Alternative Universe as a Tool for Character Exploration
Content warnings: queerphobia, cheating, toxic masculinity, domestic abuse, mysogyny
I have been immensely enjoying NomnomNami's Mason AU and Slate AU doodle comics. The latest ask session where the second half of the Slate AU is being posted has made me think about the storytelling power of AUs and why the heck do I enjoy making them up so much.
How many do I have?
Well thanks for asking! I have been developing a whooping FIVE AUs in the past five to six years.
*Wait, AUs of *what?
Ah yes, I should probably start there. After finishing my Inazuma Eleven fanfiction, EAL, in 2019 and writing a bunch of other fics about my OCs during its creation, I became quite fixated on them. When the pandemic hit, I began developing a College AU with a fellow IE fandom member based on our OCs. This AU grew into its own thing and I liked it so much that I wanted to continue it on my own. This AU was canonized into "For the Freedom to Love" which was intended to be a novel. Spoilers, I gave up after writing three chapters which will have available on my fic archives now that I think of it.
Anyways, I began reverse engineering FTL into what was then known as the EAL verse. I had to answer key questions such as how did KeiKiyo, between the end of EAL, end up moving to the U.S. for college? And how did they changed in those three years of highschool?
I decided that FTL begins when KeiKiyo start to highschool, expanding from its initial scope. From the start, I knew I didn't went to include characters from the IP it was based on, only originals.
More than anything, FTL became a slice of life story about human relationships. I expand on the themes I started on EAL that I couldn't have otherwise done because the original is sports-focused and I liked Stars Align focus on the main cast uses sports to cope.
But more than anything, I wanted to create something original. I really enjoyed roleplaying with my OCs. It gave me a strong base to build upon.
This is an AU that became canon. From that, every so often I toyed with an AU idea that was kindly encouraged.
1. Omegaverse AU
I really went ham with this one. Full on 18+ content. I took the idea and ran with it. I think I spent the whole day writing it.
I didn't touch the original outline for years until one winter. I liked the idea of Keima and Kiyoshi falling in love as royalty (Alpha) and a sex worker (Omega) in an Edo era-inspired Japan. I didn't know much about Omegaverse until I started reworking this into a new story.
As for Keima, the idea of him being the crown prince came from an roleplay of their FTL selves roleplaying as a master servant sort of dynamic. Although in this one Keima was the servant and Kiyoshi the master.
In this AU, I wanted Keima to have a higher social status because in FTL (before leaving Japan), despite both being Japanese nationals, Kiyoshi is othered. These alternative versions of Keima and Kiyoshi, aside from carrying over their position in society, are also a way to explore their characters.
Kiyoshi's themes of basic human needs like food, sex, and feeling of safety carried over. He's also quite sensitive and kind-hearted. He enjoys being able to soothe people and the physical contact. Intimacy is something very important to him.
He also cares about his family. In this AU, when his secondary sex, uh developed? came out? He was ready to move into to the feudal lord's residence to start working and help out the family and not be a bother.
Another trait that transfered over was his naivitee. He can be taken advantage of by people he trusts.
On the other hand, Keima retains his individualistic and egocentric mindset amplified. He's even more priviledged as the crown prince. I decided it would be interesting to see how he would deal with sexual trauma instead of Kiyoshi. I think he would be much more stoic and less friendly. At least the start.
One of the events that pegged Keima down a knotch as a fan character was the death of his sibling, Kinshou (Kin). I am thinking of ways to transfer his death into this universe in a way that makes sense. The important part is that Keima doesn't grow using Kiyoshi as a replacement so I'm not sure how the whole event would affect this Keima.
Another trait that remain across AUs are their canon sexualities. Keima is always asexual flavored and Kiyoshi is fine with any gender.
Oh dang, I haven't talked out Chika! As an IE fan character, Chika was a love rival for Kiyoshi where both had a crush on Keima (what a popular guy). I really like the idea of them being mortal enemies and in love with the same guy across universes so I wanted to add Chika in this AU as well. Chika is the daughter of an influential feudal lord. She has a master-servant relationship with Kiyoshi and she's engaged to marry Keima as childhood friends. She's cursed to give everything to Keima and he will always leave her for the pretty boy.
2. Modern AU: That one where Kin lives
This is a random thing I thought of one day. As I mentioned before, Keima had a brother who dies in an accident when they were little.
It doesn't affect Keima until he sees the effect on the people around him. Mostly his mom. That's a whole thing I already made a post on.
So, what if Kin didn't die? Answer is, it changes Keima's personality a lot. The event made him a bit more empathetic towards minority groups. He learned he could use his priviledge to call out social injustices without many repercussions. If he didn't learn this, he grows up into... an unpleasant and arrogant guy.
He somehow still befriends Kiyoshi but more out of a sense of superiority than sympathy. Kiyoshi latches onto him because he has nobody else and they become... friends? They just can't have a normal relationship regardless of universe and it's not morally superior than their fan counterparts. Let's leave it at that.
The important thing is that Kiyoshi meets Kin. And the little kid adores him. Kiyoshi's parents do separate and he lives away from his little sister whom he would fight the world for, so having this younger kid who admires him... They just instantly get along.
In this world, probably due to Kin's presence, Kiyoshi feels less alone so he's less depressed and more confident. A confident Kiyoshi is a kind Kiyoshi. A Kiyoshi that is a good and healthy role model and someone whom Kin definitely totally doesn't end up having a puppy crush that becomes a full on crush.
And when Keima finds out, he hates it. The brothers are cursed to never get along so Kiyoshi is the ideal older brother Keima isn't. Keima is extremely protective of Kiyoshi because it strokes his ego and Kin having a crush on Kiyoshi feels like a threat to what's his. Gender is unimportant here. Keima wouldn't care who his little brother likes as long as it's nobody that belongs to him (possessive barking noises).
It's not a quiet rivalry. Subtlety isn't something the brothers are known for. Kiyoshi has been aware of this crush but he ignored it because Kin wasn't acting on it and he liked the attention. He was forced to acknowledge it because the brothers got into an argument that turned violent and he breaks them up (wow, so cool). He gives them both a good earful and things calm down.
I think it's this event that makes Keima realize his feelings and confess and ask him out. Partially because he wants to be able to act on his possessive desires. Kiyoshi accepts because he likes being wanted and get smoochies. Now that I write this, I can't see their relationship last past high school. That's fun in itself though. They also feel like reckless teens that are just fooling around.
3. Modern AU: The Fem AU
Sapphic KeiKiyo. Very original.
Kiyoshi keeps the same name but Keima becomes Keiko. Cute flowery name in line with the mother's, Saki.
Keiko is a well-built butch type and Kiyo is a pretty, thin, cute and traditionally feminine type by Japanese standards. She's shorter than Keiko too.
Kiyo is a teen mom because she was naive and meek and didn't make sure her boyfriend used protection! Or she was pressured into it and she became pregnant.
Somehow in this timeline they meet in college in the U.S. I don't have any details on how they get together. But I do think the cute little baby is an important character!
I began this AU when I wasn't very comfortable writing fem characters so most of the development written here onwards happens as I was writing this section.
Keiko and Kiyo are roommates. Kiyo makes a move on Keiko who isn't sure what's going on. Kiyo feels lonely so Keiko tries to comfort her. Kiyo wants to be wanted which isn't what Keiko is offering so she tries to change the mood but Keiko tries on more an they click.
Keiko is peak butch lesbian material. After getting involved with Kiyo, I think she would identify as an asexual lesbian. She thinks men are insufferable pieces of shit (mostly because of their objectification of women and obsession with sex) and thinks girls are cute. No, I don't think she would be a TERF, or much of an educated feminist for that matter. Such consistency in the gender binary bias tho. Although Keiko doesn't like girls who create drama or are unpleasant to others. The Queen girl type (described as a stereotype on purpose).
She's also into PDA. With girls. Mostly hugging and cuddling. Keiko is very protective of her girlfriend. In a cool respectful way. Probably calls her "babe" unironically (Keima would never).
She moved to the U.S. because she got an offer to play as an athlete. She's a pro! Very rambontious and extroverted and loud. Not traditionally feminine at all. Sits with her legs open. Her speech is informal and masculine.
Way more self-confident than her male counterpart. Crazy strong. Big muscles. Uses sports bras and boyshorts or boxers. Also tight easy to move clothing. Usually wears sports clothing.
On the other hand, fem!Kiyo is very traditional. Quiet and meek. But surprisingly very forward when it comes to romance and intimacy. Has lots of lewd and inappropriate thoughts underneath that cute exterior. She has a preference towards that same gender.
Kiyoshi would give up her life to protect her child. Loves them to bits.
She looks up to Keiko for being able to stand up for herself. Their relationship was built on a solid friendship.
Writing this section made me grew fond of this AU. Maybe I'll write something about it. I think it would be really interesting if both counterparts met and see how they react.
4. Modern AU: Alternative College AU
Is what I'm calling the story I wanna write for Twine. Okay it's unofficially titled "For the Freedom to Love" as well but that's still confusing. This one is a what-if KeiKiyo meet in Japan while they were college students?
Here, Kiyoshi's parents don't separate and he stays in Japan for college. While he's much more confident than his FTL counterpart, he still struggles with developing friendships with guys and masculine people.
He strives to be financially independent and takes a lot of part-time jobs and studies at the same time all. He's also the most disconnected from mainstream Japanese culture. He has fully embraced his minority status and is part of a solid and welcoming community of expats and LBGT+ people.
He wants to get in the food and service industry. Maybe open a shop or something.
I think that Kiyoshi displays social anxiety when it comes to talking to Japanese people. He's always sensitive about his looks and staying in Japan in college is a tough decision. The stress probably makes him take up smoking although he tries to do so sparingly. He prefers having company at night as a way to cope.
I also think that he's had a pretty good sex education in this version. Also about boundaries and mental health.
On the other hand, Keima stays in the bubble he was born with... and I'm making this up right now... due to Kin's loss. He does everything he can to keep everything (read: his mother) from falling apart. He doesn't meet Kiyo so the one he has to protect becomes his mother! (oh my god!)
Her son's death always leaves her in bad place mentally. Therapist what? don't know 'em—there's a perfectly able eldest son who can take charge! He's such a good boy!
This is the good boy Keima AU. The super mega repressed Keima AU. The I-will-marry-my-childhood-friend-like-you-always-wanted-please-mom-don't-break-down Keima.
Yeah, he should have some anxiety disorder and have started smoking as a teen.
Saki (mom's name) would feed off Keima's behavior and their relationship would become very codependent. She has a mother-knows-best kind of attitude and tries to control Keima's life on FTL but he doesn't let her. But here, he does. Because he thinks she's weak and it will prevent her from going off. His narration would definitely use the words "hysteria" and "landmine." Ignorance about mental healthy and internalized misogyny? Keima sure is a consistent character.
So because Keima let's her make all of his decisions, he starts dating Chika and they go to college together. Their mothers' are childhood friends and always wanted their children to be together so they made a pact when they were expecting (wow this sounds really sapphic for some reason). This pressure marks both of their kids' lives early on but in FTL Keima doesn't let it define him because of Kiyo but in this one, that doesn't happen.
Keima enjoys several forms of priviledge. He doesn't have to make hard choices. He doesn't have to work while studying and he lives in an apartment with his girlfriend that's paid by their parents. He enjoys peak male priviledge where he has a girl who does and will take care of his every need and he has a role to play for her in exchange. He has faithful, obedient, and respectful. They do care about each other but a lot of the relationship is performative and neither is aware of it. They literally live for each other.
Yeah, no wonder as soon as Keima sees a way out in the form of a pretty boy, he takes it. At first he thinks it's to learn more about himself. That he owes it to Chika to find out why he is a certain way. But really, he finds the idea of fooling around with zero consequences very fun! Because it's a guy! It doesn't count!
It's important that he's not abusive towards Chika though. He does care about her. In every world he does. In this AU they remain friends throughout their lives and Keima does trust Chika. She's special to him.
Dang that just makes the betrayal worse doesn't it? No wonder even his FTL self thinks it's a pretty shitty thing to do. The two-timing, I mean.
5. Modern AU: Post-college KeiKiyo
This is another variant of modern AU KeiKiyo. I wrote something for it for Kinktober 2021.
It's another AU where KeiKiyo meet as adults. I think this one is after college. Kiyoshi manages a bar his rich trans masc friend owns. Who totally doesn't have a crush on Kiyoshi and wants to shower him with expensive gifts and bought a bar for Kiyoshi to manage because Kiyoshi's dream was to open one.
Kind of the same as alternative FTL where a sheltered Keima becomes interested in the LBGT+ community.
Well, this was a really long post. It was SO fun to write though. Thank for reading or skimming!
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