Definition?

[ithildin]

I have lots of really smart people on my f'list, and smart people who read lots and lots of fanfic. So I'm pretty sure more than one of you can help me out here.

What exactly is hurt/comfort fic? I see the term a lot, and I kinds sorta thought I knew what it was, but now, I have a feeling I don't. I'm not even sure if I've ever read any.

Yes, that's the burning object of my curiosity today [g]

Comments

[pat-t.livejournal.com]

Everyone did a really good job of explaining. The thing to remember however, is that the hurt doesn't have to be physical. It can be mental or emotional as well. And many of these terms over-lap.

We talk about amnesia fic. What if Methos were to take a bad quickening and came out of it not knowing who he was. He wanders aimlessly not knowing he is Methos or that he's immortal. Duncan becomes worried about him and goes to look for him. Then he takes care of him until he gets his memory back. That is an amnesia and h/c story. Methos has suffered harm (loss of his memory) and Duncan protects and cares for him.

Or suppose Methos takes a bad quickening and becomes violently ill. He can't protect himself, all he can do is hole up and try to ride out the illness until he's better. Duncan hears from Joe about the quickening, worries when Methos doesn't show up and finds him shaking and feverish. He nurses him back to health. Hurt/Comfort.

Alexa dies and Methos is emotionally distraught. Joe tells Duncan and he shows up and lends emotional and physical (food, shelter, a shoulder to cry on - doesn't have to be slash) support. Hurt/Comfort.

I don't like torture fic for the sake of torture. But torture fic with a good plot can turn into good hurt/comfort fic.

You can have a hurt/comfort situation that turns into a first-time story or become a very romantic story. So, alot of over-lap if you want it.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

[nods] lots of great explaining going on :) Thanks for your addition!