June Fandom Meme Question 13

[potentiality_26]

What do YOU consider fandom's "little black dress"?  Is it a coffeeshop AU?  Sharing a bed trope? 

So I spent a little time thinking about this and going "But I like so many tropes!", but then I realized that the answer was easy.  It's Pining / Seemingly Unrequited Love.  It beautifully goes with most of the other classics- Fake Relationship, Sharing a Bed, Trapped Together, Sex Pollen, Near Death Experiences- and with pretty much any flavor of AU.  You can make it work with Soulmate AU too if you try, and even Established Relationship if you're determined enough. 

I love the trope.  I've read thousands of versions and I will read thousands more.  The period of "Oh, so-and-so couldn't possibly like me" angst gets me every time, and if anything I sometimes wish it would last longer than it does.  I do not care how contrived the misunderstandings are or how painfully obvious it is that the other party feels the same way- in fact, the more contrived and obvious the better.  I'll eat it up with a spoon regardless. 
  

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Agreed! I co-sign your second paragraph in its entirety!

[potentiality_26]

Thank you!

[corvidology]

I too wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

Someone bookmarked my collection of POI fic and just labelled it "John pines." :D

[potentiality_26]

<3

It's been a while since I read POI fic, but I remember John being an excellent piner!

[thisbluespirit]

Pining isn't something I go to the tags for, but I do like it a lot in things when it gets given to me on a plate. ("Oh, look, a side order of pining! I shall just have to suffer and eat it. Tragic.")

A good choice. :-D

[potentiality_26]

Heh, yes, what a trial...

[firestorm717]

YES, PINING! You hit the nail on the head :D I like it even more when there's a power imbalance, and one character believes he's not worthy of the other character's love. All that delicious angst, mmmm <3.

[potentiality_26]

Yesss, excellent <3