Dear Confectioner [COMPLETE NOW!]

[opalmatrix]

Thank you for writing me a story for Candy Hearts!

Have some optional details about what I like and don't like in a story, as well as details about what I like about the individual fandoms and characters.

Preferences

I Don't Like:

• Sickly-sweet, coy, cutesy romantic stuff (anything in the "tee-hee-hee, is he looking at me?" category is definitely out)
• Extensive use of epithets, or epithets that don't match the character POV (no one should think of his or her long-time lover as "the green-eyed man," for example): these will throw me right out of a story
• Characters acting out of character, especially if the purpose is to force them into a relationship (doubly bad if that relationship is romantic or sexual)
• By-the-numbers, every-action-described sex (a/k/a Ikea Erotica - link goes to TVTropes). Note that actual sex is fine (I love me some sexy stories) — just don't like it when the descriptions turn into a set of exact stage directions.
• Mpreg, rape, forced sex (including sex pollen and fuck-or-die), hatesex. Dubcon is OK, especially the sort when the reluctant partner really wants the other person but is just not quite feeling ready yet or doesn't think se wants it in this particular way but gets off on it anyway.
• Humiliation or betrayal (without a damn good plot reason) of a character by a friend or lover
• A/B/O and related kinks/tropes, incest (unless canon), scat/watersports/emetophilia, tentacles, non-human genitalia.

I Like:

• Strong characterization (including character-appropriate dialog: no earthy, uneducated characters using $100 words)
• Positive emotional payoffs that are well-earned
• Passions that are strong without being mushy/fluffy
• Moments of realization — satori
• Friendships - although I am a romantic person, not every relationship must be romantic (I do like the trope of friends becoming lovers, however)
• Wry and even dark humor in the course of a more serious story
• And I like any of the following "cool bits":
  • hurt-comfort
  • being cozy indoors when it's rainy or snowing
  • whispered admissions of love or forgiveness
  • sudden realization of one's feelings for another
  • kissing the inside of the elbow or the base of the throat
  • drops of water clinging to hair and/or skin
  • warm and oversized bathrobes/dressing gowns or sweaters/jerseys
  • someone's profile silhouetted against the light
  • family-of-choice, nakama, or True Companions
  • cynics with secretly soft hearts
  • impulsive acts of valor (especially on behalf of the weak or an underdog)
  • In-jokes among family members or close friends
  • shopping or planning scenes, where people are working together to pick things out
  • leaning comfortably against a friend or lover; feeling them chuckle or speak
  • snark, whether on the part of the narrator or from a character (this should not be *mean*, just apt and funny)
  • brushing long hair or riffling fingers through short hair
  • romantic partners who are both competent
  • someone gradually waking and smiling when they realize their beloved is there
  • a stronger partner submitting willingly to the desires of a weaker one
  • unexpected gifts that turn out to be Just Right
  • licking honey or something similar off fingers
  • finding in a fight that one's ally feels like a protective wall
  • the moon seen through wind-blown branches
  • a high-control/driven person being persuaded to slow down and enjoy

I'm quite content with both straight and gay relationships. I do tend to ship the canon relationships, unless it's a character who has had no clear relationships shown in the story. I'm not comfortable with sexual relationships shown in children under the age of, say, 14 or so, and even then it's better in context (teens with other teens or in a societal setting where girls expect to marry by 16-18 anyway).

Fandoms and Prompts

Saiyuki

My bulletproof ship, at all ratings. For me, this is all about the manga. I identify with both characters: Hakkai's constant obfuscation of his underlying anger by being mannerly and harmless-looking, his constant pursuit of expertise in skills, his passive-aggressive means of getting his way, the way Gojyo is the only person who can predictably make him feel anything; and Gojyo's "wounded at the core" nature, brought on by his relationship with his stepmother, his earthy kindness, his simultaneous vulgarity and chivalry, his persistence and endurance.

Possible Themes

I never learned nothing from playing it safe

Don't mind if I fall apart / There's more room in a broken heart.

This charm of yours, better put it on hold

You take more than just my sanity / you take my reason not to care

Oh, and AU is fine ... although for a really short treat, canon might be easier/better.

Wild Adapter

I love Tokito's nearly pure id (food, videogames, and Kubota!), and how despite his amnesia and messed-up hand, he's actually the less broken of the two. Kubota's nihilism makes you forget how young he really is.

The truth you might be running from is so small / But it's as big as the promise / The promise of a coming day

Don't make no difference what nobody says / Ain't nobody like to be alone

Kubota considers doing the right thing.

Here I sit with open hands / Here I wait without a plan

とんがり帽子のアトリエ | Tongari Boushi no Atelier | Witch Hat Atelier (Manga)

The delicacy and sweetness of the story masks some very real darkness about how the magic system and the government attempting to control it work. With this in mind: pre-canon with Olruggio (who is just the sort of character I love in an m/m scenario) and Qifrey, either actual m/m or just friends in a rather prickly relationship.

The Murderbot Diaries - Martha Wells

Murderbot's point of view and self-analytical thought processes are what makes this fandom for me. A lot of my usual Cool Bits (above) are kind of worthless for characters like Murderbot and ART, but you might be able to work in one or two. Love the teenager-ish friend relationships Amena has with Murderbot and ART, and Iris much the same. I love Murderbot realizing that physical threats are not the only thing capable of harming Mensah. And I'm always up for family-of-choice, nakama, or True Companions with a team. Finally, I love the idea of Murderbot starting to realize that his copies are in some sense his siblings and/or children.

(Or maybe the whole thing is just a slumber party with Amena and Murderbot and ART taking in favorite media.)

Raven Cycle - Maggie Stiefvater

Love me some family-of-choice, nakama, or True Companions, and this group has it in spades. As an older woman myself, really appreciate Mr. Gray and Maura. Love weird mentor/student vibes between Adam and Persephone. Folks have suggested Gansey is a bit on the spectrum - I can see that. Matthew and Noah are both "unreal" - something where they work out their similarities and differences. And Gansey/Blue and Ronan/Adam are pure love.

Possible Themes

Ronan/Adam: I've dug my own grave, please don't let me lie in it

Gansey/Blue: If you're hurting, I only want to hurt with you

Matthew and Noah: I dreamt I told you a dream I'd had / That once I had dreamt of you / You touched my face and you told me "hush" / And that you already knew

Mr. Gray and Maura: Your problems, I'll stop them / No need to worry, they'll all be forgotten

Adam and Persephone: Can you hear me calling from a world away / A lonely voice behind a door

Or just take one or two of my "Cool Bits" (above) and play with it.

Monstress (Comics)

Another ensemble cast that gives me family-of-choice, nakama, or True Companions happiness, Kippa is my favorite character: some poignant little side story with her and Maika and/or Master Ren? Mother-daughter backstory with Maika and Moriko. Tuya's and Corvin's loyalty to and affection for Maika are a blessing: something sweet between them (romantic or not). And the whole question of Maika's relationship with Zinn is always of interest.

Or just take one or two of my "Cool Bits" (above) and play with it.