#benthanweek2020

[badgerhuan]

FIVE THREE TIMES BENJI NAVIGATED ETHAN 

(+ one time Ethan navigated Benji)

for @benthan-week-2020​!

[grennefoam]

DAY 2: SHARING CLOTHES | ALTERNATE THEME: SOCIAL MEDIA AU / YOUTUBER AU

(In which the pieces of clothing tell you more than what meets the eyes ���)

My first time participating Benthan week! Now I’m going to polish my drafts and catch up on day 1... Aaaa there’s so many good pieces for the week, I’m so excited you guys <3 <3 Let’s do out best!!!

[sweetbouquetartisane]

benthan week 

day 2: social media au 

the template i used

[clustercussing]

BENTHAN WEEK DAY 2: - Switching Clothes

i adore their clothes designs in Rogue Nation this one’s my favorite so far

[benthan-week-forever]

Benthan Week 2020 Round-Up

Benthan Week 2020 is concluded, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to contribute! If you finish up a work this week or next, please @benthan-week-2020 so we can share it--we’d all love to see your work, no matter the date!

And of course, all the incredible works produced over the last seven days are available for everyone’s enjoyment. We added 22 new works to the AO3 Collection, and there’s tons of amazing fic, art, graphics, and gifs here on the tumblr blog! You can peruse these by searching the blog’s tags for Day 1, etc. / creation type / creator tumblr name. 

A huge thanks to everyone for participating with your creations, encouragement, and sharing of posts--y’all are the best!! See ya next year! 💙🧡

(+ feel free to use this textless version of the benthan week gif for whatever you please!)

[oriley42]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Mission: Impossible (Movies) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Benji Dunn/Ethan Hunt Characters: Benji Dunn, Ethan Hunt, Luther Stickell, Ilsa Faust, Solomon Lane Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Groundhog Day (1993) Fusion, Benji is stuck in a time loop, Angst, Manipulation, oblique references to suicide, Friendship, Trust, Romance, Happy Ending Summary:

Benji had thought about how cool it would be to live in a movie--Groundhog Day is not the movie he would choose.

AKA, Benji is stuck in a time loop.

[illprotectyou-hearteyes]

I didn’t get around to writing a role reversal fic, but I took notes on how I imagined it playing out, so I’m cleaning those up to post here :)

I. Ethan the Tech:

In the films Benji is known for his extremely high turnaround rate in addition to his skill. I don’t necessarily think that’s the case for Ethan as a tech; he’s not especially fast, he just Does Not Give Up. The IMF gives him the projects the other techs have declared impossible, because he will keep working at them until he finds a solution or they decide they need him for something else and tear the project from his hands. (He actually has a pretty impressive turnover rate as well, but that has less to do with speed than with the frankly horrifying number of hours he works).

In a similar vein, Ethan didn’t start out at the top of his class. No one picked him out as a natural talent at tech work, because frankly, he wasn’t. He became one of the best through sheer Tenacity. 

He’s pretty discontent as a tech, though. He enjoys the work itself well enough, but from the start he’s disturbed by how little information they’re given regarding the context and purpose of the projects they work on, and one day when he pulls on a loose thread he learns some horrifying secrets about what the IMF is willing to do. After that he tries to figure out the context of each project and does the occasional tampering when he sees fit, but the IMF is paranoid about people like him and keep their techs in a stranglehold to prevent it. So there’s only so much Ethan can do, and he is in a constant state of guilt/anxiety that whatever he is currently working on will be used for harm.

His inspiration for joining the field is a pretty direct reversal of the film. Through some series of events Benji asks him to do something ... not strictly on the books, and Ethan not only does it but positively jumps on the chance. That’s what gets into his head that field work would force the IMF to give him all the information relative to the missions he worked (this proves only half-true at best; but this is still a relatively young and innocent Ethan), and that it would put him in a position to directly affect how the IMF’s orders are carried out. And if it means getting to work with the IMF super-agent who is always failing so endearingly to present the cool and collected image that’s expected from him and who has about as little respect for the agency as Ethan himself, well. He’s not about to object.

II. Benji the Field Agent

This Benji is a better fighter than his film counterpart due to his training having been more focused on it/more experience, but it’s far from his greatest asset. What really made him a legend in the IMF was his analytical skills and the creativity of his problem-solving—where others are stuck on protocol and rote strategy, Benji approaches each problem purely on its own terms. 

His survival and success is also aided considerably by the face that newer teammates are desperate to prove themselves to this IMF legend, while those who have known him for any period of time inevitably have their “MUST PROTECT AT ALL COSTS” instincts awakened at full force. They’d never let on, because he’d think it meant they saw him as a particularly vulnerable agent, when it really isn’t that at all. It’s rather something about how even this Benji dampened by trauma is so undisguisedly human; how he looks after them in a way the IMF never did; how for him this work is about doing good, not ‘doing the job’. He allows them to grasp back onto the hope of making the world better motivated them to become field agents in the first place before the IMF beat it out of them; he reminds them that the world is worth saving and in the process (accidentally) becomes, in their eyes, the most important one of all to save.

I kind of like the idea, though, that Benji does put on a bit of a show of being hardened, and on a verbal level he justifies his constant defiance of the IMF not on a moral basis but on the basis of their orders not making sense. Literally no one whose been on more than one mission with him believes this, but they let him pretend they do. Ethan has his suspicions from the start but has some level of anxiety that the facade might be the reality. If I was actually writing a fic it would lead to a more polished version of this exchange:

*Benji makes a choice that from a strategic perspective is completely illogical and is purely to reduce risk to civilians and/or team members* 

Ethan: But Benji, that … doesn’t make sense. 

Benji: I KNOW I KNOW. It’s about protecting people, okay?? 

Ethan: I knew it!! But then why … 

Benji: I have a reputation as the coolest agent in the IMF—don’t ask me why, I’ve got nothing—but that’s what gets me on the important missions, where I can really help. I can’t admit to such a sappy core motive. Besides, if the glove fits and all that. Incompetence drives me up one wall and down another. Everything we do is life and death, you’d think they’d hire people with half a brain!! But nooo [etc]” 

(at this point Ethan is spiraling about some mistake he made and whether Benji would judge him incompetent)

(spoiler alert he doesn’t)

(Ethan doesn’t bring up the mistake here, though. Instead): 

Ethan: Benji, despite how it’s going to sound I really really don’t mean this as an insult, but you suck at the ‘cool guy’ act. That’s not what people love you for.

(Benji pretends to be insulted but it’s actually the most touching thing anyone has ever said to him. He tries very hard to focus on that instead of the fact that Ethan maybe-possibly just implied he was one of the people who loves him. He fails)

III. Dynamic on Missions:

When Ethan joins the IMF, he takes “MUST PROTECT BENJI AT ALL COSTS” to a whole new level. When pressed he says it’s because Benji is so critical to the IMF’s work and because with how much he does to protect others, someone’s got to protect him. It’s a perfectly true answer, and if it’s also kind of because he might be a little head-over-heals-in-love, there’s no need to mention that detail.

This does NOT help with Benji’s guilt complex about having been a key factor in why Ethan transitioned from tech to the dangers and trauma of field work. (He knows about this because Ethan told him as much one day when Benji was feeling insecure about his abilities. The revelation might not have had the intended affect.)

Unfortunately Benji’s guilt and fear for Ethan (and maybe also definitely being wildly in love shhhhhh) leads to him convincing himself that Ethan is more of a tech person than a field agent, and while he’s invaluable to have on-hand in the field it only makes sense to keep out of the more heightened danger-spots. This is not only a miserable failure (Ethan has a habit of rushing in anyway, the most annoying part of which is that his judgement is usually good), but results in Ethan feeling like Benji doesn’t trust him and/or he’s doing something wrong, even though he can’t figure out what. This in turn results in him constantly trying to prove himself and making even riskier decisions.

Ummm stuff happens, they communicate and are happy, The End

[fictionallemons]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Mission: Impossible (Movies) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Benji Dunn/Ethan Hunt Characters: Benji Dunn, Ethan Hunt, Jane Carter (Mission: Impossible), William Brandt, Luther Stickell, Julia Meade Additional Tags: Canon Compliant, Movie: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Movie: Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, Mission: Impossible - Fallout, Pining, Worried Benji, Worried Ethan, Happy Ending, Pre-Slash, No Smut, Canon-Typical Violence, Benthan Week Summary:

What it says in the title. Happy Benthan Week 2020!!!!!!! <3

[saltyfilmmajor]

Hey! I’m kinda new to shipping ethan and benji and I found your blog and content! any favourite fics or recommendation to a fandom newbie?

Oh man Hello, new friend! (I’ve suddenly forgotten every fic I've read ever)

I haven’t caught up to the tag yet on AO3, but there are so many talented writers in the fandom, these are just a handful of my favorites!  

we make our friends, we make our enemies by @oriley42 

Making Time (also By oriley42) 

Say "Io Ti Amo"  @chaostheoryy

Sweeter than candy By @fictionallemons

(Basically, anything by fictionallemons in the tag is very good) 

Check out the benthanweek2019 and benthanweek2020 tags as well for some really good content :3 

[badgerhuan]

MAN UP AU -- in which Ethan Hunt is a divorced architect. his ex wife Julia and best friend Luther are desperately trying to help him meet more people, and in the end set him up on a blind date.

Benji Dunn is a single programmer who's all but given up on his dating life. his best friends and roommates Jane and Will (with their respective partners) love him very much and try their best to help reignite whatever dwindling hope of finding someone there is left in his heart.

through a series of mishaps Benji ends up on the blind date with Ethan, and Ethan sure does go on a date - just with the wrong guy.

I. have not Arted in a while. but this was the only way I could do this idea justice. I'm so sorry for the messy lines. this has been on my mind for months and I've finally released it out into the public. it's out of my hands now. I hope y'all like it.

for @benthan-week-2020, Day 5 - Civilian AU

(no I can't draw hands)

(simon's face was Hell to draw)

[grennefoam]

First fic for Benthan Week 2020! I got carried away with this for sure...

DAY 1: Five times (+1) | Alternate theme: Mr. & Mrs. Smith AU 

---

 Five times they were thought to be unconventional, and one time they were seen with clarity.

(or, how Ethan and Benji’s relationship has always been viewed with special interest by the people closest to them.) @benthan-week-2020

[sweetbouquetartisane]

benthan week

day 7: honeymoon

@benthan-week-2020

[benthan-week-forever]

The votes are in!!!

Below is the schedule for Benthan Week 2020 

We’re trying something new this year: having an optional, second theme-per-day! This means that if the first theme listed doesn’t inspire you, you can choose to create based on the second theme. Or, if you love them both, you can make two things! (More things, yay!) Several themes are linked to Fanlore pages for quick ‘n easy explanations, but we welcome you to interpret them creatively! And of course, if you have any questions, you can check out the Info & Rules or DM @oriley42

Have fun, and remember to tag your works #benthanweek2020 and/or post them to the Benthan Week 2020 AO3 collection! 

We look forward to seeing your creations in August <3 

Monday, August 10

Day 1. Five times (+1) 

              alternate theme: Mr. & Mrs. Smith AU

Tuesday, August 11

Day 2. Sharing clothes

                alternate theme: Social Media AU / YouTuber AU

Wednesday, August 12

Day 3. That one very specific thing where Ethan sees Benji shirtless

              alternate theme: Fantasy AU

Thursday, August 13

Day 4. Groundhog Day AU

                alternate theme: Epistolary fic

Friday, August 14

Day 5. Civilian AU 

                alternate theme: Role Reversal fic

Saturday, August 15

Day 6. And there was only one bed….

                alternate theme: Historical Setting AU

Sunday, August 16

Day 7. Coffee Shop AU

                alternate theme: Honeymoon

[oriley42]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Mission: Impossible (Movies) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Benji Dunn/Ethan Hunt Characters: Benji Dunn, Ethan Hunt, Jane Carter (Mission: Impossible), Ilsa Faust, Maggie Dunn (OC) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Ethan is a Cupid, with like...Roy Miller manic energy, background Ilsa/Jane, the (brief) return of Maggie Dunn! lover of himbos, True Love, Fluff Summary:

Ethan is a cupid sent to help Benji find true love....

[illprotectyou-hearteyes]

I didn’t have anything prepared for Day 3 and didn’t have energy to plan out a fic, so I wound up writing this odd little piece that I call: “Ethan thinks about stuff and also he happens to be in a fantasy AU.”

In this world there are mushrooms that can shrink you to the size of an ant, and carnivorous plants that can swallow a human whole but scarcely pierce the skin of your average giant, and just about anyone can learn to fly if they put in the effort. Ethan wouldn’t give it up for anything. Not even for those fascinating story-lands where men without a lick of magic spent centuries harnessing the elements of their universe until at long last they thought their way onto the sea and into the sky and mastered voiceless long-distance communication to a degree telepathy can’t rival. (Sure, spy work would be somewhat simpler “up” wasn’t one of the directions a target could run, but who would give up the freedom of solo flight for a bit of convenience? And even that pales next to the careful learning of one another and deep trust that comprises the real magic of riding a dragon.)

No, not even the most enticing visions could tempt him away from this world of fairies and walking trees and gnomes and elves. (It’s true that the multitude of species often misinterpret the glorious variety of kinds as motive for conflict; but how sad it would be to live in a world where complex communication can only be had with one’s own species.)

*****

Ethan feels a little bad for the wandering thoughts dividing his attention from the spectacle of the fairies’ annual light festival, which Jane is directing with the passionate intensity that drives all her actions. But the visual display, with the music as support, has reached its most blissfully peaceful phase, perfectly tailored to induce dreamy sappiness even in those watching alone.

And Ethan isn’t alone; never in his life has he felt less isolated than in these past few years with the family that has grown around him, each member holding tight to each. Quite literally in one case—Benji is grasping Ethan’s right hand quite firmly in his own, as if saying, “stay with me, please,” and Ethan will spend each day finding new ways to declare his desire to stay as long as he is allowed until Benji can find no more room for doubt. Ethan sneaks a quick glance at him now, and smiles to see the peace diffused across his face—Benji’s long elvish years have done much to grant him astounding wealths of knowledge and technical skill, but little to ease the anxiety that frequently dances across his face. Ethan would give a great deal to smooth those ever-deepening lines of worry, and he hates his job sometimes for the way it’s tailored to keep them in frequent use.

But he doesn’t think he could muster hate for anything just now, not with Benji at peace on his right and Luther’s sturdy presence on his left, his leaves gently brushing against Ethan’s arms. He’s never been afraid of being truly alone again since Luther found him during the worst period of his life, as if the roots with which Luther can secure himself to the soil are part of Ethan now, too.

Despite the smattering of torn-up leaves around him, even Brandt’s lined gnome features had smoothed out the last time Ethan raised himself to look, and Ilsa’s soft snoring tells him she’s still sound asleep. Ilsa, human as they come, has been doing a lot of napping in the weeks since she was at last extricated from the employ of the humans’ most ruthless spy agency. Every time she drifts off Ethan treasures that proof that, at last, she feels safe.

Ethan isn’t one to deny that it takes far less than such a night as this to nudge him into sentimentality.

With a silent apology to Jane, Ethan allows himself to close his eyes for just a moment, to savor the deep peace, the lull of his friends’ soft breathing, the wind blowing against his clean-shaven face.

He’s fairly certain the other dwarves still haven’t bought his claim that he cut off the beard because it interfered with the subtleties and rigors of field-work—after all, dwarves were traditionally trained to be fierce and industrious folk, and they got along quite well enough. Perhaps they were right. Perhaps it did have less to do with the work than with the way he used to feel the mountain of hair divided him from the world, hid him, muffled expression and sensation. Just another iteration of his endless desire to step nearer, push further in.

Ethan’s eyes snap open as the long snout of a rat pushes into his left ear—a ticklish but effective way of communicating information intended for one individual only—and his heart plummets as he hears its message.

The peace of the night is unbroken, but it is no longer for him.

Ethan turns his head to nod his understanding, and when the creature scurries off he’s met with Luther’s deep gaze, sorry but firm. Ethan smiles, grateful if a little sad, and when Luther reaches out a rough, hand-like spread of branches to briefly grasp Ethan’s hand it feels like the promise of a firm foundation to return to, wherever he may run in the interim.

When he turns to his right Ethan finds Benji already raised on one elbow, tense and poised, worry lines firmly back in place, and before Ethan can say a word he’s asking: “Can I help?”

Ethan wants to melt into him, hold him close and feel the vibrancy of the life that animates him. Instead he reaches out a forefinger to absently smooth the deepest line on Benji’s forehead, feeling a little guilty as he watches Benji make a conscious effort to hide his anxiety, and says, “No, love, this is a one-person job and they’ve only called me.”

“But you’ll summon me if that changes?”

Ethan smiles tightly, unsure whether he’s telling the truth as he answers, “Of course I will.” But he has no qualms about his sincerity when he adds, “For now, enjoy the show. Know that I’m only gone for the sake of beauty such as this, and I’ll do anything to return to it, to you.”

Benji gathers himself, nods firmly. “I know.” He pulls Ethan into a kiss, quick and firm, then out of nowhere in particular he produces Ethan’s bag, small and tight-fitting but packed full.

Ethan shakes his head in wonderment. “Even tonight?”

“Always,” Benji answers. “It helps if I can. Come with you in some way. Now off you go.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Ethan stands, glances behind him and holds on to the image of Brant having collapsed in sleep on top of Ilsa, then runs.

For a few beats he struggles to find his pace, the scene behind all the harder to leave because this is the sort of mission that comes with a high probability of no return.

Suddenly the light that’s throwing his shadow in front of him brightens, and the music becomes rhythmic and triumphant. Ethan turns, confused; Jane has talked of nothing but tonight for months, so he knows very well that this part isn’t supposed to come until the end. Then the gold spark he can identify as Jane leaves its place and rises high above the rest, and he understands that this is for him, that even in the midst of this event she’s poured her soul into she spotted him leaving and threw aside her meticulously laid plan in an instant.

Ethan lifts a hand in gratitude, and as he does he feels the shifting of his bag, which he knows from experience holds honeyed flatbread and candied nuts stuffed between the necessities, together with a surprise or two for his enjoyment and the preservation of his sanity.

Turning away and matching the pounding of his feet to the joyous beat of the music, he feels strength and resolution flooding in.

Ethan wouldn’t give up his place in this world for anything—except to save it.

[fictionallemons]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Mission: Impossible (Movies) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Benji Dunn/Ethan Hunt Characters: Benji Dunn, Ethan Hunt, Luther Stickell, William Brandt, Ilsa Faust, Original Characters Additional Tags: Sharing a Bed, Hotel Sex, Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining, Weddings, First Kiss, Drinking, Benji is a good dancer, Post-Mission: Impossible - Fallout, naps, Blow Jobs, Mild Smut, Fluff, Switching, Happy Ending, Codependent spies Summary:

Luther's getting married again at a private resort on a tropical island. Only there's a mixup with the rooms and Benji and Ethan have to share. No big deal, right? One bed. Two friends. No problem. Ha.

@benthan-week-2020