#maybe books feels almost like they're even... after the venom and bitterness.... they'll have a makeup session that's so fuckin steamy

[citrine-elephant]

oc brainstorming, too.

weak to the enemies to lovers trope, except they're both generally good guys, if not a little morally grey. the worst they really do is get on each others nerves. and boy do they get on each others fucking nerves....

(oc (drafted) lore below and in the tags)

two sides of the same coin.

Boss Ain't Gotta Know vs Mr. By the Books.

Books is based on a mix Leon Kennedy, Zane Flynt (in style choices/occupation), and Marcus Fenix. Real hardass, bottles his emotions hardcore, generally a sweet guy and empathetic. Struggles to show that, though. maybe he's that "abused dog -> learns to trust again" trope. Guy's a golden retriever who hates hugs.

Jade Smartass is based (semi) on Duncan (total drama) and (HIGHLY) on Damon Baird. He's a fucking asshole who definitely goes a little too far, but has good intentions. He doesn't get social cues nor the appropriate time to make that morbid joke-. He hates the situation, he hates dealing with others, and he tries to make the most of it. Maybe he's the type to try to scare people off because he's just afraid of getting hurt...

Mostly based on the Marcus/Baird enemies to *brothers* but these two are just very much in love with each other in the gay way. (I watched a video on those two and how their relationship grew over time. Hating each other to hugging each other once they reunited... <3) ("like two assholes on their first date" - dom santiago)