Yuletide Letter 2018

[bobby_k]

Dear Yuletide Writer,

Thanks so much for getting matched with me! Yuletide is the only time at all I get to be fannish, so I’m always excited to see who I’m writing for, and to offer prompts for my writer.

From previous Yuletides (sorry this journal is bare as I’ve had to start from scratch thanks to RL doxxing), here is a general list of things I like, and what I’m not such a huge fan of:


I like
- power dynamics with my porn
- first times
- awkward moments (see above)
- well-written snark
- control issues
- mouthy bottoms
- twisted attraction - denial and submission (see power dynamics!)
- repressed feelings that are finally admitted to

I don't like
- weeping men (see above - I’m a fan of the Stiff Upper Lip Till It Suddenly Breaks trope though)
- melodrama
- flowery dialogue during sex (no orbs, no chiselled abs etc)
- mpreg
- character bashing (especially of female characters)
- pet-names
- overly detailed sex
- unwarned for non-con/rape/character death
- anachronistic dialogue for historical fics (I'm not saying everything has to be period-perfect, just please no stray slang like Brits 'doing the math')
- guro
- issue fic

Also, I know I've requested slash for most of these pairings, but that's an optional detail - I'm equally happy with gen fic. And if you do decide to go down the slashy path, please know that I'm fine with just kissing or fade-to-black scenarios if full-blown smut is not your thing.

TL,DR: I'm happy with whatever you want to write me.


 

• Dunkirk (Farrier/Collins)

My absolute favourite part of Dunkirk was the dogfight sequences, and how we have so little backstory regarding Farrier and Collins, but get so sucked in anyway. I like the little details that the film provides, such as Collins’ neat uniform, along with a perfectly tied tie but undeniable youthful enthusiasm, and Farrier’s rejection of a scarf in favour of his bomber jacket. I loved the emotion in Farrier’s eyes when he realised that he’d run out of fuel, and that split second when he decides to just fuck it and get on with the job (cheers to Tom Hardy for that absolute pitch-perfect piece of acting). However, what really made the dogfight sequences work so well for me was the relationship between the two pilots, and how naturally they worked together. They have total trust in each other and Collins clearly takes Farrier’s lead, deferring to his greater experience. Having said that, the hero worship when Collins is later watching from the Moonstone, is a sweet touch.

I’d love a fix-it fic. Show me how Farrier returns to Collins, and how the war has changed them both, but hasn’t fundamentally changed anything about how they relate to each other. Tell me about how Farrier escaped an Oflag, or Collins’ part in the liberation of Europe. Or switch it around -- after all the war was a deeply traumatic experience. Did Farrier never escape and then feel guilt for surviving when so many of his fellow airmen died? Did Collins fare badly in the Battle of Britain? How would that affect their eventual reunion? If you’re not comfortable with slash, this could apply to a gen story as well.

I am a huge history junkie, so historical details are very welcome, but a small vignette would be just as acceptable.

• Peaky Blinders (Alfie Solomons)
  I’d love some backstory for Alfie, such as whatever happened to take him to the very top of Camden Town, or perhaps his time during the First World War. What exactly did he do to deserve the reputation he got? Who did he meet along the way to make him so cynical? Or perhaps talk us through Alfie’s thought processes as he made the deal with Changretta, or even on the beach as he waited for Tommy.
  
  

• Liao Zhai Zhi Yi | Strange Tales From a Chinese Studio (any)

(Taking this from a previous Yuletide letter) Perhaps you could rework the story of Miss Quarta Hu? I expect there's a lot you could say about the corrupting influences of modern cities that ties in nicely with the themes in the story. But if any of the other Liao Zhai stories catch your eye, please feel free to use those instead.

• Bon Appetit Test Kitchen RPF (Brad Leone/Vincent Cross)

Honestly if you got matched with me for this, what more do I have to say? (Apart from 'wourder' wonderful, awesome thing to happen)

(If you’re not sure what It’s Alive is, let me  enlighten you)

I adore the dynamic these two have, even if we don't really get to hear Vinny all that much, and that’s obviously down to editing and well-timed textual interjections (“One thing I love Vinny” - “Me?”) on Vinny’s side. But I especially love Brad constantly saying “Who’s better than us, Vinny?” each time something goes well on It’s Alive, along with how they both have plans (well, Vincent does anyway) to have their own garlic farm some day. The last Porcini episode really turned the subtext up, too (geez, really guys? Getting lost part way through foraging for mushrooms? Skinny dipping in the lake? Right).

So, a fic for these two could either be totally platonic and involve all the chaos Brad could get up to (and Vinny could film and be snarky about), or something totally cliche - perhaps they get really dopey on those psychedelic mushrooms Brad was talking about in the last episode and start experimenting (with or without the camera)? Or does Vinny decide to take matters into his own hands and record Brad during a particularly intimate moment? I am so excited about this fandom being nominated for Yuletide, so any fic would make me a happy girl.

• Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (TV) (John Childermass/John Segundus)
  I like the idea of Childermass being the dominant partner here, but my penchant for bossy bottoms means that if you wanted to write Segundus as being the one dictating the action, I wouldn't mind it at all. So, some ideas: does Mr Segundus manage to perfect a silencing charm and need Childermass' help to test it out? Does Mr Honeyfoot wonder why Mr Segundus always looks so tired every time Childermass visits Starecross? Or is it that Childermass can't help being enthralled by the way Segundus gets so enthusiastic about magic and just has to find out if this enthusiasm extends to other matters as well?
  
  I'm honestly happy with whatever scenario you want to dream up, although I must say that I'm not really a fan of fics for this pairing with too dark at theme. A little bit of angst is nice, but please don't make it too depressing :) And like I keep saying, gen for this pairing is fine as well. I love the thought of them bickering over an interpretation of the King's Letters while Vinculus just stands around drinking up all Mr Segundus' good wine.