Sophia, this sounds like it might be the story you're looking for - "Half Gifts" - [link] I've only read the beginning but it sounds very similar to what you've described.

That's exactly it! Thank you!

Of course, not finished....

Well, a lot of people get interested in fanfic because they want to spend more time in a character's head, and certainly that’s a valid reason to write fanfic, but it’s not necessarily going to have a plot that way.

Very true. That's why when I write a story that's 99% character introspection, I'm careful to have a plot that gives that introspection a defined shape. There should be a clearly defined beginning and end (but not too tidy of an end), and a sense of rhythm that allows different facets of the character to be explored in turn.

There are some fandoms (Due South, Smallville) that I read primarily for the 'shippy factors. Since the slashier aspects aren't going to be explored on the shows themselves, fanfic is a necessary part of my enjoyment of those shows. Because I already have a lot invested in these characters, I don't mind a bit of well-written schmoop, or a vignette of the two characters enjoying each other's company and reflecting on the relationship (Resonant's "Adorned" comes to mind.)

Gah... There's more I want to write on the subject, but I do need to get ready for work.

Since the slashier aspects aren't going to be explored on the shows themselves, fanfic is a necessary part of my enjoyment of those shows.

Now there's a thing. A thing which has recently been confusing me mightily.

There's a line, somewhere, between shows that I watch for themselves, and enjoy ficcing from as a secondary thing (Buffy, M*A*S*H), and shows that I love the fic from, and watch as a way to feel 'entitled' to read more fic (Starsky and Hutch, The Professionals).

It's a very strange headspace that makes.

There's a line, somewhere, between shows that I watch for themselves, and enjoy ficcing from as a secondary thing (Buffy, M*A*S*H), and shows that I love the fic from, and watch as a way to feel 'entitled' to read more fic (Starsky and Hutch, The Professionals).

Exactly. I tend to like Buffy, Angel, and CSI for themselves. In fact, I like CSI for itself enough that reading slash for that show feels really, really odd. Due South and Smallville are shows that I like because it enables the fic reading/writing.

Due South and Smallville are shows that I like because it enables the fic reading/writing.

The problem I'm running into is explaining that to someone else. I sit down to watch TV, and it goes like this:

Other Person: What're you watching?
Me: Starsky and Hutch.
OP: That's crap. The plots are useless.
Me: I know, but I like it anyway.
OP: Why watch something that's not good TV?
Me: Err, well...

The honest answer is 'because Starsky and Hutch are obviously sleeping together, and I want to get their voices and the way they move right when I write about them having sex', but it's not exactly a thing you say to just everybody.

Am, that's precisely the problem I have explaining to Hubby why I watch the occasional Smallville. "Well, you see, I wasn't quite sure where Fay got the motivation for Lex to seduce Clark, and there's a great debate over whether Lex is just using Helen as a cover for his one true love, so I figured I'd better catch up a little."

Sabine has an idea for The Legacy Archive. Check it out.

Me, I can't decide what to submit...

Huh! Gods, which one ... Spike and Xander in the steam room or Giles and Ethan watching the Council go floom ...

Giles and Ethan