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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

[ Even in the event someone had attempted to talk him out of these late night strolls, Hanzo would have blown them off. He was on obstinate man to be sure and wasn't going to tolerate being told he could not do something as simple as walk the property on which he occupied. Wolves could gnash their teeth under the sharpest in their jaws were ground into nothingness and it would still not dissuade him.

When the wolf - when McCree announces his presence, Hanzo does not startle. In fact he doesn't even appear fazed enough to break stride. Unarmed and still humming, Hanzo pays the wolf one glance in his direction, a curt nod - and keeps walking.

If the animal meant to display dominance or try to rouse a reaction out of him then Hanzo would have no part in it. Confident enough to walk with his back exposed. ]

[ Oh.

Apparently they weren't having a conversation at all. The wolf was also confused by being dismissed so easily by a pack member and instantly blamed the dragons.

Jesse debated a second and then trotted after Hanzo. He slipped around to walk next to him. With as big as he was he was pretty much right up to Hanzo's hip, somewhat taller. He kept his missing leg towards the cliff wall where nothing could flank him and come at his weak side.

This was weird. The wolf didn't want to be ignored but was more frustrated than angry. Jesse would've been happy to leave Hanzo walking by himself but apparently they didn't get that tonight. ]

[ The dragons were oddly calm tonight. Hanzo felt no ache up the bones and his skin didn't feel agitated when he was around the others. Quiet and stationary as the dual heads snarling up his arm in ink.

For a time, Hanzo said nothing. Only letting his gaze flitting down to see the wolf amble up beside him. Despite being three-legged the wolf's gait was remarkably smooth even as he lopped along somewhat. ]

Summer still lingers, it is rather warm tonight.

[ Hanzo remarked mildly, as though he were speaking to the McCree that walked on two legs instead of three. ]

With all that fur I do not envy you.

[ While there was a breeze from the ocean it was hot. Jesse had his summer coat - shedding was a bitch - but it was still warm and he was panting, tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth.

He tilted his head to the side to look at Hanzo, trying to shoot him a look that said 'no shit' because really? He wanted to talk about the weather? The wolf rumbled annoyance. It wasn't great at conversation sort of like Hanzo himself.

The storm scent was pretty strong this up close. It was intense but not as violent as usual. Hanzo smelled like a steady summer rain instead of a thunder cloud. It was nice. The wolf felt superior to the dragons for once without having to prove itself. ]

[ That dog smell was still something Hanzo had to get used to. It was terrible and fortunately McCree wasn't wet, but Hanzo did not grow up around dogs. They were not as common in Japan so this was something of a novelty.

Hanzo glanced down and parsed from the lingering stare and tilt to McCree's head this thread of conversation did not please the wolf. Hanzo gave a short, subdued chuckle at that. ]

I grow tired.

[ Hanzo announced as he walked ahead of the wolf to cross over the road and seat himself on an outcropping of rocks. He was not actually tired, but this did happen to be best spot along the path to see the ocean below. ]

[ Tired? Already? Jesse was skeptical. He had seen Hanzo in battle before and the man could keep fighting for hours. That bow of his was not easy to draw over and over for a long time. A walk along the cliffs was not going to exhaust a skilled fighter like him.

He debated for a second. The wolf wanted to go explore the cliffs, maybe climb down to the ocean to see what was down there. He could find some dead fish to roll in which the wolf really, really enjoyed. Jesse hated it.

They fought for a moment, man snapping at wolf, wolf snapping at man, and then Jesse won. He trotted over to Hanzo, hopped up onto the rock and after another debate with the two sides of himself and then firmly and deliberately sat down. There wolf side, take that. ]

[ Going off body language, Hanzo would have guessed that McCree was experiencing a moment of deliberation. In-fighting between the man and the wolf. Hanzo did not have to guess as to what had given him pause, but does think the man had won the argument when the wolf settles beside him.

Still now, Hanzo could feel the ocean breeze carry up from the cliffs and it had a calming effect on him. Not thinking of the wolf beside him, Hanzo closed his eyes and took the time to just clear his head. It was pleasant.

Caught up in the moment, Hanzo turned to the wolf and almost unconsciously saw his hand gingerly reach towards the wolf's side. Remembering this was a wolf, and more important McCree, Hanzo retracted his hand before he could embarrass them both by petting him. ]

Ah - forgive me.

[ The breeze was nice, actually, very cooling. Jesse just rolled over onto his side and let the cool ocean winds take away some of the heat. Even the wolf calmed which was really unusual for a full moon night. Usually, it was restless and needing to hunt something.

Instead, they were relaxed. Both man and beast. It was a really odd sensation because normally they had to be completely exhausted.

He kept an eye on Hanzo because even relaxed they were still a three legged giant wolf and didn't exactly like being on their side like this. He still caught Hanzo reaching for him and it wasn't an attack but he couldn't figure out what it was until Hanzo jerked his hand back.

His face stretched into a wolfish grin. He caught him. ]

[ That was most definitely a smile - toothier and wider than anything a human could accomplish but there was an intelligence behind it. As well as self-satisfaction. Grinning like the cat that caught the canary, or the wolf catching the dragon.

Hanzo braced his hands on his knees, sharply facing forward and sniffed at McCree as though he were the offended party. Giving the wolf the cold shoulder rather than dare admit his pride and equanimity had just taken a blow.

Of course he was curious what that fur felt like, who wouldn't be? Even with his face twisted into a glower, Hanzo glanced back once than twice at McCree. Watching to see if the wolf was going to continue managing to look so smug for something which lacked human expression. ]

[ There was no way the smugness was going to go away. Hanzo wanted to pet him. The dragons wanted to pet him. That even made the wolf feel smug.

Out of curiosity, Jesse took a moment to stretch and then rolled over. He flopped down and his back bumped against Hanzo's leg.

His fur was surprisingly smooth - now that he got rid of all the shedding - there was a top coat that was rough and under that the soft second coat. That second coat was the reason he was very warm almost all the time.

It was a silent invitation. Hanzo could investigate if he wanted. ]

[ Now Hanzo had come to regret mocking McCree some time ago about rolling on his back. When it had actually happened the grand irony was Hanzo was at a loss. McCree had in the past snarled at him and bared those vicious teeth, but what actually got Hanzo to startle was the suddenness of such a massive animal flopping down against him.

Hanzo just sat frozen for a moment, staring down at McCree. No, no he couldn't possibly be-

His own body language betrayed him in the end as he showed clear curiosity, even interest. Hanzo ever so slowly reached out and started near the neck. Scratching gently along McCree's hackles before smoothing his hands over the wolf's massive back and down his russet flank. It was smooth, almost even well cared for.

A smile eased into being - Hanzo was actually enjoying this. ]

[ The last time anyone touched him it with Angela who was healing him. She was quick, medical and didn't pet him. Angela was very respectful and always treated him like a person. This was the first time someone had pet him. Like actually pet him.

It was strange because it was comforting, settling, even the wolf didn't get nervous which surprised him. The dragons were close, so close, but the wolf wasn't worried. That was... really odd.

His tail lifted and thumped back to the ground once. It was actually him wagging his tail. Jesse couldn't remember doing that in the long years he had been part wolf. That actually worried him a bit. What was going on?

He huffed out a breath and lifted his head so he could look over his shoulder at Hanzo. Who was smiling. Jesse couldn't remember ever seeing that either. ]

[ There was a question of how appropriate this was, truth be told. Hanzo remembered there would be gaps in McCree's memory when he shifted back and this was ultimately still a person. A person, even one with thick fur and wagging tail, he was now petting with both hands. How much of this was McCree and how much was an animal. The entire situation was as strange as could prove to be disastrous. ]

Should you want me to stop, stop wagging your tail.

[ Hanzo said, taking advantage of McCree lifting his head to scritch him under the chin with one hand. Keeping his other hand running along McCree's flank as he pat and petted soft fur. ]

[ He groaned and threw his good front paw over his eyes. Oh God, he was wagging his tail like he was some sort of lap dog just because Hanzo was petting him. This was the most embarrassing thing he had ever done.

Since no one was around to see him chase his tail from time to time he didn't count those.

The wolf, though, didn't care. It felt good, really good. In a pack structure wolves were friendly and physically affectionate with one another. Jesse was a friendly guy but it didn't fully satisfy the wolf quite as much. Sitting around watching movies with the others wasn't the same as running around, playing and touching together when he was like this. This was a packmate taking care of a packmate and that was good. It strengthened and settled pack bonds.

It might be easier for him to drift and let the wolf take over since the wolf didn't care. The wolf was happy. Jesse was confused by all this even though he had started it. Hopefully the dragons didn't get testy. ]

[ Ah, so there was enough of McCree on the surface to be mortified by his own enjoyment. Hanzo might have even been sympathetic were he not the perpetrator.

Some part of Hanzo, or perhaps it wasn't Hanzo at all but what hid within him, seemed to register that this was somehow what the wolf wanted. Hanzo knew next to nothing about animals but he understood pack structure, or at least positive reinforcement. It was even a little saddening to consider McCree was denied this either out of pride or the others never thought to do this. That he initiated it hinted to that.

A slight twinge of pain shot up his arm, and Hanzo's hands stilled. There it was - the dragons were noble creatures but given to possessiveness. Or at the very least, too proud to allow for this indulgent behavior of a creature they saw as beneath them. Hanzo ignored this for as long as he could but eventually he did not want to make this more difficult for McCree.

Hanzo patted McCree's side once before he rose. ]

I should retire, it is late. Goodnight.

[ Was all he said, turning back down the path towards base. How the tables were turned and now the dragon was slinking back to his room. To wait out the rest of the night rather than think to long on what had just happened. ]

[ The scent of thunder and lightning hit Jesse's nose and the wolf was instantly on alert. That was the scent of the dragons. The wolf was very alert to that scent. He was on his feet before Hanzo even spoke, scrambling back a bit because they fully expected the dragons to attack.

Instead, Hanzo left. Jesse was left very confused. Why did the dragons suddenly appear? Were they threatened by the wolf? The wolf thought so. They had reacted to their pack bonding. They had to be threatened by the wolf getting close to their master.

Jesse thought it was more complicated than that. If the dragons were anything like the wolf it was definitely more complicated than that but after that Jesse wasn't in the mood for complicated. He let the wolf take the helm and they went down to the ocean to roll in some dead fish if they could find anything.

They brought one of the dead fish back up to the watchpoint and left it outside Hanzo's door before he scrambled off to hide in his own room. ]

[ Waking up that morning was a hangover without the headache or roiling nausea. Only the sudden stab of regret and embarrassment of the previous night squeezing an exacerbated groan out of Hanzo as he turned his face into the pillow. He had spent the night petting another agent as though he were a dog. Technically but only half true.

And McCree had just let him. That was the strangest part.

Hanzo forced himself out of bed at a decent hour, only to stop near his door when hit with a powerful smell. An unpleasant, half rotted stench intermingled with sea water.

That was when he found the fish. Luckily, no one was within earshot to hear his disgusted squawk before he managed to clean it up.

This time Hanzo did not knock. He just waltzed in, and in a surprisingly calm if somewhat baffled tone of voice, said - not asked ]

You left a dead fish outside my door.

Edited 2016-09-10 04:10 (UTC)

[ Jesse hadn't even put his prosthetic back on. He was mostly hung over from the full moon, the wolf exhausted and yes there was the smell of dead fish in the room. The window was open to try and lessen the smell.

He looked hung over, dark bags under his eyes and his head hanging low. He was tired. His room was horrible. He just wanted to sleep and here was Hanzo. Of course. ]

It's a wolf thing.

[ He slumped down onto his bed and threw his arm over his eyes. The wolf often brought things back to the watchpoint to provide for his pack. It was one of those things that instinct ruled sometimes. He hadn't left anyone a specific thing like that before. That was new behavior. He didn't want to think about it. ]

Bring the pack food. Take care of the pack. Can you wait for me to get some sleep before I go clean it up?

[ Hanzo had taken two steps into the room before he was struck by the stench. He grimaced before clapping his hand over his mouth. Then, taking in the state of Jesse's room, came to a decision. ]

Absolutely not.

[ It was not clear what exactly Hanzo meant until he was at McCree's bedside, giving his good shoulder a firm shake. ]

Up. You will take a quick shower then you will sleep in my room until you are well. This room is filthy, you are filthy and all this is exacerbating your poor health.

[ The way Hanzo had said it removed any hope for debate. ]

Now. You will sleep on a clean bed and I will take care of this...disaster. That fits into this whole pack mentality does it not?

[ Make a top to bottom scrub down of someone's messy room that reeked of fish wasn't exactly pack bonding, but Hanzo was not going to let McCree recuperate like this. ]

[ Jesse growled deep in his chest, an actual wolf sound and he showed his teeth which were actual fangs at the moment. He did not want to get out of bed. They wanted to sleep. ]

My poor health is from shifting forms. I told you it hurts like a bitch.

[ He lifted his arm so he could see Hanzo and his eyes had a shining golden tint to them and were slightly more wolf-like they had ever been before. There was just a moment where he thought about throwing the man out physically but goddamn he was tired. ]

Just let me get some sleep and I'll be fine.

[ He covered his face with his arm again. At least with Hanzo this close he could smell the storm and not fish. It was nice. ]

Then hurt like a bitch somewhere that does not look worse than you do.

[ Hanzo snapped back at McCree, lightning crackling unheard and unseen from somewhere deep within him. Staring down golden eyes and a flash of teeth without even blinking. ]

Forgo the shower but you will not sleep here. Because I would not be stopped should I decide to drag you to my quarters here and now.

[ Any other time, Hanzo would have blanched at his own phrasing but this wasn't any other time. Underneath all this was something more primal. Dominance. ]

You really don't want to test me this morin' partner.

[ The scent of a brewing storm put the wolf's back up too. That was the dragons and the dragons did not belong in their den, their safe place. The dragons were not going to threaten them here. ]

I get it, you're pissed about the fish. Sorry. Can't control it sometimes. I swear I'll take care of it. But I need at least an hour before I can be real functional.

[ There was something like a whine and a growl in his voice. The wolf wanted to dominated and the man wanted sympathy. It made for an interesting conflict. One of their personalities would win. He wasn't sure which one would but he knew it would be interesting. ]

[ Hanzo's more metaphorical hackles slackened because he simply did not want to argue with McCree. Right now this was all bark with no bite, so to speak. The dragons would have to settle, he was not looking for things to escalate. ]

I am not- ! [ Hanzo bit back his own shout, then pinched the bridge of his nose. He was certainly annoyed to find a dead fish outside his door at this hour, but McCree couldn't have possibly thought this was all just to spite him. ]

You are mistaken. I am not angry, I am concerned much as you may wish to deny me capable of such a feat.

You're concerned because I brought you a fish? [ Higher brain functions were a little rough right now. He didn't know why Hanzo should be concerned. The wolf brought him food after spending the night investigating the beach and rolling around in stinky ocean things.

With a groan he sat up and faced Hanzo. He was not getting out of this conversation until the archer was satisfied apparently. The wolf and the man were not happy about this. He got cranky when he was tired. ]

Look, the room smells because I went to the beach and rolled around in a bunch of shit. I'm tired because the transformation is hard. Some sleep, some food, and cleaning up and I'll be right as rain.

[ He reached out to clap him on the shoulder, the not dragon shoulder because he imagined those wouldn't like him. ]

No.

[ Hanzo said, flatly. He was concerned because maybe while correlation does not always imply causation there was a noticeable shift in their dynamic. He knew from observation that sometimes dead animals would be found outside the base. So - what? Hanzo pets McCree once and suddenly he's the focus of instinct driving pack mentality? ]

I wash my hands of this. [ Hand already on the door, Hanzo turned back and said. ] Your room is still disgusting. Rest, then we are taking care of it. Just because you turn into an animal does not mean you will live like one.

[ Hanzo had the dragons and he wasn't living in a river granting farmers luck and bringing the rains. ]