Id Pro Quo 2023

[desertvixen]

I’m pretty sure that never in the history of this challenge have I had my letter up on time…and this year is no exception. 

 

My general preferences are here.     

 

My blanket DNWs are nominated character death, graphic/explicit/sexual violence, cruelty/death to animals/children.
 

 

Tags in this challenge:

Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence: I can NEVER get enough of this.  I love the what-if factor and seeing where it takes you.  (in fact, just reread Q-Squared so timelines are on my mind right now).  Feel free to run it as a straight canon divergence OR spin off into one of the Dimension hopping/time traveling tags.

Alternate Universe – Regency: I don’t care what fandom it is, a Regency AU will always make me smile.  This is one of my favorite periods of history.  I love the fashions, the conventions, the plots.  Arranged marriages, debuts at Almacks, country house parties, the Season.

 Characters solving problems like the adults they are: Pretty much what it says.  No hand-wringing or waffling, just Do The Thing (and maybe have feeling about it after), feel free to complain while you’re working.  I don’t know who nominated this tag but I loved it.  No flailing or Big Mis, just “we need to do the thing, let’s do the thing” energy.  Calm, competent and collected.

Country House Party: Feel free to go either Regency or Golden Age of Mystery here.  I love groups of people gathered together who don’t go together, being stuck with social formalities, semi-polite snarky shots at each other, and a mystery (optional).  Great setting for mystery and romance.

Time Travel Fix-It: Put the bandaid on where canon hurt me, before canon can do it.

Vanishing hitchhiker: I will always love one of these.  I’m down for a vanishing hitchhiker in any fandom, any era.  I love the whole part where they don’t realize it’s a ghost until the end.  If you would like to invoke Resurrection Mary, go for it.  I would also consider reverse phantom hitchhikers (ie, the hitchhiker is real, the vehicle is not) as well as places that aren’t really there.

the "of course you're part of the team!" moment that surprises only the character being told this: I love the acceptance, and the whole “you’ve always belonged”.

That moment late in the evening when the necktie comes undone and the sleeves get rolled up: Men in dress shirts that are a little rumpled?  Hair that is a little mussed?  Neckties that are undone and hanging around their neck?  (I also like this with bow ties, btw) Sign me up.

Ridiculously Gothic Atmosphere: Foreboding dark corners and secrets!  Family prophecy and ghosts!  A dark threatening estate owner and a plucky heroine determined to save him.  Hidden passages and secret treasures.  Last night I dreamed of Manderley….

Stranded at Roadside Motel (Storm Optional): This can be a venue for case fic or get a room already.  I just like the isolation, especially if you work the weather in, and the feeling that anything could happen here, even if it’s only for a night.

Undercover - Undercover as a Couple Brings Out Feelings: Either pretending a little too well, or seeing each other in a new light?  I’m here for We Need a Distraction or We Need to Kiss for…Reasons and We Kept Kissing.

Trapped together - snowed in: I really like the physical isolation of this one.  Murder She Wrote Season 4 episode “Snow White, Blood Red” and ND/HB SM book The Last Resort are essentially what you’re looking for here.  The tag includes huddling for warmth but I don’t need that.

Strange terms on rich person’s will: I like this for a casefic setup, or some crazy Regency AU involving required marriage.

Smut - kneeling for cunnilingus and then needing to support her legs as they buckle: I don’t need the explicit details necessarily (blow by blow, or rather lick by lick) but more the overall experience and image, the emotional ties, but yes I love this one.  Feel free to tie in with “staying quiet”

sparring as foreplay: You know where to go from here – fighting practice that slides to sexy, with that growing awareness on both sides.

Castaways in Time Have Chance to Go Home – I like the possibilities inherent in this one, especially if some castaways make the decision to stay in their new time.  How are they torn?  Where is the conflict?

Castaways in Time – I’m a huge Nantucket fan, and this is the heart of the series – waking up and finding yourself out of your own time. 

Portal Only Open Temporarily – I was initially thinking of this in connection with Castaways in Time, but it could also be interesting to look at with time travel/alternate dimensions.  What if everyone can’t make it home?  Does someone have to stay so everyone else can go?

Myth or Fairy Tale Setting/Retelling/Themes – So I’m interested in either people making up/spinning their own myths/fairy tales, or the idea of how history becomes myth.

That one scene from canon but make it sexier – Exactly what it sounds like.  Take that moment that for some reason did NOT turn romantic/sexy (even though it was RIGHT THERE RIGHT THERE) and turn it.  If you’re a TNG fan, the ending of the Attached episode is the vibe.  Or Strange New Worlds S1E2, when the moment is clearly ripe and passed by.

Villain and hero both agree hero’s loved one is delightful – Exactly what it sounds like.  I do love when heroes and villains find some commonality, especially if the loved one could fall on either side.

Outdoor sex in a gorgeous setting – I’m good with descriptions of both.  Think forest clearings, waterfalls, gorgeous fields of flowers, maybe a secluded lake…

Kisses pressed against the back of the neck and/or along bare/mostly-bare shoulders – They’re very nice.

Dimension Travel – alternate dimensions where canon events went differently – This one is one of my favorites (and goes along with the one below) – what do our people think of the alternate dimensions?  What do they think of our people?  Feel free to mash a few together.

Dimension Travel – counterparts are in a relationship – Yes, make them think about it PLEASE.  Maybe they’re in the only timeline where they aren’t together…?

Hurt/Comfort – Nightmares – I like the nightmares and the recovery, the soothing, the talking about it until you’re calm and can sleep again, whether your partner does or not.

Dreams and nightmares – Symbolic and weird and revealing the character’s subconscious – If you’re a B5 fan, then key up Sheridan’s weird dream because that is EXACTLY the vibe I want here.  Or the Duck Tales 2017 episode where Glomgold has amnesia, which made my daughter say B5 called and wanted their weird dream back.  Also love the bit where they’re sitting there trying to figure out WTF all that was.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions – They meant well, but you know what they say.  Also down for people who know that bad things are going to happen but they can’t stop it because it serves the greater good.

 

 

 

General Tags – These may not all be nominated in the challenge (less spaces this year) but all of them are things I am definitely interested in.  Just keep them in mind if you need more!

Time Travel – A realizes only towards the end of the adventure that B is their ancestor

Dimension travel - meeting alternate versions of self/friends/antagonists: I love this, especially if they have to work with/against themselves.  Either slam a bunch of timelines together (did I mention I just reread Q-Squared?) or one on ones. 

Fix-It: I’ll tell you where canon hurt me, you apply the bandaid.  Even if it isn’t wrong, sometimes I would have liked a different ending.

Time Loop - the part where the looper thought it was over only to realize it totally isn’t: I love that dawning dread oh fuck moment.  Especially if they’re the only one experiencing it.

Travel between alternate timelines: I like seeing the timeline though eyes of a character who doesn’t belong in it – either seeing how it’s wrong or right, depending on their wishes.

A/B Kick The Asses Of Bad Guys Who Attack During Their Date Then Go Back To Having A Good Time: This doesn’t necessarily need to be physical, but I definitely love the whole “This Again?” attitude as they take care of the distraction (and if they get a little rumpled, it’s okay).

get a room already: Stop fighting it and just fuck already.  On this one, I enjoy other people thinking the same thing about the couple, and maybe doing what they can to make it happen.  It doesn’t have to be a casual thing (despite saying just fuck already) but this vibe doesn’t end in “nice sex”.

Handcuffed Together: Oh no how will we get apart?  I’m here for struggling, having to work together (not for too long) and getting free.

intimate makeouts in cars while pulled over in out-of-the-way places: I’m into both the physical and emotional intimacy here.  Bonus points if it is raining/storming/other bad weather.  Feel free to have them head off into some sort of mystery afterwards where they don’t have Time to Deal with All of That Now.

intimate soft make outs with one character in the other's lap: The intimacy here is key.  Best employed in a darkened room, maybe waking in the middle of the night after being covered with the blanket….

Morning After (Incredible Sex the night before): I’m here for the awkwardness, women wearing their male partner’s dress shirt/t-shirt because it was all she could find, remembering, and repeats.

Pulling someone in by their tie for a kiss: I love how this looks/feels (man wearing the tie, woman doing the kissing), and also here for possessive straightening/fixing of ties.

Competition Reality Show: To be fair, the only one I really like is Hell’s Kitchen, but if you want to use one as the setting for a case fic or fusion, go for it.

"For you; it was always me”: I’m particularly fond of seeing this come to a head.

Megafauna survives to canon's present day: I’m particularly fond of saber-toothed cats here.  Feel free to be a little cracky. 

Being Picked Off One by One: I love the tension inherent in this one, especially if they don’t know that the person picking them off is an outsider or not.  (I am pretty good either way)

Bored Old Man Faked His Own Death and Left Clues To Frame His Family Members: In other words, what I thought Knives Out was going to be.  Feel free to use as a Case Fic setup or fuse your characters into it.

Complicated Relationships: I’m here for them, platonic or romantic.  I like outsider POVs on them as well (basically , how do they do it?)

Found Family: I love both the realization of this and the quiet acceptance of it, and social events based on it.

Alternate Universe - The villains are the heroes and the heroes are the villains: I like how this one turns things on its head and gives you new POVs. 

In-Universe True Crime: Case fic starter, feel free to involve books/podcasts or adapt a real crime to suit.  I also like the whole “giving a fictional crime the true crime treatment”.

Can't Stop Thinking About It - A Accidentally Sees B Naked: Pretty much what it says.  Going back to the moment in their head, trying not to think about it when they see them normally, stammery embarrassed moments.

Trying to stay silent during sex so no one overhears; not entirely successful: This is also a good one for established couples, but I am totally here for we have to be quiet – women making little gaspy sobs instead of the scream or moan they really want, muffling oneself in a pillow, kissing your partner so they don’t make noise.

First Time Seeing Partner Naked: Here I really like the “better/more than I expected” aspect here, the wondering description and the “God I’m so lucky” factor.

Established Relationship - They Know Each Other So Well They Can Get Each Other Off Efficiently: While we all love a drawn-out session, sometimes you have 10 minutes.  Either one can end well if you put your mind to it.

Massage as Foreplay: Ooops, did my hands slip?

Sex in a shower or bath: Slippery and sexy – “oh I thought I was all alone” – but I also dig the more comic (but sexy) aspect of shower sex – ooops, I keep slipping…

Finding Someone Sleeping and Putting a Blanket or Coat Over Them: I love the caring aspect of this one, and the small intimacy.

Fairy tale wedding: Obviously on this one I mean more like Princess Diana with trappings etc, opposed to an actual fairy tale.  Details, details, details.  Dresses, flowers, trappings, emotions.

Reality breaking down and previous universe increasingly bleeding through into the reboot – This could be really good for this one.

 

 

On to the actual requests!

 

 

Nantucket Trilogy - S.M. Stirling 

Odikweos & Kashtiliash (Nantucket Series), Kathryn Hollard & Martha Cofflin (Nantucket Series), Kathryn Hollard & Kenneth Hollard (Nantucket Series) Kashtiliash/Kathryn Hollard (Nantucket Series)

 

Castaways in Time Have Chance to Go Home

Castaways in Time

Portal Only Open Temporarily

Country House Party

vanishing hitchhiker

Myth or Fairy Tale Setting/Retelling/Themes

 

So what I'm here for is pretty simple: What if the uptimers had a chance to go HOME? Or at least see home? What if they could bring one thing back?

 

I'd be totally down for a Nantucket house party, with a little intrigue, a little diplomacy, a little bragging.

 

Or, how might their descendants explain or make their past into a fairy tale? Is there an ancient vanishing hitchhiker story they could draw on OR do they encounter one?

 

I really love this series.  Yes, it relies a little too heavily on coincidences and Stirling can be heavy handed but I love it and was really miffed that we have 10-plus books of dystopia and only 3 of this!  I totally love the uptimer/downtimer vibes and the inevitable in-jokes that have to develop.

 

I love Kash and Kathryn, how they balance each other out and really work.  Kathryn and Kenneth together are good, especially since they’re both involved with downtimers.  Odikweos and Kash together could be interesting.

 

Castaways in Time Have Chance to Go Home – I would really love to see this, especially if some people (ie Kathryn) choose NOT to go home.  Whether they go back to 1998 or another point, I’m down to see it.

 

Castaways in Time – This is the heart of the series.  Anything on it works for me.  The conflict between the uptimers/downtimers, the things that they miss that could never quite be explained, how they’re viewed.

 

Portal Only Open Temporarily – I’d be interested in this one too.  What if Kash could see 1998 for a day?  Could the Nantucketers bring anything back?  Go wild.

 

Country House Party – I think a Nantucket diplomatic house party would be DELIGHTFUL.  Channel Poirot here (murder optional).

 

Vanishing Hitchhiker – Do they meet one?  Feel free to look at historical ones, although they’re fairly far from Madame Pele’s neighborhood.

 

Myth or Fairy Tale Setting/Retelling/Theme – What I’d really love here is oral stories that have changed in the telling, or a look at how their descendants view them (and does anyone ever realize they’re the Sea Peoples?).  Stirling kind of played with it a little in the book, but Odikweos/Odysseus is right there… Or I also love history becoming myth – how might people tell the story of Kashtiliash and Kathryn a thousand years from now?

 

Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light 

Cryotek/Galadria (Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light)

 

Sparring as foreplay

That one scene from canon but make it sexier

Trapped together - snowed in and forced to huddle for warmth or freeze

Villain and hero both agree that hero's loved one is delightful

outdoor sex in a gorgeous setting

vanishing hitchhiker

kneeling for cunnilingus and then needing to support her legs as they buckle

 

I love these two, love the gruff guy gets the girl!

 

I feel like they are definitely into sparring as foreplay, and I love the scene where we first see them together. (Yes, make that one sexier)

 

Trapped together could be good.

 

For the villain and hero one, I'm thinking about Cindarr (even though his "villain" status is a little loose IMO)

 

 I feel like outdoor sex is on the menu with these two. Buckling knees is obvious.

 

And I love a good vanishing hitchhiker story!

 

Alos here for:  A/B Kick The Asses Of Bad Guys Who Attack During Their Date Then Go Back To Having A Good Time,  First Time Seeing Partner Naked, Massage as Foreplay,

 

I love their vibe, and am down for more (and for them to get down)...

 

Basically what it says.  I love that the gruff, stern guy got the girl instead of the usual hero character.  I’m totally here for the two of them kicking some ass, getting down, meeting alternate version of themselves, having romantic sexy times.   I’m easy to please on this one.  Feel free to use one of the cold related prompts, and feel free to turn up the steam.

 

Sparring as foreplay – they hint at it in the first episode, but I feel like it is definitely a thing for them.  This is also a great place for “That one scene from canon, but make it sexier”.

 

Trapped together – huddling is optional, but I do love being snowed in.

 

Villain and hero agree – For this, I think it would be interesting to see a scenario where the 2 of them have to work with Cindarr, and have a little bonding post mission.

 

Outdoor sex – I definitely tend towards water here, but I’m not picky.

 

Kneeling – I like this one for the two of them because they’re both fairly fit, although I feel quite sure he can hold her up.

 

Vanishing hitchhiker – I am always on board with one of these.

 

Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (TV) 

Nancy Drew/Frank Hardy (ND HB TV), Fenton Hardy & Nancy Drew (ND HB TV)

 

"Of course you're part of the team!"

Alternate Universe - Regency era

That one scene from canon but make it sexier

Country House Party

Fake/Pretend Relationship A is hit on by someone pushy; B steps in as A's fake significant other; fake to real pipeline

Ridiculously Gothic Atmosphere

Stranded at Roadside Motel

Strange Terms On Rich Person's WIll

when the necktie comes undone and sleeves get rolled up

Kisses pressed against the back of the neck and/or along bare/mostly-bare shoulders

Undercover - Undercover as a Couple brings out Feelings

vanishing hitchhiker

 

Nancy & Fenton:

One of the things I loved about this version is that he takes her seriously, like a competent adult investigator. Feel free to play on that.

 

Nancy/Frank:

If you've seen the show, you know these two need to get a room. Get a room and get down. Then maybe solve a mystery. BUT GET A ROOM.

Team – I just love this because she wants to be taken seriously.  Make it happen.

Regency – It’s my favorite historical period, just plug them in!

That one scene – There’s a few, but have them actually kiss (or get a room).  I don’t have a particular one in mind.

Country house party – Always a fun place for a mystery.

Fake to real – OF COURSE it’s just for the case, right?

Gothic – Either put them in a Gothic setting or make it the case frame.

Roadside motel – Oh no it’s storming and let me guess, only one bed.

Will – Case frame on this one, but I’d enjoy them puzzling it out.

Necktie – That rumpled vibe is what I want here, and very focused.

Kisses – These would be very nice.

Undercover – It could work

Vanishing hitchhiker – I can definitely see these two clashing over whether or not she is real – or maybe bumping into each other over it.

For both of these requests, I am okay if the “case” is just a vehicle for characters to engage in the tags provided.  If you want to have something to frame the case, the “Bored old man” one is ripe for exploitation.  I’m okay if you want to do a case too, but definitely focus on characters – or maybe the case is over and it’s celebration time? 

So the vibe of this show is different than the books, but I discovered it and LOVE it.  The adversarial competitive vibe between the two (and while I didn’t nominate him, feel free to have Joe instigating/commenting on the vibe between the two of them) is really enjoyable, and I loved that the show totally flirted with them hooking up and then… awkward.  Get a room!  Strand them at a roadside hotel!  They have to pose as a couple and it gets very comfortable.  If you go with “accidentally seeing naked” then I prefer she gets a glance of him.

I’m very here for the “tie” tags with this couple.

I almost included him, but backed out, but the Nancy Drew/Robert Wagner (yes, Robert Wagner) tag is also there if you feel like using some jealousy.

Feel free to up the steam level with these two.

Also like: get a room already, Handcuffed Together, intimate makeouts in cars while pulled over in out-of-the-way places, A is hit on by someone pushy; B steps in as A's fake significant other; fake to real pipeline, Can't Stop Thinking About It - A Accidentally Sees B Naked, Bored Old Man Faked His Own Death and Left Clues To Frame His Family Members, First Time Seeing Partner Naked, Agonisingly slow build-up of sexual tension; result of explosive sex optional

 

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (TV) 

Una Chin-Riley/Christopher Pike (ST SNW), Christopher Pike & Una Chin-Riley & Spock (ST SNW)

 

Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence

That one scene from canon but make it sexier

Castaways in Time

Portal Only Open Temporarily

Stranded at Roadside Motel

Time Travel Fix-It

vanishing hitchhiker

Characters Solving Problems Like The Adults They Are

Dimension Travel - alternate dimensions where canon events went differently

Dimension Travel - counterparts are in a relationship Hurt/Comfort - Nightmares

Ridiculously Gothic Atmosphere

 

Essentially I'm a Pike/Number One shipper and always have been. A few of these provide a variety of gateways I would enjoy.

I'm here for Pike & Spock & Una solving any of these problems (or Pike/Una & Spock).

 

Canon Divergence – Feel free to play with the Episode 10 stuff or go with something else, especially if you tie into either of the other dimension travel ones.  I’d love one where they hook up after realizing how good their counterparts are together.  Or maybe Chris did pick an Eve?

 

That one scene – The end of S1E2 or S1E3 is what I’d love here.

 

Castaways – I think that could be fun to play with in this group, bonus points if they have to hide Spock’s ears.

 

Portal – Tie into the dimension travel or castaways, but obviously get people home.

 

Stranded – Feel free to stretch “roadside motel” some, but I want the isolation.

 

Time Travel Fix-It – Paging Ep 10.

 

Vanishing hitchhikers are always fun.

 

Characters solving problems – yes I love this crew and their competence.

 

Ridiculously Gothic Atmosphere – I’m thinking away mission goes weird, but have fun.

 

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983 Cartoon) 

Marlena & He-Man (Adam) (MOTU 1983 cartoon), Marlena & Man-at-Arms (MOTU 1983 cartoon), Marlena/Randor (MOTU 1983 cartoon), Sorceress of Castle Grayskull/Man-at-Arms (MOTU 1983 cartoon)

 

Characters Solving Problems Like The Adults They Are

Dimension Travel - alternate dimensions where canon events went differently

Dreams and nightmares - Symbolic and weird and revealing the character's subconscious

Portal Only Open Temporarily

the road to hell is paved with good intentions

vanishing hitchhiker

 

Definitely here for a little AU exploration, or perhaps Marlena might have a chance to go home, just briefly

 

Characters solving problems – I feel like this one has Marlena and Man-at-Arms written all over it.

 

Dimension travel – Well, for starters, what if the Horde took Adam – or took Marlena too?  There was an excellent fic about that one, not sure if it exists on AO3 or no.

 

Dreams – Marlena or Sorceress seems like a good pick here.

 

Portal Only Open Temporarily – If she could even just have a look in at home… they teased it in an episode, but not quite what I wanted.

 

Road to hell – I feel like the Sorceress or Adam could do well with this one, or perhaps Marlena lets slip that she knows.

 

Vanishing hitchhiker – I am always on board for this one.

 

So, since this is IPQ, I must tell you that if you watch no other episode, check out The Rainbow Warrior because that hits a ton of my loves for this canon.

 

Feel free to include 1985 She-Ra or the MOTU Revelations.

 

 

Whatever you write I know I’ll love it!