Dear Rare Pair Creator...
Thank you for creating fic or art for me in this exchange! I’m really excited to see what you will come up with, no matter which of my ships you may choose to tackle.
General Likes:
General Do Not Wants:
Homicide: Life on the Street
Frank Pembleton/Mary Pembleton/Tim Bayliss (HLOTS)
The tricky thing with me and Homicide is, as much as I love Frank/Tim and how much subtext just exploded on screen between them, I adore Frank’s marriage to Mary as well-including their realistic struggles to stay together. So I have long wondered if they couldn’t make for an interesting OT3 together. I’d love to read how that might come about. Alternatively, I’d enjoy reading them as an established OT3. Maybe something when Tim is shot, how Frank and Mary provide comfort for each other as well as to Tim during his recovery? Really, anything that shows this as a supportive/working/happy threesome would make my heart happy.
Julianna Cox/Mike Kellerman/John Munch (HLOTS)
Here I really kind of do just want some dirty dirty porn. It’s a late night at the Waterfront. John just wants to shut the bar down and go home, but Mike and Julianna are lingering, drunk, all hands-y with each other and making out…maybe John makes an ultimatum that if they don’t take it home then they have to either let him watch or join in the fun (I’d be happy with either/both!)
Kay Howard/John Munch (HLOTS)
Gah, anything with these two, seriously…I ship them so hard throughout the show, especially in seasons 3 and 4. The way they tease each other and yet there’s an underlying respect and support that is always lurking beneath the surface. To me Kay is the type of woman that John would need to challenge him on his bullshit at times, but he also knows how to get her to laugh, relax, and have a little fun. So anything between them would be great-maybe she keeps coming to the Waterfront after she’s transferred out to Warrants, they keep talking, things develop romantically once they are no longer working day-to-day together? Otherwise I’m always keen on future fics where, after John moves to New York, something brings them back together and they finally realize/act on feelings for each other.
Megan Russert/John Munch (HLOTS)
I really enjoyed when they were partnered together; Megan was another woman who always knew how to keep John in check-and he seemed to love every second of it! I don’t see it necessarily as a serious/deep relationship but I could see them having a crazy/fun/sexy fling at some point. Maybe a drunken one-night after Meldrick’s wedding, after which they have to sort out what happened? Or, I would love some femmedom action; John being gladly and happily submissive to a dominating woman is TOTALLY one of my kinks.
Kay Howard/Megan Russert/John Munch (HLOTS)
Speaking of femmedom…this is another dirty porn request. I don’t care how or why it happens. I just can imagine John being in pure sensory overload delight if he had both Kay and Megan using him however they wanted…or perhaps tormenting him by letting him watch but not touch.
Law & Order: SVU
John Munch/Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
I think I say this every exchange where I request these two, so I apologize, but-I seriously love them so much I honestly would be happy with any kind of shippy story for them. Domestic fluff to heavy smut; getting together first-times or old married couple sweet-crabbiness; original case fic (provided their relationship is centrally important) to missing scenes from episodes. If you want some smutty prompts, I have a bunch in my SmutSwap letter from this year you’re welcome to go for.
One prompt I’ve had in my head for a while is a bit of an AU: what if John and Fin had met some time in the past, while John was still in Baltimore? Maybe Fin had to head to Charm City to pick up or deliver a prisoner as part of a drug bust, and ends up at the Waterfront for a drink while he has some free time? The two start talking, sparks fly…a few too many drinks leads to a wild encounter and both think they’ll never see each other again. And then Fin walks in to the 16th precinct that day after his transfer from Narcotics…
Alternatively, one of my favorite storylines on SVU is the one dealing with Darius Parker in "Venom" and "Screwed"-especially how defensive and protective of Fin that Munch is during the trial. And how curious is it that, while Darius had so much dirt to drag up on Elliot, Olivia, Cragen and Fin, he didn't go after Munch at all? Was there something he was holding back on, in case he needed to push things even further or go on appeal? (Maybe even tying into Homicide canon and the theory that Munch killed Gordon Pratt.) So, yes, a story dealing with any of this, or missing scenes from the episode with a Munch/Fin spin to it, is something I'd love.
John Munch/Casey Novak (SVU)
An odd little pairing I’ve seen a few stories for, but I’d enjoy seeing more! Casey is my favorite ADA on SVU and I think these two could be surprisingly hot together (probably even surprising to themselves.) In Casey’s first episode when Olivia is talking about how the job affects everyone, she mentions how John has “given up” on relationships. What if at some point Casey tries to get him to give it one more try?
John Munch/Amy Solwey (SVU)
Amy Solwey was one of my favorite guest/recurring characters ever on SVU. Of course a lot of it is the unique relationship that grew between her and John, first in opposition to each other in “Painless” and then being so willing to risk his own career (and freedom) to help her live in “Parts”. Even when their views are in opposition, I can see them having really passionate discussions and debates and that her intelligence would really spark something deep in John, and as different as their respective pains and struggles are they really find in each other strangely kindred spirits. Any story about the development of their relationship, from friendship to love, would be most welcome. It could even be something like John learning sign language to better communicate with Amy, or her helping him cope with a particularly rough emotional time, perhaps convincing him that he needs to find reason to hope, to live, just as he tried to for her.
I also love the idea of an epistolary story for these two.
John Munch/Sonya Paxton (SVU)
I feel like one of only maybe a handful of people in SVU fandom who didn’t totally hate Sonya? I loved how she called out the SVU on their bullshit (especially Elliot & Olivia) and could be as blunt and strong in her opinions and beliefs as, well, Munch is. Even if they would probably be on the completely opposite ends of the spectrum on a lot of issues…but that’s what could make for a great dynamic between them, I think. I’d be more than happy with an AU where she doesn’t die and continues to make progress dealing with her alcoholism. Maybe she finds unlikely support and friendship with Munch and it leads to something more, a case somehow brings them closer together…or just, you know, give me Sonya domming the hell of out John, again I’d love that.
Monique Jeffries/John Munch (SVU)
There has to be some backstory as to why those two seem to hate each other so much right from the start of season 1-and I can’t help but wonder if it’s because they had a brief fling (or even just one night stand) that went horribly wrong. But maybe in a funny/embarrassing way that they both wish they could forget (and maybe there’s still a lingering attraction there which is what gets under their respective skins so much)? Otherwise, a story where they get together after Monique gets put on desk duty/is transferred out of SVU. She’s hurt and angry, John wants to make sure she’s okay, now that they’re no longer partners things come to a head that were otherwise suppressed.
John Munch/Olivia Benson (SVU)
I think part of me shipped this all the way back to the first season (maybe especially then, before Fin showed up) because I thought they had such a sweet dynamic. And deep-the scenes I remember the most are when he finds out about her being the child of a rape and goes searching to find information for her. Yes, John is rather fatherly/like an uncle to Olivia at times…but what if his feelings ran in a more romantic direction (as did hers?)
Maybe one night they had a bit of a drunken fling, thought better of it and moved on…but years later there’s still something there that needs to be addressed or considered more seriously. Maybe John never says anything to her about his real feelings until he’s retired and it’s no longer a conflict at the 16th. Maybe he sees her struggling with the job, Noah, and a building problem with alcohol and steps in to try to help her-including with his love for her (feel free to ignore Tuckson completely. No hate just not a ship I’m big on.) I secretly kind of love that idea, their years of friendship someday turning into something more like that.
Smallville
Martha Kent/Lionel Luthor
I shipped these so hard up through Season 5 of Smallville! (In fact, I stopped regularly watching after Annette O’Toole left as theirs was my favorite dynamic.) It always seemed clear that Lionel was strongly attracted to Martha, maybe even in love with her (if he really ever could be). And she was torn between her own attraction and the knowledge of how dangerous he was, how she had to protect Clark…what a terrible, delicious thing. So give me anything where perhaps she gives in to her desires (before or after Jonathan’s death) but then has to struggle with aftermath. Or a h/c scenario where the stress of the situation leads them to act on their feelings they otherwise wouldn’t have. (“Mercy” is obviously one of my favorite episodes for Martha & Lionel interactions, so anything around that episode? More than happily welcome.)
Crossover fandom
Abraham Morgan (Forever)/John Munch (Law & Order: SVU)
I recently fell into Forever and absolutely love it-what a great show and cast of wonderful characters. I especially immediately was charmed by Abe, and it struck me how fun it would be to imagine him and Munch interacting. Abe mentions at one point “protesting at Berkeley”…could they have been old friends (or lovers?) back in the peace-and-love days, who run into each other again years later in New York? Maybe John comes in to Abe’s antiques shop one day as part of an investigation (or just browsing around) and reconnect. Otherwise, what if they have an ex in common in Maureen? By cannon she was married four times, like John, and we never got to know the names of ALL of John’s exes…
Joe Dawson (Highlander)/John Munch (Law & Order: SVU)
What if Munch has secretly been a Watcher all these years, and the two meet up to share stories,misadventures, an old friends-with-benefits relationship? Otherwise a story similar to my Methos idea where John first learns about Immortals and The Game, this time somehow via Joe. Maybe Munch ends up in Joe’s club and they bond over the joys and sorrows of running a bar…things happen over drinks and…you can fill in the rest! (Again, I’m good with either SVU or Homicide-era Munch here.)
Bayard Ellis (Law & Order: SVU)/Tim Bayliss (Homicide: LOTS)
Just a crazy idea that struck me while brainstorming crossover possibilities. Tim meets Bayliss some day, some how, and his resemblance to Frank is so strong it stirs up all those old memories and feelings…perhaps feelings he could never have acted upon with Frank. Or, a down-on-his-luck, still/now broken Tim ends up needing Bayard’s help through Project Innocence.
Jack McCoy (Law & Order)/Casey Novak (Law & Order: SVU)
I didn’t realize how much I needed this ship until I read an excellent story featuring it in the background. No objection here! Give me these two strong, smart, passionate people translating that fire into the bedroom, please! Hot sex and even hotter banter definitely a must.
Peter Stone (Chicago Justice)/Mike Dodds (Law & Order: SVU)
AU where Mike doesn’t die (dammit). For some reason these two seem like they could be really intensely hot together and I’d love to see those sparks fly. Maybe Mike transfers to Chicago after his “near”-fatal shooting, and that’s when they first meet & connect? Feel free to ignore Mike’s out-of-nowhere fiance, Alice. Or, use her as an excuse for why he moved to Chicago (since that’s where she was from) but then their relationship fell apart before they married…maybe because Mike was too deep in the closet to realize his own feelings until he meets Peter?
General Likes:
- Casefic, stories that capture at least some of that feel of the original source canon.
- Missing scenes, provided they are more than just regurgitating the events of an episode. I like them when they really show us more about what may have motivated characters actions, or what happened next, especially if it was something emotional for one/both of the ship characters yet not necessarily ever followed up on, on screen.
- Romance and relationships through the years: couples growing old together, reflections on how time changes people and their views on what they want from life and what love/romance means to them.
- Hurt/comfort (especially emotional h/c) - as long as there is lots of comforting and it’s not just a whump!fic.
- Sexy fun that isn’t all about penetration. I love frot, oral sex, 69, extended kissing scenes, characters so turned on by each other that they can hardly last beyond some sensual touching, erotic massage, etc. Nothing against intercourse either, mind you, but I love stories that don’t ignore these aspects of sexual expression and intimacy.
- Couples that are happy and clearly complete without kids
- Age gap ships
- Canon-divergent AUs: looking at how things might have happened differently if just one critical thing changed (someone didn’t die/retire/transfer in or out; characters meeting under different circumstances; someone ending up in trouble with the law instead of perhaps getting away with a serious crime.)
- I also like soulmate/soulbond AUs if they aren't immediate happily ever after/no conflict stories. If it's two characters who think they have nothing in common, don't want to be bonded, and only eventually figure out how and why it's meant to be, how to make it work.
- In art, I really love varied styles and techniques. Everything from cute/stylistic chibis to realistic sketches and painting styles. In fact it's just one of my favorite things to see how different artists can interpret the same characters. I have a hard time really coming up with art prompts for most of my ships, I'm afraid, but I do love scenes of the couples making small romantic gestures and sharing touches/glances, helping each other dress-or undress, cuddling, spooning, etc.
General Do Not Wants:
- HARD DNW: Pregnancy/kidfic. Please, nothing that suggests or promotes the idea that a person/couple can’t truly be happy and fulfilled until or unless they have children. (I only have one exception to this below.)
- Public humiliation/embarrassment.
- BDSM beyond the playful use of restraints, sensory denial, or spanking (unless specifically requested for certain ships where I could totally see and want it to get rough).
- Other kink-related DNWs: bloodplay, watersports, scat, sounding.
- Main character death, permanent injury/mutilation.
- Unrequested AUs (high school, coffee shop, mundane, etc.)
Homicide: Life on the Street
Frank Pembleton/Mary Pembleton/Tim Bayliss (HLOTS)
The tricky thing with me and Homicide is, as much as I love Frank/Tim and how much subtext just exploded on screen between them, I adore Frank’s marriage to Mary as well-including their realistic struggles to stay together. So I have long wondered if they couldn’t make for an interesting OT3 together. I’d love to read how that might come about. Alternatively, I’d enjoy reading them as an established OT3. Maybe something when Tim is shot, how Frank and Mary provide comfort for each other as well as to Tim during his recovery? Really, anything that shows this as a supportive/working/happy threesome would make my heart happy.
Julianna Cox/Mike Kellerman/John Munch (HLOTS)
Here I really kind of do just want some dirty dirty porn. It’s a late night at the Waterfront. John just wants to shut the bar down and go home, but Mike and Julianna are lingering, drunk, all hands-y with each other and making out…maybe John makes an ultimatum that if they don’t take it home then they have to either let him watch or join in the fun (I’d be happy with either/both!)
Kay Howard/John Munch (HLOTS)
Gah, anything with these two, seriously…I ship them so hard throughout the show, especially in seasons 3 and 4. The way they tease each other and yet there’s an underlying respect and support that is always lurking beneath the surface. To me Kay is the type of woman that John would need to challenge him on his bullshit at times, but he also knows how to get her to laugh, relax, and have a little fun. So anything between them would be great-maybe she keeps coming to the Waterfront after she’s transferred out to Warrants, they keep talking, things develop romantically once they are no longer working day-to-day together? Otherwise I’m always keen on future fics where, after John moves to New York, something brings them back together and they finally realize/act on feelings for each other.
Megan Russert/John Munch (HLOTS)
I really enjoyed when they were partnered together; Megan was another woman who always knew how to keep John in check-and he seemed to love every second of it! I don’t see it necessarily as a serious/deep relationship but I could see them having a crazy/fun/sexy fling at some point. Maybe a drunken one-night after Meldrick’s wedding, after which they have to sort out what happened? Or, I would love some femmedom action; John being gladly and happily submissive to a dominating woman is TOTALLY one of my kinks.
Kay Howard/Megan Russert/John Munch (HLOTS)
Speaking of femmedom…this is another dirty porn request. I don’t care how or why it happens. I just can imagine John being in pure sensory overload delight if he had both Kay and Megan using him however they wanted…or perhaps tormenting him by letting him watch but not touch.
Law & Order: SVU
John Munch/Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
I think I say this every exchange where I request these two, so I apologize, but-I seriously love them so much I honestly would be happy with any kind of shippy story for them. Domestic fluff to heavy smut; getting together first-times or old married couple sweet-crabbiness; original case fic (provided their relationship is centrally important) to missing scenes from episodes. If you want some smutty prompts, I have a bunch in my SmutSwap letter from this year you’re welcome to go for.
One prompt I’ve had in my head for a while is a bit of an AU: what if John and Fin had met some time in the past, while John was still in Baltimore? Maybe Fin had to head to Charm City to pick up or deliver a prisoner as part of a drug bust, and ends up at the Waterfront for a drink while he has some free time? The two start talking, sparks fly…a few too many drinks leads to a wild encounter and both think they’ll never see each other again. And then Fin walks in to the 16th precinct that day after his transfer from Narcotics…
Alternatively, one of my favorite storylines on SVU is the one dealing with Darius Parker in "Venom" and "Screwed"-especially how defensive and protective of Fin that Munch is during the trial. And how curious is it that, while Darius had so much dirt to drag up on Elliot, Olivia, Cragen and Fin, he didn't go after Munch at all? Was there something he was holding back on, in case he needed to push things even further or go on appeal? (Maybe even tying into Homicide canon and the theory that Munch killed Gordon Pratt.) So, yes, a story dealing with any of this, or missing scenes from the episode with a Munch/Fin spin to it, is something I'd love.
John Munch/Casey Novak (SVU)
An odd little pairing I’ve seen a few stories for, but I’d enjoy seeing more! Casey is my favorite ADA on SVU and I think these two could be surprisingly hot together (probably even surprising to themselves.) In Casey’s first episode when Olivia is talking about how the job affects everyone, she mentions how John has “given up” on relationships. What if at some point Casey tries to get him to give it one more try?
John Munch/Amy Solwey (SVU)
Amy Solwey was one of my favorite guest/recurring characters ever on SVU. Of course a lot of it is the unique relationship that grew between her and John, first in opposition to each other in “Painless” and then being so willing to risk his own career (and freedom) to help her live in “Parts”. Even when their views are in opposition, I can see them having really passionate discussions and debates and that her intelligence would really spark something deep in John, and as different as their respective pains and struggles are they really find in each other strangely kindred spirits. Any story about the development of their relationship, from friendship to love, would be most welcome. It could even be something like John learning sign language to better communicate with Amy, or her helping him cope with a particularly rough emotional time, perhaps convincing him that he needs to find reason to hope, to live, just as he tried to for her.
I also love the idea of an epistolary story for these two.
John Munch/Sonya Paxton (SVU)
I feel like one of only maybe a handful of people in SVU fandom who didn’t totally hate Sonya? I loved how she called out the SVU on their bullshit (especially Elliot & Olivia) and could be as blunt and strong in her opinions and beliefs as, well, Munch is. Even if they would probably be on the completely opposite ends of the spectrum on a lot of issues…but that’s what could make for a great dynamic between them, I think. I’d be more than happy with an AU where she doesn’t die and continues to make progress dealing with her alcoholism. Maybe she finds unlikely support and friendship with Munch and it leads to something more, a case somehow brings them closer together…or just, you know, give me Sonya domming the hell of out John, again I’d love that.
Monique Jeffries/John Munch (SVU)
There has to be some backstory as to why those two seem to hate each other so much right from the start of season 1-and I can’t help but wonder if it’s because they had a brief fling (or even just one night stand) that went horribly wrong. But maybe in a funny/embarrassing way that they both wish they could forget (and maybe there’s still a lingering attraction there which is what gets under their respective skins so much)? Otherwise, a story where they get together after Monique gets put on desk duty/is transferred out of SVU. She’s hurt and angry, John wants to make sure she’s okay, now that they’re no longer partners things come to a head that were otherwise suppressed.
John Munch/Olivia Benson (SVU)
I think part of me shipped this all the way back to the first season (maybe especially then, before Fin showed up) because I thought they had such a sweet dynamic. And deep-the scenes I remember the most are when he finds out about her being the child of a rape and goes searching to find information for her. Yes, John is rather fatherly/like an uncle to Olivia at times…but what if his feelings ran in a more romantic direction (as did hers?)
Maybe one night they had a bit of a drunken fling, thought better of it and moved on…but years later there’s still something there that needs to be addressed or considered more seriously. Maybe John never says anything to her about his real feelings until he’s retired and it’s no longer a conflict at the 16th. Maybe he sees her struggling with the job, Noah, and a building problem with alcohol and steps in to try to help her-including with his love for her (feel free to ignore Tuckson completely. No hate just not a ship I’m big on.) I secretly kind of love that idea, their years of friendship someday turning into something more like that.
Smallville
Martha Kent/Lionel Luthor
I shipped these so hard up through Season 5 of Smallville! (In fact, I stopped regularly watching after Annette O’Toole left as theirs was my favorite dynamic.) It always seemed clear that Lionel was strongly attracted to Martha, maybe even in love with her (if he really ever could be). And she was torn between her own attraction and the knowledge of how dangerous he was, how she had to protect Clark…what a terrible, delicious thing. So give me anything where perhaps she gives in to her desires (before or after Jonathan’s death) but then has to struggle with aftermath. Or a h/c scenario where the stress of the situation leads them to act on their feelings they otherwise wouldn’t have. (“Mercy” is obviously one of my favorite episodes for Martha & Lionel interactions, so anything around that episode? More than happily welcome.)
Crossover fandom
Abraham Morgan (Forever)/John Munch (Law & Order: SVU)
I recently fell into Forever and absolutely love it-what a great show and cast of wonderful characters. I especially immediately was charmed by Abe, and it struck me how fun it would be to imagine him and Munch interacting. Abe mentions at one point “protesting at Berkeley”…could they have been old friends (or lovers?) back in the peace-and-love days, who run into each other again years later in New York? Maybe John comes in to Abe’s antiques shop one day as part of an investigation (or just browsing around) and reconnect. Otherwise, what if they have an ex in common in Maureen? By cannon she was married four times, like John, and we never got to know the names of ALL of John’s exes…
Joe Dawson (Highlander)/John Munch (Law & Order: SVU)
What if Munch has secretly been a Watcher all these years, and the two meet up to share stories,misadventures, an old friends-with-benefits relationship? Otherwise a story similar to my Methos idea where John first learns about Immortals and The Game, this time somehow via Joe. Maybe Munch ends up in Joe’s club and they bond over the joys and sorrows of running a bar…things happen over drinks and…you can fill in the rest! (Again, I’m good with either SVU or Homicide-era Munch here.)
Bayard Ellis (Law & Order: SVU)/Tim Bayliss (Homicide: LOTS)
Just a crazy idea that struck me while brainstorming crossover possibilities. Tim meets Bayliss some day, some how, and his resemblance to Frank is so strong it stirs up all those old memories and feelings…perhaps feelings he could never have acted upon with Frank. Or, a down-on-his-luck, still/now broken Tim ends up needing Bayard’s help through Project Innocence.
Jack McCoy (Law & Order)/Casey Novak (Law & Order: SVU)
I didn’t realize how much I needed this ship until I read an excellent story featuring it in the background. No objection here! Give me these two strong, smart, passionate people translating that fire into the bedroom, please! Hot sex and even hotter banter definitely a must.
Peter Stone (Chicago Justice)/Mike Dodds (Law & Order: SVU)
AU where Mike doesn’t die (dammit). For some reason these two seem like they could be really intensely hot together and I’d love to see those sparks fly. Maybe Mike transfers to Chicago after his “near”-fatal shooting, and that’s when they first meet & connect? Feel free to ignore Mike’s out-of-nowhere fiance, Alice. Or, use her as an excuse for why he moved to Chicago (since that’s where she was from) but then their relationship fell apart before they married…maybe because Mike was too deep in the closet to realize his own feelings until he meets Peter?