Hurt/Comfort - Dear Author
Feb. 20th, 2019 06:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pannyHello and thank you for writing for me; I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Hurt/comfort is like my diehard favourite category of fic, so I am so incredibly excited for this exchange. Fandoms, pairings, and tropes are all listed in a more or less random order that had way more to do with the labour of love that was picking through the tag set than any indication of preference – I want everything desperately, trust me.
I traditionally have a preference for hurt/comfort written from the perspective of the comforter, as I’m really into the emotional state of characters trying to deal with someone they care about being in distress and like as much insight as possible. However, this is 100% not a hard and fast rule, so do whatever feels right!
o Kate Kane/Renee Montoya (hurt Renee)
o Renee Montoya & Vice Sage (hurt Renee or hurt both)
· Midnighter and Apollo (Comics): Apollo/Midnighter (hurt Midnighter)
· DC Extended Universe: Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne (hurt Bruce)
· The Adventure Zone (Podcast): Edmund “Ned” Chicane/Duck Newton (hurt Duck)
· Doom Patrol (TV 2019): Cliff Steele/Larry Trainor (hurt Larry)
· The Umbrella Academy (TV): Allison Hargreeves/Vanya Hargreeves (hurt both)
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The Question
Fandom Specific Notes: Mentions of Renee/Daria, Kate/Maggie, and/or Renee/Helena are totally fine with me and would not violate my unrequested ship DNW.
Kate Kane/Renee Montoya (hurt Renee)
Relevant Past letters: Kate/Renee Ship Thoughts, Kate/Renee Trope Likes, F/F Porn Likes
Man, I love this ship so much – they’re such a mess! I love their complicated feelings about each other. I love their absolute inability to ever entirely get over each other even when they want to move on. I love the weight of the shared history between them and how much they actually don’t know about each other because one of them just isn’t talking. I love how quickly they push each other’s buttons and the tension and conflict between them. I love how well they work together when they’re co-operating. I love how deeply they care about each other and how protective they can be towards each other. I love that that protectiveness occasionally develops into “I’m going to physically fight you for your own good”. I love the many interesting flaws that they both have and how quick they are to recognize them in each other and call each other out. I love how quickly their personal baggage (and sometimes even their principles) fall by the wayside as soon as the other one is in danger. They’re so intense about each other, every interaction is a blessing.
The panel I included here is from Convergence since the limited run included some of these hurt/comfort tropes baked right in (thank you, Rucka, for always delivering on the good stuff), but I am 100% down for fic set at any stage of their relationship at any point in the New Earth reality, whether it actually fell under the The Question title or not. I am also fine if you choose to have Kate and Renee not actually be together at the end of the fic, as long as it’s clear that the feelings are still there even when they’re broken up.
Requested tropes:
· Character is Injured while Protecting Another, Enduring Pain to Protect Another, Hurt while saving the other character(s), Hurt to Protect the Comforter
· Captured by enemy while trying to protect the other
· Both Captured - Forced to Work Together to Escape
· Character won't stop getting up no matter how many times they get hit
· Combat Injury
· CPR/Rescue Breathing
· Curses, Fairytale Enchantment, Fairy Tale Curses
· Hostage Situations
· Hurt will kill character in specific time if not stopped
· Jumping in Front of a Bullet
· Trapped/Injured in a Cave-In
· Protectiveness
· Canadian Shack
· forced to shoot bad guy to save partner
· Time Loop - Character A Keeps Failing to Save Character B
· Injured by Mind Controlled Friend or Loved One
· Near Death
· Pushing through injury
· Searching for injured partner/friend who was left behind
· Time Travel to Save Friend or Loved One
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Renee Montoya & Vic Sage (hurt Renee), Renee Montoya & Vic Sage (both hurt)
DNW Exception: Since Vic’s cancer is a major plot point during their time together in 52 (my favourite crossover series ever), I’m waving my Terminal Illness DNW here. I don’t expect anyone to have to overlook or handwave that part of canon. However, I’d prefer the fic not center entirely around that element, especially not when there’s so many other great hurt/comfort tropes to explore!
I love the dynamic between these two so much (have I mentioned that 52 was great? Because it was great!). I have a lot of affection for both of these characters individually, but together *chefs kiss*. As someone who was a big fan of the character arc Renee started in Gotham Central, I also love how much Vic was exactly what she needed exactly when she needed it and how rewarding it was to see her continue out that arc as Vic’s chosen successor to the Question mantle. I love every phase of their partnership and seeing Renee’s actually totally justified annoyance at this weirdo invading her personal life developing to genuine mutual respect and affection. I love Renee coming to see Vic as her best friend and Vic’s total faith in Renee as a person.
Emotional hurt/comfort is the obvious go-to for these two and their respective baggage and hang-ups (and what canon gives us is so good, but I’ll always want more), but I’m definitely down for more physical danger/injury stuff as well – they are vigilantes after all!
I’m totally down for stories set during their time together in 52, Convergence stuff where Renee meets an alt version of Vic, AUs where Vic survives and they continue working together, AUs where they meet under different circumstances, AUs where Vic gets resurrected somehow after his death in 52, Blackest Night fic where (somehow, through shenanigans) Vic actually does come back like Tot was hoping instead of being a murder zombie (or in addition to being a murder zombie), Rebirth fic where the Question harasses an angry Gotham cop into working with him, whatever!
Requested tropes:
· Curses
· Combat Injury
· Character won't stop getting up no matter how many times they get hit
· Drinking to Cope
· Forced to hurt someone
· Hostage Situations
· unresolved issues from their past
· Self-Loathing
· forced to shoot bad guy to save partner
· Near Death
· Pushing through injury
· Survivor Guilt
· Time Travel to Save Friend or Loved One
Midnighter and Apollo
Fandom Specific Notes: Making reference to the men either of them might have dated while Midnighter was off finding himself is fine and would not violate my unrequested ship DNW. I find M’s penchant for collecting and maintaining friendships with his ex-boyfriends kind of endearing.
Apollo/Midnighter (hurt Midnighter)
I really, really loved Orlando’s take on these characters (and everything about his run in general; it’s so great). I also loved that Orlando is not afraid to bring on the Midnighter whump (I do so love seeing hyper competent, incredibly powerful characters hurt and vulnerable) or to have Apollo get himself out of jams and get to do the rescuing once in a while. So now I’m here to say: “Yes, that, but more.”
Honestly, there’s pretty much nothing about these two characters and their relationship that I’m not totally in love with. They care so deeply about each other and they’re just so…good together. I love the sweet, domestic moments between them as much as I love seeing them face down an enemy together. M tearing shit up in Hell to bring Apollo back and Apollo busting them both out and revealing the reason behind his name was everything to me.
While I’m prompting for the Orlando versions, feel free to borrow from other continuities if you feel like it.
Requested Tropes:
· Badass in Distress
· Protectiveness
· Enduring Pain to Protect Another, Character is Injured while Protecting Another, Hurt while saving the other character(s), Hurt to Protect the Comforter
· Combat Injury
· CPR/Rescue Breathing
· Curses, Fairy Tale Curses, Magic Curses, Sleeping Curse Kiss, Fairytale Enchantment
· Loss of Powers
· Exposed to harmful magical item, Magical Injury, Magical Sickness
· field medicine
· Hurt will kill character in specific time if not stopped
· Mind Controlled by Villain, Body under another's control
· Time Loop - Character A Keeps Failing to Save Character B
· Bridal/Princess Style Carrying, Hurt/sick character needs to be carried
· Canadian Shack
· Captured by enemy while trying to protect the other
· Injured by Mind Controlled Friend or Loved One
· Near Death
· Pushing through injury
· Superpower Malfunction
· Time Loop of Trauma
· Time Travel to Save Friend or Loved One
DC Extended Universe
Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne (hurt Bruce)
Man, I have always had a soft spot for Buce whump for just about any version of the character, but there’s just something about DCEU continuity SuperBat that really makes me crave all the hurt/comfort.
I have grown very fond of this grizzled, experienced Bruce Wayne who has already been through a lot, but is only now learning to cope with superhumans on both sides of the hero-villain line. There’s also something to be said for DCEU!Supes having a fairly troubled rise to heroism and going through a lot in a relatively short period of time culminating in dying and then coming out the other end of Justice League as the most hopeful version of the character we’ve seen in this continuity so far. I’m also pretty into just how quickly and intensely the relationship between these two develops both as enemies and then as friends - they know each other for such a short period of time, but the feelings are so much!
I’d be especially down for something set either post-Justice League or in a canon-divergence AU (especially if it involved identity porn, which is a diehard narrative kink of mine in superhero canons), but I’d pretty much be happy with hurt/comfort for these two regardless of where/when you choose to set it in the continuity.
Requested Tropes:
· Aftermath of Temporary Character Death
· Protectiveness
· Character is Injured while Protecting Another, Hurt to Protect the Comforter, Hurt while saving the other character(s)
· Body under another's control
· Character won't stop getting up no matter how many times they get hit
· Combat Injury
· CPR/Rescue Breathing
· Curses, Fairytale Enchantment, Fairy Tale Curses
· Exposed to harmful magical item, Magical Injury, Magical Sickness
· field medicine
· Gunshot Wounds
· Hurt will kill character in specific time if not stopped
· Assassination Attempt(s)
· Kidnapped and used as leverage against the other character
· Trapped/Injured in a Cave-In
· Time Loop - Character A Keeps Failing to Save Character B
· Bridal/Princess Style Carrying, Hurt/sick character needs to be carried
· Buried Alive
· Canadian Shack
· Captured by enemy while trying to protect the other
· Injured by Mind Controlled Friend or Loved One
· Near Death, Near Death Experience Makes Unaffected Character Realize They Love the Victim
· Poisoning
· Pushing self to recover too quickly, Pushing through injury
· Searching for injured partner/friend who was left behind
· Time Loop - Escape by Revealing Feelings
· Time Travel to Save Friend or Loved One
The Adventure Zone
Fandom Specific Notes: Reference to Aubrey/Dani is fine and would not violate my unrequested ship DNW. I listen to each new episode as they come out so no need to worry about spoilers, but also don't worry too much if canon josses something you were planning on. I'm well aware of the dangers of ongoing canons and canon divergence is a very solid like for me anyway; it won't be an issue.
Edmund “Ned” Chicane/Duck Newton (hurt Duck)
Relevant Past Letters: General Ship Thoughts, Some AU Ideas, Ned/Duck Trope Likes
So, I like Amnesty in general a lot, but I became super attached to the thought of this ship very quickly. I’m a sucker for odd friendships, I like that they’re both explicitly older dudes with some life experience behind them, and I think that both of these characters are a ton of fun. For the record, I adore the whole Amnesty crew and any of them are more than welcome to make an appearance in any fic – what a great cast of characters!
I’m super into Duck whump and however you choose to handle the variable power set he’s had over the course of canon is fine by me. I loved the whole chosen-one-avoiding-the-call thing he had going on and I am also very down for the whole tough-but-not-invulnerable variety of hurt/comfort that left the character open to. However, I have been very intrigued by the normal!Duck shift and am totally here for exploration of the hurt/comfort opportunities opened up by him reclassing in a way that actively rewards him for being the Official Dude in Distress. Basically, if you want to go with chosen!Duck (before losing contact with Minerva, in an AU where he kept his powers, in a prospective far future where he gets his powers back), go for it. If you want to go with de-powered!Duck, go for it.
Requested Tropes:
· Accidental time travel into apocalyptic future
· Aftermath of Temporary Character Death
· Badass in Distress
· Character is Injured while Protecting Another, Hurt to Protect the Comforter, Hurt while saving the other character(s)
· CPR/Rescue Breathing
· Curses, Fairy Tale Curses, Magic Curses, Fairytale Enchantment
· Hurt will kill character in specific time if not stopped
· Trapped/Injured in a Cave-In
· Canadian Shack
· Captured by enemy while trying to protect the other
· Hurt in the wilderness
· Magical Sickness, Magical Injury
· Time Loop - Character A Keeps Failing to Save Character B
· Time Travel to Save Friend or Loved One
· Near Death, Near Death Experience Makes Unaffected Character Realize They Love the Victim
· Searching for injured partner/friend who was left behind
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Fandom Specific Notes: Bringing up Larry/John is fine. Reference to them both having had families/children/having been married in the past is fine and would not violate my unrequested ship DNW as long as the fic doesn’t focus on their feelings for/relationships with their wives.
Cliff Steele/Larry Trainor (hurt Larry)
So, I’m not actually super familiar with the comics here (I remember trying to track down the Pollack run a few years back and being utterly unsuccessful in every avenue), but I fell in love with the TV versions super quickly anyway. I know it’s still early in the season, but what a great show! I love how grounded the characters feel and how that balances out the totally out-there circumstances they’re in. I love this show about this group of very flawed people who struggle to learn how to be heroes in a world they’re already convinced can never accept them while they fight against the narrator of their own story. The whole cast is really great and I love the characters, so any of them are completely welcome to put in an appearance. I’ve especially developed a soft spot for Rita and Larry’s friendship.
I was kind of already going “huh” when we were introduced to the Doom Patrol in Titans and we saw the different, pseudo-paternal ways both Cliff and Larry dealt with Gar and the very domestic-feeling dynamic of the team, but I’ve been feeling this ship pretty hard since getting into Doom Patrol proper. I’m very interested in both the similarities and the differences between these two characters and their respective issues and how they potentially play off each other. Cliff as one of the most pro-active members of the group vs. Larry as initially joining forces with Rita in being actively passive. Both of their relationships to the topic of control. The fact that they were both fairly high profile dudes who can never exist in society without garnering weird looks ever again. That they both got into accidents doing the one thing in the world they were best at (even if Cliff wasn't actually racing at the time, it was still a car accident). That they both tried desperately and unhappily to keep up the facade of a happy family life and just couldn't make it work for very different reasons. That (as of episode 3) they both deliberately cast off a connection to someone they'd loved to avoid burdening them with their powers (Larry telling John to "go" and Cliff throwing away his daughter's contact information). There's just so much to play off of!
Larry's powers and his contentious relationship with the negative spirit seems like a primo source of whump and I would be super happy with something playing off of that, but there's also certainly enough general danger and emotional minefields for these characters to take things in a different direction. Honestly, I'll be thrilled with whatever you decide to go with.
Requested Tropes:
· Aftermath of Temporary Character Death
· Both Captured - Forced to Work Together to Escape
· Circumstances make it impossible to stop immediately to treat injury
· Continuing to use superpowers even though they hurt, Superpower/Magical Ability Comes With a Price
· Losing Control Over Powers Hurts Self, Loss of Control of Superpower/Magic - Due to Emotional Distress, Superpower Malfunction
· Canadian Shack
· Captured by enemy while trying to protect the other
· Hurt/sick character needs to be carried
· Injured by Mind Controlled Friend or Loved One
· Magical Injury
· Time Loop - Character A Keeps Failing to Save Character B
· Time Loop of Trauma
· Time Travel to Save Friend or Loved One
· Near Death, Near Death Experience Makes Unaffected Character Realize They Love the Victim
· Searching for injured partner/friend who was left behind
Fandom-Specific DNW: Angst centered around the incestuous nature of the relationship. Especially since the show doesn’t bother with it for the canonical incest and they both probably have bigger fish to fry in any of these scenarios.
Fandom Specific Notes: Reference to Allison having had a family and a daughter is fine and would not violate my unrequested ship DNW as long as the fic doesn’t focus on her feelings for her ex-husband.
Allison Hargreeves/Vanya Hargreeves (hurt both)
Relevant Past letters: F/F Porn Likes
This whole family is just dysfunction junction and I love it. This is another ensemble show where I love everybody and would be more than happy to see appearances from any characters. Also, I was so excited to see this pairing nommed after I finished the series too late to nom it myself!
The relationship between Allison and Vanya ended up being the one I was the most invested and interested in. Everything between their big argument after Allison found out about Vanya’s powers to Allison holding a gun pointed at the back of Vanya’s head while Vanya whammied their brothers was like…damn, I am all about this. Their relationship is so fraught and powered by history and mutual trauma and made all the more complicated by what and who they are, but it's never in question that they genuinely care about each other. Vanya's despair over hurting Allison and her desperation to apologize for it? Good! Allison's willingness to throw herself into danger to help Vanya and her fury both at Luther's decision to lock Vanya up and the way they chose to deal with her in the theater? Good! Vanya's apparent genuine joy at seeing Allison at her concert right before the boys bust in and she kicks off the apocalypse? Good! Allison's insistence on trying to save Vanya herself and the look on her face as she held a gun on her and debated on pulling the trigger? Good!
It’s really hard to go wrong with whatever you want to do here, especially given the focus of the exchange and the excellent freeforms on offer. Post-season one fic or canon-divergence would be especially choice, but I’m ultimately open to something set at any point.
Requested Tropes:
· Abandonment Issues
· Accidental time travel into apocalyptic future
· Post-Apocalypse
· Aftermath of A Finding Out B Was Undecided About Sacrificing Them For the Greater Good
· Aftermath of Temporary Character Death
· Bodyswap
· Both Captured - Forced to Work Together to Escape
· Character believes no one is coming to save them
· Captured by enemy while trying to protect the other
· Injured by Mind Controlled Friend or Loved One
· Losing Control Over Powers Hurts Others/Loved Ones, Loss of Control of Superpower/Magic - Due to Emotional Distress, Superpower Malfunction
· Protection – Mutual
· Time Loop - Character A Keeps Failing to Save Character B
· Time Loop - Looping Character Keeps Dying
· Time Loop of Trauma
· Time Travel to Save Friend or Loved One
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