and so we're writing our fic to resemble the format of the TV series.

I think you're right!

You're a Buffy/Angel shipper, I think, aren't you? I envy y'all so much

I am! And yeah, I know what you mean. I shipped a ship that didn't quite make it to canon in another fandom, and while it was fun to play with them through fic, I always wished there were a couple more moments of them in canon.