If I thought I could convince you to read Credens up to about the mid point I would...not because I'm trying to persuade you to AU's but because in a truly academic fashion, I'm wondering if what's there might not actually provide the fix of pain and loss you are talking about.

J and I have talked about this *a lot* (and she would probably be gloriously happy if you wrote a death fic -- not so much in TF&TF, but in Mag7. I think you'd make her very happy.)

Because I do get the adoration and deeply sad comfort of the idea of loss, of recovery -- of the surviving partner going on (Which may be why I'm less likely to react strongly to a story that starts after the actual death of the partner. Maybe it has something to do with my preference for beginnings, not endings. [Maygra pokes at thought with a very long pointy stick.]

And of course, now you have me intrigued. Gah.

Anyway, I think I can stand *some* if they are extremly well-written..I don't think I've actually found many that hit that criteria that actually confronts loss in a way that makes me (queen of melodrama that I am) not think they are overly melodramatic with much gnashing of teeth...which. really...I seriously hate.

Or maybe it really is that empty, hollow place I hate.