Somehow I almost always develop a weird fondness (or burning love) for some side character, often enough one who's seen as despicable by others. In LotR it's Gríma Wormtongue, in GoT it's Theon Greyjoy, and there are others in other fandoms.

Thank you, really. Hearing that was very good for me right now. Without lovely readers/commenters/reccers like you, fandom would be nowhere close to as good and enjoyable as it is.