Things fanfic is reputed for inserting into the source material:

Things fanfic actually inserts into the source material:

What fanfic often removes from the source material:

i am not immune to stories in which characters who have endured harsh, empty existences become absolutely transformed by someone’s sincere love for them and learn to live

The inherent eroticism of the Battle Couple

Ogh to trust someone to have your back and you theirs, thus acting as a single entity in battle with twice the strengths and half the weaknesses of the two parts combined...

characters who are absolutely convinced down to their bones that they are unlovable being subjected to the mortifying ideal of being wholly and unconditionally loved. that’s the good stuff. never get tired of it.

Ship Dynamic: I'm not convinced these two are capable of a healthy relationship with anyone, so they might as well have an unhealthy relationship with each other.

i have to reblog this again bc i just noticed it’s from Guy Fieri

Is a cinnamon roll/could actually kill you

battle couples has gotta be one of my favorite tropes though. The “you got me?” “Yeah, I got you.” The kiss for good luck. Fighting alongside each other for so long they know every strength and weakness. The dichotomy of being fucking terrifying to their enemies, but so soft with each other. When one is in danger and the other goes feral, protects them at any cost. When everything is over and done, it’s all “let me see where you’re hurt,” and washing off the dirt and blood.

My favorite ship dynamic is "they're both extremely stupid in completely different ways and extremely smart in completely different ways, but rarely is any of that useful because they just get extra double stupid when together"

“I’d kill for you. Please ask me to kill for you.” “No.” Is a top tier ship dynamic no I do not take criticism

there’s something so compelling about stories where a character’s virtues intensify into flaws that lead to their downfall. loyalty and love becoming so all-consuming that compassion outside of them ceases to exist. duty overwhelming any moral compass until order becomes more important than justice. selflessness so intense it becomes self-destruction. let me watch while whatever saved the hero in the beginning destroys them. let me see them fall to their own worst impulses disguised as what once made them good.

reading/writing fanfiction about your otp be like:

“clichés are bad” ok then explain showing up bloody or bruised outside your enemy’s door because you didn’t know where else to go

i think villains in general provide better, more epic romances because they're allowed to go to extremes. they're allowed to put their love over the greater good. they're allowed to be selfish. the best a hero can offer you is number two, because their duty comes first. villains, though. villains will burn down the world for a last kiss goodbye.

i saw a post on tiktok about dying in battle and your last words to a member of your party is a confession of your love. but then you get resurrected and have to face the consequences. and i want that but like. as a character backstory. you get resurrected which you didn’t realise your cleric could do and the person you’re in love with is like uh hey? and so you pretend to go back unconscious to continue recovering until the party rests for the night and you fuckin’ book it. change your name change your class get a new adventuring party. don’t be suspicious (don’t be suspicious)

everyone thinks you have some dark and edgy backstory but really you’re just an idiot who was so afraid of being rejected that you faked your death.

I prefer to play characters that are different from myself in some way.

mutual pining IS the best trope. no they’re not trying to move on, no they’re not brave enough to risk it, no they’re not trying to date other people, they don’t know they can have it but it’s okay if they can’t (but they CAN)

some of the best relationships can be forged on the anvil of thinking two characters should kiss