#context: a fanfic that a friend of mine and I are developing

[marigoldwriter]

Summarizing the fanfic I'm writing in a single sentence:

"No but- IT'S A BRILLIANT IDEA TO INJECT TITANS DNA INTO NEWBORN BABIES, ISN'T IT?? WHAT THE FUCK!"

[ishallgivehimupforever]

A SHORT (NOT) MESS OF AN ESSAY ON HOW CLARKE AND BELLAMY ARE INCREDIBLY ESSENTIAL TO THEIR UNIVERSE This is a half-humorous post about the ridiculousness of the plot, but believe me it's filled to the brim with my love for it

Or, in which explaining the plot of the numbers show would get me institutionalized. I refuse to check wiki while writing this post so if I'm wrong about any of the lore and dates, just look past it. So, ~100 years before S1 we have the following happening: Becca Franco is a brilliant billionaire who is a genetic engineer, a prodigy coder, oh and a eugenics supporter who is working on a superior black-blooded race. She also creates A.L.L.I.E - an AI that does not understand that sometimes the end does not justify the means In the background, WW3 is raging, Diyoza is blowing up fascist governments, the U.S. president is a Wallace. And then there is this bombshell blonde Josephine Ada Lightbourne, with her princess haircut, who is a huge fan of Becca's. She is preparing to embark on a mission to look for inhabitable planets onboard of Eligious III. Those who are part of this mission are equipped with memory drives inside their heads for storing data about new environments. Eventually, Becca has one of those inside her head, too. Meanwhile, Diyoza and >300 other prisoners are sent on a mining mission on a bunch of rocks in space aboard Eligious I. They are put to sleep in cryopods developed by Becca's company. Meanwhile, it can be assumed that Clarke's ancestors and Bellamy's great-great-great grandpa with 4 PhDs have begun their space station jobs.

97 years later, we all know what happens, 101 people are sent to Earth on what is believed by many to be a suicidal mission. There is nothing inherently special about Clarke or Bellamy. I mean, of course they are dearly special to my heart and turn out to be incredibly special to the universe, but before I humorously describe the plot progression, I need to emphasize, they are two humans who lived all of their life on a tin can in space, and while within the context of the Ark they are special (Clarke is a "princess", of course not literally but it does not seem far fetched that she would end up becoming the Chancellor someday; Bellamy is the only big sibling on the ark which gives him personality traits unique for someone his age as far as the ark is concerned). But they are not supernatural beings, they do not have nightblood, they are not chosen ones, know what I mean? And yet:

S1: the most down-to-earth season, after that the stakes will only go up. Objective: make sure that the 102 has as many survivors as possible until the adults get down to Earth. Enemies: grounders, reapers, wildlife, elements, toxic fog (mountain men but they do not know that yet), sometimes the delinquents turn against other delinquents. Clarke uses her calculating, cunning, and caring nature as well as her medical skills to gain respect among the group. By the end of S1 she is someone that the rest of the delinquents look up to guidance. Bellamy uses his PhD in public speaking (why is he sometimes "quiet" in blarke fanfic, he is literally the yapper boyfriend) and combat prowess to initially scare people into deference, however his caring side cannot be contained for too long. By the end of S1, he is someone that the rest of the delinquents look up to for guidance. Blarke status: co-leaders who respect and inspire each other and friends who flirt at the most improper occasions

S2: the season with the finale to end all season finales trademark.

Objective: break the 47 out of mount weather; establish a truce with the grounders and claim some territory for arkadians Enemies: Mountain Men, grounders and their commandor but in a "enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend kinda way, gorilla mutant

Clarke - kills her ex-boyfriend (and that is the merciful option), and becomes a de-facto chancellor due to incompetence of A/bby and K/ane; negotiates a deal with the grounder ruler - L/xa who in her head HAS A MIND DRVE WITH ALLIE 2.0 THE MORE ADVANCED VERSION OF THE AI WHO NUKED THE WORLD and also HAS THE MEMORIES OF BECCA FRANCO. Clarke kisses l/xa - the start of a long situationship with the chip.

Bellamy - goes on an extremely risky one-man undercover mission to infiltrate Mount Weather. Just so it resonates, Bellamy is not a trained spy or a navy seal or a special forces soldier. He pulls of this insane feat of disabling the acid fog without being caught(the fog machine apparently has been killing the grounders for 50+ years and is the reason why the grounders could not retaliate against MW all this time!!!! He!! really!! did!! all1! that!! without being caught AND was actively working on protecting the 47 simultaneously) Blarke status: bonded over the actual genocide of MW (including the Wallace lineage) after the grounders forced their hand by utterly betraying them. S3 - the season when things start to get out of hand Objective: claim safe territory for arkadians to live and hunt for food; develop an alliance with the grounders (who stabbed them in the back in S2); make sure the commander keeps her word that arkadians are part of the alliance; make sure Ice nation does not ascend and wipe out skycrew; keep their own people from being executed by their own people; stop Emerson; stop THE AI THAT ENDED THE WORLD WITH NUKES, stop the zombies controlled by said AI; obtain a nightblood in order to access Becca and stop the evil AI SAVE THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE

Enemies: grounders (heh I see a pattern); Pike (kinda), Queen Nia, Emerson, Roan (kinda), Ontario, ALLIE, Jaha (kinda), l/xa (kinda), Echolocation wew, just writing it down, they really did try to do everything in those 16 episodes, didn't they? ALLIE the AI that NUKED THE PLANET bats her eyelashes flirtatiously at BELLAMY while possessing Raven. Calls out Bellamy for being more devoted to Clarke than to his actual girlfriend. i need to emphasise that THE AI THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENDING THE CIVILATION IS INVESTED IN BELLARKE RELATIONSHIP DRAMA.

Clarke enters the chip inhabited by her lover and by Becca Franco. Has a conversation with both ALLIE and Becca. The memory of 'together" gives her strength to pull the kill switch.

ALLIE: so essentially in 6 month is the last day of humanity because of the second nuclear apocalypse incoming,

Clarke: don't worry, me and Bellamy will figure something out :))) together :))) (with Raven ofc, I mean no erasure to my girl, its just this post is focusing on bellarke) ALLIE: :O Im exhausted Ive already been writing out this post for an hour, Im glad I'm halfway through

Blarke status: reunited and it feels so good. Saved the world (but not quite yet) S4 - the calamity season

Objective: Save the human race (again)

Enemies: Primefiya, Ice Nation (kinda), Ilian (for a hot second), ALLIE 1.0 (for Raven) Uncle Jaha sets up Blarke on a day trip in order to feed them some lore that will be relevant later. Bellamy picks up a coin with the 'from the ashes we will rise" written on it, which will prompt Jaha to correlate this with the grounder prayer which will make him ask the flaimkeeper about it which will lead them to check the temple which will lead them to discovering the bunker. So I think that all the ppl who found salvation inside the bunker owe their life to Bellamy in a round about way.

Clarke once again negotiates an alliance with the grounders. Acts as de facto chancellor. Bellarke act as the leaders of the sky people as god intended. Clarke becomes a nightblood (this will be extra relevant in S6) O*tavia is credited with something that was Clarke's idea in the first place and would be impossible without Bellamy's help. So everyone say thank you Clarke and Bellamy for saving us :) Blarke status: This voice mail is currently full. S5: We are not pretanding that the apocalypse could have possibly happened around 2050 anymore considering the technology available

Objective: Save the human race and Earth. Try not to destroy the only inhabitable spot of land left on the planet challenge.

Enemies: Paxton "Graveyard" McCreary, Diyoza (kinda), rest of the miner's crew, Kara Cooper, Octonian, Miller (for a minute) Diyoza, the former navy seal corporal turned domestic anti-fascist terrorist back from 106 years ago is very invested in the Bellarke relationship status. Bellamy makes a deal with Diyoza & her army by having a galaxy brain and keeping that Best Dad in the Universe mug - truly an iconic behavior. This leads to a) saving Clarke and Madi (a.k.a his wife and daughter uwu) b) opening the bunker, which apparently the 814 left in the bunker had no prospects of opening so please say thank you Bellamy fast forward to the end - Clarke and Bellamy are off to ANOTHER FUCKING PLANET?!?! and making decision regarding the fate of the human race again as God intended. Also Marper got to be happy and grow old together <3 miss them though. Blarke status: they got sick of their world-wide fame and now are onto their galaxy-wide fame. They have 2 kids. S6 - The most romantic 10 episodes of television brought to screen I think Objective: explore Alpha; find a safe territory for their people; make alliances with Sanctum; uh oh what are those people up to???; sci-fi horror intensifies; SAVE CLARKE; and the rest of sky crew I guess; keep an eye on Jordan and Madi (objective failed); act on feelings (objective failed)

Okay, so. We have this awesome chick Josephine and she and neuroscientist Gabriel are sooooo in love. They are quite crazy about each other. Josie is very flirtatious but you can tell that what she and Gabriel have is something special. But then BUT THEN Josie is murdered by her own dad while he was having an environment-driven psychotic episode. and Gabriel is NOT READY TO LET HER GO HE LOVES HER OKAY. And her dad, Russel, obviously feels guilty as fuck and cannot live with himself. So Russel and Gabriel work on defeating death. Yea you heard that right, we are dealing with immortality now. After decades of inhumane experiments they succeed in bringing Josie back in some innocent girl';s body. How? Because Josie was backed up on a mindrive, that was developed by Becca. You know, the same Becca that caused the world to end the first time and inadvertently caused the plot of the whole show to happen. The same Becca whose AI was very invested in Bellarke relationship drama. I digress

Fast forward ~250 years later, Josie is a bubbly psychopath (she sad endearingly). And Gabriel actually noped the fuck out of this eugenics oblation camp 70 years prior. This caused Josie to become even colder and more ruthless, she doubled down after she realised that the love of her life had become disgusted by her. She does no longer remember how it feels to be loved or how did it feel TO love someone as she did Gabriel. One day, She wakes up and discovered she was put in the body of the iconic Clarke "Ferrari" Griffin herself. She thinks she will get away with the (not successful) murder of her because she has a lot to offer her friends in return, namely immortality, territory, and all the intel about the planet they had gathered. BUT BUT BUT she did not expect one Bellamy Goddamn Blake a.k.a the love of Clarke's life.

He is the first one to realize that Clarke is not Clarke. He is the first one to realize that Clarke is ALIVE. By seeing Clarke memories Josie knows that what would be likely to make Clarke stop trying is the belief that Bellamy gave up on her. BITCH YOU THOUGHT

So she experiences Bellamy DRAGGING her on forest floor and being gentle with her body at the same time because it is CLARKE's body. While they are in a cave she teases him about his relationship with Clarke, then reminisces about Gabriel and gets all sappy, and then by taunting Bellamy she hears "I wont let you die" and let me tell you SHE'S SHOOk. SHE FORGOT. SHE FORGOT YOU COULD LOVE SOMEONE SO MUCH. SHE FORGOT YOU COULD BE LOVED SO MUCH. IT PROBABLY REMINDS HER OF HOW GABRIEL ONCE WAS DEVOTED TO HER AND T SHAKES HER TO THE CORE.

Fast forward to Bellamy showing up Just In Time, undercover (as is his favorite past time) Josie says mockingly "because of course it s" BUT YOU KNOW SHE'S IMPRESSED. Then, The Tent, o man, THE TENT. Josie, probably slowly accepting that this might really be her end, admits to Bellamy in the softest voice "she was right to depend on you" And then she pleads with Gabriel and it's heartbreaking because yes she's a villain, she's a eugenist, a psycho, even simply Evil, probably BUT ONCE SHE WAS A BRILLIANT, RESOURCEFUL, CONFIDENT YOUNG WOMAN LIKE CLARKE. AND SHE JUST WANTED TO GROW OLD WITH GABRIEL. AND GABRIEL TELLS HER I LOVED YOU FOR CENTURIES AND BELLAMY'S FACE AND JOSIE GOT TO HAVE TO SPEND HER LAST MOMENTS WITH GABRIEL THANKS TO BELLAMY AND CLARKE AND IT GIVES HER STRENGTH TO KIND OF ACCEPT DEATH, PERMANENTLY "IN THIS BIG SLEEP, WHAT DREAMS MAY COME" "I HAVE TO LET YOU GO NOW" AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA NA DTHEn AND THEN WE HAVE THE CPR SCENE "I NEED YOU" "YOU'RE A FIGHTER SO GET UP AND FIGHT" "I AM NOT LETTING YOU GO" MOUTH TO MOUTH, TRUE LOVE"S KISS And Clarke looks at him like he hung the stars in the sky. Bellamy looks at her like he is the only star in his sky. And they save their friends. again. And they Do Better.

Cause they are better. together. And they are SO.POWERFUL

Their relationship literally transcends centuries and planets. Wow this is long. My legs are tired from sitting in one position. Who made it till the end?

[delusionaid]

SHIPPING INFO. Answer the following for your muse(s) so people know how shipping works on your blog.

What’s your OTP for your Muse(s)?

I have a few "OTPs" for a few of my muses, but not for all of them. However, I choose not to state them for various reasons, one being that I feel like it might discourage someone from suggesting a different ship to me. Which it absolutely shouldn't. What does OTP for me even mean? Yes, in a way it is my favorite ship for a certain muse, for example for fanart, fanfics, or general discussions. However, general OTPs aren't always my favorites in RP. I have some ships in RP that I never even thought of before and wouldn't under normal circumstances call "my OTP", but writing them with a good writing partner makes them very dear to me and I wouldn't exchange or drop them for the world.

It's rare for me to really have a ship that I call an OTP, actually. I have some favorites and some I'll always like, but for a ship to qualify as OTP I really need to obsess over it thoroughly for a long period of time. I'd also almost go so far as to say I usually have one OTP per fandom, and not one per muse.

What are you willing to RP when it comes to shipping?

I am open to most things if they make sense to me for our muses; unless it is an AU I don't want to bend my muses out of character just to make a ship happen. I like many classic romance or fanfic tropes (enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, star-crossed, arranged royal marriage, fake dating, etc.) or naturally developing things, depending on the muses. There are a few things I won't write (for example non-con or underage), but like I said I almost never get requests for these things anyway, luckily. This is something I'd explain if it came up; I don't tend to post a list of No Gos just because it's rarely needed anyway.

Ideally I like to discuss ships beforehand - even if we're just planning the idea, and are waiting for the chemistry test - just to know if we're having similar tastes and thoughts, but if things progress naturally, then we can cross that bridge when we get to shippy land. The one thing I do insist on is that you tell me if there's something you absolutely don't want incorporated in our ships (e.g. you hate enemies to lovers, or anything relating to NSFW).

As stated in my rules, I don't auto-ship. That means even if you see me reblog fanart of a ship that doesn't mean I'll instantly ship that ship without any discussion beforehand. It means I like the ship tho, so if you are interested and we're mutuals, we can talk about it!

How large does the age gap have to be to make it uncomfortable?

As long as everyone's a consenting adult, I don't get uncomfortable by age gaps. Particularly not if one of or both of them are immortal. I am not necessarily a fan of (mortal x mortal) ships with a massive age gap but it can work for some characters in some contexts. As for 2300 y.o. vampire x 25 y.o. human? Absolutely no problem.

Are you selective when shipping?

Man, I'd love to just copy Lauri's text here but.. yes, I am. As stated before, I don't insta-ship - if we're seriously going to ship, I want to know that I am clicking with you as a writer and if we do, I want either extensive discussions of headcanons and backstories, or I want to start at the beginning / at a time where our muses aren't together yet. (This can also be the test for us to see if we click.) I don't want to write an established ship without any discussion beforehand, also in part because my favorite part about writing ships is the "getting together" phase.

I need chemistry between our muses. I might ship a ship in general but the way you write your muse just doesn't click with mine, so it really depends on the writer.

I am not usually ship exclusive, however I tend to not write the same ship more than once in most cases, particularly not if I have a bigger verse established that gets developed over time. Sometimes I end up writing with multiple people in a shippy way, but I've noticed after a while I kind of gravitate towards one writing partner, for example if that ship enters a more deeply developed stage. I don't expect that from my writing partner in return, but I do like it. It's kind of a case by case thing, with some ships I am more intense and others I am more casual. It's also a matter of how fast are we, how much do we plot and meta ooc, how invested are we both in general. I don't want to tie anyone to me who is a very fast writer, for example, simply because I cannot keep up with that speed and it would feel unfair to you.

Finally, please don't drag fandom tropes and ideas into writing 1:1. I like fanfics and fanart as much as the next girl, but in RP I am much more canon based and I want ships to fit within the narrative more than I want to entertain juicy tropes. Oftentimes I see people write ships inspired by popular fanart or comics or fanfics that are great as fan content, but quite removed from a canon setting, which makes the muses varying degrees of ooc. This is something I might do as an AU, but most of the time I will only do it if we've been shipping for a while already (in canon verse). For example: I love the enemies to lovers trope - but we need to figure out how they actually move from enemies to lovers. I won't just slap them together and say here we are.

How far do steamy moments have to go before they’re considered NSFW?

Eh.. any unmistakeable description or insinuation is something I would tag as NSFW. Even if it's written in a poetic way without graphic details, if a sexual act is described, it's NSFW. Smooching and cuddling is fine, anything that involes the downstairs or other touchy touchy with intent goes into the tag ;) Just to be safe (at work).

Who are other muses you ship your muse with?

I have multiple ships.. usually not too many per muse, but some have more than one ship. I am open to suggestions, I've sometimes ended up shipping things I never saw coming. I really enjoy writing rare pairs, tbh, if they make sense together and the chemistry fits. Those tend to be the most fun, almost!

Does one have to ask to ship with you?

Yes. If you send me shippy asks and we've never spoken about it before, I will ignore it or respond in a non-shippy way. Even if there were actual canon ships (which in this case, there aren't) I don't auto-ship them, it still depends on chemistry. So even if you know I like a ship and you consider it a "canon / implied ship", please talk to me first.

How often do you like to ship?

I enjoy all kinds of writing and scenarios; friendships, conflicts, mystery.. but at my heart of hearts, I am a romance writer. My ideal story is a fantasy story that involves romance (or some other meaningful and deep relationship that is explored). That doesn't mean I always want to ship with everybody 24/7 but it means that I enjoy the relationship (any nature) part of a verse the most, and I have a particular love for romantic relationships and all they entail (crushing, getting together, the angst of forbidden or unrequited love, the insecurity, the excitement, etc). I like reading it and I like writing it. I don't need it for every muse and I certainly don't ship everything just for the sake of shipping, but I very much enjoy writing romance when I get a chance to develop it well. (However, I also genuinely love the opportunity to write OTHER dynamics within a ship verse, to enrich the whole story.)

Are you multiship?

Yes. I have multiple ships on this blog due to various muses, and I also am open to multiple ships on one muse - however I don't tend to have too many per muse.

Are you ship obsessed or ship more-or-less?

I love my ships. I don't know if I am obsessed - but I have been, with my OTPs for example ;)

What is your favorite ship in your current fandom?

That's for me to know and for you to . . .

Finally, how does one ship with you?

Write with me and convince me with in character chemistry.. and/or hit my DMs :) Don't be afraid to ask, honestly the worst thing you'll get from me is a no (or a yes, depending on how you wanna look at it). Even if it's a weird ship, crack ship, insane ship, disliked ship. I don't judge. Just ask, I don't bite.

Tagged by: @daybreakrising & @resolutepath 💙💙 Tagging: @wishkept @gunnhildred @azizam @auratvm @immobiliter @luzofstars @captivemuses @reflective-muses @aeviare

[watcheraurora]

I just wanted you to know that I have developed so many short story continuations of like, all of your fanfics its not even funny. Like, I gave sheriff jimmy a whole ARC where he ends up in conflicts with Joel and then flees the division. BRUH!! you've given me brain rot, I demand compensation, I'm loosing actual sleep over these AU'S XD

Oh my goodness! I'm so honored that I've inspired you so much! <3

You're actually Dangerously Close to Tango's history with Joel when he left the division. Because they did end up in major conflicts around the time Tango left! But I'm very happy that you've created more based on something I made!

May I offer you a piece of the as-yet-untitled Even Ice Walls Fall Down Role Swap I'm working on as compensation? XD

For context: When I first thought of the idea of "superhero and villain AU for the Ranchers" I really loved Deepfrost and Sheriff as a villain and a hero respectively, but my friend who I ranted to about it (@soemthingsparkly who also did Deepfrost and Sheriff art in the fic :-D) really loved the idea of hero!Tango and villain!Jimmy instead. And I promised them I'd work on a version where Tango is the superhero Blaze and Jimmy is the villain Canary because as Ice Walls demonstrates, I am Not Creative™ at coming up with hero or villain aliases. And I'm still working on it but I do enjoy it

AKA the version of the story where if they manifested different powers, they might have taken different paths?

—

"Blaze, watch out! There are civilians nearby!" Joel barked in Blaze's earpiece as he loosed a wheel of fire. Canary squawked in alarm as Poultry Man tackled him out of the way of the wheel. The two hurtled to one side in a tangle of white and yellow feathers.

"I know that," Blaze ground out as he focused on conjuring another wheel. He liked wheels of fire more than fireballs, due to being a little more precise and effective, in his opinion. "So maybe step off my back a little."

"I will when you stop acting like you're out of control!" Joel snapped.

Blaze's whole body went rigid, the fire wheel spinning around his fist. "Out of control?" he demanded, his other hand holding the earpiece firmer in his ear as he ducked behind a concrete barrier to hide. "I am never out of control, and I resent the implication otherwise." An animalistic growl built in his throat. "Do you understand how much I work to remain in control with powers like mine?"

"Blaze—"

"N-n-n-n-no. Between the two of us, only one of us has the one-hundred-and-sixty IQ. And that would be me. So don't you dare lecture me about not knowing how to use my own powers. I'm not you, Lore. I'm not a danger to myself and others because I don't know how to leash myself. So shut up and let me do my work." He ripped his earpiece out of his ear and vaulted the concrete barrier to throw himself back into the fight, hurling the fire wheel in Poultry Man's general direction. The villain squawked like a chicken and dodged out of the way.

"Blaze! What are you doing?!" HoTGuY shouted as Blaze lowered his head a little and charged forward. His Blaze Rods appeared around his head, orbiting fast. They lifted him off the ground and he was flying, his gold-blond hair turning into pure flame. It would return to normal later.

Canary saw him in the air and snapped out his wings—enormous and vibrant, rich yellow. They beat the air once and shot him up to be almost level with Blaze. "Look who we pissed off!" Canary teased, voice singsong and high-pitched. "You here to play games, Fire Boy?"

Blaze's eyes were entirely the same shade of red while his fire powers were active and his Blaze Rods orbited his head. Iris, sclera, pupil—all the same. It was why he didn't bother wearing a mask. No one expected the green-eyed nerd to be Blaze because everyone assumed Blaze was red-eyed all the time.

Blaze bared his teeth in a frustrated snarl, sparks shooting between the gaps. He spun two fire wheels into existence. One spinning around each hand. "Let's see how playful you are when your flight feathers are ash, birdie," he spat. The inside of his mouth glowed like there was fire in his throat, its light reflecting outward.

Blaze had a temper. Blaze knew he had a temper. A bad one. One with a short fuse and a big explosion. He knew it was a side-effect of his powers. He didn't used to be so easy to set off. He used to be a lot more patient with people and situations.

But here he was, eleven years after his powers manifested, ready to burn a whole city block down and trying to stop himself from actually doing so.

But man did Canary piss him off. Even more than Poultry Man. Poultry Man was a pain in the neck. He was chaotic and antagonistically playful. He took nothing seriously. But Canary—Canary was little more than Poultry Man's lackey. But he targeted Blaze like it was his life goal to see how much fire he could withstand.

Canary's eyes widened behind his mask.

"Take the shot, you idiot!" Poultry Man shouted.

Canary moved to aim his crossbow, but Blaze's fire wheel spun into existence faster. He hurled it across the distance like a chakram. Canary's wings flapped hard to go over it and avoid it. Blaze rushed after.

[phoenixtakaramono]

Fanfiction Tropes Tier List (Reader Edition)

Thank you for the tag, @deliciouskeys! (Here's their tier list!)

I tag: @fuckingpajamas, @phtalate, @tzeentchs-secretary-tea-time, @digitalbath1988, @vanshoundd, @tocadoguara, and anyone who wants to do this! I’d be very interested to see how y’all would rank ‘em :) but ofc no pressure if you don’t want to or have already done this!

…So I feel like I need to give some context🧍🏻‍♀️🙈 The tl;dr is: I will read almost anything, but I have certain standards/ expectations that must be met in order for me to continue.

I tried to organize these tropes from top ➡️ bottom, have strong feelings about (would more likely read) ➡️ am less passionate about going from left ➡️ right. For the bottom tiers with asterisks, I arranged them from “this specific trope represents the tier description” ➡️ “eh, it fits here but I don’t really hold strong opinions about these” from left ➡️ right.

⬇️Expand for a detailed breakdown below the line break ⬇️

My Tier List for fanfic tropes I consume as a Reader differ in some areas from tropes I’d like to write or would be open to writing as a Writer. As a reader, I usually give almost every fanfic a chance with my own arbitary criteria—although what I read is very ship dependent according to their canon dynamic (for example, I will devour Enemies to Lovers for one specific OTP in one fandom, but would NEVER read that trope applied to a different fav ship of mine in a different fandom). I also tossed in some danmei BL tropes, for funsies and because I want more people to know about them <3.

And remember, if you like any of these that I personally don’t, that’s great! Everyone has their own preferences. Please don’t take offense. These are just how I view these tropes specifically according to me, haha. It says less about you and more about me being picky with what I like to read and gives context about what kind of bibliophile (person who likes reading) I am.

Tier 1 (SSS Level)

Slowburn: Just as context, I regularly read light novels (hetero, danmei, and baihe) which can easily range from 100ch-300ch each. So slowburns is the quintessential demisexual experience for me, and I love it when they’re long fics where we get to see characters grow and relationships develop, with worldbuilding and an interesting plot. I think the longest I’ve ever read was +2.8K chapters of a story I was addicted to. Typically if I see it’s a slowburn, I know I’m gonna have a good time.

Fix-It Fic: As much as I love canon of the original source material, there are certain canon story decisions and/or plotholes that hurt me—so it’s always great to see someone write their own interpretation to try to “fix it.” You get banger fics and it’s just so creative and a nice catharsis.

Canon Divergence: Same as how I regard a Fix-It.

Dark Fic: Irl I obviously do not condone any of the things that typically happen in Dark Fics. But as someone who has consumed your usual wholesome healthy Lifetime Original style romance stories for a loooooong time, that type of milquetoast wholesomeness has become bland and predictable for me—which is why the wild and crazy shenanigans that happen in Dark Fics spices things up for me and I like that it keeps me guessing. I don’t want to read about things from my life. I think screwed up characters can offer so much more interesting stakes than a Good Guy. I like the tension and uncertainty. Ex. this is why I tend to prefer the protag/villain ships over the protag/childhood friend ships; it’s why a princely character who is secretly yandere is so much more interesting than a sidekick character with a bland and forgettable personality. The writers of Dark Fics, 9/10 times, produce something so interesting that I can’t put my phone down and I just have to binge through their entire fic because the suspense is k*lling me.

Conspiracy & Schemes: Mysteries? Political intrigue? Palace drama? Yes, please, inject it into my veins.

Strong Protagonist & Strong Love Interest: It’s similar to how I’ve come to prefer reading Dark Fics. The market’s too oversaturated with the damsel in distress trope being saved by his/her prince charming. I’ve read too many novels and fanfics about that dynamic, it’s gotten a little stale for me, haha. Give me the clever, scheming, morally grey or villainous MC with a strong backbone. I like badasses. As for the ML or FL, I also prefer them to be strong or scheming as well so they can be a power couple with the MC—and curb-stomp the world and their enemies. …*holds face like a blushing maiden* Don’t they sound like the equivalent of a fairytale couple?

Mutual Pining: Yes, yes, yes. It’ll never be not good.

Revenge-Rebirth: I love underdog characters plotting their secret machinations and getting their revenge. Pair it with a rebirth, where a previous villain(ess) or cannon fodder who’d suffered before learns from the mistakes of their previous life and uses their second life to faceslap their enemies and turn their destiny around? Yes, yes, yes.

Survival Game: I love the Infinite Flow (survival horror/ death game) genre, what can I say? If you’ve read the famous ones, you know why. The writing is almost always superb and so interesting (seeing all the unique horror instances that the MC has to figure out in order to survive). It’s just so imaginative.

Obsessive Love: Same as how I regard a Dark Fic. I do not condone it irl, but an unhealthily codependent partner in my fictional romances? Yes. I want them to be even more obsessed with my favorite character and fall deeper and deeper in love.

Misunderstanding: There is a difference between how I view misunderstandings versus how I view miscommunication (which can grate on my nerves if not executed well). I believe you fundamentally cannot have a good long fic without some misunderstandings that the MC or Love Interest has to clear up, and it’s always so good once the cat is out of the bag and the truth is revealed.

Isekai/ Transmigration (World-Hopping): Yes. Gimme. It’s like 10 stories in one. I like it when your ordinary layperson gets transported into a different fantastical world or pseudohistorical world or into a different modern world of much different circumstances depending on their new identity. I like these duck out of water stories.

Historical AU & Royalty AU: There’s just something about pseudo-medieval settings that can be so charming and interesting to read. If you’ve got royalty thrown in, there’s the additional seasoning of power struggles between members of royalty and aristocracy, and political intrigue, and seeing how a kingdom is run. Writers tend to do a good job worldbuilding these types of stories with characters I like moved into this new setting.

Established Relationship: The domesticity and PDA of it all can make my heart go dokidoki (especially if they’re a powerhouse couple). It can fall into the danger of coming across as bland, so this depends on the plot and writer’s execution of their relationship. I gotta have some stakes.

Enemies to Lovers: I love it for certain pairings.

Forbidden Love: It’s the tabooness of it that makes it interesting to read.

Friends to Lovers: As long as it’s not milquetoast or bland, I think most of the time this is executed well. It’s a step below an Established Relationship, so they’ve got wiggle room to develop into that.

Soulmate AU: It’s inherently romantic, what can I say? I will REALLY LOVE it though if the writer gives it a unique twist.

First Kiss & Sharing a Bed: It’s tender and sweet (or hot) and I will never get tired of it. You can’t go wrong with it.

Magic AU & Fairytale AU: It’s a fantasy world. As long as it’s not bland and there is a serviceable magic system, I will generally like it. (One caveat: it cannot be a HP AU. C’mon. As much as I like HP, you can do better as a writer than transporting these characters into the HP universe. Come up with your own magic system.) For fairytale AUs, it’s basically your Hans Christian Andersen/ Disney fairytale with your favorite characters. I don’t think you can go wrong with it. I just love any AUs in general.

Huddle for Warmth: Same as First Kiss & Sharing a Bed & PWP.

Tier 2 (A Level)

Fluff: Oftentimes reading cute fluff (like sneaking quick kisses or holding hands) can make me blush and giggle more than reading p0rn or smut on my phone in public. HOWEVER, unlike a oneshot where I can tolerate it, for me fluff has be spread sporadically throughout if it’s a long fic. If the long fic is just too fluffy and sweet all the way throughout (force-feeding me “meng” and “dog food” (PDA)), I get the equivalent of a sugary overdose and any interest I have for the fic dries up into “ugh, that’s enough”—which usually ends up with me dropping the fic if the fluff had oversaturated everything (all sugar/ fluff, no real meaty substance). There’s only so much cutesy uwu, descriptions of someone’s soft coquettish voice scratching the Love Interest’s heart like a cat’s paw, etc that I can stomach at a time. It’s like junk food; I can’t eat too much of it.

PWP: As a connoisseur of all things slowburn and a demisexual irl, I have to be in the mood to read a PWP. It’s p0rn without plot; I don’t expect to be reading much plot (although it’d be a pleasant surprise if the p0rn came with some serviceable-enough plot 👌). It is what’s written on the tin. I’m not here expecting a Shakespearean masterpiece. A writer was gripped by the h0rny and decided to share, and this was the result. I’m here to turn my brain off, have fun, and read about two of my favorite fictional characters banging each other stupid.

Im Vino Veritas (Drunken Confessions): Yes, gimme. I’m picky about the execution and the follow-up scene that comes after the drunken confession though (after the drunk character sobers up). The writer has to be skilled enough for me to root for the character and not cringe (unless the whole point is to cringe at the drunk confessing because it’s established they’re a cannon fodder character who won’t get together with the MC or Love Interest).

Missing Scenes: I generally like it when writers come up with a What-If scenario that happens between Point A and Point C of canon. It can be fun and believable—especially if they get the characterization right. Then it’s like reading a little bonus content (like, you know it’s a person’s headcanon but, dang, it’s written so well I could almost believe it was canon).

Office AU: I love me my rich Sugar Daddy AUs and doting CEO husbands pampering and spoiling their lovers. I enjoy reading about a business expanding into a powerful corporation and the power struggles that come with. It’s a guilty pleasure. (I do have to try not to think about HR though.)

Showbiz AU: It’s a guilty pleasure. Sometimes I learn something new about the acting or modeling or fashion industry, and it’s interesting. I also like seeing the journey of the unknown underdog MC rising like a phoenix from a nobody to a well-respected powerhouse of their industry.

Reincarnation: Same as how I regard almost other AUs here (inject it into my veins). With reincarnation though, I usually like to see the rebirth have an affect on the story. It’s an important plot device after all. If it seems like the whole rebirth part could be omitted and it wouldn’t even impact the story with that aspect removed, then…well, sorry, the story didn’t execute it well.

Cold Love Interest: Depends on the execution, but I like it when you have this character who’s known to be cold slowly be thawed out the more and more they start opening up to the Main Character—until they inevitably fall in love. It’s essentially reading about an ice cube that has melted into warm spring water. The transformation can be so beautiful and moving, because you’ve been following them on their journey of self-discovery and finding happiness. (However, my tolerance toward Cold Characters does have a limit; they can’t be irredeemable at the start. Because if it’s the equivalent of the Wife Chasing Crematorium trope, where the Love Interest is a cheating (?) murderous (?) selfish abusive assh0le who has essentially traumatized the MC and still gets together with them at the end…….ugh, 9/10 times I will dislike it even if the ML or FL realizes how much their actions have hurt the MC and tries their best to make up to it for the rest of their lives.)

Dense Protagonist: A protagonist who is oblivious to the Love Interest character pining and simping hardcore after them can be hilarious. However, I am generally picky about its execution. It can teeter the fine line between endearing and dumb/ annoying. At some point, their denseness can become too much (to the point where it’s no longer funny or amusing) that my suspension of disbelief drops and it’s no longer fun to read the story for me personally.

Unrequited Love: Depends on the context. Is it the writer’s intention to make it bittersweet and unresolved? Is the character pining after their unrequited love, and it’s the early stage of the story where the MC or ML/FL have yet to reciprocate? Is the intention to make me cry? For all of these, I usually like to know before I jump into a fic—because I’m a sappy woman who gets easily teary-eyed and I easily get touched by moving depictions of the human connection. So I don’t want my young glass maiden heart to be hurt too much, haha; there’s only so much abuse my heart can handle.

Crossover: At some point, I run out of fics (the good ones) to read for the specific ship I like. So I turn to crossovers, to see how my favorite MC can be shipped with someone else. If the writer’s good, they can blend the worlds and these cast of characters together seamlessly. It’s like a brain puzzle—so I have countless admiration for those who can execute crossovers well.

Time Loop: This is your usual Nicholas Sparks’ (a romance writer) type of story; a time loop is basically Groundhog Day where the MC has to figure out how to break the time loop—and I’m usually invested in the mystery of how they’re gonna pull it off. I’d like to say when I’m in the mood to read this, writers tend to execute the trope well (my logic: if you’re going to introduce a plot device, make it relevant to the story; if it can be omitted and it doesn’t detract from the experience, then it doesn’t need to be there).

Hurt/ Comfort: To an extent. It’s the same as Fluff or Angst for me. Moderation is key.

Sex Pollen & Bang or Die: Similar to how I regard PWPs.

Arranged Marriage: Generally I will like if executed well. I almost put this in Tier 3, because I more often than not don’t usually click on a fic if I see this trope tagged (because my brain thinks about the irl implications). BUT…it is the premise of almost every transmigration (isekai) light novel or manhua/manhwa I read—and they work because it’s a fish out of water story where the MC finds out there they have an arranged marriage to a king, prince, duke, noble, knight, etc with a certain cruel or perfect reputation, and you get to read about them learning about their real selves and falling in love over time with their fiancée/fiancé. And it’s so cute. This is my expectation when I read fics with this trope: a fairytale-like romance, where the arranged marriage managed to work out in this couple’s favor instead of it being loveless.

Baby Fic & Pregnancy Fic: I would not go out of my way to read oneshots where the whole premise is specifically only about either of this. It has to be just one of the ingredients in the whole long fic. Writing children is tougher than you think (you have to be so careful writing about them because you can toe the line between making them precocious and making them annoying), and some people are unable to respectfully write pregnancy characters, choosing instead to focus on the humor of pregnancy stereotypes—but the gags can come across as shallow writing than giving it the proper respect it deserves. So it depends on 1) the execution and 2) my mood. I’ve read a couple good ones, but that’s because the writer is good at delivering the concept that is easily digestible and frames the whole process of birth and child rearing as a beautiful process of nature and life.

Tier 3 (B Level)

A/B/O: I will not intentionally go out of my way 99/100 times to read Omegaverse stories. Shocker, I know. It’s just, for me, I tend to find a majority of these general A/B/O fics…shallow and of little substance. Most of the time, I find the writing can also be a bit distasteful, especially when it comes to the omega and alpha dynamic in this kinda story (in the wrong hands, the writer can make their story come across as r@pey and sexist/ misogynistic, especially if an alpha’s being aggressive and forceful with the MC because they’ve been affected by the smell of an omega’s heat—and now I’m reading descriptions of the omega character sobbing and crying out “no, no, no” and “please stop” and I’m in disbelief why people find this hot). I also don’t like the submissiveness of the omega character where it’s like I’m reading about a milquetoast wet rag who has all their fight drained out and has no personality other than being a hole that produces slick and blushes constantly. Also, for me, predictability is not something I like; if I can predict everything that’s going to happen in a fic, I will become bored. I need some kinda serviceable plot for me to be emotionally invested in an A/B/O fic or there’s some kinda hook that keeps me coming back. I can enjoy the rare one A/B/O fic out of one hundred similar A/B/O fics, but I am INCREDIBLY PICKY about what I choose. The premise itself is also very important to what makes or breaks an A/B/O fic experience for me (for example, if it’s a Dark fic, then I can be more forgiving because it’s expected for there to be dark themes).

Miscommunication: For me there’s no in-between. I will either hate or love this trope, depending on its execution in the fic. On the extreme end of hatred, I am ticked off when a conflict in the story can be easily resolved had the character(s) communicated properly—and it’s just so incredibly dumb. On the opposite end, miscommunication can be done well as a funny gag or a plot device that shows how differently characters can interpret a situation or words. So depending on which one of these the fic delivers, it determines how much I can enjoy a fic.

Love Triangle: See my opinion on Harem Fics, and now make my aversion less strong. I’m a wee more forgiving on this trope because it’s a love triangle where you start off with the MC, the ML/FL, and the love rival—and the story is about the MC choosing one of them. The other Love Triangle I’m okay with is if it’s obviously a poly ship where the MC ends up with two people—but it has to be executed well (I generally have to like both options for the MC). I’m more of a monogamous soulmate type of gal, so I’m kinda picky on the execution when a story focuses on the love triangle. It can’t drag on to the point where I find it to be insufferable. The danger with a love triangle is I, your reader, might come to like the Second Male Lead or Second Female Lead—and think they were a better fit for the MC than the actual Fe/Male Lead that was chosen just because this character was the writer’s favorite. In this case, the moment the wrong candidate is chosen, my interest in the fic dwindles and I feel like I’m reading a lesser version of what initially drew me to the fic in the first place. So now it’s the writer’s responsibility to show me why their choice is the correct one.

Angst: It’s like junk food; the key is moderation. I can’t have too much of it—otherwise it’s too angsty and the poignant emotional knives become laughable.

Humor: Humor is subjective, and differs for each person. What the writer finds funny might not be what I find funny. I’m more of a subtle gal. So if a fic’s meant to be funny throughout, it runs the risk of teetering towards me feeling secondhand embarrassment and cringing—because it’s too much and unfunny. But if a writer genuinely writes something surprising that makes me laugh, I do appreciate their talent at grasping the opportunity and having the know-how to effectively inject some lighthearted humor.

Fake Relationship: …My enjoyment level HEAVILY depends on its execution. It’s the characterization, their chemistry, and plot that have to save it for me.

Amnesia Fic: See, I understand it’s a plot device—which is why I’m a lil more forgiving. But don’t you hate it when all of a sudden a character gets memory wiped after all that progress? (I feel like I wasted my time just as the story was turning good, and now they have to start over? Kinda feels like unnecessary filler and it can drag on, and I feel like banging my head against the wall.) On a lesser extent of my pickiness, I don’t like it as much when it’s used as an exposition framing device, with the MC or Love Interest having no recollection of anything—and they’re lied to at the start about who they’re supposed to be…because you know there will be a dramatic fallout happening when they inevitably find out and that predictability (they fall out, and then you know sometime later something will bring them back together…the fakeout dramatic “breakup” is just so contrived and mechanical and formulaic) is what turns me off. (I don’t mind the amnesia trope as much if it’s used in a psychological horror/ thriller story though.)

Shizun F*cker: It’s your master (teacher) x disciple Chinese classic. I went through a phase of binging these stories and I find they’re generally all very good, but there does come a point where you start seeing similarities and not enough freshness with this trope and they all blend together (especially if it feels like it’s a pale imitation inferior copycat version of certain shizun f*cker classics). Nowadays this kinda premise has to be accompanied by something fresh and unique in order for me to keep reading—and turn my brain off from thinking about the irl teacher-student implications.

Secret Identities: If executed well, I like the reveal of their true identity in the story. It’s like you have this lowkey cute crush who has been helping you all this time—and you find out he’s, like, a mafia don or the CEO of a conglomerate or an international spy. It’s the gap moe contrast of who they pretend to be versus the secret badass they really are. It does come with the risk of some predictability for me though which can ruin my immersion (y’know…the typical MC’s outrage when finding out their Love Interest’s real identity: “You lied to me?! How can I believe you now when all you’ve done is lie to me?!” ➡️ A genuine apology ➡️ Fallout ➡️ Some sort of dramatic reconciliation after the MC or ML/FL was kidnapped).

Tier 4 (C Level)

Dubcon: It’s teetering on the verge between what I find tolerable and what I find unacceptable. As long as it does not fall into the Non-Con territory and isn’t written distastefully, I can read dubcon stories where the consent is a blurry line between these two characters.

Major Character Death: I usually don’t seek this out—because I’m a big weepy baby and I don’t want to grow attached to these characters and bawl at the end when the inevitable happens. But on the super rare instances where I do click on a fic despite this warning tag, it means I have mentally and emotionally prepared myself to get knifed in the heart.

Mary Sue Fic: As much as I love power scaling fics and OP MCs, it does get boring if there’s no setback or conflict for the MC to learn from. I mean, sure, it’s fine for them to steamroll over everyone but if I’m reading +1K chapters of them just steamrolling, they’ve become a Mary Sue. I want flaws. I want setbacks. There’s only so much chuunibyou I can tolerate. There’s only so much descriptions of how ungodly beautiful or how shockingly genius the MC is at everything before I start rolling my eyes. Fatigue has set in and the OP character has become an insufferable milquetoast Mary Sue/ Gary Stu who can do no wrong. My suspension of disbelief has finally been worn away into nothingness. This can also apply to the Love Interest character (I understand their role in the story is to satisfy the ideal dream lover trope—but please give dimension to the character). I want three-dimensional characters with backstory and flaws and an interesting personality, not Mary Sues or Gary Stus.

Y/N (OC Fic): If I’m reading fanfic about my favorite character(s), I don’t want to spend my time reading about a writer’s Original Character or Self-Insert character being shipped with my favorite. I went in to read stories with my fav ship—and only that. There have been the few exceptions to this—but me liking a Y/N or a fic with OCs is ultra rare.

Breakup: Similar to my thoughts on Unrequited Love. But taken up to a hundred. If there’s been a breakup between the main couple in the fic—and it’s not in the beginning exposition chapter where we don’t yet know enough information about these characters—in the middle or near the end, chances are I think the relationship is f*cked anyway and therefore lose interest in the main ship itself in the fic. Even if they get back together at the end, I just think, “Honey…you can do so much better than him/her.” Which is why I usually don’t like reading breakups between the main couple in my fics. (And if the breakup is because the MC or Love Interest is in a precarious situation and they think pushing them away is the best way to protect them, it’s a cliché that makes me roll my eyes because it’s been so overdone and ugh, why pretend to be awful INSTEAD OF COMMUNICATING?)

Body Swap: …It depends SO MUCH on the execution. I cringe so hard if a character (usually the guy in the body of a girl) is feeling up their developed chest like a perv. There’s only a handful of Body Swap stories that do this trope well. If two characters are swapping bodies, I want to read about how they’re trying not to OOC (lol) and see how this body swap impacts the story and cast of characters in any meaningful way.

College AU: I’ve long since graduated from college. Nuff said. Might give a fic a try if it’s well-written or a short PWP (it is what’s written on the tin) but, as a working adult, reading about petty school drama wears on my patience. There has to be plot to keep me invested. Might also read if it dives into college controversies or campus scandals—but the suspense has to be executed well. Most of the time, it works if there’s some kinda big mystery like there’s been a crime committed. Because now you have a whodunnit mystery. And that’s so much more interesting than reading about students studying and doing homework, going to parties, crushing on the professor (also, here, yikes…if you want me to turn my brain off and not think about the real life implications (the teacher’s immediate suspension (hopefully) and losing their teaching privileges and license), you gotta reel me in with the plot or characters), or the typical student college experience.

Gen Fic: It’s bland, milquetoast, mid and forgettable. It’s like sucking out all the fun elements out of a fic—and that’s not my idea of a good time. I think the only way to pull this off is if it’s a Character Study fic.

Tier 5 (F Level)

High School AU: Give me real men or women; get out of here with the kiddy stuff. I’m outside the age range to be able to enjoy this. As a working career-woman, I really don’t want to spend my free time reading about minors and teen romance and teen drama. And if there’s adult content, sorry, just—no. My brain more often than not associates it to underage s3x—and it squicks me out. It’s also so much harder for me to suspend my disbelief that this inexperienced kid from high school is like this super genius hacker or ultra cover model beauty whom grown wo/men salivate over. (Because…god no, I DON’T want to read about a minor’s “milky thighs” or “coquettish voice.” They’re, like, 14-16 y/o. Who wants to read about a predator who has designs on a teenager?) Also, unless it is at the hilarious peak levels of highschool romcom like Kaguya-sama: Love is War but in fanfiction form, reading about two high school students crushing on each other is 99/100 times so boring and milquetoast to me. I am not the target audience for this trope.

Non-Con: The real life implications ruin any chance for me to want to do anything with this trope. Consent is king, y’all. Non-con is a personal squick—and therefore I will not read if it’s what’s gonna happen between the main couple no matter how sweet and regretful the ML or FL acts after the act. It’s r@pe; I do not find SA and being forced sexy in any way. The moment I see that there’s non-con between the main couple, that’s ruined any chances of me enjoying that ship in the fic. (The only exception I can think of for this is if the ML/FL was mind-controlled or didn’t have autonomy over their body due to some kinda magic shenanigans. Or if it’s non-con framed as a horrifying traumatic experience between a character and the unimportant cannon fodder who’s there in the story to be punished as a villain and won’t be forgiven in any way.) I will not seek it out if I see a fic’s been tagged with this. And if I encounter surprise non-con in my reading, I will immediately drop the fic.

Unhappy Ending: I have a glass maiden heart. I tear up easily when characters die or suffer in a book. I don’t want to get emotionally invested in a story and its characters, only to end up with an Unhappy Ending at the end. It just feels so unsatisfactory, like I’d wasted my time on this long fic when I could’ve spent that time productively reading something else that has a much happier and better conclusion.

Crack Fic: Now, the one exception to this is if a writer jokingly says their story revolves around a crackship, but the writing’s so dang unbelievably good you don��t even think it’s a crackship in a crack fic (it’s a bonafide good story). But aside from that, 99 out of 100 times, I will not read crack fics. A crack fic is a writer’s attempt at humor. And humor is so subjective. What they find funny or entertaining might not be what I find funny or entertaining. Most of the time, it’s also of little substance and random and the writing is all over the place (which…y’know, I get it; I notice a lot of people mention they had a wild dream about this and that’s the reason why they’re writing a crack fic.) I’m happy that they’re writing what they find funny and I’m hoping it’s fun for them, but crack fics are not my cuppa tea.

Coffeeshop AU: It’s so mid and blah to me. It’s the most milquetoast Meet Cute out of all the Meet Cutes they could have chosen. I think the only one I recently read in, like, years, is because of a Art & Fic Exchange Bang I’d participated in. It’s so long ago. Basically unless it’s a stalker or secret identity or psychological horror story to make it interesting, I’d rather read anything else than a bland Coffeeshop AU.

Next Generation: Similar to how I regard OC Fics or OCs in general. I’m here to read fanfiction to read about canon characters of a show or book. I did not come here to read about a writer’s cast of Original Characters or Self-Insert characters. If 99% of the fanfic is about the OCs who are the sons and daughters of the canon characters, I just won’t read it. Won’t touch it. Won’t come anywhere near it. They might as well have written an original story of their own instead of a fanfic. (But 99/100 times, it’s poorly written and you can tell it’s written by a younger writer…eeesh. The good thing is, the more they write, the more practice they’re getting, so the better their writing will be.)

Bonus (F Level)

Cheating/ NTR: my brain automatically associates irl with this—and I find it despicable. The 1% chance I would read this trope is if the MC/ Love Interest is shown the consequences of their actions and the story promises that the person who’s been cheated on breaks up with them. Or if it’s a Mindlessly Self-Indulgent PWP oneshot—so I know to turn my brain off and lower my usual standards coming in.

Harem Fic: It’s Love Triangle—but taken up a notch. It’s so hard to write stallion (er0tica) protags that come across as endearing and not a playboy scummy f*ckboi. It annoys me if I’ve developed attachment to a ship or character and am interested in their relationship development (my waifu or husbando), but the story suddenly shifts to Side Character No.50 whom I couldn’t give two hoots about. The only exceptions to this, for me to keep reading a harem fic, is 1) if I like the storytelling, worldbuilding, and/or protagonist or main ship that makes it worth it. It’s very rare but there have been handful of writers who have actually made a harem where I care for and like ALL of the waifus. 2) I also enjoy harem dramas where the MC face-slaps every love rival, evil concubines, white lotus conniving mistresses, jealous queen/ mother, etc—and gets The Wo/Man.

Fanfiction Tropes (Writer Edition)

I’m much more open-minded writer usually 😅, so I’m usually open to try almost anything—but my criteria of tropes I will write for the story depends on my mood and the story’s premise. They usually have to pose some relevancy to the fic (which depends on its premise and characters) and satisfy my want to contribute something fresh/ interesting to the fandom if I decide to write that trope.

The biggest two changes are: 1) I’d move most of these tropes up into Always Down to Write and a few into If the Plot Calls for It. I’d also probably reorder a couple tropes if I look at them from a writer’s perspective (left ➡️ right, arranged from tropes I feel strongly about ➡️ the tropes I consider mid and don’t hold much strong opinions about). 2) I’d change the categories to:

Always Down to Write tier (probably 90% of these)

If the Plot Calls for It, or if I’m Curious and Want to Try Experimenting with It tier (I typically don’t go out of my way to read these, but would be willing to challenge myself and see what the writing experience would be like)

You’d Never Catch Me with My Pants Down Writing It tier (fun fact: there’s only maybe 4 or 5 of these I’d put here)

If you happen to be a writer whose tropes fall into ones I do not like and you know I’ve gushed about your fic before, know that you were one of the rare exceptions and I hope knowing this makes you happy. ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡

[pprodsuga]

omggg a snippet just for meeee i'm so honoured u wanted to share something with lil 'ol me. stop it before i develop a parasocial relationship with you...

on a different note, if u will allow me to rant for one wee second.. this is completely irrelevant to anything but i was looking for some romcom novels to read (bc i need to stop letting fanfiction consume me), and tell me why authors pick the ugliest most generic ytest names. i haven't read a real book in a while and i'm so used to reading ff now where even side characters have korean names that the switch over back to western books is awful. i had to stop my search bc wtf is GARRETT and TUCKER. ik a korean name is just a name, there's nothing objectively special, but it's just more unique in the sense that i don't see it often outside of media. the only way to get around this is fantasy books where the names aren't even real names (thank god the book im currently reading is fantasy). PLEASE can i just get an ethnic name and maybe more ethnic characters or something... sob. i just want a college romcom to cope so i can get away from college au's😭 yeah it's fucked for me. thank u for listening to my unsolicited bitch sesh

-comet

just for you, for always being so thoughtful in your words. more under the cut to spare the dash.

your first messages back in june struck a chord within me for two reasons: talking about my writing was an incredibly kind thing for you to do and it validated the hell out of my work. but also, i was experiencing a lot of friendship turmoil that i had to navigate (re: why i wrote never to keep).

i don’t know if i’ve ever expressed just how grateful i am to have read your messages at that time because for that entire month, i felt like i did not have anyone in my life to back me up when i stood up for myself. knowing that you thought i must be someone with a great deal of empathy and kindness restored a bit of faith in me and who i am as a friend. i reread your message over and over again until i could remind myself that i am who i am for a reason. so thank you.

character names are something i think about a lot, both in fanfics and regular fiction. i’m oftentimes taken out of the story when it feels so incredibly yt (but go figure, i’m not white but have a “white” name so i understand that there is some nuance sprinkled in there). but sometimes we just crave that subtle representation in an ethnic name so i don’t have to wait for the author to explain that they’re not….white. in every sense of the word. but like if you’re gonna pick a white name then at least make them sound HOT?

onto the snippet! i’m excited to post this one. no idea when i’ll finish writing/editing but i’m excited that you’re excited. not providing context bc im a menace and will make you wait. 😎 (thank you for being excited.)

*✧･ﾟ─────────── *✧･ﾟ

Sunghoon turns to look at you. “You were always the most unpredictable part of my day.” 

“Me?” 

“Yeah. You moved into the apartment next to mine and running into you a few times a week kept me on my toes. I don’t know. I guess I saw you as someone I would have potentially befriended. I could at least pretend I was coming home to talk to someone who cared.” 

“That’s…very sweet. You’re a nice person, Sunghoon.” 

He sighs. “I don’t feel that way. I don’t know when I’m gonna see my family and friends again and explain all of this, but I'm starting to get the feeling that they’ll never hear from me and they’ll never know what happened tonight.” 

“You know,” you begin, “a lot of my life was spent moving from place to place and never having anything or anyone to call home. I can’t imagine what it must feel like for you to leave everything behind. For that, I truly am sorry.”

“It’s really not your fault,” Sunghoon says dryly. “Whoever tried to kill you should get a bullet to his head.” He hears you laugh awkwardly.

“Yeah, well that likely wouldn’t solve our problems.”

“What do you mean?” 

“I don’t think that man acted on his own accord. It’s too professional to assume he’s working alone.” 

“You’re saying he’s working with someone else?” 

“Or, he’s working for someone.” 

Sunghoon gulps. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“The price of freedom is high. Remember that.” 

“You know, none of this explains how you know what you’re doing. If you know, for that matter.” 

He doesn’t hear you move for a short while and closes his eyes shut. Once again, he’s found himself slipping up and saying things that don't translate well. Too afraid to speak, Sunghoon considers sleeping and dealing with his actions in the morning. 

“I know what I’m doing because I’ve done it before,” you say through the darkness. “When your whole life revolves around survival, you adapt to the best of your ability and do anything to stay alive. I’ve learned a few things from my time on the run so please know that I know what I’m doing.”

“Who are you?” 

The room is silent. 

“Someone you can trust.” 

[theramblingsofadork]

Art’s not coming to me this week, so screw it! Take a massive fic of angst from the Downfall Arc of Rivet and Starline’s first time reuniting since the competition! 🔥🔥

—

📕 Fanfic: A Bitter Reunion

Context: It’s been years since the competition. Rivet’s now friends with the Resistance/Restoration and is helping Sonic and Tails storm a base that they got a distress video in from.

It turns out to be a trap by Eggman, and now they’re stuck in a force field, backed into a corner by several high class Badniks.

Starline has been with Eggman for a few days now after restoring his memories and erasing Mr. Tinkerer. (In this AU, it takes them a little while before they begin development on the Metal Virus since I think he needs more time being Eggman’s flunky.)

He’s embraced Eggman’s ideals and become a full on villain. But the past often comes back to haunt; and he has no idea what’s about to occur.

—

“A force field? Seriously?” Sonic exclaimed as he watched the orange shield crackle above them.

“Indeed!” Eggman exclaimed from above the dome, perched safely atop a railed platform where he could watch the show. “And the best part is—even if your little fox friend manages to hack into my systems to take it down, you STILL have my new Badnik Enforcers to deal with!”

The group jumped as the two giant, armored Badniks advanced a step on the three. Rivet sighed as she looked up at them, the lavender cat getting a distinct feeling of deja-vu. “Giant robots.. it just had to be giant robots..” She sighed exasperatedly.

That’s when a clapping sound caught their attention, followed by a poised, regal esque voice entering the conversation.

“Marvelous work, sir!” Dr. Starline praised Eggman as he clapped and came over to join his boss from where he had been observing from the shadows. “I must say, this ploy has certainly proven to be one of your most effective yet!”

Eggman grinned as he looked down to the platypus coming up to his side. “Why thank you, Doctor. It was quite sneaky of me to use that hologram of the villager to fake a distress call, now wasn’t it?” He snickered pridefully.

“Quite! Dare I say, they never saw it coming!” Starline smiled up at his boss, before suddenly feeling his heart freeze in his chest when he heard a familiar voice call up his name from down below.

“Starline?”

His smile vanished, and when he quickly looked down, he came face to face with.. her. A cat from his past whom he didn’t expect to see again. One whose smile he had once seen as a beautiful thing…

…Now standing with Sonic and Tails as they stood backed into the corner within the sealed ‘arena’. It was a tense and frightful moment, as the two of them processed and realized that they were now on opposing sides.

“Hm? What’s this?” Eggman questioned as he leaned an arm on the railing and peered down at his shorter cohort with a raised brow. “Starline, you KNOW this cat?”

Starline shook himself out of his shock to form an answer to the other doctor’s question. “Eugh.. She was a... former colleague of mine from back in the day,” he replied, crossing his arms as he brushed his bangs with a poised but secretly nervous motion. “…That was a long time ago though. Certainly nothing you need to concern yourself with, Doctor.“

Eggman’s frightening gaze remained eerily trained on him for a long moment. “Hmm. Is that so?” A wicked grin then spread across his face as he seemed to get an idea. “Well then, if that’s the case, then you won’t mind me destroying her and the rest of those fuzzy nuciences in one fell swoop, now will you?”

Starline felt a sudden, nervous buzz of apprehension spark in his chest, and his eyes darted over to him. He could immediately sense the man was testing his loyalties. And why wouldn’t he? Eggman had been betrayed multiple times before. Why not stamp out any possibility of that before their partnership could get too far?

Starline looked down to Rivet, and there was a moment of hesitation that flickered in his eyes as he observed her, before he closed them to turn away and say, “…No qualms to be had here, Doctor. You may do as you see fit.” He smiled coyly up at his boss. “After all, any friend of Sonic’s is an enemy of ours, wouldn’t you say?”

Rivet’s eyes widened.

Eggman’s glasses glinted like he was pleased with Starline’s answer, and he chuckled evilly before leaning over the edge and shouting down to his Badniks, “Well, YOU HEARD HIM! TAKE THEM OUT!!”

“Yeesh, that’s cold,” Sonic couldn’t help but comment, a bit disgusted by the doctor’s callous response to the cat.

Rivet didn’t say anything, staring dead set at Starline with a knot growing larger in her throat. She finally had to snap back to attention though as the large Badniks began to proceed on them, powering up their giant laser beam charged arms.

“Hey, um, Tails buddy, might want to get working on getting that shield down!” Sonic hurriedly pressed the fox, glancing over to see he had started mashing away at his tablet.

“I am!!” Tails exclaimed in return, brow furrowing as he poured his concentration into what he was doing. “It’s going to take a minute to get through though!”

“Might not have a minute!” Sonic reiterated, eyeing the glowing barrels as they grew brighter. “Looks like they’re charging up to turn us into roast dinner!”

Charge. A lightbulb lit up in Rivet’s mind, and her mind cleared as she glanced to her bangled wrist. “…Tails, quick—“ She said, glancing back at him. “What kind of power output does Eggnan give his robots?”

“What?” Tails exclaimed, briefly glancing up at her in confusion. “Why are you asking me that now?!”

“I don’t have time to explain… Just tell me!!” Rivet ground out.

Tails made a noise of protest, but obliged her and quickly tried to calculate. “Well, uh, judging from their hulls and weapons attachments, these are Mark XII Badniks.. uh.. I dunno! I’d say probably energy? Around… 300 watts or so??”

Rivet breathed out a small breath of relief. “Huh.. Alright, I can deal with that.”

“What are you planning to do?” Sonic asked curiously, sensing the cat had just gotten an idea.

”Even the playing field a little,” Rivet replied, stepping out in front of them so she was now the sole focal point of the lasers.

“Wait—what?? Are you crazy?!” Sonic exclaimed in shock as he registered this. “You’re gonna get yourself killed!”

“Sonic, trust me! I know what I’m doing!” Rivet exclaimed, preparing herself by setting her feet and dropping into a defensive stance.

“Heh heh heh! What a dumb creature,” Eggman stated as he watched this altercation happen. “So foolishly sacrificing herself to get blasted in the feeble hope that her friends might be able to outlast my robots for a little while longer. Pathetic.”

Starline frowned. Something was off here. Rivet wasn’t a fool like that. She must have a plan. But what? “Sir? Perhaps we should reconsider a moment.”

“Denied.” Eggman’s grin gleefully split his face in two as the Badnik’s guns glowed and reached the peak of their charging.

Rivet then held out her hand, and Starline caught sight of a familiar glowing orb. His eyes widened a smidge, and he held out his hand, realizing there might be a critical flaw in his plan. “Sir, wait—!”

Too late. The Badniks fired on the trio, lighting the area where they stood up with a searing blast of white hot light. The sound of their lasers echoed out for a good five seconds, before they overheated and had to power down.

Eggman snickered wickedly as he waited for the dust to settle and looked down to Starline with a bit of scoffing disappointment. “I knew it. You are soft, Starline. And while I can’t say I’m surprised, I certainly am disappointed. I would expect more from someone claiming to be my #1 fan!”

As aggravated as he wanted to feel at that biting response, Starline could do nothing more but hold a hand to his head with a groan. “Sir— that’s not why I was trying to stop you!” He stated as he stepped forward to step up onto and peer over the railing. “If anything, I was trying to warn you!!”

“Warn me? About what?” Eggman questioned with a shrug. “They’re as good as burnt ashes now.”

Starline finally spotted what he was looking for and sighed quite frustratedly as he pointed down into the clearing smoke. “Are you quite certain about that?”

“WHAAAAT?!” Eggman exclaimed, nearly losing his balance as he craned his neck and body over the edge of the railing to see what Starline was pointing to.

Sonic and Tails coughed as the dust around them began to settle, both completely uninjured from the attack. They uncurled from their protective positions to gawk at Rivet, who had taken the enemy’s attack head on, and whose wristlet was now absorbing and defusing the last of the energy like a vacuum cleaner, ending with a sharp ‘shing’! and making the gem inside glow a brilliant bright blue.

“Whoa!” Tails exclaimed, his tails flicking in awe.

“Um, what just happened?” Sonic questioned dumbfoundedly with a blink, unsure whether or not to be worried or be in awe.

“Oh yeah, I guess I really haven’t gotten a chance to show you guys this yet, have I?” Rivet looked over her shoulder at them with a confident smile before holding up her fist. “The chambers in my bracelets here lets me absorb and store up energy from any kind of energy based source and use it as my own!”

Her eyes sparked as she faced the robots again and tightened her fist with a smirk. “Which means, the good doctor up there just gave me the floor to wipe his Enforcers out.”

“Grrr…!” Eggman’s brow furrowed against his forehead, and he turned on Starline, grabbing the platypus by his coat and shaking the poor Doctor about furiously. “YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS, DIDN’T YOU?! WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY SOMETHING SOONER?!”

Starline grit his teeth as he was shaken like a ragdoll and held up his hands in surrender. “T-the thought only just occurred to me a few seconds ago! I-it’s been years since I last saw her, Doctor! I-I swear, it completely slipped my mind!”

“GRRH..” Eggman dumped the platypus back onto the ground before turning back to the scene before him. “Well, no matter!! My Badniks will still make quick work of them!” He then shouted down to them with a raised fist, “DON’T JUST STAND THERE YOU FOOLS! ANNIHILATE THEM!”

The Badniks beeped as Eggman’s command came through again, and they prepared to attack once more, powering up for another shot. But Rivet wasn’t about to let that happen.

She sucked in a deep breath, steadying herself. One shot would be the most effective move here. She had to make it count.

The cat activated the crystal, calling up all that stored up energy and channeling it into her fist. With a powered up shout, she then drove it into the ground in front of them, cracking the earth.

The outward impact of the motion was boosted tenfold, and a cratering wave of earth was sent exploding out in front of them. It smashed into both Enforcers and sliced through the laser arm of one of them, knocking them over as the ground was torn up beneath their feet.

“WHAT?! NO!!” Eggman shouted.

“Whoa-ho! That was so cool!! We are TOTALLY going to have to go over the details of how that works later on!” Tails exclaimed, stars glinting in his little inventor eyes.

“Yeah.. sounds… good to me..” Rivet said before she pitched forward, grunting and landing on her knee from the effort. She underestimated how much power the glove had stored up, and the impact had sapped her own energy as well. “But right now.. You gotta get that shield down. I bought you some time, but it won’t stop them for long.”

Sonic clapped her back as he passed, it now being his turn to take up the front. “Don’t worry, I can take it from here. Thanks for evening the playing field for me though! Gotta admit that’s a really neat trick.”

In a flash, the hedgehog took off, launching himself straight for the struggling-to-recover Badnik Enforcers and managing to knock it back into the earth, cracking it’s exterior hull and offlining it.

“No no no NO!!” Eggman screamed from above, gripping the railing so tight that his knuckles were probably becoming as white as his gloves. “THAT’S NOT FAIR!” He glanced to the control board besides him and pushed another button. “Grrr! BACKUP!! GET IN THERE AND LEAVE NO SURVIVORS!”

“Oh come on,” Rivet grumbled as the arena door reopened and a swarm of a few smaller Badniks flew in. They just couldn’t get a break, could they?

“Don’t worry! I’ve almost gotten through!” Tails told her, pressing faster on his tablet’s buttons before sending her a glance. “Just a little bit more and I’ll have this shield down! Think you can use your little trick to keep them off me for a little bit longer?”

Rivet blew out her breath as she eyed the approaching bots. They were much smaller.. With a bit of energy she should be able to down them. “Right.. I’ll see what can I do.” She agreed as she pushed back to her feet. “Work your magic, genius child.”

Together, her and Sonic fought off the attackers, with the hedgehog ping ponging his way around the room like a speeding bullet, decimating the Badniks while Rivet dragged some power out of a fallen Badnik and used that to fight away any strays coming for Tails as he hacked the security grid.

The two fighters eventually even teamed up to use the severed Badnik Endorser’s laser to fire off and fry the other operational one.

Starline watched as this battle took place from behind orange spectacles and frowned. He could tell the tide was turning, and it was not in their favor.

“This isn’t looking good, doctor—“ He finally stated as he backed away from the ledge. “Perhaps a tactical retreat is in order?”

“Tactical retreat?!” Eggman exclaimed, glaring back over his shoulder at the other doctor. “Are you mad?! WE’VE GOT THEM ON THE ROPES!”

“HA HA! GOT IT!” Tails suddenly shouted excitedly, and the force field covering the battle dome flickered as it powered off, before fading away completely.

Eggman paused before groaning in frustration. “…On second thought, maybe a tactical retreat doesn‘t sound so bad.”

“Deeper into the base!” Starline exclaimed, pointing to the ajar door they had originally come through. “There are more security measures deeper in that can protect us!”

“Don’t have to tell me twice!” Eggman grumbled grouchily as he ran through the door first with Starline trailing behind him. The platypus looked back briefly towards the battle before growling and letting the metal door close shut and lock behind them.

Tails heard the clunk of the door and looked up to see the two men had vanished. “Sonic! Dr. Eggman and Dr. Starline are getting away!” He called over to the hedgehog currently destroying the remaining Badniks.

Rivet ducked under a Badnik crashing to the ground, before seeing that Sonic was preoccupied. She swore, having lost her board in the rubble somewhere during the fight. Looking around for something to boost herself with, she dug her fist into the fallen Badnik’s broken hull, absorbing the small amount of power it still had.

She then used it to launch herself upwards onto the upper platform. “I’ll catch them!” She called.

“Rivet, wait!” Tails called out after her, but of course, the cat didn’t listen.

—

Two sets of different sounding footsteps echoed down the hall as Starline and Eggman gained distance from the fighting. “That door won’t hold them for long,” Starline told Eggman hurriedly. “Where’s the closest safe place to go from here? Preferably somewhere with more reinforcements?

Eggman pointed ahead of them. “Down there! The security room is just beyond that hall! We’ll be able to activate my secret weapon there!”

“Secret weapon?” Starline blinked in fascination. “Well that certainly sounds promising.”

“Starline!! Eggman!!” Rivet’s voice came bouncing up the hallway. The platypus gasped and looked back to see the lavender cat chasing them from down the hall.

“Oh dear..” Starline felt his heart drop in his chest, before he focused up and looked up to Eggman. “I’ll lead them off your trail, sir! You get to the security room and activate that weapon! I’ll join you again using the warp topaz!”

“Fine with me!” Eggman said without skipping a beat, the inventor huffing and puffing now as his arms and legs swung wildly.

“Best of luck to you, sir!” Starline slid to a halt and glanced back to see Rivet’s gaze had locked onto him. Sonic and Tails weren’t far behind her.

His eyes narrowed, and he quickly broke off down a side path.

“Looks like they’re splitting up!” Rivet called back to them. “I’ll handle Starline! You two get the doc!”

Sonic frowned as she split off from them to follow the platypus. He didn’t like this. If Starline was separating from Eggman, then he probably had a plan. And if it was anything like his and Silver’s first encounter with the doctor, then it might not end well.

“Tails, go with her to be safe! And be careful!” He called to his best friend, before zooming ahead to chase after Eggman.

“Right!” Tails nodded and split off from Sonic, flying down the hall after the cat who was steadily gaining distance.

—

Ducking through another side passage, Starline found himself in the room where vats of some kind of concoction Eggman was working on was being stirred by giant, industrial sized machines. Wanting to get a better vantage point, he summoned up a portal to take him to the top of the catwalks above, panting from all the running and glancing over the edge to see if he could spot Rivet and Tails.

The fox was just coming up on the entrance, looking around as he called for his friend. But he had lost track of Rivet. Ruby eyes darted back and forth and searched for her lavender form amidst the whirring machines. Where was she?

“So— that’s it then.”

Starline let out a squeak of surprise and nearly jumped out of his fur as the sound of the cat swinging herself up and thunking down on the catwalk besides him snapped him out of his thoughts. He quickly scrambled back to gain some distance between them. So fast—!

The Rider’s frustrated green eyes locked onto him, and her ponytailed hair swung behind her as she approached him, motioning her arms.

“It’s been three years, Starline. Three years since you’ve stopped answering any of our calls. Since you up and disappeared with no goodbye, no explanation, leaving us only to guess where you could have gone!” She shrugged. “I get that you didn’t want to join us after all, but you could have at least SAID something!” She tilted her head. “And now, I find you here after all this time. Allied with Dr. Eggman and ready to let us die to his Badniks.”

She let out a small scoff of hurt. “Really? Are you seriously going to act like our friendship meant nothing to you?”

Starline in turn backed away, powering up the warp topaz but not quite using it yet. “That was all a long time ago, Rivet,” he stated. “Besides, it was a competition.” He glanced behind him, before noticing a cable behind him and ducking to the side to avoid it. “We were only using one another to obtain what we wanted in the end.“

Rivet pushed aside that same cable to follow him further along the catwalk. “That’s not true and you know it!” she exclaimed, voice straining a bit with anger. “..What about the Starpoint Squad? Charge, Cello, Hex, Lug? You were as much a part of that team as we were! We studied together, built a giant robot, went out for ice cream! You even helped us stop that mad woman from taking over Atmos!”

Rivet’s eyes were beginning to grow a bit watery as years of built-up strain and confusion swirled about as she pressed him. “Did all of that mean nothing to you? …Did we—” Her voice faltered for a moment as she changed her choice of words. “..Did the whole team mean nothing to you..?”

Starline felt his heart twist uncomfortably at her change in words, and the reminder of the Starpoint Squad’s sweet and jovial moments together. Sharing lunch at the cafe while discussing plans, him mentoring Hex on his robot designs, riding along with Rivet on one of her joyrides; all the days of triumph and tentative enjoyment, before his desires and deep fears of being vulnerable caused him to change course and pull away from them. Putting them out of his mind and leaving them behind to pursue his goal.

He finally stopped as well. “…As lovely as it all was and could have been... The fact of the matter is that a long term partnership would never have worked out between us, and you know it, Rivet.“ His tone had grown cold, almost like he was upset she was bringing it up. “Whatever commodore had back then is nothing more than a distant dream.. one that was meant to be awoken from eventually.”

He put a hand to his chest, feeling a mix of frustration and determination in his words. “This is the reality that was always going to happen. And I am meant for bigger things.”

Rivet stopped, ears rearing back as a clouded hurt hazed over her eyes. A wall had been put up that hadn’t been there before, and after a moment, she laughed, even though the sound was hollow. “…I see.“

Her voice then raised a bit more. “I had hoped when Hex and Lug told me you had sold your soul and became a monster that they were wrong. That you had a good reason for doing what you did to them.” She shook her head and a few tears were finally shed as she gave him a hurt look. “But after all I’ve seen today, I guess I was wrong about that, huh?”

Starline tried to ignore how that harrowed look made his chest tighten in pain. “I did what had to be done,” he declared firmly, tightening his fist as he opted to cut ties here. “It’s not my fault they happened to be convenient to my goal.”

His voice then dropped a bit as he narrowed his eyes. “And perhaps after today— you’ll find some better companions to associate with.”

This answer caused Rivet’s anger to stir, and she shouted as she launched forward at him.

Starline’s eyes darted to the control board next to him, and he quickly hit a button on the panel, unlocking a steam value. It blasted out and hit her, knocking her right over the edge of the catwalk.

She screeched and his heart thudded for a moment, realizing how far of a fall it was to the ground. But as he glanced over the railing, he saw that she had caught herself on the one of the pipes above the swirling pools of liquid. After a moment of being dazed, she shook her head and glared back up at him.

Starline felt a small chill at the cold look, but said nothing as he heard Tails’ voice approaching. Time to go. The fox would be able to save her if she could not save herself.

Without a second thought, Starline quickly summoned up a portal and made himself scarce, hoping through it and into the hallway they had come from originally. Now that the cat was mad, he had no interest in sticking around to deal with her.

He had done his part in playing the distraction.

Now it was time to go support Eggman.

[hide-in-imagination]

I just wanted to say that I am in the process of reading all your Simbar oneshots and I LOVE them. I'm not going to lie... I haven't even watched Soy Luna yet. I'm here from listening to Caitlin McKillop on YouTube scream about them and when I heard Ámbar was the stereotypical bad girl who fell in love with the good boy, I tell you I was SOLD.

Maybe it's a little strange I've developed the habit of reading fanfics for shows I haven't watched, just because the ship speaks to me but it's fun! So what can I say, you're technically my first introduction to this ship...

HAHAHA Oh my god, I LOVE that you haven't watched the show yet 😂😂😂 "Saw this on YouTube and I was sold", I support you so much, my friend😂❤️

(Honestly? Expect nothing from the show. I mean it. Keep your expectations under the ground and you might like it.)

Have you had any problems understanding the context to my oneshots?? I just realized I usually don't explain much of what's going on around them because I just assume we've all watched the same thing. I hope it hasn't been too confusing. If you ever, like, not get a reference, just ask me, I'll explain what's going on <3

"Maybe it's a little strange but it's fun!" And that's all that matters!! Shows and fics are for entertainment and I'm so happy you've found entertainment in mine 🥹 💖

"you're technically my first introduction to this ship..." I'M SO HONORED !!! ksdjnfjksd. Oh my god. I'm speechless, seriously. Thank you so much for giving them a chance and letting me know you like them; it means the world to me :')

Oh my god, now I'm curious about what your thoughts will be on the show after reading fanfiction first. I hope my fics are superior!! Hahahah, but that's just my pride talking😂

[flames-tstuff]

I had the most delightful, fanfic-esque scenario play out before me today.

Unnecessarily long (but wholesome) story time below the cut!

I want to tell you all about this relatively new friend of mine (we've been friends for maybe 4-6 months now), whom I love dearly /p. The story is sort of in two parts; the background context, and then the actual story that happened today.

Background/Context

This kid appears to look like your stereotypical "fuckboy", right? Smooth, calm, collected demeanor. Well-dressed. A bit androgynous. Long, well-maintained hair. A pretty boy. I originally think to myself, “Huh, he’s kinda pretty(?) Uh oh. That can’t be good." Basically, I assume this dude is a douche-bag, because, well, your brain learns to recognize patterns, right? I've learned that conventionally attractive people typically only interact with me if they want something (cynical, I know).

Fast forward a few months and I find that I actually enjoy talking to him, and that he enjoys talking to me. Me—someone who mostly presents feminine (when I assumed him to be somewhat misogynistic) and is awkward as hell. He looks at me and speaks to me like I’m a real person..? Like he’s not just tolerating my presence and actually enjoys interacting with me. Like I'm "one of the guys", an equal. Pretty much any cishet guy I’ve ever met looks and talks to me like I’m an inconvenien. So the fact that he wasn't acting that way should have been the first sign that he's not at all what I had assumed.

A few months in when he feels comfortable enough, he tells me he’s been transitioning MTF(*) in secret for some time now. And it makes perfect sense. That’s why he had a pretty, feminine face. That’s why he had his hair grown out long. When I told him that no cishet guy has EVER been that kind to me, he said it was probably the estrogen lol.

*(Everyone who ~knows~ calls him by his given name and pronouns, just to be safe. We go to a religion-based school in a state that isn't very progressive or safe. I’ve only ever heard his girlfriend, who I also love and adore, use she/her in private, and even then it’s rare. So until I’m given explicit permission to openly use feminine pronouns, we’re all playing it safe by sticking with he/him.)

I’ve always been a mom friend, but I'm telling you this person is bringing out the “they must be protected at all costs” in me. The person who I thought was this smooth, sauve, chill dude (think Buck Dewey from Steven Universe lol) is actually just a scared, insecure little girl behind the curtains. A young adult who, because of the hormones, is basically going through Second Puberty™, angst and all. Someone who hid behind his guitar during a jam session because he was afraid someone would notice his developing chest. The friend who surprised me when I looked over and saw him crying during the animated film we were watching in the theater.

Guys, this is like my own real-life Zuko or Nico friend. The character in fiction that you just wanna shower with comfort and reassurance and warmth (but you can't, so you do so through writing and art). The friend you see almost as a younger sibling, that you feel compelled to protect. The one that you wanna hug and tell them that everything will be alright. This is all in my head of course, I don't want to risk accidentally smothering, patronizing, or otherwise scaring him away. But I feel honored any time I get the chance to see his walls come down even a little.

So because he’s got this particular demeanor about him, I was thinking to myself how much I want to see what would happen if someone were to... break down those walls a bit (yeah, you know what I'm talking about lol). Like really truly see past the facade he puts up every day. Because the thing is, I’ve seen him express and react just like everyone else. Happy, sad, angry—I’ve even seen him get playful before, but it’s always at about the same even level of reaction. I want to see him finally "crack", you know? What I would give to see him lose his cool and drop all pretenses, to see him be lovingly destroyed.

And oh how this sets up like the premise of a fanfic, am I right?

Unfortunately we’re not yet close enough to have crossed the barrier of physical contact (he doesn’t seem like the touchy type anyway), so it definitely would have to be coming from his girlfriend. Even if it did happen, the chances of me getting to witness it are low. I assume his girlfriend probably respects him enough not to embarrass him too much in front of others. Still, one can dream 😆

I wait for the day when the subject of being ticklish comes up (bc there ain't NO way this ball of hidden angst isn’t ticklish), someone teases him about it, and chaos ensues.

Today.

(aka the actual story, the reason for making this post)

Spoiler alert: No tickly shenanigans take place, unfortunately, but it's just about as good in my book :)

There were five of us friends (since when did I get a group of friends to hang out with??) piled into his car. I can’t remember exactly what happened, I think his girlfriend changed something about the radio, and lo and behold IT HAPPENED. He cracked!... even if just a tiny bit, hehe. It wasn’t an angry outburst in like a concerning, toxic way, but he was like “Ah, c’mon why’d you do that??” more akin to a whiny twelve-year-old who's parents unplugged their TV to get them to go to bed. It was funny and endearing more than anything, like watching an old married couple fight. We all snickered a bit at the sight, and I saw my opportunity to tease him a little.

I said something along the lines of “you know, for someone who has such a calm and collected demeanor, I absolutely love when I get to see you lose your cool. I mean that in the nicest way possible, of course. It’s just the best". He said that he didn’t think he gave off that kind of vibe, but he appreciated that that's how I see him 😆

Then, a few minutes later we were in the drive-through line getting sodas at McD’s. One of the friends in the car with us says idk, maybe two words, and he LOSES it (you know how inside jokes with friends are). Like, full-on busts up, flops against the wheel wheezing, which eventually turns into loud genuine laughter. Now I completely lose it, doubling over and burying my face in my lap laughing, but not because of the joke (cue the sappy music). The sudden, uncontrollable bout of laughter coming from him was so unexpected and so contagioius... It was one of the best sounds I’d heard in a long time! I was basically cry-laughing at that point. There were actual tears in my eyes that I had to wipe away. It all sounds so cliché but it really was an incredible sight to behold, and, in a roundabout sort of way, my dream came true.

So yeah. I just wanna hug him and fawn over him like a mom or an auntie. Poke him, help him loosen up a little. We’re not quite at that level of friendship where that would be well received I think, but maybe someday. Yeah, someday.

[theoriginofoghond]

First things first: the origins.

On the original version of my first fanfic I ever made, and why I decided to redo it 8 years later. So. Context. Pokemon Opal and Garnet (2016) is the first fanfiction I ever made. It's technically a crossover fanregion fic set in a region created by me with Pokemon created by me, but I use "crossover" extremely, extremely lightly. Technically, it was entirely new, but 5 of the main mons were named after (and of those 5, 4 were based in part on) characters from Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame, which is my all-time favorite Disney movie if not my favorite movie period. Given that it was my first ever fanfic, it is a mess. It is rough around the edges, and by god it shows. Among the many things in the first fanfic I ever wrote: HOND references like crazy, blatant Element of Harmony expies in the form of the 14 virtues (more on them later), a blatant Trump allegory, my first time writing a court scene, and a French anthem performance straight out of Casablanca. This was back in the Cringe Old Days (TM) of 2016 when the word "subtlety" was not in my writing vocabulary, when I did not know what "character arcs and development" were, and when I genuinely believed that fanfic sites would automatically send their copyright bots out to companies so that they could sue you out of your minds if you dared put non-public-domain song lyrics into your fic. After a while I stopped updating the fic out of boredom, writer's block, and distraction due to a bunch of other things entering my brain (oh hi, something called the "Dutch language"! Oh hi, fanmade musicals!). But the original fic still exists today and can be found. I plan to one day delete my fanfic.net account, though, and with it all the original stories, but you needn't worry-- the original Opal and Garnet can still be found on Lake Valor; all 20 chapters of it. After that, life went by. I joined We Are All Pokemon Trainers, where I met people who are numerous friends of mine, and, more importantly, learned how to actually create character arcs, developments, lore, and backstories. It was an incredible experience for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it. I went to college and graduated; I had an extremely long period of health anxiety... and in my last year of college, in 2024, I decided to look over my first ever fanfic and figure out what worked and what didn't. Two things from the fanfic-- the PokeLatin language and Orwell the Newspeak-speaking Crawdaunt-- made their way into WAAPT, albeit the PokeLatin language became the Poipolian dialect of UBese and had tons of tweaks done to it. This was also the year after the Disney company celebrated their 100th anniversary. And given that, the fact that many HOND references were made in the original fic, and the fact that TV Tropes erroneously labeled it a crossover because of those references, I ended up deciding "screw it, I am leaning into the Disney angle and I am leaning into it hard". Cue the creation of the Gisnep company (I'm not kidding, that's actually what it's called) and by extension, the Gisnepverse, which consists of Opal and Garnet (2024) and the WAAPT continuums. (I retired from WAAPT and branched each of my characters off into their own seperate stories.) The next post I make will delve into the lore surrounding the Gisnep company and its differences from its real-world analogue.

[margridarnauds]

💕, 💭 and 💛 for the fic writer asks?

💕 What is your favorite fic that you’ve written?

That's a tough one, honestly! There are some fics of mine that I think are technically better than others, some that are more meaningful in other ways. Sometimes, a fic of mine will get a better reception than I anticipated, but it's almost never the ones that I put my heart and soul into. Sometimes, I revisit a fic years later and I'm proud of what I did, sometimes, I never look at it again.

I would say...possibly Metempsychosis. Mainly because, imo, it has some really good writing from me in it, but also because it's a deeply, deeply personal fic. Nannerl's story became really important to me, both the tragic side of it (which is what almost ALL writing about Nannerl focuses on), and the happy moments. This is a woman who's lost everything at various points in her life, but she still finds a way through. And that's a lot more important to me than the common narrative of Mozart's Tragic Sister.

It was also coming at a very good time for me -- I go into the background to it in the author's note, as far as it being written when I had gone about 28 hours without sleep, for a fandom event that ultimately never happened five years before, I'd had a ~five hour bus ride, and I was facing a long plane flight back to the States, but what I don't talk about is that it was written at the tail end (...well. not quite the tail end) of a very long depressive episode that had been ongoing since 2021, when I joined my department and other things happened. I had been left feeling like there was nothing I could contribute, I'd never be able to write again like I used to, I couldn't make or keep friends long term, that I was inherently unlikable and the only thing that I could contribute was my content creation (and even that was going by the wayside, since my program made it impossible for me to write or publish as consistently as I used to and I felt like the quality of my most recent fics wasn't living up to the quality of my earlier fics...which, tbh, I still believe to some extent), that I owed everyone an apology for not being able to do anything because they deserved more, especially when I had so many WIPs that were likely never going to get published.

It was, quite possibly, the lowest low of my life up to that point, and that's including the year of Hell in middle school when I was bullied non-stop.

And then, in some random gate in Heathrow Airport, I hand-wrote out the skeleton of a fic. One that I thought was never going to get written. For a fandom I'd never written for before. Edited it, did some adjustments, and published it shortly afterwards.

💭 What inspires you and your writing?

Oh, interesting.

I take bits and pieces from everywhere -- paintings, sometimes. Classics. Operas. Museums. Folklore motifs. (Never Campbell's monomyth, on the record.) The last few years have made me somewhat solitary and reclusive in a fandom context -- I don't join Discord servers often and, when I get super into a given ship, I usually don't even read fanfic consistently, mainly out of a fear of being influenced or accidentally copying. (Re: the latter, I'm a purist in the sense that I really like to develop my own take on characters' dynamics with one another, and I can't always do that if I'm in a fandom environment where headcanons quickly become canon. Re: the former...well. Too much of a fear of things going wrong. I said that it was ALMOST the tail end of my depressive episode, not quite the tail end yet.) I talk with friends, I get deep into the source material, and I see what I can try to pull out.

Sometimes, for my historically relevant fanfics, I'll read about something that happened in history and go "Oh, that's interesting" and make a note of it, or read a fact in some book or another. I might watch a musical or read something and think that there's a gap that needs to be filled and I'll try to fill it.

💛 What is the most impactful lesson you’ve learned about writing?

I suppose it's always striking to see the full RANGE of what is most impactful to people, what people are drawn to. Even the fics that I think are flops for various reasons usually have at least SOMEONE to like them, even if that person isn't always me.

Another, and it was hard-earned, was that rules don't really matter. When I was a teenager, I was bored out of my skull hearing every single bit of writing advice I got, even into a creative writing class in college, saying "write like Hemingway write like Hemingway write like Hemingway" when my natural style has ALWAYS been more 19th Century Gothic Romance Writer Getting Paid By the Word. It was stifling. And it wasn't necessarily bad ADVICE, it was badly GIVEN advice, because it was treated as an absolute. As I got older and started to work on writing more, I gradually realized that, fine, you should be careful of word count, but I also then proceeded to toss that bit of advice out, never paid attention to it again, and never bothered with it. I sometimes seek out writing advice now for scenes that I find technically confusing (battle and sex scenes in particular), I still am constantly trying to improve my style, but I don't care as much about making my writing follow a list of rules for what Good Writing Looks Like.

[ugh-againwiththenames]

So Many Fanfics So Little Time

This is just my list, I have seen so many (but if you want to use it it’s all yours too!).  I’m not a writer.  But I am a hell of a reader. Voracious one might argue. I just wanted to track my progress through the weeds of the absolutely never ending supply of Destiel and Cockles fanfic. 

Read on if you want to see what I’ve read, and what I’ve thought. I am but one person with opinions - some of them may be unpopular - some of them you might agree with, but if you find something you haven’t read here, I encourage you to do so. 

Honestly, this is just so I can track what I have read already, and when my friends ask, I can reference something easily. I have found some different fics on all kinds of ‘best of’ lists all over the interwebs. And I love recs - so rec away friends. 

As someone who reads a solid 40 novels a year typically, I don’t come by the “I read a lot” innocently. I do actually read a LOT.  When not reading fanfic (a new obsession, all things being fair), I usually read a lot of Fantasy/high fantasy, romance/erotica, and or YA (yeah, that was a bit of a ride no?).  So from this one might digress that I like fluffy, cute stories, complicated and supernatural/paranormal type stories, and I sure do not shy away from violence or smut (or maybe violence with smut? *smirk*). 

I have read all of these in the last 2-3 months (I will continue to add as I go). I had never read a fanfic until 2-3 months ago.  A lot of these wonderful people are on here, and I mean you no offence by not directly tagging you - I’m still learning how to actually properly use this site. Links to AO3 are included (and I love you all). 

These aren’t necessarily in any real order - I did read T&S first, followed by 91W, and 4LW...after that it’s just a shit show of Long or Short, Destiel or Cockles - smorgasbord. Some of these are the most popular Fics out there, and others I’ve never seen recc’d anywhere (just sort of accidentally happened upon them).  So let’s get to it, shall we? 

Twist and Shout - ok look. I understand the stigma associated with this one, but it was the FIRST one I read. It was the ball that shot me down the hill, and I haven’t stopped since. So. I loved it. I CRIED like a baby. SOBBED. It was not the quality of the writing but the way the story was developed and delivered. I have Never Cried Like This Reading a Story IN MY LIFE. It’s a rite of passage. Read It and have an opinion - it doesn’t need to be mine.  

Author(s): gabriel, standbyme   https://archiveofourown.org/works/537876/chapters/955188

Ninety-One Whiskey - aka 91W, it is mentioned so much, and is SO worth the read.  I continued my dive into the war fics (not typically my bag really and here I was reading 2 in a row).  There are a couple of followup stories as well to this series (and yes, I’ve read them all).  Although I’ll say that the original is my favourite. I often got lost in a bit of the War/Tactical descriptions, but would recommend it to anyone anyway. Ugh...the “stolen moments”...they were at the same time tragic and the most amazing things ever.  You feel me? no? go read it. 

Author:  komodobits   https://archiveofourown.org/works/2362190/chapters/5214500

Four Letter Word for Intercourse - aka 4LW.  OMG just, OMG. I loved this story. I loved it so much. I think I read it in a day.  Devoured it. It’s so HOT. Just read it. If you haven’t you’re missing out.  LEMME AT IT. I loved “knowing the secret”, and had some major anxiety about that realization dawning (I had to take a breath, and be like, no, no, this is gonna be a mess, but it’s gonna be SO GOOD - I was not disappointed).  There’s more than one work here too - read them all. PLEASE. 

Author: bendingsignpost  https://archiveofourown.org/works/16086839/chapters/37568591

Memories Bring Back Memories (Bring Back You) - This was the first Sobs one I read, but it sent me on a spree.  this is the Memory Loss one.  I have one piece of advice here - read everything by Sobsicles. You can thank me later...just go to her page, and fucking sort to supernatural (or not, read it all!) I’d list them but I’d fucking seriously be here all day.  Also, her tags make me laugh so hard.

Author:  sobsicles https://archiveofourown.org/works/24022945/chapters/57796885

Orpheus - I love this one too, Tattooed!Cas, my LOVE. paired with Mechanic!Dean, my HEART, #help.  Read this one in one evening as well. (I was on a roll).  It’s a one night stand that turns into more (much like my last relationship)....hmm...maybe this is why I was pulled in - although to be fair that is the last similarity to my shitty love life! I do not remember how I stumbled onto this one (tattooed Cas may have been the draw...tbh). Read the warnings though, there is some triggering stuff in this one - but if you can handle it, it’s definitely worth the read. 

Author: sysrae       https://archiveofourown.org/works/2364347/chapters/5220227

Have Love, Will Travel - Can you say no to Stripper!Dean? Cause I sure as hell cannot. Typical sort of character development here with Dean having trust issues, and Cas being painfully awkward...(but in like a super cute way?).  Would Recommend. 

Author: squeemonster   https://archiveofourown.org/works/565455/chapters/1011747

The Inexhaustible Silence of Houses - Change of pace here...It’s got a nice twist.  I didn’t actually clue into how it was going to end until very near the end (maybe I was being oblivious), when the realization came over me and I was...man. I was DONE IN.  I hope that doesn’t spoil (I need some kind of way of remembering them). Voiceless!Cas Hunter!Dean

Author: Askance (doomcountry)   https://archiveofourown.org/works/560268/chapters/1000755

Adagio - This is super short, and super cute. Honestly, I would read the whole thing just for the last line. It’ll take you less than an hour if I remember correctly. Go, I’ll wait. I squeeed. did you? 

Author: noangelsinthegarrison   https://archiveofourown.org/works/1397248/chapters/2928145

Any Little Heartache - super easy read (not in a bad way, but in a ‘you’ll fly through it’ way).  It’s mid-length, not graphic, but really fun hospital AU. HeartSurgeon!Dean / Nurse!Cas - enemies to lovers anyone? Fuck you to Fuck me? yeah. YUM. 

Author: followthattardis https://archiveofourown.org/works/5143376/chapters/11838311

Ad Astra - This is another short(ish) one, just one chapter.  And by that I mean that this is written like a very long poem. Cas as a star who has visited Dean many times over the years of his life, that culminates in 4x01 barn scene. It’s ‘awe’ sad. ‘puppy dog eyes’ sad. The writing format took me a bit to understand what was happening - it’s my lack of poetry knowledge, not the writing.  

Author: nhixxie https://archiveofourown.org/works/1013491

Ad Astra Per Aspera - This is a cute story.  ESL writer, no judgement.  I found this while looking for the one above, and thought the premise looked cute - and it was. Misunderstanding leading to Dean realizing he’s actually Bi.  Miscommunication leading to realization.  

Author: Riverchester https://archiveofourown.org/works/12354336/chapters/28101816

Psalm 40:2 - Time travel post-canon Cas and Pre-series Dean.  If you’re wondering how that works, strap in for this ride, it’s well worth it. 

Author: unicornpoe https://archiveofourown.org/works/30786425/chapters/75992444

Addicted to You - Warlock!Dean/Incubus!Cas - accidental ‘mating’ (I actually really don’t like that word, but there’s sort of no avoiding it in this situation). Cute story.  When you drunk dial a succubus and get an incubus instead...Whatever will we do? 

Author: Ltleflrt https://archiveofourown.org/works/4387346/chapters/9959288 

A Glimpse Beyond - End Fix-it. Not yet complete, 10 chapters so far...I want MORE! Reliving memories Dean/Cas & Sam/Eileen.   

Author: NorthernSparrow https://archiveofourown.org/works/27731689/chapters/67875925

Cas-ti-el - Please I want more...It’s like the story just started. Please write more of this story!! 1 chapter, it’s a trope prompt challenge, but I want it to be a full on story of its own. Imprinted names of their soul mates, Dean doesn’t understand his (because it’s in a different language)...I’m frustrated by wanting this story to keep going. 

Author:  Valinde (Valyria)  https://archiveofourown.org/works/1941591

Our Bodies, Posessed by Light - another short one. Not going to lie, this one took a little getting used to, and I can’t say that I enjoyed it too much for the sole purpose that the premise gave me the willies.  Cas has to vessel jump - ends up in Sam...I got through it, it had a good ending, but yeah, sorry. This just wasn’t for me. 

Author:  obstinatrix  https://archiveofourown.org/works/260289

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Wedding Cake - Waiter!Dean / Writer!Cas - This is so effing cute, just misunderstanding after misunderstanding bumbling around like the couple of dorks that they are. It’s only one chapter. 100% would recommend. 

Author:  Sparseparsley https://archiveofourown.org/works/223962

Destiel, Actually - This is another super cute story, 5 chapters. Gabriel playing a singular role in putting Dean and Cas in awkward positions to push them together.  I fucking DIED at “oh, I am the sub” - needs context, but I guarantee you that you’ll laugh out loud...

Author:  Bexism  https://archiveofourown.org/works/399934/chapters/658398

The Smell Before the Rain - This was my first A/B/O - a big apology to all those who are into mpreg and whatnot, this was my lesson that I am not. this was not for me. Also - I’m a firm Cas (Alpha/Dom) believer, and i’m good with switch Cas, but it’s hard for me to take him being the full Omega here, when paired with the rest I just couldn’t do it. I finished it, but, not my thing. I know now. 

Author: jscribbles https://archiveofourown.org/works/22355230/chapters/53406127

Crazy Diamonds - This is another short one, only 3 chapters - it’s a body swap for Dean, 4x02 him and 2018 him swap places (assumption that 2018 him is “with” Cas).  It’s a super cute little story. 

Author:  pantheon_of_discord https://archiveofourown.org/works/16151642/chapters/37738631

The Breath of All Things - Wheelchair!Dean / Volunteer!Cas.  This is a lovely story, typical Dean self-hatred etc. Triggering for those with suicide warnings. It had me in tears at the end. There’s a really spectacular quote near the end that I found so romantic I screen grabbed it. 

Author:  KismetJeska https://archiveofourown.org/works/994750/chapters/1967519

Kind of a Forever Deal - SummerCamp!AU This is just a really cute and fluffy summer camp AU.  Which is so different from 91W (That’s right, check the author)! I was a little disappointed with the ending, but otherwise really enjoyed this all the way through and was loving all the discovery and young characterizations of all the characters. 

Author: komodobits https://archiveofourown.org/works/999291/chapters/1978478

Everytown, USA - Best way I can break this one down? Wanderer!Dean (listless and without a place in the world, he ends up in a small town...), Twin!Cas (that leads to some fun things). There are a number of points where you’re gonna yell at Dean for doing stupid shit (that are very much in character for him to do), you think, well, yes, obviously you’re going to do that you silly fucking boy [affectionate]; but whyyy? (but we know). 

Author: aileenrose https://archiveofourown.org/works/1797559/chapters/3854836

Chalk and Chainmail - HighSchool!AU, Cas is an artist, Dean LARP’s - it’s cute and angsty. 

Author:  lemonsorbae https://archiveofourown.org/works/804704/chapters/1517551

A Little Patience - Ok. you want smut? This is your story. You want Kink? This is your story.  I actually did not finish this. It got a little carried away in my opinion. It was VERY panty kink oriented (which, while essentially canon isn’t really my kink) so, if you want that Panty Kink on full display? Go forth and enjoy! it  is thirty something chapters, I got to the mid-twenties I Think. 

Author: riseofthefallenone https://archiveofourown.org/works/1750058/chapters/3739232

Control - I REALLY ENJOYED THIS. Which is saying a lot for someone who has already admitted that a Subby Cas isn’t really my HC - so to so thoroughly enjoy a Sub!Cas story? (maybe it’s the tattooes...*wink*). It’s an AU where Cas is the head of a company - Dean is a callboy I guess, for lack of a better term. Just read it.

Author: dothraki_shieldmaiden  https://archiveofourown.org/works/31156601/chapters/76993217

More (I copy pasted the next lot from my google doc, I’ll flush them out later - no i wont...)

Teach Me (short) - movie night in the bunker, things get a little carried away   Author:  Chiyume  https://archiveofourown.org/works/5961327

You Light the Spark (in my bonfire heart) (short) - when cas doesn't realize that dean is unaware of his feelings, super short, super cute                      Author: noangelsinthegarrison https://archiveofourown.org/works/1193910 

Communication Breakdown (short/cockles) - dean ends up in Jensen's head while he films the confession scene, no sexual content Author: jujubiest   https://archiveofourown.org/works/29669601/chapters/72951339

Look What You Made Me Do (short/cockles) -      -  Vegas Con 2020 / jensen comes out with a song     - cute short - no sexual content Author:  green_blue_heller https://archiveofourown.org/works/30251592 Full House (short/cockles) - reimagined version of the rented house story - putting it in order (so to speak). funny / cute / fluffy not explicit   Author: n_nami  https://archiveofourown.org/works/30855827

Cyber Sex (short/cockles) - anastiel https://archiveofourown.org/works/31467086      - shameless post GISH Fest zoom call porn      - Short (very short)

It's Complicated (cockles) - gail_morgan https://archiveofourown.org/works/31434938/chapters/77747519       The GISHtake (short/cockles) - MellyCrazyCoconut https://archiveofourown.org/works/31508099     - cute short post GISH zoom     - oops "babe, really?"  

(10.02.2021 updated) Since last update: New reads - Fuck i’m gonna be here all day - there’s not gonna be as much gonna be NO detail in these breakdowns...sorry! This has now just become a “what i’ve read list” as opposed to a Rec list...

Love, All Alike (Pt. 1 Love, All Alike) - Phantoms_and_Foxgloves   https://archiveofourown.org/works/4555599/chapters/10370646                             - Though The Stars Walk Backward (pt 2 Love, All alike) - Phantoms_and_Foxgloves

And this, your living kiss - opal_bullets   https://archiveofourown.org/works/18083927/chapters/42744872

Come On, Let's Strike a Match (Domination and Submission: a love story pt 1) - anyrei & queerwerewolf ***   https://archiveofourown.org/works/25722478/chapters/62458810    - Playing With Fire (D&S: a love story pt 2)    - We Kiss and the Flames Get Higher (D&S: a love story pt 3)     - Sparking That Old Flame (D&S: a love story pt 4) 

Cinderwings - bendingsignpost Cinderella!AU**   https://archiveofourown.org/works/12847041/chapters/29336421

Linden - fleeceframe Swan!AU**   https://archiveofourown.org/works/33126730/chapters/82236118

No Netflix, No Chill (short) - dorian_they   https://archiveofourown.org/works/28764966

Can't Drink You Away (short) - dorian_they   https://archiveofourown.org/works/28785792 

Jensen Totally (Does Not!) Snore (short RPF) - Dorian_they   https://archiveofourown.org/works/30315717

Dean Ships It (short) - dorian_they   https://archiveofourown.org/works/30349434

All about control - wingless   https://archiveofourown.org/works/9151930/chapters/20791243

Aesthetics in Autoerotica (pt 1 Aesthetics in Autoerotica) - relucant   https://archiveofourown.org/works/3885544                                                             - The Ties that Bind (pt 2 Aesthetics in Autoerotica) - relucant

Let's take a drive - sobsicles   https://archiveofourown.org/works/32581027/chapters/80819581 

Enchanted ink - castielslostwings TattooArtist!Dean TattooArtist!Castiel AU ***   https://archiveofourown.org/works/23043622/chapters/55109530

The bones beneath our skin - darknessbound   https://archiveofourown.org/works/24633754/chapters/59515804

The Plot (RPF) - Castiel_Left_His_Mark_On_Me   https://archiveofourown.org/works/2795588/chapters/6274970

The Gentle Force with which you Take Me (RPF) - Phoenix_Ascended   https://archiveofourown.org/works/32110120/chapters/79549183

According to all known laws of Life (Pt. 1 Cursed Metaphors) - sobsicles   https://archiveofourown.org/works/29207901                                                          - and he's back (with a mind of his own) (pt. 2 Cursed Metaphors) - sobsicles

Six hundred sundays (and many more) - sobsicles   https://archiveofourown.org/works/31158776

Aching in the Absence of you - sobsicles   https://archiveofourown.org/works/31832977/chapters/78811378

gorging myself on you, still can’t get full (insatiable) (Short) - sobsicles   https://archiveofourown.org/works/32203291

memories bring back memories (bring back you) - sobsicles   https://archiveofourown.org/works/24022945/chapters/57796885

Dream Come True (short) - bendingsignpost   https://archiveofourown.org/works/28071159

tall grass - aeli_kindara   https://archiveofourown.org/works/13127040/chapters/30030726

asunder (Short) - rageprufrock https://archiveofourown.org/works/62115

Apheresis - bendingsignpost BloodDonor!AU **   https://archiveofourown.org/works/32674783/chapters/81056680

we always were but never knew it - frightfullyrude   https://archiveofourown.org/works/32698324/chapters/81119503

In this Louisiana Bar (Short) - fleeceframe   https://archiveofourown.org/works/31764487

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Alternate Universes - n_nami   https://archiveofourown.org/works/32687929/chapters/81092785

my heart a compass - lagaudiere https://archiveofourown.org/works/28629951

Unsound Inverses - sp8ce (not complete)   https://archiveofourown.org/works/29836881/chapters/73413300

The Jensen Mistake (RPFish) - fellshish   https://archiveofourown.org/works/31950169

tell me about the dream (Pt. 1 Kids are coming home) - playedwright   https://archiveofourown.org/works/27984813/chapters/68544450

It's handy to know (FIMMF Themed ;)) - RosaMarloes   https://archiveofourown.org/works/31761322

So Says The Sword - komodobits AngelTrueform!AU**   https://archiveofourown.org/works/12597892/chapters/28695592

Communication Breakdown (RPFish)- darkshrimpemotions (jujubiest)   https://archiveofourown.org/works/29669601/chapters/72951339

Carry You Home - Casloveshisfreckles   https://archiveofourown.org/works/26982637/chapters/65862916

In the Shadow of your Wings - Enochian Things (Salr323)   https://archiveofourown.org/works/7531294/chapters/17121655

When Harry Met Sally (RPF) (Pt. 1 When Harry Met Sally ‘verse) - mnwood   https://archiveofourown.org/works/7622347/chapters/17351845    - Eight Dildos (RPF) (Pt. 2 When Harry Met Sally ‘verse) - mnwood    - Attention, Please (RPF) (Pt. 3 When Harry Met Sally ‘verse) - mnwood             - Boat Trip (RPF) (Pt. 4 When Harry Met Sally ‘verse) - mnwood

A Winter's Tale - NorthernSparrow   https://archiveofourown.org/works/2654327/chapters/5930561

A Close Shave - NorthernSparrow https://archiveofourown.org/works/3090167

r/supernatural - renrub (short) https://archiveofourown.org/works/27626783

sam reads destiel fics - rebshome (short - funny!)   https://archiveofourown.org/works/33721624

Angel Cookies - noxsoulmate Chirstmas!AU **  https://archiveofourown.org/works/11729640/chapters/26427765

Under The Midnight Sun - NorthernSparrow Arctic!AU **   https://archiveofourown.org/works/16690645/chapters/39143677

Bron-Yr-Aur - mrbluesky (Short) https://archiveofourown.org/works/28225335

The Dean Winchester Beat Sheet - saltyfeathers   https://archiveofourown.org/works/19258594/chapters/45800209

The Meaning On My Skin - saltnhalo   https://archiveofourown.org/works/18005378/chapters/42538133

Red Right Hand (Pt. 1 Murder Ballads)  - Duckyboos   https://archiveofourown.org/works/4306110/chapters/9760008    - Are you the One that I've been waiting for? (pt. 2 Murder Ballads) - Duckyboos   

Riptides - sharkfish   https://archiveofourown.org/works/13230426/chapters/30263556

Damn Fine Ride - Cimorene105 (pt 1 - rodeo) Cowboy!AU** (I’m a horse girl, sue me...)  https://archiveofourown.org/works/14342340    - My Face Just Does This, Sometimes - Cimorene105 (pt. 2 rodeo)    - The Kinkiest Thing I've Ever Done- Cimorene105 (pt 3 rodeo)    - All Signs Point to Love - Cimorene105 (pt. 4 rodeo)    - Monster Love - Cimorene105 (pt. 5 rodeo)    - My Man, The Siren - Cimorene105 (pt. 6 rodeo)    - A Pain in My Ass - Cimorene105 (pt. 7 rodeo)

Astrolabe (terra incognita pt 1) - reluctantabandon, Winter_of_our_Discontent   https://archiveofourown.org/works/3348812/chapters/7326794    - Drollery (terra incognita pt 2) - reluctantabandon Winter_of_our_Discontent    - Rubrication (terra incognita pt 3) - reluctantabandon Winter_of_our_Discontent

Go Down With This Ship - PorcupineGirl   https://archiveofourown.org/works/8023642/chapters/18370474

Fire and Ice - Castielslostwings (Firefighter/Paramedic AU!) **   https://archiveofourown.org/works/23286295/chapters/55768486

The Structural Similarities of Hunters and Onions - Faster_Than_the_Speed_of_Sound (Short)   https://archiveofourown.org/works/33383101

Castiel Novak's Office, This is Dean - emmbrancsxx0   https://archiveofourown.org/works/22411336/chapters/53545840

Out of the Deep (out of the deep pt. 1) - riseofthefallenone - MERMAID AU! **   https://archiveofourown.org/works/548878/chapters/977676

Dean (and Cas') Top 13 Zepp Traxx - pantheon_of_discord   https://archiveofourown.org/works/10909440/chapters/24256989

I'll Be Good - LittleAngelCassie   https://archiveofourown.org/works/4118334/chapters/9282234

Kenosis - CastielsCarma (Short - part of Destiel ABC collection)   https://archiveofourown.org/works/30411720

[they-call-it-traffic]

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🐣

I love you 😂❤🧟‍♂️

11. Something neat I’ve learned while doing research and how much do I worry about research in general.

Few weeks back I watched two YouTube videos explaining the rules of cricket, because I was looking for the name of a specific throw for a metaphor that I ended up not using. So it turned out pretty useless for my story, but at least now I finally understand what that sport is all about!

Also once, I had a conversation with a real paramedic for a tragic medical emergency storyline. In the end I disregarded half of the thing he told me coz it wasn’t plot convenient 🙃 but it was super interesting.

Overall I care a lot -too much- about accuracy and not being second-guessed by anyone (apart when I write things that only my three biggest fans will read) but I’m also lazy. Which is why I tend to stick to what I know or to fields that someone I’m close to is knowledgeable about. That way I can just Whatsapp them very specific questions instead of spending hours on Google for a couple of lines in my story.

14. Worst writing habit.

I guess it’s the fact that my brain has decided a long time ago that it wouldn’t be productive at home earlier than 10pm. So in order to write during the day, I need to go to coffee shops where I spend a looooot of money on coffee and food.

17. Favourite line I’ve ever written.

Hmm, I don’t know… I guess right now I want to say ‘Liberté, égalité, frappucino’ (which means nothing out of context haha), because I don’t often amuse myself but I’m still laughing about it two weeks later. Overall, I’ll kind of cheat my way around that question and say ‘Mais tu te trompes. Le plus avisé de tous les professeurs, c’est toi.’ Not for its quality but just because it’s the final line of my biggest pride and accomplishment so far.

41. Weirdest story idea I’ve ever had.

It has to go back to McFly times, when my sister and I used to come up with three new ideas every week, putting the boys in all sorts of scenarios. I can’t really recall the weirdest one, but I guess the weirdest thing we’ve done is to make the McFly characters from her main fanfic and the McFly characters from my main fanfic become friends and chat online for hours in a sort of undefined universe.

62. Weirdest reason I’ve ever shipped something.

I’m pretty sure I’m forgetting about my weirdest ship here, but for now I’ll go with one that might not be ‘weird’ but still a bit wtf. Again with my sister, we wrote that AU fic where every single MCU character (existing back then) were students in an American high school. We built the story around mainstream ships like Stucky and Clintasha, but along the way some crossovers relationships developed in our universe and I ended up shipping Wanda Maximoff from Avengers and Matt Murdock from Daredevil so hard. To the point that I started writing a sequel spinoff fic about them and I actually ship the two MCU characters even though they’ve never been and will never be in the same movie/TV show.

63. Best insult I’ve read in a fic.

Okay, because I can’t recall any great insult read in someone else’s fic, I’ll go with one of mine, because ‘You judgemental caring kissing piece of shit!’ (and the context it was said in my ‘fine arts school’ fic) is something I’m pretty proud of.

98. What I don’t like about my writing style.

I don’t like that I’m still a bit too ‘shy’ about being crude and gutsy in my writing, sometimes it’s a bit too polished, when rougher phrasing can hit the reader right in the feels, and makes it easier to respect the ‘show don’t tell’ rule. But because it doesn’t come naturally to me, if I do it, it doesn’t read natural so most of the time I reverse back to being more poetic and stylistic.

[screenhead15]

In love with her

Talking about being back and about fanfics and writing... I recently wrote a short love story between two of my ocs. For context, the story starts with Seika, one of my ocs, writing in her diary (I didn't write that in the story cause I thought it was obvious and because I was too inspired to notice that context was necessary). Seika is a trans lesbian who uses she/they pronouns who realizes she has developed a crush on a friend of hers that she met at her new school (listen, I'm gonna be honest, the school is Night Raven Collegue cause Ruby (my other oc) is a Twisted Wonderland oc of mine and THIS is an au where my two ocs Seika and Arlo find themselves in Twisted Wonderland cause why the heck not), Ruby, who is a trans fem greyace/aro guy who uses she/her pronouns, the whole story focuses on Seika being confused on why she would feel attracted to a guy when she's a lesbian (the answer is that sexuality is wacky and confusing :)). Btw, their ship name is "Cards and Roses" because Ruby is a gambler and Seika really likes flowers and is really good at flower magic and Ruby's last name is "Rosebud" :).

Also, I didn't write the ending of the story yet (where they go to prom) because I didn't feel inspired enough. But I might add it later on (or not lol)

Anyway, here's the story:

In love with her

A “Cards and Roses” story

“I don’t understand, I don’t understand what’s going on. I thought I knew myself. But everytime I pass her in the hallway I feel my heartbeat get slightly faster. And when she turns and smiles, I pick up the pace. 

I see her signaling for me to sit next to her in the cafeteria and I can’t. I don’t understand, all this time, I thought I didn’t like boys, I thought I couldn't feel attracted to a boy, I’ve never felt attracted to a boy!!

But she’s different, I understand her, we have similar experiences, she’s nice and kind, she smiles at me. And now, I can’t help but to avoid her, scared to confront whatever these feelings are, I’m terrified. I want to be next to her, to spend time with her, to be close to her. But I can’t. 

I don’t know what to do. I’ve consulted Arlo and they say I should just approach her and that surely she likes me back, but I.. am scared. Of her. 

What if I confront these feelings? What if I realize I like her? What will I do then? God, I’m a mess!!!

I think… how must she feel? Do you think she feels the same? Do you think she likes me? Do you think she’s interested? DO YOU THINK SHE KNOWS???

I’m terrified. What should I do?

Prom is just around the corner. Should I ask her out??? DOES SHE EVEN LIKE GIRLS??? AAAAAH. I’ve never felt attracted to boys, I don’t know what to do, I don’t know how they work!! Or what they want!! 

Then again, we ARE very similar. We have very similar interests, we’re both very femenine, and both of our environments weren’t supportive.

Ughh, I don’t know what to do. What would Aro do?...

Arlo would just do it. They would just go for it, they’ve never been the type to care about what other people thought or about how they looked or came across to others. I’ve always admired that about them. I don’t know what to do. Should I just do like Arlo would?? But I’m not Arlo!! 

I’M SO CONFUSED!! 

Damn, she makes me feel so braindead. I feel like I can’t think, like nothing makes sense, like I can’t breathe or remember how to walk or function. I want to be with her, I want to hold her, I want to get interested in her interests, I want to know her past, I think I want her.

I think I know what to do. Actually.”

***

As I approach her in the hallway, I can’t help but feel my heartbeat quicken, I gulp nervously.

She looks so pretty in that uniform.

-Hi Ruby!

-Oh, oh! Hi Seika! I-

-I-

As I realize that I had cut her off, I stop, and let her continue.

-Um, you talk first.

I rub my arm nervously, and look to the side. God, how come this is how she makes me feel?

-Um, right, well. I just wanted to say that I’m glad that you’re talking to me again. I thought you might’ve been avoiding me lately and I was scared that I had done or said something wrong, I’m glad it wasn’t the case.

-Oh, WHAT?!?! No! Not at all, it's just well, I did wanna talk to you about something relating to that.

-Oh?

-Um, Ruby, I have been avoiding you- I saw her expression fall for a moment and that alone made my stomach churn-, for a reason! Not a bad one! It’s my fault, I mean- 

I get entangled in my words and I stop to think and find the right ones for a moment.

-The reason I’ve been avoiding you recently is that I like you. And I found that confusing cause I’ve never felt attracted to a boy! So it was confusing for me, I didn’t want to confront or accept it and I’m sorry.

Ruby looked like she wanted to add something for a moment but I cut her off.

-But I really like you Ruby! I think you’re pretty and kind, and great and soo cute! And, I want to ask you out for prom. I want you to come with me.

Ruby’s face turned a shade of red similar to her vest, and as she scratched her neck nervously for a moment, I saw a small smile start to form on her face.

-It’s, wow! I… don’t know what to say, ehehe. 

Ruby’s eyes looked everywhere but at me.

“To be honest, I feel the same way. I really relate to you, to how much you like femininity. And I’ve never found someone like that! Like me. So, I think that made me feel that much closer to you, it made me feel a connection that I was afraid you wouldn’t feel, I was afraid it was only me who felt like this. I’m glad I was wrong. 

And… uh, yes, I’d love to go to prom with you. Although I’m not a great dancer.

-Oh, me neither! Don’t you worry! That’s not why I asked you to prom.

I smiled at her, eyes practically glowing with glee and joy. I’m so glad she feels the same way! I jumped into her arms and just stayed there for a while, hugging her.

-Oh, oh my god, Seika! Hahaha! What are you doing?

I held her in my arms and didn’t let her go. She reciprocated.

-We need to get to class.

-Just five more minutes.

[bendybeforeinkmachine]

Felix: Ummm… do you want me to tell exactly like that or do you want me to take out some context?

Sam: Actually, tell him this instead: Either you respect me, my family and leave my girl alone, or else me, Woody and Matteo will have to come over often and we’ll shove him in a crate destined somewhere in Europe, with a sticker sign that reads ‘3rd class, please bend and smash.’

Felix: Don’t you think it’s a bit harsh?

Sam: Felix, if he’s willing to kill anyone for a little diamond, he deserves to be treated like the trash he is.

Here’s a scene where my OC tells Felix that he needs to stop Alex for being a human thrash bag before he gets himself seriously hurt/killed.

I did had this theory months ago that the reason Alex is being mean to Felix was because he was jealous of him having his live heading a better future after what had happened to them. (Felix’s side of the family.) Chances are that he was being compared to his cousin a lot during his teenage years and then he left for pursuing his thieving career. 

However, during that whole time, he thought that he was still that same book reading, junior detective kid with hardly any friends since they’ve left. But he didn’t expect Felix to gain some new friends when he got older.

Alex isn’t a fan of Sam Toucan, Woody McPecker and Matteo DeLuca for separate reasons apart they each had one thing in common: They wanted Alex to leave Felix alone and shove him in the garbage can.

Humanized Felix belongs to @marini4, OC Humanized Sam Toucan is mine.

Marini: A-ha! Yes finally i stumbled upon this one but again it slipped my mind from publishing this im sorry 😅. Anyways Your theory is spot on about how Felix is better than Alex he felt that but never understand why. But in terms of friends nah, because how he grew up as a thief, he knew nothing about compassion and friendship. That’s why he thought he wanted Kitty Kat for himself is easy by giving her diamonds and jewelry, but was dumbfounded by Kitty Kat love for Felix because of his compassion which he knew nothing about. So it made Alex furious. He even thinks that he is way richer than Felix but why Felix? What makes Felix so special? So I`m looking forward to develop Alex in the future. He didn’t understand what love is at all. Overall Thank you so much and love your OC Sam, i feel like I like him a lot more because he highlights a lot more personality in your fanfic series. LOL.

[actualbird]

nobody (okay, well, 2 people DID ask, but it’s too late to change the title of this essay series now) asked but here are three main humor techniques i apply a lot in my fanfiction | a 2k word long post where i talk humor theory at you for entirely too long

I love humor. A good 75% of my personality is based primarily on whether or not it would be funny and thus, the study and application of comedy is something of a very big huge large interest of mine. I love watching standup comedy, I love telling jokes, but most of all, I love literature that makes me laugh. 

I write humor, and I put a lot of thought into it, and here, I will do the least funny thing ever: I will over-explain my jokes.

Before we do that, we must set some ground rules first. What is humor? Well, in Humor: Its Origin and Development, Paul McGhee contends that no single theory could encapsulate the entirety of humor. Additionally, according to McGhee, humor does not physically exist. It is, instead, a perception brought about by certain scenarios with certain characteristics. What we can take away from here is that first, humor is vast, and there are many ways to both explain it and achieve it, and second, that humor is something caused by certain other things. 

I do not claim to be an expert in humor, just an enthusiast, so what I will not be giving a cheat code to humorous writing. I will, instead, share three techniques that I frequently use and explain how they work.

The three techniques are the following:

INCONGRUENCY: Things that don’t fit.

SLAPSTICK: I hope that doesn’t happen to me.

CHEKOV’S GAG: If the gun is there, it better be funny.

My examples for each of these techniques will come from various sources of media. My examples of my own writing will all be coming from the most recent fanfic I have written, my Polygon Cyberpunk Red high school au “teenagers scare the living shit out of me.” Examples will sometimes have overlap in the technique they utilize, but I’ll try my best to keep everything clear on what exactly I’m trying to explain.

Without further ado, let’s jump right into it!

INCONGRUENCY: Things that don’t fit.

Göran Nerhardt, in McGhee’s book, states that “Humor is seen as a consequence of the discrepancy between two mental representations, one of which is an expectation and the other is some idea or percept.” Nerhardt’s definition of humor is one that relies on incongruity: wherein there is an element that is not in accordance with the other elements. An incongruous element is one that is not the expectation, and in this subversion of expectation, humor is achieved. 

In simpler terms, a congruent situation would be “A man walks into a bar and orders a beer.” An incongruent situation would “A man walks into a bar. ‘Ow!’ He says.” 

In the first example, everything is as expected, and in the second, the word “bar” has the characteristic of being a homophone, a word with different definitions. The second example takes advantage of the other definition of the word “bar”, that is to say a metal tube object, and thus the reaction of the man. 

Incongruency plays on the unexpected, the out of place, and the odd. This technique in particular I learned from writers like Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett. They use incongruence, they use it A LOT but what I want to talk about is, first, its use as a descriptor. 

“The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't.” -Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

“In a distant forest a wolf howled, felt embarrassed when no one joined in, and stopped.” -Terry Pratchett, The Light Fantastic

Description is a fertile ground for humor. You have a thing, there are expectations to how that thing will appear or act, and then you describe it in a way that’s unexpected. I pull this trick off in so many fics, but here is an example from chapter 4 of the high school au.

Mr. Hypo sits at the desk in front of the classroom, staring all three of them down. Vang0, Dasha, and Burger are seated in the stupid circle again, looking at Robbie as it powers up like a man with gout.

Incongruency here is Robbie, the animatronic. Expectation is that it will be described in a robot like manner. Reality is that I describe it having the same condition that occasionally ails my nearly 50 year old father. 

Aside from description, incongruence is also something I play around with in the events of situations themselves. The most clear example I can give is this scene, from chapter 6, is this:

Burger picks up the closest thing.

That thing happens to be Peter.

“Peter!” Burger looks at Peter in the eye as Edmundton picks up a chair and starts menacingly walking towards Burger. He says, very quickly “Do you consent to be used as a self defense projectile!?”

Peter, pigeonly, nods.

“Thank youuuuuuuu!” Burger yells as he throws Peter at Edmundton’s face.

The context of this scene is that Burger has just entered active combat. Combat is serious. Combat is deadly. Combat is hitting and getting hurt. So what’s something unexpected you can do in this situation to make it funny? Have Burger ask a pigeon if it’s alright with being thrown at an enemy, and then make Burger actually throw the pigeon at the enemy. 

Incongruence is something that is present in a lot of humor situations and it’s very, very fun to play around with. Messing around with incongruence makes you think about what is expected in writing and forces you to think outside of the box in a manner that will elicit laughter.

Let’s move on to our next topic now!

SLAPSTICK: I hope that doesn’t happen to me.

Kevin Casper in his article I’m so glad you’re fake! describes slapstick comedy as a physical type of humor wherein actions are done in an excessive, ridiculous, and sometimes violent manner. Slapstick is Mr. Bean exploding a can of paint to paint his apartment. Slapstick is Courage the Cowardly Dog’s eyes popping out of his sockets when he sees something scary. Slapstick is the ending of Polygon’s video on Slapstick and Doom Eternal (a very good video about slapstick and horror violence) where Pat Gill gets hit in the face with a tube of paper. 

The excessiveness of slapstick creates a non-reality for viewers to enjoy in safety. It is a type of humor that revels in the suspension of reality, but more than that, it is a type of humor that you particularly gain enjoyment from because of the fact that it’s not happening to YOU.

Now, I use slapstick comedy sometimes, but I deviate from excessiveness and instead lean more into that last thing I said. I write situations that are funny and that you also don’t want to ever happen to you as a person. One example of “fuck, that’s hilarious, but I hope it never happens to me” is the following scene from Spiderman: Into The Spider Verse, where Miles Morales, invisible, has to find information on Doctor Octavia’s computer. When he accesses the computer, he is met with this.

You don’t want this to happen to you. But damn is it hilarious that it’s happening to somebody else.

When I am creating scenes that I want to be funny, I think about whether or not it would be funnier if I made it excruciating for the characters involved. So excruciating that you really, really, wouldn’t want to be in that situation. An example of this technique in play is from chapter 4 of the high school au, where the gang are in a room they shouldn’t be in, somebody is about to come in and stop them, and they are all at the mercy of a program slowly, slowly uploading.

 “Hey!” The somebody outside says, jangling the doorknob more violently. “Club time is over, nobody should be in this room!”

“Vang0, how long until the program is done?” Dasha hisses.

“43% Uploaded,” Vang0 says, panicked.

“Hurry.”

“I can’t make technology be faster.”

“Who’s in there!” The person outside yells.

“Should I answer?” Burger asks.

“Do not answer.” Dasha says.

Burger nods. “I’m gonna answer.”

“BURGER—”

“WE’RE JUST A COUPLE OF NOT FRIENDS. JUST LOOKING AROUND.”

“Who are you!” The person outside yells.

“Do not answer, Burger,” Dasha says, sounding like this conversation is actively shaving years off of her lifespan.

“But he’s asking,” Burger looks at Dasha then at the door then at Dasha again, looking very nervous.

“Just lie then,” Dasha tells Burger.

“Gotcha,” Burger nods, determined, and turns to the door to yell. “I’M NOT BURGER CHAINZ.”

“Oh my god,” Dasha thunks her head onto Vang0’s shoulder. “Is it done loading, yet?”

“98% Uploaded,” Vang0 says, feeling his blood pressure in a way he’s never felt before.

I make this situation worse for the characters by making Burger completely fail at being stealthy. As one reader told me about this chapter “I love Burger, but if I were in that room, I would strangle him.” Exactly! It’s not a situation you’d ever want to be in! 

But the characters are in it and you get to enjoy their suffering from a safe vantage point as a reader. 

Slapstick comedy is all about making situations outrageous and ridiculous and something readers wouldn’t want to legitimately experience. It’s about tapping into your audience’s mind and wondering what they want to see but not want to go through.

And last but not least!

CHEKOV’S GAG: If the gun is there, it better be funny

The principle of Chekov’s Gun is a principle that emphasizes that objects in a story should have a use. According to Bill in Chekhov: The Silent Voice of Freedom, Chekov says “If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it's not going to be fired, it shouldn't be hanging there.” 

Chekov’s Gag is that same rule, but instead of the gun going off, the gun better be fucking hilarious at some point. 

The first example I can think of is from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. In the beginning of the movie, King Arthur stops by a castle and asks the guards to tell their master that he is here. This exchange happens:

Now, this, on its own, is already hilarious. It plays on incongruence (guards being very enthusiastic about bird’s holding coconuts and the logistics of that), slapstick (if you were Arthur and you wanted to have a simple conversation, people suddenly talking about birds and ignoring you is not a situation you want to be in), but what about Chekov’s Gag?

To become Chekov’s Gag, this situation must be brought up again in a funny manner later in the movie.

And so it does.

An hour later in the movie, The Knights of Camelot are at the Bridge of Death. There, they have to answer 3 questions correctly. If they do not have an answer, they are shot into a deadly cavern of doom.

King Arthur steps up to answer his 3 questions. Here is what happens:

The African swallow or the European swallow has achieved Chekov’s Gag-age.

Chekov’s Gag is something I’ve only started doing recently, in fanfiction. An example of this in the high school au is that, in the first chapter, I introduce two things. 1) Peter, an overfed pigeon, and 2) Robbie the RoboDog, an animatronic of the school.

Throughout the fic, I don’t forget about Peter or Robbie. I bring them up again and again and I make sure to make their presence not just integral to the winning of the final boss battle in chapter 6, but I make their presence funny.

Chekov’s Gag is a new trick I’ve started doing, and it definitely requires foresight and planning. It makes you think long term but at the same time forces you to think about the things you already have present in your story and make you re-evaluate just how else they could be used. If done correctly, the effect is hilarity, but also deep, deep satisfaction.

So there we have it! Three humor techniques that I use in my fanfiction. Shit that doesn’t make sense, shit you don’t want happening to you, and shit that you saw a while ago which you’ll see again later and when you do, it’ll be awesome.

Thanks for reading!