I got here in the end!
Story Title: By Design
Fandom: Star Trek TNG/Star Trek DS9
Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/59621257/chapters/152064514Summary: When Jules is born there is a name over his heart. That's not unusual since there's always an age difference between soulmates. After all, the names appear at the exact moment when the other half is born—down to the millisecond. The odd part of Jules' mark is the name itself. Only one word—Data. What is that supposed to mean? What kind of name is that? It's not even a proper name. His soulmate isn't a Liam, or a Noah, or a Sophia or an Evelyn—something
normal. No, the one who matches Jules' soul goes by
Data.
Data does not understand this need that humans have to be with one's soulmate, even though he has one himself. The name, Jules Subatoi Bashir, appeared over where a human heart would be, three years after being activated. It is a particular signature—very sloppy with embellished loops—like it had been written in some sort of hurry. He keeps the mark to himself, finding that it is no one else's concern. It is unimportant, and would only serve as a distraction to his work and life.
Pairings: Julian Bashir/Data
When I Started: 2020
How I Lost My Shit: I got frustrated over several things. 1) It's a rare pair. It's not like I've never written for a rare pair before, but it was still discouraging because why should I bother writing it if no one will read it?
And this is a soulmate au. That's not a trope everyone likes. So writing for a rare pairing with an odd trope since Data is an adroid and Julian is human. Seriously, who would want to read that? 2) I've never written for TNG or DS9 so I worried I was getting the characters wrong. 3) Originally I envisioned this to be around 4,000 words. I was stuck with the middle of the story where Data and Julian get together. I had the beginning and ending, but nothing in-between. 4) I had someone look over what I had. They liked what I had, and also said if it were them they'd expand on the story to make it multiple chapters. I dunno why but it irritated me. Legit do not know why.
How I Finished My Shit: This is one of those fic ideas that refused to die. It's one of those WIP fics that didn't leave me alone. I always knew or hoped I'd come back to it, and finish it. I knew of WIP Big Bang from last years, but never particpated in it before. I was looking forward to the 2024 round to help inspire me to finish something. In the end, what was planned out to be 4,000 words has turned into my longest fic to date with 63,264 words. This fic would not be here without the constant support I got from everyone on the 30+ fanfic discord server. I sprinted with many people to keep on writing those words. I shared snippets fairly often and kind of gained a following for the fic, especially from people who were fandom blind. I found a wonderful beta who I am enternally grateful for. Without all of them in my corner, this fic would have never been completed. Also thanks to the mods for being insanely understanding.
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confused
