates, but it doesn't have to be. As a side note, I will always love Vir's handwave. It's perfection.
For all, I would also like a Day of the Dead story. Maybe Michael had a different visitor. If Bester had been there, who would he have seen? Or Lyta? Or did someone see Morden? What's it like beyond the Rim? Is it like what Heaven's always pictured, an actual place where they live forever, and who are there?
Or maybe a dark, dystopian AU where not only Londo but many others get Keepers as well, and they have to find a way to get their lives back? I didn't add Londo and G'Kar to my requests, but I love their OTPness (and G'Kar's path to semi-sainthood, and Londo's path to doom, and their symmetrical deaths), so I'm totally fine if you incorporate them in any of these ideas.
DARK MATTER
Three | Marcus Boone // Four | Ishida Ryo // One | Derrick Moss // Kyle Kierken
I'm still stuck in the middle of S3, so there's probably plenty of stuff I don't know of yet. If you've seen all, some of these could sound a bit odd to you. I'm fairly certain I will have watched all of S3 by the time of fic reveals, so don't fear spoilers. That said, I'm always fine with stories that take place in the past (pre-show, earlier seasons) or post-series or even in a parallel timeline that doesn't even exist in canon. Tricks or treats both welcome.
Ships: Three/One, Three/Four, Three/Kierken, Three/Anders, Three/Six, Four/Teku, Four/Hiro, Three & Two, Three & Five, and friendships between the crew
Ah, this show, this crew, this world. ♥ Three and Two are my favourite characters, but I'm very fond of the whole crew and several of the minor characters and guests. I miss One and would love to have him back somehow. I have issues with Ryo because I really liked Four and Ryo is not like him at all. And Kierken, I feel for him on his manhunt. :) Any glimpse at his everyday life would be welcome.
I ship Three with guys. It's not only because it would look super hot but because, for me, it somehow suits his personality that he'd go for either gender (or other) if he thinks the other person needs protection or is hard-headed enough to challenge him and thus earn his respect. While I do see why Three/Two would be lovely, I prefer to not read fic about it and keep them friends instead. And with Five, they're just the greatest friends, and I'm not sure I want to see anything happen between them even when she's older (though I do have weak moments when I see it happening, so a one-sided crush wouldn't be frowned upon).
Four's complicated, like I said, but I'm starting to not actively hate Ryo during S3. Yaaay. His relationship with Teku intrigues me, and I'd love a take on their teacher/student dynamics, either from earlier days or during S3. I don't even know if Teku gets to live through the next episode I watch, let alone the season, but I want to believe he does. I want to believe that Ryo can care about a person instead of seeing everyone as an expendable pawn in his game. With Hiro, things ended horribly, but I'm sure they had their nicer days, so maybe show me some of that? Or have him come back for vengeance, for answers, for second chances, for anything?
GOTHAM
Alfred Pennyworth // Oswald Cobblepot // Bruce Wayne // Edward Nygma // Jim Gordon
I chose these characters and left out several I like, but again, it's not because I don't want to read about them. I just thought these would be the best people to use as the focus or POV. I prefer treats, just because I want these people to be happy, but trick elements are always welcome as long as the result isn't a dark and depressing mess.
Ships: Alfred/Bruce, Alfred/ex military mates, Oswald/Edward, Oswald/Jim, Oswald & Ivy, Edward/Lucius, Jim/Harvey, Jim & Alfred, Jim/Lee
I think Oswald's my favourite character. It's not because he's the most likeable but because I often find him very relateable. Difference is, he acts on his impulses rather than keeps them in check. I like seeing him interact with the other characters, and I like him winning whatever fight or mini-war he's having. My favourite parts so far have been him beating Fish (so to speak), him finding a family (even if briefly), and him realizing he needs other people. Not as things to use but to bond with. It would be nice to have someone care about him.
I'm also very fond of Alfred, because he's loyal and charming and lethal. Gotham only shows the beginning of him and Bruce, but just knowing that he'll be there for decades to come is just... I love it. He's seen a lot already, but he'll be seeing a lot more.
It's fun seeing how The Riddler is born (he's my favourite in the 60s show). I also like how Lucius is the one person who gets him, gets his riddles, gets the way that mind works. I'd definitely like reading about that bond. Or the hate/possibly-deeply-in-denial-love relationship between him and Oswald.
And then there's Jim the good guy. He may not be special and he may not have the most OTT personality, but he's likeable and dependable and that's enough. I like him with Harvey as work mates but I also wouldn't mind seeing them becoming more. Or just have him and Alfred talk about grown-up stuff because Alfred needs to see people other than Bruce.
While I like all these ships, it's possible we only share one characters and you don't ship him with anyone, and that's ok. I'm equally fine with a story that focuses on them alone. Even Bruce, who didn't get a paragraph of his own. I like the kid and I'm curious to see how he becomes Batman. Just don't have him do anything too excplicit before he's at least 16-17 and you'll be fine.
This is a universe where weird things can happen, dead come to life, monsters exist, and supernatural elements are real, so you could go with anything and it would work great. Just avoid that depressing mess I mentioned. Or if there is one, clean it up by the last sentence and all's good.
LEGENDS OF TOMORROW
Gideon // Rip Hunter // Martin Stein // Mick Rory // Leonard Snart // Ray Palmer
Trick or treat, though a happier end is preferred. Add all the monsters and hauntings you want, or stick to canon type events, or do something entirely different. It's all good. You can never go wrong with time travel trouble. I like the whole crew so don't feel like you have to leave the ladies out. You definitely do not. :)
Ships: Rip/Gideon, Mick/Leonard, Mick/Ray, Stein/Ronnie, Stein/Jax (or even Stein/guy of your choice)
This is probably going to be the more open-ended prompt section in this letter, without any proper prompts. I'm open to read just about anything that pops into your mind.
I'd love to see Rip and Gideon becoming a couple in some shape or form, because it hits on my lifelong kink for AI/android/robot beings and the unclear line between what's human and what's not. And there's just something incredibly romantic about falling for something that's basically just a mind without form.
Of course I'd be happy to read about either one separately. Like I said, AIs and androids fascinate me to no end, so anything about Gideon on her own would make me happy. As would anything about Rip trying to survive under the burden of everything he's been through and seen.
Same goes for the others. I'd enjoy reading about any of them separately, Mick preferably as the slightly changed version. I like Mick/Leonard for the strong bond they have, and I like Mick/Ray for their bromance that could be more. Stein's a very charming man, and while I do think he and his wife are adorable together, I'd love to read him with someone that's not her. Firestorm as a bonding element is really intimate and I love the idea of where it could go.
MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
Peggy Carter // Steve Rogers // James "Bucky" Barnes // Yondu Udonta // Peter Quill // Loki // Thor
Trick or treat welcome, as long as you don't permanently break any of them. They're all rather tragic, aren't they? Some of these are from earlier prompts and letters, some are newer ones.
Ships: Steve/Peggy, Steve/Bucky, Thor/Loki. Peter with a dad, or a ghost of one (this one non-romantic, please).
Note: I have yet to watch Agent Carter. I said it last year and I say it this year, and I'm well past knowing why I haven't watched it when I adore Peggy. Maybe I subconsciously know that me not watching it is the only thing keeping this world from imploding? Who knows.
Peggy: I like how strong she is, making it in a world considered to belong to men. Give me a moment when she doubts herself. Or a moment when she realizes she's just as strong as she decides to be. Or have her investigate a random flying saucer crashing down. Think vintage X-Files but with a link to SHIELD's projects.
Steve: He spent decades in ice, blissfully oblivious to the world around him changing. Until he starts having nightmares and realizes they're flashbacks. I ship him with Bucky and/or Peggy, so it's ok to add either one, or both, or neither.
Bucky: He wakes up from a blackout and sees Steve in front of him, dead. What happened? Or is it really Steve? What are his missions like for him? What, if anything, does he remember afterwards? Or just give me a really soothing and comforting moment with Steve where everything's fine with the world.
Peter and Yondu: Fix-its and what-ifs preferred to actual reality, unless you choose to go with ghosts and haunting. Both would be adored. :) Or do something with them separately if you want, having their own adventures.
Loki and Thor: Literally anything, as long as Loki's not the evilest evil that ever evilled. I prefer him redeemed, as much as it annoys some people. If you can't do that, at least don't make him seem like he doesn't have a heart or a conscience. If you only focus on Thor, I prefer no Thor/Sif references (Thor & Sif friendship's fine).
STAR TREK DS9
Julian Bashir // Elim Garak // Miles O'Brien // Jadzia Dax
Treats preferred, though as with others you can add some trick elements here if you feel inspired. For example, the episode where Miles thinks he's been imprisoned for decades and really isn't is one that I love because it's so twisted and heart-breaking and still has a sort of nice ending. You know, considering the amount of therapy one needs after that.
Ships: Julian/Miles, Julian/Garak, Jadzia/Lenara, Jadzia & Kira, Julian & Jadzia
This is another short prompt section, because I don't have anything super specific in mind. I like all of these characters and most of the other cast as well, so anything set in this universe with these people would be lovely.
I like Julian's relationship with both guys. They're different - with Garak there's a certain distance and a pull, with Miles there's a loving friendship. I'd love him trying to pursue either relationship. I have to admit that during my rewatch this time I wish Julian didn't turn out to be genetically enhanced. The retcon feel of it just doesn't feel right this time around. You don't have to ignore it but maybe don't make that the focus of the story?
With Jadzia, I wish she and Lenara had been allowed to be together. What if they were? For a night? For a week? For longer? Any scenario's welcome, and the ending doesn't have to be happy. It can go the canon way. I also like her friendships with Kira and Julian, and sure, I do like her with Worf as well. :)
I'd also be very happy with a story focusing on just one of these people, or any two you want to combine. I like them all.
STAR TREK TNG
Reginald Barclay // Data // Ro Laren
Treats preferred, trick elements also welcome.
Ships: Barclay/Geordi, Barclay/Data, Barclay/OMC (or choose another cast mate from a ST show), Data/Geordi, Ro/OFC (or, say, Ro/Jadzia, Ro/Ezri, or Ro/Kira?)
I'd take anything if it has these people. I love Barclay's awkwardness and how he manages to push through despite a ton of anxiety (and how smart he is). I love Data's continuous journey to figure out how to be human. And Ro, she's one of my earlier girl crushes, because how can she not be when she's the strong, beautiful woman that she is?
Any ST-style story would be lovely. Missions on planets, being marooned in space, Enterprise being haunted by this week's entity in the computer system, holodeck adventures, diplomatic trips gone wrong, mundane events of a lonely night shift, anything's good. :)
STARGATE ATLANTIS
Jack O'Neill // Daniel Jackson // Cameron Mitchell // Laura Cadman // Evan Lorne // Todd the Wraith // Rodney McKay // Kate Heightmeyer // John Sheppard
Tricks or treats. Feel free to use any SG-1 or SGA or even SGU characters you feel necessary to include. I've seen them all, I've liked them all (SGU had its issues but oh well).
Ships: Jack/Daniel, Daniel/Cameron, Cameron/Sheppard, Sheppard/McKay, Sheppard/Lorne, Sheppard/Ronon, Sheppard/Todd, Sheppard/Michael, Ronon/Lorne, any combination of Heightmeyer/Cadman/Vega/Keller, also Sam & Jennifer and Rodney & Jeannie and various friendshippy ensembles (not big on Ford, sorry)
In addition to those, Daniel/Paul Davis (I can't believe I forgot this! Probably because it's SG-1 and this is SGA, but since Daniel's here then, you know, why not?) and Heightmeyer/Teyla (I didn't add Teyla because I can't quite relate to her, but that ship's practically canon for me). And Rodney & Zelenka endlessly bickering and trying to outsmart each other. :) It's a little odd to have Jack/Daniel here, but I'd love to have them visit, or make an AU where they join the expedition, however long it may last. Some of my favourite moments on the show(s) are when these two worlds collide and we have things like Ronon and Teal'c meeting each other.
I could've almost listed "any" here because I like most of them, so really, choose anyone and you're set. I like all of those combinations I listed, either shippy or friendshippy or as parts of teams on a mission. As with ST, I'd like any show-style story, the space travels and new cultures and the various perils they find themselves in. It can be set in Atlantis or you can drag the people to our galaxy if you feel like it. Add some Wraith stuff in the mix if you want. Do something with Ascension or parallel universes. Have the dead come back, use replicators to cause more chaos, clone a few people, mix the Goa'uld with Wraith and destroy a planet or two. :D Or, you know, describe the painful few minutes John and Ronon stand in line at a grocery store.
edit a few days later: Omg, I was just struck by the paranoid thought that someone might think "my favourite character is" means I only want to read them and others are somehow lesser characters. O_O And that's so far from the truth it's not even funny. I read tons of characters and enjoy reading them, so if I call someone my favourite or say that 'these are my top 3' it doesn't mean the rest I've listed are just fillers. Gah, so not true.
