No 14036, Monday 04 Dec 2023, Arden

Solution to 2D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

6   Relationship going through some aberration (5) RATIO [T]

7   Small eats, sell something tasteless (8) TINSELLY {TIN{SELL}Y}

10 She's in misery, wailing (7) BANSHEE {BAN{SHE}E} &lit

11 Guard majority without fighting (7) BULWARK {BUL{WAR}K}

12 What a guitarist will do to keep at some level (7) STRATUM {STR{AT}UM}

13 Spoils regular film on couples (7) IMPAIRS {fIlM}{PAIRS}

14 Vulgarity, yes - snobbish maybe (11) YOBBISHNESS*

19 Control on Vatican, perhaps (7) OVERSEE {OVER}{SEE}

21 Show extreme apprehension seeing millions placed in a bet (7) TREMBLE {TRE{M}BLE}

23 Regular payment for any fancy car is included (7) ALIMONY {A{LIMO}NY}

25 Beer drinking-job for a champion (7) APOSTLE {A{POST}LE}

26 Showing current status in the morning, each time (8) AMPERAGE {AM}{PER}{AGE}

27 One in search for a hangout (5) HAUNT {H{A}UNT}

DOWN

1   Trygon ring cast with outside support (8) STINGRAY {ST{RING*}AY}

2   Spread on tile? I don't care (2,4) ?O ?H?T (Addendum - SO WHAT {SOW}{HAT} - See comments)

3   Tide mark, make it smooth (10) STREAMLINE {STREAM LINE}

4   Rolls up? Put down (4) SNUB<=

5   Talk a little bit, it's basic (6) ALKALI [T]

6   Strong while lifting, or broken? (6) ROBUST {OR<=}{BUST}

8   ...in addition, cheek to get into the oval (7) ELLIPSE {EL{LIP}SE}

9   Order a cocktail, use rum (5) UKASE {A+cocK+USE}*

13 Run into the war? You're in trouble (2,3,5) IN HOT WATER*

15 Be told it's custom made (7) BESPOKE {BE}{SPOKE}

16 Damaged boat, sure to be wrecked by him (8) SABOTEUR* Semi&lit

17 She is from Western country (5) WOMAN {W}{OMAN}

18 A banker accepts initial capital, it is cheating (6) DECEIT {DE{Ca...l}E}{IT}

20 Topsy-turvy game - in a dilemma (6) ENIGMA*

22 Quietly cope up with times (6) EPOCHS {SH}{COPE}<=

24 Formally no up move, accept universal currency (4) YUAN {NA{U}Y<=}

Reference List

Vatican = SEE, Millions = M, Cheek = LIP, Western = W, Quietly = SH, Universal = U