#cjandy

[bartletslesbians]

The West Wing + text posts (9/?)

[twwpress]

Creator Spotlight #14: fleurfemme

Welcome back to the TWW Author Spotlight! For every spotlight, we’ll ask each featured author the same ten questions (as well as questions you submitted on Twitter!). This week we’re pleased to be chatting with abby (@jenniferjolie on Twitter and fleurfemme on AO3)!

1) What are your top 5 desert island fics by other authors? 

1) kiss me and crucify me (by crossingdelancey)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/32800243 

I feel like I have this fic permanently open in a tab on my phone's browser. Cjtoby hate sex — hot and passionate and angsty.

 2) Salomé (by crossingdelancey) 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/41530527 

Another fic by my fave author :') This cjandy hate sex fic was a gift for me. It's a little more intense; I love when CJ gets to be fiery ♥️

 3) Lather. Rinse. Repeat. (by Michelle K.)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/37590034  

This Donna-centric fic has a little of everything. It's a wonderful taste of early-2000s charm that only fics of the time can capture. So many layers, so many women.

 4) Stuck in the Middle with You (by JediAnnieScrambler)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/34346431 

A cjtobyandy kinktober oneshot ♥️

 5) something else (by jazzjo)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/43045845 

A sweet little CjDonna fic Eli gifted me after I made a CjDonna tropes edit ♥️♥️ so cute 

 2) Do you have a favorite character to write? Favorite ship(s) to write? Are there characters or ships you'd like to write more of? 

I think Margaret might be be my favorite character to write. I don't write Margaret centric stories, but the second I bring her in to any scene, I can't stop giggling. Jed and Donna are also really fun to write dialogue for.

So far, when it comes to ships, I've had the most fun writing Ellie Bartlet x Sidney Prescott in my crossover fics. Also AmyDonna! Donna is just the sweetest woman and she deserves all the love in the world.

I plan to write more CJ fics in the future and look forward to it!

 3) Tell us about your writing process (setup/location? Night or day? Snacks/beverages? Computer/phone/notebook? Music or silence? Anything else you want to share is welcome!) 

I’ll write on my phone on the train at 6:30am or on my laptop while lying in bed at 2am. I’m very chill when it comes to a routine; I like to keep it loose so I can get into a good creative flow. 

 4) What writing advice do you have for others who may be reading this? 

Don't be afraid to write outside of what's popular! Don't create pointless rules for yourself as a way to stop yourself from writing.

 5) From where do you usually draw your inspiration? (Other forms of media, music, tropes, etc?) 

My ideas are most often based on what area of a given relationship (romantic or platonic) I'm interested in exploring.

 6) What is the fic you've written that you're most proud of and why? 

Probably Red, White, and Boo! (https://archiveofourown.org/works/41606586/chapters/104361426) Completed for Halloween, it’s a campy horror-comedy/whodunnit, and a crossover with the Scream trilogy. Combining the worlds of some of my all time favorite characters (in a way that made sense for folks who've never seen Scream), two styles of humor, and the stakes of a horror with TWW's dramedy tone was a huge challenge, but I'm so proud looking back at it. I had a blast writing it and getting to hear reactions to the drama and elements of the mystery has been so rewarding.

 7) What's the fic trope/concept/AU you'd read 1000 of? What's the fic trope/concept/AU you'd write 1000 of? 

I love reading fics about hotel room hook-ups during the campaign.

I'll write a thousand soft and awkward and giggly smut fics ♥️♥️ I also never get tired of using scars during intimacy scenes 

 8) Is there anything you'd like to try writing-wise that you haven't yet? 

I've never written an au for tww, but I've been thinking about a girl band au! CJ on bass, Andy lead vocals, Amy on drums, Abbey as the band's manager. We'll see if I get around to it!

 9) What's your go-to Starbucks/coffee shop/other drink order? 

I don’t drink coffee but I do enjoy a double chocolate chip frap from Starbucks!

 10) Do you have any current projects you'd like to promote or anything upcoming you'd like to tell us about?

My first CJ x Joey Lucas fic is currently in progress, so stay tuned for that!

Submitted questions: 

From @S4MWILS0N:

fave season & ep? season 3, Dead Irish Writers!

fave character and ship? Characters: Toby, CJ, Amy, Abbey Ships: AndyToby as an endgame ship, but I love CJToby, AmyDonna, and CJDonna

most underrated character and ship? CJDonna!!! Also JoshJoey - not as an endgame thing, just a little treat

what was ur fave part of writing rwb? the humor and the girl bossery

two ships to have a double date? AndyToby and CJDonna

fave and least fave plot arc? I looove CJ’s season one arc of being treated like shit to being respected. Also love her arc at the end of s3! I hate the leak arc but I’ve only watched 80% of seasons 6-7 because I’m not really a fan of the election plots in general

funniest canon one liner? everything Toby Ziegler has ever said tbh

fave detail in one of ur fics? in RWB when Margaret says she can't count sheep before bed because her dreams take place prior to the domestication of sheep

draft snippet that never became anything? a JoshDonna fic based on the line about him looking good in a collar. Maybe I'll finish it... we shall see

From @claudiasjeans: ABBY MY LOVE what is your favorite ship that you’ve never written? what got you into tww?

cjtobyandy probably! I started watching TWW when I was like 14 because I was a huge Kristin Chenoweth fan!!

 From @kennysroys: What inspired you to take the risk of writing Red, White and Boo? What was your favorite part? The hardest part? What motivated you to write this AU?

A joke Alyssa (@abbeybartlet) made about Danny and Will being Ghostface inspired RWB! I'd also already written a 20k+ word tww/scream crossover, so I knew how well the characters worked together. My favorite part was having the girlies from both canons interact... CJ/Gale is such an interesting dynamic, Amy/Jennifer are chaotic bffs, and Ellie/Sidney make such a good couple. I love them sm.

The hardest part was balancing such a large ensemble. While the story focuses largely on the story of CJ, Donna, and Gale Weathers as their support, I wrote scenes centered on Mandy, Zoey, Ainsley, Josh, Ellie, Amy, and more. Such a whirlwind, but I had a great time.

I stayed motivated thanks to the handful of readers leaving encouraging comments after every chapter. Couldn't have done it without that ♥️

 From @kennysroys: Since you’re such a big Amy fan what would you ask or say to Mary Louise Parker about her if given the chance?

I'd love to ask her about Amy's dynamic with various characters—specifically Abbey and Donna. I'd also be curious to hear her perspective on playing a supporting character who represents such a large group's voice on the show... How did she approach the responsibility? Also, how did she shape her performance to fit into a show that was already on its third season? Things like that ♥️

 From @kennysroys: Favorite TWW fan content to consume (fancams, edits, fics)?

I love gifs and silly screenshots

From @donnamossburner: If you could rewrite an episode - what episode would you write and what would you change?

I would add Ellie to Dead Irish Writers. Let her drink on the couch with Abbey and Amy and drunkenly ramble about her mother as a Doctor and call her father a jackass <3

 From @donnamossburner: What is your present day head canon for the characters?

TobyAndy endgame, Andy runs for President, CJ becomes a professor and marries a beautiful and charming woman, Donna works for a non-profit with Amy.

 From @sameschtick:

Which minor character(s) do you wish we got to see more of and why? On my knees begging for more Andy Wyatt.

Favourite post-canon hcs? CJ (and Donna) take a six-month long trip to Europe for a tour of hot romantic conquests. 

One detail of canon you’d like scrubbed from the record? Ellie's marriage... They truly set her up as a relatable sad lesbian and then 5 seasons later made a joke about how she's actually not a lesbian and made her marry a man... 0/10 stars

Thanks again to abby for participating in the spotlight, and thanks to everyone who contributed questions! If you’d like to be featured in a future spotlight, drop us a DM here or on Twitter (@twwpress), or email us at weeklypressbriefing@gmail.com.

xx, What’s next?

[smallblueandloud]

AYYY YOU DID IT i know nothing about fsk but i’m still probably going to read this bc i’m obsessed with this concept and your writing!!! congrats on the finished fic!!

AAH THANK YOU <3 it’s such an honor that you’ll read my fic for fandoms you’re not even in, oh my god, thank you so much. i hope you enjoy it!!

(the fic, for general referece)

[regardstosoulandromance]

and your eyes looked like comin’ home

CJ Cregg was feeling a bit lost.

After years of searching, Andrea Wyatt had finally found the perfect fragrance. Unfortunately for her, it was clinging to the wrists of her ex wife.

a cjandy parent trap au here on ao3

[claudiasjeancregg]

CJTOBY AND CJANDY FOR THE BINGO! <3

cjtoby-

cjandy-

[bartletslesbians]

The West Wing + text posts (1/?) but it's literally just CJ/Andy because I'm indulging my own rarepair craving here

[bartletslesbians]

I really want to try and write a fic about CJ being offered the VP position for Santos when they're looking for a new one, specifically in a world where she's been dating a woman (Andy) for years and has been kinda looking forward to taking a step back from politics in order to come out without having to worry about the political capital of a whole administration.

Just the conflict between the personal vs professional responsibilities and what she wants for her life and how long Andy's willing to wait (bc if she does want to stay closeted for the whole duration that's another 4-8 years EASY). And it needs a beautiful happy ending where everything can be possible at the same time in the end bc screw reality, I want them to be happy and in love and running the world.

[bartletslesbians]

Title: a brief interruption Fandom: The West Wing Pairing: CJ Cregg/Andrea Wyatt Prompt: December 14, interruption, from @taylorswiftmicrofic Words: 498 Summary: CJ's pregnant, they're both anxious, there's cuddling. Link: AO3

Full fic under the cut:

The closing of a door breaks CJ out of her concentration.

She’s sitting on their bed, a heavy briefing book in her hands, when Andy walks into the room to join her.

“Do you have time for an interruption?” Andy asks her, sitting down on the bed. Her hair’s done up poorly — beautiful red strands sticking out of her bun in various places.

CJ beckons her closer at the same time she says “not really, no,” and Andy laughs as she climbs further onto the bed. “But I can read while you’re here,” she adds — closing her papers with her thumb between the pages. “If that works?”

Andy takes her place behind CJ before she says anything to confirm. Her head rests on CJ’s shoulder — her legs folded over CJ’s thighs. She kisses CJ’s cheek before placing one steady hand on the baby bump beneath her shirt. “Works for me,” she says softly, wrapped comfortably around CJ’s body.

She feels Andy’s quick-paced heartbeat when Andy’s pressed against her back, and as CJ picks up her briefing book again she feels it slow down

Ever since CJ got pregnant, Andy’s been anxious. Anxious isn’t the word — Andy’s been terrified. Terrified in a way she hadn’t even been for herself when she’d been pregnant with the twins.

CJ knows what’s on her mind, knows what she’s been afraid of since they made the call to try to give Molly and Huck a sibling. Andy’s as afraid of losing this baby — like she’d lost her own before the twins — as she is afraid of making CJ feel that kind of grief for herself.

It took them ages to decide that fear, that possibility, was worth it. 31 weeks into the pregnancy, and that fear has not quieted down just yet.

The pregnancy freaks CJ out, too. She doesn’t think she’ll ever want to do this again — doesn’t think she’ll ever again be ready to accept eyeballs and fingernails growing inside of her — and every movement inside her stomach reminds her that something’s alive inside her body. It freaks her out, too, but they’re trying to take turns being scared.

A kicking baby inside her uterus feels more manageable — easier to survive without getting lost in the panic and discomfort of it — with Andy’s understanding hands on her stomach, taking in the movements and telling her over and over and over again that she’s doing okay, that nothing’s wrong.

Andy says it for her own sake as much as CJ’s.

CJ turns a page and feels a kiss pressed to her shoulder. She covers Andy’s hand with her own when she feels a small kick in her stomach.

“You okay?” CJ asks quietly, as Andy tightens her arms and legs around CJ.

She feels Andy’s smile against her skin. There’s a tremor in her voice when Andy says “just fine,” and slight chuckle when CJ scoffs and Andy adds “alright, could be better, but you help.”

It’s more than enough for now.

[bartletslesbians]

The West Wing oneshot (Kinktober 1)

For the prompt: Dom/sub

Title: her girl Pairing: CJ Cregg/Andrea Wyatt Rating: Explicit Words: 2100 Summary: CJ's having a stressful day/week/month, Andy has always had the perfect little tool to help her deal with that. Dom/sub play during a late night at the office. (Dom/sub, praise kink, clicker training) Link: AO3

[bartletslesbians]

I just posted The West Wing fanfiction for the first time in my life? so?

Title: All I Ask Characters: CJ Cregg & Leo McGarry Ships: Background Andrea Wyatt/CJ Cregg Words: 1885 Summary: CJ requests a late night meeting with Leo McGarry so she can tell him about a new development in her life. Link: AO3

Basically it's a one-shot of CJ coming out to Leo with some emotional hurt/comfort and Leo McGarry being a Dad

[bartletslesbians]

Title: Grilled Cheese and Princess Dresses Pairing: CJ Cregg/Andy Wyatt Characters: CJ Cregg, Andy Wyatt, Molly and Huck Words: 2301 Rating: G Summary: Andy and CJ celebrate Christmas together with the twins, the first year after CJ's left the White House.

[bartletslesbians]

really gonna try to finish this CJ/Andy christmassy oneshot tonight and it's just pure Fluffy and the twins are there and life is good and it's all just fun and games, it's what they deserve fr

[bartletslesbians]

fic title game: you put me on and said i was your favorite

Ask game: send me a made up fic title and I tell you what fic I'd write for it!

I'm writing a fic rn that could have this for a title actually bc my first thought was, of course, Claudia Jean. But specifically the idea of CJ/Andy dating during college and like 2-3 years after, Andy being this person who makes CJ really truly believe in her own skills and capabilities, but it still falling apart over time and it just being these fond memories of the person who made you what you are today because they saw your potential when no one else did?? And is now just a good friend you don't see that often?

[bartletslesbians]

!!! Femslash fic by @krazykitkat and @athena4lynn

Just have to mention I might have written lesbian Carol fics...

!!!! I need your AO3 stat!

I just posted my first CJ/Carol fic and !! Something about lesbian Carol (and queer CJ, whether they're friends or more) is so good??

[twwpress]

Creator Spotlight: Week 4

Welcome back to our TWW Creator Spotlight! For every spotlight, we’ll ask each featured creator the same ten questions as well as select questions submitted on twitter. This week, we’re chatting with @sapphiccjcregg // jedianniescrambler on ao3. Emma creates lovely fics and edits, and we’re thrilled to feature her this week!

1) What are your top 5 desert island TWW fics?

The Journey of Wells and Roads by kennedygailparker

My absolute favorite fic ever. Post canon, absolutely gorgeous. This is my season eight and no one can convince me otherwise.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20657867

I hold with those who favor fire by internationalprincess

This was the first Amy/Andy fic I read and it’s just so good. The blueprint honestly.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/146182

 States of Union by Iamsherlocked07

The secret married hurt/comfort of my DREAMS.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/31008557

 summer, highland falls AND extracts, a six act play, and a tango by crossingdelancy 

Everything by crossingdelancy is beautifully written but I especially love these two.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/34995025

https://archiveofourown.org/works/32778259 

2) Do you have a favorite character to write/edit? Favorite ship(s) to write/edit? Are there characters or ships you'd like to write/edit more of?

I love writing Amy Gardner, she’s so funny and I don’t know what this says about me but I feel like it’s really easy to get into her headspace.

CJToby is definitely my favorite tww ship to write for, along with cjandy and abbey/amy, the latter two I always mean to write more of! 

 3) Tell us about your creative process (setup/location? Night or day? Snacks/beverages? Computer/phone/notebook? Music or silence? Anything else you want to share is welcome!)

I don’t really have a set process for fic writing. It usually happens on my phone between doing other things. Sometimes I’ll go to a coffee shop to finish writing a book review and end up procrastinating by writing fic, but that’s as close to an actual process as I get. (And always music over silence!) 

4) What video editing/writing advice do you have for others who may be reading this?

Just write! The only way to get better is to keep doing it, over and over and figuring out what you like and what you don’t like in your writing. Also developing your own voice in storytelling is important, there’s nothing worse in my opinion than a narrative voice that sounds average and mediocre.

 5) From where do you usually draw your inspiration? (Other forms of media, music, tropes, etc?)

Honestly everything? Sometimes it’s songs or random tweets or photos. Most of the time it’s brainstorming with Sam. There’s a trope/kink/au generator I use sometimes when I need that extra kick though. 

 6) What is the fic/edit you've written/created that you're most proud of and why?

still got love for you. I think is my favorite fic I’ve written. I love how it turned out, it just feels so soft and cozy when I reread it. 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/32699131 

 7) What's the fic trope/concept/AU you'd read 1000 of? What's the fic trope/concept/AU you'd write 1000 of? And/or, are there any editing tropes/artists/themes you can't get enough of?

I have a soft spot for marriage of convenience/arranged marriage fics and I would definitely both read and write 1000 fics of that. But looking back at my past posted fics I seem to have written more than one “only one bed” fics haha 

 8) Is there anything you'd like to try writing-wise/video editing-wise that you haven't yet?

Technique wise not really? I’m working on a quasi epistolary fic for another fandom, and it would be kinda fun to write one for tww if I came up with the right plot to suit it. 

 9) What's your go-to Starbucks/coffee shop/other drink order?

Iced chai (or matcha) with almond milk! 

10) Do you have any current projects you'd like to promote or anything upcoming you'd like to tell us about?

I’m quite happy with my parent trap au (and your eyes look like comin’ home / https://archiveofourown.org/works/40186941) which I posted back in July as well as my most recent fic (come in with the rain / https://archiveofourown.org/works/41303256). I have several fics in progress that I need to finish but work has been really busy and I have been far too tired afterwards to write lately. I hope to post four more fics by the end of the year though- I currently have 96 published West Wing fics on ao3 and I’d like to make it 100. For sure I’m working on a fic about Ellie and another cjtoby au. 

 Submitted questions:

From @mlea7675: What’s your favorite AU you haven’t tried yet?

I love a classic coffee shop au and have written them for other fandoms but not tww! It’s definitely on my to write list. 

From @jessbakescakes: What's a line you've written that you're really proud of?

Serious line answer: California didn’t suit her. Ohio, Washington, she was at her best in a wool coat, the cold chill never cutting through her warmth.

Much less serious line answer: CJ did remember, distantly, that she found him handsome in that older, put together kind of way. She always felt like he looked as if he did his taxes on time and gave really good head. But it wasn’t like she devoted a lot of time thinking about this particular neighbor.

From @thefinestmuffin: When did you start writing? Have you written in other fandoms? What's your favorite thing about your OTP?

I started writing fanfiction when I was 13, before I knew what fanfic even was! Then I didn’t start writing West Wing fic until July 2020 after my second watch through. I’ve written for a lot of other fandoms but the most for TWW, Once Upon a Time, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Unreal.

I think my favorite thing about CJ and Toby is their mutual respect for each other, and how they seem to get each other on a level no one else does. Their relationship seems to mirror Sam and Josh, and Jed and Leo. 

From @S4MWILSON: craziest au you’ve created? favorite au from someone else? most and least favorite tww ships? which tww character deserves a spin off most? most overrated + most underrated tww episodes? favorite thing about cjtoby? funniest part of tww? ship you’ve never written but would like to?

Craziest AU: I’m working on a western au which has been fun! I’ve also written a cjtoby art thief au which was also pretty out there.

Favorite AU from someone else: I love Sam’s (iamsherlocked07 on ao3) bookshop au, Takes One to Know One!

Most Favorite Ship: CJ/Toby Least Favorite Ship: CJ/Danny

Character that Deserves a Spin Off: Ainsley Hayes!

Overrated Episode: I plead the fifth! Underrated Episode: my personal favorite episode is The US Poet Laureate which does not get enough love. 

Favorite thing about CJToby: (answered with thefinestmuffin’s question above)

Funniest part of tww: definitely a toss up between the Toby and Sam walking to breakfast in Mandatory Minimums and the CJ/Amy/Will scene where they’re definitely not hazing Amy.

Ship I’ve never written but want to: Andy/Amy!!

Thanks again, Emma!

If you’re interested in being featured for a future spotlight, please drop us a line here on tumblr, on twitter, or email weeklypressbriefing@gmail.com.

xx, What’s next?

[smallblueandloud]

okay i’m back again— SO i was rereading your tww sense8 au posts, as one does, and there’s so many THINGS IM DYING TO EXPLORE. but. um. i forgot some. i’m the worst sorry! BUT: this. “if marriage equality existed at the time, they’d have probably gotten married and toby would’ve had a Crisis about it” WHAT WOULD THIS HAVE BEEN LIKE I WANT MORE OF THIS. i love them so much. i wrote my first cjandy fic and THEY KISSED it was euphoric. ALSO 4x20 IN THIS VERSE. pls talk about any of this, whenever!!

HI BRO IT’S BEEN LIKE THREE MONTHS SINCE YOU SENT ME THIS BUT I’M STILL RIDE-OR-DIE FOR THIS OT3 SO I’M ANSWERING IT NOW!!

look. not to be that person, but toby is an insecure kind of guy. i love him but he is. he’s sad, and he’s quiet, and you know the reason why andy’s breakup conversation to him (in her dream house, right before she went into labor) broke her heart so much was because she knew how much she was hurting him. he’s used to being alone and he doesn’t LIKE it but i think he’s at the point where he wouldn’t be SURPRISED, you know?

this is all to say that he doesn’t do so great, when everything is tense and cj refuses to even be in the same room as him but will kiss andy in the psycellium for some reason. He Doesn’t Cope So Well, understandably. this is worse in an au where marriage equality exists.

presumably we’re working with an au where marriage equality is at about the same level as it is today -- so couples of varying genders can be legally married, but no polycules. in this case, we have cj less concerned about being seen with andy in public and more concerned with being seen with toby and andy in public. i’m guessing she’s still cagey and therefore the disintegration still happens (honestly, i want to say toby and andy would’ve fallen apart no matter if cj had stayed or not, but that’s a whole other discussion), which means andy is therefore available when cj finds herself living in DC with two (2) acquaintances she doesn’t work with (and the other one is her brother’s college roommate, so the choice is easy).

see i just think andy and cj get along in a way that andy and toby just DON’T. they’re both pragmatic, although cj will get caught up in her emotions if she’s not careful and andy is always ready to drop everything to start a fight. toby isn’t either of those -- toby will just stand his ground for what he believes in, no matter how people try to convince him otherwise, and this is why toby works very well as a second in command and would make a very bad leader in anything besides speechwriting. (i finally talked myself into cj being chief of staff, as you might be able to tell.) (this, btw, still means andy could’ve been the shuttle leaker -- ready to start a fight with the bartlet administration about the pointlessness of military secrets if they can’t use them to save people -- but that’s a whole different issue. the main reason why it makes sense for it to be andy and not toby is that toby is, above all, someone who’s thrown in his lot with josiah bartlet, and that means he will STAND WITH HIM in public no matter how MUCH he disagrees in private. okay seriously i’m trying not to discuss the shuttle leak here. ahem. GAYNESS.)

what this means is that toby gets into arguments with both cj and andy very easily, because he’ll dig in his heels and ignore them throwing every argument they’ve got at him and god can you imagine how frustrating that is. but cj and andy make a very good team, good at compromising, good at showing affection (toby tends to lock up when he’s in a mood), and really good at choosing movies for movie night. (they DO burn things whenever they try to cook together -- toby and cj are the family cooks when they’re all living together -- and andy, like toby, doesn’t speak the language of the press the way cj does, but for the most part they work very well together.)

this is a really long description to say that, yeah, i think if we were in an ideal world, andy and cj would make the best married couple. it wouldn’t be a good IDEA for them to get married, because toby would NOT take it well and obviously you don’t want to get married if it’s going to hurt your other partner in the way it would hurt toby.

also?? i just want to say you’re a genius because i had never considered the angst potential of 3x21 (edit: completely misjudged the season whoops) in the sense8 au but oh MAN it’s painful. i’m torn between my love of that shot of cj sitting alone in her gown while times square streams past her -- versus a similar shot, except toby and andy are psychically sitting on either side of her, with toby’s hand on her back and andy’s hand on her leg. LIKE?? THE ANGST POTENTIAL IS OUT OF THE PARK HERE Y’ALL, I NEED EVERYONE TO GET WITH ME ON THIS.

the image that won’t leave my head is toby, pale and shocked next to sam celebrating the motorcade maneuver, and at some point sam turns to him and asks “are you okay?” and toby, feeling cj’s pain and feeling pain for her, says “yeah” because what ELSE can he say??? pain. pain is good. thank you for coming to my ted talk.