Fiona wrote:

Thing is, though, if we're talking about slash, most of what I've seen of it doesn't actually go beyond the sexual, and frequently seems to present the sexual relationship as a kind of "hey, presto!" explanation to the complexity of B and A's relationship. IMO, a slash story which did take the line of "Blake and Avon have a complex friendship-cum-rivalry, with elements of sacrificial love... if they were lovers as well, how would this alter the mix?" would be well worth reading. However, most of what I've read seems to go more along the lines of "Avon and Blake seem to respect each other but be suspicious of each other, Avon risks everything twice on a slim chance of finding Blake, Blake trusts Avon despite all the odds... why is this? I know, they're lovers!" Again, perhaps I'm reading the wrong stories, but this is what I've seen.

I think you're reading the wrong stories, Fiona. One of the really nice things about B/A slash is the whole complex mess of motivations that the pair of them can get into in various possible scenarios.

I particularly like those that posit a strong platonic relationship overlaid by a strong but one-sided, or at least unequal, sexual attraction. You wouldn't even need them to act on it for interesting consequences to ensue.

Or the fairly common idea of sexual relationship followed by falling out -- add the lovers' tiff idea onto the differences in ethics that the two harbour and, again, expect fireworks.

Tavia

PS You really should write your scenario....