Fandom 5K Letter 2025

[majorr]

Dear Author,

Coming up with prompts is fun for me, but I’m totally fine if you get your own idea. I love surprises and can’t wait to see what you come up with. Thank you so much for writing something for me!

AO3: Major

General Likes: Mutual Pining, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, UST, Angst, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Hurt/Comfort, Misunderstandings, Jealousy, Vulnerability, Possessiveness, Codependency, Loyalty, Family, Protectiveness, Get-Together or Established Relationship, 5 + 1, Storms, Canon Divergence, Stranded, Adventure, Wilderness Survival, Camping, Bed Sharing, Murder Mystery, Twenty-Four Hours to Live, Humor, Fluff, First Kiss, Hand Holding, Flirting, Banter, Bonding, Third Act Breakup + Make up, Outsider POV, Vignettes, Drabbles

Do Not Want: PWP, Mpreg, Incest, Babies/Pregnancies, Genderswap, Non-Con, Unrequited Love, De-Aging, AUs (Except Canon Divergence or When Prompted), Animal Harm/Death, Fishing/Hunting, Second Person POV

The Hobbit (Jackson Movies)
Bilbo Baggins/Bofur
Getting Together, Established Relationship, Interpersonal Drama, Humor, Angst, Canon-Style Plot, Fluff, Slice of Life

This is such a sweet ship for me. These two feel like they ride the same moral flow, loyal and driven to do the right thing even when it puts themselves at risk. There’s such a gentle kindness to Bofur that made him feel like a soft, safe place for Bilbo to land. The Shire is one of my favorite peaceful settings, so it makes me happy that Bilbo made it back home in one piece and had such a peaceful and beautiful place to live after what he went through on his adventure. I’m also good with fic that takes place elsewhere if Bilbo goes off to visit his friends and spends time with Bofur that way. I’m cool with the story taking place during the movies, post-movies, or in the future. Other characters that are welcome: any of the Dwarves, Tauriel, Thranduil, OC Elves, Bard, Gandalf, Radagast, Elrond, all good; or if it takes place in their later years: Frodo, Sam, Pippin, or Merry at any age, OC Hobbits or Dwarves.

Prompts:

• Bilbo discovers that whispering to Bofur who is the other one who falls asleep last at night calms his nerves on the journey and deliberately sleeps closer to him, then subconsciously closer, until they’re spooning/cuddling most nights, and he starts to lose track of who made what move when. He just knows that he starts to feel the distance between them during the day, and his heart gets creative about ways to close it.


• Moments from their long-term, long-distance relationship. Ideas: they break up early on because the distance feels like too much, they make up and get back together when they realize their broken hearts aren’t mending, finding ways to find fulfillment with their arrangement, happy reunions over the years, sad but loving ‘see ya later’s over the years, love letters, gifts sent to and from, Bofur’s visits to the Shire, Bilbo’s visits to the Dwarves, Bofur and Bilbo’s vacations together (whether peaceful and loving or adventurous and exciting), the difference between their first kiss hello on a visit and their last kiss goodbye before departing, a life together filled with longing and fulfillment and love.


• Any kind of cultural difference that causes a misunderstanding while they’re trying and comically failing to court. The kind of Dwarven gesture that turns out to be offensive to hobbits or a hobbit overture that makes Bofur think he’s getting friend-zoned.


• Bilbo gets sick and very fatigued while they’re traveling together, and they get attacked by orcs. I love how competent the Dwarves are at battle, and I’d love Bofur defending Bilbo who can’t currently protect himself at all being emotionally distressed with worry for Bilbo’s helplessness and the pressure to protect him from harm.


• Mutual Pining - Bilbo is visiting the Dwarves when Bofur’s parents announce they’ve arranged a marriage for Bofur with an eligible Dwarf warrior. Bilbo being emotionally distraught, Bofur not knowing what to do and kind of floundering because he hadn’t gotten up the nerve to do something about pining for Bilbo yet, emotional messes and misunderstandings and panic and love.


• The Dwarves host an adventure competition, and Bilbo signs up because he knows Bofur loves it. Stuff like crossing a rickety old bridge over hungry crocodiles, swimming across freezing water to get to the other side, navigating through a booby-trapped mine, etc. Love makes you do stupid things, and Bilbo figures this is undoubtedly the stupidest… while trying his hardest to impress Bofur and not die, if possible.


• Their first kiss happens in the middle of an argument. Possibly in the rain.


• Bofur using his physical strength gently somehow, like lifting Bilbo off his feet while kissing or carrying him when he’s tired or ill.


• Future Fic with Background Sam/Frodo - Bilbo realizes Frodo is in love with Sam after making parallels of his behavior around him with his own behavior around Bofur in the early days of their courting. Dual timelines or conversations or introspection all welcome approaches.

I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017)
Ruth Kimke/Tony
Getting Together, Established Relationship, Interpersonal Drama, Humor, Angst, Canon-Style Plot, Fluff, Slice of Life, Mystery/Procedural

Tony is one of my favorite comedic characters ever, totally without him meaning to be. Lmao He’s such a weird, earnest little dude, and his instant commitment to the cause despite not knowing Ruth beforehand just added to the hilarity. Loyalty forged fairly quickly with them in a way that both baffles and makes sense because they were both seeking something absent in their lives. Tony had strange and limited social skills, and Ruth was doom spiraling with dissatisfaction with people and life and people. It was kismet how they met and came together at the exact right time for both of them, filling gaps for each other. I found their relationship hilarious and endearing and really, very sweet. Whether they’re off on more hijinks together or Ruth is finding meaning that relieves some of her depressive thoughts and Tony is blissfully in love, I’d just really like more of them.

Prompts:

• A handsome new guy in the neighborhood begins hitting on Ruth right in front of Tony like he’s a nonissue who’s not even there every time they run into him. Maybe to up the absurdity of his brashness, Tony and Ruth could be holding hands or otherwise be obviously together to up the dismissive behavior. How awkward is that for Ruth, and possibly more importantly, how does oddball Tony deal with it in the moment and decide to deal with it overall? I’m laughing even posing the question because I have no idea, but I feel like it would be atypical.


• They go to a convention for that fantasy book series they were reading. Ruth isn’t really into it, and Tony is a little too into it. Do they get into some kind of adventure/trouble there, or is it a simple nerdy comedy of sorts?


• Any kind of humorous fic that highlights Tony’s weirdness. I love that he’s kind and has a moral code about fairness, supports Ruth from the jump without question, was clearly lonely but was searching for community (in his church) and was happy to accept Ruth into his life. I love that he has Kevin, and his quirkiness was hilarious to me. Anything that leans in to that.


• Casefic of any kind. The way these two partnered up was extremely entertaining, and I’d love to see them tackle a mystery together. Stakeouts? Murder board? Maybe someone is stealing from the collection plate where Tony goes to church or Ruth is suspicious of a death where she works as a nurse. Or something mundane and comedic like finding out who emailed them spoilers for the next book in the fantasy series they’re reading.


• The cat distribution system leads Tony and Kevin to be followed home by a chonky cat. He and Ruth decide to adopt it. Cute fluff, domestic fluff, sharing a pet as a next step in their relationship, their happy growing family making them realize they’re ready to move in together: that kind of thing.


• Kevin gets off his leash, runs off and goes missing while Ruth is walking him, and she panics. I like this as an event that makes her realize the depths of her feelings for Tony because obviously he’s going to hate her forever for losing his dog, and she can’t see a way to make it right and poor Kevin could be anywhere and feelings. (But please let Kevin be okay and come home in some way.)


• Canon Divergence - What if it was Ruth that got stabbed instead of Tony? How would that have changed the events at the end?


• One or more of the bad guys survives, avoids jail, and comes after them.

The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien
Frodo Baggins/Samwise Gamgee, Gimli/Legolas Greenleaf

Frodo/Sam
Getting Together, Established Relationship, Interpersonal Drama, Humor, Angst, Canon-Style Plot, Fluff, Slice of Life

My ultimate loyalty ship. I adore the devotion between them, the unbreakable bond, the incomparable shared trauma and history. I would love something lighthearted or soft and low stakes or something angsty or dramatic. Pre-War, during the quest, No War, or Post-War are all fine. The Shire is one of my favorite peaceful settings, the gardens and clear skies and little rivers, that sense of simple peace and contentment. Somewhere for them to rest and be at ease after everything they’ve been through or somewhere innocent and free if it’s before they set off with the ring. Friendship as a solid foundation for love, and the two of them finding happiness together. I love the class disparity between them and how that can create obstacles or conflict for them. I always love a good dose of angst or pining or emotional distress with a happy ending.

Prompts:

• 5 + 1 During Quest - 5 times a member of the Fellowship noticed Sam and Frodo cuddling in sleep or semi-privacy, and 1 time they cuddled openly in front of everyone. Either established relationship or pre-relationship while they’re still dancing around their feelings for each other or some mixture between sections is all cool with me.


• While on their own, Galadriel appears to them and says she’s found a way to magically swap Sam as Frodo’s companion for another Fellowship member if he believes it would help. I would love the angst of Frodo going into severe emotional distress when Sam wants to entertain the idea. I feel like Sam would never willingly leave Frodo’s side unless he felt that a swap like that would be best for him (even if it would just about kill him to leave) so he feels like he has to at least make the case for someone else to take his place like Aragorn for his fighting ability or Gandalf for his wizardry. Mostly what I want from this is Frodo never for a second entertaining it as a real option because he needs Sam specifically with him no matter the advantages others might bring.


• Shire centric pre-war or no war - A new wealthy hobbit takes up residence in the Shire and Sam takes up some extra work from him. It seems fine until Frodo overhears him talking down to Sam while he’s working like he’s less than him in a way meant to keep him down and in his place. The kind of man who’s friendly and nice to other wealthy people and a condescending jerk with anyone poorer. Is Sam humiliated that Frodo overheard him being talked down to like that? How does Frodo react?


• Sam joins a team sport (for fun, for the winning prize, etc.), and as a dedicated spectator, Frodo realizes he doesn’t have a crush on Sam after all. He’s fully in love with him. Is it watching his skill? Being jealous of other loud fans of his? Seeing him get hurt? What triggers his awareness?


• Sam is angry with Frodo, and Frodo is too decorous to outright ask him what he’s done to earn his ire. Tension and confusion, maybe a misunderstanding or Frodo legitimately hurting or offending Sam in a way he didn’t know was hurtful or offensive. The core of my interest here is my curiosity about how Sam would, as respectful and good as he is, subtly express his anger in a way that Frodo would be caught off guard by maybe but definitely still pick up. And the way Frodo might attempt to approach the issue with worry and care, not used to anything but welcome and kindness from Sam.


• Frodo Falls First. Any flavor of this would be loved. Oblivious Sam not understanding when Frodo is attempting to flirt or make a move on him because he simply doesn’t see him that way, or maybe because of their differences in station, he’s compartmentalized him in a place where he isn’t even a possibility so any feelings for him are sorted away neatly. Frodo blushing when his overtures fail. Sam mentioning a date not realizing he’s shattering Frodo’s hopes and dreams and heart. Sam walking in on Frodo trying to get advice from Bilbo or Gandalf since his efforts are falling flat and them clamming up. Frodo being territorial. Frodo bringing Sam refreshments while he’s working in the garden and lingering to try to flirt and Sam wondering wtf is up with him. Lol Anything!


• Frodo intervenes when he notices that another gentlehobbit is trying to use Sam’s illiteracy to swindle him out of a fair trade. Afterward, he decides to teach Sam how to read. Frodo learns something from the lessons as well: his affection for Sam goes far deeper than friendly fondness.


• At a celebratory event in Buckland, Frodo notices Sam (who is there helping cater) is acting distant, stiff, and overly formal. Another hobbit in attendance has been making lewd comments to him, and Frodo sees him smack Sam’s butt with his own eyes. Sam is mortified by the harassment. Frodo is livid. What happens?

Gimli/Legolas
Getting Together, Established Relationship, Interpersonal Drama, Humor, Angst, Canon-Style Plot, Fluff, Slice of Life

The journey with these guys! The literal one and the figurative one. I love the progression between them from ‘you suck’ to ‘anyway I’d die for you.’ Iconic. The trust, the loyalty, the humor, a bond forged in dangerous times that required courage and commitment: I love everything about them. I’m particularly fond of their friendship with Aragorn and love the Fellowship as a whole so any other characters needed for support are fine. I am always obsessed with any and all problems that arise with their cultural differences, so if you’re looking for an underlying issue or conflict for them to deal with throughout the fic, misunderstandings in this direction that cause upset, confusion, heartbreak, or anger are something I always enjoy in fics about these two.

Prompts:

• Pre-relationship while Legolas is trying to get up the nerve to tell Gimli the depth of his feelings. During an awkward dinner where Legolas has brought Gimli home to meet his father, Thranduil announces that he’s selected an elf for Legolas to wed. The emotional chaos that news would throw Legolas in, Gimli having to see Legolas introduced/interact with the elf of Thranduil’s choosing for him and maybe approaching Legolas with the idea of leaving early and cutting his visit there short because his heart is broken he knows Legolas will be busy with the arrangements. Legolas’s internal panic over everything going wrong. How do things go from that disaster to HEA?


• 5 + 1 - 5 times Legolas’s heart broke after Gloin announces that he’s given a handsome, warrior dwarf permission to court Gimli, and 1 time Gimli heals Legolas’s heart by giving him his own.


• Merman AU - King Thranduil accepts the task of protecting the dwarf Gimli from a targeted threat against him by harboring him with his people while the Dwarves attempt to take care of the situation, and the princeling Legolas is delegated the duty of guarding him while he’s under their care. Open antagonism to friendship to love. Is Legolas able to sunbathe on rocks for certain amounts of time? Does he become more reluctant to leave the surface the more attached to Gimli he gets/the more he worries for his safety on land alone even within their barriers? What happens if Gimli’s would-be assassin figures out where he is and makes it inside the royal seawalls to kill Gimli?


• Post-War, Pre-Relationship Pining - Legolas and Gimli accidentally trigger a spell, curse, or hex that makes it impossible for them to touch. Aragorn makes a joke of it, thinking it won’t matter too much that they don’t know a way to reverse it. Legolas and Gimli try to play along, but the absence of all of their small touches becomes increasingly difficult to deal with and the yearning they’d already been struggling with shoots up several degrees as the future they’d been pining for looks impossible now.


• Post-War Traveling Together - Legolas notices that Gimli becomes more touchy-feely when he’s exhausted or sleep deprived: absently holding him by his waist as they talk, stroking his hair, resting his hand over his while nodding off on the horse, etc. Legolas starts encouraging them to stay up later as a result. Lol Does he feel guilty about it? How does Gimli react when he figures out what he’s doing or Legolas confesses from guilt?


• Their first kiss happens in the middle of an argument. Possibly in the rain.


• I don’t know how it happens, maybe in the heat of battle with orcs, but one of Legolas’s arrows accidentally hits Gimli. Gimli physical hurt/comfort and Legolas emotional hurt/comfort from the absolute horror and shock of his mistake. I can’t imagine the extent of Legolas’s anguish if he hurt Gimli with friendly fire. It can be a graze or a serious injury, but no character death, please.


• I requested Legolas/Gimli in Casefic Ex and would love to see any of these prompts filled! They don’t have to be casefic here if you’re inspired by the prompt in a different genre/direction.