coprime

Canon: Samurai Champloo
Pairing: Fuu/Jin/Mugen
Canon Level: Traveling Companions

I can't not picture Fuu, Mugen, and Jin as an inseparable unit. Most OT3s, I'll also be into at least one of the sub-pairings and probably all three sub-pairings, but Samurai Champloo seems to be the exception. Mugen and Jin clash against each other, but they're not naturally drawn to each other without Fuu there to hold them together. Fuu's the reason they exist as a trio, and she's not going to choose one over the other. She's infused with so much more purpose when she's leading their merry band around so that she almost seems duller without Mugen and Jin by her side. And it has to be both of them because it's the push/pull between all three of them that makes them all work.

Suggested reading:
Enharmonic Intervals by Ponderosa
A Change in Relationship Dynamics by debit
With the Gracious Consent of the Audience by kugare

Canon: Twilight
Pairing: Jacob Black/Edward Cullen
Canon Level: Enemies

So I have mixed feelings about the Twilight series (disclaimer: only seen the movies, never read the books) because it's not really my thing. I roll my eyes at Bella, I roll them even harder at Edward, and it all reads as a bunch of ridiculous melodrama that I personally can't take seriously. On the other hand, I firmly believe in Twilight's right to exist and be a thing that people enthusiastically enjoy and that people shouldn't be shamed for liking it. (And if someone reading this does genuinely like Twilight, cool! You do you, and good on you for seeing something and getting enjoyment from something that I don't.) Consequently, most of what I consume in the Twilight fandom are darker takes on the Bella/Edward relationship. With the exception of Jacob/Edward, thanks solely to obsessive24's Whenever, Wherever fanvid. But so many of the things that turn me off Bella/Edward and Bella/Jacob are made better with Jacob and Edward!

There's high stakes in a romance between Edward and Jacob because vampires and werewolves have such a long history of animosity between them. That history means that any sort of relationship between them will come with serious consequences, from both of their families and also the wider supernatural community, and that's not even getting into their own personal issues with each other. They don't have to hold back from each other for fear of physically hurting their partner. Once Jacob comes into his werewolf-ness, it levels the playing field between them. If Edward acts like a creepy stalker, then Jacob will know even if Edward doesn't tell him and Jacob has the ability to enforce a boundary if Edward does something he doesn't like. I totally get why people are into Bella with Jacob or Edward, but the relationship between Edward and Jacob on their own is much more interesting to me. What sort of catalyst would make them try for a relationship despite everything? How would they even get to the point where there was enough of something between them that a catalyst could happen to make things change?

Suggested reading:
None, sorry. I've read a fair bit, but it's all been out of step with what I'm looking for.

Canon: Troubleshooters, Inc.
Pairing: Jules Cassidy/Robin Chadwick
Canon Level: Married

I just want to read about Jules, and if Robin is the one who makes him happy, then so be it. Jules is awesome--supremely competent and unapologetic about who he is while still also being warm and approachable. Both Robin and Jules are willing to work on things because they want their relationship. Jules needs someone who's willing to focus on him and who's brave enough to stand by him, both things that Robin does admirably (even if it takes him a little while). And Robin needs someone who thinks he's worth it and who can help support him, which Jules does.

Suggested reading:
Three Times Jules Cassidy Almost Wished He Wasn't With the FBI (And One Time He Was Glad He Was) by misura
Sucker by ginandironic
An Unexpected Souvenir by redbrunja

Canon: Avatar: The Legend of Korra
Pairing: Varrick/Zhu Li Moon
Canon Level: Married

Hah, I didn't even know I shipped Varrick and Zhu Li until Varrick asked her to do the thing forever and my reaction was "Yessss!" It snuck up on me! Much like Varrick's redemption arc in general. But, aww, Varrick does appreciate Zhu Li and everything she is to him. And they make a nigh-unbeatable team when they're on the same page.

Suggested reading:
Oblivious by DoubleL27
Another Train by JuliaJekyll
5 Times Varrick Kissed Zhu Li and the 1 Time She Kissed Him by bisexualnikiforov

Canon: Homestuck
Pairing: John Egbert/Dave Strider
Canon level: Friends

Aww, teenagers in love. John is such a doofus, but a good-hearted one who just wants his friends to be happy, that it's hard not to be drawn in. And while John doesn't quite see through Dave's cook kid facade to his squishy underbelly, he also isn't intimidated or put off by said facade and is pretty good at discombobulating Dave with his earnest playfulness. So the end result of Dave and John together is pretty hilarious to read while also being awkward and sweet.

Suggested reading:
Gotcha! by Miko
Marvelous Things by JumpingJackFlash
Lessons in Smooth Motherfuckology by Cephied_Variable
Unavoidable Misunderstandings by Anonymous

Canon: Wreck-It Ralph
Pairing: Tamora Calhoun/Fix-It Felix
Canon Level: Married

Aww, Felix and Calhoun. Disney does not have to do a lot of work to get me to ship something, I must admit, but these two really are sweet together. Felix looks at Calhoun like she's amazing, and Felix is so upbeat and positive that Calhoun can't help but melt her tough exterior just a little bit for him, which probably makes him amazing in her eyes. They do a good job of balancing each other, despite being so different from each other.

Suggested reading:
The Dynamite Gal by TheColorBlue
For the Future by kawree
Tattoos by 9r7g5h
Meet Yourself Coming From the Other Direction by mtgat

Canon: Pointsman series
Pairing: Philip Eslingen/Nicolas Rathe
Canon Level: Essentially Married

I've only read book two in the series, Point of Dreams, but it was such a delightful read that I'm willing to wholeheartedly recommend the entire series. The world building's fun, but mostly Nico and Philip are just plain enjoyable. They have different lives, but they're both smart and want to have this thing between them work despite the fact that it makes other aspects of their lives difficult. They care for each other, and I find a lot of joy in the way they express that.

Suggested reading:
Caution to the Winds (Throw It, Throw It) by theblueescapist
Cherry Without Any Stone by Sineala
Better Hemispheres by kindkit

Canon: The Book of Life
Pairing: Joaquín Mondragón/María Posada/Manolo Sánchez
Canon Level: Two Are Married And The Third Is A Good Friend

Joaquín, María, and Manolo are another clear case where the answer to the love triangle should be an OT3. They're all good friends, and it makes me sad that the movie ends with Manolo and María marrying and Joaquín all alone. Yes, he still has his friends, but his love for María seemed just as genuine as Manolo's to me and now he has to watch his best friend marry the woman he loves, who is also his other best friend. The three of them seem like they have so much fun together that I can't imagine any of them would be able to stand them not being on equal footings for long.

Suggested reading:
I'm Gonna Make This Place Your Home by purplebutterflies
Human Nature by Giroshane
Mustache by Truth

Canon: Stargate Atlantis
Pairing: Evan Lorne/Parrish
Canon Level: They've Talked To Each Other

Fandom took about two minutes of onscreen interaction between these two and ran with it, creating a relatively popular pairing. And I am absolutely willing to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed SGA fandom's overactive imagination in this case. Lorne is a generally likable minor character; he's the guy in the background competently getting stuff done without a lot of fanfare and with a sense of humor. And the two minutes of interaction managed to include banter, excited geeking out, some interested questions about the source of geeking out, and mild protectiveness. Ramp up the interest and protectiveness, and you've basically got all the elements you need for a decent, cute romance fic.

Suggested reading:
Day In, Day Out by ana_grrl
Decussate by casspeach (archive-locked)
Androdioecious by wickedwords

Canon: Firefly
Pairing: Wash Washburne/Zoe Washburne
Canon Level: Married

Some Wash/Zoe came across my Pinboard network today, so I read it and was thoroughly charmed because Wash and Zoe will always charm me. (Unless it is post-Serenity, but I read that a lot less often.) Wash/Zoe is probably the closest I come to an actual OTP that aligns with how most of fandom uses that term. Like, at least 85% of Firefly is them-centric. (The remaining 15% is mostly gen and crossovers with a smidgen for other pairings that look intriguing.) And they're one of the very few pairings where I am incapable of reading about them with anyone else. They're just so perfect for each other! Sweet and silly and incredibly in love. Zoe is almost a different person with Wash, able to open herself up and unafraid to show him her softer side because Wash isn't afraid of her strength, nor does he feel the need to go around posturing or challenging her. It's all very cute and romantic, the way they interact with each other.

Suggested reading:
Good Luck Charms by Nary
Cold Feet by musefool
Changing by Scrunchy
The First Step by llaras
Simply Perfectest by voleuse