scribblinlenore: (Fall Out Boy: True Love)
scribblinlenore ([personal profile] scribblinlenore) wrote2008-09-29 05:15 pm

Zigging when everyone else is zagging; Or my adventures in bandom

I've been in a weird place fannishly for a little while now. I have shows I love, and I still have warm, fond, fuzzies for my favorite couples, Jeter and A-Rod, John and Rodney, Mal and Simon, Sam and Dean, Peter and Nathan, etc. But I feel kind of tuned out to fandom, which makes me sad. Part of it is being busy at work. When I get home, what I really don't feel like doing is focusing on the computer. Not fun! And also, I've been going through this thing where I find writing really tiring, even if it's not fiction, even if I'm just trying to write, say, a post or an email. This probably goes hand in hand with being busy at work. I get all written and thought out at the office, and then even squeeing about, say, Supernatural feels like too much work. That is SO SAD. I seriously need a vacation.

Anyway, please know that I am squeeing, even if it is quietly and by myself.

There is one thing, though, that is bringing joy to my tired heart. So much joy that I'm making myself focus long enough to write this post. Okay, yes, this new enthusiasm is bandom. Specifically Pete/Patrick. (They're from Fall Out Boy, for the many non-bandomers on my flist.) And I refuse to be ashamed of it! Because they are so cute they fill me with "awwwwwwww!"



Of course, as [livejournal.com profile] swanswan says, you never know when you get a new fannish enthusiasm how long the inspiration will last. So I may be done with bandom next week. Who knows? So far, I've made it to the stage of involvement where I've read tons of stories, watched tons of clips on YouTube and bought two Fall Out Boy CDs and two My Chemical Romance CDs and watched the "I Don't Care" video until my eyes almost dropped out of my head. More commitment to bandom than I ever imagined I'd have!

'Cause, you know, sometimes you just need something to get you through your day. I listen to my new music with my noise canceling headphones on, and writing feels like less of a chore, and people don't interrupt me every five seconds, which is always a bonus. And then the other day, I had to go to the editor's and work on this little video piece for this pitch I'm involved in, and...I gotta be honest. Going to the editor's bores the crap out of me. And we had WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE giving direction on this itty bitty two-minute video. And it's just chaos, and I can't pay attention. So I spent much of the afternoon reading Pete/Patrick porn on my laptop, and it was the BEST TIME I'VE EVER HAD AT THE EDITOR'S.

So, yes, bandom is my crutch.

Which is kind of embarrassing, given all the times I thought, even if I never actually said aloud, "bandom? seriously?" I was quietly full of scoff. And now I'm having this big old deja vu about SGA and how I had the same resistance to it and privately bemoaned that my favorite writers were deserting my fandom for it and then discovered how absolutely awesome it was and was a little sheepish about my newfound love. I would resolve not to quietly scoff ever again, but I know myself too well.

So, as usual, I'm totally trailing along after everyone else in the new fannish enthusiasm department, but, hey, I wouldn't be me if I weren't at least a year late to the party. I really, REALLY want to talk about what I find so utterly endearing about Pete and Patrick, even though I know it's old news to people who are in bandom and not likely to persuade my "bandom? seriously?" friends. But...this is my new toy! I HAVE to talk about it. *bg*

Okay, here's the thing...they are SO CUTE. I like them both separately and even more so together. (Of course, everything I know about them I've learned from fan fiction, so really what I'm saying is that I like them as characters.) Patrick who's down to earth and has this sweet, innocent face and this sometimes fiery temper and all this ridiculous talent. And Pete who's brain never stops buzzing and can be kind of an asshole but in an endearing way and is just over-brimming with affection and need and prank-playing, and I'm not sure there's ever been a more entertaining character than Pete Wentz in the history of EVER.

And then the two of them together! Words + Music. Totally meant to be. It's similar to what I love so much about Jeter and A-Rod. They have this incredibly romantic friendship, even if they're not sleeping together. Although it's totally better if they ARE sleeping together. And there's plenty of real-life fodder for the slash making. Thank you, Pete Wentz!

Also, also, and this is very important. They met when Patrick was only 16! And Pete was 22. Or 23, I'm not entirely sure. Whatever. Details don't matter. What matters is...sweet, sweet Patrick-y innocence. You guys know how much I love that! It's like the good old days of Smallville have come back to me. But with this pair, it's not just the dirty-wrongness of it that I love so much. (Although, let's not kid ourselves, I DO love it.) It's also that Pete RECOGNIZED Patrick when he went to hear him play, recognized who he was going to be. I mean, there's this kid in a sweater vest and black socks, and Pete really SEES him, knows he's a tiny musical genius. I sometimes feel that Pete's truest talent is his ability to spot talent. Although possibly it comes in third after his ability to media whore and merchandise. :)

Okay, and here's one more thing that I love about this pair. Pete and Patrick have very particular personalities and a very particular dynamic that translates well to AUs of all kinds, to both different retellings of their actual history and to complete recasting. It's like SGA in that way, which has always been one of the things I most love about SGA. Pete as the devil, the boys in film school, the entire cast of bandom works in an office, yay!!!

Also, did I mention that Patrick was only 16 when they met???? Yay for besmirching!

Which leads me to story links. I wanted to celebrate some of my favorite, favorite stories that I've read so far. No doubt there is nothing new here for bandom peeps. But non-bandom peeps, seriously, if you're into the besmirching of innocence as I am, or fun fanfic cliches, or cool AUs, you'll enjoy these stories. You really don't need to know anything about the characters. I usually don't believe that when people say it to me, but it's totally true in this case, I swear!


Besmirching:

the last good thing about this part of town by [livejournal.com profile] just_katarin
This story made me more giddy with happiness than anything has in a long, long time. Patrick has a new Government teacher, who didn't learn in teacher school that you're not supposed to let one of your students become your best friend and your favorite person in the whole entire world. Guys! It's just so...charming and real-feeling and endearing and sweet and hot and angsty. Pete is the kind of cool teacher I wish I'd had in school, who really cares about what he's teaching, really wants his students to get involved. And Patrick...well, if you ever had an aching crush on someone when you were young, a teacher or just someone you thought was unattainable, you'll ache along with Patrick in this. Nothing is simple, and there are consequences, and so much love and so much hope. I really could not adore this story more!!

it may be a side effect of the exposure, but i am thinking it's meant to be by [livejournal.com profile] thirdonebetween
Patrick's stuck in high school, and Pete's supposed to be going to college, and Pete texts Patrick about four thousand times a day. This one wins my heart for the most likely way their early friendship went.

Patricksitting (Call It A Love Song) by [livejournal.com profile] adellyna
Pete housesits while Patrick's parents are away. Oh my God, I am so dirty. And this story is so dirty. And I really, really like it that way!

There's also the one where Pete is Patrick's soccer coach that I couldn't find the link for, but trust me when I say that it was delightfully besmirchful (yes! that is a word, I swear it is!).


Other high school adorableness:

thnks fr th mmrs by [livejournal.com profile] rain_dances
This story makes me want to draw flaily hearts all around it! It's an AU in which Pete and Patrick are the same age and in high school together. It's yearbook signing time, and Patrick is so not into it this little year-end ritual, but Pete has something important he wants to tell him. If you find stories where young love is finding its way, and it's confusing and fumbling and intense and nothing is more important and there's all this want and all this fear and does-he-or-doesn't-he...and then he does! Well, this is the story for you.


Fandom cliches/kinks:

I have been in fandoms where fanfic cliches don't make much sense or they're just not very popular, but I really prefer fandoms where they're embraced and loved and used to their fullest. (Thank you, SGA!) And bandom does not disappoint in this regard.

Asking to be born by [livejournal.com profile] longtime_lurker
Okay, okay, MPreg fans? This is the Mpreg story you've been waiting all your life to read! It's long, and takes its time unfolding, and is filled with very intense and real emotions. Uncertainty and fear and joy and anger and a delicate, delicate hope. Few MPreg stories, or at least among the ones I've read or...written for that matter, make you really feel the danger of a man carrying a child, make you confront the consequences of the decision to try to bring this unlikely life into the world. But this one does, and it gave me this huge lump in my throat. I mean, seriously, I was worried! It was a beautiful, beautiful thing. And then there's babybabybaby finally born, and I wasn't worried anymore, but that lump was still in my throat.

Woman like a man by [livejournal.com profile] longtime_lurker
This author writes fanfic cliches just EXACTLY the way I want to read them. I adore genderswap, and she makes Pete turning into a woman so totally white hot you feel singed by it. I love that Pete not only wants to try out this new body, but a womanly identity too, because of course he would. And Patrick's reaction--oh so jealous! oh so possessive! oh so ready to please!--just made it all so much hotter. And then it all ends the way genderswaps should, and I was a happy, happy woman.

Act As A Clever Medicine by [livejournal.com profile] ficbyzee
Fandoms without sex pollen make me sad! Patrick getting doused with something that makes him unremittingly horny for Pete makes me happy! With bonus Patrick feeling bad about taking advantage of his best friend. Although I'm not sure you actually can take advantage of Pete Wentz.

King Of The Boudoir by [livejournal.com profile] giddygeek
Fuck-or-die. Seriously, what's not to love about a story in which a teenage girl obsessed with Pete discovers via the Internet that Pete loves Patrick more than anyone else and she's so upset and jealous that she tells her voodoo-hillbilly father, who puts the horny spell of doom on Pete, so that he either has to get Patrick to fuck him or die. And...Pete doesn't die!

Better with a pen by [livejournal.com profile] bluejbird
I will admit that writing on skin is a personal kink of mine. Pillow Book anyone? And there's just something about Pete scribbling all over Patrick's pale, unmarked skin that...uh, yeah. I like it. Let's leave it at that! *g*

Every aching old machine by [livejournal.com profile] longtime_lurker
Perhaps this isn't an official fanfic cliche, but I just adore stories where our pair grows old together. I'm a fool for it in SGA, and I'm a fool for it when it comes to Pete and Patrick. This story just charmed the socks off me. Seriously. Both socks!


AUs:

Concatenation, the Birth of Babel, and Other Acoustic Rebellions by [livejournal.com profile] swanswan
Music should belong to everyone, but in this world it doesn't. Until the boys become a band. This story illustrates my point about being able to transplant Pete and Patrick into any other circumstances. This is a cool sci-fi-ish AU. The world is fascinating, and the sex is so freakin' HOT!

One Day, Robots Will Cry by [livejournal.com profile] lordessrenegade
Patrick's a robot, but not a bad robot, so I don't have to be scared of him. In fact, I want to hug him. Poor little sweet!

repair anything sold, bought, or processed by [livejournal.com profile] misspamela
What is a fandom without a good hooker AU? The thing I like most about this one is that the author doesn't soft pedal the danger or the consequences that come from Pete's decision to finance his future in music by selling his ass.

Must Have Excellent Oral Skills by [livejournal.com profile] souldiers
Patrick's a phone sex operator, and Pete is the client who tracks him down. Never has phone sex been so sweet! And Pete's stalkery side is incredibly charming in this.

This is my rifle, this is my gun by [livejournal.com profile] stereomer
Gay bounty hunter Pete + Wrongly Accused Patrick = Awwwww! Although there isn't any sex, and I do feel that a gay bounty hunter/wrongly accused guy story should have lots of dirty-hot sex. It's like a rule or something. But the story is still incredibly delightful.


So, in conclusion, I love Pete and Patrick!

[identity profile] scribblinlenore.livejournal.com 2008-10-01 12:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Sorry! I got the icon from [livejournal.com profile] sanami276. Maybe you can ask her?

[identity profile] foxxcub.livejournal.com 2008-10-01 05:50 pm (UTC)(link)
As someone who highly, highly enjoyed your McShep fics, I am not opposed to this infatuation AT ALL.

One of my absolute faaaaavorite Pete/Patrick AUs: The Wolf Prince (http://iphignia939.livejournal.com/300187.html) by [livejournal.com profile] iphignia939 A fairytale with a twist to it!

[identity profile] scribblinlenore.livejournal.com 2008-10-01 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm glad someone is for my new infatuation! Most of my friends are just rolling their eyes at me. *g*

And thanks for the rec! There's nothing I love more than fairytale AUs.

[identity profile] scribblinlenore.livejournal.com 2008-10-01 08:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay, I just finished the story, and thank you, thank you, than you for recc'ing it! That was just fantastic. Their dynamic translated beautifully to the fairy tale world. What a great story!

[identity profile] foxxcub.livejournal.com 2008-10-01 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Right? It's probably one of my favorite bandom fics, period. I reread it quite frequently. :)

[identity profile] missmollyetc.livejournal.com 2008-10-01 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
They are adorable and married and I love it.

And wait, did Patrick really cry on TV?

Oh man, do you remember the video for "I'm Like A Lawyer With The Way I'm Always Trying To Get You Off (Me & You)" where they went to Uganda for Invisible Children?

They premiered it on FUSE TV (home of the awesome Steven Smith from SURS) on The Sauce and this happened after the video aired: and melted my dried up lil' heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Moep7lrcAcY)



athenejen: iAthena (Default)

[personal profile] athenejen 2008-10-03 01:45 am (UTC)(link)
*cough* Well, if you ever feel like drifting more over toward the dark side, the Intro to Bandom rec set I did awhile back is quite heavy on the Frank/Gerard. There's some Pete/Patrick there too, of course. Because they really are worth of adoration. :)

[identity profile] scribblinlenore.livejournal.com 2008-10-03 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
Okay, so I did look up some MCR interviews, and oh my God, Gerard Way just charms the HELL out of me. Everything he says. Oh, who am I kidding? They're all charming in their different fashions. And I can't believe someone sent Mikey Way a link to fan fic about him and his brother. That's just more wrong than a wrong thing should be!

Man. Now I'm going to have to get some MCR icons...

[identity profile] fragilistikal.livejournal.com 2008-10-03 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
Heeee! Right??

I meant to link this earlier, but some of my favorite MCR stuff is on my delicious (http://delicious.com/cinderfallen/mcr).

But! This is one of my favorite interviews ever! Gerard! Frank! BOB! You will come to adore Bob with this clip as he is the epitome of woobie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQUGj-eRtiE

And my other favorite interview is an entire series run by a Florida radio station, 97x:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbKnl8-SqlI

It's the last part (7?) that I love to watch when I'm down, as well as the previous clip I linked to.


[identity profile] ohfreckle.livejournal.com 2008-10-03 03:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Here you go :)

Image (http://de.tinypic.com)

[identity profile] ohfreckle.livejournal.com 2008-10-03 03:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I know how you feel, I was full of 'bandom? those boys? for real?' when my flist started babbling about it. Followed by full out scorn when my favourite writers started writing bandom instead of SGA and QAF.
I resisted for a year, but in the end they will get us all. Here I am, with a Patrick layout on my LJ, and an icon muse that insists on making FOB icons only.

That's an excellent rec list. I knew most, but I'm so glad 'I found the last good thing about this part of town' through it. I would also recommend everything by [livejournal.com profile] linzeestyle, here Hosuelights verse makes me squee with awww.
I hope we'll see some Pete/Patrick from you, I've always enjoyed your McShep fic a lot.

[identity profile] scribblinlenore.livejournal.com 2008-10-03 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks so much for the picture! They are just TOO adorable.

Also, I have to tell you I've gotten so many compliments on this icon. You really did a fantastic job. It makes me so happy every time I see it!

[identity profile] scribblinlenore.livejournal.com 2008-10-03 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only bandom-resister turned bandom-can't-get-enougher! I just honestly never expected to like the music or find the guys cute. I've never really been that into musicians in the past. And yet! I like the music a lot, and the guys just keep getting more and more adorable.

Yay, I'm thrilled I could turn someone else onto "the last good thing about this part of town." I've read that story about fourteen times now, and it still makes me giddy every time.

And yes! I have read the Houselights verse, and LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. I've known Linz for a while now, since our old SV days together, and she's been encouraging my new bandom enthusiasm. I want to do another recs set of canon-based stories, and the Houselights verse will be at the top of the list.

I am hoping to have some Pete/Patrick writing inspiration, but nothing has come to me yet. I guess I'll just have to immerse myself some more! :)

[identity profile] ohfreckle.livejournal.com 2008-10-03 06:08 pm (UTC)(link)
You're welcome, spreading the Pete and Patrick love is my new mission!

Aw, I'm glad it makes you happy. It's one of those pics that had me literally squee out loud and made me think 'OMG, must icon that NOW!'.

[identity profile] ohfreckle.livejournal.com 2008-10-03 06:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, me neither, although I'm a big music nerd. I guess I just resented them too much for stealing away so many people from my old fandoms.

I'm glad Houslights will be at the top of the list, it was the first fic that actually made me send a long and rambly email of glee to an author, just because I couldn't contain myself.

LOL, please immerse yourself deeply. Or you could ask, I'm pretty sure a lot of people could give you bunnies.
Either way, I'll watch you so I won't miss it when (not if) it comes to you, and so I won't miss any more recs.

[identity profile] eruwenfuin.livejournal.com 2008-10-03 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
*Waves, I'm a random poster, Don't get frightened*

Ah Pete/Patrick, the couple many fell in and out of love with.

It's a big one in the history of Bandom and many have indeed liked it. Due to marriage and the like the flow of new fics has stemmed a bit, but there are plenty out there that incorporate this.

Don't be frigtened by people who hate this pairing. Though I myself believe that they're just good friends, some people who agree with me on that will take it a step further and write epic and passionate comments about how Pete's just media-whoring the "relationship" between him and Patrick up as a publicity stunt.

If that may or may not be true I do not know, what I do know is that it breaks the bounds of hetronormality (is that even a word?) and so it's all fair game in my book.

That's an epic comment in itself. Have you found the pete/patrick LJ community yet? Start digging in the archives, it's full of *squee* worthy stuff.

[identity profile] scribblinlenore.livejournal.com 2008-10-04 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
Don't be frigtened by people who hate this pairing. Though I myself believe that they're just good friends, some people who agree with me on that will take it a step further and write epic and passionate comments about how Pete's just media-whoring the "relationship" between him and Patrick up as a publicity stunt.

I don't actually believe any of the RPS pairings I've been a fan of are having sexual relationships in real life. I just like the idea of it! Pete and Patrick remind me a lot of A-Rod and Jeter (I'm a big baseball fan) in that they have a very romantic friendship that makes slashing fun.

Thanks for the warning about the haters! I can see how Pete isn't everyone's cup of tea, although I find him completely entertaining and adorable. And he certainly is a media-whore, no doubt about that. And obviously enjoys playing with people's perceptions about his sexuality. But there's no doubt in my mind that his regard for Patrick is utterly genuine, and that's really all I need.

I have found the Pete/Patrick community, and I'm looking forward to much happy reading!

[identity profile] eruwenfuin.livejournal.com 2008-10-04 10:00 am (UTC)(link)
Well most of them are indeed happily married/in a stable relationship, so I don't think any one of them is actually shacking it up with another one of them. But they do indeed give us loads of oppertunities and innuendo on stage and off stage.

Except for Ray Toro, he has been known to say: "I like that you're all being creative, that's good, but stop making us have sex with each other."

He is indeed entertaining and adorable, especially when he starts viral marketing, then he's practically unstoppable. I agree with you on the fact that they truly like each other a lot, as friends ;).

Good luck on the reading.

[identity profile] sparktastic.livejournal.com 2008-10-06 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Lenore, I cannot tell you how gleeful it makes me to see this manifesto post in yr eljay.

*draws hearts and claps with glee!*

[identity profile] scribblinlenore.livejournal.com 2008-10-07 12:25 am (UTC)(link)
I've been having the BEST time reading Pete/Patrick. They just push so many of my buttons. And they're just so freakin' adorable together. I don't know how I resisted them for so long!

[identity profile] roxy-palace.livejournal.com 2009-03-23 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, oh, oh...I am SO new to Bandom and I didn't know where to go, but then I found this! And, I just can't thank you enough for your many pages of recs. Every one you mention is a winner and I am loving them SO much!
Thank you!

[identity profile] scribblinlenore.livejournal.com 2009-04-08 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
Yay! I'm glad this was helpful. And I'm really psyched to hear you're a convert to bandom. I need newbies to squee with! :)

[identity profile] roxy-palace.livejournal.com 2009-04-08 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
Oh yes...Come Squee with meee!

I was hesitant at first...I'm writing a post about that. But I'm kind of hooked now. I'm dealing with the guilt...by not dealing with the guilt. :)

The pairing that really hooked me in is, predictably, Pete/Patrick, but I'm also quite enjoying the baroque delights of Pete/Mikey (that fantastic high school one where Pete's a bully and Mikey is so adorable...*loves*).

And just the other day I realised I have a Thing (capital T) for Gerard/Patrick...mostly because it SO SHOULD NOT WORK, but absolutely and utterly does...

So yeah! Bandom: count me in!

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