Candy Hearts exchange
Jan. 6th, 2023 03:54 pmTo my creator! Sorry this letter is empty, I'm having trouble with my laptop and filling it out on mobile is very hard. Hopefully I'll come back to this before assignments, but if not, please come back here to check in a few days.
In the meantime, you can browse this dreamwidth to see my letters, for other exchanges, which will give you an idea of what I like. Either way, my likes and prompts are just that, prompts, so don't feel obligated to follow my preferences. As long as my DNWs are respected, we're all good.
//
Slowly attempting to fill this out!
GENERAL DNW
AUs unless requested • No BIG canon divergencies unless requested. • Crack fic. • Focus on pregnancy or childbirth. • Focus on gender dysphoria. • Character bashing. I am happy with characters disagreeing passionately and having negative opinions of other characters, but don't make them into your mouthpiece. Also don't make fun of or belittle characters gratuitously, especially those of the requested ships. • Focus on scat, piss, vomit. I'm fine with mentions of unsanitary things, but no focus on it; as in, nothing that is deliberately trying to squick the reader out or is kinking on these fluids. (Blood is perfectly fine.) • Second person writing. • "Educational" fiction. Some of the characters in my requests can be objectively and patently wrong in their beliefs, we all know that, so please when writing a pov that's wrong/prejudiced in some manner don't insert any "and that, kids, was morally a bad thing" in the text. • No writing out of canon-compliant various -isms or -phobias. If a world area or time period is e.g. homophobic, I don't want the struggles of characters that have to live with it written away. However, if such things are not present in a given sitution, don't add them in for the sake of it. • A/B/O, genderswap, alien genitalia, m!preg/cis man pregnancy • Maggots, terminal illnesses, feederism and eating disorders, soulmates and hanahaki. • Daddy/mommy kink, de-aging of characters, ageplay and infantilisation, diapers, pet play, feet, enemas and urethral plays, insistence on how large a penis or breasts are, objectification. • Medical play and assorted medical kinks, as well as medical situations utilised to emphasise powerlessness or horror (such as unwilling experiments) unless requested or canon to the ships/story/character. • Underage and non-con between requested characters (dub-con is fine but only if requested or canon). Rape experiences or trauma are fine as background or in the story as long as they're not detailed or the focus (but never between nominated characters unless requested or canon). Any incest unless requested or canon (cousins okay). • Any variation of the word "come" spelled as "cum". • No X character is secretly a bastard of Y character unless requested or canon (relatedly, no non-canon cheating on a spouse). Okay as part of an original story.
Things I like!
I'm happiest when stories get into some in-depth character exploration. The plot of your story may be minimal, it may be slice of life, small missing moments, I tend to not care as much as long as characterisation and interactions between people offer emotional depth. For smut, the same thing applies: hot action is good, but I like it better when there's something that happens, in an emotional sense, to the characters involved. This doesn't have to be romantic love by any means, I very much enjoy friends with benefits, conflicted feelings, and the like.
I like banters between characters, historical attention to details, politics, clashing points of view, complicated relationships, UST, bittersweet endings where not all things are solved neatly. Hope for the future despite everything, moral ambiguity, explored dysfunctionality, love shown through subtlety, love that is not confessed, regret, hard-won redemptions and the distrust that comes with it, power dynamics, characters that won't ever relent in their goals and who feel things strongly and are larger than life. I like the consensual but not safe or sane too, and if you feel like playing with darker themes emotional manipulation is great; loyalty and betrayal themes, rivalries, enmities, even those that aren't entirely solved, and especially those that take a long journey to come to an understanding. For any less wholesome ships, I am totally fine if they don't live happily ever after.
I also love when you populate the world characters live in. Side characters, OCs, family members, I'm happy if those show up to make the world feel lived-in and full of people other than the requested characters. As long as focus remains on the nominated characters and relationships and isn't unduly moved onto other people, I'm more than glad to let you work with additions that you think would improve the story. I also have nothing against combining requests within the same fandom (if I request Frodo & Sam and, separately, Merry & Pippin, it's cool if you write both relationships within the same fic, intersecting them as you see fit.)
Please consider these things as potential prompts and inspiration and don't feel compelled to hit any of these themes with your work.
If you want a list of my smut likes that is as exhaustive as possible, you can find that here. This entry is very nsfw.
Prompts!
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) / A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia (1990)
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Cyrano de Bergerac - Edmond Rostand
Dracula - Bram Stoker (Novel 1897)
Dragon Age
For Male Adaar and Barris I admit I was simply kind of intrigued. How could this work? Why would Adaar pick the templars and why do they develop an interest in each other (other than being hot lol)? Idk, surprise me.
For Lavellan and Dorian, I'm interested in reading a take that isn't about romantic love or attraction. A more difficult sort of relationship that comes to an understanding would be lovely, but anywhere you want to bring this would be interesting. How does a Dalish relate to a Tevinter? How about Dorian's initial stance on slavery? Or something after the temple of Mythal, all good options.
Kaze to Ki no Uta | Song of Wind and Trees
For Serge and Pascal, maybe something after the ending? Or their relationship at school. It's good that Pascal is a good friend, and I'd like to see that explored.
As for Arion and Jules, how might they navigate their difficult history and the betrayal? What about Arion having been sexually assaulted? Would they manage to rebuild a relationship as they grow up, and how might they deal with the fallout of Gilbert's death etc? They're a super cool side pairing and you're welcome to follow your inspiration.
Original Work
Ships with power imbalances that make it obvious there could potentially be some kind of dubious consent going on (such as gladiator/patrician) can be counted as requested dub con.
For Prince/Chief Advisor, I'm also curious to see how the power dynamics might be renegotiated. The advisor is probably older, how does come into the relationship? The prince however has certainly more obvious power and is higher in the hierarchy. Does that change anything? Is this a matter of loyalty, or manipulation, or both? Is there any love? How does that look like? Who initiates the relationship and why? The only clear DNW here for me is no underage/grooming.
The last is likely the most balanced in terms of power, but there's still that element of intrigue and power struggle. Are the Spymaster and the Mage friends, rivals, fuckbuddies who play political games around each other? Do they bond over devotion to their job or do they suspect each other of opportunism or betrayal? How do feelings feature here, if at all? Do they fight for the sovereign(s)' favour? For the setting, I'm picturing something vaguely medieval but if you have different ideas by all means go for it.
For the other, honestly I'm here fore the erotic fight. Rippling muscles, violent punching, sweat and blood, all contrasted with the look and attitude of a gentleman. Maybe the gentleman bets on the fighter, maybe despite being proper-looking he just straight up enjoys the slightly animal, physical quality of these shows. Lean into these baser feelings as much as you want.
This one feels a little more hilarious in tone somehow, but it doesn't need to be. Warlocks and paladin usually don't get to get along, so what is it that makes the paladin attracted, and why is the warlock interested in him? Do they debate their faith, ideas, ideals, or methods of doing things? Can they find common ground? And what exactly is so frustrating about the warlock? Do those straight laces loosen up a little?
Watership Down - Richard Adams
The Silmarillion and other histories of Middle-Earth - J. R. R. Tolkien
In the meantime, you can browse this dreamwidth to see my letters, for other exchanges, which will give you an idea of what I like. Either way, my likes and prompts are just that, prompts, so don't feel obligated to follow my preferences. As long as my DNWs are respected, we're all good.
//
Slowly attempting to fill this out!
GENERAL DNW
AUs unless requested • No BIG canon divergencies unless requested. • Crack fic. • Focus on pregnancy or childbirth. • Focus on gender dysphoria. • Character bashing. I am happy with characters disagreeing passionately and having negative opinions of other characters, but don't make them into your mouthpiece. Also don't make fun of or belittle characters gratuitously, especially those of the requested ships. • Focus on scat, piss, vomit. I'm fine with mentions of unsanitary things, but no focus on it; as in, nothing that is deliberately trying to squick the reader out or is kinking on these fluids. (Blood is perfectly fine.) • Second person writing. • "Educational" fiction. Some of the characters in my requests can be objectively and patently wrong in their beliefs, we all know that, so please when writing a pov that's wrong/prejudiced in some manner don't insert any "and that, kids, was morally a bad thing" in the text. • No writing out of canon-compliant various -isms or -phobias. If a world area or time period is e.g. homophobic, I don't want the struggles of characters that have to live with it written away. However, if such things are not present in a given sitution, don't add them in for the sake of it. • A/B/O, genderswap, alien genitalia, m!preg/cis man pregnancy • Maggots, terminal illnesses, feederism and eating disorders, soulmates and hanahaki. • Daddy/mommy kink, de-aging of characters, ageplay and infantilisation, diapers, pet play, feet, enemas and urethral plays, insistence on how large a penis or breasts are, objectification. • Medical play and assorted medical kinks, as well as medical situations utilised to emphasise powerlessness or horror (such as unwilling experiments) unless requested or canon to the ships/story/character. • Underage and non-con between requested characters (dub-con is fine but only if requested or canon). Rape experiences or trauma are fine as background or in the story as long as they're not detailed or the focus (but never between nominated characters unless requested or canon). Any incest unless requested or canon (cousins okay). • Any variation of the word "come" spelled as "cum". • No X character is secretly a bastard of Y character unless requested or canon (relatedly, no non-canon cheating on a spouse). Okay as part of an original story.
Things I like!
I'm happiest when stories get into some in-depth character exploration. The plot of your story may be minimal, it may be slice of life, small missing moments, I tend to not care as much as long as characterisation and interactions between people offer emotional depth. For smut, the same thing applies: hot action is good, but I like it better when there's something that happens, in an emotional sense, to the characters involved. This doesn't have to be romantic love by any means, I very much enjoy friends with benefits, conflicted feelings, and the like.
I like banters between characters, historical attention to details, politics, clashing points of view, complicated relationships, UST, bittersweet endings where not all things are solved neatly. Hope for the future despite everything, moral ambiguity, explored dysfunctionality, love shown through subtlety, love that is not confessed, regret, hard-won redemptions and the distrust that comes with it, power dynamics, characters that won't ever relent in their goals and who feel things strongly and are larger than life. I like the consensual but not safe or sane too, and if you feel like playing with darker themes emotional manipulation is great; loyalty and betrayal themes, rivalries, enmities, even those that aren't entirely solved, and especially those that take a long journey to come to an understanding. For any less wholesome ships, I am totally fine if they don't live happily ever after.
I also love when you populate the world characters live in. Side characters, OCs, family members, I'm happy if those show up to make the world feel lived-in and full of people other than the requested characters. As long as focus remains on the nominated characters and relationships and isn't unduly moved onto other people, I'm more than glad to let you work with additions that you think would improve the story. I also have nothing against combining requests within the same fandom (if I request Frodo & Sam and, separately, Merry & Pippin, it's cool if you write both relationships within the same fic, intersecting them as you see fit.)
Please consider these things as potential prompts and inspiration and don't feel compelled to hit any of these themes with your work.
If you want a list of my smut likes that is as exhaustive as possible, you can find that here. This entry is very nsfw.
Prompts!
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) / A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia (1990)
- Ali ibn el Kharish/T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) / Faisal bin Hussein bin Ali al-Hashemi/T.E. Lawrence (Dangerous Man)
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
- Gawain/Bertilak de Hautdesert
Cyrano de Bergerac - Edmond Rostand
- Cyrano de Bergerac/Christian de Neuvillette/Roxane, Cyrano de Bergerac & Roxane, Cyrano de Bergerac & Christian de Neuvillette, Comte de Guiche/Roxane
Dracula - Bram Stoker (Novel 1897)
- Dracula/Jonathan Harker, Jonathan Harker/Mina Murray Harker/Lucy Westenra, Mina Murray Harker/Lucy Westenra, Arthur Holmwood/Quincey Morris/John Seward/Lucy Westenra
Dragon Age
Mentions of the taint working like a terminal illness are fine and you can ignore the related DNW.
DRAGON AGE DNW
Secret half-elven parentage for characters for whom it isn't canon. • Half elves having obviously elven traits, the Dalish being (as a uniform group) perfectly accepting of city elves. • Unquestioned or endorsed national stereotypes in the narrative (e.g. Fereldan people are always honest and good, Orlesians are always deceitful). • Stories set in Tevinter where all the "good guys" are foreign and all the "bad guys" are local. • Bashing Anora, fem!Cousland married to/shipped with Alistair, Alistair ruling alone. • The Chantry depicted as unquestionably right. • Focus on Cullen; any ships involving him and a mage, even in the background (templar/mage ships are fine and can fall under requested dub-con. I just don't want this one in particular). • Adoribull mentions. • Switching DA:I advisors with another character (e.g. Morrigan with Merrill) unless requested. • Preference for canon backgrounds for PCs and no canon-breaking PCs (e.g. the Inquisitor becomes Divine) unless requested. • If writing a PC, please give them a name (even the default is fine) and don't refer to them generically only by surname. I.e. make them an actual person.
- Felix Alexius/Carver Hawke
- Female Adaar/Iron Bull, Male Adaar/Delrin Barris
For Male Adaar and Barris I admit I was simply kind of intrigued. How could this work? Why would Adaar pick the templars and why do they develop an interest in each other (other than being hot lol)? Idk, surprise me.
- Fergus Cousland/Nathaniel Howe
- Male Cadash/Dorian Pavus, Male Lavellan & Dorian Pavus
For Lavellan and Dorian, I'm interested in reading a take that isn't about romantic love or attraction. A more difficult sort of relationship that comes to an understanding would be lovely, but anywhere you want to bring this would be interesting. How does a Dalish relate to a Tevinter? How about Dorian's initial stance on slavery? Or something after the temple of Mythal, all good options.
- Male Hawke/Frederic of Serault
- Zevran Arainai/Rinna/Taliesen
- Female Hawke/Merrill (Dragon Age)
- Fenris/Isabela (Dragon Age)
Kaze to Ki no Uta | Song of Wind and Trees
- Serge Battour/Gilbert Cocteau, Serge Battour & Pascal Biquet, Arion Rosemarine/Jules de Ferrier
For Serge and Pascal, maybe something after the ending? Or their relationship at school. It's good that Pascal is a good friend, and I'd like to see that explored.
As for Arion and Jules, how might they navigate their difficult history and the betrayal? What about Arion having been sexually assaulted? Would they manage to rebuild a relationship as they grow up, and how might they deal with the fallout of Gilbert's death etc? They're a super cool side pairing and you're welcome to follow your inspiration.
Original Work
Ships with power imbalances that make it obvious there could potentially be some kind of dubious consent going on (such as gladiator/patrician) can be counted as requested dub con.
- Cynical Closeted Noble Doomed to Die Young/Penniless Nihilistic Sex Worker Who Won't Take His Money
- Emperor/His Head of Secret Police, King's Chief Advisor/Crown Prince, Royal Spymaster/Court Mage (M/M)
For Prince/Chief Advisor, I'm also curious to see how the power dynamics might be renegotiated. The advisor is probably older, how does come into the relationship? The prince however has certainly more obvious power and is higher in the hierarchy. Does that change anything? Is this a matter of loyalty, or manipulation, or both? Is there any love? How does that look like? Who initiates the relationship and why? The only clear DNW here for me is no underage/grooming.
The last is likely the most balanced in terms of power, but there's still that element of intrigue and power struggle. Are the Spymaster and the Mage friends, rivals, fuckbuddies who play political games around each other? Do they bond over devotion to their job or do they suspect each other of opportunism or betrayal? How do feelings feature here, if at all? Do they fight for the sovereign(s)' favour? For the setting, I'm picturing something vaguely medieval but if you have different ideas by all means go for it.
- Gothic Heroine/Brooding Master of the House (F/M), Victorian bareknuckle fighter/Victorian gentleman who frequents his fights
For the other, honestly I'm here fore the erotic fight. Rippling muscles, violent punching, sweat and blood, all contrasted with the look and attitude of a gentleman. Maybe the gentleman bets on the fighter, maybe despite being proper-looking he just straight up enjoys the slightly animal, physical quality of these shows. Lean into these baser feelings as much as you want.
- Jaded Male Warrior/Kind Male Priest, Straight-Laced Paladin/That Damned Warlock (M/M)
This one feels a little more hilarious in tone somehow, but it doesn't need to be. Warlocks and paladin usually don't get to get along, so what is it that makes the paladin attracted, and why is the warlock interested in him? Do they debate their faith, ideas, ideals, or methods of doing things? Can they find common ground? And what exactly is so frustrating about the warlock? Do those straight laces loosen up a little?
- Older Male Ancient Roman Gladiator/Younger Male Ancient Roman Patrician
- Prince/Prince of Enemy Country
Watership Down - Richard Adams
- Any Relationship
The Silmarillion and other histories of Middle-Earth - J. R. R. Tolkien
SILMARILLION DNW
Doubling down on no bashing or making fun of any characters, especially the Feanorians. • Caranthir as greedy or doing embroidery. Caranthir with a face birthmark (I prefer the ruddy complexion as a darker coppery skintone overall, but I'm ok with the regular blush too). • LaCE written as a biological imperative aka banging gets you soul bonded and automatically married. I am okay with reading deconstructions of this, or various forms of "malicious compliance", just not played straight (not even if the ship is queer). • All-benevolent Valar or any other group written as "they did nothing wrong". • Outright abusive parenting, especially wrt to Feanor or Curufin (difficult parenting is okay) • Ignoring the existence of canon marriages/loves for characters in requested ships (e.g. Finrod loved Amarie, Turgon was married to Elenwe. Please acknowledge this). • Soft saint Maglor unwilling to kill, Maedhros the tragic saint who did things he didn't want to do. • Strong preference for all non-canon ships to be secret relationships. No russingon cameos as a relationship that everyone knows about. • Finrod as bubbly and slutty with no gravity or political interests. Turgon with no drive or passionate opinions. • Fingolfin with no ambition. Saint martyr Finarfin. • Any mentions of silvergifting as background for Celebrimbor. • Extremely ChristianTM morality judgements on the part of the author.
- Fingolfin & Idril Celebrindal
I am so curious to see how Idril relates to her ambitious, kingly grandfather. What did she learn from him before Turgon fucked off to Gondolin? What did she learn in Aman, and what kind of politicking did he share with her while they were together? Reembodied would also be a very interesting perspective for them.
- Finrod Felagund/Turgon of Gondolin, Bëor the Old/Finrod Felagund
So when I picture Finrod and Turgon I imagine a pair of friends who hurriedly experiment and then go pray about it. Alternatively, Turgon grieving and something psychosexual is going on about Finrod's blond hair. Idk I'm just intrigued by their friendship and relationship, and two people who are more similar than fandom often gives them credit for. You're welcome to indulge in themes of religious guilt and/or guilt about the past marriage with Elenwe. As per my DNW, no intentional cheating.
For Finrod and Beor, I'm most interested in how this relationship might develop in the context of vassalage. We know the Beorians give up their tongue etc. How does this power imbalance and positively-presented feudalism work out in a relationship? I'm also curious to see how this interplays with the fact that Finrod discourages Aegnor and Andreth from having a relationship, for reasons of fate. Is his relationship different? Perhaps because no children can happen? Or because they keep it non-sexual? I'm not very interested in "don't get with a mortal because you'll suffer like me with Beor when he died", it feels like a cop-out from a very complicated and perhaps hypocritical religious view.
For Finrod and Beor, I'm most interested in how this relationship might develop in the context of vassalage. We know the Beorians give up their tongue etc. How does this power imbalance and positively-presented feudalism work out in a relationship? I'm also curious to see how this interplays with the fact that Finrod discourages Aegnor and Andreth from having a relationship, for reasons of fate. Is his relationship different? Perhaps because no children can happen? Or because they keep it non-sexual? I'm not very interested in "don't get with a mortal because you'll suffer like me with Beor when he died", it feels like a cop-out from a very complicated and perhaps hypocritical religious view.
- Curufin/Curufin's Wife, Celebrimbor & Curufin
Who is Curufin's wife? I love any and all OCs created for her, and though I have a preference for a Noldorin woman who stayed in Aman, I am definitely open to other possibilities. I've used the name Ercasse Nuldavea before, meaning "holly" and "secret-like", but feel free to go for your own ideas of her name and their relationship.
I'd also love to see Curufin with his son (again I have a preference for born in Aman, but I'm open to other interpretations). I'm most interested in their relationship before the Nargothrond fiasco and I would rather you avoided anything too dark where Curufin is simply bad and Celebrimbor is babyfied to excess. Something complex and juicy about their father-son and lord-heir situation would be great. Celebrimbor thinking back on his father (and mother, if you feel inclined to include her, which would be great) is also nice.
I'd also love to see Curufin with his son (again I have a preference for born in Aman, but I'm open to other interpretations). I'm most interested in their relationship before the Nargothrond fiasco and I would rather you avoided anything too dark where Curufin is simply bad and Celebrimbor is babyfied to excess. Something complex and juicy about their father-son and lord-heir situation would be great. Celebrimbor thinking back on his father (and mother, if you feel inclined to include her, which would be great) is also nice.
- Fëanor & Finarfin & Fingolfin
Truly the magnificent three. I'd love to see their relationship, before or during the feud, explored in the way it intertwines in complicated ways. The ways they face or flee conflict, try to keep the peace, or disrupt it... any time period would be good, and I'm definitely not opposed to moments of respite from their familial strife. I'm really not interested in takes where Feanor simply bullies the other two or where any of their intergenerational trauma is dismissed as silly or as overreacting, so please avoid that.
- Finarfin & Nerdanel, Nerdanel & Sons of Fëanor, Fëanor/Nerdanel
For Finarfin and Nerdanel, I'm curious to see how they might interact during the feud or before (he, avoidant but fair-minded and calm, and her, steady and patient) as well as after he returns to Tirion during the Darkening. It's rather important to me that she has ideas which compel her to stay faithful to Aule, and does so from the start, but he first goes along with everything, and only returns to sue pardon after the thread of punishment and failure is delivered. The difference there is remarkable and I think worth exploring.
You have carte blanche, so to speak, to explore Nerdanel and her sons. I'm less interested in the sons being reembodied, mostly because they don't generally manage to hit characterisation and story points that satisfy me (for example, I really don't believe Maedhros would be among the first to be reembodied. If anything, he'd be among the last, if he were to be reembodied at all), so anything before that, when they could still reasonably meet, would be great. Their different relationships to their mother sounds like excellent starting points.
For Feanor/Nerdanel, I'd love to see how this love developed. They started out on good terms, as a true love match, and ended so bitterly and painfully. But how were the good times? How was her counsel, how did his respect for her manifest? Angst is also welcome. I forgot to put this in DNW, but I really don't want to read any short Feanor fanon. I am also firm in my idea that Nerdanel is short (and in fact, the short one among the two), but if this doesn't work for you, that's ok. Just don't put emphasis on it/don't mention headcanons where he is shorter than her.
You have carte blanche, so to speak, to explore Nerdanel and her sons. I'm less interested in the sons being reembodied, mostly because they don't generally manage to hit characterisation and story points that satisfy me (for example, I really don't believe Maedhros would be among the first to be reembodied. If anything, he'd be among the last, if he were to be reembodied at all), so anything before that, when they could still reasonably meet, would be great. Their different relationships to their mother sounds like excellent starting points.
For Feanor/Nerdanel, I'd love to see how this love developed. They started out on good terms, as a true love match, and ended so bitterly and painfully. But how were the good times? How was her counsel, how did his respect for her manifest? Angst is also welcome. I forgot to put this in DNW, but I really don't want to read any short Feanor fanon. I am also firm in my idea that Nerdanel is short (and in fact, the short one among the two), but if this doesn't work for you, that's ok. Just don't put emphasis on it/don't mention headcanons where he is shorter than her.
- Finwë/Míriel Therindë
One of the most interesting lines we got from Nature of Middle Earth was "adventurous and gallant" Finwe wanting a safe realm for Miriel to practice her craft. I'd love to see how their relationship looked like before Feanor's birth, or even before their arrival to Aman. How did they come to love each other, and how did it end as it did? Of course, I'm also open to angst, with a slowly dying Miriel. Sky's the limit. If writing before th-s shift, please use only the TH spelling, and only use the later S spelling/pronunciation if intentionally used by the speaker/pov character. I feel like it's an important aspect of the later politics so I'd like to see that taken into account.