Do you think stories that are tagged with a ship where they never get together (and in fact end up with other people) should be tagged something like "no A/B endgame"? Or even more than that, since there's nothing other than a single admission of attraction in three chapters?

Whether the ending is happy or sad for them, do you feel the average fic-reader is "owed" (loaded word used purposely) warning?

That's not an easy one to answer, ita_!. I mean, I do not view other writers as my bitches, who must write what I want or suffer consequences. On the other hand, I think I would feel cheated by the tag. I mean, if I go hunting for A/B ship fic, click on something with the A/B tag, and haul in something where they don't actually have a relationship, it's hardly fair. I do not consider one mention of attraction in a multi-chapter work a relationship.

If it's tagged as a ship, I would expect a ship. A/B I would see as a ship. "A & B" I would interpret as A & B interacting a lot and their relationship, whatever it is, being a focus. I've seen some Avengers fic labeled "Steve & Tony non-ship" just for clarity.

And the more I think about it, the more I would feel that the A/B tag without the "no A/B endgame" was deliberate bait and switch unless it was otherwise clearly warned of in the summary or something.

I mean, it was excellently written--she's good. But she has a longfic pattern of ripping your heart out, making it seem like there's no way it can go back in, and then voila! Happy ending, A/B endgame.

This one--of course I want them happy, BUT I ONLY CLICKED ON IT FOR THE SHIP. DON'T PRETEND YOU DON'T KNOW WE DO THAT. Even if they didn't end up together, I did want them together at some point--that was the fix I was jonesing for.

We are not all readers, but we are many.

A/B tag without the "no A/B endgame"

I've seen unrequited used in the Star Trek fandom; I don't know if it's used elsewhere, though.

What I hate the most is when the author lists two ships, say A/B and A/C, but you don't know what the ultimate endpair is. I've bumped into more than my fair share of fics where the end pair is one I hate with a burning passion.

What I hate the most is when the author lists two ships, say A/B and A/C, but you don't know what the ultimate endpair is

Oh, yeah. And the most explicit/sweet/fulfilling-to-you scenes are the other pairing?

::gnargh::

BTW, Lee, do you want my third VVC DVD? I can even give it to you in person!

OOH! YES PLEASE!

I forgot it was that time again.

I did too. I don't know what the hell happened to the rest of August, but I think someone stole it.