you or someone else may have already written this (i haven’t gotten through all of the fics yet) but norribeth modern soulmates au where they meet, slowly get closer, and then eventually remember their previous lives. and they both get a happy ending where elizabeth doesn’t end up alone on an island and james is alive 👀
You know, it’s strange, I haven’t actually encountered any modern AUs for Norribeth. I can only suppose it’s because the kind of person that ships it tends to prefer period romance to begin with.
I have had one or two passing ideas for modern Norribeth stories, but ultimately didn’t find much traction on them. But this prompt has some heft to it. Let me brainstorm for it a bit…
James is a Navy vet, discharged due to injury, who now teaches at the collegiate level. Age of Sail or military history is too on the nose…I think that’d be more of a hobby for him. That, and building model ships. XD No. He’d probably teach something like Romantic Era Literature or Shakespearean Studies. Think patches on the elbows of his suit jackets and reading glasses he only wears for class.
Elizabeth is studying at that same college, going for her masters in her own historical field. I haven’t decided which yet, but she’s minoring in women’s studies for sure. I can picture her working in the library part time. This would be one of the places she encounters James. There, and on her morning jogs. She always sees him sitting on the same bench in the park with a sketchbook in his lap, feeding the ducks.
I like the idea of them coming together by accident, and then both having the feeling that they’ve met before, but can’t remember where. They find out they have some major interests in common, and start to spend time together. Lunches in the cafeteria, casual coffee breaks. That sort of thing. It’s comfortable companionship as they lead their separate, busy lives.
Then the dreams start. Flashes of naval battles and cursed treasure and pirates. Dreams that feel too real, too raw. Dreams featuring each other as someone else. Dreams full of pain and violence and heartache.
So the two of them embark on a bit of research of their own, delving into their jointly remembered past, trying to figure out this thing that ties them together across time and consciousness. And along the way…well. They fall in love.
Hmm. There could be something here. Not something I’m ready to devote 8 months and 120k to just yet, but something I might kick around for a little bit at the very least.
Thank you for sending me the prompt, my dear! I hope this answer is in the ballpark of what you were looking for!
And! If anyone else has an idea for a Norribeth story you’d like to share, feel free to nip over to my inbox or send me a PM. With the quarantine in effect, I’m much more likely to get to them in a timely fashion.
Take care, everyone!~
