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Entry tags:
- celeb: matt bomer,
- celeb: sebastian stan,
- character: diana berrigan,
- character: elizabeth burke,
- character: james "bucky" barnes,
- character: mozzie,
- character: neal caffrey,
- character: peter burke,
- character: sara ellis,
- character: t'challa | black panther,
- character: thomas "t.j." hammond,
- fandom: marvel cinematic universe,
- movie series: marvel cinematic universe,
- pairing: neal/sara,
- tv: political animals,
- tv: the magnificent seven
Dear Not Prime Time Creator...
...thank you so much for making anything for me! No matter what it is, I already know that I will love it to the moon (and back)! *hugs*
Now, onto the letter!
A. General Preferences
B. Black Panther
C. White Collar
D. The Magnficent Seven (TV)
E. Political Animals
********************************************
A. General Preferences
(most of them fit both fics and fanart, though I have written them for writers)
DO NOT WANT
* Non-canonical character death (especially, of course, in the pairings I requested, but also in general) - temporary character death is okay, but the "dead" character should be back with the others in the end (or at least the way back should begin to be paved)
* Funerals (comes from my RL abhorence for them - too much bad emotion!) - visits to existing gravesites (with or without a heartfelt, one-sided conversation) are okay, though!
* Hurt without comfort
* Super dark!characters (accidental darkness (i.e. a character following another one in a manner that borders on stalking, but stays on the rather humorous side, especially if the followed character notices it early on and decides to play along) is okay, the same goes for using manners that are not exactly only on the good side to reach their goal ;)
* Character or ship bashing (If you can't stand a character/ship, please man up and contact the mods for a change, or reach out to me somehow, maybe we can find a way)
* No discussion of real-life politics and the awfulness therein!
* Rape/non-con (dub-con is okay to a certain degree - if you're not sure, please reach out to me)
* Breakup fic (you can break them up, but bring them back together in the end)
* Characters being shown as dumb / demoted in their intelligence / reduced to being just a "tool" in someone else's belt
LIKES
* Smart characters! Or (at least) being competent in what they are doing, even when they know there might be consequences (can also be used as a kink!)
* Idiots in Love - which means for me the characters are pining for each other without knowing the other's true feelings, and usually realize it later on (with or without some helping hands!)
* Everybody's Alive! Most of my fandoms have their share of sad-ending relationships (in any flavor), so if you can give me some happy ending, with nobody dying (as noted above, temporary deaths are okay), and with as much fluff as you can, I'm (more than) good!
* Romance Tropes! I'm pretty much game for almost all of them XD (if written in a good way), but I have kind of a soft spot for the following: friends with benefits (that might evolve into something more serious), slight jealousy/possessiveness (not over the top display, please, but simple gestures/words are okay - as long as both partners can laugh about it afterwards, you're good), Cuddling (works also on the friendship front), Misunderstandings (as long as they are clarified and don't drive a wedge between the characters), Fake Dating (that evolves into real dating), Fake Marriage, A/B/O (in a way that doesn't display omegas as birthing machines only/demotes them to humans with no rights whatsoever), Bed Sharing (both at the beginning of a love relationship or friendship), Meet-Cutes (and Meet-Uglys that get turned around)
* AUs! Don't get me wrong, I love my fandoms just right as they are (in terms of setting/time and all that jazz), but I love reading about the characters in a different time/setting. Favorites include: Space AU, Modern AU (for any fandom that's usually set in an earlier time frame - vice versa for any modern setting fandom). I'll detail this point further down the page in the fandoms ;), Band AU
* Working relationships! In a way where the characters have managed to have an established relationship while working in the same field (for example cops, or FBI agents), probably despite the misgivings of their bosses, but now they have to live with the "consequences" aka the emotions that threaten to take them over when the other half is in a dangerous situation (and yes, they know each other better, but especially when one of them is known for reckless behaviour, they can't help but worry, most of the time to the slight amusement of their colleagues)
* Case fics! Be it within the lines of the established fandom setting or in an AU, a clever written case, with some unexpected twists and turns and some mystery (that isn't too difficult to explain in the end), is very welcomed and enjoyed at this place!
* Smut! As I love to write whenever something like this letter comes up - I'm a big girl, so don't hesitate to go as smutty as you are comfortable with! First times are as perfect as new sides in an established relationship - as long as the characters are happy afterwards, I'm as well! For Artists: don't be afraid to show certain bits (both boys and girls) ;)
* Crossovers & Fusions! I didn't request any at the signups (that would have been a bit too much), but if you can make a crossover work (you can also include fandoms I haven't listed below), I love you just the same. The same goes for fusions (e.g. Neal Caffrey being an MI-6 agent like James Bond, maybe meeting him).
* Music! I'm a music afficinado at heart (with a heavy preference for music up until the early 1990's), a huge Bon Jovi fan, but if you can incorporate any song out there, feel free to broaden my horizon, so to speak. I also never say no to any kind/variation of Band AU/Musician AU.
There's definitely more to these lists, but these are my absolute favorites (or dislikes). And I repeat once again: If you're not sure about anything, please don't hesitate to reach out to me (either through the mods or with an anonymous comment here)
Now: onto specific fandoms!
(I might give you some pointers as to what I would love to see/read, but in the end, I'm open to anything you want to give me On a further note: if not specified, any of the following ships works for me both in a sexual and a friendship way, so if you're more comfortable with writing certain characters being friends with each others, feel free to do so. And of course you can include any other character from the fandoms, but please keep the focus on the pairings listed ;) )
********************************************
B. Black Panther
I only have seen the movie once so far, but I really get why so many view it as one of the best of the whole MCU. There's not one character that I don't love (even Everett Ross has his moments), and I'm already looking forward to the sequel. Character-wise, my absolute favorite is Shuri, followed by pretty much everyone else XD
For ship-specifics:
James "Bucky" Barnes & Shuri:
One of those pairings that had way too less scenes together (in fact, it's only the mid-credit scene). Not trying to limit you in any way, but I would love to see scenes from the two years between Bucky going into cryo at the end of "Civil War" and T'Challa bringing the new arm to Bucky in "Infinity War". How did Shuri's POV of the former assassin change over that time? Was she afraid of him, or was he just another science project to her? And did she learn anything from him as well?
James "Bucky" Barnes/Shuri:
At first, I didn't really could wrap my mind around that pairing, but over time, I read some well-written stories where these two really pursue a relationship. Sadly, there's not much stories out there, so you can actually go nuts with every kind of scenario you can come up ;) My boy Bucky needs some love!
Shuri & T'Challa:
I loved the way the siblings acted around each other, so just give me any moments between these two, be it during the movie, or pre-movie when they were growing up.
Nakia/T'Challa:
The one pairing in the movie that took me by surprise. I love the independence of the Wakandian women in general, but Nakia was exceptional. Can T'Challa win her back? Or go back in history and show me how they first met, how their love grew.
********************************************
C. White Collar
White Collar was the first show to break me out of my purely SPN fandom way, and it made me fall in love with Matt Bomer (which in turn led to me exploring shows I never, ever would have thought of XD). Anyway, from the first episode I saw on I was hooked on the characters, the storytelling, the practically non-existent violence, and most of all the fact that crime shows don't have to be gritty and full of gore and with characters on an eternal frustration loop to be entertaining. Don't be limited by the pairings listed beneath, I'll take whatever you have to offer!
For ship-specifics:
Diana Berrigan & Neal Caffrey:
Back in Season 4, we saw a glimpse of what could have been a wonderful friendship between Diana and Neal. But like they did with Neal & Jones a season before, they, more or less, derailed it almost a heartbeat later. What if that wasn't the case? Would Theo Barrigan not only have one, but two criminally cool uncles? Or what if Diana is in Paris post-series and runs into a certain former con-man? Show me moments from their friendship (with or without her sweet son Theo in the picture).
Neal Caffrey/Sara Ellis:
My OTP on the show. Which is a bit funny, cause her first episode on the show, "Unfinished Business", was my very first full episode of the show ever. But truth be told, Sara grew on me (and she didn't have to use her trusty baton for that XD), more than any other woman they paired Neal with, and I would love to see a happy end for these two post-series, in any possible way, but of course missing moments from the show as well.
Peter Burke & Neal Caffrey:
I know, the most-used pairing on the show XD But I still think that there's so much more to explore of their friendship left for us fans. Sure, they both had more faith in the other man than anyone else from the get-go, but I like to think in the beginning, it was just as far as they could throw the other one. So how did that grow over the years, despite the hurdles Neal's old foes, new criminals and the higher-ups of the FBI tried to put in their way? Or what's necessary post-series, once Peter learns of Neal's final deception, to rebuild that friendship? Is it even possible?
Elizabeth Burke/Peter Burke/Neal Caffrey:
The trio that taught me the term "OT3" XD Anything goes here, from Neal slowly inching his way into the Burke's marriage (without one of them getting jealous, please!), to Neal coming back post-series and them starting something new, to any kind of AU.
Elizabeth Burke & Neal Caffrey:
We only got glimpses of it in the show (like with so many other things!), but I can't help but think that once she realized that Neal would become a fixture in their daily life, Elizabeth would go and build up a friendship with the reformed con man. And as we know from the show, they share quite some things (besides certain features = blue eyes, brown hair). Give me some glimpses into their friendship, like them discussing the better wine for an event Elizabeth is planning, Neal talking to her about something that irks him in Peter's behavior, or whatever you can come up with!
Peter Burke & Mozzie:
Definitely one of the best and, truth be told, most surprising things that ever came out of that show. I loved how these two gave each other strength in the final episode, but also how they tried to work together time and time again for Neal's sake, despite them being complete opposites XD Once again, everything goes here!
Elizabeth Burke & Peter Burke & Neal Caffrey:
Simple - glimpses from their shared daily life as a married couple with one common best friend. Can be set at any time, both during the show or post-series.
Diana Berrigan & Mozzie:
Like with the Peter & Mozzie pairing, this one also surprised me. And yet, I loved it from the get-go. Diana is so this "playing by the rules" kind of character, and Mozzie is, once again, the complete opposite. Give me any moment with these two, and you can of course include any moment of Mozzie and Theo Berrigan ;)
********************************************
D. The Magnificent Seven (TV)
The very fandom that brought me into the whole wide wonderful world of fanfiction (and made me a slash fan later on). Came into the show while looking for other works of Eric Close (which I became a fan of thanks to "Without A Trace"). Sadly, we only got two seasons (and a grand total of whooping 22 episodes), but on the other hand, that means writers and artists can literally go nuts with spinning the story further, exploring scenes that we didn't see, and of course, every possible pairing of the characters.
For ship-specifics:
Chris Larabee & Vin Tanner:
Had me from the very moment Chris' eyes meet Vin's across the main street in the Pilot. You can see the instant understanding in these two men, both with their own burden, but determined to stop the bad guys from hanging an innocent man. Would love to see missing moments from the show, or AU scenes where these two meet and become friends as well.
Chris Larabee/Vin Tanner:
Works for me mostly because no matter what universe we're in, Vin respects Chris' decisions, backs him up, but he's also not afraid to speak up if he thinks it the right place to do so. Best moment for me on the show was in the series finale when he tries to talk sense into his friend, and especially in that scene, it's quite easy to see that all playing out through my slash-colored googles ;) Anyway, show me some domestic moments at Chris' cabin, take them to any existing AU verse, or create a new one.
Ezra Standish & Vin Tanner:
Our Southern gambler was the third addition to my favorite characters list (right after Vin and Chris), and I loved that while these two characters are quite the opposite of each other, Vin had not really a problem with (a) who the gambler was, (b) where he came from, and (c) some his POVs on the situations they ran into. Vin also realized that while Ezra definitely was a damn good shooter, his real talent lay elsewhere. I only wished they had Chris realize that too and incorporate Ezra more into the planning stages of their attacks instead of only focusing on his apparent conman talents (and his gambling). So, if you could work around anything like that (be it Old West or any AU setting, I don't care XD), I really would love you.
Ezra Standish/Vin Tanner:
Simple put, there are not enough stories featuring these two as lovers out there (or at least those which are still existing). So, especially for this pairing, really anything goes! Go Nuts!
Vin Tanner & Nettie Wells:
One of the sweetest "pairings" in the show, considering how long Vin was, more or less, without a maternal figure in his life. Nettie was from the get-go the perfect woman for that, and I would love to see Vin doing little things to cheer her up while simultaneously respecting her independence, and Nettie in return showering the man with motherly love!
Chris Larabee & Ezra Standish:
Hands down, the pairing with the most potential for conflict, starting with their altercation in the pilot and Ezra apparently leaving them all behind. And yet, he turns his horse around, and becomes a part of the peacekeepers. I like to think that Chris becomes something like a person who commands respect (which he definitely does) to Ezra, someone who gives him kind of stability. And I also like to think that Chris either sees some kind of resemblance to his younger self in the gambler or to his late son Adam. Anyway, any kind of moment between these two works, either in show canon and timeline or in one of the many, many AUs this fandom has already created.
Chris Larabee/Ezra Standish:
Like with the pairing above, just with them becoming lovers (maybe hidden from the rest of the gang) as bonus. Go nuts!
Nathan Jackson & Vin Tanner:
Definitely not the most-used pairing, neither on the show nor in the fandom. But I still see some parallels between them two - both of them have spent parts of their life with a Native American tribe (which could be used for some bonding). Or Vin helping out at the clinic, teaching Nathan some ointments and other medical things he picked up with the tribe. In any modern AU, maybe these two are already friends when we meet them, cause they served in the same military unit?
Vin Tanner & Buck Wilmington:
One of them is Chris' oldest friend, the other is the new kid on the block, so to speak. And to be honest, Buck doesn't seem to be the guy who holds a grudge against anyone befriending Chris. Quite the contrary, I think he even would sit Vin down and give him some insight into Chris' mind pre- and post-fire. Or he would give him the "shovel talk", once he realizes that Chris and Vin are more than just friends (which works in every setting!)
********************************************
E. Political Animals (TV)
Truth be told, a series I would never, ever have considered at all if not for one guy - Sebastian Stan. He plays TJ Hammond, and boy, he really does an outstanding job as the "black sheep" of the family. I'm actually open to any story involving TJ, not only the pairings listed below.
Margaret Barrish & Thomas "T. J." Hammond:
TJ and his grandma were two peas in a pod, and I like to think that these two gave the rest of the family (along with the White House and Secret Service staff) at least one heart attack or two over the years. But I also see Margaret as TJ's go-to person, as the one (sometimes the only one) who really would listen to him. Or he sees her as his own cautionary tale, mostly in terms of his own addiction. Anyway, give me any moments between these two, maybe from pre-series, when TJ and Doug were growing up.
Thomas "T. J." Hammond & None:
TJ is, probably, the most complex character (in a box of complex characters, but I might be biased on that XD). So for this "pairing", give me any insight into his character, either any moment during the series, pre- or post-series.
Douglas Hammond & Thomas "T. J." Hammond:
Despite them being twins, these two are complete opposites in character. Still, they are brothers, and while siblings tend to fight, they always make up afterwards. Show me some moments where one of them was there for the other - again, any time, any setting works.
Elaine Barrish & Thomas "T. J." Hammond:
Give me any mother-son moment between these two, cause TJ definitely was Elaine's favorite.
Thomas "T. J." Hammond & Anne Ogami:
They only had one thing in common - Doug. And yet, I can see a friendship blossoming between them, maybe with TJ giving Anne hints to what Doug likes more, how she can help her husband in his work, and in return Anne giving TJ some kind of family, of belonging. Anything goes!
Now, onto the letter!
A. General Preferences
B. Black Panther
C. White Collar
D. The Magnficent Seven (TV)
E. Political Animals
(most of them fit both fics and fanart, though I have written them for writers)
DO NOT WANT
* Non-canonical character death (especially, of course, in the pairings I requested, but also in general) - temporary character death is okay, but the "dead" character should be back with the others in the end (or at least the way back should begin to be paved)
* Funerals (comes from my RL abhorence for them - too much bad emotion!) - visits to existing gravesites (with or without a heartfelt, one-sided conversation) are okay, though!
* Hurt without comfort
* Super dark!characters (accidental darkness (i.e. a character following another one in a manner that borders on stalking, but stays on the rather humorous side, especially if the followed character notices it early on and decides to play along) is okay, the same goes for using manners that are not exactly only on the good side to reach their goal ;)
* Character or ship bashing (If you can't stand a character/ship, please man up and contact the mods for a change, or reach out to me somehow, maybe we can find a way)
* No discussion of real-life politics and the awfulness therein!
* Rape/non-con (dub-con is okay to a certain degree - if you're not sure, please reach out to me)
* Breakup fic (you can break them up, but bring them back together in the end)
* Characters being shown as dumb / demoted in their intelligence / reduced to being just a "tool" in someone else's belt
LIKES
* Smart characters! Or (at least) being competent in what they are doing, even when they know there might be consequences (can also be used as a kink!)
* Idiots in Love - which means for me the characters are pining for each other without knowing the other's true feelings, and usually realize it later on (with or without some helping hands!)
* Everybody's Alive! Most of my fandoms have their share of sad-ending relationships (in any flavor), so if you can give me some happy ending, with nobody dying (as noted above, temporary deaths are okay), and with as much fluff as you can, I'm (more than) good!
* Romance Tropes! I'm pretty much game for almost all of them XD (if written in a good way), but I have kind of a soft spot for the following: friends with benefits (that might evolve into something more serious), slight jealousy/possessiveness (not over the top display, please, but simple gestures/words are okay - as long as both partners can laugh about it afterwards, you're good), Cuddling (works also on the friendship front), Misunderstandings (as long as they are clarified and don't drive a wedge between the characters), Fake Dating (that evolves into real dating), Fake Marriage, A/B/O (in a way that doesn't display omegas as birthing machines only/demotes them to humans with no rights whatsoever), Bed Sharing (both at the beginning of a love relationship or friendship), Meet-Cutes (and Meet-Uglys that get turned around)
* AUs! Don't get me wrong, I love my fandoms just right as they are (in terms of setting/time and all that jazz), but I love reading about the characters in a different time/setting. Favorites include: Space AU, Modern AU (for any fandom that's usually set in an earlier time frame - vice versa for any modern setting fandom). I'll detail this point further down the page in the fandoms ;), Band AU
* Working relationships! In a way where the characters have managed to have an established relationship while working in the same field (for example cops, or FBI agents), probably despite the misgivings of their bosses, but now they have to live with the "consequences" aka the emotions that threaten to take them over when the other half is in a dangerous situation (and yes, they know each other better, but especially when one of them is known for reckless behaviour, they can't help but worry, most of the time to the slight amusement of their colleagues)
* Case fics! Be it within the lines of the established fandom setting or in an AU, a clever written case, with some unexpected twists and turns and some mystery (that isn't too difficult to explain in the end), is very welcomed and enjoyed at this place!
* Smut! As I love to write whenever something like this letter comes up - I'm a big girl, so don't hesitate to go as smutty as you are comfortable with! First times are as perfect as new sides in an established relationship - as long as the characters are happy afterwards, I'm as well! For Artists: don't be afraid to show certain bits (both boys and girls) ;)
* Crossovers & Fusions! I didn't request any at the signups (that would have been a bit too much), but if you can make a crossover work (you can also include fandoms I haven't listed below), I love you just the same. The same goes for fusions (e.g. Neal Caffrey being an MI-6 agent like James Bond, maybe meeting him).
* Music! I'm a music afficinado at heart (with a heavy preference for music up until the early 1990's), a huge Bon Jovi fan, but if you can incorporate any song out there, feel free to broaden my horizon, so to speak. I also never say no to any kind/variation of Band AU/Musician AU.
There's definitely more to these lists, but these are my absolute favorites (or dislikes). And I repeat once again: If you're not sure about anything, please don't hesitate to reach out to me (either through the mods or with an anonymous comment here)
Now: onto specific fandoms!
(I might give you some pointers as to what I would love to see/read, but in the end, I'm open to anything you want to give me On a further note: if not specified, any of the following ships works for me both in a sexual and a friendship way, so if you're more comfortable with writing certain characters being friends with each others, feel free to do so. And of course you can include any other character from the fandoms, but please keep the focus on the pairings listed ;) )
I only have seen the movie once so far, but I really get why so many view it as one of the best of the whole MCU. There's not one character that I don't love (even Everett Ross has his moments), and I'm already looking forward to the sequel. Character-wise, my absolute favorite is Shuri, followed by pretty much everyone else XD
For ship-specifics:
James "Bucky" Barnes & Shuri:
One of those pairings that had way too less scenes together (in fact, it's only the mid-credit scene). Not trying to limit you in any way, but I would love to see scenes from the two years between Bucky going into cryo at the end of "Civil War" and T'Challa bringing the new arm to Bucky in "Infinity War". How did Shuri's POV of the former assassin change over that time? Was she afraid of him, or was he just another science project to her? And did she learn anything from him as well?
James "Bucky" Barnes/Shuri:
At first, I didn't really could wrap my mind around that pairing, but over time, I read some well-written stories where these two really pursue a relationship. Sadly, there's not much stories out there, so you can actually go nuts with every kind of scenario you can come up ;) My boy Bucky needs some love!
Shuri & T'Challa:
I loved the way the siblings acted around each other, so just give me any moments between these two, be it during the movie, or pre-movie when they were growing up.
Nakia/T'Challa:
The one pairing in the movie that took me by surprise. I love the independence of the Wakandian women in general, but Nakia was exceptional. Can T'Challa win her back? Or go back in history and show me how they first met, how their love grew.
White Collar was the first show to break me out of my purely SPN fandom way, and it made me fall in love with Matt Bomer (which in turn led to me exploring shows I never, ever would have thought of XD). Anyway, from the first episode I saw on I was hooked on the characters, the storytelling, the practically non-existent violence, and most of all the fact that crime shows don't have to be gritty and full of gore and with characters on an eternal frustration loop to be entertaining. Don't be limited by the pairings listed beneath, I'll take whatever you have to offer!
For ship-specifics:
Diana Berrigan & Neal Caffrey:
Back in Season 4, we saw a glimpse of what could have been a wonderful friendship between Diana and Neal. But like they did with Neal & Jones a season before, they, more or less, derailed it almost a heartbeat later. What if that wasn't the case? Would Theo Barrigan not only have one, but two criminally cool uncles? Or what if Diana is in Paris post-series and runs into a certain former con-man? Show me moments from their friendship (with or without her sweet son Theo in the picture).
Neal Caffrey/Sara Ellis:
My OTP on the show. Which is a bit funny, cause her first episode on the show, "Unfinished Business", was my very first full episode of the show ever. But truth be told, Sara grew on me (and she didn't have to use her trusty baton for that XD), more than any other woman they paired Neal with, and I would love to see a happy end for these two post-series, in any possible way, but of course missing moments from the show as well.
Peter Burke & Neal Caffrey:
I know, the most-used pairing on the show XD But I still think that there's so much more to explore of their friendship left for us fans. Sure, they both had more faith in the other man than anyone else from the get-go, but I like to think in the beginning, it was just as far as they could throw the other one. So how did that grow over the years, despite the hurdles Neal's old foes, new criminals and the higher-ups of the FBI tried to put in their way? Or what's necessary post-series, once Peter learns of Neal's final deception, to rebuild that friendship? Is it even possible?
Elizabeth Burke/Peter Burke/Neal Caffrey:
The trio that taught me the term "OT3" XD Anything goes here, from Neal slowly inching his way into the Burke's marriage (without one of them getting jealous, please!), to Neal coming back post-series and them starting something new, to any kind of AU.
Elizabeth Burke & Neal Caffrey:
We only got glimpses of it in the show (like with so many other things!), but I can't help but think that once she realized that Neal would become a fixture in their daily life, Elizabeth would go and build up a friendship with the reformed con man. And as we know from the show, they share quite some things (besides certain features = blue eyes, brown hair). Give me some glimpses into their friendship, like them discussing the better wine for an event Elizabeth is planning, Neal talking to her about something that irks him in Peter's behavior, or whatever you can come up with!
Peter Burke & Mozzie:
Definitely one of the best and, truth be told, most surprising things that ever came out of that show. I loved how these two gave each other strength in the final episode, but also how they tried to work together time and time again for Neal's sake, despite them being complete opposites XD Once again, everything goes here!
Elizabeth Burke & Peter Burke & Neal Caffrey:
Simple - glimpses from their shared daily life as a married couple with one common best friend. Can be set at any time, both during the show or post-series.
Diana Berrigan & Mozzie:
Like with the Peter & Mozzie pairing, this one also surprised me. And yet, I loved it from the get-go. Diana is so this "playing by the rules" kind of character, and Mozzie is, once again, the complete opposite. Give me any moment with these two, and you can of course include any moment of Mozzie and Theo Berrigan ;)
The very fandom that brought me into the whole wide wonderful world of fanfiction (and made me a slash fan later on). Came into the show while looking for other works of Eric Close (which I became a fan of thanks to "Without A Trace"). Sadly, we only got two seasons (and a grand total of whooping 22 episodes), but on the other hand, that means writers and artists can literally go nuts with spinning the story further, exploring scenes that we didn't see, and of course, every possible pairing of the characters.
For ship-specifics:
Chris Larabee & Vin Tanner:
Had me from the very moment Chris' eyes meet Vin's across the main street in the Pilot. You can see the instant understanding in these two men, both with their own burden, but determined to stop the bad guys from hanging an innocent man. Would love to see missing moments from the show, or AU scenes where these two meet and become friends as well.
Chris Larabee/Vin Tanner:
Works for me mostly because no matter what universe we're in, Vin respects Chris' decisions, backs him up, but he's also not afraid to speak up if he thinks it the right place to do so. Best moment for me on the show was in the series finale when he tries to talk sense into his friend, and especially in that scene, it's quite easy to see that all playing out through my slash-colored googles ;) Anyway, show me some domestic moments at Chris' cabin, take them to any existing AU verse, or create a new one.
Ezra Standish & Vin Tanner:
Our Southern gambler was the third addition to my favorite characters list (right after Vin and Chris), and I loved that while these two characters are quite the opposite of each other, Vin had not really a problem with (a) who the gambler was, (b) where he came from, and (c) some his POVs on the situations they ran into. Vin also realized that while Ezra definitely was a damn good shooter, his real talent lay elsewhere. I only wished they had Chris realize that too and incorporate Ezra more into the planning stages of their attacks instead of only focusing on his apparent conman talents (and his gambling). So, if you could work around anything like that (be it Old West or any AU setting, I don't care XD), I really would love you.
Ezra Standish/Vin Tanner:
Simple put, there are not enough stories featuring these two as lovers out there (or at least those which are still existing). So, especially for this pairing, really anything goes! Go Nuts!
Vin Tanner & Nettie Wells:
One of the sweetest "pairings" in the show, considering how long Vin was, more or less, without a maternal figure in his life. Nettie was from the get-go the perfect woman for that, and I would love to see Vin doing little things to cheer her up while simultaneously respecting her independence, and Nettie in return showering the man with motherly love!
Chris Larabee & Ezra Standish:
Hands down, the pairing with the most potential for conflict, starting with their altercation in the pilot and Ezra apparently leaving them all behind. And yet, he turns his horse around, and becomes a part of the peacekeepers. I like to think that Chris becomes something like a person who commands respect (which he definitely does) to Ezra, someone who gives him kind of stability. And I also like to think that Chris either sees some kind of resemblance to his younger self in the gambler or to his late son Adam. Anyway, any kind of moment between these two works, either in show canon and timeline or in one of the many, many AUs this fandom has already created.
Chris Larabee/Ezra Standish:
Like with the pairing above, just with them becoming lovers (maybe hidden from the rest of the gang) as bonus. Go nuts!
Nathan Jackson & Vin Tanner:
Definitely not the most-used pairing, neither on the show nor in the fandom. But I still see some parallels between them two - both of them have spent parts of their life with a Native American tribe (which could be used for some bonding). Or Vin helping out at the clinic, teaching Nathan some ointments and other medical things he picked up with the tribe. In any modern AU, maybe these two are already friends when we meet them, cause they served in the same military unit?
Vin Tanner & Buck Wilmington:
One of them is Chris' oldest friend, the other is the new kid on the block, so to speak. And to be honest, Buck doesn't seem to be the guy who holds a grudge against anyone befriending Chris. Quite the contrary, I think he even would sit Vin down and give him some insight into Chris' mind pre- and post-fire. Or he would give him the "shovel talk", once he realizes that Chris and Vin are more than just friends (which works in every setting!)
Truth be told, a series I would never, ever have considered at all if not for one guy - Sebastian Stan. He plays TJ Hammond, and boy, he really does an outstanding job as the "black sheep" of the family. I'm actually open to any story involving TJ, not only the pairings listed below.
Margaret Barrish & Thomas "T. J." Hammond:
TJ and his grandma were two peas in a pod, and I like to think that these two gave the rest of the family (along with the White House and Secret Service staff) at least one heart attack or two over the years. But I also see Margaret as TJ's go-to person, as the one (sometimes the only one) who really would listen to him. Or he sees her as his own cautionary tale, mostly in terms of his own addiction. Anyway, give me any moments between these two, maybe from pre-series, when TJ and Doug were growing up.
Thomas "T. J." Hammond & None:
TJ is, probably, the most complex character (in a box of complex characters, but I might be biased on that XD). So for this "pairing", give me any insight into his character, either any moment during the series, pre- or post-series.
Douglas Hammond & Thomas "T. J." Hammond:
Despite them being twins, these two are complete opposites in character. Still, they are brothers, and while siblings tend to fight, they always make up afterwards. Show me some moments where one of them was there for the other - again, any time, any setting works.
Elaine Barrish & Thomas "T. J." Hammond:
Give me any mother-son moment between these two, cause TJ definitely was Elaine's favorite.
Thomas "T. J." Hammond & Anne Ogami:
They only had one thing in common - Doug. And yet, I can see a friendship blossoming between them, maybe with TJ giving Anne hints to what Doug likes more, how she can help her husband in his work, and in return Anne giving TJ some kind of family, of belonging. Anything goes!