elegantstupidity | Original 5K 2022

Hey there! I had a ton of fun with this exchange last year, so I'm thrilled it's back for another round. I'm already pumped to see what you do with any of these tags. A lot of them do the heavy lifting on their own as prompts, but I'm someone who prefers more options to fewer, so I've got some expanded thoughts/ideas/questions to go with each. However, don't feel as though you have to stick to what I've got if your take on a tag is different than mine. Also, I'm open to all kinds of worldbuilding or settings; feel free to go as wild (or not) as you like on those fronts! Where the genders of characters aren't specified, I’m not particularly picky about the gender configurations for ships, but I do love fics that feature woman character(s) somewhere. Last, I'm very happy to read pre-ship flirting/tension/etc. for any /-requests; anything from a hat tip in the direction of romantic/sexual feelings to passionate declarations of love or on-screen smut is great!

Thanks in advance!

elegantstupidity

Navigation
Yes, Please! and No, Thanks!
Requests: F/F Requests, F/M Requests, Mixed Gen and Ship Requests, Solo and Gen Requests

Yes, Please!
genres and styles

adventure, angst (though preferably with a bittersweet or happy ending), canon-typical plots, character studies, fantasy and sci-fi, fluff, humor/comedy, hurt/comfort, mysteries and casefic, romance, slice of life
AUs
- especially canon-divergences, canon+ (basically, the canon setting + some fantastical/magical element: body swaps, unexpected telepathic connections, time loops, etc.), or fusions and genre shifts (daemon AUs, Pacific Rim, Hogwarts, in space!, epic fantasy, etc.)
- exceptions I'm not particularly into: A/B/O, de-aging, soulmate/soulmark AUs, or making the setting more ordinary/mundane than canon
character- and relationship-driven plots
epistolary elements
- both letters and texts/emails/digital communication as well as in-universe texts/published materials
missing scenes
parallels and canon callbacks
x + 1 times

details

competence/characters in their element
- alternatively, I do love a good fish out of water scenario
food, baking, and/or cooking porn
competitions of pretty much any kind; I love a good competitive streak
worldbuilding
- Even for canons that ostensibly take place in the real world, I love getting a taste of all the little details that add color and texture to these character’s lives.
  - Stuff like: politics/local government, what's on their TBR list, what's in their fridge/closet/bag/car, what kind of celebrity gossip exists in their world, etc.
Honestly, you can't go overboard on the descriptions and detail, no matter how minute or possibly off-topic. Tell me all about the setting or circumstances, the characters' emotions/sensations, bits of backstory, anything!

gen relationships

loyalty and ride or die friendships
complex friendship dynamics
- I prefer when conflicts are resolved at least semi-happily, but angst on the way is excellent!
found families and/or family feels and/or complex family situations
team bonding/group dynamics
- eg: road trips, pranks, inside jokes, friendship building, nights out, games/game nights, betting pools, roughhousing/physical affection, celebrations/parties, etc.
mutual admiration societies/positive partnerships
- I love snark and teasing and even outright antagonism, too, they just have to end up liking each other—even grudgingly.

romantic relationships

anything from above
- I really love romances that are built on friendships/trust/loyalty or at the very least some kind of shared history
pre-relationship and/or getting together plots
- slow burns, UST, mutual pining, denial, flirting, lingering touches, veiled confessions
- [enemies/rivals to] friends to lovers
  - I'm all about snarky antagonism/belligerence/teasing as flirting
- FWBs catching feelings
- breaking the seal
  - i.e. “We just kissed/slept together/did something unmistakably romantic, but we’re definitely not gonna do it again for reasons,” and then they absolutely do it again.
- basically, any kind of romcom trope that you can imagine
enforced proximity
- bed sharing, handcuffed together, locked in a closet, deserted together, curses/spells tethering them, sharing body heat, etc.
secret and/or "forbidden" relationships
HEAs or HFNs

smut/porn

feelings

basically anything that shows how into each other the characters are
romance, trust, enthusiasm, intensity, tenderness, vulnerability, desperation, neediness [to please], intimacy, hand holding, eye contact, laughing/having fun with it
Alternatively, I can definitely get behind some hate/grudge sex.

firsts

first time together or the first time trying something new or sexual awakenings/kink discovery, shy or desperate or a little awkward, etc. etc. and on and on and on
resolving UST to "get it out of their systems" or other transparently thin reasons to bang it out
sex pollen/curses/generally dubcon-ish scenarios are also great for characters who are already into each other but haven't, for whatever reason pulled the trigger on their attraction.

physicality

rough sex, hair pulling, holding each other down, losing control, marking, not making it to the bed, spanking, etc.
use of athleticism/strength/endurance/stamina/flexibility/focus on character's physique
general handsiness
cuddling/close contact, DP, from behind/bent over something, lap sex, riding, three-/moresomes, wall sex

teasing
- banter/dirty talk, body worship, grinding/frottage, hand/mouth stuff, phone/cyber/video/etc. sex, solo action, lots of foreplay, etc.

No, Thanks!

animal abuse or death
death of requested characters
explicit and/or extreme (14 or younger) underage
gore

mentions of blood and guts/carnage/whatever are fine, but I'd prefer no graphic descriptions

humiliation

brief embarrassment is fine, but I'd prefer no lingering/extended focus on it

infidelity
pregnancy and/or parenting (unless included in the tag)
- babysitting, temporary accidental baby acquisition, or kids who exist in canon are fine
rape or noncon

Requests

F/F Requests
Smut? Either

tags + prompts

I love the implied intimacy of this one. So much time spent together, committing expressions and gestures to memory and paper (or clay or marble or whatever medium strikes your fancy)! Plus, sitting for a portrait or as a life drawing model leaves a girl with a lot of time to observe right back.
My mind immediately went to some kind of historical setting—the Pre-Raphaelites or a Renaissance workshop or really any movement—but I’d also love a modern or other genre take on this. Magical or sci-fi art! Figure drawing class in college or continuing ed! Have fun with it!

Making even one ridiculously intricate confection takes so much time, a lot of it not even active—waiting for the chocolate to melt or cool or the various fillings to cook/bake. Not to mention the video production side of things. They must get to chatting and befriending each other at some point, right? And maybe the chatting starts to carry over when it comes time to film; after all, there's going to be music laid over the footage, so it doesn't really matter what she's saying. (Tell that to fans who start lipreading her videos, though.) And if the chocolatier gets undeniably flirty, the videographer thinks it's just for the camera, for better engagement with her fans and followers.
I'm really into the combo of someone who lives their life, or at least part of it, for an audience and someone who would really rather fade into the background and how they make that disconnect in their personalities work for them.

What kind of magic does the Queen entrust to the Hedge Witch over the Court Sorceress? Is it a deliberate snub by the Queen, or did she just take a liking to the Hedge Witch? Is the Court Sorceress used to being the Queen's pet mage and feeling jealous of this interloper? Does the Hedge Witch feel in over her head at court and go to the Sorceress, who's been so kind and welcoming, for help? Just how does that backfire on her?
I'd also love a fluffier rivals to friends to lovers take on this tag! The Sorceress getting over her initial jealousy as she learns to appreciate the Hedge Witch's unique talents, or the Hedge Witch and the Sorceress having to partner in some project for the good of the Queen.
Honestly, I wouldn't be opposed to some kind of threesome/poly situation involving the Queen as well, if that's something you're into.

So, is the Vet aware of the existence of magical wildlife, or is she about to have her worldview completely upended? I'm pulling for the second because a) it's funnier and b) I can't imagine choosing to specialize in ordinary animals if unicorns and dragons are an option. If that's the case, how long does the Rescuer try to keep the Vet in the dark? Are they feeling her out for a more permanent position? Does she keep calling her back even when their regular vet is available?
I'm just imagining the Vet getting called out to this rescue organization she's never heard of and trying to put her finger on what's weirding her out about the place. Except then maybe she's too distracted by the gorgeous Wildlife Rescuer to be too suspicious.
DNW note: Animals being sick or injured is fine, just give them a good prognosis or full recovery, please!

I'm of at least a few minds on this tag. For one, I love the idea of reluctant allies who take a while to warm up to one another. Something like the Popstar wanting to write her own album, which her label won't allow for whatever reason, but they compromise by bringing in this up-and-comer to "collaborate." This kind of writing credit would kickstart the Singer-Songwriter's own career even if the Popstar's image/music isn't her typical style. Cue mutual preconceptions slowly disintegrating as they come to like and respect one another and all that slowburn goodness.
Or: More of a mentor-mentee dynamic, but from either side! The popstar as the music industry's hot new thing trading on her caché to work with her songwriting idol. Or the singer-songwriter being contracted to pen the post-hiatus album for the popstar she grew up listening to. Or perhaps they're mutual fans of one another and fall hard into a creative—and more?—partnership that burns hot and bright, but maybe not all that long. (But, hey, that's just fodder for the next album.)

Imagine the reigning champ's surprise to learn when some rando shows up one day in the supermarket's baking aisle, vowing vengeance for the defeat of her blueberry cobbler at last year's Summer Jamboree Blue Ribbon Pie Contest. She just came in for some almond flour, but leaves with groceries and a nemesis.
I'm so into the quasi-futile drive that goes into someone making an enemy/rival of a person who doesn't even have them on their radar. Or, for optimal petty rivalry, someone who goes to great lengths to appear completely unruffled by their existence. Is she playing mind games or is she really just a kind, sweet lady with an incredible recipe for apple pie?
Give me all the competence crossed with food porn, wrapped up in small town gossip and politicking and weird, possibly regressive, traditions!

I love sports rivalries, especially when there's more to them than media spin. Or maybe the public-facing narrative doesn't begin to touch on the truth of the relationship. I mean, what's not to love about a frustrated overachiever—especially one who's at the top of her field—constantly running up against and falling short of this person they see—which isn't to say that's the truth—as getting everything so effortlessly?
Are they opponents or teammates or both at various times? Team sport or individual or a combo, like Olympic delegations? Does the grudge hold up even a little bit to any time spent together? Does the Overachiever dig her heels in at the first hint of admiring thoughts?
Totally happy with any kind of sport for these two, and I'd adore lots of specificity when it comes to training regimens and strategy and day-to-day basics and competitions and everything else that goes into professional athletics.

F/M Requests
Smut? Either

tags + prompts

Sure, they may run two very different establishments—French patisserie vs a donut shop or cake decorator vs brick-oven bread baker or old school/traditional vs avant garde/fusion or, or, or—but it's the principal of the matter. And the principal of the matter dictates the commencement of a life grudge, no matter how cute the grudge-ee might be.
Is the grudge extra personal because the bakers knew each other before this fiasco? Bitter exes? Friends who lost touch? Culinary school crushes that never went anywhere?
Go as ham (literal or figurative) as you want when it comes to foodie details here! Hell, throw in a recipe or two if you like; I'm always looking for new things to bake.

Whether or not the King kidnapped the Princess himself (or ordered it) or he's somehow stumbled his way into the middle of this diplomatic nightmare, I really love the idea of him resigning himself to this woman's presence in his court turning to refusal to even consider sending her back.
I am totally here for the whole gamut of reasons the princess would like to stay put, actually. Is she a woobie escaping a restrictive homeland? Skipping out on an unwelcome betrothal? Simply looking for adventure, and that's way easier without her parents breathing down her neck? Does she make her decision and resolutely stand by it or make her case, maybe in unconventional ways. (Possibly by charmingly but ineffectively trying to seduce the King—attempts that become less ineffective the more he gets to know her—and, failing that, straight up propositioning other nobility for her fantasy kingdom green card.)

Maybe the Chosen One is stubbornly avoiding her supposed destiny. Maybe she already stepped up to protect the world from everlasting evil but has no interest in trading on that "glory" for the rest of her life. Either way, the Warrior has to go to a lot of effort to track her down on her remote farm (or mountain cabin or private island or small town inn, etc. etc.).
Does she entertain his request or make him work for her attention? Are any of his arguments persuasive, or does the Chosen One just put up with him because she could use the company and he's kind of cute when he gets all earnest? Does he eventually win her over, or does she tell him to go questing on his own and come back to tell her the tale?

Is this a replacement/fill-in for her usual bodyguard or an entirely new detail for a new phase of her career? After years of dealing with pushy, over-invested fans, does the Popstar really believe she needs a security detail now?
I love all the potential for intimacy here. The Bodyguard getting to see beyond the glitz and glam and the public persona to the actual person beneath. The Popstar getting a breath of fresh air in her camp who hasn't known her since she was a teenager and doesn't need anything from her outside of a professional capacity. Hotel suites and rehearsal spaces and private cars and incognito forays into the real world. Spoiling the other in different ways; the Popstar having more money than God, but the Bodyguard actually understanding how healthy relationships should work.

Having heard of her reputation, the Shapeshifter knows better than to show up on her threshold in his human form. Hope she likes [whatever animal(s) strikes your fancy] better! Except, the more time he spends recuperating in her cottage, the more he wonders if her reputation is well earned or just gossip. Which just makes him wonder what would happen if he tests the waters as a man...
Does the Witch suspect something is up from the get go but is willing to see how it plays out or is she very surprised one day to find a concussed man on her doorstep?
If you do smut for this one, I'd prefer any sex the Shapeshifter has be in human form.

I don't know, there's just something kind of perfect about two diametrically opposed/feuding/whatever factions looking at one, confused stranger and mutually deciding, "Yep, she's gonna save our world."
Like, do they realize she dropped out of a portal from another dimension? Does all the time the clan leaders end up spending together, resulting from the refusal to let the other clan have control over the savior, mean they learn the other isn't so bad on their own, or does the savior have to prompt that realization herself?
If you'd like to go the smut route here, consider: victory sex in the wake of defeating whatever evil requires a savior or ritual sex that necessitates the active cooperation of both clans in addition to the savior.

So, what kind of intrigue is the Lady getting caught up in or outright instigating? Espionage? Vengeance? Ambition? How do her schemes shift now that she has to factor a pesky rake into her calculations? Does the Rake want in on her machinations for his own reasons or does he just enjoy toying with her and riling her up?
Could fake dating (courting? betrothal?) play into this at all? Does it serve their purposes the way it's meant to, or do they keep getting distracted by playing into the Rake's reputation (ie: getting handsy in all kinds of inopportune places)?

Is the Villge Witch eager for more training, particularly from someone contracted to royalty, or is she just fine, actually, playing village healer and banishing rot from the harvest? Is the Sorcerer a natural mentor/teacher, or have they been dodging this particular duty for some time? What is it that makes them see each other as more than apprentice/master?
I do love a good Country Mouse/City Mouse setup, except they're not mice, they're people with ridiculous and potentially terrifying magical powers. Does the Village Witch have to go to the palace/capital/sorcery school to complete her training, or is the Sorcerer dispatched to her? How does their magic—in practice or scope or functionality—differ?

Mixed Gen and Ship Requests
Smut? Either

tags + prompts

The sheer delight the mental image of this princess and knight bickering all through the epic quest they're destined to fulfill, this poor dragon trying to shepherd them through it (whether as a companion on their quest or as an obstacle/villain they're meant to face) sparked means that a full fic would be just incredible!
What peril has the princess been chosen to defeat? Is the knight her rival because they want to defeat it themself or just because they find each other annoying? Do the knight and princess keep getting distracted by side quests where they try to outdo one another (and if it prolongs the quest and their reason to put up with this person they apparently can't stand, neither of them are going to bring it up)? How did the dragon get pulled into their adventure and how much do they wish they hadn't?

Okay, hats off to whoever nominated this because it's so, so funny and I haven't stopped thinking about it. Like, does the bank teller meet the dog owner because he comes into her branch to dispute charges on his credit card in person? He swears he's never bought any of this stuff but his card's never been stolen, either, and he's just so befuddled she believes him and can't help but start liking him.
I mean, at some point they have to figure out some of it, but I feel like suspecting the dog of somehow making purchases is not suspecting the dog of secretly being a shape-shifter, you know? How does that discovery go down?

There are lots of routes you could go with this one, and I find all of them delightful. For example: Are the kids getting in trouble together—in which case, are they teaming up or at complete war?—or separately? Do the parents only ever see each other when they're waiting in the school office to find out what their kids have done this time? If their kids hate each other, do they try to maintain battle lines, but wow, that other parent is super hot and funny. Where do differences or similarities in parenting philosophies come into play?
How do the kids feel about their parents' potentially dating, or do they even notice? I’d also be okay with some matchmaking/obstruction/other scheming from the kids, whether or not it’s particularly effective.

Solo and Gen Requests
Smut? Either

tags + prompts

House's New Owner & Ghost of Previous Inhabitant Who Haunts It

I mean, moving into a house with an unknown roommate already sounds like a nightmare, but for the roommate to only communicate in flickering lights and furniture rearrangement when you've left the room makes it so much worse! Is the ghost lonely or less than pleased with having its space invaded? Is the homeowner creeped out—maybe even hiring ghost hunters or exorcists—or thrilled to live with a real, not-live ghost?
Totally happy with a supernatural horror/thriller angle at the start, but I'd really love if the homeowner and ghost could learn to coexist by the end of the fic.

Chosen One Who's Studied The Prophecy But Thinks They're Not The One

So, how far removed from the prophecy's inception is the Chosen One? Does it even occur to the Chose One to think they're the subject of this fragment of text from a lost civilization, or was it just an interesting footnote they included in a paper once?
For a more immediate take, I love the idea of some archivist of fortunes and foretellings seeing this prophecy and shrugging off any similarities to their own life. Even as more and more coincidences pile up, pointing at their position in the epicenter of some Serious Shit™, they stubbornly live in Denial Land.

Person Raised as a Living Weapon Learning to Human

Whatever situation they've gotten out of—are they just a regular person ruthlessly trained or do they have actual superhero-style powers or were they augmented by a sci-fi mad scientist, etc.—this person is now out in the real world on their own two feet, but hopefully with some supportive network to help them navigate foreign, hostile (but on a much lighter scale than they're used to) territory.
I am all about the hurt/comfort potential for this one. The slow, painstaking recovery process as they learn to feel things and have preferences and do something because it's fun rather than practical or efficient. Hell, as they learn what fun even is! Learning to accept help and pampering from whatever friends they've made and those friends being absolutely on their side, even as they privately boggle at every new trauma the former living weapon reveals.

Last updated on February 24, 2022

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megaphonemonday

not gonna lie, this'll be mostly exchange letters

Original 5K 2022

Original 5K 2022

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