#stucky or not. blorbo or non-blorbo

[pencap]

every once in a while someone who only knows me & my poetry via tumblr osmosis and/or my more recent works instead of the 2014 stucky days discovers that it is not actually an accident that many of my poems from that era are so stucky coded

and it always brings me a lot of delight

[steddieunderdogfics]

This week’s writer spotlight feature is:  @rookosom! rookosom has 11 fics posted to AO3 in the Stranger Things fandom and 10 of them are in the Stranger Things Fandom!

Our anonymous nominator recommends the following works by @rookosom:

I knew you'd haunt all of my what-ifs

I wonder if I ever cross your mind (For me it happens all the time)

For your love (I'll do whatever you want)

Under my skin

I could never (He can't be mine to hold)

"They are an amazing writer. I have nearly all their fics in my bookmarks, so I just had to nominate them. They deserve all the love." -- anonymous

Below the cut, rookosom answered some questions about their writing process and some of their recommended work!

Why do you write Steddie?

They’re the usual brand of golden retriever + black cat boyfriends I usually hyperfixate on (Stucky, I’m looking at you), but what I think is the most interesting thing regarding Steddie is they both have the look of one and the personality of the other. I also love how moldable they are. You can put them in all kinds of AUs and different dynamics and they work! All time favorite set of blorbos. 11/10 will ship again.

What’s your favorite trope to READ?

My favorite is fake/pretend relationships. I love them being all soft and yearning while at the same time being non-stop stupid, thinking the other one is suddenly an award-winning actor who’s faking it all. I also love every iteration of idiot4idiot.

What’s your favorite trope to WRITE?

I love adding a bit of a misdirect or a plot twist, just for a dash of angst, where it seems everything is lost just so I can find a way to fix it. Everything I write has to have a happy ending. As much as I love angst and misunderstandings, I can’t do hurt/no comfort. Not even read it. I also love coming up with new ways for them to confess their love in a million different ways.

What’s your favorite Steddie fic?

My all-time favorite is “Someone Else’s Favorite Song” by fastcardotmp3. It’s the one that has given me THE BIGGEST FEELINGS and makes me cry every time I reread it. I’ll never get tired of recommending it. I think it’s an absolute fandom staple and everyone should read it at least once. 

Is there a trope you’re excited to explore in a future work but haven’t yet?

The one I’m the excited for the most are in the piece I’m working on for this year's Big Bang. I’m so excited to share that one with all of you! There’s also this fic I’ve been wanting to flesh out for the past 6 months. Hopefully, I’ll find some time in between the BB and finishing the Musical. All I’m going to say it’s that includes trans!Steve on his period + a starving Kas!Eddie who just discovered he needs blood to live + they’re not dating + “I will come back” by Hozier. Make with that what you will.

What is your writing process like?

It’s very chaotic. It starts as a simple idea, a line, a very basic prompt or even just a song and some vibes. Then I write out a rough list of bullet points of the main plot points/scenes in order, and try to combine some of them if possible. I have SO MANY NOTES in my phone plus a separate document with 50 pages of retconned dialogue, lyrics, and random ideas that I go over it once in a while to move stuff to my open WIPs if I believe it can be used there.Once I’ve finalized the rough plot and organized the notes, I start fleshing out each scene in chronological order.

Do you have any writing quirks?

I’m heavily influenced by music. While I write I always need something playing in the background for vibes alone. I often sprinkle in Hozier, Noah Kahan, and Lewis Capaldi for a dash of angst. Then as the fic takes shape, I end up with a small playlist that matches the story and overall vibe. I often play it in repeat as I write, to get in the right mood. That’s why all my titles are song lyrics and there’s at least a song attached to all of my fics. I can’t even count the amount of times a song has given me an idea for a fic.

Do you prefer posting when you’ve finished writing or on a schedule?

I don’t have a beta reader, so I don’t have people to bounce things off with. I try to compensate for that by being overly critical. This means working on things for months on end until I’m happy enough to publish them (even then, sometimes I still edit stuff after). For all of that, I struggle to stick to a schedule, especially if no one is rushing me. I also my free time varies from week to week, and sometimes I spend a lot of time organizing notes and rearranging scenes, so I don’t make as much visible progress as if I just wrote the whole time. I’m looking forward to this year’s Big Bang so I can challenge myself to keep up with the event’s schedule. I also would love the possibility of working with other people and seeing what comes of it. I’m already working on my piece, trying to stay ahead of schedule.

Which fic are you most proud of?

It has to be The Musical Fic (Look both ways (Before you cross my mind)! It’s my baby and I’m very proud of it. ❤️ I barely dabbled in fanfic before it, and then one day I started a list of my headcanons. I avoid having too many WIPs at once, something I learned from having a thousand different hobbies, so I poured everything into it for a while and it soon became this massive project. It has 2 long playlists, a long list of tropes, funny dialogue, flirty banter, and lots and lots of fluff and comfort. I’ve been working on it for over two years and it’s finally just 3 chapters away from the end. At 277k published words, it’s already longer than Moby Dick!

How did you get the idea for I knew you'd haunt all of my what-ifs?

I remember reading a Supernatural series (Curse Metaphors by Sobsicle a few years back where Castiel came back post-canon and had to live with the consequences of confessing his feelings around bisexual-disaster-Dean being his usual self.I started having Steddie thoughts, wondering what would happen if Eddie’s feelings were out in the open all of a sudden. I loved the idea of Eddie being all “get loved, idiot!” to a self-deprecating Steve. It ended up very different from the source material but I love the result, and according to the general reception, so did everyone else! ❤️

When writing I wonder if I ever cross your mind (For me it happens all the time), what was something you didn’t expect?

It started with a tweet along the lines of “Steddie finally dating but Steve doesn’t want to move too fast and Eddie thinks he doesn’t want him” (If anyone remembers it, please send me the link so I can credit it because I deleted my Twitter!). I loved that idea and then I added them being friends with benefits at first, just to confuse Eddie some more. Sometimes the characters just do their own thing! It ended up being a lot longer than originally intended, and I also didn’t expect the warm reception it got! It surprised me by being amongst my most liked fics.

What inspired For your love (I'll do whatever you want)?

I can’t pinpoint just one fic… I’m a big reader so I’ve read at least two million words on the “there was only one bed” trope just on Steddie. I decided to give it my own spin and try a fast-burn one for a change. I went for a dash of somno because I think it’s hot, and added my usual misdirect with Steve apologizing so Eddie would think he’s regretting it.

What was your favorite part to write from Under my skin?

The bouncer! He has two lines but always cracks me up. I also have a lot of fun with all the flirty banter and dirty jokes. I love when a story starts as something very simple and it grows into its own thing. This one was just a list of things I wanted to include like a virgin Eddie, a jealous Steve, the lines “I never thought I had a shot” + “Do you want one?”, and the lyrics “girls like him don't happen to guys like me” from “Outta my head” from a Bronx Tale.

How do/did you feel writing Under my skin?

I agonized over it for almost two months. It was the first sorta proper fic I finished and was hoping it would give me better feedback about my writing style or if people liked my stories since most readers don’t even bother with works in progress. Fortunately, the response was great, and it inspired me to keep working on Steddie and to avoid ending up with massive projects that take me years to complete.

What was the most difficult part of writing I could never (He can't be mine to hold)?

After having written so many smutty scenes between them it’s always a challenge to keep them from feeling repetitive, especially in fast burns. This was supposed to be a quick smutty one-shot that came from my own prompt but I ended up constructing so much around it to make it work that it took me almost 4 months until I deemed it good enough to publish.

Do you have a favorite scene and/or line from any of your fics?

I think my favorite one is the love confession scene from the Musical fic. It took over 80k of construction around it to get there, so I won’t spoil it. One of my readers liked it so much that they made it into a comic! Find it here but beware of *SPOILERS* Otherwise, I think what I like the most is the whole misdirect in “I knew you'd haunt all of my what-ifs” when Eddie is talking about their relationship getting hard but Steve thinks he’s talking about his dick. Actually, that’s a good analogy for me. I try to be profound and poetic but at my core, what defines me best are the dick jokes. 

Do you have any upcoming projects or fics you’d like to share/promote?

Besides the Musical fic I mentioned and the two upcoming works from point 5, I have two fics that I think are really fun and underrated. I would also love to read someone else’s take on them!: Nancy crashes Steddie’s Valentine’s date, making Eddie think they’re back together but it’s just a misunderstanding: “I waited all my life just to fall for someone like you” Steve asks Eddie out, only to show up at his door with 2 random girls in what ends up being a surprise double date and the stuff of Eddie’s nightmares: “It’s not like I’m in love with you”

Outside of these questions, Is there anything YOU would like to add?

I wanted to thank everyone who nominated me, gave me good feedback, left kudos and/or nice comments. You’ve all kept me going forward. To all the mods that make this Tumblr possible, and everyone who creates events and does their part to keep this fandom alive: Thank you! I wouldn’t be here without you. ❤️

Thank you to our author @rookosom, and our nominator! See more of rookosom's works featured on our page throughout the day!

Writer’s Spotlight is every Wednesday! Want to nominate an author? You can nominate them here!

[loneswaggingranger]

I really believe that the reason tarlos is so loved by many is because it's the ship that our generation has been waiting for since forever. A ship that doesn't have to exist in headcanons (which are all valid and true in their own right because no one can rob you of your interpretation of the characters that mean the most to you).

This is a queer couple existing within a high-paced show that's not focused only on romance. A couple existing not just for the sake of PR points. A gay couple that has not been queer-baited from the get-go, and has had unapologetically canon sexual tension from the very start. A couple that genuinely fits into the piece of the plot and are written with the care and love that we've ALL been craving for.

I'm thinking of all the examples of fan-favourite ships that have stayed too long as non-canon: Destiel. Buddie. Stony. Stucky. Geraskier. Sterek. Just, there's so many platonic ships that had the potential to grow into something more and just... didn't. And I'm not here to dunk on those character choices because platonic love is genuine, true and equally deserving of attention but. There's just something different about being able to see pieces of growth from your favourite blorbos on screen blossoming from a seed into a whole-ass tree. Because that's honestly what I feel looking at tarlos. (Re: wedding)

We've been waiting a long time for a ship like this, I think. Or at least, I have. A ship in a fast-paced series that isn't a romcom but still has the space to breathe and be real. (if anyone knows more pls rec em). yeah. i'm so whipped for them.

[anonforlackofabettername]

A, B, G for any fandom for the asks?

A - Ships that you currently like a lot. (They don’t have to be OTPs because not everyone has OTPs.) Friendships, pairings, threesomes, etc. are allowed.

I’ve been reading a lot of Tim/Kon lately since I’ve been in a batfam mood and Tim is my blorbo. Core 4 poly is also up there is good shit whether it’s platonic, queerplatonic, romantic, or sexual. It’s not right now but my other batfam ships are Tim+Cass siblings and Tim/Jason romo.

I just started Dunmeshi and yeah I can see why Farcille is good. This too is yuri.

Uhhh *does a quick backscroll through tumblr and my ao3 history* Luke+Leia is just *squeezes* so shaped. There’s a reason they’re both blorbos. Murderbot and Art are in no way romantic and I’m not sure I’d classify them as queerplatonic but god those two are just… look they’re very important to each other and are each others most important relationship but they’re both non-human sentients so it’s hits different in a very non-romo way.

B - A pairing–platonic, romantic or sexual–that you initially didn’t consider, but someone changed your mind.

I mean unless the show or story itself is pitching a ship I tend to need to be convinced. I’m very aroace-spectrum where unless the show is shoving the blorbos together (hello miraculous ladybug love square my beloved) I usually need fandom to hold my hand and explain why the blorbos go together. I think Ez may have sold me on Tristan/Teddy or at least taken it from “I think they’re neat” to “yes yes yes.” A lot of my strongly held shipping beliefs can trace back to someone in fandom going “I care a lot” and me going “hell yeah I’ll join you on this hill.” So yeah. I’m pretty easy to convince but I don’t always get there on my own just from canon itself.

G - Have you ever had an OTP? If so, do you remember your first one? Who was in it?

The answer is yeah of course I do, I love shipping. Live and let ship all the way. The problem is that while I believe in one ship above all others I also believe in both polyamory and the inherent joy of the fandom bicycle. So while I may fully believe in Stucky — for example — as soulmates, Steve is bicycle-blorbo shaped and thus I will ship him with anyone a fic or author makes a compelling argument for. Which undermines the whole “one true” part of OTP. Love to hold multiple conflicting OTPs in my heart and know them to all be true. Love even having OT3s.

As for my oldest? 🤔 I’ve been talking a bunch with the gc about Ranma 1/2 and how my gateway into fandom early on was Ranma+Sailor Moon. I’m pretty ship and let ship with SM but I do genuinely like and enjoy Usagi and Mamoru together even though I’m from a fandom tradition that paired Usagi with what seems like everyone else. I guess the early ship that I was like no these two belong together in a romo way and shouldn’t be separated or shipped with other people was Percy Jackson/Annabeth Chase. I’ll vibe with most Harry Potter ships except Drarry but I read HP and PJO at around the same time and was like no these two demigods are meant to be together, do not interfere.

Alphabet Fandom Asks

[countessravengrey]

Stuckies stop posting anti Peggy Carter shit in her tag challenge [IMPOSSIBLE]

Sorry for the confusion, but I'm not anti-Peggy Carter, and I certainly didn't know there was a challenge going on.

But I am going to call out when she does something stupid or terrible (as I assume this has to do with the post about her shooting at Steve).

It is terrible for her to shoot at Steve in an unsafe testing situation and smirk it off because she was jealous.

It's also not smart on her part, given how women are treated during that time period and in the military to work her way up to her status and then do something like that which would only be seen as irrational and the worst parts of femininity...she might as well be shooting at herself, and it was one of the things that frustrated me about a character I actually loved in the first and second movie.

I'm sorry to tell you this is light criticism, considering what else gets posted about her on here, and totally in keeping with basic non-toxic character critique.

I don't say this to rile you up or invalidate you. I feel strongly about my blorbos, too, and sometimes we gotta take the little critiques and save our battles for the truly toxic shit. Calling out someone's bad traits doesn't negate their great stuff, and she did some great stuff. (I'm speaking specifically of the early movies and the series, as I personally dislike Captain Carter. She was just fine without being enhanced.)

I am anti-steggy, so I will note that in this post's tags, and as I assume that this is for Women's History Month, I will leave off the peggy carter tag for this one.

I hope you enjoy your challenge. Cheers!