Once Upon A Time In Lima (Epilogue)

[hopenight]

Title: Once Upon A Time In Lima
Author: hopenight
Artist: breea1
Genre: Slash, Fantasy, Romance, Humor, Alternate Universe
Word Count: 15, 226
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Finn Hudson, Will Schuester, Noah "Puck" Puckerman, Rachel Berry, Brittany, Quinn Fabray, Terri Schuester, Will/Finn, Rachel/Brittany, past Will/Terri, past Quinn/Finn, past Quinn/Puck
Warnings/Spoilers: boy kissing, age difference, AU
Author's Note: I would like to tank the people over at the winnners community for just being them! I would also like to thank starryskies/gleeful_beatfor just being there! I would like to thank my beta squire_conrad
Summary: We are shown early on that life isn’t like a fairytale or a legend. However, there are those rare cases when something magical happens. Finn Hudson’s case is in the more extreme version of things. After breaking into a house on a dare, he meets Will who is a really nice guy with a killer voice. Problem is that he’s kind of cursed to look like a horrible beast.
Suddenly Finn finds himself spending time with Will and falling a little bit in love. However, his best friend and his ex-girlfriend are keeping a secret. He has to help start a lesbian relationship. And in the midst of all this, he needs to make his happy ending. No said being in your own fairytale would be easy after all. It just makes life so much more interesting.

“Happily Ever After is Once Upon a Time but it has given up hope.”-Unknown

So that’s the story.

Well…

That’s the story that I came to tell. Who knows you could have the continuation in you.

See here’s a problem with stories. Sometimes they don’t know when to end. See that’s fine for the stories but people need an ending all wrapped up in a nice little bow.

The problem with Will and Finn’s tale is that it doesn’t end in this moment. It continues on for a very long time. I could tell you how Will got a job and became the Spanish teacher. How he and Finn snuck around for a year until Finn went off to college nearby. I could tell you about how they grew comfortable with each other and were ridiculously happy. Not that they didn’t have their fights because I could tell you about those as well.

I could tell you about how Finn forgave Quinn and Puck in time. Or I can tell you how Rachel and Brittany were voted ‘Oddest Couple’ in the yearbook, not that they cared because they were too wrapped up in each other. I could tell you about Baby Fabray-Puckerman and how she came in to the world.

I have a thousand stories that I could weave and spin for you. But it would detract from the message. It would drag on forever. There is no good place to stop because even though the spell ended; the magic still lives on.

So it’s up to you, Reader, if you enjoyed it enough then you imagine it. I have done my part. I have told you a story.

I don’t leave you with a ‘Happily Ever After’ and all its false promises.

Instead I leave you with ‘Once Upon a Time’ and the endless possibilities that come with it.

Are you ready?

“Once Upon a Time…”

Master Post

Comments

[dark-dreymer.livejournal.com]

I really like this fic (just want to throw that one out there to begin) Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite fairy-tales and I adore the Disney movie even though I'm now a teenager and shouldn't admit to liking kids stuff.

The narrative style and the constant comparison to fairy-tales, real life and other storytelling mediums could have been a little blase, but you handled it well and really made it work.

Some of the little details worked really well too. Like Rachel's doorbell playing ‘Clang, Clang Goes the Trolly’; that's great characterisation and I could see it actually being in the show.

My problem is the secondary storylines. Secondary pairings - such as the Brittany/Rachel in this fic - should always take a backseat to the primary pairing, but if you look at how much time they get it feels like as much time is spent with Finn setting the girls up as there is with Finn and Will being together. Then there's the Puck/Quinn thing which felt rather cheap what with it only acting as the device that brought the ending about.

Since this was for bigbang I can accept that this was to build towards the word limit, but I would've liked to see a little more of the building relationship between Will and Finn.

When you brought in the plot point of the Halloween dance I was expecting Finn to suggest Will go with him, as everyone would assume the Beast was only a costume. I feel that you could've had a really impactful finale rather than the kiss at Will's, which felt almost tacked on and glazed over.

I don't mean for this to sound harsh. I really did love this fic and the Will/Finn that is here was gorgeous. Like Finn being too afraid to admit that he'd heard Will singing about him, I just wanted to hug Finn and then hit him with the clue!shovel and then hug him again.

One last thing, I've tried viewing the art but every time I click the link it doesn't go anywhere. Is the entry friend locked or something?

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

I know the fic could have been better. That some parts seemed tacked on and slow. But I'm proud considering I wrote it in a four day marathon write. Yes there are things that I wish I could've fixed. And I'll remember your helpful comments when I participate next year. I'm glad that you enjoyed the story despite all it's shortcomings and cliches. :) I really like this fic and I enjoyed writing it. I loved the characters especially Beast!Will. And I'm glad that you liked it.

[dark-dreymer.livejournal.com]

I know the fic could have been better. That some parts seemed tacked on and slow. Something I've learned over the years with my writing is that anything can always be better, so don't worry about it.

But I'm proud considering I wrote it in a four day marathon write. I think marathon is the right word for a bigbang fic, it's an achievement just to finish ^^

I loved the characters especially Beast!Will. I really liked the way you presented beast!Will; the concept of him learning to play instruments even with his claws, music being such an important part of who he is, was really heart-warming :)

With your permission I'd like to be able to write my halloween party idea as a seperate fic, in posting it I will of course credit you and link to this fic, but I won't do it if you don't want me to.

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

Yeah I know what you mean. There are things that I wish I could rework in past stories.

Yeah I'll tell you one thing. After pounding out this baby, I came home from school the next day and slept. Never get your dates mixed up on a challenge in my piece of advice to you.

Beast!Will is adorable. I wish someone could have drawn him. People need to do more Winn stuff. I wrote a manifesto over at the shipper's manifesto community for the pairing. I felt that music is such a big part of his life that I needed to include it in the fic somehow. I had a blast trolling through my iPod for the perfect songs.

I, hopenight, give you, dark_dreymer, permission to write your halloween party idea. With your permission I would like to add it to the Master Post link when you're done. Also I would like to be notified of when you post so I can be the first person to comment. (Of course I want you to, hun. That's what I was saying in the Epilogue after all.)

[dark-dreymer.livejournal.com]

Never get your dates mixed up on a challenge in my piece of advice to you. I learned that lesson from an English Literature essay. "I've still got a week.... What's that? It's due tomorrow? SHIT!" XD

Beast!Will is adorable. I wish someone could have drawn him. I could give it a whirl if you like. Been trying to work on my art more recently, writing is still my forte but I'm trying to get good enough to do my own illustrations because my two artist friends are notorious procrastinators XD

I had a blast trolling through my iPod for the perfect songs. Looking for songs is always fun. I have notes for a really long Buffy fic that I'm working on and whenever I get bored I like to start considering what songs I'm gonna fit into the 'Once More With Feeling' episode :D

I, hopenight, give you, dark_dreymer, permission to write your halloween party idea. lol, well now that I've got it in such formal writing XD

(Of course I want you to, hun. That's what I was saying in the Epilogue after all.) I figured I should check anyway. Some people get pissy and possessive and don't want anyone else playing in their sandbox.

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

Hahaha! I've done that before as well. Likely I work well under pressure.

Aw! You would draw him for me?! I don't want to trouble you or anything. But I would love to see how you would do it. I'm curious. (Oh by the way, the fanmix for the story is open and ready for listening/viewing)

I tend to fixate on a CD. For my Supernatural fic I've been listening to a lot of Repo! The Genetic Opera. For this it was a mix of Beauty and the Beast and the Glee Soundtracks.

Awesome Buffy episode! Love 'Once More With Feeling' :)

Well I had to make it official like that. So that way the haters don't get in the way. Plus I like overdramatic things, they're fun. Especially if you do them enough then people think that you're eccentric.

Eccentricity is always fun to play with.

Well thanks for checking! I don't get pissy easily. As long as I'm credited then I'm good.

[dark-dreymer.livejournal.com]

Usually if I've left it til the last minute it's because it's only a first draft that's due in; so I take a very apathetic approach with the motto "As long as I hand something in, that's what counts."

I have a few ideas, so if I have time I'll draw a few pictures. Might take a while though.

I try not to listen to music while I write, I end up singing along XD But music is good for me when I draw, so I'll probably listen to the fanmix :D

'Once More With Feeling' was one of the first episodes of Buffy I watched, back when my friends were trying to get me hooked. I was complaining about the lack of physical affection shown in Tara and Willow's relationship when compared to the hetero couples on the show so we watched it for the "singing sex" XD

Eccentricity is good and so is eclecticism =D

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

I have an approach where I don't care but I end up being mildly content with what I've written. It's a good system and has served me very, very well over the years. Currently, I'm just trying to get both of my BB's done. And then I will nap. I'm halfway through both. One's a 30k and the other is the minimum of 20k.

And all I really want to do is watch 'Were the World Mine' because my friend bought it for me on DVD. And I can't. It mocks me.

Take as much as you need. Can I link the art when you're done?

Hahaha! It's an awesome fanmix. :) When I write and listen to music as I'm doing it, I enter a state of being blank. Then the next I know three hours have passed and I have all these words in front of me.

I know! I was all for Willow/Tara but they didn't do much. I mean I loved them to bits and pieces. Still when Torchwood came out and Jack/Ianto became a reality. Well they were "hands on" ;)

Too true, too too true darlin'! :D

Plus insanity. It lets you get away with stuff.

[dark-dreymer.livejournal.com]

With my writing I'm always really happy with what I write, until about a year later when I've gotten better and then I look back and see all I could've done different.

Ugh, I know that feeling. I bought Final Fantasy XIII while I was supposed to be writing fic and I kept telling myself I'd find a balance between the two... Lie! XD

Of course you can. I'll probably post it to both my DA and my LJ, so I'll drop you a note when I've uploaded :)

I sort of liked Jack/Ianto, but then it started feeling a bit forced to me; and then Children of Earth ruined things >.<

Insanity can be fun, but it's a label that tends to stick.

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

Yeah that's how it is with me. Like I was really happy with 2000 words. But then I got a taste for longer fics.

I've been really good. I have schoolwork to do (on break currently) and I've been rewarding myself with finishing my fics as I do my work.

Yay! ;) Thanks hun.

Yeah I understand with what you mean about Jack/Ianto. Then I started Merlin and I've never really looked back slash wise. Plus I've sort of made Merlin into a little black dress character. I've got scads of unposted crossover fic of him getting it on with different guys. Not entirely sure how that happened. But what can you do.

Children of Earth? I refuse to acknowledge its existence. I enjoyed Ianto. He always had the best one liners and what did they do? Kill him.

True. But after four years of being labeled insane (aka high school outcast) you tend to get comfortable in it.

[dark-dreymer.livejournal.com]

I've never been good at keeping fics short. It took me six months of writing fanfic before I even attempted a drabble. I tend to speak in run-on sentences and that carries over into my fic I guess, I just can't shut up XD

Yeah, I basically ignore CoE's existence too, and the last episode of season 2 ._.

I was comfortable with being 'insane' until it got to the point where everyone assumed I was 'the crazy kid' and I was like "You don't even know me. Fuck you!" Of course being 'the gay kid' was no great improvement. School sucks D:

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

Yeah it was a gradual progession for me. But then one day I was like "You know what? I can totally write a long ass fic!"

And then I signed up for the Torchwood Big Bang! Hahaha!

Those two episodes never, ever happened. EVER. There are select episodes of other television shows that I ignore as well.

I'm cool with being insane or something like it. Let me tell you it's better then being ignored or 'The Shy Girl' or 'The Smart Girl'. People have expectations when you're labeled those things.

...School does suck. I hear it gets better in college though. And I'm taking comfort in that.

Hey did you hear about those Glee Fic Awards? I just got done nominating some fics! -such an obvious subject change from the evils of school-

[dark-dreymer.livejournal.com]

I wrote two truly awful chaptered fics when I was new to writing. One - the worse of the two - is thankfully now cyberdust as the site hosting it went kaput, the other remains lurking in a rarely frequented comm of LJ as a reminder to me that if I'm gonna write a chaptered fic I should plan in advance to avoid a plot with more holes than one of my Nan's sweaters.

I mostly stuck to oneshots after that; or wrote the whole fic and then broke it into chapters. Then for wintercompanion I wrote a 20 chaptered fic that was a crossover with FFX and I realised how much better my writing was when I had a plot to follow. So from that I learned I could handle epic fic so long as I got the plot straight in my head to begin with.

Isn't selective memory fun :D

People didn't have expectations of me once I'd been labelled 'the smart kid', they had assumptions; which I found to be a lot more annoying. So many people came up to my friends and I on the last day of school saying things like "I'm so sorry for thinking you were a freak and being horrible to you. I really wish I'd gotten to know you." and I was just a bit like "Yeah, maybe you should have gotten to know us!" Ah well, no use bitching about it now.... Not that that'll stop me XD

Heard about the Glee Fic Awards and nommed a litle already. Planning to do some more though (Because a flimsy excuse to reread Winn fic is still an excuse to reread Winn fic XD)

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

Ugh let's not talk about bad fics that we wrote. I wrote one when I was thirteen and...I still shudder thinking about it.

Yeah for most of my chapter fic I tend to have a vague idea of where I'm going for the most part. Not the best idea but hey it works. The characters run amok and I still end up with a semi-coherent fic! So it's all good.

I usually stick to one shot or turn it into a 'verse, a lot of one shots following the same idea is more appealing. But if it has to be chaptered then I tend to write it all at once, then break it up.

Selective memory is a glorious thing. It's my friend. Otherwise then I would remember six hellish years at an all girls Catholic school. Then high school happened and my life got loads better. Yay co-ed!

I still have a couple months before graduation. But I can see that coming. I tend to have really close friends that I would hang out with outside of class. But if I see anyone else I realize "Oh God I hate you." or "You're annoying. Why would I talk to you outside of class?"

And let's not get started on some of my teachers. Ugh...

I just finishing doing some nomm-ing. XD Any excuse to re-read Winn fic is a good one, my friend.

(PS: Is it cool if I friended you?)

[dark-dreymer.livejournal.com]

I sincerely doubt your bad!fic could be worse than my Fic-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named; I had a self-insert Stu, a self-insert Stu for the guy I liked at the time, A fem!Me Sue and a Sue with magic powers. It was such a mess XD

I'm in Sixth Form right now and I'm just biding my time til the end of year exams. I want to be done already, ugh.

(It's more than okay for you to friend me. I'll friend you right back :D)

[hfurude-hanyuu.livejournal.com]

I'm probably the first person to comment on this and I gotta say, this was such a sweet fic! It truly felt like I was reading a fairy tale again. I really loved the story, and the dialogue. I really don't like what Terri did to Will. But it helped him find Finn so in a way I'm kinda happy about what she did. I really enjoyed reading this. I hoping to see more too!

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad that you enjoyed it! I had a blast writing it. I thought the fairytale aspect fit Winn more. I didn't like what Terri did either. But beast!Will is too cute for words. Thanks for reading!!

[mausimoo.livejournal.com]

I absolutely love this story. In fact, it may just be my favourite story, ever!
I agree with what part of what dark_dreymer said about the Halloween party - I totally expected Finn to invite Will, but I'm glad you didn't do this, because I think it would have been too obvious and would have seemed, to me, like an author taking the easy way out. (But I'm not trying to be argumentative with dark_dreymer, it's just my opinion!)
I love the way you used little quotes throughout the story. I've never seen an author do that before, but it worked really well and added to the feeling that this really was just a story. (I can actually picture this as a short book, with each quote given on an otherwise blank page before the beginning of each 'chapter')
Your dialogue between characters is wonderfully funny, particularly Finn and Puck discussing the story before he meets Will. (I got some very strange looks from my other half because I kept laughing so loudly when reading it!)
Anyway, thank you so much for writing this! It's nice to have a new Winn story to read, especially one as lovely as this! :)

[dark-dreymer.livejournal.com]

because I think it would have been too obvious and would have seemed, to me, like an author taking the easy way out. Not being argumentative either, but I feel that ending with the fairy-tale ending of a true love kiss could also be seen as tasking the easy way out.

I'm standing by my idea. In fact with hopenight's permission I'd actually like to be able to write the halloween party ending myself and have it as a sort of spin-off from this fic :)

[mausimoo.livejournal.com]

"I feel that ending with the fairy-tale ending of a true love kiss could also be seen as tasking the easy way out"

^ Fairy-nuff! As I said, it's just my opinion, what I felt when I was reading. I'm glad you're standing by your idea, as I stand by mine.

If you did write the Halloween party I'd be very interested to read it! Maybe you could change my mind ;)

[dark-dreymer.livejournal.com]

Fairy-nuff! Lol, I thought my cousin was the only person who said that XD

As I said, it's just my opinion, what I felt when I was reading. And I respect you for having a different opinion, it'd be really boring if people never disagreed =D

If you did write the Halloween party I'd be very interested to read it! Maybe you could change my mind ;) I don't want it to be a contest on which ending is better, I just want to write some Winn since the internet needs more damnit! XD

[mausimoo.livejournal.com]

"I just want to write some Winn since the internet needs more damnit!" <- Obviously you're a man after my own heart! Write it!(I'm working on some myself, so hopefully that'll help if it turns out any good!)

And I wouldn't see it as a contest, I'm just interested in how you would have it end.

(Sorry hopenight for hijacking your awesomeness!)
p.s. nothing wrong with saying fairy-nuff! :p

[dark-dreymer.livejournal.com]

Obviously you're a man after my own heart! I think all Winn fans want there to be more Winn, the problem is most of us are too lazy/busy/etc. to actually write some.

I have a number of fic ideas, the problem is most of them are quite lengthy. On top of that I have to write a 4-8K fic for Ship Wars by the end of Apirl, and have three fics for spring_with_xan by the second week of May.

p.s. nothing wrong with saying fairy-nuff! :p Oh no, nothing wrong with it. It's just that the only person I've seen write it before is my gay cousin... and I am totally within my rights to describe him as such because he's way gayer than I am XD

I totally beat him to coming out though. My Aunt phoned my mum to say he'd come out and my mum was like "Oh really, yeah David came out in September." So I won! XD

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

You're a man after my own heart too! Especially since you have a love of Winn.

I will never stop saying how much more we need this pairing. I'm sick of reading Puck/Kurt fics. (Not that I don't enjoy them but I need some other pairing)

Ugh my sympathies toward your writing. I'm halfway through two 20k Big Bangs. Both are due within a day of each other. And my school has decided to pile on the work so I need to use this break to write.

P.S.: Hahaha! Love the fact that there was a contest of who came out first! At least you weren't accidentally outed...like I did to my cousin. In my defense, he should have TOLD me that he didn't tell his dad that he was gay yet. Before he got trashed on wine coolers and we started talking about his boyfriend.
My uncle took it in stride. But oh God! The looks on their faces when that happened will stay with me forever.

[dark-dreymer.livejournal.com]

Oh wow. 2 Big Bangs, that's tough. May I return your sympathies in full.

Oh dear, accidental coming out; kinda funny but still ouch. My own coming out wasn't accidental, more impromptu. I'd written a creative writing essay about a gay character so my friends were teasing me and calling me gay and I sort of flippantly just went "Yeah, I am." Hanna's response still made me laugh, "Wait, seriously? Or are you saying that to shut us up?" Still one of my favourite responses XD

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

You're sympathies are greatly appreciated. I'm actually working on my Supernatural Big Bang as I type this. But this fic requires more research than my Bandom one. So I hope to have that one done before my break ends...

And I'm rambling. Sorry.

XD That's better then my cousin. I felt bad for him for about two seconds before giggling hysterically. I told him not to have all those wine coolers.
Of course then he retaliated by telling my dad that I don't see the point in sexual orientation. I don't think he's quite over that yet.

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

*blushes* Well thank you for your compliment!

I'm glad you enjoyed what I wrote. I'm just happy that people are loving this story!

I tend to use quotes in nearly all of my longer stories. I hate figuring out chapters and stuff. So quotes fill in the gaps that I missed! Plus it helps me figure out the tone for things that I want to write out.

I enjoyed the dialogue as well. I love writing banter between freinds. I mainly base it off of my friends and me. :) Craaazy times I'm telling you.

We need more Winn! :( I don't think that anyone has read my manifesto on it. But Winn is desperately needed. I have my teen!Will verse. But I'm so busy with school and my other two Big Bangs.

:D I'm so happy that you loved it so much! Brought a smile to my face!

[mausimoo.livejournal.com]

I read you manifesto and thought it was brilliant!
(That was before I had signed up here & was just lurking, which is why I didn't comment on it)

Winn is definately needed, but at least it sounds like a few of us are working on things, so hopefully there will be more soon! (I'm aiming to get my next story finished tomorrow and since you're all so nice, I'll post it on LJ first.)

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

Awww! Well I'm happy that people at least read it.

(hahaha you could've done the anon thing. I would have responded most definitely. :) But I'm glad you read it!)

Yeah I'm trying to get some writing done. *glares at Supernatural and Bandom Big Bangs* But these two are crying for my attention. I swear it's like two four year olds are duking it out in my imagination.

(Can't wait to read it!)

[impalalove]

I love this. ♥!

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

[breea1.livejournal.com]

I still adore this fic and think you had a very fresh and original way of presenting a new spin on an old tale. I enjoyed reading it this time as much as I did when you first sent it to me - excellent work! The fanmix is now unlocked and viewable to all.

x

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

:) Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much! Even though you already read it, I'm still happy that you enjoyed reading it a second time around. It makes me feel happy.

Yes well I tried to do my best with the spin. Also I saw your artwork. Your son did such a great job! You both did! Pass on my sincerest thanks!

This will probably be longer than I intend

[tyhyin.livejournal.com]

This was amazing
Truely amazing
As soon as I read the epilouge I was hooked
It feels like a fairy tale but not a commercial one but a Hans Christian Anderson one
Full of knowledge and a place where magic is an element akin to water
I dont think it was lacking anything
To analyse something to much (although that is what I do) is to ultimately kill the enjoyment and mystery out of doing it
Sometimes
This is one of those things
It is to be taken at face value
It is not I think a retelling of Beauty and the Beast as there is only one similiarity between the two
The fact that Will is a beast
The rest is yours, the characters may not be nor the town but the situation you've put them in is
As much as i dont want it to end the last few paragraphs rang true for me
I'm the sort that never wants the good things to end, who does really
I've been known to keep writing chapters for a fic cos i like the character too much
But things have to end
Also what an amazing way to end it
Kudos to you

As a sidenote I really do like analysing things, writing giant massive reviews on books/stories but here it wasnt needed
Here all that was needed was praise
:D

Re: This will probably be longer than I intend

[hopenight.livejournal.com]

I'm so so happy that you enjoyed it!

I tried to make sure there was at least something like subtext in the story. I also always dug telling my stories like I was talking to the reader.

I tried to divert it from the original legend as much as possible and make it my own. I love doing that. :D

Thank you for reading!

[merlinmonster.livejournal.com]

Wow this is amazing I love the fairy tale feel that it has all the way through and of course I adore a happy ending. I thought the quotes were great too, a really interesting way of diving up the story. Also I never considered Rachel and Brittany as a couple but you write them beautifully. Really great fic!

P.S Love the Merlin reference in the last chapter XD

[tawg.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed this fic (I'm a sucker for fairy tales and legends), and you wrote it in four days? Wow! There are a few typos littered throughout, but seriously, wow.

I really liked the way the boys interacted - Finn and Puck had a great friend chemistry in the first chapters, and there were some really cute and dorky scenes with Will and Finn. Part of me wishes that this was a novel, because I can see all of these places where more things could be put in - I agree with you completely, this story doesn't end where you left it, but you chose a good place to stop writing :)