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

[macgeorge1.livejournal.com]

In a pop-psychology-ish way, in my opinion, h/c (and I *like* h/c) is a way for someone (the writer/reader) who is a chronic caregiver, to be the object of care, for a change, in a fantasy kind of way, since the reader/writer is most likely identifying with the character who has been hurt and receiving the care. I'm sure it's more complicated than that, but it helps explain - to myself at least - why h/c is appealing.

Just a thought...

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... that's very interesting!

[ekaterinn.livejournal.com]

h/c is a way for someone (the writer/reader) who is a chronic caregiver, to be the object of care

Oh, that's a fascinating way to think about it1 It does make a kind of sense, since fandom (or at least the fanfic-writing segment) is primarily composed of women, who are far more likely to be in a caregiving role. Though, for me, there's also the fact that I know there will be at least a hopeful ending for the characters, no matter what came before, which can be all too rare in real life.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

I'm so much in the caregiver category, you'd think the idea of such fic would appeal to me, but in reading the descriptions of what the fic is, instead, it seems to make me uncomfortable. Of course, I've been told more than once that I won't let people take care of me. Apparently it's a huge fault of mine, so maybe it does make sense in some mentally twisted way :)