#But much much more the very real Ted lasso au

[laiqualaurelote]

Ted Lasso fics masterlist

it’s not about the wins or losses, it’s about the fandom we made along the way - and that, I think, is what I’ll miss the most

meanwhile, a masterlist of all my Ted/Trent fics:

1. The Truth Shall Make Ye Fret (T, 20k)

“Thing is, though, you gotta love the questions themselves. I guess you journalists don’t get the luxury of that, seeing’s how you gotta rush your stories out - y’all just want your answers right off the bat. But I think you gotta live the questions first. Then one day you’ll gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”

Trent takes off his glasses. “Ted Lasso, did you just quote Rilke at me?”

Ted shrugs modestly.

“I take it back,” says Trent. “You don’t need media training at all.”

In 48 hours, Trent Crimm lands a scoop, implodes his career and makes some drastic life decisions. And then there's the aftermath. And Ted, of course.

2. they will see us waving from such great heists (T, 21k)

“Well, like the Gambler himself says - you got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em. Know when to walk away, know when to run. And the latter would be about now, because I think this house is on fire.” 

In which Trent Crimm, Interpol, investigates the theft of Rupert Mannion’s painting by a mysterious thief dubbed The Greyhound. FBI Special Agent Ted Lasso gets in the way. Heist!AU

2a. Trick Plays (T, 6.4k)

Snippets from the Such Great Heists universe, including Crimminal Intent, The Prying Dutchman and We Provide Leverage.

3. constant as a northern star (constantly in the dark) (T, 10.5k)

“I just met Ted Lasso,” Sachiko Crimm says bluntly when her ex-husband picks up.

Trent is silent for a while. “And?” he says finally.

Sachiko gives it five seconds, and then she bursts out laughing.

“Stop it,” says Trent wearily.

The saga of Trent Crimm and his independent ex-wife

4. all the men and women merely players (T, 50k)

"So let me get this straight. You, an American whose career highlights consisted mainly of appearing on Saturday Night Live, decide in the wake of the apocalypse to lead a touring Shakespeare company across the ruins of England."

"Oh, I know. Heck, I said as much to Rebecca when she suggested it. I said, 'You could fill two Internets with what I don’t know about directing Shakespeare.' And she said, 'Ted, the Internet doesn’t exist any more.'"

Trent Crimm meets Ted Lasso by chance at a Shakespeare play. Five years and the end of the world later, they meet again at another. A Station Eleven post-apocalyptic theatre AU (no knowledge of Station Eleven necessary to read), WIP but updating real soon!

It’s been an honour to write for this fandom, I love you all so very much (on three!)

[mrs-steve-harrington]

Throwing some fic recs into the mix since I keep seeing the posts from others and wanting to join in. Below, you'll find 10 fics that I'm excited to recommend, in no particular order!

get a clue! by @monsterhunting [Stranger Things, Stoncy]

This is a delightful Valentine's Day fic featuring oblivious Steve, which is one of my favorite kinds of Steve! The pining is real, but the fic is lighthearted, not lingering on the angst of it all, but rather focusing on the positives. Steve's friendship and back and forth with Robin is great, but his interactions with Nancy and Jonathan are even better. It's a great time!

Don't Make Me by @idridian [Halloween Ends, Corey/Allyson/Michael]

You do not understand how badly I needed a fic like this after finally seeing Halloween Ends for the first time. That movie took over my whole brain for a hot minute and I was worried there would be nothing out there to sink my teeth into afterwards. But this fic. This fic was there to give me everything that I needed after the movie. "Allyson Corruption Arc" might be my favorite tag ever. It goes without saying, but there's a darkness to this fic that wraps around you while reading it. The relationship with Allyson and Corey is EVERYTHING! I just. This fic is beautiful and I love it!

To Run The Dog by @pterawaters [Stranger Things, Stoncy]

I love me some fic where Stancy crush hard on Jonathan and want to date him together. This is a really lovely AU where Steve and Nancy are married and keep seeing Jonathan running by their house with his dog. The way they want so badly to interact with him, and the friendship that ends up developing once they get the chance, is wonderful. The characters still feel like themselves despite not having gone through the same things as they do in the show, and it's just. Really enjoyable to read!

my body's aching and my time is at hand by whateverislovely [Criminal Minds, Reid-centric]

Gosh, this fic hits me right in the feels. There's something about sitting with a character who is feeling so low and feels like they can't talk to anyone (even though they know deep down that they could but it FEELS like they can't). Spencer desperately needs someone to see that he's struggling, but it's hard when there's so much going on at the same time. I don't even know what all to say, this fic just really gave me the angst and hurt/comfort (emotional and physical) that I revel in.

The Babysitter by @stevethehousewife [Stranger Things, Stancy, Dusteve, uhh... more]

A fic inspired by my favorite horror comedy movie ever? With Steve as the titular babysitter? But not evil? AND it's A/B/O?? Yeah there are many, many reasons I love this fic. The descriptions of Steve feel like they came right out of the movie in a way that made them so easy to see in my head. But it changes enough about the story that it doesn't feel at all like a straight up rehash of what you've already seen. AND it combines some of my favorite ships, with a Steve who is just the best ever. I freaking LOVE THIS FIC SO MUCH!!

close my fist around something delicate by inlovewithnight [Ted Lasso, Keeley/Roy/Jamie]

All that I wanted for these three was for them to realize that they have feelings for each other. That they can make a relationship work, if they just try. And dammit, this fic delivers! While also adding in some great angst and hurt/comfort (physical and emotional). I didn't realize quite how much I wanted to see Jamie hurting and being stood up for/protected by the people who care about him, but boy did I! This fic is really lovely, it sucked me in and didn't let me go until I finished reading.

Both Hands Holding on to the Wire by @stevethehousewife [Stranger Things, Stobin]

This was one hell of a gift to get in a smut exchange, holy moly! It focuses really well on Robin's confusion over the thoughts she starts having about Steve after accidentally walking in on him changing. The whole concept is handled respectfully, taking the weight of it all very seriously. Robin and Steve's friendship is so good, the way they can just BE with each other. It's got the angst I adore, a Steve who is an absolute sweetheart, and a Robin who is so much more like her season 4 self than season 3 (which is a huge plus for me personally).

The Hourglass by @pterawaters [Fargo s5, Dot & Gator, Dot/Wayne/Gator]

A shorter fic here, but no less wonderful! It's exactly what I needed after finishing the latest season of Fargo. Getting to see where their lives might have gone, if Dot had been able to take Gator with her when she ran away. If he had wanted to go. It gets me emotional every time I think about it. I love love love this fic!

Wednesday by @stevethehousewife [Stranger Things, Stoncy]

I will recommend this fic forever and for always. It has everything: hurt Steve! Time loops! Season 3 Steve being thrown back to the worst day of his life and forced to relive it over and over until he gets it right (hint, it's the Halloween party in s2). I fucking love this fic! I've lost count of how many times I've reread it, but it might rival the number of time loops Steve lives through (okay maybe not quite that many, but you get my point). It shows Steve a side of Jonathan he didn't get to see the first time around. It gives him the closure he probably didn't realize he needed. I just. Adore this story!!

An Oath Broken, An Oath Kept by @urisarang [Love Between Fairy and Devil, Chang Heng/Dongfang Qingcang]

This fic is so mean in the best way! Both of them are so hurt, physically and emotionally. And then Chang Heng is forced to hurt DFQC even more, which only makes it that much BETTER. It was the perfect gift to receive for the Flash Made Them Do It exchange. I laugh every time I see the a/n (the word count minimum was 300 words. The word count on this fic is... a lot more than that). And it's just as fun to reread now as it was to read it the first time around. I want to draw hearts around it!

[providing-leverage]

The A-Team

(asexaul and aromantic Ted Lasso fic recs)

Let's be honest, half the reason for this post is the title. But also to shine some light on a couple beautiful fics I've found with aro and ace characters in this fandom. The purple heart indicates ace, green indicates aro content.

A is for Ally by starryeyedknight 3.8k💜

When Richard suggests a novel way for the Richmond boys to show their allyship, Colin ends up coming out to the team...just not in the way they were expecting.

In which the team gets distracted (multiple times), Isaac is overprotective, Jamie suspects Colin might actually be a Jedi knight, and Bumbercatch reveals way more about his sexual preferences than anyone was expecting. (And poor Will is inadvertently scarred for life.)

A cute little fic that I found perusing the asexual tag. I really enjoyed this au, and Colin's coming out/the guy's reactions to him as well as him not having it all figured out himself.

Love Stuck by @altschmerzes 6k 💚

When Keeley opens the door, Jamie bypasses any kind of perhaps typically-expected greeting. While this isn’t exactly unusual for him, what he says is.

“I’ve got great news,” he tells her, smiling like he really does have great news, which helps to somewhat offset the sense of foreboding she’d been starting to feel. “I am not in love with you. Can I come in?"

OR: Jamie Tartt is aromantic. This changes everything. This also changes nothing. A study in identity, defining your own relationships, and different kinds of love.

I am completely in love with this fic. Jamie having a bi panic before he realizes actually, neither is good/ref. It's very true to my own experiences and made me relate to him so much.

Such a Skeptic: or, Keeley Jones is Bad at Communication by ellarree 800💚

Keeley Jones is definitely not bitter about Shandy. Barbara is definitely interested in double dates and the institution of romance as a whole. Jamie Tartt definitely knows why he’s here. And Jack Danvers? Well, she knows that none of those three statements are true.

A short sequel to the above fic, with aromantic bonding and Barbara who quite honestly deserves so much more screen time in cannon. It has it's own sequel which you can find here.

A Simple Matter of (Mis)Communication by starryeyedknight 3k💜

For the past few weeks Moe Bumbercatch and Jan Maas have been spending an awful lot of time together, and everyone knows what that means. Everyone, apparently, except for Moe Bumbercatch himself...

Apparently I just need to binge read this author's whole collection of works because I didn't realize they also write A is for Ally until making this. Asexual Jan Mass which again I found myself relating to a lot. Technically part of a series and his asexuality was mentioned in the first work, but it's central to the plot of this one. It's also super cute.

Self rec: it's a rather touching notion by providing_leverage 5.7k 💜💚

“I won’t beat around the bush. We think you might be bisexual. You familiar with it?” A friendly team game of spin the bottle ends in a few revelations, some quicker than others. (AKA Moe Bumbercatch going through the unofficial aroace right of passage: adding no real attraction to men with no real attraction to women and coming up with bisexual, with a little help from his friends)

I really enjoyed writing this, even if the last 2k was just a fight against myself. It went through so many different versions and ended longer than I meant for it to be. I really neat part of the Ted Lasso fandom is how platonic so much of the content is.

If you've got any aspec recommendations of your own, please drop them here or tag me. Self recs are absolutely invited. Happy pride!

[mihrsuri]

20 questions for fic writers

I was tagged by @isagrimorie - thank you darling <3333.

1. How many works do you have on Ao3? 234

2. What's your total Ao3 word count? 364,199

3. What fandoms do you write for? Currently: The Tudors (TV), Shadow and Bone/Grishaverse, Tamora Pierce (largely Tortall at the moment but also Emelan), West Wing, Hunger Games (mostly in the form of a lot of Fandom AUs set in the Hunger Games) and Narnia. But I’ve written for a lot of others including Criminal Minds, Pundit RPF, Band of Brothers, Scarlet Pimpernel (1998), Spooks/MI5, The Hour, Doctor Who (Nu!Who) and Star Trek Discovery.

4. What are your top five fics by kudos?

Undertow (co-authored) (Criminal Minds, Rossi/Hotch) - The very short version: Dave gives Aaron a back-rub.

It’s not because of you (it’s because of me) (Ted Lasso, Jamie Tartt) - Brian Symonds was - fuck is one of the best youth talent coaches in the country it’s just he’s also been arrested and all Jamie can think is fuck (one take on Jamie’s backstory)

Five times out of many david rossi realised he was happily doomed (Criminal Minds, Rossi/Hotch) - Basically what it says on the tin. Five ways David Rossi knew that he was totally totally doomed in the best possible way in regards to the way he loved these kids

To dwell in enchantment (Criminal Minds, Rossi/Hotch) - It doesn't make the world any less messy, but it does make a balance, this family he has. David Rossi, coming home from work.

If i could go back (co-authored) (criminal minds/ncis/csi: ny, rossi/hotch) - It's the day of Derek's high school graduation, and Jason Gideon is standing at the bottom of the porch steps, trying not to hope.

5. Do you respond to comments? I do my absolute best (sometimes sadly spoons :/) but I appreciate every single one of my kind comments.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I think it might be Hope Deferred Maketh Something which features Jason Gideon/Toby Ziegler, an apocalypse set in a diner in New York (I actually think the larger world is hopeful but these characters specific corner of the apocalypse is Very Much Not).

Oh no wait also In Pardoning That We Are Pardoned which is a Spooks fic in which a certain episode The Thing Is Real.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Hi Tudors OT3 Verse. Just in general. It’s not that there’s a conflict free path but it’s very very much a happy ending.

8. Do you get hate on fics? Very little but I have, yes and I will be honest it did get to me. And I am still working through it but moderating comments has helped a lot. And it was honestly barely anything compared to what so many people have to deal with.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? Yes and also kind of no. I used to write it more and then uh, Trauma Brain. I can’t have sex because of CPTSD reasons and apparently writing sex is also triggering except sometimes the fictional people (or the fictional representations of fictional depictions of historical people) still do in fact have sex and so I write it. But it’s Weird (I think I do okay for never having had consensual sex though).

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written? I think I actually write more fusion AUs than crossovers in some ways but I have in fact written a Sherlock-L&O: UK-Thick Of It-Pundit RPF-Modern Tudors-Criminal Minds Multiverse cc @bibliothekara

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? I was going to say I have but I actually don’t know/recall for sure so I’m going to say no. I have had podfic made of my fic though which is So Cool. (I would be delighted if anyone wanted to translate though).

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? I have! Fantastic experience. Also just tossing AUs/ideas back and forth in general is So Much Fun and one thing I really loved about LJ fandom.

14. What's your all time favorite ship? I mean there’s Faramir/Eowyn my beloveds.

15. What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? Into The Fire (The Tudors Scarlet Pimpernel AU). It’s going to get so dark and I’m not sure I actually want to go there because a bunch of people are going to die.

16. What are your writing strengths? Characters and like, description and emotion.

17. What are your writing weaknesses? Dialogue.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? I’d want to double check really carefully with someone who actually speaks the language in question (I’m currently checking about thou/thy formal versus intimate usage and that’s for English which I speak) before I did.

19. First fandom you wrote for? The first fandom I published fic for was The Bill. It was, perhaps not surprisingly angst and whump centric (before I knew what that was but) and may survive somewhere on the internet via the Wayback Machine.

20. Favorite fic you've written?

Several:

With Snow Far Below (Band of Brothers, Roe/Renee) - Renee thinks in terms of snow and chocolate

Monuments, Historical & Contemporary (Criminal Minds/Pundit RPF, ensemble) - How they could build statues and memorials and think that by paying homage after the fact, they were doing an honor.

I Am A Princess On The Way To My Throne (Skyfall 2012, Severine) -Severine. And the way it could have been (written because aspects of her story are mine and I unashamedly wanted a different ending for her)

Such A Time As This (Tudors, Anne Boleyn) - "You have come to your royal position for such a time as this" or a retelling of the story of Queen Esther with Anne Boleyn as a Mizrahi Jewish lady.

We Rise Together (TWW, CJ Cregg) - CJ was kidnapped, not Zoey.

Once I Fall In Love (It’s Forever) (Kushiels Legacy, Phedre and Delaunay) - She loved him as she did me. The realisation had come suddenly, a shock [AU mini fic for Kushiel's Dart]

Karma Is My Family (Grishaverse, Inej) - Inej smiles at her friends who are her family, warm and full of love. Smiles at her husband, who has never possessed her or owned her - has never thought of their love that way - only as two hearts shared. [Inej and her power, her kindness, her love and the way karma comes for Tante Heleen]

Rewrite The Stars (Tudors, Anne/Henry/Thomas) - In another world this is how it might have gone between the three of them. The story of how the love between three extraordinary people change the world for the better and made it the kindest. The story of a fight for a fairytale. [An expanded version of the Tudors OT3 verse fic Rewrite The Stars]

Tagging: If you want to (and if you want to do consider yourself tagged): @bessemerprocess @endoftheworldhere @unseenacademic @emilykaldwen @shes-a-voodoo-child @onekisstotakewithme @claudiajcregg @holy-ships-x-red-lips @quillington @theladyelizabeth @naurielrochnur @eidetictelekinetic @dr-dendritic-trees @boleynecklace @nocompromise-noregrets @herawell @sarking

[antspaul]

Writing Patterns

Rules: list the first line of your last 10 (posted) fics and see if there’s a pattern!

thanks @twinkboimler for the tag!!! luv uuuu

“How long does this usually take?” Madders asks, already out of breath and he hasn’t done much besides lie back and relax. “Like, until the main event I mean.” (andante, andante - football rpf, ange/madders pwp - 1.6k)

Thirty minutes after their flight hit the halfway mark across the Atlantic Ocean, Reece stopped intimating sleep and finally found the real thing. (fit young men - football rpf, ben chilwell/reece james wip - 4.5k)

“Should we really be doing this here?” / “The deal was, Coach, I’ll stay in the chair if you push me wherever I want to go,” Jamie says. “No backchat, you said.” (second line included because the first line was provided to me! but i wrote the first part of this collaborative fic so this works out - A Night Out In Manchester - Ted Lasso fic, roy/jamie - 9.5k)

In twelve hours, Jamie Tartt will have a very different life. (let it come down - Ted Lasso fic, roy/jamie 70s au - 13.5k)

Someone’s knocking on the door, and if this had been happening a year ago, Reece would know who it was, who both people on the other side were. (reece alone - football rpf, ben chilwell/reece james - 1.6k)

It starts where it ended, four years ago: Mauricio sitting in a dark empty car park, growing more aware with every minute passing by of the gulf between himself and Hotspur Way in front of him, how he can be here, not far away yet so far away, this place he loved for so long turned in an instant strange. (yes, whether you like it or not - football rpf, ange/poch - 1.1k)

Reece doesn’t tell Ben he’s skipping coffee. He doesn’t think he has to; it’s pretty obvious it’s not happening anyways. (true blue - football rpf, reece/ben - 4.7k)

The guy is here again. Geoff’s friend. Mikeyway’s brother. Pencey Prep’s most frequent flier—Gerard. (Edges - Bandom, frerard - 21.3k)

The phone rang. Geoff hoped it was her, and it was. (Vanguards - Bandom, geoff/gerard - 4k)

Gerard wakes up sweating with half his face shoved in Frank’s smelly armpit and the other half pressed against the rubber air mattress that Erika inflated for them after the show last night. (runoff - Bandom, frerard - 17.9k)

I was nervous that there would be a pattern but I don't see one! Beyond traditional first line attributes, jumping in the middle of action, setting time and place, etc.

tagging @liesmyth @wesfcfanas @ollieflopkins @writingreadingdaydreaming and my beloved @3asystreets <3 no pressure or anything!!

[trentcrimminallybeautiful]

gert's random fusion aus: pushing daisies

sorry, i just realized i never explained what "pushing daisies" is, and while i'm not going to give the full run-down of every relevant detail--you will find this more compelling if you've seen it/are familiar with it--i'll give the basics real fast. ned is a piemaker who can bring back the dead with a single touch--and kill them again with another. the problem is, if they're alive again for more than a minute, someone else will die in their place. he found this out in the most traumatizing fucked up way possible btw. anyway, his best friend is PI emerson cod, with whom he investigates bizarre murders as, you know, they can interrogate the victim. albeit for one (1) minute only. and then ned brings back his childhood sweetheart/crush, inadvertently killing a corrupt graverobbing funeral director, and they fall in love again--with the caveat, of course, that they can never touch, because if he ever touches her again, she'll die. cue cute shit like kissing though plastic wrap and having clear walls on their bed (?) and that kind of thing. since she's still legally dead, she tries to help her aunts from afar, who have been shut-ins for a while, and there's some other stuff going on too with a waitress in love with ned (olive my beloved), emerson cod's ex-wives (and a child!), and a mystery from ned's past. i think that's all the basics? anyway, on with the show.

Trent Crimm is a journalist, so perhaps it isn’t surprising when he’s murdered. He dies alone, and afraid, and with no one to care. And then he wakes up with Ted Lasso peering down at him, worried, with soft, kind eyes Trent hasn’t seen since he was a teenager. Who knew that his schoolyard sweetheart could bring back the dead? Certainly not Trent. (Although his college friend, Beard, now a private investigator, apparently very much did.)

Now Trent, still legally dead, has to deal with, among other things: the trauma of his murder and identity of his murderer, his ex-wife and daughter (who still think he is dead, and he secretly suspects might be better off without him, even though he misses his daughter dearly), his growing feelings for a man he can never touch again, his father, and also, you know, all the bizarre murders he, Ted, and Beard are roped into investigating.

Also see: Ted struggling with depression, divorce, fatherhood, baking, and his own past (including a dreadful secret he is keeping from Trent), Beard struggling with a femme fatale to his noir detective, and whatever the hell Roy, Keeley, and Jamie are doing in the background with their synchronized swimming act.

Some notes:

Rupert is almost certainly the one who killed Trent, or had him killed. For, you know, knowing things he shouldn't; looking into things he shouldn't, etc. Half wondering if Rebecca should be involved--not as in she helped kill him, but as in she found out about it or was unwillingly involved--because that could make things even more deliciously complicated.

Ted and baking and building community--whether biscuits or pie, charming everyone he meets

(Trent was poisoned, by the way. So that baking thing. Oh boy.)

I do have a lot of feelings about Trent dying alone and being terrified of that happening again even though he refuses to admit it and keeps a cool and steady facade. Cue Ted getting him to be emotionally vulnerable, and also bonding with Beard at a point where they're trapped together in a situation that could kill them.

Ted and Trent's whole dance around each other only gets more exceedingly complicated, because Ted inadvertently broke his heart a decade or two ago, and now he's brought Trent back from the actual dead. Mixed signals, maybe. Regardless, they are very sweet and wholesome 90 percent of the time.

Thinking about that scene where Ned and Chuck dance on the rooftop in beekeepers outfits--Trent trying to find ways to fill the time now that he can't exactly be a journalist, and while he does end up throwing himself into helping Ted and Beard with their cases--he has his own relevant skills, after all--as well as trying to take care of his child and ex-wife from afar, he can't do that all the time: and Ted has bees on the roof, for the honey.

And also just again, them slow dancing like that. ough.

The whole thing with Trent's ex and daughter I'm not married to (haha) considering I don't think he'd actually leave his daughter thinking he's dead (and I think Ted would not be okay with that, too, for obvious reasons) however I'm not sure how else to handle it and I'm also thinking about him genuinely wondering if they're better off without him and then at some point, of course, them finding out, and. painful emotional growth ensues

Ted is also struggling with his own divorce and kid, because he has secrets and he's kind of terrified that Henry will have his ability, or something similar, even though there have been no signs of it so far. He hadn't planned on having kids, and while he could never regret Henry he's scared of what kind of father he'll be and what kind of damage his secret could do.

I'm not gonna lie, the last line of the summary about roy, keeley, and jamie was a bit of a Silly on my part, so I'm not sure if it would have become something, but I do have ideas running in circles in my brain. Something something, working together, triangles are the strongest shape, something something, practicing and being the best you can be?

Episodic format with case-of-the-weeks involving the other characters, such as the players, Rebecca, etc?

I admit, while part of what makes Pushing Daisies compelling is the tragic impossibility of Ned and Chuck's situation and also the complete non-explanation for how, exactly, Ned got to be Like This, I'm a sucker for a fix-it, and some ideas included: Ted giving up his gift (and dealing with the pain it's caused him and not being "useful", that he's worth more than this gift) OR just. really rotating a scene in my head where for [waves hands] plot reasons Ted knows he has to touch Trent again, let him die again (to bring him back? to stop something terrible? because they've learned something about the origins of Ted's ability?) and just. Trent's near tears but in that smiling this has to happen way, and Ted--Ted gets to kiss him, for real, with no plastic wrap between them, just once, and then Trent crumples in his arms and Ted is just. devastated. Now the question is, does he wake up, or is there another way to bring him back?

(This also works so painfully with "Trent being afraid of dying alone again" because... he doesn't. He dies in Ted's arms, surrounded by friends who will miss him.)

Also thought about this ability being connected to Ted's... Issues(TM), namely his forced positivity and repressed depression and shit but that's kind of soup brain right now

ALSO SEE! Beard and Jane have some fucked up shit going on in the background that eventually gets resolved. Beard occasionally slips into noir detective mode, just like Ted and Trent occasionally slip into romcom mode, despite the fact they're all living in vividly colorful murder mystery bizarro world.

I considered Nate as Olive, albeit in a rather different way, but it doesn't quite fit. Also see Rebecca as someone who hires them under false pretenses but then, ah. doesn't?

Ted and his immortal dog he can't actually pet, please

ALTERNATE TAKES:

Trent is a journalist who can bring back the dead for exactly one minute. It’s extremely useful in his line of work, until he comes across the unattended body of the man he fell in love with over a decade ago, and unfortunately, cannot resist temptation. Possibly featuring Roy Kent as a detective he reluctantly assists, because I find that to be a particularly funny duo.

Ted brings back his best friend from the dead. Trent Crimm, investigative journalist, finds out about his ability and decides to do nothing about it. I find this one compelling despite it not being very fleshed out because I just think Trent finding out a very important secret and deciding not to reveal it, and not even use it, even though it could be very useful, and then he ends up befriending Ted anyway and Ted offers to help... meanwhile Ted and Beard are having their own issues w--wait actually. Wait. I just considered. This... this doesn't really fit with the OG Pushing Daisies but it could be compelling regardless. Ted brings back Michelle, and while she's grateful (because, you know, Henry) it fucks up their relationship even further, especially because they can't touch anymore, and while she's not exactly asking him to undo it she didn't ask to be brought back, either. ANYWAY. And Trent and Ted getting into shenanigans. And probably Beard, too, anyway.

Alternatively, something about Roy as Ned and Keeley as Chuck and possibly Jamie as either Emerson Cod or Olive is.... hmmm.... interesting

idk i'll probably have more thoughts on this later but!!! here you go. this au is too big and complicated in my brain to likely ever get a proper full-sized fic, unless i really get hit with an inspiration whammy, but i might write a few snippets. we'll see

[jamietarttownsmyheart]

idk if anyone’s said this yet but “midnight rain” by taylor swift is lowkey a colinjamie song. “he was sunshine” (colin) “i was midnight rain” (jamie)

YES YES YESSSSS OMG YES YOU GET IT

first, i wanna apologize, i took way longer answering this than i expected, real life caught up with me, but!! midnight rain and colinjamie!! you are SO correct anon.

(unrelated, you're on your own kid is a jamie song)

but back to midnight rain, i mean, im really interested in your thoughts anon! how are you interpreting it?

one way of looking at it i think could be a canon compliant au of sorts.

I was making my own name Chasing that fame He stayed the same All of me changed like midnight

like just this part? football is an escape for jamie, its a career for jamie, but its the same for colin!

but we can go deeper for both. jamie and football is complicated. for one, he loves it, he's amazing at it, he dominates, when he plays, he's jamie fucking tartt. but what is it really? he didn't grow up privileged, he didn't grow up in a stable environment. he grew up with a mom who wanted him to be happy and a father who did everything he could to make sure jamie wasn't. and its complicated because jamie playing football was what made him happy, and he wanted his mom to be proud of him. and then his dad comes back in the picture, and he wants jamie to play and jamie wants him to be proud but its a different want--its a want that one)every child has for their parent to be proud and 2)the hope that if james tartt sr is proud maybe he'll lay off.

football is something similar to colin. he loves it, but it also has brought him grief--after the team in Cardiff got relegated, he did face backlash from his family--like his grandmother for example. it also has the potential to bring more grief, as sports (and football) do tend to have a homophobic fanbase irl, and its been implied that colin is into men, and while a sexuality isnt confirmed, the implication that he is at least attracted to men is there (unless the grindr comment was incorporated as a joke, which, im hoping the writers didnt do it just for that) leading room for more pain.

there is also the third point--Jamie has the makings of being great, while Nate tells Colin that he does not. (chasing that fame/he stayed the same)

I think an au where fwb colinjamie happens pre-ted lasso's arrival is interesting, as one, it would be a secret, as both colinjamie have reasons for it to be, and two, you said midnight rain and now im thinking of the conversation of wanting to become official (albeit still secret) sort of contributing to the (he was sunshine/i was midnight rain) where they end things instead.

timeline-wise, it could be like:

jamie comes to richmond--jamiecolin fwb but end it after a month--jamie+keeley meet--rupert/rebecca divorce--ted lasso arrival.

except see, i dont want to go that route bc i dont want it to come off as keeley being the rebound. she is not. its so clear that keeley means something to jamie, and that she did when they were dating too, although jamie himself admits that while the feelinsg were real and there, he probably was not at the best mindset to act on/say the words/take accountability. that actually is true for jamie's season 1 arc--he has many moments in season 1 where you see the potential, to change, the want to change, and the way he actually does make attempts to be better. you see the softness his father tried to get rid of come out--but those moments are quickly overshadowed by jamie doubling down on "dominating" immediately after (or being sent back to man city right when he was trying and making progress and trusting--believing) because his father is very much still a heavily involved force in his life, and no one cares or knows.

so instead like. maybe theyre not fwb yet. maybe its an almost, but neither are ready to take things forward, so they stay friends-ish. maybe canon events happen as they do, but during s2, is when things get tricky.

timeline wise:

jamie comes back and is gradually accepted------jamiecolin fwb---james tartt sr----no weddings and a funeral--jamiecolin lets make it official convo but jamie asks for some time bc he wants to sift through his emotions, talk with his therapist, and give a proper response (he told keeley he loves her, and he did, he does, but that doesnt mean he's pursuing her, or wants to pursue her, he just wants her to know she meant something real, and now he wants to be able to give colin a real answer too, because he wants colin to be something real, colin is something real, he needs to know how to say it)---he loves colin omg he loves colin---tells colin----Richmond is promoted.

so all that^ but with jamie's internal monologue during his talks with his therapist its basically "he's sunshine and i'm midnight rain"

[hexiewrites]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

1. How many works do you have on AO3? 43!

2. What’s your total AO3 word count? 562,348, which is honestly insane

3. What fandoms do you write for? right now mostly stranger things. I've got most of a ted lasso fic written but who knows if that'll get posted?? and prev, harry potter.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos? 1. don't take this sinner (dramione, marriage law ish), 2. same as it ever was (steddie, two timelines, one of my first steddie fics!) 3. carve your name into my chest (steddie, the hockey au of my dreams) 4. come get your man (he got lost in my DMs) (steddie, social media, steve being a horny DM guy) 5. there'll be a riot (cause I know you) (steddie, the matty-healy-rat-man-Eddie-vibed mostly smut fic)

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? ugh. I WISH!!!! I want to be better at this, I really do. I usually start strong but I end up with limited energy/time and I want to filter that into writing more. if you've ever commented: I FUCKING LOVE YOU and think you're SO cool! if you really WANT a reply, the best way to get that is to ask me questions haha. it starts to feel weird just "thank you!"ing everyone, ya know?

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? I am.... not an angsty ending person tbqh! I think the closest is probably you love the sea, which is a flintwood rarepair selkie fic that I deeply love. it ends happy, insofaras they end up TOGETHER, but if you think more about the implications and how fucking sad it's going to be for oliver... well. I'll leave that to you guys.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? god, I'm well known for having "endings so happy they border on absurd", according to one person online. so, pick your poison I guess! anyways the fic THAT person was referring to was same as it ever was, so, let's go with that!

8. Do you get hate on fics? I have been so lucky lately to not get much hate at all lately, which is a real privilege in the fandom world. remember that I cut my teeth in early days of harry potter, and people were BRUTAL. I definitely HAVE gotten hate - my aforementioned dramione fic has a bit of a weird twist that some people were PISSED about (and once I got an incredibly detailed comment about how badly I fucked up my representation of black Hermione because she... didn't talk that much about hating her hair? which I know is AN experience but not necessarily a universal one) but overall, at least this fandom go around, no hate. thank you, everyone, for that!

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? yes. lots and lots and lots of it. mostly kinda kinky and pretty much all pretty gay. let's not talk about how many times I've had to tag dacryphilia and what that means. I just like when people fuck about things, yknow?

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? nope, never! and I likely never will. too much to keep track of.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? not that I know of, thank god for that.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? I've had requests but... I would need a translator willing to work pretty closely with me because I want to make sure certain choices come across well, and I haven't found that yet.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? not officially, though I did write a buckingham companion piece to the amazing cowboy-bar fic @riality-check did!

14. What’s your all time favorite ship? OH GOD don't make me choose! ALL TIME is still probably dramione, but steddie is a very close second. in terms of canon ships, I'm such a sucker for buffy/spike (leave me alone), and veronica mars/logan (AGAIN LEAVE ME ALONE) and rory/logan (BECAUSE RICH WHITE BOYS NAMED LOGAN ARE A WEAKNESS, APPARENTLY)

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? pour one OUT for you can't take the sky from me, which is my firefly inspired harry potter au ft pansy/percy, mostly because I had so many big plans for it that I've completely forgotten AND I just can't write in that fandom at all anymore. sorry everyone, I do love what I put out and I wish there was more of it.

16. What are your writing strengths? prose, smut, tying things together with little bows, and spending way too much time in my characters heads

17. What are your writing weaknesses? dual POVs, getting so lost in one character I don't flesh out the others as much as I mean to, action sequences, and consistent motivation

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? I've done it before (mostly in clean ice, cold hearts, can't lose) and my typical strategy is to indicate that the characters are speaking a diff language (in french, I use guillements and italics) but not to actually WRITE the french, unless it's very short and the POV character doesn't understand it on purpose like in carve.

19. First fandom you wrote for? harry potter baby! my oldest posted fic that I've found online was from 2002, when I was... too young to be interacting with the internet like that, that's for sure.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written? carve your name into my chest and it's no contest. I love same as it ever was as well, which I think is a better WRITTEN fic technically speaking, but carve was a huge passion project that I had so much fun with, and the response to it had been one of my favourite things in the world. oh, and special shout out to make this inn our own, which is my second longest fic ever and was just an absolute joy to do. so, those three, I guess!

tagging with no pressure: @riality-check @hereforanepilogue @maxineholtzmann @stevespookington @stevethehairington @withacapitalp and whoever else wants in!

[bright-and-burning]

Twenty Questions for Fic Writers

thank you @glasscushion this was really fun!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

two under various pseuds rn and 1? or 2? orphaned fics from years ago

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

19.6k!! not much but i’m proud of it <3

3. What fandoms do you write for?

hopefully f1 skdjskjd. ive got a ted lasso wip i reeeeally want to finish someday. and a newsies historically accurate magnum opus that may never see the light but that’s fine

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

i only have two non-orphaned fics published rn so:

five times colin cooks for his team (and one time his team cooks for him)

cute lil 5+1 ted lasso fic !! mildly colin/isaac but mostly colin & co being besties. written before season 3 came out

a look never hurt this much

tiny meat gang soulmates au (i refuse to be ashamed abt this). noel/cody lol

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

oh absolutely yes!! i treat comments like dms honestly i love giving a directors commentary type whatever in the comments

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

an orphaned fic in a to-remain unnamed fandom. unrequited love very very angsty stuff but more than a bit silly looking back on it (i was like 14 and really going through it). i tend to write very domestic-y stuff so not much i write has any lasting angst in it!

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

probably my tiny meat gang soulmates au mentioned above i won’t lie 😭 i haven’t read back through it since i wrote it so if it’s bad don’t blame me

8. Do you get hate on fics?

i’ve never gotten hate on fics thank god i would die

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

i’m trying to figure out how to write it lol (ask me about curly girl method lando and blowjobs). unfortunately (fortunately?) my draw to silly domestic stuff shines through so it’s not like molten hot smut, it’s kinda silly sex, i won’t lie

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

ive never published one bc i am occasionally a coward but i have many many notes on them/half written stuff. i like a lot of things and i like mashing those things together like barbie dolls! i think the craziest one i ever conceived of was newsies x music man tbh.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

who knows. as far as i know no

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

nope!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

no but i would LOVE to omg i feel like there’s so much potential to balance out my weaknesses with other people’s

14. What’s your all-time favourite ship?

i am a multi shipper girlie i can be convinced of the appeal of ANYTHING. in terms of f1. lando/oscar maybe tho. won’t lie pierre/esteban kinda hitting…

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

hm i have some very grandiose far-reaching plots floating around rn (runners au and apartment/roommates au) that will be written and “completed,” but probably won’t ever fully get expanded to the point i’ve thought about them, if that makes sense

16. What are your writing strengths?

oh i like to think i’m very good at writing like. domestic intimacy/intimate friendships. feeling like home. comfort, and food! ppl tend to describe my writing as cozy and lived in, and i think that’s what i’m good at! (someone once said reading my fic was like eating comfort food and i literally cried)

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

transitioning!! time passing!! i’m so bad at that! also smut as i’ve discovered lol. i tend to stay away from genres i feel like im bad at writing so that’s less of an issue (hence why i haven’t really written any real angst). writing on my own w no feedback is Hard i would die for someone to look over my stuff

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

if it’s like a random line/couple of lines in a different language then usually i’ll put it in english but in italics. if the entire fic is between people who would all be speaking the same (non english) language then i don’t bother. i don’t translate to that language tho bc i don’t trust translation sites and im VERY rusty on my languages (you will not get french or mandarin in a fic from me i would die of fear). throwing in random words in other languages also makes me cringe in my own writing for some reason? but it doesn’t bother me in others’ writing lol

19. First fandom you wrote for?

if we mean published fic, for either 5 seconds of summer (cringes) or the maze runner, i can’t remember. if we mean wrote in general, definitely harry potter when i was like 9 in a little notebook that i sincerely hope has been burned since then.

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

probably the ted lasso fic! i love writing food, and comfort, and that’s like entirety of the fic, so. if i get runners au off the ground any time soon i would bet money on that becoming my fave tho

pretty much every single one of my mutuals has been tagged in this already so. if you see this and you wanna do it do it like i’ve tagged you!!!

[the-pale-goddess]

Hello!

What other fictional couple (it can be tv, movies, books, or even another fanfic couple) or celebrity couple reminds you of your OTP?

If you have any other pairings, give us one for them too!

Elsa! This question is everything, you have no idea how excited I was when I saw it in my inbox 😍 Please, forgive me this very late and extremely long reply!

I can think of two fictional couples that remind me of Ethan and Tiffany in some ways:

Roy Kent and Keeley Jones from Ted Lasso (aka the most perfect depiction of the grumpy/sunshine trope that scratches my brain just right. They’re literally Ethan x MC in a Premier League/Football AU ksbdkbdkdbdkb)

Aragorn and Arwen from LOTR

Some explanation below! Warning: spoilers included

Roy and Keeley are two charismatic individuals who are seemingly different, but end up being the ultimate OTP—two wholes that compliment one other.

He’s the type of guy whose happy face and mad face seem to be the same and people are both frightened of and impressed by him. She’s a huge flirt with a heart of gold and everyone loves her—as they should. He’s a football legend on the verge of retirement (don’t remember the exact age gap between them, but the internet says 8 years and I gladly accept jdhdkhdkb). She’s ambitious, capable and desperate to carve her own path.

From their very first interaction you just know that you’re in for a scrumptious slow burn; their chemistry is palpable, top tier banter proves how smart and fun Keeley is, uncovering how Roy’s exceptionally rough exterior softens significantly only for her. It’s obvious that they’re 100% horny for each other they’ve been into each other for quite some time now. They seem inevitable.

I absolutely adore how painfully real they are as a couple. Neither is perfect. Their flaws and insecurities make them do foolish things sometimes, but they always manage to find a way to communicate like adults, acknowledge their faults and solve the issue. Their relationship is based on honesty and accountability. They make a great team and together they’re unstoppable—they encourage, challenge, inspire, support and care for one another deeply.

They may seem tough and confident, but they’re never afraid to be vulnerable with each other and I think that’s the essence of E&T’s relationship too.

What’s more, we don’t really know much about Keeley and it gives me an impression that she’s one of those characters who are very friendly, honest and lively, easy to talk to and trustworthy, always around people, always nurturing others, and yet they share very little of what’s inside their heads, keeping any sign of their trauma, fears and insecurities locked from the outside world. And I bet there’s plenty to unpack here. That’s quite similar to what I imagine for my Tiff.

I could talk about the similarities between Reeley and E&T for hours or do some episode analysis, but I’ll spare you an entire dissertation on the topic kdhdkhdkdhkdh

As for Aragorn and Arwen, I obviously won’t delve into the fantasy and its irresistible charm, because it doesn’t apply to OH’s fictional world, but some bits of their love story feel oddly familiar:

The circumstances are against them and their relationship seems impossible.

He pushes her away. She never loses hope, never gives up and always chooses him despite all odds, inspiring his strength and igniting hope during the darkest moments.

So basically…That’s a short summary of OH1 and 2 kdhdkhdkdb Plus Liv Tyler has that ethereal glow, she’s giving off Tiffany vibes 👀

Thank you so much for thinking of me and sending this brilliant ask❤️

[rotzaprachim]

common touch by airborne toxic event pulling ourselves back Together angry recovery song

[finerllines]

you and that moustache [football!h]

a/n: hello! i am back with another blurb for football h that is inspired by my love for ted lasso <3 reblogs and comments are always appreciated and if you have any ideas for this au please lmk!!

summary: harry hates how much y/n loves ted lasso

wc: 900+

cw: none :D

///

y/n doesn’t wait for Harry as she carefully balances her bowl of leftovers on her bed and leans forward to press ‘play’ on her laptop. The familiar cold open immediately puts a smile on her face.

“What are we watching today, love?” he asks, carrying his own dinner to join his girlfriend on the bed. “Again? We’ve watched Ted Lasso so many times already.”

“Shh. You said I can pick today and I wanna watch Ted Lasso.”

Harry grumbles to himself, mocking y/n when she laughs at the show. It’s not that he doesn’t like Ted Lasso, he found it funny the first three times they had watched it. But this must be nearing the tenth time and he is getting sick of it. Not just sick of rewatching the same episodes over and over, but sick of the show in general.

Ever since the show aired, y/n has been obsessed, even by her usual standards. She started a new side blog dedicated to the show and even though there hasn’t been a new episode in months, she is still consistently making gifs and photosets. Now, Harry likes to think he is a supportive boyfriend. He has never made fun of her having fan blogs or laughed at her when she cries over shows, but he is finding it difficult to not feel annoyed.

At first, he thought this would be a fun way to get y/n more interested in football because despite having been to a good number of his football matches, she really only goes to cheer when his team gets introduced and wish him congratulations after. He isn’t even confident that she knows any of the rules. Well, she probably didn’t before Ted Lasso, but after the first season, she wouldn’t stop asking about what ‘off-side’ meant and whether teams really did fun formations.

Harry was all excited too, thought that she had suddenly developed a new love for football. Now, he can safely say all his excitement has died.

“I don’t understand why you love this show, you don’t even like football.”

“Well, maybe I do like football now.”

He scoffs. “Then why are ya watching a bloody show, love? You’ve got a fit footballer at your beck and call. I can bring you to the field tomorrow. Fuck Roy Kent.” His tone coming across more serious than he intended.

“Well, it’s less about the footballers and more about Ted.”

“Ted?” he asks, almost offended. “All this time you’ve been crushin’ on Ted?”

She doesn’t answer, choosing to shove a large spoonful of food into her mouth instead.

Harry can’t let this go; he doesn’t understand.

“What is it about this ‘Ted’ then? He’s old.”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. He’s funny, kind, has a moustache …”

“Please, I’m funny and kind, and I can grow a moustache.”

“Can you really?” she asks, attention pulled away from the screen for the first time this entire conversation.

“That bloody moustache. You didn’t tell me you like moustaches. You never gave me a fair shot!”

y/n catches onto the seriousness in Harry’s voice. She pauses the show and gently pinches his chin so that they are facing each other.

“Harry, are you mad at me?” she asks softly.

He pouts. “No.”

“Lovie, I love you and I am very attracted to you. I think you’re the hottest man alive, hotter than Ted. I’m sorry, I didn’t realise you were so upset by this stupid crush, but I love you the most and it’ll take more than a moustache to make me stop. Okay? I’ll shut up about the show, I promise.”

With both hands she cups his face gently and he closes his eyes momentarily at the contact as he leans further into her palm. “I’m sorry, I’m being stupid and jealous. I just … I couldn’t make you like football and this stupid fake football team can. I don’t know, I know you love me, but this one’s just a bit too real.”

“Oh Harry, that’s because you are more than just some football guy to me. There are so many cooler, more lovable things about you than how good you are at football. No need to be jealous okay.”

“Okay, but I’m still a little hurt so I think I need to be little spoon again tonight.”

She rolls her eyes at her needy boyfriend. “My big baby, of course I’ll cuddle you.”

Still wearing a pout, he tugs at her hips to pull her to nestle in between his legs and lean against his body. One hand stays wrapped around her waist while the other slowly spoons his dinner into his mouth cautiously.

“You can watch your dumb show now.”

y/n tilts her head up to press firm kisses under his jaw, snuggling into Harry’s warmth. The best way to watch her favourite show, she discovered, is wrapped in her boyfriend’s arms, surrounded by his scent.

“Wait ‘til my moustache grows out,” he whispers into her ear, “then you’ll lose your mind.”

She thinks she just might.

[jandjsalmon]

2022 Fanfiction Reading Challenge

June 2022 Stats  

Well, my friends. June was as crazy as I thought it would be. Aside from the whole horrible state of *gestures at everything*, the Salmon fam moved out of our house and into a hotel for a MONTH - right in time for the HS graduation of my middle son (and our fun impromptu grad trip to Los Angeles and my sunburn from hell). Thankfully, there are only SIX more sleeps until I’m in my brand new house. I have missed my own bed and I never thought I would say this - but I miss eating food I made myself in my own kitchen. You know how they say that adulthood is basically complaining about what to make for dinner every night until you die? Well eating out every night doesn’t change the fact that you still have to decide at which restaurant to eat... it’s a never ending problem (and an expensive one).

ANYWAY - enough about my real life. Let’s talk fic because we all need a little brightness in our lives right now because *gestures at everything* I’m JUST shy of 10 million words read and I’m just over halfway through the year. My goal of +20 mill for the year *might* be within reach.

Pairings were fun this month. I read 10 new ships (some highlights were Eddie/Chrissy from Stranger Things, Phoenix/Bob from Top Gun: Maverick, and even a Ted/Rebecca from Ted Lasso), I also read some of YOUR favourites (from your bookmarks on Ao3) - how else would I have found a heartbreakingly angsty Stevie/Alexis (Schitt’s Creek) fic if it weren’t for you? So thank you!

I’m still working on my Hard (72/88) and Extreme(35/65) challenges. There are several tasks at the @fanfic-reading-challenge​ that deal with minorities. Do any of you currently have favourite stories with a minority (any minority) as a main character that you can direct me to? 

Here are some of my favourite reads and rereads for this month. I hope you will read them and leave lots of loving reviews to let these awesome authors know how much you appreciate them.

-

Tumblr Meet Cute (2 fic series - T) by Toryb - Tory wrote this one several years ago and it was SO fun to revisit. Betty meets Jughead on tumblr - and they fall in love and then meet in person and it’s the sweetest thing ever. I was feeling nostalgic for Bughead fandom fluffiness and this fit the bit. Fellow Buggies - if you haven’t read these two one-shots yet, you need to. DO IT!

let's make some music (fuck all of the bullshit) by @feelavalanche​ (2/2 - E) - My girl wrote this one - and I am a SUCKER for Musician AUs. Fez and Lexi are both singers with grammy nominated albums and they are SO CUTE together. 

only good things happen here by @sweetsoundsofignorance​ (6/6 - E) - HELLO DARKNESS MY OLD FRIEND! Okay, so I had a lot of feelings while I read this one. It was dark. SO dark. But the final chapter was SO FREAKING cathartic! This fic is canon-divergent at the 'Key Party’ and includes a very dark Betty who does dark things for good reasons? It was both hard and wonderful to read. I don’t know how to explain it - but I think you should read it if you like morally grey (or morally black) characters and character motivation. 

Postcode Envy by @bewitchingredhead36​ (33/33 - E) - I started reading this Veronica Mars fic in 2014 on ff.net - and there was a big break and then the lovely author started posting chapters again 2022 (thankfully I was subscribed so I got the notification) and it was finally finished in June. The premise is - Cindy Mackenzie is hit in the head with a baseball and wakes up back in high school - but not as Cindy Mackenzie, but as Madison Sinclair (as if she wasn’t switched at birth at all) - but she remembers Veronica and Cassidy and Dick and Logan and everyone. 

-

Enjoy the recs - and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and happy July. 

[lambourngb]

day 1 who do you think you are - character recs

Creator’s Week 2021 for @roswellnewmexicocreate - Day 1 : Character Recs

This is my favorite fandom event, and my third year doing it. The last year was really difficult, and fanfic more than ever was my escape from it.  Shout out to all the writers, commenters, and lurkers who kept fandom going during it.

Rosa Ortecho:

heal it or break it all apart by @adiwriting​ : (7,600) All Rosa’s ever done is break things. Her entire life she’s destroyed everything she’s ever touched. So it’s really no surprise when she comes back that her powers do the same. Alternatively- 4 times somebody tries to get Rosa to seek help with her powers and one time she decides to help herself.  GEN

why i like it: I pretty much love whatever Britt writes, but in the light of how season 3 is going, I found myself returning to this fic more than a few times. She really captures the fierce but vulnerable Rosa in this beautifully.

Kyle Valenti:

at every occasion i’ll be ready for a funeral by @bydayornight  (1,330) Kyle goes on a vacation after the events of 3x04 and meets an unlikely beach companion. GEN

why i like it: Christine has become one of my new favorite writers, and has been a season 3 coda writing machine. Here is where we all would like Kyle to be - lounging on a beach without a care in the world (with that RNM twist! lol)  She also does a brilliant job with the Kyle and Michael vibes here.

Maria Deluca:

Butter(bar)flies by @andrea-lyn​ (4,447) When all of Maria’s people fly away for new opportunities, she needs to find new ones. The lost decade and what should have been. MILUCA

why i like it: Manda has written some of my favorite stories, and even has dragged me into Ted Lasso, but this little lost decade AU is one of my favorites. She captures the flirty vibe of season 1 Michael/Maria, and inserts it into a time when it really makes sense to me for that a friends-with-benefits-relationship should have begun, to give weight to a choice for Michael. Maria is wonderfully characterized here, and it really makes it clear how a real love triangle should have been structured.

Liz Ortecho:

heart of lightning (a roswellian tale) by @bitch-ass-aliens​ (20,095) When Ser Elizabeth Ortecho of the Roswellian Court is sent by Queen Isobel to retrieve the heart of the missing King Maxwell from a fearsome lightning dragon guarding it, she knows success could bring her one step closer to completing a quest of her own. Ten years ago, a mage named Ophiuchus curse her sister with eternal slumber, and Liz has been searching for him ever since. Saving the king could be the key to learning Ophiuchus's true identity and saving Rosa. But the dragon is not what it appears to be. Soon Liz finds herself needing to guard her heart from feelings forgotten long ago as she and her friends journey back to Roswell, King Max by their side, with more than just the fate of Rosa hanging in the balance. For Ophiuchus's plans are bigger and more dangerous than any of them realize. ECHO

why i like it: This was part of the RNM Big Bang last year and as a fellow participant, I did my best to read and feedback the other submissions, which meant reading something that wasn’t Malex 😂🤯 - suz made it easy, writing a beautifully detailed medieval AU that retold the story of Rosa, Noah, and Max’s S1 sacrifice, through the amazing POV of Ser Liz. This story had everything I love about Liz- her devotion to her family, her bravery in doing hard things, and her love for Max.

Max Evans:

highway to the sun by @angsty-nerd​  (22,236) Noah’s heart is failing, and Max is on the verge of death. His final wish is to see Liz one last time, so he and Michael road trip to Los Angeles so that Max can say his goodbyes. ECHO

why i like it: Another part of the 2020 RNM Big Bang - Instead of a focus on Liz in this Echo story, we’re deep in the psyche of Max Evans, who is trying to tie up loose ends before he dies. I love the atmosphere of the road trip, the sadness of the clock that Max is trying to run out, and the whole Michael/Max brotherly bond in this story. It’s got all the sweet elements of some of my favorite romantic dramas - like “Beaches” or “Dying Young”, but mixed with the sci fi of RNM. Even though it was written pre-season 3, I really love how it ties up season 2 here.

Alex Manes:

i’m just like my mother, we both love to run @meneatyoghurt​ (5,211) After what his dad does, he runs and runs and runs. A look at Alex's relationship with running, from track and field to leaving Roswell. MALEX IMPLIED

why i like it: Alex is one of my favorite characters on RNM, mostly because of how hard he tries in spite of his flaws. I love a good story that focuses on why it’s a struggle for Alex to be present, and doesn’t shy away from the fallout of his actions. This is a gorgeous look into Alex and his tendency to run to feel safe, and how that affects his relationships, and why he wants to stop. I just have a lot of feelings about Alex, especially after reading this.

Michael Guerin : 

looking for yourself out there by @haloud (6,670)  It’s early; it’s a weeknight. Michael can only be here to get blasted or for Marco himself, and both of them know it.It’s been a while since this was a game, for Michael. The flirting he did with Maria was something else, a class all her own. Sex, and the lead up to sex, for the longest time was either life-or-death or it was a helpless, hopeless lashing out for any human contact. (It was either Alex, or it was Maria, or it wasn’t.)So this is nice. MICHAEL/OTHER

why i like it: I privately think hal understands Michael Guerin like no other, and their fic is just a delight for anyone who wants to look under that macho cowboy exterior to see him. One of the things we both agree on as Michael Guerin fans, is that Alex is not the male exception for Michael. And while the show will probably never deliver a Michael/OMC storyline like they have with Max/Jenna, Isobel/Blair, Liz/Heath, Alex/Forrest - that’s what fanfic is for and this story is so satisfiying. If you don’t come away from this story loving Marco and wishing he was real... I don’t know what to tell you. I was so inspired by it, I wrote my own Michael/OMC story.

Isobel Evans:

future starts slow by @foramomentonly​ (4,799) The bartop is sticky, but Maria's skin is clean and soft.This is how it starts. Brushes of fingers as Maria passes over a glass of wine; her cool, dry hand cupping Isobel's wrist as she reads her palm; Isobel's fingertips pressed to Maria's temples, wisps of curls caught around her knuckles as they practice combining their powers. MARIBEL

why i like it: It’s just facts that Maria and Isobel have incredible chemistry, their banter is off the charts, and I love this sexy story of Isobel approaching Maria for more after they’ve been circling each other for a while. It’s a gorgeous look at two strong women who very rarely let down their guards, but for each other, they do. The sex is really hot, but I think what lingers most with me is how this story rewards the swan dive of hope, Isobel after a lifetime of “being who she should be” becomes who she wants to be, a woman who loves fiercely but not destructively. Of course, Maria is no wilting flower here, which makes it all the sweeter.

If you like any of these recs, please leave a comment on the story- a ‘this was awesome’ is enough to propell an author into the stratosphere with happiness, so don’t worry about coming up with a unique, never before shared insight- sometimes a keyboard smash and emogi makes all the difference! 

[talldecafcappuccino]

Listen. No one requested this. This is a self prompt for personal reasons 😂

Bodyguard AU + Forgotten First Meeting

read on ao3

----

“Morning, ma’am.”

“Morning, Roy,” Rebecca replies without looking up from her computer.

“Ambassador Lasso. Do you know much about him?”

Rebecca glances up. Roy is standing in the doorway of her office, an open folder in his hands. She sighs, removing her glasses and rattling off what she’s picked up.

“Let’s see. Former second gentleman to American Vice President Michelle Lasso. Went through a very public, but seemingly amicable divorce. Despite no foreign political experience, he’s recently been made US Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Presumably to give the VP space and to allow time for the press to calm down before the next presidential election. He’s unusually popular for someone in politics.” She wrinkles her nose. “Very odd facial hair choices.”

“Right, well he asked for you,” Roy says, frowning at the folder.

“Excuse me?”

“He asked if you're available.”

“Available for what?”

“Dunno. This just came through.” Roy hands her the folder with a light pink sticky note on top that reads:

Is Rebeeca Welton available? - Ted Lasso

“Is this a joke?”

Roy shrugs. “I just get the paperwork. Maybe he’s looking for a tour guide.”

She narrows her eyes. “May I remind you I’m your boss.”

Roy puts his hands up in mock surrender.

“Apologies, Ms Welton. But he did ask for you specifically.”

“Right. I can see that. I just don’t understand why an American diplomat is coming to a private security firm when they have a perfectly adequate DDS agent available to them.”

Roy snorts.

“I almost believed you there for a second.”

Rebecca can't hide her smirk. It’s not like Rupert has gotten anyone killed. But he doesn’t have a lot of fans around here. Not anymore.

She slides her glasses back on.

“Fine, set up an appointment for this afternoon.”

Roy gives a small salute before leaving Rebecca to wonder what fresh hell awaits her across town.

***

Ambassador Lasso’s office is sparse, a framed photo on his desk and a single pad of sticky notes by his side. No computer in sight.

He walks out from behind his desk to shake her hand with a wide smile and a solid grip. It’s obviously a well-practiced greeting, but his eyes are far too kind for politics.

Rebecca can see how the American public fell a little bit in love with him. Everything about him screams “unscheduled trip to the ice cream shop.” It gives her a little thrill imagining the trouble he’ll give Rupert.

“Apologies for the sticky note, Ms Welton. I would have sent a more formal memo, but it seems all my office supplies are still on their way.”

He gestures for her to sit before returning to his seat.

“You wanted to speak with me about something?” She asks, settling opposite him.

“I did.” He looks at her seriously. “I was wondering if you were available to help run my security detail.”

It’s the last thing she expects him to say. She’s silent, mouth hanging open as he pulls out a thick packet from a desk drawer.

“You’ve got an impressive record,” he says, flipping through pages of intel. “not that you need me telling you that. Distinctions and honors. More than 20 years with the Secret Intelligence Services. A very daring rescue at an orphanage in an undisclosed location.” He looks up at her, “I’d love to unpack that with you, but I promise I won’t ask. Boundaries and all that.”

Rebecca just stares. She didn’t come here expecting to go through her entire, highly-confidential CV.

“But it says you're retired from fieldwork?” He asks, sounding curious.

She gives the standard answer she’s been using since leaving the service. No need to go into details.

“At my age, well, that’s just what we do around here.”

“Well I want to counter that intelligence with this: that sounds like a load of poppycock. But I do respect if you’re done with all that. It’s real a tough job”

He fiddles with the sticky pad. “It’s just…I have my son coming to stay this summer. Henry. He’s a good kid. Had a bit of a rough year. For his sake, I had to ask for the best.”

It’s a solid pitch.

“No pressure,” he continues, placing the dossier back in the drawer. “That’s all the arm twisting I’m gonna do.”

She has missed being out in the field. Not that she’s let on. It’s complicated. Which leads her to her next question.

“Are you aware that my ex-husband is your local DDS agent?”

“I am. And I understand that might be a deciding factor in all this. But like I said, I had to at least try. What can I say? It’s the dad in me.”

She considers him.

“I’ll think about it.” She surprises herself when the words come out. The whole firm is going to think she’s lost her mind, but she’s intrigued by the man in front of her.

“Of course. Take all the time you need.”

“But I do think I’ll need back up when your son is here.”

His eyes light up at that. “I knew I had the right person.”

“Sam Obisanya. He’s a new recruit but extremely promising.” She clocks the photo on Ted’s desk. It’s of him and a boy who she assumes is his son. They’re playing air guitar and jumping on a bed. “He’s also very kind. A big music person.”

“Oh Henry will love that.”

She smiles. It would be good to get some high-profile work for her team.

Rebecca stands and reaches across the desk to shake his hand goodbye.

“I’ll get back to you soon, Ambassador Lasso.”

He grips her hand tightly. For the first time she notices he looks tired around the eyes, but there’s something else there. Something that looks a little like relief.

“Please, call me Ted.”

Rebecca leaves his office and immediately texts her one remaining contact at the intelligence agency.

Keeley, can you get me everything you know about United States Ambassador Theodore Lasso?

Only a few seconds pass before she hears back.

on it babe

It gives her a funny thrill she hasn’t felt it in a long time. Not since her early days at the agency.

Maybe Ted Lasso isn’t such a mad notion after all.

[ragingstillness]

More Ted Lasso criminal AU because I can’t escape it now:

Roy is a contract killer. He’s been in the game for a long time and never been caught. He specializes in making murders look like accidents. He isn’t officially a part of Ted’s gang but he’s good friends with Ted and drops by to train Jamie every once in a while.

Jamie is also a contract killer but he’s still kind of in training. He’s part of Ted’s mob and initially he was just another grunt but after a particular job it became clear he’s incredibly good at making murders look like different crimes. Like robbery gone wrong or kidnapping. He’s especially good at setting up crime scenes so other criminals or just other people are framed. He’s a bit famous when he joins Ted’s group in the first place, having been the heir to his dad’s gang. But he rebelled against his dad, killed him, and then threw leadership of the gang away entirely to become a low level member of Ted’s gang.

Nate is a corrupt politician in Ted’s pocket. It’s very much a “scratch my back I’ll scratch yours” kind of relationship. Ted keeps Nate in office and helps push his initiatives through and in return Nate redirects law enforcement away from Ted’s crimes and embezzles money into Ted’s accounts.

Keeley is one of Ted’s right hand women. She’s engaged to Roy, and while their love is real she’s also rather aware of the fact that she’s potential leverage for either Ted or Roy if they decide to turn in each other. Ted doesn’t do it because he knows how powerful Keeley is, and taking her out is not only something he has no reason to do but it’d take an insane amount of resources. Keeley runs recruitment and also information gathering. The recruitment part is how she meets Rebecca and Bex. Keeley has a network of informants and people she pays to either keep quiet or speak up. She’s a puppet master.

The team make up various positions in Ted’s gang although they all do different tasks. Dani’s the public face of the semi-legal side of Ted’s operations. Zoreaux keeps track of the financials. Jan is the interrogator/torturer. Colin is the blackmailer. He’s great at embroiling people in scandal and taking pictures of people in scandalous situations. Issac trains the recruits. Bumbercatch runs the infiltration missions. Richard is the honeypot. He runs the prostitution branch of Ted’s mob. Sam does corporate espionage and insider trading.

Beard is a fixer and longtime friend of Ted’s. He’s the man you call when something has gone spectacularly FUBAR and you need cleanup. Beard makes things go away. Whether that’s in reference to situations or actual bodies and blood depends on the situation.

Higgins used to work for Rupert but he always hated him and regretted being unable to do anything about how he treated Rebecca and Bex because Rupert threatened Higgins’ family. When Rebecca and Bex killed Rupert Higgins began to handle covering for them and funneling Rupert’s money into their accounts. He’s slowly becoming Ted’s go-to money launderer as well.