Asim does seem un-shippable. He's taken the Lucy's traditional role as the spiritualist who sets aside romantic relationships. Except that most writers do this with Lucy in a way that keeps her childish, as opposed to Asim's informed choices about his life (IIRC, there was some comment indicating that he had some experience with women even if it had been a long time since he sought such companionship).
I liked the feel of Susan/Tebbitt in "You need a wolf to run a mole to ground", and did not think it felt OTP-ish. As you say, more something that develops over time. If Susan has an OTP he (or she) is elsewhere. But life doesn't really fit the OTP concept all that well in my opinion. True Pairing(s), yes, but not the OTP concept as typically rendered in fandom.
Re: All aboard the Susan/Director ship
I liked the feel of Susan/Tebbitt in "You need a wolf to run a mole to ground", and did not think it felt OTP-ish. As you say, more something that develops over time. If Susan has an OTP he (or she) is elsewhere. But life doesn't really fit the OTP concept all that well in my opinion. True Pairing(s), yes, but not the OTP concept as typically rendered in fandom.
-H