This ficlet was written for the third LJ community sky_pie challenge. Entrants had to obtain a randomly-generated haiku and use it to inspire a fic. The following are my thought processes as I struggled to produce it.

I found this a really difficult challenge to get to grips with, and what I've produced is frankly crap, but what the heck. I'm going to post my thoughts as well as the eventual bit of writing that emerged, because I can.

The haiku I got when I put 'Kirkpatrick' into the wotsit was this:

of ourselves i won't
get to see him for constant
reassurance and i'm

Not quite my idea of a haiku, which ought to be self-contained, but certainly provoking. Hmm.

What's the word that ends it?

struggling
lost
scared
fretting

What comes before 'of ourselves'?

- Letting go
- part
- bereft

Obvious time is when 'hiatus' starts, but is there a better time?

Maybe after 'Justified' is a success
Maybe the first indication that JT is not coming back to NSync for a while
Maybe when Jesse appears on the scene and Lance has less time for CK
Who is it about?

Lance

- space gap is too bloody obvious, don't want to write that
- maybe when he has become Mr Hollywood
- Lance grounded, CK adrift, needs his prank partner and the other business head around

Joey

- usually a rock, in a fun-loving way, now elsewhere as dad and performer
therefore Chris self-doubting, wondering about own abilities

JC

- sweetness missing
- reassurance about talent and loveability

Justin

- needs to know CK is worth keeping as friend
- respect for his own talent
- x years of being friend/brother - cast aside
- inferiority complex sneaking through
- lover left him? Life too full for CK now?

Is it how Justin feels about Chris?

*AHA!*