I got into Trek through Discovery after many years of refusing to even try a Star Trek series. I really like the hope that underlies the series, the firm belief in people being fundamentally good. I also like that it's such a fertile ground for fun tropes. While I love all seasons, I’m super into the S3 setting change and the new status quo.
I’ve thought they were pretty damn shippy since S1, but S3 turned it into a true OTP. I love their easy chemistry, their banter, and how their history makes them so comfortable with each other. It’s such a lived-in dynamic even when we don’t see them that much. Plus they were totally gonna kiss in the finale! And the hints we got in S4? So tantalizing! Owo’s face when Detmer was going to do the suicide mission? That was so great because it was so clearly “I shouldn’t be relieved but I am”.
Pre-canon, it’d be fun to see them establish their dynamic and getting to know each other. Like, what if they didn’t like each other at first? During canon, fic about their new adventures in the future or set during the canon S4 sorta-holiday at the end would also be great, particularly dealing with Detmer’s willingness to die. Or S5 “flying the Enterprise back to headquarters” fic. It would all be great!
I see the pining here mostly about their circumstances but also about their friendship and being unwilling to lose such an important bond.