#but there's some interesting stuff to draw from comparing protags' best friends and antags

[maiza-at-junes]

abstract protagonist, abstract protag's first and best friend, abstract antagonist that is on the protag's side. best friend and antag are around the same distance from protag - that is very close. the best friend and the antag have a strained relationship

plot happens, but the antag drifts to the opposing side away from the protag. thing is, the best friend drifts away from the protag too, to the antag's side. difference of opinions, straight lies or by omission, rushed decision, something else, doesn't matter. at the time protag's best friend agrees with the antag, who openly opposes protag

the protag's confrontation with the antag. the best friend is there too. the protag's trying to talk sense into both. the best friend tries to talk sense into the protag. the antag highlights differences between the two and themselves, hinting that the reunion with the protag would be very sweet, but impossible on the protag's side. the protag after highlighting the similarities between all of them and recognizing antag's motivations and the best friend's motivations for leaving considers taking the antag's side (probably an alternative ending branch here). a brawl. after that the best friend returns to the protag's side. antag carries on by themselves (or is neutralized, depends, but would be better if it wouldn't)

the result of that is three-way comparison. the antag is more sympathetic because his motivation or point of view was able to get the loyal to protag best friend on their side. the usual protag-antag comparison. the newfound understanding between the protag and the best friend bring them closer than ever