Oh, so it's similar to Conall and Yuyan, since originally they weren't going to be friends (much less lovers) either. Were there any other relationships that didn't turn out the way you expected?

re: winter: mainly how you decided to have Summer as the Snow Queen, although how you managed to integrate everyone else in your canon in the plot is something else I'd like to know too. The first bit is mainly because out of the Snow Queen retellings I've read, it's either "Gerda leaves Kay and finds a guy who likes her" or "Gerda and the Snow Queen become friends and leave Kay out to dry." I haven't seen a story where everyone lives happily ever after.

Actually, now that I think about it, I'd like to know how you got the idea to have that sequel bit in that AU, too, because it was a terrific idea.