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sunriseverse · 4 years

Note

rec listtttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

fair warning there’s a lot of different fandoms here—i have, uh. twenty-two pages of bookmarks. lots of newmann though, i promise. in no particular order, i give you a fic rec list

the future’s owned by you and me by kaiyen (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 7k, Not Rated)

Years after they stopped writing each other, Newt and Hermann run into each other on the steps of Cambridge University Library. Quite literally.

Newt stares at him, expecting more. He doesn’t get any. “Come on, man, who are you? Maybe I’ve read something.”

I doubt it, Hermann barely catches himself from saying. “Gottlieb. Hermann Gottlieb.”

And Newt looks like he’s struck oil. “Oh my god,” he says, and something flickers behind his eyes, like there’s more than just recognition there, and before he can wonder any more about what it is, Newt blurts, “Oh my god!” and Hermann flinches and makes a face like a disgruntled frog.

What you can expect: emotions, opprotunities missed, and opprotunities taken. I absolutely adore this fic, though I might be biased by the fact that it has Newt as bipolar, and that’s something I always crave (more bipolar Newt fic when???).

Survival is for Nerds by Annabeelee (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 46k, Teen and Up)

It's three hundred and two years after humanity lost to the Kaiju and two hundred and twenty one since the Kaiju left. Not that it matters to Hermann. In relation to following a neurotic genetic experiment across whats left of the Northern American continent while dodging alien predators and hostile subgroups of humans, its possibly the least helpful thing to keep in mind.

What you can expect: scifi, tension, and a very intersting world. Post-apocalyptic, technically, but the way it’s written makes it almost hopeful. I love how the setting and writing makes it feel like a blend between victorian steampunk and futuristic in tone.

people can surprise you (or not) by pdameron (James Bond, James Bond/Q, 10k, Teen and Up)

“I’m not you, Bond. I don’t exactly have a technique for getting rich strangers to like me.”

“Just do your naive cute puppy thing, and they’ll be doting on you in no time,” Bond replies as he pulls up to the grand estate.

“My what?” Q asks incredulously. Bond doesn’t answer, simply giving him an indulgent smile. The fucker.

(or: 00q meets Gosford Park. Except not really.)

What you can expect: humour, murder, and some light espionage. Also, fake dating.

Infinite Distance by lachatblanche (X-Men, Erik Lensherr/Charles Xavier, 7k, Teen and Up)

When they encounter an unfamiliar and seemingly-abandoned ship in the middle of nowhere in space, Captain Charles Xavier of the spaceship Graymalkin heads out to investigate.

What you can expect: drama! Intruige! It’s set in space! I read this a while ago but I have memories of it being rather riveting despite the relatively short length.

Gertrude’s Goulash by lollzie (Gotham, Edward Nygma/Oswald Cobblepot, 7k, General Audiences)

Ed needs a new roommate. Oswald needs a room. Oswald may just be the most amazing person Ed has ever met. Shame he's not single. Cue wooing via the medium of cooking.

What you can expect: pining, misunderstandings, obliviousness, and a lot of goulash as a method of romancing.

Death Of The Author by happygolovely (Gotham, Edward Nygma/Oswald Cobblepot, 9k, Mature)

Edward Nygma was never intended to be anything more than a secondary character.

The Riddler demands otherwise.

What you can expect: a story within a story within a story. You think you have it figured out, and the next moment the carpet is yanked out from beneath you. Fairly dark, possibly disturbing, but my goodness if it’s not engaging.

we make our friends, we make our enemies by ORiley42 (Mission: Impossible, Benji Dunn/Ethan Hunt, 52k, Teen and Up)

Benji finds out he has a new neighbor. This new neighbor happens to be off-the-charts hot. Hijinks, friendship, more-than-friendship, and secret agent drama ensue.

What you can expect: pining. There’s spy stuff going on too, and it eventually gets brought up, but my gods, the pining. Also, it’s fucking hilarious, and, at just over fifty thousand words, the perfect read when you’ve got an hour or two and you want something that’ll make you both laugh and cry.

Self-Sabotage by EmilyweepsforPilfrey (James Bond, James Bond/Q, 2k, Teen and Up)

For some reason, whenever he's alone with Bond, the most ridiculous things come out of Q's mouth.

Or 'the one where Q accidentally invents a girlfriend'.

What you can expect: Q being an utter idiot. It’s hilarious. Nice quick bite of humour if you fancy it.

The Long Con by harleygirl2648 (Hannibal, Will Graham/Hannibal Lecter, 19k, Teen and Up)

There are two kinds of cons: long and short. Short cons mean short-term gain, with smaller rewards, mostly just everything you have in your pocket at that moment. Long cons mean lots of time, effort, costumes, masks, props, sets, and other characters all looking to set up the downfall of the mark and take them for all that they've got.

Con Artist/Thieves AU: Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter are both interested in acquiring a Botticelli, but both of them are quite fond of each other's short games. For both of them, it's the deception and thrill of the game that's worth more than the payout.

And well, after all, aren't the easiest people to scam are those who think they are smart enough to not get scammed?

What you can expect: no cannibalism, a lot of banter, and, of course, con artistry. Quite delightful if I do say so myself.

deus ex machina by coloredink (Hannibal, Will Graham/Hannibal Lecter, 26k, Teen and Up)

"What the hell?" said Katz. "Is that--"

"Yeah, I know, it's kinda flashy." Will shut the car door behind him and patted his pockets for the little fob to lock the car.

"Isn't that Hannibal Lecter's car?"

The car beeped to indicate it was locked. "Yeah, I guess so." Will walked away, toward the field, Katz on his heels. "I needed a new car."

"So you bought the cannibal car?"

-----

You asked for it: the one where Hannibal is a murderous self-driving car.

What you can expect: what it says on the tin. Quite funny, especially with the element of magical realism meaning Hanni-car is sentient. The Hannigram is more vaguely implied than an actual thing, owing, probably, to the fact that Hannibal is, well, a car.

adapt, evolve, become. by peupeugunn (Alex Rider, Gen, 3k, Not Rated)

“This is how you get out. You're slowly moving towards a desk job.” A pause, then, “you know, most people do it the other way around.” Alex chuckles softly and and shuffles towards him to lean against his shoulder, burrowing into the crook of his neck. Ben’s arm winds around him, shields him from the world, a solid weight on his back. “You're going to miss the adrenaline rushes, kid.” There's something almost sad in his voice. Alex doesn't want to understand why. Down that road lies madness.

What you can expect: a character study, in a bit of a roundabout way.

A Sharp Dressed Man by Avelera (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 12k, Teen and Up)

Hermann's latest book needs an author photo. However, when he's given a makeover and a suit that actually fits for the photo shoot, his appearance is so transformed that Newt mistakes him for his (much hotter) older brother, Dietrich.

Hermann decides to play along.

What you can expect: gods this fic is so good. It’s the first Newmann fic I ever read, and I’ve reread it a good six times since 2018. I would say more, but I think the fic speaks for itself.

Gestures by Actually_Crowley (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 7k, Teen and Up)

Newton finds out what Hermann does with his rare free time, but the discovery leads him to believe that Hermann honestly and unequivocally hates him.

What you can expect: the rituals are fucking intricate. I love this fic so so so much. And the eventual reveal/confession...scream.

Fate’s Horrifying Ways (also known as: CHRISTMAS GODZILLA) by linearoundmythoughts (Pacific Rim, Newton Geislzer/Hermann Gottlieb, 4k, Teen and Up)

Your name is Newton Geiszler and you’re going to have to break things off with your sort-of online boyfriend because you’re cheating on him. Sort of. [AKA the most dramatic summary of a humorous crackfic ever ok]

Originally written for the Pacrim Secret Santa back in 2014.

What you can expect: first off, it’s not second person, I promise. It is, though, really fucking funny, owing to the misunderstandings that ensue. There’s much pining, some angsting, and, of course, humour.

Letters From Berlin by spenshi (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 12k, Teen and Up)

Newton keeps in touch with his family when he's shipped off to the Shatterdome. Jacob and Illia send care packages to the K-Science Lab.

What you can expect: Geiszler-family feels. A lot of them. Also, Newt and Hermann slowly growing closer to until they can finally admit they’re into each other.

Wishbone by cypress_tree (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 8k, Teen and Up)

Hermann doesn't have anywhere to go for Thanksgiving, so Newt invites him over for food, family, and a little bit of flirting. Just a warm, fuzzy college AU to get you through the holidays.

What you can expect: fluff, softness, general feel-good fic. It’s really good, and it has Geiszler-family feels. Reading this fic is a bit like drinking hot cocoa on a cold day.

next days by catbeans (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 5k, Teen and Up)

Hermann had never felt an ache quite like this one, and he had felt plenty. He had been running on adrenaline first, and then on the necessity to keep running, pain and bone-deep exhaustion falling to such a low priority that he couldn't even consider it one anymore, and then it had stopped.

(the 18 hour nap date these guys deserve)

What you can expect: Newt and Hermann cuddling. A lot. That’s really it, that’s the fic. It’s 100% indulgent and I love it for that.

Tebori by SkysongMA (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 7k, Not Rated)

Newt squints. "It's really not a sex thing? 'Cause I'm not opposed to it being a sex thing, mind you. I just don't want to come in the lab tomorrow and not get to throw things at your stupid face."

Hermann lets out an endless, long-suffering sigh. "It's really not a sex thing, Newton, honestly. We hate each other. That's worked out very well for us so far, and it will continue to work out for us in the future." He doesn't mention that they haven't always hated each other and that, at one point in their long relationship, showing up unannounced at Newton's door for the purpose of sexual favors would not have been so far out of the realm of possibility. Had been, in fact, one of those things Hermann had considered late at night long ago, when he couldn't go a week without a fat envelope in the mail full of Newt's ramblings.

But that was quite some time ago, and he means it. They each get more work done than they would ever have separately, even if only because they like to rub their progress in the other's face.

Anyway, admitting anything different would just give Newt ammunition

What you can expect: Newt gives Hermann a tattoo. There’s a lot of feels.

Newt Inherits a Bar by orphan (Pacific Rim and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 11k, Not Rated)

The scary part is the bar looks exactly like Newt remembers.

What you can expect: you’ll probably tear up a bit. This one hits pretty hard, honestly, but it’s so, so, so good.

First a Darling, Then a Marvel by isozyme (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 20k, Mature)

Newt runs a simulation given three constraints:

1: Newt wants to clone a kaiju 2: Hermann does not want Newt to clone a kaiju 3: Newt is going to clone a kaiju anyway

What you can expect: a lot of sciencing, a lot of feels, and two repressed idiots. There’s like, a paragraph or two of smut but it’s pretty clear when it’s going to happen so it’s easy to skip, which is great. The tl;dr of this fic is Newt clones some kaiju, Hermann reminds him how fucking horrible of an idea that is, and everything more or less works out in the end.

Tea and Sympathy by osprey_archer (Torchwood, Owen Harper/Ianto Jones, 13k, Teen and Up)

Soon after Jack's disappearance, Owen takes sick. Ianto goes to check on him.

What you can expect: crabby doctors, put-upon Welshmen, and a fuckton of emotions that everyone is trying to ignore. Not particularly happy, but then, when is Torchwood ever? It’s good while it lasts, though.

Pareidolia by hal_incandenza (Pacific Rim and The Black Tapes Podcast, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 102k, Mature)

It starts as a profile of paranormal investigator and professional skeptic Dr. Hermann Gottlieb. But it seems the further journalist Newt Geiszler delves into his cases, the more mysterious Dr. Gottlieb becomes. What is he hiding? What is he looking for? What is the truth? What is the difference between a journalist's idea of truth, and a scientist's?

Seeing is not believing. Believing is believing.

What you can expect: suspense, mystery, horror, pining, and apocalypse cults, with a dash of an ambiguous ending. I love this fic so much. I literally would stop what I was doing to read it when I got an alert that there was an update when it was still a work in progress.

Meet Me There Across The Water, And We’ll Start An Endless Storm by Skepticamoeba (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 35k, Teen and Up)

Hermann, an honorably discharged veteran has retired to continue working as a Keeper at a Lighthouse. It is perfectly solitary, and with little in the way for incidents. Newton is the sailor that washes up on the seashore after a summer storm.

[Late 19th century Lighthouse Keeper AU--or the one where Hermann was an aspiring artist whose dreams got a bit derailed, and Newt is the sailor that needs to learn to take his time with things.]

What you can expect: the pining........the intricate rituals............the denial.........*chef’s kiss*

and I couldn’t whisper when you needed it shouted by Lvslie (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 24k, Teen and Up)

He still smells like Newt; bears traces of his recent nearness. Clothes sleep-wrinkled from the proximity, from the way Newt’s ankle has during the night hooked around the calf of Hermann’s good leg and dragged his whole body seamlessly closer. Cheek half-flushed from the face unconsciously nuzzled his into the side of Hermann’s neck—evidence of his presence, fast asleep, as Hermann lay still and fretful for hours an end, staring at the ceiling and feeling sick with wanting.

[An early 20th century AU inspired loosely by Maurice and Age of Innocence.]

What you can expect: wistfulness, pining, repression, denial, lots of feelings. You’ll probably tear up. There’s an achingly happy ending for both of them. This is one of the fics I want a hard copy of so I can mark it up because, fuck, I love it so much.

leave the car running by Macremae (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 1k, Teen and Up)

It is clear that, after everything, Newt doesn't like to be touched.

What you can expect: touch starvation, mutual pining, Newt finally getting the human contact he deserves. I wrote my own version of this since it was initially a prompt, but quite frankly, I like Newton’s version better because it hits.

The Man Who Invented Sherlock Holmes by Calais_Reno (Sherlock Holmes - Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, 15k, Teen and Up)

John Watson, struggling young doctor, doomed to live an ordinary life, dreams of writing detective fiction. If he can just figure out his hero's name, the story will practically write itself.

What you can expect: Watson sort of, kind of, maybe invents a man into being. Oops. I haven’t read this one in a while but I remember it being quite a lot of fun. There’s elements of what I would say is probably magical realism, but it’s never quite clear.

Newton Isn’t Dead by Macremae (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb and Vanessa Gottlieb/Karla Gottlieb, 32k, Mature)

Newton Geiszler is currently being possessed by a genocidal alien race known as the Precursors. They’ve taken over his body, leaving him a prisoner in his own mind. However, Newt has a totally awesome plan. He’s going to make a deal with them: let him prove that Earth is worth saving, and if he can’t do that, they can have his body. But convincing a hivemind full of mega-colonizers that one blue planet can be wonderful isn’t going to be easy. He’s going to need the help of his kind-of-ex Hermann, his best friend Vanessa, and one awesome Footloose remake to pull this off.

So, naturally, they go on a road trip.

What you can expect: pining, world-saving, eventual confessions and happy endings. I had the great honour of reading the chapters before they were published, and this fic is one of my top five favourite fics. There were multiple points where I yelled, both literally (quietly) and through text (slightly less quietly).

it takes time, but time moves slow by prettydizzeed (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 2k, Teen and Up)

Hermann conducts a cost-benefit analysis every class period of sitting in the back of the lecture hall versus walking down the stairs to the front. He wishes he had hard data for this, to get some actual statistics, and perhaps after a while, if he records his pain level and his ability to read the board and pay attention after each class, he will be able to predict the outcomes given either choice on a particular day.

Two curves, traveling in opposite directions, inversely proportional: pain goes up, concentration goes down. It’s comforting, somewhat, to make it a numbers game. Impersonal. Absolute. Not a tragedy, and not his doing, only his to interpret, a smudged scrawl across his left knee in an unfamiliar handwriting, his to analyze, to decrypt.

What you can expect: the fic may only be 2k, but it will leave you feeling like you were punched. It’s fantastic.

I Could Be Jew-ish For You by Macremae (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 10k, Teen and Up)

When Hermann agrees to spend Chanukah with his family in an attempt to wheedle some desperately-needed funding out of his father, Newt insists that he shouldn’t face Lars alone and tags along as his “emotional support family rage distraction”. What they fail to realize are two things: 1. When Hermann brings Newt with him to the festivities, assumptions will be made, and 2. Newt may be half-Jewish, but he sure wasn’t raised as one.

What to expect: fake dating fake dating fake dating— (can you tell I have a favourite trope?) In which Newt is Jew-ish, Hermann is both exasperated and pining, Lars is disliked, and we all get the Jewish romcom we deserve.

It Was Love At Second Sight by rednights (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 35k, Teen and Up)

Hermann receives the first letter when he is eighteen years old.

or: Kaiju don't attack the Earth, but Hermann and Newt still write letters, botch their first meeting, and fall in love, not necessarily in that order.

What you can expect: feels. So many fucking feels. There’s no kaiju but that doesn’t mean you won’t be on the edge of your seat.

hello my old heart by firebirdsuite (The Magnus Archives, Martin Blackwood/Jonathan Sims, 15k, Teen and Up)

Peter’s wrong, of course. When it’s all over, Martin does still want to tell Jon everything. It’s just—well, there’s a few things they need to work through first before they can get there.

Martin and Jon find each other again in Scotland.

What you can expect: tenderness, domesticity, and love. The perfect trifecta.

the truth about me (and the truth about me) by danimagus (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 11k, Teen and Up)

Newton suffers from a bout of memory loss and is told Hermann is his fiancé.

Hermann plays along, to his endless shame.

What you can expect: two words: fake dating. Gods, I love this fic, as Mary can attest from how I unceremoniously started screaming at her about it in her tumblr messages the day of/after it was published. This fic is great because it subverts the trope a bit, and thus avoids issues of consent that may otherwise have occured.

speak right to my heart without saying a word by thekaidonovskys (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 13k, General Audiences)

“Your eyes. Your expression. Your smile. I’ve worked with you for ten years, Hermann, and words have never been our primary method of communication.”

What you can expect: to be knocked the fuck out emotionally. This one hits pretty hard, and that’s what makes it so good.

Transducer by hal_incandenza (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 85k, Teen and Up)

“I need you to hide something for me.”

“Oh, excellent. Of course, Newton, please allow me to jeopardize my career. And yours as well. My pleasure. Do go on.”

“Yeesh, relax,” said Newton. “It’s a personal thing, not a work thing.”

“As if there is any division between the two,” Hermann snapped.

If only you knew, Newt thought.

What you can expect: intruigue, alien tech, light espionage. This fic will have your little nerd heart beating double-time. It’s very very good.

A Really Private Person by astolat (Person of Interest, Harold Finch/John Reese, 18k, Mature)

The end of the world started on a Wednesday in March.

What you can expect: badassery on Finch’s part. One of the few fics I have bookmarked for this fandom, and it’s bookmarked for good reason.

Party For Two by ProblemWithTrouble (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 18k, General Audiences)

“My mother’s parents have a home in the Black Forest that has a guest house. They’ve often allowed me to stay there when I could spare the time.” Hermann looked distant as if he were remembering something; the warmth of a fire and a nice book and the smell of freshly made tea. “It will be quiet, and possibly too boring for you-”

“It won’t be. I could use some quiet after the decade we’ve had. I could actually compile my research. And sleep. It sounds amazing.”

After the world doesn't end Newt and Hermann take a vacation together to live in a cabin and finally relax, as friends. Cue the pining, the longing, and the living together as best friends.

What you can expect: a fic that will wrap you up like a warm blanket. Mutual pining, vacationing together in a cabin, lots of feels—what more can you want?

Dream Drifting by MooseLane (Pacific Rim and Inception, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 5k, General Audiences)

"You're running an extraction on that spastic PPDC biologist, is what I hear." Chau fixes him with a side-eye. "I know I wouldn't want to go poking around in that little bastard's head."

(There are not enough Inception x Pacific Rim crossover fics, so I decided to change that.)

What you can expect: Inception meets Pacific Rim. There’s no other way to say it, really.

I’ve Got Nothing To Do Today But Smile (The Only Living Boy In New York) by gyzym (Inception, Arthur/Eames, 19k, Teen and Up)

Arthur's a corporate lawyer, Eames owns the coffee shop across the street, and all good love stories start with a quadruple shot latte.

What to expect: Arthur is stressed, Eames runs a coffee shop, and, through the power of friendship and a lot of stress-baking, everything works out happily for our intrepid protagonist.

Kalimat/كلمات by rainbowagnes (The Old Guard, Yusuf Al-Kaysani/Nicolò di Genova, 3k, Teen and Up)

Yusuf translates medical texts for Niccolò from Greek and Persian into Arabic, and Niccolò spots the substratum of the ideas of the classical authors that he had once believed the basis of his own civilisation that he would go to the sword to defend, translated and passed down and sewn into a no longer foreign script. There are words Yusuf does not know how to translate. They will never, ever know all of the words. The prospect is thrilling. --- It takes Niccolò lifetimes to learn Arabic.

What you can expect: if you, like me, are, especially natively, multilingual, this might hit the sweet spot of Language Feels. It did for me. Also, Joe calling Nicky hayati? Yeah.

i never liked that ending either by Macremae (Pacific Rim, Newton Geiszler/Hermann Gottlieb, 15k, Mature)

You want a better story. Who wouldn’t? - Litany in Which Certain Things Are Crossed Out

Once upon a time Dr. Flick Tucker, K-Sci head of Biology, fought a bunch of highly scientific dragons to save the world. Then, they took over her life. It didn’t end well.

Once upon our time Dr. Newt Geiszler, marine biologist, sci-fi aficionado, and accidental discoverer of dimensional travel, got a chance to take her place. He has a couple of ideas.

In which Uprising is still a bad movie, musings on the nature of choice and personal autonomy are made, and somewhere, probably, a coin is showing heads every time.

What you can expect: everything’s fine this is a perfectly normal fic come here i want to cause you as much emotional damage as I can

Not Allowed by acedott (BBC Merlin, Gwen/Morgana, 1k, General Audiences)

Gwen has been dealing with self-imposed touch starvation since she was a child. Morgana sets out to challenge this.

What you can expect: gays. Pining. Touch starvation. Need I say more?

Rocky Horror Pancake Show by ChuckleVoodoos (Daredevil, Matt Murdock/Franklin “Foggy” Nelson, 19k, Teen and Up)

Foggy falls asleep at exactly 12:00 AM, and he’s making a wish. He wakes up at 12:00 AM too—twenty-four hours before he fell asleep.

"Let's do the time warp again!"

What you can expect: Ground-hog Day style time-loop, lots of fluff, and a happy ending.

Ain’t No Nancy Kerrigan by cleverqueen (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Leonard Snart/Mick Rory, 13k, Teen and Up)

It's 1994, and young Lisa Snart's jumps aren't strong enough for an Olympic singles skater. Thankfully, her older brother has an athletic friend who can match her in pairs.

Mick Rory is hopelessly in love with Leonard Snart, though he'd never say anything about it, so he jumps at a chance to do Len's little sister a favor. If he's patient and works hard, maybe he'll even get to skate with her older brother.

What you can expect: pining, ice-skating, and general goodness. It’s fun, it’s funny, and it has a happy ending.

#rec list #ask #a good 40% of these are mutual pining but really who's surprised. i love a good mutual pining fic #hopefully all these links work because i spent. an inordinate amount of time compiling this.#let me know if any of the links need to be changed #c.txt

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pearls-of-patton-moved · 6 years

Text

Rom(an)eo and the Set Designer Chapter 1

| Also on Ao3 | Next Part

Patton has had a hopeless crush on Roman for years. But when Roman needs Patton's help with the drama club's production of Romeo and Juliet, Patton just might find his chance to befriend him. Senior year hijinks, mostly fluff, with royality and probably some background analogical.

Word Count: 2178 Pairing: Royality

The first time Patton meets Roman, Lucas has cornered him on the playground and is tugging at the hem of his skirt in mockery. Patton is working hard to hold back his tears, and wishing he could be anywhere else, when his vision of Lucas is suddenly completely blocked.

"Back off!" The new boy shouts, in a voice that only wavers slightly. The boy has a foam sword in his hand, and he doesn't cower even a little when Lucas clenches his hand into a fist.

"Or what, kid?" Lucas smirks. "You gonna try and fight me?"

Lucas is older- he's a middle schooler, and he towers over Patton's rescuer almost as much as he does Patton, but the boy doesn't back down, and a moment later, Lucas’ fist flies. Patton lets out a cry of fear, but the strange boy dodges the punch and responds by kicking Lucas in the shins. Lucas shouts in shock but is still making to continue his assault on them, when they all catch the voice of an adult coming towards the park. Lucas immediately runs, and Patton's savior turns around to help him up from where he’d fallen on the ground.

"Thank you," Patton whispers.

"No problem," they exclaim, "I was just doing what any proper hero would do! My name's Roman, what's yours?"

"Patton." He leans down to brush off the hem of his skirt nervously.

"I really like your skirt, Patton!" Roman says with a nod. "That's such a pretty blue."

Patton thanks Roman, and quickly flees home after that, terrified that Lucas will reappear, but he doesn't ever stop thinking about that day.

Four years later, Patton is stepping into high school for the first time, and he's terrified. The building is huge, and so are the upperclassmen, and Patton's only hoping to get through the next four years with as little damage as possible. Classes won't begin for another forty-five minutes, but Patton is desperate to sign up for his locker early- he's worried they might run out. The line is already quite long, and it takes nearly twenty-five minutes for him to reach the front, and finally get his chance to sign up.

"Alright, what is your name?" The lady asks. Patton eyes her long painted fingernails with mild interest.

"Patton Foster."

"And what grade are you in?"

"Freshman, ma'am." The woman writes his information down, then glances up at him. He quickly averts his eyes.

"And your partner?"

"I'm sorry?" Patton says, startled and confused.

"Your partner. Surely you were aware that underclassmen are expected to share a locker with a partner?" Patton wasn't aware of that, no, and he starts to panic because there are so many people and he doesn't know what to say- but then there's an arm draping itself over his shoulder, and Patton glances up in surprise.

"Of course we know, Mrs. Kadner. I'm Patton's partner." Roman says, from beside Patton. "Sorry for keeping you waiting, bud."

Patton chokes on his tongue, as Roman pats him on the back, then shakily accepts the scrap of paper the lady hands him, with the locker number and combination on it. Once he makes it out of the office, he leans against the wall and carefully takes a deep breath. He and Roman have never been friends- even after Roman had saved him from Lucas, they hadn't really spoken much. Roman hadn’t been in his fifth-grade class, and once middle school had started- well, Roman had quickly become a popular kid, and the last thing Patton had wanted to do was draw his attention then. So, really, Patton had no clue why Roman had just claimed himself as Patton's locker partner. After all, surely he had another friend he was planning on partnering with.

"You okay, Patton?" Roman's voice startles Patton out of his reverie, and he blinks up at his classmate who seemed to be staring at him in concern.

"Uh, yeah. Um, thanks for helping me out there." Patton says, shifting in place and offering Roman his brightest smile. "But what about the person you were gonna partner with?"

"Oh, I wasn't planning on getting a locker,” Roman assures him. “Mr. Nicholls already told me I could leave anything I needed to in the green room, so..." Right. Roman's been working with the high school drama club for two years now. Just another reason he was always so popular.

"Oh," Patton glances down at the piece of paper in his hand. "Well, uh, thanks?" Roman smiles back at him and nods, and then he trots back into the office to finish whatever business had brought him there in the first place.

Nobody ever seems to notice that Patton's the only one using his locker, that year.

"Hey, Patton!" Joan shouts from their place at their usual lunch table. They seem to be the only one who's arrived so far, which is unsurprising, seeing as Joan's homeroom is literally right across the hall. Patton walks over, and slides into the seat next to them, grinning.

"First day of senior year, huh?" He asks with a smile. Joan grins back, then glances over Patton's shoulder and starts waving again. The next addition is Talyn, Joan's datemate, who slides into the seat on the opposite side of them. Virgil follows a moment later, flopping his head onto the table with a groan.

"Cheer up, Virge," Talyn says, with a grin. "Don't you have art next?" Virgil lifts his head, only to level a glare at Talyn, and drop it back down again.

"Yeah, but I've got math for my last period. I am so not looking forward to that."

"You're the one who signed up for calculus, Virgil." Patton reminds him. "That's not a required class."

"Yeah, but my mom looked so excited when she heard that was an option for me. Hell, she took me out to dinner in celebration. No way was I gonna tell her I didn't wanna take it." Virgil finishes talking and stands back up. "I'm gonna go get my lunch." Patton watches as Virgil heads in the direction of the lunchline, and frowns with worry.

"He may not be, but I'm definitely glad school's started again, if only for his sake." He mutters.

"I know what you mean. He only accepts my dinner invites about half the time. It doesn't help that his mom insists on putting away all the money he earns for college. I mean, I get why, but still..." Talyn trails off.

"We worry." Joan finishes.

Patton carefully guides the conversation back towards school and their classes, so that Virgil returns to a discussion about English, and Patton happily begins eating his sandwich, when he sees Virgil begin eating a proper meal. He's smiling at Virgil, when he spots Roman behind him, walking up to his usual crowd of friends. He's the type of guy that somehow has friends in every clique, but Roman always spends his lunchtime with his fellow drama kids. As Patton watches, Roman grins and jumps onto a chair, to strike a hero's pose. He's singing something, but the cafeteria is too loud for him to tell what it is, from across the room. The boy is grinning in the bright, cheerful way he always does-

"Patton, are you even listening?" Patton tunes back in when Joan's hand touches his shoulder, and he blinks up at his friend in confusion.

"Huh?"

"Oh don't mind Patton," Virgil grins. "He's just fawning over the Prince of Drama again. Honestly, Patton. What you see in him, I don't know." Patton makes a face in response to Virgil's teasing, and returns his focus to their conversation, with just one glance back at Roman. Eventually, the bell rings, and they head towards the art room. At the door, the four of them share their customary fist bumps, and then Joan and Virgil enter the classroom and he and Talyn head onwards for their woodshop class.

Three weeks later, Patton nearly walks into a door, when Roman pops up out of nowhere and slings his arm around Patton's shoulder.

"Hey, Patton!" He says, squeezing his arm in something akin to a friendly gesture.

"Hi, Roman!" Patton replies brightly, once he's recovered from his surprise. "What's up?"

"Well," Roman drawls, stepping away to lean against the wall. "I'm sure you're aware that I'm the president of the drama club, and we seem to have found ourselves in a bit of a pickle. Our set designer transferred to another school, and now we have nobody to build my castle for our first play of the year! So I was talking to Mr. Beltran, and he told me that you're one of his best students, so I thought I'd come over here and ask if you'd be interested in helping a fella out?"

"I- don't..." Patton stammers uncertainly. In an instant, Roman drops to the floor, and clasps his hands in front of his face, grinning up at Patton.

"Pleeaaase?" Patton stares down at Roman's ridiculous posing, and giggles.

"I'll think about it, okay?" Roman's answering grin is enough to keep Patton feeling warm and gooey inside, on his whole walk home.

Patton has just finished eating his lunch when Roman strides over and plops down into the seat next to him. It's been a week since Roman approached him about designing their set, and Patton has definitely thought about it a lot, but he has yet to get any closer to an answer he can give Roman. He carefully avoids everyone's eyes, as Roman slings his arm around Patton's shoulders once again.

"Hey, Patton!" Roman drawls. "I don't suppose you've come to a decision, yet."

"Not really..." Patton starts to say, but the look on Roman's face makes him trail off in surprise. Roman looks genuinely worried. A moment later, the expression fades away, though.

"No problem, take as long as you need, pal!" Roman starts to stand up and return to his table.

"Wait!" Patton grabs Roman's arm before he can leave, and fights down his blush as Roman turns to look at him again in surprise. "I- actually, I have a couple questions."

As Roman grins and sits back down, Patton works frantically to figure out what he wants to ask. He pointedly ignores the snickers coming from his friends and focuses on Roman in front of him.

"Questions, you say? What about?" Roman asks, catching Patton's attention once more as he leans forward.

"Well, I just- what exactly are you looking for, you know? I mean, set-wise. How complex of a thing are you expecting me to build?"

"Oh!" Roman exclaims happily. "We're not looking for anything super complicated, don't worry. I mean, we're planning on doing Romeo and Juliet for the fall play, so really all we're hoping for is somebody who can help us figure out a balcony, y'know? We could probably manage a static backdrop without any help, but I don't think any of us have any clue how to build a balcony that's- actually stable enough to stand on." Patton nods absently, as he considers that.

"Do you guys have a budget plan for this set?" Patton asks, reaching down to pull a notebook and pencil out of his backpack, and pushes them towards Roman. "Here, draw what you were thinking this set would look like.”

Roman blinks down at the paper for a moment, then slowly picks up the pencil and begins to draw.

"I mean, I was thinking it should be sorta like this, but it’s really all fairly open to interpretation. We usually do a fairly basic set- nothing that needs to be moved or anything, since all our set changes have to be done manually.” Roman sketches as he talks and Patton spares a glance at Joan beside him. Joan silently raises an eyebrow, as soon as Patton's looking in their direction, but Patton just shakes his head and turns back to watch Roman sketch out a rough structure, until the bell rings.

"Oh-" Roman glances up at the clock, then pushes the notebook back towards Patton. "Well, that's sorta what I was thinking of, anyway."

"I'll look at this over the weekend, and let you know on Monday, okay?" Patton smiles as Roman nods his agreement and rushes off to collect his backpack and head to class. The moment he's out of hearing, his three friends all burst into laughter.

"And what, precisely, was that about?" Virgil snarks. "Last I knew, you were too terrified to even try talking to him."

"He needs a set designer," Patton answers with a shrug.

"You gonna do it?" Joan asks as they start the walk to their classes.

"I don't really know. Maybe. It could be fun." Patton frowns and glances down at the notebook he's holding. A stick figure stares back at him from its position, sort of leaning on the railing of a balcony that's set into a crooked-looking castle wall. He smiles back at the sketch and with a huff he realizes he's going to say yes.

#sanders sides #fic #royality #my fics #mine

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audliminal · 6 years

Text

Rom(an)eo and the Set Designer Chapter 1

| Also on Ao3 | Next Part

Patton has had a hopeless crush on Roman for years. But when Roman needs Patton’s help with the drama club’s production of Romeo and Juliet, Patton just might find his chance to befriend him. Senior year hijinks, mostly fluff, with royality and probably some background analogical.

Word Count: 2178 Pairing: Royality

“Back off!” The new boy shouts, in a voice that only wavers slightly. The boy has a foam sword in his hand, and he doesn’t cower even a little when Lucas clenches his hand into a fist.

“Or what, kid?” Lucas smirks. “You gonna try and fight me?”

Lucas is older- he’s a middle schooler, and he towers over Patton’s rescuer almost as much as he does Patton, but the boy doesn’t back down, and a moment later, Lucas’ fist flies. Patton lets out a cry of fear, but the strange boy dodges the punch and responds by kicking Lucas in the shins. Lucas shouts in shock but is still making to continue his assault on them, when they all catch the voice of an adult coming towards the park. Lucas immediately runs, and Patton’s savior turns around to help him up from where he’d fallen on the ground.

“Thank you,” Patton whispers.

“No problem,” they exclaim, “I was just doing what any proper hero would do! My name’s Roman, what’s yours?”

“Patton.” He leans down to brush off the hem of his skirt nervously.

“I really like your skirt, Patton!” Roman says with a nod. “That’s such a pretty blue.”

Patton thanks Roman, and quickly flees home after that, terrified that Lucas will reappear, but he doesn’t ever stop thinking about that day.

Four years later, Patton is stepping into high school for the first time, and he’s terrified. The building is huge, and so are the upperclassmen, and Patton’s only hoping to get through the next four years with as little damage as possible. Classes won’t begin for another forty-five minutes, but Patton is desperate to sign up for his locker early- he’s worried they might run out. The line is already quite long, and it takes nearly twenty-five minutes for him to reach the front, and finally get his chance to sign up.

“Alright, what is your name?” The lady asks. Patton eyes her long painted fingernails with mild interest.

“Patton Foster.”

“And what grade are you in?”

“Freshman, ma'am.” The woman writes his information down, then glances up at him. He quickly averts his eyes.

“And your partner?”

“I’m sorry?” Patton says, startled and confused.

“Your partner. Surely you were aware that underclassmen are expected to share a locker with a partner?” Patton wasn’t aware of that, no, and he starts to panic because there are so many people and he doesn’t know what to say- but then there’s an arm draping itself over his shoulder, and Patton glances up in surprise.

“Of course we know, Mrs. Kadner. I’m Patton’s partner.” Roman says, from beside Patton. “Sorry for keeping you waiting, bud.”

Patton chokes on his tongue, as Roman pats him on the back, then shakily accepts the scrap of paper the lady hands him, with the locker number and combination on it. Once he makes it out of the office, he leans against the wall and carefully takes a deep breath. He and Roman have never been friends- even after Roman had saved him from Lucas, they hadn’t really spoken much. Roman hadn’t been in his fifth-grade class, and once middle school had started- well, Roman had quickly become a popular kid, and the last thing Patton had wanted to do was draw his attention then. So, really, Patton had no clue why Roman had just claimed himself as Patton’s locker partner. After all, surely he had another friend he was planning on partnering with.

“You okay, Patton?” Roman’s voice startles Patton out of his reverie, and he blinks up at his classmate who seemed to be staring at him in concern.

“Uh, yeah. Um, thanks for helping me out there.” Patton says, shifting in place and offering Roman his brightest smile. “But what about the person you were gonna partner with?”

“Oh, I wasn’t planning on getting a locker,” Roman assures him. “Mr. Nicholls already told me I could leave anything I needed to in the green room, so…” Right. Roman’s been working with the high school drama club for two years now. Just another reason he was always so popular.

“Oh,” Patton glances down at the piece of paper in his hand. “Well, uh, thanks?” Roman smiles back at him and nods, and then he trots back into the office to finish whatever business had brought him there in the first place.

Nobody ever seems to notice that Patton’s the only one using his locker, that year.

“Hey, Patton!” Joan shouts from their place at their usual lunch table. They seem to be the only one who’s arrived so far, which is unsurprising, seeing as Joan’s homeroom is literally right across the hall. Patton walks over, and slides into the seat next to them, grinning.

“First day of senior year, huh?” He asks with a smile. Joan grins back, then glances over Patton’s shoulder and starts waving again. The next addition is Talyn, Joan’s datemate, who slides into the seat on the opposite side of them. Virgil follows a moment later, flopping his head onto the table with a groan.

“Cheer up, Virge,” Talyn says, with a grin. “Don’t you have art next?” Virgil lifts his head, only to level a glare at Talyn, and drop it back down again.

“Yeah, but I’ve got math for my last period. I am so not looking forward to that.”

“You’re the one who signed up for calculus, Virgil.” Patton reminds him. “That’s not a required class.”

“Yeah, but my mom looked so excited when she heard that was an option for me. Hell, she took me out to dinner in celebration. No way was I gonna tell her I didn’t wanna take it.” Virgil finishes talking and stands back up. “I’m gonna go get my lunch.” Patton watches as Virgil heads in the direction of the lunchline, and frowns with worry.

“He may not be, but I’m definitely glad school’s started again, if only for his sake.” He mutters.

“I know what you mean. He only accepts my dinner invites about half the time. It doesn’t help that his mom insists on putting away all the money he earns for college. I mean, I get why, but still…” Talyn trails off.

“We worry.” Joan finishes.

Patton carefully guides the conversation back towards school and their classes, so that Virgil returns to a discussion about English, and Patton happily begins eating his sandwich, when he sees Virgil begin eating a proper meal. He’s smiling at Virgil, when he spots Roman behind him, walking up to his usual crowd of friends. He’s the type of guy that somehow has friends in every clique, but Roman always spends his lunchtime with his fellow drama kids. As Patton watches, Roman grins and jumps onto a chair, to strike a hero’s pose. He’s singing something, but the cafeteria is too loud for him to tell what it is, from across the room. The boy is grinning in the bright, cheerful way he always does-

“Patton, are you even listening?” Patton tunes back in when Joan’s hand touches his shoulder, and he blinks up at his friend in confusion.

“Huh?”

“Oh don’t mind Patton,” Virgil grins. “He’s just fawning over the Prince of Drama again. Honestly, Patton. What you see in him, I don’t know.” Patton makes a face in response to Virgil’s teasing, and returns his focus to their conversation, with just one glance back at Roman. Eventually, the bell rings, and they head towards the art room. At the door, the four of them share their customary fist bumps, and then Joan and Virgil enter the classroom and he and Talyn head onwards for their woodshop class.

Three weeks later, Patton nearly walks into a door, when Roman pops up out of nowhere and slings his arm around Patton’s shoulder.

“Hey, Patton!” He says, squeezing his arm in something akin to a friendly gesture.

“Hi, Roman!” Patton replies brightly, once he’s recovered from his surprise. “What’s up?”

“Well,” Roman drawls, stepping away to lean against the wall. “I’m sure you’re aware that I’m the president of the drama club, and we seem to have found ourselves in a bit of a pickle. Our set designer transferred to another school, and now we have nobody to build my castle for our first play of the year! So I was talking to Mr. Beltran, and he told me that you’re one of his best students, so I thought I’d come over here and ask if you’d be interested in helping a fella out?”

“I- don’t…” Patton stammers uncertainly. In an instant, Roman drops to the floor, and clasps his hands in front of his face, grinning up at Patton.

“Pleeaaase?” Patton stares down at Roman’s ridiculous posing, and giggles.

“I’ll think about it, okay?” Roman’s answering grin is enough to keep Patton feeling warm and gooey inside, on his whole walk home.

Patton has just finished eating his lunch when Roman strides over and plops down into the seat next to him. It’s been a week since Roman approached him about designing their set, and Patton has definitely thought about it a lot, but he has yet to get any closer to an answer he can give Roman. He carefully avoids everyone’s eyes, as Roman slings his arm around Patton’s shoulders once again.

“Hey, Patton!” Roman drawls. “I don’t suppose you’ve come to a decision, yet.”

“Not really…” Patton starts to say, but the look on Roman’s face makes him trail off in surprise. Roman looks genuinely worried. A moment later, the expression fades away, though.

“No problem, take as long as you need, pal!” Roman starts to stand up and return to his table.

“Wait!” Patton grabs Roman’s arm before he can leave, and fights down his blush as Roman turns to look at him again in surprise. “I- actually, I have a couple questions.”

As Roman grins and sits back down, Patton works frantically to figure out what he wants to ask. He pointedly ignores the snickers coming from his friends and focuses on Roman in front of him.

“Questions, you say? What about?” Roman asks, catching Patton’s attention once more as he leans forward.

“Well, I just- what exactly are you looking for, you know? I mean, set-wise. How complex of a thing are you expecting me to build?”

“Oh!” Roman exclaims happily. “We’re not looking for anything super complicated, don’t worry. I mean, we’re planning on doing Romeo and Juliet for the fall play, so really all we’re hoping for is somebody who can help us figure out a balcony, y'know? We could probably manage a static backdrop without any help, but I don’t think any of us have any clue how to build a balcony that’s- actually stable enough to stand on.” Patton nods absently, as he considers that.

“Do you guys have a budget plan for this set?” Patton asks, reaching down to pull a notebook and pencil out of his backpack, and pushes them towards Roman. “Here, draw what you were thinking this set would look like.”

Roman blinks down at the paper for a moment, then slowly picks up the pencil and begins to draw.

"I mean, I was thinking it should be sorta like this, but it’s really all fairly open to interpretation. We usually do a fairly basic set- nothing that needs to be moved or anything, since all our set changes have to be done manually.” Roman sketches as he talks and Patton spares a glance at Joan beside him. Joan silently raises an eyebrow, as soon as Patton’s looking in their direction, but Patton just shakes his head and turns back to watch Roman sketch out a rough structure, until the bell rings.

"Oh-” Roman glances up at the clock, then pushes the notebook back towards Patton. “Well, that’s sorta what I was thinking of, anyway.”

“I’ll look at this over the weekend, and let you know on Monday, okay?” Patton smiles as Roman nods his agreement and rushes off to collect his backpack and head to class. The moment he’s out of hearing, his three friends all burst into laughter.

“And what, precisely, was that about?” Virgil snarks. “Last I knew, you were too terrified to even try talking to him.”

“He needs a set designer,” Patton answers with a shrug.

“You gonna do it?” Joan asks as they start the walk to their classes.

“I don’t really know. Maybe. It could be fun.” Patton frowns and glances down at the notebook he’s holding. A stick figure stares back at him from its position, sort of leaning on the railing of a balcony that’s set into a crooked-looking castle wall. He smiles back at the sketch and with a huff he realizes he’s going to say yes.

#my fics #royality #rom(an)eo

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