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The Alternate Universe Meme

How To Play
1. Post with Your Character, name and canon in the subject line.
2. Feel free to mention which AUs you’re willing or not willing to play in the body of the comment.
3. Tag by rolling for an Alternate Universe setting using rng.
4. Or Tag by picking whatever AU you’d like to play in most.
5. Have fun!

Alternate Universes
i - All Human: In an All Human AU, characters who are canonically vampires, werewolves or superheroes, are now humans, with corresponding changes to their backstories.

ii - Apocalypse: A portmanteau of "apocalypse fic", apocafic is fiction set during or after some sort of apocalypse, or end of the world. Some canons carry a built-in apocalypse against which the protagonists are fighting: in apocafic, they lose. For example, apocafic in Stargate and X-Files is usually set after the alien occupation; Supernatural apocafic is set on a demon-controlled Earth.

iii - Band: An alternate universe in which the characters are members in, or form a band. Often, the instruments they plan and their roles in the band are analogous to their canon identities. For example, Tony Stark might be cast as the fame-hungry lead singer who is also a musical genius, or River Tam might be a classically trained pianist who, after a terrible experience at Julliard, writes songs for Mal Reynold's grunge rock band, Serenity.

iv - Circus: Circus AUs are a popular trope in fanfic and sometimes fanart. Using a circus as a setting means introducing the characters to each other in a close-knit community. That can help break down barriers between them and make them bond together against the outside world which may not understand them as well as the other characters do. It also brings a sense of adventure and the idea that this world may have different rules and everything is possible. A circus can also be a good place for characters to go undercover and meet the love of their lives.

v - Coffee Shop: The Barista AU (or coffeeshop AU, or the closely related bakery AU) is a popular fanfiction trope in LiveJournal fandoms. In most cases, one half of the main pairing is the barista and the other is or becomes their favorite customer; in some stories the whole cast works at a coffee shop. This trope is especially popular in fandoms where one character is very attached to coffee, either in canon or in fanon, or is frequently stressed.

vi - College/High School: College Fic is a popular genre of fanfic (less often a genre of fanart) that places characters together in college or another secondary institution such as the Starfleet Academy in Star Trek fic (then called "Academy Fic"). This can be canon stories, for example backstory if characters have or could have met during college, or College AUs, similar to High School AUs. In science fiction, historical or fantasy fandoms the present day College AU is a popular subgenre of the Modern AU that puts fantastic or historical characters in more mundane everyday settings.

vii - Cop/Detective: An alternate universe in which the characters are cast as cops or investigators of some kind. Often, the canon villain is also cast as the villain in the story. This might be set in modern times, or in a noir-like environment, complete with gangsters and femme fatales.

viii - Daemons: His Dark Materials is a fantasy trilogy by Philip Pullman. The trilogy consists of The Golden Compass (1995; published in the UK as Northern Lights), The Subtle Knife (1997), and The Amber Spyglass (2000). There are currently two companion novellas: Lyra's Oxford (2003) and Once Upon A Time In The North (2008). A movie adaptation of the first book was released in theatres in late 2007. Humans have their souls living outside their body in the form of an animal companion. Males have female souls and females have male souls. The animals often correspond to the character’s personality.

ix - Fantasy: An alternate universe populated with fantastical characters like elves, dwarves, unicorns, sorcerers, and dragons. Canon characters might be cast as analogous races (e.g. Clint Barton or Katniss Everdeen as elf archers) or they might be humans in a fantastical setting. Characters also might be able to secretly shape-shift into another form, like a dragon, and therefore is related closely to were/vampire/supernatural AUs.

x - Historical: A historical AU is a fanwork which moves characters into a different historical period than their canon setting. Typically this involves taking "contemporary" characters (from the late 20th Century or 21st Century) and putting them in an earlier historical period (such as the 19th Century or before). Popular settings for historical AUs include: Pirates, America's Old West, Britain's Regency period, Ancient Rome, a vague facsimile of medieval England such as Robin Hood, and many others.

xi - Hooker/Porn/Stripper: Hookerfic is a type of fanfic where one or more of the characters is a sex worker. There are many different types of hookerfic, ranging from more realistic depictions to the more common Pretty Woman-type fantasy of a hooker with a heart of gold, rescued from life on the streets by a client. Sex work of all kinds is portrayed—brothels, escorts, street prostitution, "call-girls" as well as strippers and go-go boys.

xii - Magic: Magic AUs are alternate universe fanworks that incorporate magic in fandoms where there is no magic present in canon. (Or in some cases, fanworks that make a canon with magic more magical.) They differ from Elf AUs in that there may be magic without any elves showing up, and are opposites of All Human and Mundane AUs.

xiii - Neighbors/Roomates: An alternate universe where the canon characters live next-door to one another, or in the same apartment building or complex, or in the same apartment. Often, this is also an all-human AU, if the canon characters are powered in some way. The forced proximity is usually used to create romantic tension between characters.

xiv - Space/Sci-Fi: A space AU is an alternate universe where a source set on Earth is transported into space; works are often referred to as "[Fandom] in SPAAAAAAAAACE!" The trope can be a form of crackfic, but often includes surprisingly serious reinterpretations of the most earthbound of sources, particularly historical fiction written or set before space exploration. Cyberpunk trappings such as robots, cyborgs and AIs are often included.

xv - Steampunk: Steampunk was originally a term for a sub-genre of speculative fiction that imitated 19th Century "scientific romances" like the work of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. Later, the term was applied to a general aesthetic involving styles that would be "futuristic" from the perspective of the 19th Century. Steampunk appears in fanworks as both a genre and an aesthetic. There are some fandoms for which the canon is steampunk(-ish), e.g. The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne, but more often it is found as steampunk alternate universe.

xvi - Western: The Western is a genre of fiction set in the later half of the 19th century in the Western part of North America, especially the United States, but also Canada and Mexico. Sometimes also included in the genre are stories about Western-type characters and plots in other settings, e.g. "Space Westerns" (in science fiction settings) and Contemporary Westerns (set in the western part of contemporary North America).

xvii - Were/Vamp/Supernatural: A reversal of the All-Human, in these fics characters who are normally human are now supernatural creatures of some kind the most common being werewolves or vampires.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

[ The quiet was nearly peaceful with a stray breeze brushing over the dusted yard outside the hangar the only sounds. Yet at no point could Hanzo let his own guard slip, not for a second time. This was a standoff if anything. Keeping his posture relaxed just enough to allow for flexibility should need arise, Hanzo waited. A few minutes sitting perfectly still were nothing to him. He was a patient man, after all.

His patience was rewarded when Hanzo heard claws tap along the metal floors. Not too far off from where he sat, actually. Knowing the dangers of wild, frightened things Hanzo didn't make eye contact with the creature. Instead remaining still, focusing instead of his other senses.

And then Hanzo whistled a few short bars. A few low notes that were sharp enough to be heard without alarming. It could be partially domesticated, or at least its natural fear of humans wasn't how it should have been. It was too bold, and maybe even clever. If it ran - Hanzo would follow, and if not. He would see. ]

[ Hanzo was whistling at him. Jesse's ears twitched forward, locking onto the sound and he tilted his head. The wolf and man were both confused now. Why was Hanzo whistling at him? Did he look like a domesticated dog? No. He looked like a three legged dire wolf.

Who in their right mind would whistle at a dire wolf?

The wolf wanted to take advantage and make a break for the door but Jesse hesitated. He slunk around to the door and then sat down. The wolf snarled at him but then settled down because the exit was right there. They could smell the ocean air and see the cliffs. He could run for it if Hanzo was actually laying a very careful trap. Jesse had seen him pick up his bow and fire insanely fast. ]

[ Only a man who felt something more terrifying twist with agitation at the smell of a competing predator unseen beneath his skin would be this bold. Hanzo carried the power of dragons in his bones, he had nothing to fear of a wary animal. No matter how large, how many teeth.

Settling back into this tenuous silence, Hanzo watched the wolf now as it watched him. In that time he was confident enough in the beast's own curiosity to just think.

Others here knew about the wolf. Hanzo did not personally care for their company but they were not fools. It was unnaturally large, clearly intelligent and capable of survival in the wild with three legs.

Ah.

All that betrayed Hanzo's realization was his eyes momentarily widened before he schooled his expression. ]

This is not the first time you have looked at me so.

[ That hunted feeling and all its sudden familiarity. Hanzo didn't know if the cre- if McCree understood him, but he had his answer. He was sure of it. ]

[ The one thing Jesse could do in any form was play dumb. He tilted his head dramatically to one side, exactly like a dog would. He had never owned one but Mei had shown him plenty of cute dog holo-vids.

He should've made a break for it as soon as Hanzo set eyes on him. Goddamn it if this man figured out he was a monster he would certainly have an arrow in his heart as soon as he blinked.

Nervously he moved towards the doorway again. He was ready to bolt.

And it wasn't like he could answer Hanzo like this. Besides the typical wolf noises he didn't have a way of telling him anything. He hoped he would take this as a sign that he was just a really large wild animal scared.

Jesse even tucked his tail between his legs, trying to look scared. He was fairly certain that's what dogs did. The wolf was not happy with the action, hating that he was showing a weakness. ]

[ Even on his best days in fairer moods, Hanzo was not going to fall for this. Hanzo doubted even if he believed this was no more than a mere animal he wasn't going to be swayed by big eyes and exaggerated kicked puppy antics. Much. Not that he would let himself feel guilty what a secret he only happened upon. ]

Go then.

[ Slowly and deliberately as not to frighten, Hanzo rose to his feet and motioned to the open hangar. ]

I will not speak a word of what I have seen, to anyone else.

[ Should McCree, because he was convinced it was McCree at this point, understand him the message was clear. Hanzo would keep his word and not reveal this to anyone in the event it wasn't just him being kept in the dark. But he would pursue this from McCree himself just not tonight. ]

[ He definitely made a sound that was as close as a wolf could manage to 'huh?' right then. Hanzo would protect his secret? That didn't make any sense to him. From what he knew of Hanzo he was very good at destroying monsters and bad guys. Why didn't he want to kill him?

The wolf was a great deal more sensible and less curious. It pushed McCree to his feet and they went running for the cliffs. Jesse almost wrested control away so he could go back and talk but he couldn't talk. The wolf was right. His best option was to run.

Tomorrow, he would have to play it off like nothing, absolutely nothing, was wrong. God, he hoped he could do it.

Jesse didn't slink back to the watchpoint until sunrise and even then he hesitated about going inside. Every heightened sense was on alert and he expected Hanzo around every corner but he managed to make it to his room before the first rays of sun broke over the horizon. The second they did Jesse hunched over as intense pain wracked his body while bone and muscle rearranged itself into human form again.

When the transformation was over he lay on the floor, panting heavily, absolutely exhausted. At least everyone on base would leave him alone. They knew how much he needed the rest. ]

[ Hanzo was a hard man, notoriously difficult to work around his many foibles but he was not an unsympathetic one nowadays. That night he keeps to his word to retire, and the following morning he says nothing. Not even remarking upon McCree's absence to the others. Hanzo doesn't even pursue the matter until later in the evening. Partly out of not wanting to be caught heading towards McCree's room, and because he surmised whatever was going on had to have taken a toll on the other man.

McCree must still be a man, after all. The same Hanzo was not a dragon - he simply bore a burden inside himself. ]

I'm coming in.

[ Hanzo gave the door one polite knock and found McCree left it unlocked to begin with. Saying nothing else, Hanzo opened the door. Swiftly shutting it behind him. ]

[ McCree managed to crawl into bed after an hour's nap on the floor then he slept for pretty much the whole day. Eventually he felt a great deal more human and went to the shower. The wolf in the back of his head was quiet, it was always quiet after a full moon. For a day or so he'd have a nice clear head.

He sat on the edge of his bed, reattaching his prosthetic with a cigarillo unlit hanging out of his mouth when Hanzo just walked in. Well, damn. He wasn't ready for this.

Jesse still put on an easy smile and raised an eyebrow. ]

Howdy, partner. Did you need something?

[ Blackwatch taught him how to hide in plain sight and he hoped the archer didn't see through it this time. ]

[ McCree always struck Hanzo as a man who talked much but said very little. Which in the right hands, or hand, could be a devastating tactic to divert someone's attention. Right now, Hanzo was having none of it. ]

Do you take me for a fool?

[ While these were McCree's demons to deal with they were working together. Even if he wasn't affiliated with the old Overwatch he still felt slighted to have made this discovery by pure chance. They were on the same side - were they not? ]

Please, do not lead me around in circles we have both had a very long night.

Nope. Last thing anyone would describe you as is a fool.

[ There was a distinctive click as the prosthetic locked into place and he flexed it, testing to make sure it was still working. If he wasn't careful with it the arm could easily get broken when he changed.

He got to his feet to get the lighter from his dresser and light the cigarillo. Smoking gave him something else to focus on even though the scent was terrible to the wolf and it hated it. ]

Still, ain't sure what you're gettin' at. If you slept bad Angie's got some stuff for that.

[ At that, Hanzo glowered. Briefly he thinks of just forcing it out Jesse; either a confession or even a transformation were it possible. That idea is quickly dropped because while easy to do, Hanzo had no intention of breaking the silence he promised. And he simply wanted to know - not extort.

He just crossed his arms and didn't back down. ]

Why do you insist on lying? I understand I am a recent addition and that is fair but after what transpired I will not tolerate being - what is it? Having my chain yanked.

[ He blew smoke towards the ceiling then left the cigarillo hanging from the corner of his mouth. It was a good distraction instead of blurting out that the reason he said was the exact reason he didn't want to say anything. It had been difficult to trust old friends with what happened and Hanzo was new. ]

Nice, you've picked up some slang.

[ Jesse leaned against the wall, watching Hanzo closely. He was clearly convinced he was right. Should've known better than to linger with Hanzo last night. The man was too sharp for his own good. He rolled the smoke around his mouth while he thought and then blew it out slowly. ]

Look, you're a good guy, a good ally. Just don't trouble yourself none. Ain't worth it.

Impossible not to let some of your vernacular to infect the rest of us.

[ The scent of tobacco hung heavy in the small room. Hanzo's nose twitched at the smell; he didn't dislike it so much as there was a lot of it. Inviting himself to fix the issue, Hanzo walked across the cramped room and opened the only window in it. Briefly looking out at the view of the ocean before turning his attention back on McCree. ]

And why is it not worth it? What do you have to lose.

[ They were allies and from Hanzo's perspective this was just McCree being stubborn about letting Hanzo in on something he clearly already knew. ]

My word may not amount to much with you but I have no intention of being untrustworthy - not after your organization was gracious enough to accept [ He paused. ] To accept a person like me.

[ His life.

If the wrong person found out what he was it could cost him his life. Worse, someone might sell him out to Talon and he could end up on their examination table again. He had no intention of being their science experiment ever again. Jesse rolled his shoulders as the wolf stirred in the back of his mind, sensing his unease. ]

What about trustin' me when I say it ain't a threat to anyone here and you shouldn't worry? Includin' yourself. It's handled.

[ He hadn't outright said it but at least he was somewhat acknowledging the truth. Still, it was easier to talk around it instead of actually saying it. Hanzo hadn't outright said it so he wasn't going to outright say it. He felt safer letting him assume something instead of admitting it.

He figured it might be enough. Maybe. Hanzo was a stubborn bastard. He might not accept anything Jesse said. At least he hadn't asked any invasive questions yet and hadn't accused him of anything. That was a small relief. ]

No.

[ Hanzo returned, flatly and with biting immediacy. There was more to such a direct answer, however. McCree he trusted because it was only fair to demand something of the man and offer it in return. There was no reason not to, really. Genji spoke highly of him on multiple and Hanzo trusted his brother. But he was not going to drop this and nor did he think it was just "handled" simple as that.

On the other hand, Hanzo knew went to give. This wasn't over but he could stand to be more tactful ]

You, I trust. [ He amended after a moment. ]

How much control is there...between the two.

[ If McCree wanted to speak indirectly then Hanzo could play along. All he really wanted to know is where the man ends and the beast begins. If it could even be so easily defined. ]

Tell me about the dragons.

[ He jerked his chin towards Hanzo's tattooed arm. He had seen them in battle, huge massive storms of death that tore through people. Genji had explained his dragon once, that it was a spirit that the Shimadas could control. Talon records said they had tried to do something similar. ]

You control them right? They give you anything extra special?

[ Hanzo want to know about the wolf well Jesse wanted a trade. He wasn't the only one with something supernatural about them. Maybe that's why the wolf was so cautious around Hanzo. It could sense the bigger predator in the dragons. ]

[ The hand opposite his tattooed arm unconsciously covers the shoulder where a blue and gold tail twist near the collarbone. Suddenly he was the one being scrutinized and Hanzo cursed to himself because, really, turnabout was fair play. ]

Control? [ Hanzo had to stifle a rueful laugh. Only a Shimada could control the dragons, something he said more as a threat or point of pride than something that was entirely true. Control was not the right word. ]

It is hereditary and no less apart of myself than my arm but at a cost. Does your gun whisper to you? Demanding to be satiated even when you are among your allies? It is an honor to bear a dragon, a privilege to carry two. But is its own burden, and it can be a heavy one.

Much as I love her Peacekeeper doesn't talk.

[ He pulled the cigarillo from his mouth and rubbed his hand over it. Peacekeeper was just a gun that he knew very, very well. They had worked together for years and he knew her as well as he knew his own breath, his own heartbeat. The wolf was another entity entirely.

Sounded something like the dragons. He looked at Hanzo, really looked at him. The wolf growled a warning. No, they shouldn't trust this man. The dragons were dangerous. They shouldn't know their secret. They would tear a wolf like them apart. ]

Dominance sometimes is a problem but... [ He shrugged and shoved the cigarillo back in his mouth. The wolf was not happy with him. They were making the wrong decision. They shouldn't trust this one and his dragons. ] You folks are pack. You protect pack. Like I said, no one's in danger. ]

[ Hanzo stood in silence for a time. It was unbecoming of a Shimada to speak of the dragons outside of the head family, but this was an outside the usual context. Genji of course understood but the green dragon that carried through their line was known to be the more docile among them. The two-headed beast coiling in his blood was capricious and never satisfied for long. The duality between the dragons was what now softened his opinion of McCree. Wrestling that kind of control was something he never knew anyone else to grasp. ]

It is not dominance, it is balance.

[ To what he was referring was purposely nebulous. ]

That is not the impression I was given last night. [ Perhaps that was unkind, but McCree had announced himself by attempting to frighten him off. ]

Pretty sure only one of us took a shot.

[ It was a warning last night. Hanzo was the one to make it violent. Might do the archer some good to remember that when Hanzo took the shot he ran away and hid. It would've been very easy for a wolf of his size to take down Hanzo. Except for the dragons, probably. He didn't want to see the wolf inside him face the dragons inside Hanzo. ]

Last night's different. Won't happen again.

[ He would go farther from the watchpoint and make sure to avoid any human scent until it was close to dawn. Maybe he'd see about returning to the metal cage that he first stayed in on the full moon when he had no control. ] Like I said you shouldn't worry about it.

[ Hanzo bristled at that and very much wanted to remind McCree he was not in the wrong for assuming a wolf the size of a small vehicle running inside the base could be perceived as a threat to others. Thinking he said enough in the sharp, leveling stare he gave the other man he let the matter drop. That was past them now. ]

Now that I have been made aware of the situation I see no reason for us to concern ourselves with a repeat performance. The base is as much your's as it is mine. [ That was his way of saying that McCree didn't need to further distance himself if that was his concern. And then, almost sheepishly for the likes of Hanzo: ]

Forgive me for...whistling at you.

[ The wolf snarled. The base was his, not Hanzo's and certainly not the dragon's. Jesse ignored it. It was just cranky from not getting enough rest. He ran his hand through his hair and rubbed it over his face. ]

Pretty sure I said when you first showed up it wasn't a problem. If you ain't worried what did you really want comin' to see me? [ The whistling wasn't an issue. It was weird and it seemed to embarrass Hanzo now but he didn't care about it. Jesse would do him a favor and not draw attention to it. ]

Just lookin' to gawk? See if you can pull a beast out of me?

Do not insult me. [ Hanzo said, tersely. Something tightened in his arm that was more potent than a strained muscle. Dragons were proud and did not like having their apologies taken lightly, but Hanzo was not a dragon. He was a man caught in odd circumstances. ]

I am attempting civility because we are on the same side. Do not stand there and act as if I just snapped my fingers and told you to heel.

[ Something inaudible to anyone but Hanzo rumbled, pleased at the idea. That it would show the wolf who held real power. He quickly stifled it, he wasn't a brute. ]

It ain't an insult, it's a question. I don't get what you want.

[ That was the problem. Hanzo knew what he was and nothing. Just the usual stoicism. He could try scenting him except he had filled the room with tobacco smoke. Hanzo's scent was there but it was muffled under the heavy, thick, stinking smoke.

Roughly Jesse jammed the end of his cigarillo against his prosthetic which had very little sensors in it so that he could do things like punch brick walls and use to deflect bullets. He wasn't supposed to put his smokes out on it but what Angie didn't know wouldn't hurt her. ]

People find out and they drill me with questions. You just come in here and what? Need to check me for fleas?

[ Even if he knew it was metal, Hanzo reflexively winced when McCree snuffed out the cigarillo on the metal of his arm. Technology had come so far it was easy to forget what ceased to be part of the natural human body. He only need look at the damage done to his brother for that reminder. ]

I do not want anything.

[ Hanzo said, back on the defensive. A man of few words it was now backfiring when he could not find the right ones to assuage this suspicious air between them. He wanted answers, sure, but surely that was as far removed from wanting to extort something out McCree as one could be. He sighed, and then allowed for more transparency. ]

After what happened what I want is to understand.