Slash pairings are not what they sound like. They're basically pairings in which both the characters are homosexual (there's also femslash, but we won't get into that just now). So what should every newcomer know about slash? First, you have to know the types of slash pairings that exist In no particular order......
The Enemy Pairing
Ex. Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter, Joker and Batman.
The Enemy Pairing is just what it sounds like: The pairing of two guys that happen to be enemies. The best part about this pairing is trying to figure out all the different types of ways for them to get together despite their hatred. The general idea is that the main reason the two hate each other with such devotion is because they're hiding feelings for each other. Due to their supposed hatred for each other, quite a few fanfiction writers might explore the idea of very rough sex between the pair.
The Assistant/Colleague Pairing
Ex. Sherlock Holmes and Watson, Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings
A pairing in which two guys who work together are paired together as a couple. Their close friendship normally makes for some particularly romantic fan fiction. It's a bonus if they live together as well as work together. The general idea is that after working together for a long time they begin to develop feelings for each other that go beyond mere friendship.
The Older/Younger Pairing
Ex. Batman and Robin, Severus Snape and Harry Potter
This pairing can easily be related to the above, due to the vagueness of it. It is basically two males, one younger or older than the other, paired together. The age difference can range from minor to drastic, albeit most fan fiction writers choose characters with a more significant age difference to make their writing more interesting.
The Crack Pairing
Ex. Finn and Ice King, Hatake Kakashi and Rock Lee
This type of pairing exists in every genre, slash or otherwise, but I thought I'd mention it just to be clear. A crack pairing means the same no matter what kind it is: It's a pairing that has absolutely no evidence whatsoever and is chiefly just bizarre. What can be considered a crack pairing depends on your definition of such.
Now that we've got the basic types out of the way, what's next? I suppose if you know the types, you'll also need to know about coming up with names....
The "X" or the Slash
The easiest way to name a slash pairing? Just put an "x" between their names (ex. DracoxHarry). Or, ironically, you can put a slash ( / ) between their names (Draco/Harry).
Combining Names
This one is a little trickier. You take both halves of the characters' names and put them together into one big pairing name (ex. Kakashi and Iruka > KakaIru). Sometimes you have to be a little creative and use their last names as well (ex. Severus Snape and Hermione Granger > Snager. Not a slash pairing, but you get the picture).
Whose name goes first?
When it comes combining names to create a pairing name, whose name goes first? Usually the name of whichever character is going to be the dominant one in the relationship. In other words, the "top". For example, for the pairing "KakaIru", it's easy for most fans of the show to see that Kakashi would be the more dominant one (and in bed as well). When it comes to the pairing of Naruto and Sasuke, it isn't that easy. Since most fans can't really decide who the dom is going to be, they usually refer to it by both combined names (either SasuNaru or NaruSasu).
That was simple, wasn't it? The third and final thing you need to know about slash pairings is.....what counts as a slash pairing and what doesn't?
Sometimes it's difficult to know what exactly fits into this category.
Is it still a slash pairing if the character is technically a boy, but is physically a girl?
The answer depends on your own personal ideas. To some people, the answer is yes. To other, the answer is no. You can form your own conclusions.
Does it count as a slash pairing if the characters seem attracted to the opposite gender?
Simple answer: Yes. That's the beauty of fan fiction and pairings: They don't have to follow any particular kind of logic. It's easy to claim that the characters are bisexual, in the closet, or are just confused. You don't have to explain these things, of course. It is fan fiction, after all, and most people will just roll with it and not argue the logic of it.
Well, that's about all everyone needs to know about slash pairings. I hope you've been informed. Keep writing, my slash-loving friends :)
Upcoming on my blog: Adventures in Google, Part 1
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