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Dear Yuletide Writer 2025
Oct. 15th, 2025 11:28 pmDear Yuletide author,
hi and happy Yuletide <3
I hope the letter is clear and helpful, but don't hesitate to reach out through the mods if you have questions.
My AO3 handle is plumedy :> If you are here because you're considering treating me, I absolutely accept treats and am all shades of excited about that.
#General DNWs
#General Likes
#Murder Rooms
#1954 Holmes
#Dr Joseph Bell and Arthur Conan Doyle series
#Hitman
#Sapphire & Steel
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- Major character death, including death of requested characters
- Animal death and harm to animals
- Gore
- References to or descriptions of noncon
- Abuse
- Mental illness
- Physical illness of any sort (this includes pandemics and epidemics)
- Harm to children
- Identity headcanons (gender, including nb; sexuality, including ace; ethnicity and religion; neurodivergence)
- In-universe bigotry of any kind
- Any POVs (including 1st and 2nd)
- Any tenses
- Generally any non-traditional writing devices
- Interactive fiction
- Crossovers and fusions, as long as I know the other fandom (anything I've ever requested in exchanges or written fic about goes)
-----------
- Characters angsting about being unworthy of and undeserving of their friend/characters believing that they're a harmful presence in their friend's life.
- Impulsive gestures of affection.
- Characters trying desperately to repress their affection and desire for someone's friendship because it is not socially/hierarchically appropriate.
- Character A slowly unravels over an event concerning character B (an injury or maybe just a perceived relationship breakdown between them?). Character A starts off stoic and becomes progressively less and less composed over the course of the story, culminating in their composure failing.
- Hugs.
- Bedside vigils.
- Characters getting tearful despite themselves and being ashamed of it. Love it when someone starts tearing up and then apologises for it!
- Hand touching.
- Hand kisses, as an expression of extreme loyalty and/or gratitude.
- Meaningful gifts.
- Quasi-familial relationships; characters yearning for another to be their family, especially if it's because their original family was shit.
- Hurt/comfort, physical or emotional.
- The classic "A is terrified for B's life or wellbeing and this brings out Emotions" is a favourite.
- Characters feeling like All Is Right With The World, at least for a time, because their BFF is with them.
- Characters affirming each other's identities and providing support and friendship in that regard (ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, sexuality identities, etc).
- Hierarchical and/or social differences between characters.
- Character A believes character B is dead and is desperate/in total denial/suicidal/murderous over this.
- Character A hurts character B (physically or emotionally, accidentally or because they were forced to) and angsts about it endlessly.
- Character A realizes that character B actually cares deeply for them and this causes them to be MindblownTM.
- Character A angsting because they're unsure if their affection for B is fully reciprocated.
- Characters A attempts to sacrifice themselves for the greater good and/or for character B and character B takes this Badly(TM).
- The only light in each other's darkness: two characters' lives are awful (for the moment or in general) and they're each other's only salvation. Especially a fan of the version where one character is drowning in their own grief/pain/anger and knows that the other character is the only person in the world who can help.
- Characters tenderly taking care of each other's injuries.
- Characters protecting each other in dangerous scenarios.
- Specifically, character A steps in the line of fire/forces an attacker to focus on them instead of character B. There's a stand-off with B being absolutely terrified for A all the way through/not comprehending why A would risk themselves like that :D
- Characters eating/cooking food together. Food, drinks, tea & coffee - they're my catnip.
- In medias res, snippets that feel like outtakes from a bigger story
- Characters being badass and doing something cool, whether in combat or otherwise
- 5+1 things
- A sense of wonder and awe at the universe, whether from the characters themselves or from the narrative
- OTOH in darker stories, I like an us vs the world feel
- Loving descriptions of plants and other nature
- Music (mostly classical), art, literature, fashion, and architecture references
- Sciencey things. Whether they're scientifically plausible or handwavey, I love them!
- Human anatomy in any way, shape or form. This is my field of study
- Jewish and Eastern European stuff
- Food and cooking. Throw in a good description of a tasty dish, and I'm yours mind body and soul
- Cozy domestic scenes in general. Characters having a cup of tea with each other next to a fireplace after a hard day's work? Yes please
- On the other hand, Gothic shit. I'm weak for Gloomy Weather Reflecting The Hero's Mood and for dark forests and angsty philosophical conundrums and so forth. Convoluted flower symbolism and emotional repression ftw.
- If a character has a canon marginalized identity that is meaningful to them, or if you headcanon them as having one, I enjoy small nods to that in fic
And now to my requests!!
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As always, I will read literally anything you want to write about them! They one of my oldest brOTPs and I'm unhinged about their friendship.
I love how incredibly angsty they are about each other (and about everything else) and how their relationship helps them remain sane. I love that Bell makes Doyle tea to soothe him. I love that Doyle keeps writing him letters. I love Doyle's weirdo obsessive narration at the end of The White Knight Stratagem where he says he can't forget Bell. I love their quasi-familial relationship. I love how Victorian they are about it and how there are things they can just never say to each other.
They're truly the light in each other's darkness and that's amazing.
I do love basically every other character in the series, too, so feel free to include any of them you like.
- Modern AU! Detective noir AU! I got a daemon AU before and it was splendid, I'd definitely go for another one! Coffee shop AU! Space AU! Someone stop me
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2. 1954 Holmes. Requested characters: Sherlock Holmes, John Watson.
Fandom-specific DNWs (Do Not Want):
- Canon-typical bigoted stereotypes (I recognize this series has a few pretty racist episodes, but please don't riff on them; actually, if you depicted H & W being explicitly more sensitive about marginalization than the canon, that'd be nice).
- Any background ships involving Holmes. If you want to give Watson a LI of any gender, that's fine.
I'm obsessed with this series and I can't lie. The boyish, earnest, failboat-y Holmes portrayed by Ronald Howard is honestly my favourite Holmes ever. And H. Marion Crawford's BAMF temperamental but kind-hearted Watson who punches every villain in the face is also amazing. And I love how nice they are to their clients and to each other, and all their domesticity, drinking tea together, going on holidays together, you name it. They're so damn adorable.
So naturally I want ANGST >:D The Christmas Pudding episode really did something to me. Holmes being completely all over the place and flailing while clumsily lying to Watson in an attempt to protect him... That got me good.
Just give me them suffering horribly and being affectionate with each other and then a happy ending, and I will love you forever.
- Is there an injury? Is it a sickfic? Is it another instance of Holmes' life being threatened, like in The Christmas Pudding? You decide what torture to inflict on them :D
- Watson being hurt or in danger!! Perhaps due to attempting to sacrifice himself on Holmes' behalf. I just want Holmes to flail helplessly about this and be absolutely terrified out of his wits. He's never had such a close friend before and was not prepared for the Emotions.
- Generally, Holmes trying to deal with Emotions. Mostly regarding Watson. He strikes me as someone who just wouldn't be prepared for the intensity of his own affection and would kind of fall face first into it like a slapstick character into a cake.
For this prompt, no suffering is really necessary except for emotional, I guess. I just want Holmes to suddenly discover that Watson means a lot to him and be all out of shape about it. RIP
- Riffs on the Canon are very welcome. My favourite stories are COPP, BLUE, and HOUN. And 3GAR is really awfully written, lol, but it has a special place in my heart for obvious reasons. And of course, takes on FINA and Reichenbach are always great.
- For this canon I would also be quite interested in various magic AUs and how their worldbuilding interacts with the Victorian society. Daemons? Platonic soulmates? Wingfic? Magical powers? How does this work in the Victorian era and how do Holmes and Watson interact within this context?
- I would also very happily read a modern AU of the series :D
-----------
5. Dr Joseph Bell and Arthur Conan Doyle series - David Pirie. Requested characters: Joseph Bell, Arthur Conan Doyle.
Fandom-specific DNWs (Do Not Want): none.
Oh I adore these books so much. They're so Gothic and iddily OTT and full of angst and philosophical musings on the nature of the Victorian era. There's so much potential for hurt/comfort. Bell and Doyle's relationship is so messy and yet offers so much hope to them. Doyle is constantly bitter about Bell but then when Bell is presumed dead, he basically becomes suicidal over it. I love it.
I just want them to work through at least some of their difficulties. They're so frustratingly repressed and traumatized and there's entirely too much miscommunication going on. They need tohug understand each more. They definitely need to hug though
anyway prompts!!!
- SO I just want Doyle to have a breakdown post-The Dark Water about Bell having been presumed dead. I feel like he'd keep it together for a while and present his regular nonchalant/snarky façade but then just have to hide in some dark corner and have a cry. Or maybe Bell is a bit more seriously hurt and Doyle has to keep a Bedside Vigil and that's what messes him up. Or maybe he's just having massive PTSD about the fact that he just witnessed what he thought was hisdad BFF dying. Either way, he tries to be an uptight Victorian about it but eventually fails.
Also, one of the last conversations they had before the finale included Doyle blaming Bell for Elspeth's death, and I'm a sucker for people blaming themselves for something they said to a now-(presumed) dead loved one.
- A bit more exploration of Bell's moral qualities in this canon. I love the bit where he jumps out of his hiding place because he's too outraged about the predatory lending going on in front of them to keep silent. Doyle's feelings/reflections on this? While they have a lot of conflicts in these books, I love the idea that there's something in Bell that is so true and wise that it's like a guiding star to Doyle.
The bit where Bell nearly kills their antagonist and only stops because Doyle steps in. Doyle says in the narration that this was nearly more terrifying to him than when he'd thought that Bell would be killed. It especially intrigues me that Doyle seems to be mostly frightened for Bell, not at all for the man Bell is about to kill (lmao). Some exploration of this? I love characters being frightened for each other's souls/mental health, especially in fucked up circumstances where they should really be scared of other things instead. And, of course, there's also the implication that Doyle is concerned that the Doctor will suffer the legal consequences of the murder (while, again, not being at all troubled for the victim :D). The implied level of devotion and love in this scene is insane.
- Riffs on the Canon!! Excellent stuff!! As I have mentioned, my faves are COPP, BLUE, HOUN, and 3GAR, but really feel free to pick any of the original stories, I've read it all and am enthusiastic about any references to or remixes of them.
- Like with the TV series requests - maybe it is Doyle's SH stories that help them sort out their relationship somewhat? Bell reading them and seeing how much Doyle platonically pines for him lol.
- When Cream kidnaps Doyle, he also sexually assaults him (not necessarily full-on rape, maybe it's just touching and extreme sleaziness. But actual rape is fine too). Sexual assault recovery. And Bell is the only one who can get Doyle out of the dark pit of ensuing mental health and self-esteem issues, because he can be very sensitive when he needs to and because they love each other that much. Salvation and recovery through the power of friendship and kindness.
-----------
6. Hitman (Video Games). Requested characters - Agent 47, Diana Burnwood
Fandom-specific DNW (Do Not Want): 47 treating what Diana has done to him as a true betrayal, or vice versa (e.g.: 47 thinking "Diana betrayed me"). 47 worrying about how Diana must think him a traitor/Diana worrying about how 47 must think her a traitor is more than welcome, though.
Anyway I continue to remain in a very Hitman-shaped hole. I love these two SO MUCH ugh. I have played Hitman: Blood Money, Hitman: Absolution, and HITMANs 1 through 3. Haven't read the comic but I do broadly know what happens in it. Have read "Overachievers" and found it delightful.
Fandom-specific DNW (Do Not Want): Steel being in any romantic relationships with anyone. Sapphire can have background or past romantic relationships.
I've recently watched this and I just CANNOT RECOVER from how devastatingly loyal to each other they are!! I love the horror and the ambiguous morality of the series, but the main draw is undoubtedly their dynamic. When he kissed her hand in Serial 2, I screamed. He's so unhinged about her he's afraid to admit it even to himself. And her falling into his arms for comfort? They're so entangled, I love this for them.
The canon is delightfully bonkers (what the fuck are medium atomic weights and why is steel an element) and I wouldn't have it any other way, but I am also intrigued about worldbuilding, as much as it's possible to worldbuild Sapphire & Steel. I love the idea that their natural state is possibly incorporeal/atomised/what have you, and how they have to get used to existing in human shapes. I love how it's randomly canon that they come from space.
Some potential prompts:
- Sapphire, Steel, and human gestures of affection!!! If they're aliens, they must've at some point been introduced to the concept of hugs, kisses, etc. How did they get from being introduced to these things to enjoying them themselves? Did Steel initially dislike the idea only to then start thinking about what it'd be like to show affection to Sapphire and find the concept Suddenly Appealing? :D What was Sapphire's reaction to Steel's sudden interest in human bonding?
- Steel being jealous of Silver's relationship with Sapphire. I'm not actually a big fan of Silver himself (I don't hate him, just not super interested), but Steel seething about Silver & Sapphire is fascinating to me. It's clearly a "class" issue, i.e. Silver superficially matches Sapphire much better than Steel and Steel is insecure about it. I'd love Steel stewing in his insecurity and Sapphire actually reassuring him about it/showing that no one would replace him for her. Don't get me wrong, Steel seething with resentment is very funny, but the angst and h/c potential of a more serious take is delicious.
hi and happy Yuletide <3
I hope the letter is clear and helpful, but don't hesitate to reach out through the mods if you have questions.
My AO3 handle is plumedy :> If you are here because you're considering treating me, I absolutely accept treats and am all shades of excited about that.
#General DNWs
#General Likes
#Murder Rooms
#1954 Holmes
#Dr Joseph Bell and Arthur Conan Doyle series
#Hitman
#Sapphire & Steel
-----------
DNW the requested characters being in romantic/sexual relationships with each other. Background romantic and/or sexual relationships are ok, as are background mentions/descriptions of noncon. Any gender combinations are fine for background relationships.
DNW communism portrayed in a sympathetic light. No surprise!communist OCs or plot points, please. General class and class oppression themes ok.
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DNW communism portrayed in a sympathetic light. No surprise!communist OCs or plot points, please. General class and class oppression themes ok.
-----------
II. Opt-ins (these are things you should feel free to include in your work if you like).
- You can write me fic of any length; I like both stuff just over the word limit and multi-chapter plotty fic. Don't worry about it either way.
- AUs (wingfic, soulmates, coffee shop, etc. Go wild)
- AUs (wingfic, soulmates, coffee shop, etc. Go wild)
- Major character death, including death of requested characters
- Animal death and harm to animals
- Gore
- References to or descriptions of noncon
- Abuse
- Mental illness
- Physical illness of any sort (this includes pandemics and epidemics)
- Harm to children
- Identity headcanons (gender, including nb; sexuality, including ace; ethnicity and religion; neurodivergence)
- In-universe bigotry of any kind
- Any POVs (including 1st and 2nd)
- Any tenses
- Generally any non-traditional writing devices
- Interactive fiction
- Crossovers and fusions, as long as I know the other fandom (anything I've ever requested in exchanges or written fic about goes)
-----------
III. General likes.
I'm a fan of intense, angsty, h/c-flavoured friendships. Sometimes my requests will skew fluffier, sometimes darker. In general, all I want is for the characters to be unquestionably devoted to each other. Specific interpretations are up to you!
My likes for platonic relationships:
- Generally, platonic pining. There are obstacles in the way of this friendship! Characters can't discuss their feelings for whatever reason! And they're just silently pining away but, like, for a platonic relationship. It's my catnip.
- Generally, platonic pining. There are obstacles in the way of this friendship! Characters can't discuss their feelings for whatever reason! And they're just silently pining away but, like, for a platonic relationship. It's my catnip.
- Characters angsting about being unworthy of and undeserving of their friend/characters believing that they're a harmful presence in their friend's life.
- Impulsive gestures of affection.
- Characters trying desperately to repress their affection and desire for someone's friendship because it is not socially/hierarchically appropriate.
- Character A slowly unravels over an event concerning character B (an injury or maybe just a perceived relationship breakdown between them?). Character A starts off stoic and becomes progressively less and less composed over the course of the story, culminating in their composure failing.
- Hugs.
- Bedside vigils.
- Characters getting tearful despite themselves and being ashamed of it. Love it when someone starts tearing up and then apologises for it!
- Hand touching.
- Hand kisses, as an expression of extreme loyalty and/or gratitude.
- Meaningful gifts.
- Quasi-familial relationships; characters yearning for another to be their family, especially if it's because their original family was shit.
- Hurt/comfort, physical or emotional.
- The classic "A is terrified for B's life or wellbeing and this brings out Emotions" is a favourite.
- Characters feeling like All Is Right With The World, at least for a time, because their BFF is with them.
- Characters affirming each other's identities and providing support and friendship in that regard (ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, sexuality identities, etc).
- Hierarchical and/or social differences between characters.
- Character A believes character B is dead and is desperate/in total denial/suicidal/murderous over this.
- Character A hurts character B (physically or emotionally, accidentally or because they were forced to) and angsts about it endlessly.
- Character A realizes that character B actually cares deeply for them and this causes them to be MindblownTM.
- Character A angsting because they're unsure if their affection for B is fully reciprocated.
- Characters A attempts to sacrifice themselves for the greater good and/or for character B and character B takes this Badly(TM).
- The only light in each other's darkness: two characters' lives are awful (for the moment or in general) and they're each other's only salvation. Especially a fan of the version where one character is drowning in their own grief/pain/anger and knows that the other character is the only person in the world who can help.
- Characters tenderly taking care of each other's injuries.
- Characters protecting each other in dangerous scenarios.
- Specifically, character A steps in the line of fire/forces an attacker to focus on them instead of character B. There's a stand-off with B being absolutely terrified for A all the way through/not comprehending why A would risk themselves like that :D
- Characters eating/cooking food together. Food, drinks, tea & coffee - they're my catnip.
My narrative likes:
- Casefic - I'm a big fan of mysteries and crime solving (or of committing elaborate crimes, considering the nature of some of my canons...)
- Slice of life and character studies. Don't worry about writing these, I love them. If you want to write a gift consisting wholly of some minor hurt/comfort-y nonsense, I will enjoy it.
- Slice of life and character studies. Don't worry about writing these, I love them. If you want to write a gift consisting wholly of some minor hurt/comfort-y nonsense, I will enjoy it.
- In medias res, snippets that feel like outtakes from a bigger story
- Characters being badass and doing something cool, whether in combat or otherwise
- 5+1 things
- A sense of wonder and awe at the universe, whether from the characters themselves or from the narrative
- OTOH in darker stories, I like an us vs the world feel
- Loving descriptions of plants and other nature
- Music (mostly classical), art, literature, fashion, and architecture references
- Sciencey things. Whether they're scientifically plausible or handwavey, I love them!
- Human anatomy in any way, shape or form. This is my field of study
- Jewish and Eastern European stuff
- Food and cooking. Throw in a good description of a tasty dish, and I'm yours mind body and soul
- Cozy domestic scenes in general. Characters having a cup of tea with each other next to a fireplace after a hard day's work? Yes please
- On the other hand, Gothic shit. I'm weak for Gloomy Weather Reflecting The Hero's Mood and for dark forests and angsty philosophical conundrums and so forth. Convoluted flower symbolism and emotional repression ftw.
- If a character has a canon marginalized identity that is meaningful to them, or if you headcanon them as having one, I enjoy small nods to that in fic
And now to my requests!!
-----------
1. Murder Rooms. Requested characters: Joseph Bell and Arthur Conan Doyle.
Fandom-specific DNWs (Do Not Want): none.
As always, I will read literally anything you want to write about them! They one of my oldest brOTPs and I'm unhinged about their friendship.
I love how incredibly angsty they are about each other (and about everything else) and how their relationship helps them remain sane. I love that Bell makes Doyle tea to soothe him. I love that Doyle keeps writing him letters. I love Doyle's weirdo obsessive narration at the end of The White Knight Stratagem where he says he can't forget Bell. I love their quasi-familial relationship. I love how Victorian they are about it and how there are things they can just never say to each other.
They're truly the light in each other's darkness and that's amazing.
I do love basically every other character in the series, too, so feel free to include any of them you like.
Some potential prompts:
- Something on the subject of Doyle's mental health and Bell's friendship just being an absolute lifeline for him. Drug issues (laudanum)? Suicidality? Passive suicidality? Just give me Doyle having a difficult time and coming to Bell about it/Bell noticing and Making Everything Right. Bonus points for Doyle angsting about how he doesn't deserve Bell's friendship and help, or just Bell in general >:D And Bell obviously having none of it.
- First realisation of affection! When do they actually notice that they love each other? Does that initially cause them discomfort/worry (they only have a professional relationship! They shouldn't get attached! Doyle already has a father!)?
- I kinda want a thing where one or both of them are having some kind of Feeling but they're in a public space/at a social function and expressing the Feeling is simply not appropriate. Just a heroic possibly hours-long attempt at repression and presenting a socially decent facade *laughs evilly*
- I'd love some riff on a Canon story. Not necessarily a full casefic, just an outtake or something that glosses over the details of the investigation is more than ok! Some of my favourite ACD canon stories are The Copper Beeches, The Hound, The Blue Carbuncle, and, of course, The Three Garridebs.
- Doyle and getting into an actually happy romantic relationship! Possibly with a guy since I headcanon Doyle as bi. Doyle being afraid that Bell won't approve, and then Bell being super nice and supportive about Doyle's bisexuality in a way Doyle's own parents never would be >:)
- Further on that subject, I love the implication that in this universe, Bell can read what amounts to Doyle's self-insert fanfic about him. When Doyle starts publishing the Sherlock Holmes stories, how does Bell feel/react to the Holmes & Watson relationship? Is he moved by the affection Doyle's characters have for each other? Is he troubled because he believes he hasn't been as good for Doyle as Holmes is for Watson? Does he perhaps think of himself as a destructive or harmful influence because he's brought Doyle into this gruesome world, and in contrast to Holmes & Watson's relationship this perceived destructiveness upsets him all the more? :D
- Something on the subject of Doyle's mental health and Bell's friendship just being an absolute lifeline for him. Drug issues (laudanum)? Suicidality? Passive suicidality? Just give me Doyle having a difficult time and coming to Bell about it/Bell noticing and Making Everything Right. Bonus points for Doyle angsting about how he doesn't deserve Bell's friendship and help, or just Bell in general >:D And Bell obviously having none of it.
- First realisation of affection! When do they actually notice that they love each other? Does that initially cause them discomfort/worry (they only have a professional relationship! They shouldn't get attached! Doyle already has a father!)?
- I kinda want a thing where one or both of them are having some kind of Feeling but they're in a public space/at a social function and expressing the Feeling is simply not appropriate. Just a heroic possibly hours-long attempt at repression and presenting a socially decent facade *laughs evilly*
- I'd love some riff on a Canon story. Not necessarily a full casefic, just an outtake or something that glosses over the details of the investigation is more than ok! Some of my favourite ACD canon stories are The Copper Beeches, The Hound, The Blue Carbuncle, and, of course, The Three Garridebs.
- Doyle and getting into an actually happy romantic relationship! Possibly with a guy since I headcanon Doyle as bi. Doyle being afraid that Bell won't approve, and then Bell being super nice and supportive about Doyle's bisexuality in a way Doyle's own parents never would be >:)
- Further on that subject, I love the implication that in this universe, Bell can read what amounts to Doyle's self-insert fanfic about him. When Doyle starts publishing the Sherlock Holmes stories, how does Bell feel/react to the Holmes & Watson relationship? Is he moved by the affection Doyle's characters have for each other? Is he troubled because he believes he hasn't been as good for Doyle as Holmes is for Watson? Does he perhaps think of himself as a destructive or harmful influence because he's brought Doyle into this gruesome world, and in contrast to Holmes & Watson's relationship this perceived destructiveness upsets him all the more? :D
- Modern AU! Detective noir AU! I got a daemon AU before and it was splendid, I'd definitely go for another one! Coffee shop AU! Space AU! Someone stop me
-----------
2. 1954 Holmes. Requested characters: Sherlock Holmes, John Watson.
Fandom-specific DNWs (Do Not Want):
- Canon-typical bigoted stereotypes (I recognize this series has a few pretty racist episodes, but please don't riff on them; actually, if you depicted H & W being explicitly more sensitive about marginalization than the canon, that'd be nice).
- Any background ships involving Holmes. If you want to give Watson a LI of any gender, that's fine.
I'm obsessed with this series and I can't lie. The boyish, earnest, failboat-y Holmes portrayed by Ronald Howard is honestly my favourite Holmes ever. And H. Marion Crawford's BAMF temperamental but kind-hearted Watson who punches every villain in the face is also amazing. And I love how nice they are to their clients and to each other, and all their domesticity, drinking tea together, going on holidays together, you name it. They're so damn adorable.
So naturally I want ANGST >:D The Christmas Pudding episode really did something to me. Holmes being completely all over the place and flailing while clumsily lying to Watson in an attempt to protect him... That got me good.
Just give me them suffering horribly and being affectionate with each other and then a happy ending, and I will love you forever.
- Is there an injury? Is it a sickfic? Is it another instance of Holmes' life being threatened, like in The Christmas Pudding? You decide what torture to inflict on them :D
- Watson being hurt or in danger!! Perhaps due to attempting to sacrifice himself on Holmes' behalf. I just want Holmes to flail helplessly about this and be absolutely terrified out of his wits. He's never had such a close friend before and was not prepared for the Emotions.
- Generally, Holmes trying to deal with Emotions. Mostly regarding Watson. He strikes me as someone who just wouldn't be prepared for the intensity of his own affection and would kind of fall face first into it like a slapstick character into a cake.
For this prompt, no suffering is really necessary except for emotional, I guess. I just want Holmes to suddenly discover that Watson means a lot to him and be all out of shape about it. RIP
- Riffs on the Canon are very welcome. My favourite stories are COPP, BLUE, and HOUN. And 3GAR is really awfully written, lol, but it has a special place in my heart for obvious reasons. And of course, takes on FINA and Reichenbach are always great.
- For this canon I would also be quite interested in various magic AUs and how their worldbuilding interacts with the Victorian society. Daemons? Platonic soulmates? Wingfic? Magical powers? How does this work in the Victorian era and how do Holmes and Watson interact within this context?
- I would also very happily read a modern AU of the series :D
-----------
5. Dr Joseph Bell and Arthur Conan Doyle series - David Pirie. Requested characters: Joseph Bell, Arthur Conan Doyle.
Fandom-specific DNWs (Do Not Want): none.
Oh I adore these books so much. They're so Gothic and iddily OTT and full of angst and philosophical musings on the nature of the Victorian era. There's so much potential for hurt/comfort. Bell and Doyle's relationship is so messy and yet offers so much hope to them. Doyle is constantly bitter about Bell but then when Bell is presumed dead, he basically becomes suicidal over it. I love it.
I just want them to work through at least some of their difficulties. They're so frustratingly repressed and traumatized and there's entirely too much miscommunication going on. They need to
anyway prompts!!!
- SO I just want Doyle to have a breakdown post-The Dark Water about Bell having been presumed dead. I feel like he'd keep it together for a while and present his regular nonchalant/snarky façade but then just have to hide in some dark corner and have a cry. Or maybe Bell is a bit more seriously hurt and Doyle has to keep a Bedside Vigil and that's what messes him up. Or maybe he's just having massive PTSD about the fact that he just witnessed what he thought was his
Also, one of the last conversations they had before the finale included Doyle blaming Bell for Elspeth's death, and I'm a sucker for people blaming themselves for something they said to a now-(presumed) dead loved one.
- A bit more exploration of Bell's moral qualities in this canon. I love the bit where he jumps out of his hiding place because he's too outraged about the predatory lending going on in front of them to keep silent. Doyle's feelings/reflections on this? While they have a lot of conflicts in these books, I love the idea that there's something in Bell that is so true and wise that it's like a guiding star to Doyle.
The bit where Bell nearly kills their antagonist and only stops because Doyle steps in. Doyle says in the narration that this was nearly more terrifying to him than when he'd thought that Bell would be killed. It especially intrigues me that Doyle seems to be mostly frightened for Bell, not at all for the man Bell is about to kill (lmao). Some exploration of this? I love characters being frightened for each other's souls/mental health, especially in fucked up circumstances where they should really be scared of other things instead. And, of course, there's also the implication that Doyle is concerned that the Doctor will suffer the legal consequences of the murder (while, again, not being at all troubled for the victim :D). The implied level of devotion and love in this scene is insane.
- Riffs on the Canon!! Excellent stuff!! As I have mentioned, my faves are COPP, BLUE, HOUN, and 3GAR, but really feel free to pick any of the original stories, I've read it all and am enthusiastic about any references to or remixes of them.
- Like with the TV series requests - maybe it is Doyle's SH stories that help them sort out their relationship somewhat? Bell reading them and seeing how much Doyle platonically pines for him lol.
- When Cream kidnaps Doyle, he also sexually assaults him (not necessarily full-on rape, maybe it's just touching and extreme sleaziness. But actual rape is fine too). Sexual assault recovery. And Bell is the only one who can get Doyle out of the dark pit of ensuing mental health and self-esteem issues, because he can be very sensitive when he needs to and because they love each other that much. Salvation and recovery through the power of friendship and kindness.
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6. Hitman (Video Games). Requested characters - Agent 47, Diana Burnwood
Fandom-specific DNW (Do Not Want): 47 treating what Diana has done to him as a true betrayal, or vice versa (e.g.: 47 thinking "Diana betrayed me"). 47 worrying about how Diana must think him a traitor/Diana worrying about how 47 must think her a traitor is more than welcome, though.
Anyway I continue to remain in a very Hitman-shaped hole. I love these two SO MUCH ugh. I have played Hitman: Blood Money, Hitman: Absolution, and HITMANs 1 through 3. Haven't read the comic but I do broadly know what happens in it. Have read "Overachievers" and found it delightful.
I'm just so weak for their friendship and for how they trust each other absolutely even after having shot and poisoned each other a bunch of times... They're messed up but they're doing their best with the cards they're given, and I love every bit of it.
And I love that 47 is clearly more and more aware of experiencing emotions as the series goes on, even if he can't necessarily put a name to them.
It is obvious to me that 47 and Diana need to HUG. Or just. Quit being so damn repressed for a minute and express their affection for each other.
I headcanon 47 as autistic but I don't care if you write him as allistic, either, or if you just don't concern yourself with this either way.
I do like almost every secondary character in the franchise (Victoria, Lucas, Olivia), so feel free to include any of them if you think it appropriate.
Some potential prompts are:
- 47 and Diana reuniting immediately post-H3 and her hugging him and him not knowing how to handle that. I have long thought about Diana hugging him after the end cutscene, and him being absolutely error 404 about it and not knowing where to put his arms. Has he even been hugged before by anyone other than Lucas?
- 47 and Diana reuniting immediately post-H3 and her hugging him and him not knowing how to handle that. I have long thought about Diana hugging him after the end cutscene, and him being absolutely error 404 about it and not knowing where to put his arms. Has he even been hugged before by anyone other than Lucas?
- 47 says he's not 47 anymore. What name does he choose and why? Does he just keep calling himself Tobias Rieper, or does he adopt a different pseudonym? Diana being nice to him about it and going out of her way to use his new name.
- Platonic soulmate marks?? I love them and I'm not picky about which ones! Red thread, writing on skin, symbols, or whatever else strikes your fancy <3
I'd love an exploration of just when they find out that they're soulmates and how it happens. Do they immediately know when they first meet, or is it a realisation that catches them unawares well into their partnership? I think 47 would be super insecure about whether Diana is his friend/platonic partner for his own sake or just because they're soulmates, and I'm here for that >:D
- Platonic soulmate marks?? I love them and I'm not picky about which ones! Red thread, writing on skin, symbols, or whatever else strikes your fancy <3
I'd love an exploration of just when they find out that they're soulmates and how it happens. Do they immediately know when they first meet, or is it a realisation that catches them unawares well into their partnership? I think 47 would be super insecure about whether Diana is his friend/platonic partner for his own sake or just because they're soulmates, and I'm here for that >:D
- Daemon AU. Ooh, maybe Diana's daemon is a bunny! Or a canary! And there's Meaningful Angst. And their daemons eventually snuggle each other and it makes them happy ajdvjfvekfv
- Something connected to the assassination of Diana's family? 47 trying to apologize to Diana about it? For more action-y stuff, maybe they're hunting someone connected to that, or perhaps someone tries to get them to kill a family of similar targets, or a dilemma arises about keeping a target's family alive. Featuring 47 doing some painful reflection, of course >:)
- Them buying or cooking each other food!! Maybe 47 is cooking something nice for her? Maybe Diana is cooking for him? Maybe he's just bringing her some treat he bought in a nearby shop? Maybe they're getting takeout together!!
I kind of randomly headcanon Diana as Jewish and would love her cooking/buying Jewish food for 47 (a nice challah or some hamantaschen idk :D), but anything else involving food will also absolutely capture my heart.
- Post-canon stuff. What are they up to immediately after H3? How has their relationship changed? Are they unsure of or fearful about anything?
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6. Sapphire & Steel (TV). Requested characters - Sapphire, Steel
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6. Sapphire & Steel (TV). Requested characters - Sapphire, Steel
Fandom-specific DNW (Do Not Want): Steel being in any romantic relationships with anyone. Sapphire can have background or past romantic relationships.
I've recently watched this and I just CANNOT RECOVER from how devastatingly loyal to each other they are!! I love the horror and the ambiguous morality of the series, but the main draw is undoubtedly their dynamic. When he kissed her hand in Serial 2, I screamed. He's so unhinged about her he's afraid to admit it even to himself. And her falling into his arms for comfort? They're so entangled, I love this for them.
The canon is delightfully bonkers (what the fuck are medium atomic weights and why is steel an element) and I wouldn't have it any other way, but I am also intrigued about worldbuilding, as much as it's possible to worldbuild Sapphire & Steel. I love the idea that their natural state is possibly incorporeal/atomised/what have you, and how they have to get used to existing in human shapes. I love how it's randomly canon that they come from space.
Some potential prompts:
- Sapphire, Steel, and human gestures of affection!!! If they're aliens, they must've at some point been introduced to the concept of hugs, kisses, etc. How did they get from being introduced to these things to enjoying them themselves? Did Steel initially dislike the idea only to then start thinking about what it'd be like to show affection to Sapphire and find the concept Suddenly Appealing? :D What was Sapphire's reaction to Steel's sudden interest in human bonding?
- Steel being jealous of Silver's relationship with Sapphire. I'm not actually a big fan of Silver himself (I don't hate him, just not super interested), but Steel seething about Silver & Sapphire is fascinating to me. It's clearly a "class" issue, i.e. Silver superficially matches Sapphire much better than Steel and Steel is insecure about it. I'd love Steel stewing in his insecurity and Sapphire actually reassuring him about it/showing that no one would replace him for her. Don't get me wrong, Steel seething with resentment is very funny, but the angst and h/c potential of a more serious take is delicious.
