Dear Trick or Treat Author

Dear Trick-or-Treat Author,

Happy Halloween/Autumn! I am so excited to see the weather cool and for darker and cozier aesthetics to take precedence. I hate summertime! I hope you enjoy the season and the exchange. I don't mind whether the fics directly relate to the season or holiday, but if you have an idea that relates to autumn or winter or spooky themes, go for it. If you have a more general idea, that's good, too!

I divide my letters into preferences and prompts. The first is to give you a general idea of what I like. The second is to give you something to work with for the specific fandoms/characters requested. If there is a contradiction between a "preference" and a "prompt," consider the prompt to override the perceived contradiction.

Preferences

Feel free to include any and all characters from a canon as they serve your story.

I enjoy fic of any genre, of any rating, of any length, that doesn't contradict a DNW. Plot-heavy or character/fluff/ship pieces are equally appreciated.

Do Not Wants

General/Non-Sexual

- graphic torture or gore (canon-typical violence OK)
- graphic depictions of extreme bodily injury (unless magically mostly fixed)
- unrequested mundane AU/loss of powers
- character or ship bashing
- unrequested ships (references to explicitly canon ships OK)
- unrequested permanent character death of any main character
- hopeless ending (bittersweet or ambiguous OK)
- realistic takes on pandemics or warfare

Sexuality-Related

- permanent injury related to sexual activity (unintentional or markings such as brands, scars, etc.)
- breathplay
- hardcore or lifestyle BDSM / D/s (lighter and spontaneous forays into BDSM or D/s that do not define characters' whole relationships are fine!)
- unrequested noncon (dubcon OK)
- sexual contact with wounds
- spitting as an act of sexual dominance (typical uses of saliva otherwise are whatever)
- semen or anything similar in eyes
- A/B/O
- biologically impossible pregnancies
- explicitly described sexual experiences between underage characters (PG-13 stuff is fine for underage teens)

Likes

Gen

- found family
- monster of the week/casefic
- slice of life (especially dealing with canon-appropriate twists on mundane existence or minor inconveniences)
- character study
- canon-typical violence/aftermath (hurt/comfort)
- canon-divergent AUs
- missing scenes
- survival (zombie, wilderness, apocalypse, etc.)
- political intrigue and machinations
- morality exploration
- world-building with character involvement
- redemption/atonement
- forgiveness
- earn your happy ending
- defeating/killing oppressors and abusers
- rebuilding from the ashes
- hurt/comfort
- enemies to friends
- unusual fic format such as mission reports, letters, etc.

Shippy up to T/PG-13

- enemies to lovers
- friends to lovers (especially when it's angsty for a while)
- unresolved sexual tension
- "I had no one else to ____"
- trust and loyalty
- power imbalance (addressing, not addressing, overcoming, confronting, etc.)
- accidental marriage
- arranged/political marriage
- competence affected by relationship (for better or worse)
- choosing mission/duty over love angst (can change their minds or not)
- choosing love over mission/duty
- us against the world
- awkward flirting
- accidental/impulsive love confession
- non-sexual physical intimacy
- sexually-charged physical intimacy that (for [x] reason) does not reach full realization

Explicit Sexy Stuff

I enjoy fic that includes explorations of characters' sexuality as it is related to their relationship(s). Therefore, I like kink or vanilla or any tone choice to be determined by what would be most fitting for the characters in-context (within the bounds of my DNWs).

That said, I like these specific things if it makes sense for the characters: aliens/circumstances/spells-made-them-do-it if they both would have been attracted to each other at some point and this was a push and the aftermath is treated with some weight, overstimulation/edging that is emotionally charged

Prompts

Genshin Impact

I really love the lore and atmosphere of Genshin. Anything in your fic that may interpret some element of the world or lore is an added bonus.

Alhaitham/Kaveh

For darker/trick fic, I would like anything that involves intrigue surrounding their jobs or shared academic interests. I would also like anything that involves nature being tricky or spooky (poisons/magic/etc). Being trapped in a place and needing to get out. Kaveh thinking, mistakenly, that Alhaitham is dead or Alhaitham being temporarily dead but getting better. Kaveh getting very sick and needing help.

For lighter/treat fic, I would like fic about them supporting each other, even if they argue or are not particularly obvious about it. The fact that Alhaitham did a lot of what he did in the Archon Quest so as to secure his own life and future with Kaveh is very sweet, and I would like to see something working out for Kaveh for once. Intimacy where they argue. I love how Kaveh, half the time, is convinced he's an in this complicated, exes-who-still-sleep-together relationship with Alhaitham while Alhaitham treats him like a spouse but lets him proceed in this misconception because it's entertaining/funny/maybe even attractive.

Childe/Zhongli | Tartaglia/Zhongli

I guess both of these got nominated due to the no-piping request.

For darker/trick fic, I would like a fic involving their power imbalance(s), real or perceived. At the start, it seems as though Childe might be taking advantage of this kindly gentleman while Zhongli knows exactly what is going on in such a way that it actually seems he was taking advantage of Childe. I would like them to care about each other but in a messy way that makes them - particularly Childe - almost wish they didn't. For something set more "recently," I would like it if - though this won't happen in canon - Zhongli learned that Childe got into some trouble in Fontaine and went to check on him. I would like fic about them fighting it out, the way Childe wants, and Childe ending up losing rather soundly but then it becomes cathartic, sexual, or both.

For lighter/treat fic, I would like any episode from when they were genuinely bonding in spite of everything I mentioned above about their dynamic. Alternatively, something that has them taking the first steps toward some kind of reconciliation while Childe is still dealing with wounded pride.

Scaramouche

In particular, I would be interested in anything about either the process of Scaramouche | Wanderer "becoming a god" for a trick/dark fic. For a treat or mixed fic, I would love something about him coming to terms with the aftermath of the Sumeru Archon quest, either in the short or long-term. If you want to focus on his relationship with another person, I would enjoy anything about his relationship with the Traveler (I use Aether, but Lumine is good for this, too!) or with Nahida. If Sumeru quest timeline isn't your vibe, I would be interested in anything about Scaramouche's becoming a Harbinger, his relationship with any of the other Harbingers, or anything else about his struggles with identity. I don't especially ship him with anyone, but if you need a romance option, I don't hate the idea of pairing him with Albedo, Kazuha, Venti, or Aether.

Aether/Xiao

For darker/trick fic, I would like something where Xiao thinks Aether is dead/lost/gone until the end of the fic. I would like something about Xiao's suffering with karmic debt and maybe feeling that he is losing his grip on civility or sanity. I would like something where Xiao unintentionally causes minor harm or extreme fear to a civilian and Aether has to talk him down and comfort him.

For lighter/treat fic, a fic that focused more on Aether comforting him and maybe some of his remaining powers having a positive influence on Xiao's karmic "contamination" would be nice. I would like fic about Xiao coming through something extreme and surprising to get to and protect Aether. I would Aether teaching Xiao to enjoy mundane or pleasurable things.

Trigun Stampede

I have only seen part of the 98 anime and small excerpts of the manga. However, TriStamp's pacing and gorgeous visuals and music finally caught me, and you are welcome to make any references you like to the other media that came before it.

Positive and/or complicated religious imagery are appreciated in this fandom. (Obviously the Eye of Michael is bad, and any dealing with it as a harmful cult is also good.)

Meryl Stryfe/Vash the Stampede/Nicholas D. Wolfwood

For darker/trick fic, I would like anything about the period of time when Wolfwood and Meryl have lost Vash and are dealing with how people view him after July. I would like their grief and perhaps some unhealthy bonding that happens. Are they using each other as a substitute for Vash? (Though I would like them all to actually care about each other). Alternatively, I would like anything that has Vash's inhuman nature impacting them in a creative way that is more personal than cataclysmic. Perhaps Vash fearing that he isn't safe to be around them anymore, even though they want to stick with them, and them fighting through this together.

For lighter/treat fic, I would like any fic that subverts Wolfwood's being doomed by the narrative. I would also like any slice of life story from the parts of canon where they're all traveling together. I would also like anything that's on the sweeter side of unresolved or resolved sexual tension.

Millions Knives/Vash the Stampede/Nicholas D. Wolfwood

For darker/trick fic, as mentioned in my general comments, I would love anything that involves the Eye of Michael as a harmful cult. Perhaps something that takes a bit of canon divergence and extends or expands upon some kind of application of the propaganda the cult has spread about Vash and Nai|Knives with Wolfwood hating it or dismantling it, in part for Vash's sake and in part to spite the person at the center of the cult that hurt him so much. Sort of a rescue fic? I would also like a fic where Nai had no idea beyond basic description who Wolfwood was until he realizes he's important to Vash and then tries to use it against him, only it somehow somewhat backfires. Vash feeling torn between his love for Wolfwood and his love for Nai.

For lighter/treat fic, I would like a more humorous take on Nai being like, "Who even are you?" at Wolfwood when he sees Vash and Wolfwood together. This is also really niche and weird, but I would also like Knives trying to use religion/Old Testament as a cudgel and Wolfwood having a not entirely cynical and therefore even more infuriating immunity to the bullshit. Vash trying to mediate his love for them both in a happier tone. Perhaps this would work best if Knives were incapacitated or separated from his hall of power.

Haikyuu!!

Kageyama Tobio

I would enjoy a character study that involves, for darker/trick fic, his mental state when his grandfather died and when he was becoming more antisocial and hostile toward his teammates. He doesn't seem to have done this out of maliciousness, so I would like a deeper look at his interiority during this time. For a lighter/treat fic, I would like a character study that involves his feelings and realization that he is opening up and making friends when he finally comes to Karasuno. You can include some Kageyama/Hinata stuff, if you want to, but it can be totally focused on friendship if you prefer. Just any look in Kageyama Tobio's brain.

Hinata Shouyou/Kageyama Tobio

For darker/trick fic, maybe a fic where one of them thinks they have sustained a career-ending injury and the immediate aftermath of that with each other. I would prefer that it turn out to be a close call, rather than an actual career-ending injury. I would also like to read a fic about them coming back from something that feels like a break-up or friendship-ending escalation of an argument or fight. If you want to do something that goes more with the Halloween theme, I would also like anything that puts them in a sort of canon-aligned horror-genre moment. Make them the victims of some kind of crime or attempted crime and have them get through it together. (Anything but gore or successful sexual assault.)

For lighter/treat fic, I would enjoy anything about Kageyama and Hinata and costumes, for the theme of the holiday. It could be Halloween costumes and a party. It could involve their uniforms. It could involve lingerie or sexy jock straps. I just think it could be fun for them. I would also enjoy anything about them having sweet and/or awkward interactions long-distance while they're far apart after the time-skip. This could be pre-relationship or with an established relationship.

Tsukishima Kei/Yamaguchi Tadashi

For darker/trick fic, I would enjoy something that involves Yamaguchi getting hurt and needing to be helped or comforted. This could be a fic from when they were younger and Tsukishima still wasn't entirely sure about this boy who had latched himself onto him. This could be a fic where Tsukishima is cool at first but warms a bit, and they actually bond. If you prefer to write about them as their canonical or post-canonical ages, I would still enjoy any kind of hurt/comfort with either of them being the hurt person and the comforter. I would also enjoy anything that fits the Halloween theme, putting them in a canon-aligned horror-genre moment, as mentioned above. How would they cope with being the victim of a (seemingly?) supernatural situation or an (attempted) crime? (Anything but gore or successful sexual assault.)

For lighter/treat fic, I would enjoy anything where Tsukishima recognizes that Yamaguchi is being loving or "cool" and appreciates it. I would enjoy anything that involves them dressing up in costumes or one of them persuading the other to wear one. I would like to see them enjoying each other's non-volleyball hobbies. I like the idea that they've been together forever and so anything about the development of their relationship and intimacy over time.

Boku no Hero Academia | My Hero Academia

For this fandom, I have chosen individual character tags. I would like character study or gen fics about them. However, I enjoy any ship combination of these three, all three together or pairs, if you wish to include anything romantic.

Bakugou Katsuki

I would love to have a fic that involves Bakugou's emotional growth and learning to deal with his anger issues and expectations of himself and self-consciousness that make it hard for him to be comfortable in his skin. For darker/trick or lighter/treat fic, Bakugou being able to take point on rescuing innocents or someone he cares about and trusting himself emotionally would be fun to read. I would also enjoy slice-of-life fic where Bakugou gets to utilize one of his many talents and accept that he's actually good and competent. If you wanted to do something Halloween-themed, it could involve Bakugou dealing with children, in or out of a costume. He has to give them candy or help them, etc.

Todoroki Shouto

I would enjoy a fic that involves Shouto learning how to interact with the world outside the strict paradigm he has been brought up in. I would like to read about him discovering things he never got to do or enjoy as a child. For dark/trick fic, I would like to see Shouto dealing with some anger and frustration about his past or present circumstances and working through it. This could be through internal or external conflict. For lighter/treat fic, I would like to read about Shouto acclimating to life, or even a holiday tradition, in a positive way with the help of his loved ones.

Midoriya Izuku

For darker/trick fic, I would like to read about Izuku temporarily (or even in a very realistic nightmare) losing One for All or feeling helpless without the ability to use his powers. I would like to have someone he cares about help and rescue him. It could also be a similar dream/nightmare scenario where he has to pass One for All along to someone else, like in that non-canon movie. I would like for there to be some kind of fix-it at the end if you go this route. Alternatively, any spooky/horror-themed villain/villain plot. For lighter/treat, I would enjoy Izuku enjoying Halloween and costumes or regular costume-design with his loved ones. I would enjoy him sharing anything from his notebooks with loved ones or drawing someone. Maybe they find out, and it's a little embarrassing in a sweet and fun way.

Barbie (Movie)

I saw this movie twice, and I am fascinated with its "don't think about it too much" approach to world-building while also sort of suggesting there are some "rules" to this world. I would love any crack-taken-seriously take on expanding the world-building, or you can just roll with it. I enjoyed all of the characters, so feel free to include them as desired. I really loved how Barbie and Ken's relationship resolved and their dynamic when they were getting along. I love that Barbie, while not being in love with Ken, really cared about Ken and was able to be in his physical space while maintaining the no-romantic-touch boundary. And I loved everything about how Ken acknowledged how lonely he was but ultimately came to a better place. I would like fic about either of them individually, but if they encountered each other again post-movie and their relationship continued to grow into a good, loving friendship, I would love that.

Margot Robbie's Barbie

I want to know more about her new human life! This could be a darker/trick fic where maybe she encounters something frightening or heartbreaking and somewhat regrets or wonders about whether she made the right decision. Or, maybe there is something weird going on about the fabric of reality and she could get involved in some kind of scifi sort of adventure that may protect Barbieland and other aspects of reality as well from the Real World side of things.

Ryan Gosling's Ken

I would like to know more about how he develops after the movie ends. What does he do next in Barbieland? How does he develop his sense of self further? What kinds of meaningful relationships can he develop now that he has broken his locus of obsession on "his" assigned Barbie? For darker/trick fic, maybe some new conflict has entered Barbieland. Maybe it overlaps with some other toy universe that introduces a new conflict, or the Real World is still connected to Barbieland, etc. Whatever your imagination tells you. For lighter/treat fic or a sort of mixed fic, maybe Ken finally reaches a point where he wants to be human, is ready to be human, or has humanity foisted upon him, and now he's out in the Real World, a fish-out-of-water with an entirely different attitude than the first time in terms of both hopes and fears.

Addam's Family (1964)

Morticia Addams/Gomez Addams

A perennial Halloween interest. I would love either a dark/trick or light/treat tone for a fic about Gomez and Morticia. I was always fascinated with the fact that the original, in particular, never really explains who or what the Addams are besides an unusual family. There is always the sense that they might be monstrous or supernatural but never a commitment to the idea. I would like anything that takes on this topic and gives any explanation whatsoever. If you go with the supernatural side of things, only your imagination is the limit. If they are actually just a really weird family, how is it that they came to be so unusual?

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Gamora/Peter Quill

This is the only one I have only requested lighter/treat fic for. To be honest, I have finally reached MCU fatigue where, even if I love some of the characters and films, it is too expansive and the film-making practices a bit too fraught for me to engage without qualifiers and filters. All that aside, I would just like either a fic that comes sometime between GOTG2 and Infinity War when they were in a relationship or a real fix-fic post-Endgame that actually puts them back together rather than phoning it in oddly. If you go the latter route, you don't have to do a full plot - it could just be a scene that assumes this has happened.