Different versions of the same story

German football family tree

The ultimate version — if I’m even allowed to call it that. Previous versions are here.

I am, for reasons unknown, deeply and irreversibly invested in this universe. I have way too many thoughts, headcanons, and character analyses I want to talk about, but if I tried to explain everything, this would never see the light of day. So I’m posting it like this.

I know some people are probably sharpening stones already, but hey — come, sweet death!! 🤣

And as for the consanguineous relationships… please just squint and move on. This was absolutely not intentional; I just ended up cramming in every ship and piece of lore I love, and, well… here we are.

Lastly, if this made you even a little curious about classic (German) football rpf — welcome. We’re always happy to have you. 💖

It's always SO hard when someone asks for favorite fics

My absolute favorite Barisi fanfiction ever is Like a Monkey with a Miniature Cymbal by @margoblack

this fic is everything to me. I've re-read it in full plenty of times. i would tattoo it on my eyelids if I could. time loops are pretty much my favorite trope/device ("Palm Springs" is my favorite movie check it out) and this is just so well executed in terms of emotion, voice, and creativity. nobody does it like kelly.

Here are plenty of my other favorites in no particular order:

@ae-nar - Barmaro to Barisi pipeline series

I'm in denial about how hot barmaro is and this series makes me feel absolved of my sin

@mforpaul - Uniformed Awakening

just some excellent smut and developing relationship sweetness

@kenobifitz - absolution & liberation

virgin sonny, religious trauma, complicated feelings, comfort, adoration...all my favorite things

@heartbarisi - i'll do anything you say, if you say it with your hands

literally on my knees barking sobbing screaming for more of these (and the writer is aware)

@margoblack - Pretty Tied Up

Barba being a desperate brat loser, Sonny's sudden dominance coming out. dom!sonny is a tough sell for me in particular most of the time, but this one is so good

@barisistill - Spanish Red & I hope you understand

 What just happened here? Did we—? Are we—?

I'm enjoying Strange New Worlds, I really am! It's got a lot of things going for it and is by far the best of the new Treks.

Here's my problem: the whole Spock/Chapel thing.

First, she's engaged. I know the writers have said they haven't forgot about Roger Corby. I have trouble wondering why she was so upset about Andrea, feels like a double standard.

Second, Spock was always portrayed as having no real interest in her. She was in love with him but it was unrequited. Even under the effect of an alien virus he showed no interest ("The Naked Time"), even under extreme duress there was nothing ("Plato's Stepchildren"). If there was anyone on that crew you could believe he was romantically attracted to, it's Uhura. Which brings me to my third point...

What happened to Spock/Uhura??? They absolutely had a spark in TOS (see "The Man Trap" and "Charlie X" for starters), I mean, the first time Spock saw Uhura after sharing his mind with a Medusan he started quoting love poetry! And besides all that there's the matter of the Kelvin-verse. Y'all, they were together for around 10 years in the Kelvin-verse. This is an alternate reality, you say? Was it really that alternate when they first got together at the Academy before they met Kirk? Aren't they basically the same characters up to that point? If two people work really, really well in one universe doesn't that technically mean they would in at least the majority of universes?

What I would have preferred SNW to do is to dig into Chapel's search for Corby, show her journey to such an extent that "What Are Little Girls Made Of" feels like a payoff, a completion to her arc.

You know, it was just a thought.