Dear Fandom Growth Artist/Writer...
Hi there, thank you for coming to read this letter! I'm really excited about this exchange and I hope you feel the same way. Can't wait to see what you create - please just try to enjoy yourself, and I'm sure to love the end result :)
In terms of fic, I love first-time/getting-together stories most of all. But I also enjoy established relationships, so no worries if that's what you'd rather write. I'm all for sex scenes, if that's where the story leads you, but I won't be disappointed if the characters end up taking things slow (and stick with just kissing or ambiguous fade-to-black scenes) - whatever you think works best is alright with me.
For art, I'm open to just about anything! I love seeing the characters being happy together - perhaps doing something silly and laughing about it, or just playing around with each other. This can be as domestic and mundane as doing the dishes together and splashing water on each other, to dancing and stepping on the other's toes. Sweet moments, like embracing while sleeping, are great too. I also really love hurt/comfort, both emotional and physical. Like one character holding the other while they cry, or protectively clutching their wounded lover while glaring daggers at the assailant(s). And I love comics, if you feel like telling a short story! In more general terms, anything that takes place in rain is gold to me. Desperate kissing, fights, staring at someone's back with all the yearning that's normally kept hidden, etc. I can't explain it, but yeah, I'm just a sucker for that. Oh, and the one thing I'm not all that into when it comes to art, is super-graphic sex (like where a dripping dick is the main focus).
Aside from that, the things I like are all over the place - so I'll list a few for you below. Keep in mind that there's no reason for you to worry if the stuff I mention aren't what you had planned! I'm only writing this to give you a general idea of what I'm into, so please don't feel like you must include any of these.
♥ Characters who are unflinchingly loyal, including betrayals that are actually secretly done for the sake of the other.
♥ Protectiveness - especially if the one being protected is quite capable of taking care of themselves, and/or isn't used to someone caring like that.
♥ Stoic characters opening up and revealing feelings they normally wouldn't; the strong-and-silent type showing unexpected vulnerability.
♥ Unrequited love and longing that ends up not being that unrequited after all. UST is great as well, especially if finally resolved.
♥ Moments where one character is completely out of it (due to sleepiness or being wounded or whatever), but is still aware of the other just being there; a comforting and safe presence.
♥ Characters who share a "I understand what you need without having to be told" bond.
♥ Lonely characters finding companionship.
♥ Casual or unconscious displays of power, skill, or strength.
♥ Differences between lovers - height, age, etc.
♥ Indirect kissing, especially if coupled with pining. Like one character lighting a cigarette for the other, or drinking from the same glass.
♥ Playful sex. That's not to say I don't enjoy tender or passionate sex (I do!), but there's just something about two characters being so at ease and comfortable around each other that they're able to joke and laugh while making love.
♥ Rescues, whether it's a matter of life and death or simply being woken from a nightmare.
♥ Rivalries, both of the friendly sort and the more antagonistic kind.
♥ Desperate kissing in the rain. DON'T JUDGE MEEE~
And on the flip side, things I don't want:
♦ Sad stuff involving animals - death, cruelty, etc.
♦ Killing off the characters I've requested, or giving them a serious illness they didn't have in canon (by serious I mean things like cancer and dementia).
♦ Focus on social or political issues.
♦ Crossovers.
♦ Crack.
♦ Meta.
♦ Alternate Universe. I like AUs sometimes, but these fandoms are all rare so I'd like to get fic/art of them as they are (but what-if/fix-it/canon-divergence is perfectly fine).
Now then, here are my actual requests:
Flight Of The Intruder
Jake Grafton/Virgil Cole: As much as I love this movie, the end is just... Y'know, I won't beat around the bush here: I desperately, desperately want Virgil to survive! I don't care how you do it - change the whole ending around or just a few details, have him be badly wounded or not hurt at all, borrow a page from the original book (where he doesn't die) or have something entirely different happen - absolutely anything is good with me, just as long as he gets to live.
I love how important they both become to each other, and how close they grow in such a short time. Jake is still reeling from the loss of Morg, and so badly wants to do something that matters. Virgil not only grounds him, but also gives him the chance to make a difference, sticking by his side every step of the way. And Jake becomes just as important to Virgil, who's actually really lonely - isolated, even. Everyone thinks the worst of him, that he's a horrible and disloyal person, which is as far from the truth as it gets. But he doesn't speak up for himself; like when Camparelli is giving him a hard time, he doesn't say a word in his own defense. But he opens up to Jake, because he feels that Jake deserves to know everything. And maybe Virgil hopes someone will finally believe in him, too. And Jake doesn't disappoint. The way he responds, utterly steadfast and supporting, is just beautiful - and it's obvious that it means the world to Virgil.
So, with that in mind, in terms of fic I'd love to see a moment where somebody brings it up and accuses Virgil of abandoning his old partner. I doubt Virgil would respond, and I'd love to see Jake stepping in. Just being protective of Virgil, telling the accuser a thing or two, and then trying to make him feel better. That protectiveness swings both ways (as we clearly see in the end when Virgil keeps Jake from coming to save him ;_;), so if you'd like to flip the roles or write something else centered around that, that'd be just as great! I'd also love to see the loyalty and protectiveness between them explored in art, in any way you can think of! Maybe combined with fix-it for the ending, like with Jake carrying Virgil to safety?
I love how loyal Jake is, and how deeply he cares. The way he acts after Morg's death, slipping up by still talking to him and calling other people by his name, always breaks my heart. (That's why the final scene just doesn't work for me - it feels completely OOC for him to be upbeat like that, and the whole thing just seems tacked on and forced.)
The scene after their preliminary court-martial is lovely. The way Virgil, once again, opens up to Jake. He looks so heartbreakingly sad when he says he's never trusted or counted on anyone but himself. Then he lifts his gaze to Jake, bright eyes and wide smile lighting up his whole face when he says he's glad it's the two of them against the world - "If we hang or go to jail, we do it together." *clutches heart* And the way Jake gives him this soft, tender smile in return...!
And I love how damn adorable they are together! Like them bursting into song after their solo mission, so happy and perfectly in sync. Or all the pet names they use - honey, baby, amigo, buddy, I love them all to bits. So if a fix-it fic isn't what you'd like to write, something sweet and happy like that would be really nice as well. For art, that goes double! I'd love to see them being happy together - playing around, taking it easy and relaxing, smiling at each other... whatever!
Fly, Daddy, Fly
Suzuki Hajime/Park Sunshin: I love everything about this movie, from the father-daughter bond to the guys in the bus. But most of all I love the relationship between Sunshin and Hajime. I ship them like crazy, to the point where I could analyze the smallest of details at length - I won't do that though, so don't worry ;)
I think it's pretty clear that Sunshin is really quite lonely. It's something he probably wouldn't admit, especially considering all the rumors that circulate about him. I feel like he probably thinks it's better that way; it's easier and less painful to just stay isolated, however much he might actually wish he had someone to talk to. So the way he slowly gains respect for his pupil, and how that morphs into genuine companionship, is just wonderful to watch. Look at his secretly happy smile right after Hajime gives him the rock, for example! Hajime on his part has absolute faith in his teacher ("I... believe in you."), while also coming to deeply care about him.
I'd love to see something set after the movie, because certain aspects of the ending simply break my heart. Please tell me they retained their friendship and still spent time together! I'd also really love to see a moment where Hajime is able to protect Sunshin, as per the request in the tree scene. Doesn't matter if it's protecting him physically or emotionally, I just want Hajime to be able to grant his wish.
I adore Sunshin's fondness for Enter The Dragon, and how he incorporates it into his teachings. And I love how Hajime, who hasn't even seen it before, immediately goes out and buys it. One of my favorite scenes is when Hajime turns the tables on Sunshin, at the amusement park. It always makes me smile, the way he's all cocky about it, when he teasingly quotes Sunshin's favorite movie back at him. It shows just how well they've come to know each other (not to mention the fact that Hajime apparently watched it closely enough to even be able to do that, which I think speaks volumes).
As much as I love the two of them, together, Hajime is married. I don't like infidelity, and I also think it'd be completely OOC for Hajime to betray his wife. So I'd prefer it if their marriage had ended amicably. Just please don't make Yuko the villain; what little we saw of her I did like. The same goes for Haruka - I loved her to bits, and I think she'd try to support her father no matter what.
I should also mention that for Sunshin's name, I'm using the romanization from the DVD. But I don't mind at all if you'd prefer to write it Soon-shin or some other way!
Hak Se Wui | Election
Jimmy/Fei Gei: These two movies have some extremely fascinating characters, none more so than Fei Gei and Jimmy. And their relationship is just...! *flails incoherently* I mean, for starters their chemistry is through the roof. Then there's the fact that the way they act towards each other stands in stark contrast to their normal behavior. Take Jimmy, for example. Throughout the movies he grows to be extremely ruthless. This is the guy who kills someone, chops up his body, grinds the parts, and then feeds it to the dogs. But it's also the guy who rescues Fei Gei time and time again, who takes off his jacket to tenderly cover Fei Gei's unconscious body, who displays an unprecedented sense of caring and protectiveness towards him, and so on. Hell, Fei Gei kidnaps Jimmy's girlfriend, and Jimmy's reaction? Yelling at his bodyguard for aiming a gun at Fei Gei.
The same goes for Fei Gei. He's unhinged, right from the start, and doesn't seem to have any qualms about the things he does. But when those things concern Jimmy, he stops to think. Like when he slams Jimmy against the wall and presses a knife to his throat (and Jimmy doesn't fight back at all, just looks Fei Gei straight in the eye and apologizes). Or, again, the whole kidnapping thing. To Fei Gei it's his one chance to fix everything that's gone wrong for him; all he has to do is use Jimmy's girlfriend as bait and then kill him. But Jimmy enters the car freely, stays behind even when he has the chance to flee, and just talks to Fei Gei. Who backs down without the slightest bit of resistance
The end of the second movie leaves both of these men in serious trouble. Jimmy's trouble isn't visible to the eye - in fact, everything seems to be going perfectly for him and his rise to power. But he's lost part of himself along the way, I think. I also have no doubt his girlfriend would take off as soon as she found out that he won't be able to be the respectable businessman she wanted him to be. As for Fei Gei, his problems are more obvious. Everyone, on all sides, wants him dead. He doesn't have a single ally, and people are gunning for him left and right. I feel like they could both help each other. Jimmy could offer protection, even if it's just a safe place to heal up and rest for a couple of nights. And I genuinely think Fei Gei would be able to ground Jimmy, and pull him back a bit.
On a more shallow level, I love the juxtaposition between their looks. Jimmy, sleek and immaculate, usually wearing perfectly tailored suits. And then Fei Gei, a rough-and-tumble sort of guy, often in motorcycle leathers. If you felt like including a sex scene, I'd love anything that touched upon that difference - and that goes for both fic and art.
Psychometry
Yang Chun-dong/Kim Jun: I love this movie to bits, and the relationship between these two really made it special. I just want more of them - angsty or happy, solving another crime together or just hanging out, whatever, I want it all! The ending left things open for them to reunite, and I'd love for that to happen. Even without Chun-dong discovering the graffiti I like to think he would've tried to track Jun down. I believe he took his promise to not leave Jun hanging ever again very, very seriously. And hey, Chun-dong never did get to take Jun out for dinner ;)
Both of these characters are very much alone. Jun has isolated himself on purpose, and with Chun-dong it probably happened automatically (we're not told whether or not his parents are still alive, but even if they are I got the distinct impression that they'd be blaming him for Gi-dong's death). So I believe they both become really important to each other; both bringing a sense of companionship into the other's lonely life. And it's a friendship that could easily develop into something more. This pairing is basically made for hurt/comfort and touch starvation, both of which I'd be hugely into.
But I'd also love something happy and humorous! Maybe Jun could try to teach Chun-dong how to train pigeons? He was quite impressed with that, after all. I think that could be really fun, as both art and fic!
The Expendables
Barney Ross/Galgo: NGL, Galgo was my favorite thing about the third movie. I really wasn't expecting to fall for him as hard as I did, but man, I love the guy to bits. And I thought there was so much potential for this pairing, surely everyone would see it and there would be tons of shippers and fanworks! ...But no, that didn't happen. Not counting the fic I wrote (out of sheer desperation), there's nothing. Nothing! So, yeah, whatever you feel like writing/drawing will be absolutely wonderful.
Deep down, Galgo is a very lonely man. He covers it all with talking and acting the way he does, but - when Barney finally asks what went down with his old team - he doesn't shy away from it. He has the strength to allow himself to be vulnerable; to reveal that painful past of his. And Barney listens, and you can tell that means the world to Galgo. I'd really love to see something that builds on that, with him finding solace in building a friendship (and more) with Barney.
For art, I really love their outfits - all those belts, buckles, straps, suspenders, gloves, etc. If you wanted to draw something porny, I'd be all for using any of those things in new and imaginative ways ;D
The Silent Flute | Circle Of Iron
The Blind Man/Cord: This is one of my favorite movies; I never get sick of watching it. It's not only visually stunning, but also has some real depth to it. It's funny, thoughtful, exciting, and - I honestly cannot praise it enough! I'd love to see a fic set after the movie, about the further adventures of Cord and the Blind Man. And, uh, for fics, I totally encourage you to name the Blind Man - provided you want to, that is! He has a name in the original script, but since the finished movie is quite different I don't mind if you'd like to call him something else.
I love how Cord latches on to the Blind Man almost immediately, all smiles and easy promises. The Blind Man, on his part, has a sharp tongue - but I think there's no mistaking the obvious fondness and affection he develops for Cord. The banter between them is wonderful; definitely one of my favorite aspects of the whole movie.
Their roles as teacher and student are obvious, but I'd be excited to see a moment where Cord is able to teach the Blind Man something. Doesn't matter if it's something small and silly, or hugely important (related to their deepening relationship, perhaps?) - I just think it'd be very interesting to see a reversal of roles. Or maybe the reversal can come from something a bit more dramatic? Like, for example, a moment where the Blind Man is in danger somehow, and Cord comes to his rescue. The latter could go many ways - serious and angsty, with hurt/comfort and desperate love confessions prompted by a near-death situation; or lighthearted and humorous, with them bickering every step of the way (since I can't imagine that the Blind Man would be gracious at having had Cord swoop in to save him).
I love how pivotal the Blind Man's music becomes to Cord. In the confrontation with Changsha, Cord is losing - then he, alone, hears the flute. He's grounded by it, and manages to prevail. And Cord knows damn well who it is that's playing it, which I think signifies just how important the Blind Man has become to him. Even much earlier, in the waterfall scene, you can see how utterly delighted Cord becomes when the Blind Man shows up again. That brilliant smile of his says it all, I think.
In the beginning, Cord stands alone. He is his own man, by his own choice - he needs no one, and no one needs him. But he grows as the movie progresses, in more ways than one. I think his character development is really great, and I'd like to see him continue to evolve under the tutelage of the Blind Man. To be honest, I'm not certain if they'd stick around and offer guidance to future Seekers... I almost think they'd be more likely to go off and wander the land. Maybe they experience adventure and fight intimidating foes, or perhaps they simply settle down and enjoy life? Wherever your story/art takes them, I'll be eager to see it!
Specifically for art here, I'd love to see a peaceful moment where the Blind Man plays the flute for Cord - maybe while Cord rests in his lap? Or, to repeat what I said above, one of them protectively holding the other (wounded or just winded), while facing a dangerous opponent.
The Storyteller
The Prince/Straggletag | Sapsorrow: I would love to see something where Sapsorrow stays in her Straggletag persona for a while longer, forcing the Prince to realize a few things. I think he just needed a bit more time, as he was already well on the way to seeing beyond her looks... For example, just take the way he instantly becomes protective when Badsister refers to her as "it", or the way he unflinchingly agrees to marry her.
What was there between him and Sapsorrow, anyway? She was mysterious, an enigma for him to solve; and she was beautiful, with the kind of dresses that spoke of great wealth. That was it. He didn't know her on any deeper level, it was all superficial and love-at-first-sight nonsense. Now, Straggletag, however... She is the first person to ever talk to him bluntly - she's honest, fearlessly rude even, and she treats him like any other normal person. Nobody ever acted that way around him before, as he even points out. The friendship that develops between them is lovely, and I think she became very important to him - even if he wouldn't admit it, or perhaps even fully realize it himself at first. I'd just really like to see that develop, however slowly, and with time turn into love. How would he handle that? Would he try to woo her; to turn their marriage into something more than basically just an arrangement? And Straggletag, how would she react? I think her feelings are a bit more ambiguous - she denies being in love, at one point - so it'd be great to see it evolve on her part, as well.
Oh, and also, feel free to name the Prince! And don't feel like you need to stick with the framing story, with the Storyteller and the Dog. Or if you want to have them there, and/or have the Prince be nameless, that's cool too! Whatever you think works best is fine with me :)
Three Fugitives
Daniel Lucas/Ned Perry: As far as I'm concerned, Lucas, Ned, and Meg made for the cutest family ever. I just want to see them stick together - not because of more bank-robbery shenanigans, but simply because they want to. I'd love it if Lucas and Ned came to realize that it isn't all about Meg; that they actually care about each other as well. I think this pairing is basically made for slow burn, UST, and he-could-never-feel-the-same-way-about-me mutual pining - but don't feel like you have to stick to that. I'll honestly love anything, however you see their relationship! I adore their bickering and the overall humor of the movie, so if you'd like to go with a more light-hearted route - perhaps with clumsy seduction attempts? - that'd be just as awesome.
It's pretty obvious that Lucas has lived a lonely life - he mentions growing up in an orphanage, and his "there's no such thing as friends" comment kinda says it all. I'd love to see him getting used to having a family for the first time in his life; to be able to let his guard down, because someone actually cares about him and has his back. He was very sweet and supportive when Ned broke down, and I'd love to see a reversal of roles, with Ned getting a chance to return the favor (with the life Lucas has led, I can't imagine him ever willingly crying in front of anyone - I'd love to see that explored). It'd also be fun to see Ned getting to rescue Lucas, for once! Well, okay, he does bring Lucas to Dr. Horvath, but that doesn't really count since Ned was the one who shot him in the first place ^_^;
This is a rather specific prompt, but how about the guys trying to bake a birthday cake for Meg? I can imagine what a disaster that could turn out to be, and I think it'd make for a really fun piece of art or fic!
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Aaand that's it! I really hope you're not feeling disheartened or disappointed by my requests. If anything is unclear or you have something you'd like to ask, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions via the moderators. Or, if you'd rather not contact them, you can also reply anonymously here.
No matter what we matched on, I want to assure you that I'm equally excited about all of these pairings. I know some fandom sections are longer than others, but that is not a sign of preference! My enthusiasm is the same, I promise - it's just a matter of canon length, varying amounts of prompt ideas, and having copied some sections from previous exchange letters while writing others from scratch.
In closing, thank you so much for creating a gift for me! ♥
In terms of fic, I love first-time/getting-together stories most of all. But I also enjoy established relationships, so no worries if that's what you'd rather write. I'm all for sex scenes, if that's where the story leads you, but I won't be disappointed if the characters end up taking things slow (and stick with just kissing or ambiguous fade-to-black scenes) - whatever you think works best is alright with me.
For art, I'm open to just about anything! I love seeing the characters being happy together - perhaps doing something silly and laughing about it, or just playing around with each other. This can be as domestic and mundane as doing the dishes together and splashing water on each other, to dancing and stepping on the other's toes. Sweet moments, like embracing while sleeping, are great too. I also really love hurt/comfort, both emotional and physical. Like one character holding the other while they cry, or protectively clutching their wounded lover while glaring daggers at the assailant(s). And I love comics, if you feel like telling a short story! In more general terms, anything that takes place in rain is gold to me. Desperate kissing, fights, staring at someone's back with all the yearning that's normally kept hidden, etc. I can't explain it, but yeah, I'm just a sucker for that. Oh, and the one thing I'm not all that into when it comes to art, is super-graphic sex (like where a dripping dick is the main focus).
Aside from that, the things I like are all over the place - so I'll list a few for you below. Keep in mind that there's no reason for you to worry if the stuff I mention aren't what you had planned! I'm only writing this to give you a general idea of what I'm into, so please don't feel like you must include any of these.
♥ Characters who are unflinchingly loyal, including betrayals that are actually secretly done for the sake of the other.
♥ Protectiveness - especially if the one being protected is quite capable of taking care of themselves, and/or isn't used to someone caring like that.
♥ Stoic characters opening up and revealing feelings they normally wouldn't; the strong-and-silent type showing unexpected vulnerability.
♥ Unrequited love and longing that ends up not being that unrequited after all. UST is great as well, especially if finally resolved.
♥ Moments where one character is completely out of it (due to sleepiness or being wounded or whatever), but is still aware of the other just being there; a comforting and safe presence.
♥ Characters who share a "I understand what you need without having to be told" bond.
♥ Lonely characters finding companionship.
♥ Casual or unconscious displays of power, skill, or strength.
♥ Differences between lovers - height, age, etc.
♥ Indirect kissing, especially if coupled with pining. Like one character lighting a cigarette for the other, or drinking from the same glass.
♥ Playful sex. That's not to say I don't enjoy tender or passionate sex (I do!), but there's just something about two characters being so at ease and comfortable around each other that they're able to joke and laugh while making love.
♥ Rescues, whether it's a matter of life and death or simply being woken from a nightmare.
♥ Rivalries, both of the friendly sort and the more antagonistic kind.
♥ Desperate kissing in the rain. DON'T JUDGE MEEE~
And on the flip side, things I don't want:
♦ Sad stuff involving animals - death, cruelty, etc.
♦ Killing off the characters I've requested, or giving them a serious illness they didn't have in canon (by serious I mean things like cancer and dementia).
♦ Focus on social or political issues.
♦ Crossovers.
♦ Crack.
♦ Meta.
♦ Alternate Universe. I like AUs sometimes, but these fandoms are all rare so I'd like to get fic/art of them as they are (but what-if/fix-it/canon-divergence is perfectly fine).
Now then, here are my actual requests:
Flight Of The Intruder
Jake Grafton/Virgil Cole: As much as I love this movie, the end is just... Y'know, I won't beat around the bush here: I desperately, desperately want Virgil to survive! I don't care how you do it - change the whole ending around or just a few details, have him be badly wounded or not hurt at all, borrow a page from the original book (where he doesn't die) or have something entirely different happen - absolutely anything is good with me, just as long as he gets to live.
I love how important they both become to each other, and how close they grow in such a short time. Jake is still reeling from the loss of Morg, and so badly wants to do something that matters. Virgil not only grounds him, but also gives him the chance to make a difference, sticking by his side every step of the way. And Jake becomes just as important to Virgil, who's actually really lonely - isolated, even. Everyone thinks the worst of him, that he's a horrible and disloyal person, which is as far from the truth as it gets. But he doesn't speak up for himself; like when Camparelli is giving him a hard time, he doesn't say a word in his own defense. But he opens up to Jake, because he feels that Jake deserves to know everything. And maybe Virgil hopes someone will finally believe in him, too. And Jake doesn't disappoint. The way he responds, utterly steadfast and supporting, is just beautiful - and it's obvious that it means the world to Virgil.
So, with that in mind, in terms of fic I'd love to see a moment where somebody brings it up and accuses Virgil of abandoning his old partner. I doubt Virgil would respond, and I'd love to see Jake stepping in. Just being protective of Virgil, telling the accuser a thing or two, and then trying to make him feel better. That protectiveness swings both ways (as we clearly see in the end when Virgil keeps Jake from coming to save him ;_;), so if you'd like to flip the roles or write something else centered around that, that'd be just as great! I'd also love to see the loyalty and protectiveness between them explored in art, in any way you can think of! Maybe combined with fix-it for the ending, like with Jake carrying Virgil to safety?
I love how loyal Jake is, and how deeply he cares. The way he acts after Morg's death, slipping up by still talking to him and calling other people by his name, always breaks my heart. (That's why the final scene just doesn't work for me - it feels completely OOC for him to be upbeat like that, and the whole thing just seems tacked on and forced.)
The scene after their preliminary court-martial is lovely. The way Virgil, once again, opens up to Jake. He looks so heartbreakingly sad when he says he's never trusted or counted on anyone but himself. Then he lifts his gaze to Jake, bright eyes and wide smile lighting up his whole face when he says he's glad it's the two of them against the world - "If we hang or go to jail, we do it together." *clutches heart* And the way Jake gives him this soft, tender smile in return...!
And I love how damn adorable they are together! Like them bursting into song after their solo mission, so happy and perfectly in sync. Or all the pet names they use - honey, baby, amigo, buddy, I love them all to bits. So if a fix-it fic isn't what you'd like to write, something sweet and happy like that would be really nice as well. For art, that goes double! I'd love to see them being happy together - playing around, taking it easy and relaxing, smiling at each other... whatever!
Fly, Daddy, Fly
Suzuki Hajime/Park Sunshin: I love everything about this movie, from the father-daughter bond to the guys in the bus. But most of all I love the relationship between Sunshin and Hajime. I ship them like crazy, to the point where I could analyze the smallest of details at length - I won't do that though, so don't worry ;)
I think it's pretty clear that Sunshin is really quite lonely. It's something he probably wouldn't admit, especially considering all the rumors that circulate about him. I feel like he probably thinks it's better that way; it's easier and less painful to just stay isolated, however much he might actually wish he had someone to talk to. So the way he slowly gains respect for his pupil, and how that morphs into genuine companionship, is just wonderful to watch. Look at his secretly happy smile right after Hajime gives him the rock, for example! Hajime on his part has absolute faith in his teacher ("I... believe in you."), while also coming to deeply care about him.
I'd love to see something set after the movie, because certain aspects of the ending simply break my heart. Please tell me they retained their friendship and still spent time together! I'd also really love to see a moment where Hajime is able to protect Sunshin, as per the request in the tree scene. Doesn't matter if it's protecting him physically or emotionally, I just want Hajime to be able to grant his wish.
I adore Sunshin's fondness for Enter The Dragon, and how he incorporates it into his teachings. And I love how Hajime, who hasn't even seen it before, immediately goes out and buys it. One of my favorite scenes is when Hajime turns the tables on Sunshin, at the amusement park. It always makes me smile, the way he's all cocky about it, when he teasingly quotes Sunshin's favorite movie back at him. It shows just how well they've come to know each other (not to mention the fact that Hajime apparently watched it closely enough to even be able to do that, which I think speaks volumes).
As much as I love the two of them, together, Hajime is married. I don't like infidelity, and I also think it'd be completely OOC for Hajime to betray his wife. So I'd prefer it if their marriage had ended amicably. Just please don't make Yuko the villain; what little we saw of her I did like. The same goes for Haruka - I loved her to bits, and I think she'd try to support her father no matter what.
I should also mention that for Sunshin's name, I'm using the romanization from the DVD. But I don't mind at all if you'd prefer to write it Soon-shin or some other way!
Hak Se Wui | Election
Jimmy/Fei Gei: These two movies have some extremely fascinating characters, none more so than Fei Gei and Jimmy. And their relationship is just...! *flails incoherently* I mean, for starters their chemistry is through the roof. Then there's the fact that the way they act towards each other stands in stark contrast to their normal behavior. Take Jimmy, for example. Throughout the movies he grows to be extremely ruthless. This is the guy who kills someone, chops up his body, grinds the parts, and then feeds it to the dogs. But it's also the guy who rescues Fei Gei time and time again, who takes off his jacket to tenderly cover Fei Gei's unconscious body, who displays an unprecedented sense of caring and protectiveness towards him, and so on. Hell, Fei Gei kidnaps Jimmy's girlfriend, and Jimmy's reaction? Yelling at his bodyguard for aiming a gun at Fei Gei.
The same goes for Fei Gei. He's unhinged, right from the start, and doesn't seem to have any qualms about the things he does. But when those things concern Jimmy, he stops to think. Like when he slams Jimmy against the wall and presses a knife to his throat (and Jimmy doesn't fight back at all, just looks Fei Gei straight in the eye and apologizes). Or, again, the whole kidnapping thing. To Fei Gei it's his one chance to fix everything that's gone wrong for him; all he has to do is use Jimmy's girlfriend as bait and then kill him. But Jimmy enters the car freely, stays behind even when he has the chance to flee, and just talks to Fei Gei. Who backs down without the slightest bit of resistance
The end of the second movie leaves both of these men in serious trouble. Jimmy's trouble isn't visible to the eye - in fact, everything seems to be going perfectly for him and his rise to power. But he's lost part of himself along the way, I think. I also have no doubt his girlfriend would take off as soon as she found out that he won't be able to be the respectable businessman she wanted him to be. As for Fei Gei, his problems are more obvious. Everyone, on all sides, wants him dead. He doesn't have a single ally, and people are gunning for him left and right. I feel like they could both help each other. Jimmy could offer protection, even if it's just a safe place to heal up and rest for a couple of nights. And I genuinely think Fei Gei would be able to ground Jimmy, and pull him back a bit.
On a more shallow level, I love the juxtaposition between their looks. Jimmy, sleek and immaculate, usually wearing perfectly tailored suits. And then Fei Gei, a rough-and-tumble sort of guy, often in motorcycle leathers. If you felt like including a sex scene, I'd love anything that touched upon that difference - and that goes for both fic and art.
Psychometry
Yang Chun-dong/Kim Jun: I love this movie to bits, and the relationship between these two really made it special. I just want more of them - angsty or happy, solving another crime together or just hanging out, whatever, I want it all! The ending left things open for them to reunite, and I'd love for that to happen. Even without Chun-dong discovering the graffiti I like to think he would've tried to track Jun down. I believe he took his promise to not leave Jun hanging ever again very, very seriously. And hey, Chun-dong never did get to take Jun out for dinner ;)
Both of these characters are very much alone. Jun has isolated himself on purpose, and with Chun-dong it probably happened automatically (we're not told whether or not his parents are still alive, but even if they are I got the distinct impression that they'd be blaming him for Gi-dong's death). So I believe they both become really important to each other; both bringing a sense of companionship into the other's lonely life. And it's a friendship that could easily develop into something more. This pairing is basically made for hurt/comfort and touch starvation, both of which I'd be hugely into.
But I'd also love something happy and humorous! Maybe Jun could try to teach Chun-dong how to train pigeons? He was quite impressed with that, after all. I think that could be really fun, as both art and fic!
The Expendables
Barney Ross/Galgo: NGL, Galgo was my favorite thing about the third movie. I really wasn't expecting to fall for him as hard as I did, but man, I love the guy to bits. And I thought there was so much potential for this pairing, surely everyone would see it and there would be tons of shippers and fanworks! ...But no, that didn't happen. Not counting the fic I wrote (out of sheer desperation), there's nothing. Nothing! So, yeah, whatever you feel like writing/drawing will be absolutely wonderful.
Deep down, Galgo is a very lonely man. He covers it all with talking and acting the way he does, but - when Barney finally asks what went down with his old team - he doesn't shy away from it. He has the strength to allow himself to be vulnerable; to reveal that painful past of his. And Barney listens, and you can tell that means the world to Galgo. I'd really love to see something that builds on that, with him finding solace in building a friendship (and more) with Barney.
For art, I really love their outfits - all those belts, buckles, straps, suspenders, gloves, etc. If you wanted to draw something porny, I'd be all for using any of those things in new and imaginative ways ;D
The Silent Flute | Circle Of Iron
The Blind Man/Cord: This is one of my favorite movies; I never get sick of watching it. It's not only visually stunning, but also has some real depth to it. It's funny, thoughtful, exciting, and - I honestly cannot praise it enough! I'd love to see a fic set after the movie, about the further adventures of Cord and the Blind Man. And, uh, for fics, I totally encourage you to name the Blind Man - provided you want to, that is! He has a name in the original script, but since the finished movie is quite different I don't mind if you'd like to call him something else.
I love how Cord latches on to the Blind Man almost immediately, all smiles and easy promises. The Blind Man, on his part, has a sharp tongue - but I think there's no mistaking the obvious fondness and affection he develops for Cord. The banter between them is wonderful; definitely one of my favorite aspects of the whole movie.
Their roles as teacher and student are obvious, but I'd be excited to see a moment where Cord is able to teach the Blind Man something. Doesn't matter if it's something small and silly, or hugely important (related to their deepening relationship, perhaps?) - I just think it'd be very interesting to see a reversal of roles. Or maybe the reversal can come from something a bit more dramatic? Like, for example, a moment where the Blind Man is in danger somehow, and Cord comes to his rescue. The latter could go many ways - serious and angsty, with hurt/comfort and desperate love confessions prompted by a near-death situation; or lighthearted and humorous, with them bickering every step of the way (since I can't imagine that the Blind Man would be gracious at having had Cord swoop in to save him).
I love how pivotal the Blind Man's music becomes to Cord. In the confrontation with Changsha, Cord is losing - then he, alone, hears the flute. He's grounded by it, and manages to prevail. And Cord knows damn well who it is that's playing it, which I think signifies just how important the Blind Man has become to him. Even much earlier, in the waterfall scene, you can see how utterly delighted Cord becomes when the Blind Man shows up again. That brilliant smile of his says it all, I think.
In the beginning, Cord stands alone. He is his own man, by his own choice - he needs no one, and no one needs him. But he grows as the movie progresses, in more ways than one. I think his character development is really great, and I'd like to see him continue to evolve under the tutelage of the Blind Man. To be honest, I'm not certain if they'd stick around and offer guidance to future Seekers... I almost think they'd be more likely to go off and wander the land. Maybe they experience adventure and fight intimidating foes, or perhaps they simply settle down and enjoy life? Wherever your story/art takes them, I'll be eager to see it!
Specifically for art here, I'd love to see a peaceful moment where the Blind Man plays the flute for Cord - maybe while Cord rests in his lap? Or, to repeat what I said above, one of them protectively holding the other (wounded or just winded), while facing a dangerous opponent.
The Storyteller
The Prince/Straggletag | Sapsorrow: I would love to see something where Sapsorrow stays in her Straggletag persona for a while longer, forcing the Prince to realize a few things. I think he just needed a bit more time, as he was already well on the way to seeing beyond her looks... For example, just take the way he instantly becomes protective when Badsister refers to her as "it", or the way he unflinchingly agrees to marry her.
What was there between him and Sapsorrow, anyway? She was mysterious, an enigma for him to solve; and she was beautiful, with the kind of dresses that spoke of great wealth. That was it. He didn't know her on any deeper level, it was all superficial and love-at-first-sight nonsense. Now, Straggletag, however... She is the first person to ever talk to him bluntly - she's honest, fearlessly rude even, and she treats him like any other normal person. Nobody ever acted that way around him before, as he even points out. The friendship that develops between them is lovely, and I think she became very important to him - even if he wouldn't admit it, or perhaps even fully realize it himself at first. I'd just really like to see that develop, however slowly, and with time turn into love. How would he handle that? Would he try to woo her; to turn their marriage into something more than basically just an arrangement? And Straggletag, how would she react? I think her feelings are a bit more ambiguous - she denies being in love, at one point - so it'd be great to see it evolve on her part, as well.
Oh, and also, feel free to name the Prince! And don't feel like you need to stick with the framing story, with the Storyteller and the Dog. Or if you want to have them there, and/or have the Prince be nameless, that's cool too! Whatever you think works best is fine with me :)
Three Fugitives
Daniel Lucas/Ned Perry: As far as I'm concerned, Lucas, Ned, and Meg made for the cutest family ever. I just want to see them stick together - not because of more bank-robbery shenanigans, but simply because they want to. I'd love it if Lucas and Ned came to realize that it isn't all about Meg; that they actually care about each other as well. I think this pairing is basically made for slow burn, UST, and he-could-never-feel-the-same-way-about-me mutual pining - but don't feel like you have to stick to that. I'll honestly love anything, however you see their relationship! I adore their bickering and the overall humor of the movie, so if you'd like to go with a more light-hearted route - perhaps with clumsy seduction attempts? - that'd be just as awesome.
It's pretty obvious that Lucas has lived a lonely life - he mentions growing up in an orphanage, and his "there's no such thing as friends" comment kinda says it all. I'd love to see him getting used to having a family for the first time in his life; to be able to let his guard down, because someone actually cares about him and has his back. He was very sweet and supportive when Ned broke down, and I'd love to see a reversal of roles, with Ned getting a chance to return the favor (with the life Lucas has led, I can't imagine him ever willingly crying in front of anyone - I'd love to see that explored). It'd also be fun to see Ned getting to rescue Lucas, for once! Well, okay, he does bring Lucas to Dr. Horvath, but that doesn't really count since Ned was the one who shot him in the first place ^_^;
This is a rather specific prompt, but how about the guys trying to bake a birthday cake for Meg? I can imagine what a disaster that could turn out to be, and I think it'd make for a really fun piece of art or fic!
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Aaand that's it! I really hope you're not feeling disheartened or disappointed by my requests. If anything is unclear or you have something you'd like to ask, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions via the moderators. Or, if you'd rather not contact them, you can also reply anonymously here.
No matter what we matched on, I want to assure you that I'm equally excited about all of these pairings. I know some fandom sections are longer than others, but that is not a sign of preference! My enthusiasm is the same, I promise - it's just a matter of canon length, varying amounts of prompt ideas, and having copied some sections from previous exchange letters while writing others from scratch.
In closing, thank you so much for creating a gift for me! ♥